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You can stock up on the best eyeshadows, powders, and liquid foundations on the market, but without effective beauty tools, it's impossible to unlock their magic. Before you drop another dime on a pair of tweezers that can't remove stubborn ingrown hairs or an eyelash curler that falls apart in your hands, check out our guide to the beauty tools that are scoring rave reviews.
Best Slanted Tweezers: Tweezerman Slant Tweezer
Year after year, Tweezerman Slant Tweezers top every best beauty tool list for a number of good reasons: they're relatively inexpensive, they firmly grip the smallest of hairs and pull them out with precision and without pulling your skin, and they come in adorable prints and colors, just for the heck of it. There's a solid reason why Allure editors have included these slant tweezers in their "best of" list for 14 years in a row: they're well worth the extra few dollars you'll pay for them.
Tweezerman Slant Tweezer ($16.48)
Best Pointed Tweezers: Tweezerman Point Tweezers
weezerman came out on top again with its point tweezers, which are lauded for their ability to remove the smallest of hairs with precision. Made from stainless steel, they're simple to clean and disinfect and can even be used to remove splinters. They also feature a lifetime warranty, which means Tweezerman will sharpen your tool for free or replace it with a new one if it gets damaged--you can't go wrong.
Tweezerman Point Tweezers ($14.54)
Best Eyelash Curler: Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler
Shu Uemura's Eyelash Curler is considered the gold standard of eyelash curlers by makeup professionals. Its ergonomic design allows the tool to wrap around your lashes comfortably and the hinge is made so that it's virtually impossible to grip too hard on your eyelashes and damage them or pull them out. Even customers with self-described "skimpy" and "straight" lashes say it curls them on the first try and won't pinch your lashes. The only downside to the curler is that its pads wear out rather quickly--and Shu Uemura doesn't sell replacement pads, meaning you'll have to purchase pads from one of its competitors.
Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler ($20)
Best Eyebrow Shaper: Lancome Eyebrow Reshaper Brush
Whether you possess the kind of tweezer talent required to groom your own eyebrows or rely on a professional brow guru to do the job for you, you're going to need an eyebrow shaper to help them look their best and Lancome's Eyebrow Reshaper Brush is considered one of the best. This five-star rated tool features a convenient dual-ended brush with a spiral brush tip on one end to reshape, blend, and groom, and a pointed tip on the other for eyebrow makeup application. Customers say it picks up just the right amount of product and helps you fill in and groom your brows so that they look their natural best.
Lancome Eyebrow Reshaper Brush ($27.50)
Best Nail Clipper: Seki Edge Stainless Steel Fingernail Clipper
Seki Edge Stainless Steel Fingernail Clipper is a Japanese tool that consumers say leaves the cleanest of cuts, can be held comfortably, and, in some cases, obviates the need to file nails--a testament to their effective sharpness.
Seki Edge Stainless Steel Fingernail Clipper ($13.50)
Best Toenail Clippers: Sephora Collection Make the Cut Toenail Clipper
Thicker toenails require a durable tool that will cut through nails with precision. Sephora's Make the Cut Toenail Clipper is small and compact, with a straight-edge blade. Customers say it retains its sharpness and, at just $8, is a bargain.
Sephora Collection Make the Cut Toenail Clipper ($8)
Best Cuticle Nipper: Tweezerman Squeeze N Snip Nipper With Bonus Zip File
Since the worst thing about most cuticle nippers is that they're impossible to hold, Tweezerman Squeeze N Snip Nipper With Bonus Zip File scores major points for its ergonomically-designed thin handle and the fact that it's so compact, you can easily toss it into your purse. These are easy to use and won't pull at your cuticles in a way that can be damaging.
Tweezerman Squeeze N Snip Nipper With Bonus Zip File ($26)
Best Nail File: Nail Tek Crystal Nail File
Nail Tek Crystal Nail File is perfect for thin nails that break easily and customers say it has a fine, double-sided grid, doesn't wear out, and can even be used to buff dry skin on your feet. The cherry on top? It comes in an adorable fuchsia traveling case--perfect for quick touch-ups everywhere you roam.
Nail Tek Crystal Nail File ($16.50)
Best Foot Buffer: Diamancel Diamond Foot Buffer #11
The many customers who adore Diamancel's Diamond Foot Buffer #11 (more than 3,180 "loves" on Sephora) say this tool, which features a unique geometric diamond pattern credited for buffing dead, dry skin, saves them hundreds of dollars in pedicures, is painless, and really works--even on feet that haven't been treated to a professional pedi in months. Lots of folks complain about the price of this buffer ($49), but then swear that it's worth every penny.
Diamancel Diamond Foot Buffer #11 ($49)
Best Pencil Sharpener: Clinique Lip and Eye Pencil Sharpener
Boasting over 140 five-star ratings on Sephora, Clinique's Lip and Eye Pencil Sharpener is uber popular because it fits all standard size pencils, sharpens them well, and won't snap your eyeliner or lipliner in half (worst thing ever). Another bonus: it costs just $4, but works better than many expensive alternatives. The only way Clinique can improve on this tool is if they offer it with a compartment to sharpen their amazing Chubby Sticks Lip Colour balms.
Clinique Lip and Eye Pencil Sharpener ($4)
Best Makeup Sponge: Beautyblender
At first, you'll want to buy a Beautyblender makeup sponge because it's so colorful and too cute to resist. Then you'll use it to apply and blend everything from foundation to bronzer and you'll wonder how you got through life without one. It's non-disposable, virtually indestructible, and fans say it gives makeup a natural, airbrushed look.
Beautyblender ($20)
