37 Budget-Conscious Buys For People Who Still Want The Best Of The Best

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4 days ago

Polarized sunglasses for people who know they can't be trusted with high-end pairs. These do a good impression of Ray-Bans *and* they come in a three-pack, so losing a pair at the park won't be a world-ending event.
Ohora semi-cured nail strips offering a professional-looking manicure, even if your past at-home attempts yielded less-than-stellar results. Apply them like stickers, seal them under a UV lamp, and you're done! These waterproof strips will look and feel like a gel manicure and last up to two weeks.
A hotel-style new duvet cover because your old one is looking a little tattered, no? Despite costing less than a room service chicken club, this microfiber cover has over 50,000 5-star reviewers raving. They say it's buttery soft and comparable to ones from high-end brands.
And a set of extra soft "hotel" bedsheets with so many 5-star reviews (almost 250,000!), you'd think they were capable of permanently curing insomnia. No promises, but some people are saying they never want to get out of bed.
And to complete the bedding trifecta, a set of wildly popular "hotel" pillows so you can feel like you're falling asleep at the Ritz. Reviewers rave that these are the perfect balance of fluffy and firm, meaning you can prop yourself up for a good in-bed TV binge. Plus, they're breathable and cooling, so you won't overheat while wrapped in all those blankets.
E.l.f Lash XTNDR Tubing Mascara, which creates tubing around your lashes to make them appear longer, thicker, and darker. The lightweight "extensions" won't smudge or weigh down your actual lashes and — best of all — they fall right off when you wash your face. Priceless!
A cult-favorite luxury-scented candle reviewers love for its intoxicating and long-lasting smell (think: Le Labo's Santal 33). It has an impressive throw, meaning you can actually fill your home with its calming jasmine, oud, and sandalwood scent instead of having to stick your nose right up to the flame.
L'Oreal Paris Bright Reveal — a new dark spot correcting serum that aims to be like a professional peel in a bottle. The blue gel uses 25% AHA, BHA, and PHA to chemically exfoliate and help reveal brighter, smoother skin. Expect compliments with words like glowing, radiant, and wellness influencer.
A pair of whitening gel pens that use carbamide peroxide to remove stains and bring you one step closer to a movie star smile. With daily use, you can whiten your teeth up to eight shades lighter. Reviewers say the process is super easy and doesn't cause sensitivity, unlike professional whitening sessions.
A Baccarat Rouge 540-inspired moisturizing body wash offering an affordable solution to your dependence on that beloved (but pricey) fragrance. Thanks to the notes of white jasmine, red currant, and sweet amber, shower time has never smelled better.
A set of lovely silk tulips that look like the real deal but, unlike live flowers, can stick around for quite a while. Keeping a regular rotation of fresh flowers can be pricey! Spritz 'em with a little perfume and guests won't even be able to tell they're imposters.
Synthetic extensions if you want to look like you spent top dollar at the salon. These clip-ins provide instantly perfect beachy waves with zero effort and minimal cash. With over 12,000 5-star reviews — and many citing easy installation, comfort, and ability to style with heat — I'm inclined to think these things are well worth the little you have to pay!
Or curly extensions for those with 3c or 4a hair. Reviewers say the human hair clip-ins are surprisingly high quality for the price, and some have even successfully dyed them.
A Bodum kettle with the same aesthetic sensibilities as the pricey Fellow Stagg Gooseneck Kettle but at a fraction of the price. While the Bodum doesn't have to-the-degree temperature control or regulation, it still has a large capacity, precise spout, and rapid boil ability (around two minutes!).
Good Molecules Yerba Mate Wake Up Eye Gel in case you've always wanted to not only drink the energizing tea, but also wear it. This cult-fave can help quickly minimize eye puffiness and swelling using its combination of caffeine and hyaluronic acid. Finally, your eyes can look and feel as refreshed as you do after a bottle of White Label — and for roughly the same price!
An 18k gold-plated cherry keychain because dropping almost $100 on the one from Coach is honestly kind of ridiculous. Reviewers say this one is almost identical!
The Wand, if you insist on drinking two-buck Chuck despite the dire consequences. This mini handheld filter could possibly reduce your wine-induced headaches by removing histamines and sulfites in alcohol, aka the stuff that can potentially cause a nasty hangover. It'll be like you sprang for a really fancy bottle of natural wine! Bonus: It claims to revive oxidized wine, so you don't have to toss an open bottle.
No drill, wall-mounted amber bottles for anyone who wants the hotel treatment at home. At first glance, the waterproof labels conjure up an Aesop vibe, so guests are gonna be like, "OK, fancy."
E.l.f.'s Hydrating Core Lip Shine in the "Ecstatic" shade, which reviewers say works as a very good, affordable replacement for Clinique's "Black Honey," the $25 "universal shade" that has a Shakira-level of fame and adoration. This $7 alternative is nonsticky, moisturizes with vitamin E, and melts onto your lips like buttah.
A pair of Cushionaire cork-bottom sandals that are not only supremely comfortable, they're also an affordable alternative to Mayari Birks. The similarities go past just looks: They also have 100% genuine suede soles, so your feet are still treated to the best.
Stained glass window film you might be able to pass as the real thing — at least at first glance. It's also the coolest version of privacy film I've ever seen, so it's worth it even if you don't trick your neighbors.
A pair of stylish teardrop earrings similar to the popular Bottega Veneta ones, but for a fraction of the price. They're lightweight and gold-plated, meaning that even those with sensitive ears can enjoy them.
A faux-sheepskin area rug ensuring the first thing your feet feel in the morning is fuzzy heaven. You can use this next to your bed, flung over a couch, or as an auxiliary pet bed. Yes, even Chanel the dog gets a fancy resting spot.
A classic pleated tennis skort with...*drumroll*...pockets! Pleased reviewers have compared it to reputable brands like Nike, Aritzia, and even Lululemon, saying it's suuuper comfortable.
A cute set of glass coffee syrup dispensers so you can pretend you have a personal coffee shop right inside your home. If the Seattle Space Needle can have its own Starbucks, why can't you? The kit comes with a funnel and package of labels, but if your coffee tastes are kind of niche, there are also two blank labels.
A trio of hydrating lip sleeping masks that 150+ reviewers say offers a Laneige-like experience for just a fraction of the price. The berry extract and vitamin C work to moisturize lips as you go to bed, proving that beauty sleep is a real thing.
A retro mushroom table lamp previously only seen in your wildest Architectural Digest dreams. Guests will ask you if you scored it at an auction; we'll let you decide how honest you wanna be (JK).
Glue-on foam ceiling tiles providing a quick, fancy refresh to your kitchen or living room. Gotta love an easy way to add a "wow" factor without having to splurge on carpentry or remodeling.
A layered necklace set with three classic chains — herringbone, curb, and rope — that'll elevate any outfit, even your dog-walking uniform. Thanks to their gold plating, the necklaces are hypoallergenic and tarnish-resistant, making them a great budget option when solid gold is out of the question.
A viral "Soft" perfume rollerball for anyone who wants people to think of them and think "yum." Reviewers compare this $7 fragrance to caramel, lemon cupcakes, warm vanilla scones, and cotton candy.
A set of thick velvet slipcovers to instantly transform your drab couch into something new and fabulous. Goodbye, stain-covered gray couch and HELLO new couch of my dreams.
A beautiful tennis bracelet no one has to know is actually made with zirconia. You just need to decide if you want yellow, white, or rose gold plating — or OK, all three.
A set of Dash ice cream-making mugs if you've been eyeing the beloved Ninja Creami, but don't want to drop serious dough on an ice cream maker. Like its spendier counterpart, you simply freeze the mugs, add ingredients, turn on the churner, and enjoy soft serve ice cream, gelato, froyo, and more in just 20 minutes.
A multipurpose blush stick many reviewers note gets the job done just as well the $18 Pixi Beauty version. Despite the outrageously low price, it's just as buildable, waterproof, and pigmented.
A spandex-blend slip maxi dress that's the closest you can get to wearing a nightgown outside while still looking ready for date night. Reviewers say that this fabric is not only comparable to a certain Skims dress, it might actually be even better.
And a scoop neck tee offering the same buttery softness as the beloved Skims top. Bonus: This one comes in more colors than it costs.
Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Anti-Frizz Serum that laughs in the face of humidity. The lightweight, argan oil-infused formula hydrates, smoothes frizz, and defines waves and curls with such ease, you'll wonder why high-end brands are charging so much.