These are the iconic beauty products you need to try before you turn 30. You can’t say you’re makeup obsessed until you do.
Start writing your shopping list–and remember to pack your credit card because these are the cult beauty products you should try before you turn 30. (If you’re looking for fashion, we have that covered too.) Why the age 30 goal? Well, some people may have goals about careers, houses, and families, which are perfectly fine, but goals about makeup tricks, skincare essentials, and beauty products are much more fun. Plus, if you try them now, you’ll be able to enjoy them for that much longer. If you have any other recommendations, let us know in the comments, so we can all take out a bank loan to buy them.
Here are 30 beauty products you should try before you turn the big 3-0:
1. Maybelline Great Lash
This is a drugstore mascara that not only rivals prestige brands but it beats them long, glossy lash for lash.
2. Nars Blush in Orgasm
It’s even more impressive when a specific shade gets its own classic status. If the universally flattering “Orgasm” isn’t enough for you, there’s also “Super Orgasm.” *insert your own innuendo joke here*
3. Smashbox Primer
Use this, and you will never again think that “primers are just another way for beauty brands to make money.” There’s a different type of primer to target every skin concern, including redness, sallowness, dryness, and there is even a new pore minimizing formula.
4. Tweezerman Slant Tweezers
These slanted tweezers remove every stray eyebrow hair, including the annoying ones that your old tweezers weren’t able to pick up because they were too tiny. If you can see it, these will pluck it.
5. Giorgio Armani Maestro Foundation
This isn’t cake face foundation as you know it. You squeeze a few drops of the ultra-fine oil pigment into your hand using the pipet applicator, then apply it to your face. The product will seamlessly blend in and leave a glowing, flawless complexion in its wake. No brush needed.
6. Urban Decay Naked Palette
The original palette spawned two others, plus a range of other products, including nail polish and lipgloss. Buy the original now and start saving up for Naked 2 and 3, and the soon-to-be-released sequels.
7. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick
Revlon introduced lipstick waaaaaay back in the 1940s, so clearly, they know what they’re doing. “Cherries In The Snow” remains a classic to this day. To wear it the retro Revlon way, you’ll need the matching nail polish.
8. bareMinerals Original Foundation
This mineral foundation is so much more than just a face powder. It isn’t drying, minimizes imperfections, and it contains SPF 15. Are those enough reasons to get you blending and buffing?
9. Seche Vite Top Coat
Stop being too lazy to apply a top coat to your manicure. This costs the same as a regular bottle of nail polish and makes your DIY manicure look salon shiny. As for chips, you’ll only see those if you have a package of Lays in your cupboard.
10. Lancome Bi-Facil Double-Actin Eye Makeup Remover
An eye makeup remover may not be as exciting as, say, lipstick, but if you lose at least three eyelashes whenever you attempt to remove your mascara, you’ll appreciate this formula. It even removes waterproof mascara and doesn’t leave a greasy residue.
11. Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder
If a single product is so successful that a whole range is created around it, you know it is good. This bronzer actually looks like a natural tan and doesn’t have the orange undertone or sparkles that you’ll find in most bronzing powders.
12. Clarisonic Cleansing Brush
This is another new product that has quickly gained cult status. If you think that washing your face with your fingers, or occasionally a washcloth, will get you squeaky clean, this buzzes at 300 movements per second. I don’t even think Superman’s hands are that quick.
13. Batiste Dry Shampoo
If you want to jump on the no shampoo bandwagon but don’t want to look like a grease monkey, this dry shampoo is still the best. You can keep it old school with the original formula or try something different like the cherry-scented formula. They even have different colors for redheads and dark-haired girls.
14. Beauty Blender
This might not look like much, other than a bright pink sponge, which is what it is. This humble sponge beats out makeup brushes and regular sponges. It easily blends your makeup for professional-looking results. Never again will you have that awkward foundation jawline.
15. Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream
If you want a cream that solves all your problems, at least when it comes to skincare, this is it. It moisturizes, soothes sunburns, and even functions as an eyebrow gel. You can also use it on your body. It makes a great cuticle moisturizer and scaly elbow softener.
16. Benefit Benetint
If you want that glowing, rosy-cheeked look without running 5K, this gives you a believable flush without all of the sweating and aching legs. The fine brush and liquid formula offer a more precise application compared to traditional powder blushes.
17. Diorshow Mascara
All mascaras are not created equal. Diorshow has an extra-large blush to give stubby lashes mega volume. It also comes in a waterproof formula, so you don’t have to worry about messy panda eyes.
18. Mason Pearson Hair Brush
I realize that it might take a lot of work to convince someone who only brushes their hair when it’s wet to invest in a hairbrush that costs hundreds of dollars. However, if you buy it now, you’ll have it forever. The nylon and boar bristles massage your scalp in such a way that you’ll be tempted to start brushing your hair with 100 strokes a day.
19. Crème de la Mer
Yes, it’s more-than-my-phone-bill expensive, but it’s worth trying once, just to see why all the celebrities rave about it and if the Miracle Broth truly does deliver. If you get addicted, I only told you to buy one, not invest in a lifetime supply.
20. Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner
Some eyeliners have the tendency to run as bad as mascaras. This award-winning formula is transfer and water-resistant, so you can go for a swim, and it will stay put. Did I mention it also comes in 14 colors?
21. L’Oreal Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold Hair Spray
If you’ve given up hairspray because it brings back horrible memories of crispy semi-formal updos, give this classic hairspray a chance before you judge it. Elnett is strong enough to keep your hair in place, but it is still soft enough that it can be brushed out. No helmet head here.
22. Givenchy Phenomen’Eyes Mascara
If you can get your head around using a mascara with a brush that looks strikingly similar to a Game Of Thrones weapon, you’ll be pleased to know the unique brush helps you get in all those awkward, hard-to-reach spots resulting in mega long, voluminous lashes.
23. Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion
Let’s be honest, to get excited about a moisturizer means it needs to be seriously good. I have yet to see the best beauty products list that this hasn’t been featured on in the last ten years.
24. Essie Nail Polish
Nail polish brands tend to either do work-appropriate pink and nudes or crazy nail art colors. Essie has a covetable range of both kinds, and they’re flattering.
25. Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler
Any type of eyelash curler may sound like a torture device, regardless of the make or brand, but they aren’t all created equal. This one is curved to suit most eye shapes and curls lashes for a wide-awake appearance that lasts. Give this a chance, and you’ll notice a wider-eyed difference. Just be careful not to pinch your eyelid skin.
26. YSL Touche Éclat
Everyone hates dark circles. This little pen is the easiest way to fake a full eight hours of sleep, apart from five very strong espressos. The gold packaging makes it worthy of a spot on your vanity.
27. Stila Lip Glaze
Stila Lip Glazes aren’t your average goopy gloss. They add shine and a pinch of color, while the pen applicator ensures an even, mess-free application. Did I mention they smell delicious too?
28. Urban Decay Primer Potion
Urban Decay is obviously quite skilled at making products that sell out. Their Primer Potion must have some magic ingredients in it because it stops eyeshadow from creasing without changing its color, and it lasts for 24 hours.
29. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer
Even those people who are addicted to full coverage foundations will have a change of heart when they try this tinted moisturizer. It gives you a dewy glow while minimizing soft lines. It also contains SPF 20 for the days when you accidentally forget your sunscreen.
30. MAC Lipstick in Russian Red
Red lipsticks are notoriously difficult to wear–not just because they end up on your teeth. Russian Red has risen the ranks to become one of the few shades that seem to flatter all skin tones and make teeth look magically whiter without any trip to the dentist.
