If You Hate Spending Over $30 For Beauty Products, These 30 Things Are Just For You

Buzz Feed

01-04-2025

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
Just because you like to stick to your budget doesn't mean you want to sacrifice a killer makeup look or luscious-looking locks.
1. NYX's Lip IV Hydrating Gloss Stain — you'll get that classic glossy look when you first apply it, and then it'll leave you with a natural tint to your lips (so basically, it's a 2-in-1 product!). It's infused with vitamin B12 and coconut water, giving you moisture for up to 12 hours!
www.amazon.com, www.instagram.com
Check out what this TikToker says about them!
Promising review: "This product is amazing! The color is very pigmented and stains really nice. The best part is how great it feels on your lips it's super hydrating it doesn't dry your lips out, it is so soft and not sticky at all! It is worth every penny!! Highly recommend!" — JojO🧁
Get it from Amazon for $11.97+ (available in 12 shades).
2. A Samnyte Hair Wax Stick so you can sllliiicccckkkk back those flyaways and make sure your Hailey Bieber-inspired look stays all day and night. It's less messy than gel or pomade and can fit in your bag for on-the-go touchups.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"This wax stick effortlessly tames even the most stubborn flyaways and unruly strands. Its unique formula provides a firm hold without the stiffness or flaking associated with traditional hairsprays. It keeps my hair looking sleek and polished all day long. The compact, easy-to-use stick design makes application a breeze. Simply swipe it over flyaways or areas that need a touch-up. The wax glides on smoothly and blends seamlessly, leaving no visible residue." — cwin
Get it from Amazon for $7.99.
3. A tube of Essence Lash Princess mascara that reviewers love because it's less than $5 and gives you some dramatic — like Bravo TV dramatic — looking lashes. No need to reapply throughout the day or fiddle with uncomfortable falsies when you've got this in your beauty arsenal.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
See it in action on TikTok.
Promising review: "I tried this mascara for the first time in 2020 after seeing it go viral on TikTok. It was too inexpensive not to try, right?!?! Well, let me just say how upset I was to find out this little inexpensive bottle outperformed EVERY expensive mascara I had ever bought. This is now the only stuff I use!" — Amanda Sims
Get it from Amazon for $4.99 (also available in a three-pack and in two colors).
BuzzFeed editor Kayla Boyd wrote an in-depth Essence Lash Princess mascara review.
4. Catrice's "Instant Awake" Under Eye Brightener since you want to convince everyone that you did in fact get a full night's sleep even if you were on IG reels until 1:30 a.m. So many reviewers love the lightweight, color-adapting formula and once you see how seamlessly this blends into skin, you will too!
www.amazon.com
The color-adaptive formula is designed so one of four shades will work on any skin tone.
Promising review: " I used to use the Becca under-eye product, and this one is way better. You can sheer it out and warm it up on your hand. Don't need to use a lot, and it adds a lot of brightness under concealer." — Ariel O
"Took years off my eyes! This product is so reasonably priced. I came across a TikTok promoting this and decided to take a chance since the price was super reasonable. My eyes looked brighter in a good way, and the concealer worked so well that I felt I looked younger. I got compliments from friends asking what I did differently with my makeup. I recommend it." — Placeholder
Get it from Amazon for $6 (available in four shades).
5. An EOS 24-hour moisture body lotion that is so popular you'll be grateful you can snag it on Amazon because otherwise, you'd probably be battling someone in the body lotion aisle for the last bottle. This leaves your skin super hydrated without feeling greasy and will have you feeling *and* smelling good all day!
Listen to one user's glowing review on TikTok.
Promising review: " Better than TikTok said! OMRyan Gosling, this is an amazing lotion!!! Run, don't walk, and buy this lotion! The name is vanilla cashmere and that is exactly what this is! Love love love!" — DeeDra Billings
Get it from Amazon for $8.98 (available in eight scents and multipacks).
6. An E.l.f Glow Reviver Lip Oil infused with jojoba oil to give you some hydrated, smooch-worthy lips. Anyone who has ever pined over the Dior Lip Oil knows that their mind has been completely changed once they try out this more affordable alternative.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "Did I mention that I love this lip product? It has a nice hue to it. The amazing thing — it's not sticky, at all. That is one of my biggest things I look for in lip products when I'm just doing daily errands. This will forever be a repurchase from me." — Kayla
Get it from Amazon for $8 (available in 10 shades).
7. Byoma's Hydrating Milky Toner that so many people swear by because it's a more affordable alternative to the Ilia Base Face Milk Toner. Thanks to the blend of ceramides and lipids, it'll help you achieve that glass-skin look you've been searching for. This helps reduce redness, lock in moisture, and it's great for sensitive skin.
See how milky and smooth it is in this TikTok.
Promising review: "I got this as a new step in my skincare routine. This milky toner is perfect for hydrating the skin while leaving it with a slight shine that makes your skin look bright and clean! It's not heavy and absorbs quickly! It smells nice, too, which is a plus because a lot of products these days stink. If you are looking for a new milky toner, this is the one to try!!" — Amanda smart
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
8. A heatless hair curler perfect for anyone who's only ever trusted their hair salon to give them big, bouncy curls because curling your own hair feels a little tricky. Just lightly dampen your hair, wrap it around the soft, satin headband, go to sleep, and voila! Now it's looking like you're the pro now.
Robe Curls is a woman-founded small business that specializes in heatless hair curling tools. This rod is designed to work with all hair types, with tutorials included on their site!
Promising review: "I used to wake up with a hair situation that could only be described as 'the aftermath of a windstorm.' Enter RobeCurls heatless curlers: in under 4 minutes, my hair went from tangled catastrophe to Stepford wife — in the best possible way. No heat, no damage, just bouncy curls and a new sense of superiority. It's like magic but with less smoke and mirrors. Five stars, easily." — Lauren
Get it from Amazon for $27.99 (available in seven colors).
9. A waterproof eyeliner stamp if you know all too well the struggle of making the left eyeliner match the right eyeliner only to find that you went overboard and turned yourself into a raccoon. Thanks to this, all you need to do is stamp the wing on the outer corner of your eye and flip it over to the fine tip to finish off the job!
Amazon, www.amazon.com
The Flick Stick comes from New Zealand-based brand and small biz Lovoir Beauty.
Promising review:"This eyeliner is worth the buy, do it now!!! It is very easy to apply and once it is on, it stays in place unless you wipe it off. I love, love, love this eyeliner. — Catrinna F.
Get it from Amazon for $14.98 (available in three sizes and a combo pack).
10. Terez & Honor eyelash serum to help grow those lashes to new heights! Just apply this along the lash line every night to help give you the natural falsies look. Plus, this works on your eyebrows as well!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
No lash serum will work overnight, but with consistent use, you'll be able to see longer and fuller looking lashes!
Promising review: "I've always been skeptical of lash serums like this, but the reviews were great, so I decided to try it. After using for a few weeks, I noticed that my eyelashes had grown to the point that they touched my eyebrows! I honestly didn't think this was going to work, but was pleasantly surprised when it did. It works great to grow out your eyebrows as well!" — Erin
Get it from Amazon for $22.49.
11. E.l.f. Power Grip Primer, which could be #TWINNING with the Milk Makeup Hyrdro Grip Primer (but it's the cooler, cheaper sibling 😉). This is infused with hyaluronic acid, so not only does it moisturize your skin, but it also acts as a perfect base for your makeup and keeps it in place all day and night.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I wanted to try this for the longest time, and I finally got it, and I was not disappointed. I highly recommend this product, especially if you have dry skin. This is my favorite primer to use now. Works so well and helps with making your makeup look almost flawless. Highly recommend it." — Megan Lindstrom
Get it from Amazon for $10.
12. E.l.f.'s Halo Glow Liquid Filter — it's so good that you'll think it was a gift from the beauty gods since it's a cheaper alternative to Charlotte Tilbury's Flawless Filter. Whether you mix this with your moisturizer or apply it like a highlighter, it'll give you a radiant, dewy glow thanks to its hydrating hyaluronic acid formula.
It's formulated with hyaluronic acid and squalane for a boost of hydration!
Promising reviews: "This stuff is so legit I've gone through three bottles. Adds the perfect glow to your skin! Sometimes I use it under foundation and sometimes I use it solo with a bit of concealer. I will never not repurchase it for the price and how beautifully it sits on the skin. This stuff is viral for a reason!!" — mapagill
"If you like Charlotte Tilbury's Flawless Filter, this is leaps and bounds better! Just buy it. The coverage is better, [it] makes my skin have the most amazing natural glow! The colors run with a more warm/yellow undertone which worked great for me! Spend a fraction of the price and just get it, you will be happy you did!" — Amazonreview
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 12 shades).
13. A Clinique tinted lip balm in Black Honey, which has a chokehold on the beauty community because it truly is a shade that looks good on everyone! Reviewers love how moisturizing this feels and how natural it looks (but still love its buildable formula if they're going for a brighter pop of color).
Amazon
My colleague Emma Lord loves this lip balm. Here's what she has to say about it:
"I was very adamant about not buying this for the longest time because I am stubborn about 'expensive' beauty products, but this is worth every penny and then some. It's so lightweight and layerable, it's foolproof to apply, and I have yet to wear a single outfit it doesn't complement??? I love watching it instantly elevate a casual look or add simple elegance to dressy ones. I wear it every day now, and after weeks of use, I've barely made a dent. Also, and maybe this is just me, but I tend to get pigment on my teeth with a lot of lip products, and I've simply never had an issue with this magic stick. Anyway, watch this TikTok of someone using it on their lips AND cheeks, because I did, and oops, this lipstick FELL into my cart."
Get it from Amazon for $25 (also available in a pink honey shade).
14. An Olay Super Serum packed with niacinamide, vitamin C, collagen peptide, AHA, AND vitamin E *whew.* This absorbs into the skin like no other and leaves you with nourished skin for days, all without feeling sticky!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"It is silky and smooth (not greasy) my skin in about a week hasn't been dry and it's balancing and brightening my skin. Age/sun spots are half the darkness. Forty feels like the new 20 with this product! I have been using the (advanced snail 92 all-in-one cream) moisturizer. My skin has a glow, a little firmer, rosacea almost unnoticeable. But it got rid of the constant dry texture. Makeup feels smoother." — Emily
Get it from Amazon for $29.94.
15. Naturium's Glow Getter Multi-Oil Body Butter so you can smother your body with all-over hydration. This rich formula has a blend of linoleic-rich botanical oils, shea butter, glycerin, squalane, AND plant-based peptides. Add this to your cart and glow get 'em, tiger!
www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I absolutely love The Glow Getter Oil Body Butter. This Body Butter is so smooth and has a great soft distinctive scent. It glides on my skin so smooth and the moisturization is long lasting. The title of the body butter is exactly how you and your skin will be after using. Amazing product! Will have your glowing and feeling soft and buttery." — AF
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
16. NYX's cruelty-free extreme hold eyebrow gel, a nonsticky formula that's literally called "The Brow Glue"—and for good reason because it holds for up to 16 hours! This will keep those little hairs in place and on fleek without any flaky residue throughout the day.
www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I would use hairspray to hold my eyebrows and throughout the day I would sweat through it and it wouldn't last. I tried this because the price was great and I'm gladI did. This product is awesome. I've had it on my brows for a nine-hour shift and they are still in place! It doesn't dry and get flakey, nor does it feel uncomfortable on the skin. Lastly, I use brow powder and this does NOT affect the look of the powder nor does it smudge it. I will FOREVER buy this product." — Shelby
Get it from Amazon for $9.97 (available in five shades).
17. Cosrx Snail Mucin 96% Power Repairing Essence — you probably didn't think that anyone could convince you to put something on your face that has to do with snails, but boy, does this work hard to help repair dark spots, hydrate dull skin, and rejuvenate damaged skin. Many reviewers said they were skeptical at first, but once they used it, they loved the glow it gave them!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
New to essences? Try applying this after cleansing but before your moisturizer. Applying it to clean skin and under you moisturizer will help lock in all that snail mucin goodness!
Promising review:"This is a product that works for anybody! I apply it once I have washed my face on damp skin. It can be slightly slimy; once again, it is snail mucin, but you only really feel it when you apply it to dry skin. I usually allow it to dry for a bit until it becomes slightly tacky before I put a moisturizer on. I have combination skin. My forehead and chin tend to be oily, but my cheeks dry, and this has really evened that out. I really recommend this because it isn't harsh to the skin and perfect for beginners." — Nelita H.
Get it from Amazon for $18.95.
18. Laneige's Neo Blurring Powder because word on the street is that this absorbs oil and blurs your pores but still keeps you looking super radiant and glowy. Plus, it's infused with blue hyaluronic acid! I mean, it sounds too good to be true, but believe it, baby, it's true!
Amazon, www.amazon.com
20. Peach Slices Acne Spot Dots that are meant to target those annoying zits (little and big ones, thanks to the variety of sizes in this pack) and suck out all the gunk. Reviewers love these hydrocolloid stickers and have said they've seen noticeable differences overnight!
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Peach & Lily is a skincare brand founded by celebrity esthetician Alicia Yoon that specializes in toxin-free, vegan beauty products made with recyclable packaging. The company plants a tree with each order, and a portion of its proceeds have gone to to Restore NYC since 2016.
Check out a TikTok of the acne spot dots in action.
Promising review: "This brand is so affordable and works just the same as the more expensive brands. I go through them so quickly so this is a plus! I'm generally a picker at my zits, but if I can get to one of these dots in time I save my face a lot of irritation and pain. I wear them at night and sometimes during the day, only takes about two to get rid of those pesky whiteheads, sometimes more for a big zit. They really suck everything out." — Savannah Wilson
Get a pack of 30 from Amazon for $4.88.
21.
Maybelline's Total Temptation Eyebrow Definer Pencil, a dual-sided makeup tool to fill in those sparse brows and achieve that Cara Delevingne look (or a step down from that if you're not going for super bold brows). Reviewers even say it's better than the Anastasia Brow Wiz!
Amazon
The tool comes with two ends, one a small eyebrow brush and the other a specially edged eyebrow pencil.
Promising review:"I bought this because it looked like the Goof Proof brow pencil, and I was tired of spending ridiculous amounts on that! I actually like it better than Goof Proof (and for a quarter of the price)! I find it even creamier and easier to use. The tip is perfect if you have a good amount of brow to fill in." — Liza T.
Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in four shades).
22. Londontown "Nail Veil" Protectant since you're starting to realize that acrylics are slowly eating away at your nail beds, and you want something more natural-looking. This not only protects your nails but also adds a subtle sheen so you can still enjoy the look of polish.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Londontown is a small business that specializes in nail care products.
Promising review: "This nail veil is so pretty and perfect for a simple, bare nail look! It applies very smoothly, and one to two coats work well. With a top coat, it lasts almost perfectly for about five days, but chips are not very noticeable, so you can easily wear it for longer! I also feel confident in this brand's use of healthier, higher-quality ingredients, which makes it well worth the extra cost. My nails aren't left damaged by this product, and it has become my go-to when I don't have the time for a full-color look but still want my nails to look polished and pretty!" — Sofia K
Get it from Amazon for $20 (available in nine shades).
23. A trio of hydrating lip sleeping masks that'll give Laneige a run for its money because three of these are significantly cheaper than one from the brand name. Bye-bye dry, cracked lips and bye-bye paying for expensive beauty when these do just the trick!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: " This is the most moisturizing lip treatment in the market. When my lips started getting dry due to the cold season, I was thinking of buying the Laneige lip mask, but it's soooo expensive. This is a fraction of the cost and feels just the same. Very good product." — Riya
Get it from Amazon for $9.90 (available in six combos).
24. L'Oréal Paris BB Cream to reduce the appearance of redness and get your skin prepped for the rest of your makeup routine. Reviewers love how it leaves their skin super soft and how it's an affordable alternative to the Dr Jart+ Cicapair Color Correcting Cream, which is over twice as expensive!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I'd yet to find anything (even foundation) that could cover up my red areas. Checks, chin, nose, and forehead. It comes out green, but has a gorgeous lightweight finish of a tint that indeed covers my redness beautifully. There's no greasiness to it at all. It dries down to a beautiful matte finish. It's super easy to use. I use my fingers. The texture is like silk. It leaves my face baby-soft, not sticky at all. It doesn't settle into my fine lines or wrinkles, and I don't need powder to 'bake' it under my eyes. It also covers the black circles under my eyes." — Julie F.
Get it from Amazon for $9.98 (available in six styles).
25. A bottle of Elizavecca hair treatment with collagen and ceramide 3 to treat hair that's been through intense heat or sun damage. Use this in between your shampoo and conditioner and leave it in for 5 minutes — soon enough, you'll have silky soft hair!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
This is designed to work on all hair types, with reviewers with 2b to 4c curls mentioning it worked for them!
Promising review:"I have been buying this for a long time for me and my daughter. I have thin, curly hair but it gets dry in the winter and this really brings it back to life. My daughter has THICK and super curly hair and it keeps her hair so hydrated (we use it as a mask every two weeks on her). Highly recommend." — Marina M.
Check out BuzzFeed's full review of the Elizavecca hair treatment for more deets!
Get a bottle from Amazon for $7.65.
26. MagicMinerals AirBrush Foundation, which is basically like TikTok's beauty filter since it gives you that flawless, airbrushed look, but in real life! This is super lightweight, and reviewers say it's a game changer since it doesn't leave you feeling or looking cakey, unlike other foundations.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Jerome Alexander is a small business that specializes in airbrush cosmetic products.
Promising review: "Bought this because I saw it on TikTok, and it did not disappoint. I love the lightweight feel of it and how easy it is to build." — Smickens
Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in 12 shades).
27. A paraben-free self-tanner since you're tired of spending money at the tanning salon and want something a little more cost-effective that still gives you the same flawless results. This applies evenly without any streaks and in one hour's time, you'll be looking like a bronzed beauty! Plus, it doesn't have that fake tanner smell that some other tanners do. 👀
www.amazon.com
Promising review: 'If you use St. Tropez tan products or any fake tanner, do yourself a favor and try this. This stuff is AWESOME. Dries quickly, lasts longer, does NOT make your skin stinky, applies evenly, and you get a fair amount of product!! Other tanners I've used become VERY noticeable when they start fading. Gross hand lines, patchy white spots, etc., but not this stuff. The best one-hour tan I have ever used!' — Review Writer
Get it from Amazon for $8.50+ (available in 12 shades).
28. These glamorous reusable magnetic lashes that nobody would bat an eye at if you told them you splurged and got professional lash extensions. And you'll be so glad these don't require any gloopy lash glue since they magically stick right onto the included eyeliner!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I don't have very long or thick lashes and I suck with makeup. I was never able to wear false lashes outside the house. Ever. And this was not my first time trying magnetic lashes. But these ones were so, SO easy to put on. The liner is very liquid so it was easy for me to apply and fill in. I used the last set from the natural lashes side for the look in the pics." — Mona
Get an eight-piece set from Amazon for $18.99.
29. A creamy eyeshadow stick if your second priority after serving a killer face card is an efficient makeup routine. This easy-to-use stick doesn't require a brush for application and will give you a pop of glow no matter what shimmery, matte, or metallic shade you choose.
Amazon
Promising review: "This is my fifth color. This is the best thing to happen to makeup. I can do a smokey eye or a natural one in under a minute. I suck at makeup. This makes it so easy. I am also 51. The Coco color has some shimmer. It does not crease or define my wrinkles. Putty and Clay are amazing." — kristyn
Get it from Amazon for $13.98+ (available in 57 colors).
30. A satin-finish TirTir cushion foundation that boasts *clears throat* 72-hour wear, buildable coverage, a formula infused with hibiscus and red propolis extracts for skin elasticity, and an included puff and mirror for easy retouches. I mean, it doesn't get better than that, am I right?
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Check out this TikTok of Mikayla Nogueira's review of this foundation.
Promising review: "I struggle with finding a foundation that's not orange. Someone recommended I try a Korean product and this started going viral around the same time. I lucked into a perfect color match on the first try, but I've learned t here are sample packs if you aren't sure about the color. The coverage is incredible. It was very lightweight, not heavy at al l. It did settle into my under-eye wrinkles without primer so if you're older that's something to keep in mind. Overall beautiful and long-lasting. This will be my go to foundation from now on." — AJ Bond