
The best shark movie of the year is now streaming — and it makes ‘Jaws' look like a day at the beach
As if an oversized great white with razor-sharp teeth wasn't scary enough, 'Dangerous Animals' increases the fear factor by also throwing a deranged serial killer into the mix, and it's just as unhinged as that sounds. This intense thriller is easily the best shark movie I've seen this year (though the competition isn't fierce with Hulu's 'Into the Deep' a real stinker).
This Sean Byrne-directed survival thriller swam into theatres in early June, but it's finally ready to swim into new waters as it's now available to stream on premium video-on-demand via platforms like Amazon and Apple. And this taunt and tense thriller is definitely worth the rental fee.
You'll come for the sharks, but trust me, you'll stay for Jai Courtney's deliciously sinister performance. Here's everything you need to know about 'Dangerous Animals.'
Zephyr (Hassie Harrison) is an American drifter and surf-obsessive currently trawling through Australia's Gold Coast. After a romantic encounter with realtor Moses (John Heuston), Zephyr's commitment issues surface, and she flees the scene of their hookup.
Going for a nighttime surf to clear her head, she encounters Tucker (Jai Courtney), an initially friendly stranger whose horrific true intentions quickly come to light. Abducted by this deranged psychopath, Zephyr awakens handcuffed to a bed in the hull of Tucker's boat.
Tucker soon reveals his sadistic ritual, which sees him kidnap victims and then feed them to a pack of hungry sharks while filming the brutal act on a battered old camera. With time ticking away before she becomes fish food herself, Zephyr desperately tries to escape.
'Dangerous Animals' sets out its stall extremely early. The opening sequence introduces us to Tucker, and from this very first appearance, it's abundantly clear that he is somebody best avoided at all costs. It's a shame his first on-screen victims don't see that and pay the price.
I've been pretty critical of Jai Courtney's work in awful movies like 2016's 'Suicide Squad' and 'Terminator Genisys' in the past, but the Australian actor absolutely nails his part here. Tucker is the best part of the movie. He's a terrifying presence, completely deranged and downright evil, but Courtney lights up the screen and creates a very memorable antagonist.
It's a shame the same can't be said for the hero of the piece, Zephyr. It's not that Hassie Harrison does anything wrong, but the character's arc of transition from a lone-wolf to somebody willing to accept help from others, in this case, Heuston's Moses, is predictable.
But really, with a movie like 'Dangerous Animals,' you're not here for the character arcs; it's all about the bloodshed, and this movie does not disappoint. Tucker's cameracord is used quite creatively to give the movie almost a 'snuff film' quality. This really adds to the sense of unease as we see the killer string up victims and plunge them into shark-infested waters.
Being attacked by sharks while going for a pleasant swim is one thing to be afraid of, but being tied up, hoisted into the air, and then slowly lowered into a circling pit of sharks is beyond nightmare-inducing, and 'Dangerous Animals' isn't shy about showing the horrific results of Tucker's disturbing method of murder. Those easily frightened should steer clear.
Viewers looking for a watertight narrative should probably also give this one a miss. 'Dangerous Animals' has a lot going for it, but it does see character turn off their common sense a little too often, and there are some story beats as flimsy as soggy cardboard. But, for me, these flaws never amounted to more than mere distractions to the real show stealer: Jai Courtney's Tucker, and watching (sometimes through my fingers) his horrific actions.
On the surface, 'Dangerous Animals' might have the appearance of a trashy gorefest, but there's quite a bit more to this well-constructed horror-thriller than meets the eye. Director Sean Byrne does a great job contrasting the movie's picturesque location of the Gold Coast with the murderous actions of its antagonist, and the sound design is seriously punchy.
For these reasons, and the others highlighted above, I'm not surprised to see that 'Dangerous Animals' was a bit of a critical darling. Shark movies are often dismissed as 'guilty pleasures' or just outright torn to shreds by critics, but not in this case. The movie holds a strong 86% score on Rotten Tomatoes, enough for a 'Certified Fresh' badge.
'Stuffed to the gills with memorable shocks and a thrillingly unhinged heel turn by Jai Courtney, Dangerous Animals will be irresistible chum for horror aficionados,' reads RT's 'Critics Consensus,' and I'm glad to see Courtney's work getting called out for praise.
So, if you thought 'Jaws' was too tame, or just want a reason to be absolutely terrified of ever going swimming in the ocean all over again, 'Dangerous Animals' is a shark movie you don't want to skip. Perhaps its biggest strength is that it makes its protagonist unsafe both in the water and on dry land, so there's no escaping or moment to catch your breath.
'Dangerous Animals' isn't the only new movie arriving on streaming this week. Here's a guide to the best new releases across platforms. Plus, horror fans also won't want to miss this new chiller starring Sally Hawkins from the directors behind 2023's 'Talk to Me.'
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USA Today
44 minutes ago
- USA Today
'Predator' director talks 'Badlands,' hints at Schwarzenegger's return
SAN DIEGO – Dan Trachtenberg's first 'Predator' movie experience was sitting in the back of a car in the 1980s, heading to a karate tournament and listening intently as other kids ran down the plot of that cool new Arnold Schwarzenegger sci-fi action movie. 'I grew up loving the idea of seeing an R-rated movie for the first time and 'Predator' was that,' the director said at a Comic-Con panel on Friday, July 25, for latest franchise effort 'Predator: Badlands' (in theaters Nov. 7). 'Badlands' marks the first time in the long-running series that a Predator is the actual protagonist rather than the villain – in this case, a young alien hunter named Dek (played by New Zealand actor Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi). And it's the latest movie where Trachtenberg, who also directed 'Prey' and the animated 'Killer of Killers,' is taking 'Predator' to new places. Join our Watch Party! Sign up to receive USA TODAY's movie and TV recommendations right in your inbox That said, Trachtenberg revealed at the panel he recently had breakfast with Schwarzenegger and is looking to 'cook up stuff for that guy.' The first bit: His character Dutch in the original 1987 film has now been added to a key post-credits scene in 'Killer of Killers' (streaming on Hulu) that hints to where things could go in the future. 'Badlands' was inspired by Trachtenberg realizing that, in these movies, 'the Predator never wins. They're supposed to be the greatest hunters in the galaxy.' The director showed off the first 15 minutes of the movie, which introduces Dek as the runt of his clan and why he needs to travel to a 'death planet' called Genna to track down an 'unkillable' foe and prove himself. 'We really have never in movies seen the Predator hunting on a planet where everything, from grass to creatures, could kill you. He's essentially the Dutch of this movie,' Trachtenberg said. 'It was a really fun experiment, the whole process of bringing Dek to life,' Schuster-Koloamatang said. 'The suit is a little taxing. But it's really rewarding feeling when you get to hang up your boots – or your Yautja feet.' Dek gets help from Thia (Elle Fanning), an android with half a body that goes on the quest with him. Trachtenberg liked the concept of Thia 'being strapped to that guy for the gauntlet that he has to go through' a la Chewbacca carrying C-3PO parts in 'Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back.' Also noteworthy: Thia is a Weylandi-Yutani android, meaning that "Badlands" takes place in the same universe as the 'Alien' movies. Does the 'Predator' guy want to be the 'Alien vs. Predator' guy? 'Wouldn't that be cool,' Trachtenberg said. One big change in 'Badlands' is in actually filming the Predator. Before, actors would in be suits and the actor would wear a giant mask so the Predator's mandibles and jaws were controlled by filmmakers. This time, Schuster-Koloamatangi wore the armor but the face was open so the Predator's facial expressions would match the actor's via motion-capture performance. 'We really wanted to make sure we could go to emotional places that have never happened in previous films,' Trachtenberg said. He described it as 'this beautiful moment' of old school meeting digital, 'all bring driven by Dimitrius' performance.'


Buzz Feed
44 minutes ago
- Buzz Feed
My Experience With Happy Ending Massages At 50+
Way back near the beginning of pandemic, I had a real-life Good Luck to You, Leo Grande experience. If you're not familiar with the movie (now streaming on Hulu), a retired widow (Emma Thompson) hires a fine-ass sex worker (Daryl McCormack) to find some sexual adventure. (Spoiler: Adventure is found.) In my case, there was no green-eyed Leo Grande. However, I did have two (2!) people working over my middle-aged body. Also, they weren't official 'sex workers,' though it did involve both sex and work. I was getting a 'hands-on bodywork session,' basically a massage with a (possibly) happy ending. Oh, it was all on the up and up. It was through an organization, let's call it Yonis R Us (YRU), that hosts retreats in glamorous locales where women of all ages (seriously, ALL, like up to extremely senior citizen) learn to connect with their bodies, their sexuality and their desires. And yeah, a happy ending might be had, but the bodywork sessions were about more than that. It was about allowing yourself to accept pleasure and feel sexual without any of the body image/performative/goal-oriented pressures of a lot of hetero sex. Getting rid of that last bit was going to be a trick for me. I enjoy spending my leisure time worrying about things like that new spot on my leg (fatal????), people who don't text back immediately (dead???) and the like. My monkey mind doesn't just chatter away during my rare attempts at meditation ― mine is more howler monkey, always on duty, hyper-vigilant and screeching from the treetops, alerting me to a constant stream of imaginary peril. To be honest, I was secretly looking for a Magic Vagina Whisperer, someone who would force me to chill the F out, know what I wanted even before I knew it, and could play my body like a piano, or whatever musical instrument is the equivalent of my body (Bagpipes? Theremin?). When Nanette*, the founder of Yonis, messaged me one day and offered me a private session that night, gratis, I was immediately like, 'Yes, please!' It was to date, the best media perk I've gotten, and I am a person who recently received a huge box of weed products hand-delivered to my door. About four seconds later, I panicked. The letting-strangers-touch-alllllll-the-naughty-bits wasn't the issue. I've interviewed several sex workers and came away convinced that sex work is an important helping position. Providing loving sexual touch to people who aren't getting it, for whatever reason, is a gift. I had no moral quandaries. Viva getting touched by a kindly, trained stranger/specialist! But on that particular day, I was not feeling super fuckable. I already had a full-on pandemic body going on, even though we were just barely into it. Underneath my Bao -like belly, I was sporting a bush with the aesthetics of an abandoned parking lot. As Emma Thompson told Vogue about the extremely last-minute preparations for her role in Good Luck to You, Leo Grande, 'I couldn't go off to a health spa in anticipation of forthcoming nudity.' Nor could I, Emma. I couldn't lose the belly in one day, and in a flash of liberation, I decided I would leave the bush in 'as is' condition. I was gonna own this 'forthcoming nudity,' goddammit. The idea was strangely empowering. 'Screw it!' I thought. 'This is my body. Behold!' That night I pulled up to a charming little house tucked down a shady lane somewhere by San Diego. I was greeted at the door by Nanette, who is short, curvy and warm, like a sexy fairy godmother. She introduced her associate, Rod Steele,* who is blonde, muscled and pretty much an ideal specimen of manhood, as well as being a lovely, gentle person. There was a spacious living room and a large wooden dining table laden with snacks. I picked at the spread while we had easy talk about…something? Finally, they asked me to go into the bedroom, disrobe, and get up on a table similar to a massage table. I draped a sheet over myself and waited. When they came in, they spoke to me gently and started giving me a massage. If you find yourself in a situation where two people want to give you a massage, I'd recommend you take them up on it at once. It was pretty great. I closed my eyes as they introduced elements of sensation play, always asking permission first. There were scarves draped up my thighs, a little wheel toy with pokey things ― the idea was to stay in the moment and really focus on the sensations. Somebody eventually started touching me where the bathing suit covers. There were some consensual flicks of a flogger and the introduction of a butt plug. It's odd that I can't remember the specifics of who was touching where, otherwise I could give you a play-by-play, like 'Bishop to e5.' What does stand out is that it was dawning on me that I wasn't even close to having an orgasm, and I (ridiculously, I know this!) felt like I should ― like it would be polite to do so. And it felt absurd that it wasn't happening. I was being stroked and lavishly feted by two gorgeous, sexy, and attentive people. But I was lying there wondering if their hands were getting sore, and they regretted doing this for free. So there I was: naked, the stimulation increasingly amping up, and still not having an orgasm. Eventually (two minutes? 700 years?) they brought out the big guns, the hallowed Magic Wand. If you're not familiar, the Wand is a giant vibrator that's pretty much a jackhammer for the lady parts. If there ever was a vibrator that could easily be converted to gas power (rip cord and all), it would be the Wand. They applied the Wand, but my body would not succumb to it. I felt my monkey mind cockblocking the insistent ministrations of my electric lover. 'Shit, it's still not happening!' I thought, which for the record, is pretty low on the list of arousing thoughts. Then it dawned on me. I thought about my best sex ever and how raw chemistry goes a hell of a long way towards arousal. Yes, the simple biological manipulation of body parts is a huge part of sex, but it's just one part of a complex mix of lust chemicals, scents, the almost divine touch of someone who really does it for you and the particular appeal of a partner's jawline/chest/thigh/thick dick/whatever. In this case, all manner of diligent rubbing wasn't gonna be enough. It's the same reason a glory hole wouldn't appeal to me. I'd need some backstory. Here, I couldn't just lie down on the massage table thing, spread my legs, and get lost in it. In discussing the 'problems' of sex in How to Think More About Sex, the delightful School of Life co-founder Alain de Botton writes, 'Great sex, like happiness more generally, may be the precious and sublime exception. During our most fortunate encounters, it is rare for us to appreciate how privileged we are. It is only as we get older, and look back repeatedly and nostalgically to a few erotic episodes, that we start to realize with what stinginess nature extends her gifts to us — and therefore what an extraordinary and rare achievement of biology, psychology and timing satisfying sex really is.' But I digress. Through all this, the Wand was determinedly buzzing away, perhaps puzzled, not understanding why I was resisting its charms. I didn't know what to do, so finally I mentally pulled up the images of my favorite porn. If you must know it's the one with two college guys who, against their supposed straightness, get too turned on and simply must bone each other immediately. Eventually, less being swept away by inevitability and more 'I will make this happen,' ala Annette Bening, 'I will sell this house today!' in American Beauty, I had the orgasm. Check. Not huge, but there. Hey, way to ruin goalless pleasure with a goal, self! Once the 'sex' part was done, we moved back out to the living room. I sat on a couch, and Nanette and Rod settled in on each side. They snuggled in close and handed me an exceptionally good popsicle. We talked about what had gone down and how it was for me. Rod suggested I give the plug another try sometime. I had another popsicle (this is unrelated). It was A+ aftercare. In the end, I still completely support this kind of work. If you can lie back and enjoy being attended to by two eager pretend lovers, get yer butt on up on that table. (Statistically, it's likely that you'd dig it: Multipartner sex is the most common fantasy, according to Justin Lehmiller's Tell Me What You Want.) For me and my howler monkey mind though, the most thorough fuck of the night was the mind fuck I gave myself. It wasn't ideal, but lessons were learned. Sex with another person who hotly desires you as much as you desire them is a rare and beautiful thing. This was not it. But it didn't need to be that. It occupied a different space. In this space, you can be sexual without worrying about pleasing another (or, like me, you can worry about it anyway) and that feels important. You can go to this place, go really deep sexually and emotionally with two other people, then be on your merry way, with no emotional reverb. And you might even get some popsicles out of the deal.


Buzz Feed
44 minutes ago
- Buzz Feed
30 Makeup Products That'll Make You Change Your Routine
A Sol de Janeiro lip butter crafted with moisturizing ~cupuaçu (a popular rainforest tree related to cacao) butter~, nourishing açai oil, and conditioning coconut oil. It'll leave you with a perfectly soft, smooth pout *and* the iconic caramelized vanilla scent of the ever-so-popular Cheirosa 62' fragrance. Promising review: "This lip butter is everything! The texture is so smooth and buttery, and it glides on effortlessly without feeling sticky or heavy. The caramelized vanilla scent is heavenly — sweet, warm, and comforting without being overpowering. It keeps my lips incredibly soft and hydrated for hours, even in dry weather. I also love the larger size — it feels luxurious and lasts a long time. Definitely a staple in my skincare routine now. Highly recommend!" —MeghanGet it from Amazon for $18. A Kylie Cosmetics skin tint everyone on TikTok is HYPING. And honestly, the videos literally look like witchcraft taking place all over my FYP, it's kinda wild. This light-to-medium coverage blurring elixir will literally just look like your skin, like, you may not be able to tell where your skin is and where you put on the skin tint. Check it out on TikTok! It's literally giving it from Ulta for $32 (available in 24 shades). An Ilia Milk Essence moisturizer, a lightweight, hyaluronic acid-packed bottle of goodness that's perfect to incorporate into your skincare routine before sunscreen and makeup. Dry skin and redness are no match for this barrier-renewing miracle. Promising review: "THIS. IS. AMAZING. 😍 I'm obsessed with this face milk! It's so lightweight, and my skin just drinks it in. It feels so good without being heavy or greasy like some other moisturizers. I usually hate putting moisturizers on because I don't like it getting all over my hands, but this is super-absorbent and doesn't leave a greasy residue. I love it so much that I keep a bottle in my purse and my car so I can apply it on the go. I'm kind of [obsessed], TBH. It's the perfect way to keep my skin hydrated all day long!" —Single Mom, Happy Kids!Get it from Amazon for $28+ (available in two sizes). A set of freckle makeup pens to add some different shades of freckles to your gorgeous little face. If you hate when your foundation covers up your beautiful marks, grab these to bring 'em back like Winnie brought Billy Butcherson back from the dead. Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen that can also be used as your makeup primer, offering broad-spectrum SPF without feeling greasy or leaving a white cast. I know, I know, trying to make sure you wear sunscreen on your face can be a pain, especially if you wanna wear a full face of makeup buuuutt, that's why this baby is so perfect! A win if I ever knew one. An active acne scar primer made by Topicals for those with acne-prone skin. Not only is it great for blurring pores and raised bumps for a flawless makeup application, but it also can help reduce texture over time with regular use. Makeup + skincare wrapped into one bottle?! Pinch me, I *must* be dreaming. Topicals is a Black woman-owned small biz!Promising review: "This is it. This is the one that *actually* blurs and fills in significant pitted scarring and large pores. My skin is oily/dehydrated. After years of trying every single primer available and being let down, I am astonished. On a totally bare, clean face, I press it into the scarring (don't rub, just tap it in) and wait for 30 seconds. The primer dries completely and levels itself into smoothness. I use Estée Lauder Double Wear foundation on top, and it actually stays put all day. I was worried about the silicone in this primer causing foundation separation issues, but after a 10-hour day, everything is still in place. I did look a tad oily after six hours and had to re-powder." —lcsftwGet it from Sephora for $34. A One/Size glass skin setting spray, a skincare-infused elixir by our favorite witch, Patrick Starrr. Perfect if you need tons of powder to set your makeup on your oily skin, but then end up looking all cake-y and un-skin-like. This'll melt the powder into the rest of your makeup for a seamless, glass-like blend. One/Size is a queer, Filipino-owned business founded by makeup artist Patrick Starrr to ensure that makeup is really one size fits all, as it should review: "WOW Patrick, I never got your first setting spray, but you DEFINITELY got my attention with THIS new one. Of course, I've only used it once, but for me, having to use a setting spray one time makes a difference in whether I like it or not, and WOW, I am OBSESSED. The lay down on this setting spray is GORGEOUS, my new obsession." —nikkicalebGet it from Sephora for $34. And their new On 'Til Dawn Mattifying Setting Spray with SPF 28 so you can have your makeup locked in *and* get 80 minutes of sweat-resistant broad spectrum protection without a white cast or sticky feeling. Plus, reapplying will be so easy. Promising review: "Girl, you're telling me you're giving me a two-in-one. Not only is this one of the best setting sprays out there, but you're telling me it has SPF in it!! You know ima be spraying this all day, every day from now on. I absolutely love how it sets my face and how good it feels, too!" —Elizabeth it from One/Size for $39. A top-notch tubing mascara that'll easily rank above any other mascara you've ever tried. Perfect for anyone who lives for drama — when it comes to their lashes, that is. Promising review: "I am not a morning person, but have to be at work at 7:00 a.m. I don't use a lot of makeup, but mascara is one of the two things I never go without. I have been having trouble even with some of my go-to brands, with the mascara not staying put in the humidity. I read a review about this mascara and decided to give it a go. I love it! The 'tubing' effect gives me noticeable, lovely lashes, and it stays put all day. However, it is by far the easiest I have used in years to get rid of when it's time. One swipe with a cleansing wipe seems to get all the little tubes off — I no longer wake up with residual raccoon eyes even after cleansing at night." —cmpGet it from Amazon for $7 (available in three shades). A Fenty lip oil for anyone who loves immediate hydration and locked-in moisture for their pout. This trio of perfection — vitamin E, passionfruit oil, and shea butter will help nourish and condition your lips *and* the colors of the oils are stunning. Everything you could want in a lippie product. Promising review: "This is my favorite lip oil that I've tried! The iridescence is beautiful any time of day, and it smells so good it makes me want to eat it! I wear it to work, around the house, and out running errands — you really can wear it for any occasion. I also appreciate that it's not sticky feeling!" —DrStassiGet it from Sephora for $26 (available in two finishes and seven shades). A pack of 50 cult-favorite Clean Skin Club Clean Towels that are actually reaaaaaally multitalented. You can use 'em to take your makeup off with cleansers and makeup remover, use them to dry your face, to remove face masks, and even to clean your skincare and makeup tools. Your washcloth could have some bacteria on it, especially if you're using it a few days in a row. Use these babies instead and toss the funky rag to the side. A volcanic stone face roller to soak up excess oil even if you're wearing makeup. This baby is reusable AND washable!! Bring it on the go and when you see your face beginning to look a little past the glazed donut stage, let this baby save you! I personally would like to take part in this sorcery. A shimmer-free translucent cream highlight balm that you can use on your eyes, cheeks, and lips to give you that yummy dewy look. It's made with ~skin-soothing~ ingredients that won't clog your pores, such as chamomile and green tea extract to help calm and comfort your sensitive skin. Highlight perfection. Tower 28 is an LA-based, Asian woman-owned small biz that creates vegan and cruelty-free beauty products for all skin types. Promising review: "This is soooo good. It is a clear balm that doesn't dry down, but it doesn't move and does give a healthy shine." —marlin castellanosGet it from Amazon for $18. An Anastasia Beverly Hills brow pencil with an ultra slim tip to help you get the thinnest, most *precise* hair-like strokes ever, keeping your brows looking super natural. It's dual-ended with a spoolie on the other end, so you can blend away easily. If we're choosing magic wands, I'm pickin' this one. The magic that is this product, omg. This brow pencil is my guilty pleasure. It's just reliable, and we love a reliable product. 👏🏽👏🏽 I've been using this for probably close to 10 years. It is a splurge product for me; I do fall for cheaper alternatives and such, but whenever I return, it reminds me that this brow pencil is truly unbeatable. It's really in its own lane. The pencil is sooo thin, so it helps create the most natural, realistic brow-like strokes, which is the look I LOVE. I mean, just look at the pic above, you can literally see the hair strokes I made using this. The colors are also so natural, I personally love the soft brown, even though my hair is naturally a very dark brown — it just looks the most realistic for me. Anastasia, girl, you did your big one with this... oh, and are you a witch? You can tell me, I won't tell reviews: "This is my go-to eyebrow pencil! I have tried many different brands, but I always end up returning to Anastasia Brow Wiz. It stays in place and it looks natural without being too harsh! Excellent product!" —Amy E. Newby"Love this product. Will forever buy this product. Goes on smooth and stays on all day." —Sara A SmithGet it from Amazon for $26 (available in eight shades). And an Anastasia Beverly Hills freeze wax because you want your brows laminated, but your wallet is your biggest hater and *does not* want you to spend that money. DIY home laminated brows, it is! Luckily, this little cauldron of magic will help you achieve the look as if you had cast a spell. Promising review: "This gel keeps my brows in place without feeling stiff or sticky. I love how it blends with my brows and provides a strong hold while still looking natural." —Elena BGet it from Amazon for $23. A blurring setting powder that I'm, like, 98% sure Fiona and Cordelia Goode from AHS: Coven conjured up. Silky smooth, poreless-looking, matte skin for up to 14 hours?! Where's the cauldron that this was made in? An illuminating moisturizer by L'Oreal to help enhance your skin's natural summer ✨glow.✨ It's a perfect, lightweight alternative to heavy foundations that just make you feel suuuuuper hot on those lovely 95-degree days. Laneige's Neo Blurring Powder — a magical K-beauty concoction that'll control the shine while keeping the glow. Pores where? Oil where? Not over here, all we know is matte, radiant, glowy skin. Or, all we know is witchcraft, cuz how the heck does this make your skin both glowy and matte?! Not sure, but it's perfection. A Glow Reviver melting lip balm that not only comes in the most stunning shades, but it'll slick your pout DOWN with some deliciously buttery moisture without the sticky feeling. And that shine?! To die for. 😍 Promising review: "Diva, stop letting these influencers sway you into spending your hard-earned (and scarce) beans on $20–$30 subpar lip balms — you're paying for the brand, and the quality is questionable. ELF KNOCKED THEM BOTH OUTTA THE PARK WITH THIS! SO BUTTERY, SO YUMMY, SOOOOOOO MUCH PRODUCT!!!!! I wasn't expecting the tube to be so generous in size, by far the biggest amount I've seen from the market. The flavors are divine, the color payoff is even better than Summer Fridays…and it's only $9, you cannot go wrong. I just can't fathom any balm being priced above $12, E.l.f. always hits and barely misses. 🩷💋" —SONIAGet it from Amazon for $9 (available in six colors). Maybelline's Instant Age Rewind Concealer with a sponge on the end that'll cover dark circles so well, everyone will wonder what spell you used to achieve such magic. You'll look well rested and refreshed even on days that aren't. Nobody will even be able to tell! An E.l.f. Holy Hydration! makeup melting cleansing balm reviewers are calling *magic* and comparing to Farmacy's Green Clean balm, which is much more expensive. The hyaluronic acid will keep your skin all hydrated and help protect the moisture barrier. It'll also give your face a nice cleansing and ~melt~ your makeup away. A Too Faced "Better Than Sex" mascara that'll condition your lashes while also adding volume and length, locking your lash curl in place. You'll get the false lash drama without the discomfort. Promising reviews: "Okay… just wow!! So I was looking for a mascara that would actually make my eyelashes look good without having to apply, like, 50 coats before they popped, and this mascara is it! With only one coat, they pop so quickly! It goes on so smoothly, and I absolutely love how thick my lashes become so quickly! Highly recommend this mascara! I will never turn back to any others now!" —Ashly Richardson"This mascara is by far the BEST mascara I've ever used. No matter the price, I will now purchase this forever." —Alexandra MeoliGet it from Amazon for $16+ (available in two sizes, two shades, and a two-pack). A foundation mixing pigment — blue to tone down the orange-y look, orange to bring warmth into cooler foundations, and white to lighten. Whatever the problem, these are the solutions and will help you get the most perfect foundation shade ever. Looks like actually getting a correct match isn't a myth. Thank you, makeup gods. 🙌 A sparkly gloss in the shade "Amber Sparkle" by Anastasia Beverly Hills that'll have you glued to the mirror, trying to get over how stunning this looks on your lips. Promising reviews: "This gloss is INCREDIBLE! So sparkly and not gritty. It looks amazing by itself or over the top of a lipstick. Soooo happy I finally got my hands on this shade." —cannonator"Visibly PACKED with glitter! I like how well it can stand on its own without lipstick and that you don't have to look too closely to see how it sparkles!" —arcturusGet it from Sephora for $22 (available in 20 shades). A lash cluster kit with the fluffiest of fluffy clusters and wispy bottom lashes so you can do a full volume set *with* your bottom ones for so cheap and way less time. It comes with a bond, seal, and review: "These lash clusters are amazing! They stack so beautifully without looking bulky or unnatural. The base is super thin, which makes layering easy and seamless, and they blend perfectly with my natural lashes. Whether I'm going for a light, wispy look or full glam, they hold up and stay put all day. Definitely a staple in my lash routine!" —Ari💕Get them from Amazon for $13.99 (available in 12 other kits). A Nyx "Duck Plump" plumping lip liner that'll give you up to 10 hours of wear and the best ducking plumped up pout of your life. From the high pigment and creamy formula to the affordable price, this baby will easily become a makeup must-have. Promising review: "This lasts all day! As with anything plumping, you'll feel the tingle. I can just apply ChapStick throughout the day and it 'reactivates' the liner and you'll feel the tingle again. I think I'm done with lip fillers, this works soooo well!!! Five stars definitely!" —Kristi it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 12 shades). A color-correcting multistick for your eyes, lips, and cheeks — it'll neutralize dark spots and circles even if you've felt like NOTHING will cover your tired under-eyes lately. Put this over any areas with hyperpigmentation, then put your foundation or concealer on top and boom: tired under-eyes will be gone in a flash. A Tower 28 cream blush that can *also* be used on your lips. If you've been searching for an unbelievably pigmented blush with a radiant, luminous finish, look no further. A Tarte under-eye color corrector to help correct and neutralize dark circles so no one will be able to tell you stayed up a *bit* too late bingeing Love Island. Promising review: "I have dark under-eye circles and have tried countless products. This REALLY helps! I wear it under my concealer, and there is a NOTICEABLE difference when I do/don't wear it. This product is great because it can be worn alone as well, without making you look weird. I have fair skin, and this product is perfect. I will be reordering." —Honesty333Get it from Amazon for $32 (available in three shades). Tirtir foundation that won't betray you four hours after applying it by becoming all cracked, cakey, and creased. Makeup nightmare. This bad boy lasts up to 72 hours and delivers buildable coverage that'll conceal redness, blemishes, and dreaded dark circles. And if that doesn't already have your finger hovering over the *add to cart button*, it helps boost skin elasticity and will help give you the coveted ~glass skin~ look.