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Black Honey Lip Balm – Moisturizing Lip Care with a Natural Finish
I’ve always been a bit of a sucker for lip balms, especially when they promise both hydration and a touch of natural color. The Black Honey Lip Balm caught my eye on AliExpress because of its crazy-high number of positive reviews and the claim that it’s similar to Clinique’s cult-favorite Black Honey — but at a fraction of the price.
Why I bought it: My lips are dry year-round, and I was hunting for something that wasn’t sticky, felt comfortable, and gave just enough tint to enhance my natural lip color. This balm seemed to tick all the boxes: natural finish, moisturizing, and long-lasting.
My experience: I wasn’t expecting much for around $2, but this balm turned out to be surprisingly good. It goes on super smooth, almost like a lip oil but with more body. The tint is subtle — more of a natural flush than a true color, which is exactly what I wanted. The formula feels lightweight but nourishing, with no waxy residue. After about 3–4 hours of wear (including coffee breaks), it still kept my lips soft without flaking or drying out.
Pros: ✔ Affordable ✔ Moisturizes well ✔ Subtle, healthy tint ✔ Sleek packaging that looks more high-end than it is
Cons: ✖ Not as long-lasting as a lipstick (but it’s a balm, so that’s expected) ✖ Slight scent — not unpleasant, just noticeable
Price comparison: Similar tinted balms in the US go for $15–25. This was under $3. A no-brainer.
Did it meet expectations? Totally. Honestly, I’d order three more just to stash in different bags.
US $2.15
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3pcs Waterproof Black Eyeliner Pencils – Smudge-Proof & Beginner Friendly
I usually use gel liners or liquid pens, but lately I’ve been trying to simplify my makeup routine. This 3-pack of waterproof black eyeliners stood out because of the value (three for the price of one drugstore pencil) and all the reviews saying they were smudge-proof and easy to use.
Why I bought it: For everyday makeup, I wanted something quick and clean that wouldn’t smudge under my eyes halfway through the day. The “waterproof” and “smudge-proof” claims caught my attention.
My experience: The texture is creamy enough to glide on without tugging, which is great. I did notice that the pencils feel a little soft, so I have to be careful when sharpening. Once on, they set in about 30 seconds and don’t budge unless you really rub your eyes. I wore it through a 9-hour workday and it held up well with minimal fading — not raccoon-eyes territory.
Pros: ✔ Very pigmented ✔ Glides on easily ✔ Long-lasting and smudge-resistant ✔ Comes in a pack of three — amazing value
Cons: ✖ A bit too soft for precision work ✖ Needs a good sharpener to avoid breaking the tip
Price comparison: In the US, one decent eyeliner pencil costs $6–12. This 3-pack was around $1.50 per pencil.
Did it meet expectations? Yes — and actually exceeded them. These are my new go-to for daily wear.
US $1.19
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Ultra Fine 0.008mm Eyebrow Pen – Waterproof & High Pigment
I’ve been eyeing the ultra-fine brow pens trending lately and finally gave this one a try. The 0.008mm tip claim sounded too good to be true, especially for this price, but I wanted to test it for microblading-style strokes.
Why I bought it: I wanted a pen that could mimic hair strokes naturally without bleeding or fading. The fine tip and waterproof formula made this look like a steal.
My experience: The pen actually draws extremely fine, crisp lines. The pigment is strong, so I use a light hand, especially in the front of the brows. It dries quickly and doesn’t smudge, even after sweating a bit during a run. I got the dark brown shade and it’s a good neutral tone — not too red or too ashy.
Pros: ✔ Insanely fine tip — very precise ✔ Stays on all day ✔ Doesn’t smudge or fade ✔ Great for detailed brow work
Cons: ✖ Dries fast — so mistakes are harder to fix ✖ Requires a bit of practice if you’re used to pomades or pencils
Price comparison: A similar brow pen (like Benefit’s Brow Microfilling Pen) runs $25+. This was under $4.
Did it meet expectations? Absolutely. It’s the closest dupe I’ve found to higher-end versions.
US $1.19
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Lying Silkworm Eye Brightener Pen – Subtle Eye Highlight
This was a bit of a spontaneous buy. I saw tons of Asian beauty influencers using silkworm pens to highlight under the eyes, and I was curious. I got the champagne shimmer shade.
Why I bought it: I wanted something to brighten up the under-eye area and make my eyes look more awake. The shimmer looked soft, not glittery.
My experience: This pen applies like a cream shadow and blends easily with a finger. It’s a nice soft glow — not a glitter bomb. I use it on my inner corners and just under the waterline to fake 8 hours of sleep. The formula sets well and doesn’t crease on me.
Pros: ✔ Great brightening effect ✔ Easy to blend ✔ Cute packaging ✔ Doesn’t irritate eyes
Cons: ✖ Not super long-lasting without primer ✖ Limited shade range
Price comparison: In the US, similar pens (like ones from Etude House or NYX) cost $8–15. This one was about $2.
Did it meet expectations? Yes. It’s now part of my daily eye routine.
US $1.5
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16-Color Sunset Eyeshadow Palette – Matte & Shimmer Korean-Inspired
I wanted a palette that wasn’t boring but also wearable. The Sunset Magic Palette looked like a great mix of mattes and shimmers, with peachy and bronze tones.
Why I bought it: The warm color story and the K-beauty aesthetic sold me. Plus, it was dirt cheap for a 16-pan palette.
My experience: The pigmentation blew me away — way better than expected. Some of the mattes need a bit of building up, but they blend easily. The shimmers are the star here: soft, buttery, and really pop when applied with a finger. I’ve used this for both casual daytime looks and going out — super versatile.
Pros: ✔ Beautiful color story ✔ Blendable formulas ✔ Nice mix of finishes ✔ Travel-friendly size
Cons: ✖ A couple of repeat shades ✖ Slight fallout on the deeper shimmers
Price comparison: A palette like this in the US? Easily $20+. This was under $6.
Did it meet expectations? Yes — and I’ve been reaching for it more than some of my $30 palettes.
US $3.21
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PINKCOCO Bear Doodle Mirror Lip Glaze – Glossy Nude Lipstick
This gloss has been all over AliExpress TikTok hauls, and I admit — I was drawn in by the packaging. It’s adorable. But I was also curious about the formula because I’m always on the lookout for comfy nude glosses.
Why I bought it: Wanted a student-friendly, shiny gloss that could work with minimal makeup. The name “Mirror Lip Glaze” was promising.
My experience: The texture is smooth, non-sticky, and surprisingly hydrating. It gives a high-gloss finish with a soft nude tint that adapts a bit to your natural lip tone. The doe-foot applicator makes application easy, and the staying power is okay for a gloss — about 2 hours before reapplying. What surprised me most is how flattering it is. It doesn’t wash me out like some beige nudes do.
Pros: ✔ Cute packaging ✔ Very glossy and moisturizing ✔ Universally flattering color ✔ Great for daily wear
Cons: ✖ Slightly sweet scent (some may not like that) ✖ Not transfer-proof
Price comparison: Similar glosses in US stores go for $10–18. This one? Just over $3.
Did it meet expectations? Definitely. It’s become a go-to.
US $1.67
Final Verdict
Ordering from AliExpress always feels like a bit of a gamble, but this time, I struck gold. Every item I picked exceeded my expectations in terms of quality and value. The shipping ranged from 10 to 18 days — not lightning-fast, but reasonable for free shipping from overseas.
All six products were well-packaged and arrived undamaged. I’m especially impressed with the pigmentation and performance of the makeup items, considering how little I paid. Compared to US prices, I saved a ton.
Would I recommend these products? Yes — especially if you’re looking to explore beauty on a budget without sacrificing quality. I’m already eyeing more makeup and skincare finds for my next order.
