Welcome to The Great Beauty Try-On, where we seized the opportunity to test-drive the best-selling makeup products from some of your favorite beauty brands (plus some newcomers!) and documented the process along the way.
In the year and a half that I’ve been a beauty editor, my makeup collection has increased tenfold. (No complaints here.) I get to test viral products, my Sephora points are in the thousands, and the urge to do my makeup at 2 a.m. is definitely strong. My beauty products and I have built a pretty unbreakable bond. To put it simply, I sometimes have a hard time parting ways with empty bottles. But I recently found a beauty brand that’s testing my loyalty: Black-owned, vegan, and cruelty-free brand Uoma Beauty.
I admit I’m a little late in joining the Uoma Beauty fan club, but I’m here now, and that’s all that matters. You may be familiar with this brand’s Pull Up for Change challenge, which asked beauty brands to share the actual percentage of Black employees in leadership positions at their companies back in 2020. At its core, Uoma was created in celebration of diverse beauty, and it’s making waves not only in the industry but also in my beauty routine. When I tell you these products are made for all, I mean it. I’ve been sending selfies to all of my friends, raving about the Say What?! foundation, which comes in 51 shades and matches my skin perfectly. The Stay Woke concealer is no different—an absolute match made in heaven. But I’ll stop teasing you and let you see exactly why I’d be willing to give up all the makeup in my arsenal for a lifetime supply of Uoma Beauty products. Keep scrolling for the 10 products making me rethink my entire makeup collection.
Whenever I test a new foundation, a little bit of fear creeps up on me as I add it to my cart. Will it be too light? Will it be too dark? Is it really full-coverage? But when this baby arrived at my doorstep and I tried it for the first time, it was absolutely perfect. It covered up all of my hyperpigmentation while feeling lightweight on my skin, and most importantly, the shade match was absolutely unreal.
I’m a bit picky when it comes to concealers. I’ve spent far too many years using them as my base rather than as a spot corrector. But this one is super creamy and easy to blend. I applied it under my eyes, and they were instantly brightened but not too light. I typically experience some creasing by the end of the day, but I was pleased to see very minimal fine lines with this product.
It’s hard to believe, but this was my first time contouring. My makeup usually errs on the minimal side, so adding a contour step to my routine has always felt a little intimidating. The last thing I want is an unblended base or harsh lines, but this contour stick was so easy to apply and blend. The stick applicator gives you a lot of control. I felt like I could mess up (which I did) and easily fix it because of how easily the product glides on the skin. I don’t typically wear highlighter because I go for foundations that have a dewy finish, but this one gave me a nice glow that didn’t feel too bright or excessive.
I have combination skin with much of my oil buildup living in my T-zone, so powder is an absolute must for me. I applied this with a big fluffy brush after the Say What?! foundation to ensure my makeup remained matte and flawless throughout the day. Loose powders notoriously get messy during application, but the barrier on this packaging allows for minimal mess (and waste). I’m a huge fan of this one.
Don’t fight me on this, but eye shadow is the best part of putting on my makeup (especially when the colors are saturated and fun). I only wear eye shadow for special occasions, but some of the these shades are definitely made for everyday wear. I layered Poise, Mother, and Feminist to create a mauve, fall-inspired lid. This palette has the perfect mix of bold and neutral shades that I can wear for just about any occasion.
Lip products hold a special place in my heart (and beauty drawer). I have hundreds of lip products, and I rotate them based on my mood. But I think I just found my everyday lipstick. This one is extremely hydrating with a sheer finish. I paired this with a brown lip liner and achieved a very natural brown-nude combination. I immediately threw this one into my purse.
I’m a tough critic when it comes to mascara. I have naturally curled eyelashes that look their best when volumized and lengthened. This mascara has an hourglass-shaped wand that allows for volume from root to tip. Even with my curled lashes, I still noticed a slight lift. I’m mostly impressed by the ingredients. Made with castor, avocado, and jojoba oils, this mascara promotes growth, strength, and intense moisture.
A red lip for the holidays? Groundbreaking, I know, but necessary. Matte lipsticks are known for being flaky and drying, but this one defies all odds. When I tested it out, I didn’t feel that cracking sensation that matte lipsticks can cause after a few hours of wear. The color payoff is downright incredible. Catch me wearing this lipstick at every single holiday party this season.
I’m a low-maintenance brow girl. After years of waxing, my eyebrows have thinned to a shape that doesn’t require much plucking, tweezing, or filling in. Brow gel has become my best friend, but this two-in-one brow product is bound to be my plus-one for all of the special occasions I have coming up. I can add light strokes, fluff, and easily distribute the product using the spoolie brush on the other end.
I wear liquid eyeliner exclusively on nights out as long as I give myself more than an hour to get ready. But there’s no need for the extra time when I have this fine, felt-tip liner. It glided onto my lid with ease and didn’t require tons of tissues or Q-tips to correct my mistakes. My wings definitely weren’t identical, but are they ever? This is a great liner for the makeup novice who hasn’t quite worked their way up to elaborate eye designs. It’s a true black that won’t budge after a long day.
