If Finding A Good Bargain Makes You Feel A Little Giddy, You'll Loooove These 51 Cheap Versions Of Expensive Products

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15-05-2025

A tinted lip balm so close to the same magic as "Black Honey," TikTok's beloved $25 ~universal shade~ from Clinique, that it will genuinely startle you — especially when you see the price. This is a perfect, non-sticky "go-to" lippie that's just a step above the "no makeup makeup" look, giving the perfect subtly polished effect.
A TikTok-beloved "Soft" perfume rollerball that honestly has no right smelling so delectable and layering so well considering it's only five cash dollars. Reviewers are obsessed with the scent's warm sweetness with a hint of citrusy zest, comparing it to waffle cones, lemon pound cake, and warm vanilla scones ... and this $65 bottle of Pink Sugar 👀.
Monday Haircare Dry Shampoo with all the oil-absorbing, refreshing power of its competitors, *plus* added keratin for protection against frizz and breakage. The subtle gardenia scent is just extra extra credit after all that.
Catrice "Instant Awake" Under Eye Brightener, which will be your holy grail for concealing and brightening dark circles under your eyes when schedule is throwing you for a loop. This lightweight, color-adapting formula is designed for truly ~invisible~ coverage that makes a drastic difference — one that a lot of reviewers compare to the $33 Becca version.
A pair of luxe retro-style oval sunglasses giving Miu Miu vibes without the $489 price tag. The devil's in the chic details on this one, including the little gold embellishments on the sides and the nostalgic shape of the lenses, which are softer than the typical skinny oval lens.
And a three-pack of vintage-inspired polarized sunglasses for anyone who needs to stock up on a few "these look like Ray-Bans, but I won't cry into my Baja Blast if I accidentally leave them in the Taco Bell parking lot" pairs this year. These are especially handy because you can match the subtle prints to whatever 'fit you're wearing!
E.l.f.'s Squeeze Me More Lip Balm Duo with some real "Laneige, but make it cheap" energy. This mango and watermelon duo is actually the oh-so-tropical remix of the brand's wildly beloved Squeeze Me More Lip Balm that came out last year, so reviewers are already obsessed with how lightweight, hydrating, and deeelicious these go-to balms are.
A Baccarat Rouge 540-inspired moisturizing body wash infused with white jasmine, red currant, and sweet amber that reviewers swear by for a cheap alternative to keep that delectably luxe scent on them all day long. Nothing wrong with smelling a lil' ~~expensive~~!
A set of super affordable hydrocolloid nose pore patches (compare to the $16 Mighty Patch equivalent) that will make you go "boy HOWDY" when you see how much gunk collects on them overnight. Reviewers swear by these for gently lifting out sebum from pores and pimples and minimizing their appearance!
An affordable, Lululemon-esque longline sports bra so comfy, supportive, and versatile that reviewers love it both for outdoor workouts, gym use, *and* errand running. This is designed to be supportive without being too compressive, with lightweight fabric that keeps you breezy in the heat.
And another Lululemon-inspired piece, a charming and oh-so-comfortable tennis skirt with built-in shorts similar to the Align style. The secret inner pocket on these is perfect for stashing keys and tennis balls, and the shorts are designed with a four-way stretch so they won't ride up.
E.l.f's Lash Xtndr Tubing Mascara, a GODSEND for anyone with thin or fragile lashes. This uses lightweight ~tubing~ technology to wrap around lashes and give them a natural-looking, smudge-proof extension so good it almost looks fake. The real boon, though, is how easily the "tubes" slide off in clean, easy swipes at the end of the day when you're washing your face — absolutely no smudging, over-scrubbing, or special eye makeup removal products required.
E.l.f. Power Grip Dewy Setting Spray so good at its job that reviewers compare it to the $38 Milk Makeup Hydro Grip 👀. If you're looking for a all day coverage that still leaves a hydrated, glowy finish, then your face is going to looooove drinking up this hyaluronic acid-infused fine mist spray.
Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Anti-Frizz Serum, aka humidity's WORST ENEMY. 😈 This super lightweight argan oil solution is designed for all hair types to help manage frizz and define waves and curls without weighing them down, and will be the MVP in your hair arsenal in the warmer temps — especially considering how costly competitive serums are!
A pair of waterproof wireless earbuds with AirPods Pro energy — except these feature a charging case that, bless its technologically savvy heart, has an LED display letting you know exactly how much charge is left. Reviewers also love how delightfully comfortable and sweatproof these are, making them a solid, affordable option for talking on the phone and exercising.
And a pair of pretty pastel wireless over-the-ear headphones crafted to look like AirPods Max, so you can still enjoy the comfort and chic style of their iconic headphones without shelling out hundreds of dollars. These feature premium cushion padding, a built-in mic with the ability to take calls, 10 hours of playtime per charge, and surprisingly decent noise blocking for the price.
L'Oréal Paris BB Cream, a FAST-acting, anti-redness moisturizer with results that feel like legitimate magic — especially considering its competitor, the Dr Jart+ Cicapair Color Correcting Cream, is over twice as expensive. Reviewers especially love this as a base for their makeup, because it leaves skin super soft and primed.
E.l.f. Halo Glow Liquid Filter that looked at the iconic (and expensive) Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter and said, "Game on, pal." Not only does this give that dewy, soft, "barely there" finish, but it's designed to hydrate your skin with hyaluronic acid, helping improve your moisture barrier for longterm glowiness, too.
And MagicMinerals AirBrush Foundation, your new favorite alternative to Dior's (discontinued!!) Airflash that lives up to the hype — one quick spray of the foundation on the included brush, and it glides so smoothly and subtly over your skin texture that you'll feel like a makeup artist did it for you. Reviewers in their thirties, forties, and up especially swear by this lightweight but effective formula, and love that it's ridiculously easy to use.
A bottle of Elizavecca hair treatment, an Olaplex-like repairing mask infused with collagen ingredients and protein extracts that will help restore hair health and reduce shedding. All you gotta do is apply it on wet hair after a shampoo, wait five minutes, and rinse it out.
An Anthropologie-inspired reversible quilted throw blanket you can get in all kinds of fun, lively sprints that will startle your boring couch into having a personality, or give your bed a *much* needed reset after a long dreary winter.
A multipurpose blush stick reviewers compare to the $18 Pixi Beauty version — this version may be cheaper, but it's also easily buildable, blendable, and perfect for that light, dewy, "kissed by a happy pink cloud" look.
And a Lululemon-esque adjustable mini belted pack (aka ~fanny pack~) you can wear around your waist or shoulder for a lightweight bag alternative that you won't lose, since it is literally attached to you. A lot of reviewers mention how genuinely *stunned* they are by how much this little bag can secretly carry.
E.l.f.'s Holy Hydration! Thirst Burst Drops, another home run from the brand's moisturizing "Holy Hydration" line that reviewers are comparing to the $35 Watermelon Dew Drops from Glow Recipe. This lightweight formula is designed to brighten and plump skin for a dewy effect, whether you're wearing it alone, applying it under your makeup, or mixing it with your foundation.
A pair of ~Dreamlux~ leggings made with an oh-so-buttery soft material reviewers compare to Lululemon's Align ... but WAY cheaper. If you're looking for a reliably squatproof, comfy, compressive legging, look no further than these.
Eos' Shea Butter Vanilla Cashmere body lotion, which TikTok is going *feral* over both because of the lightweight, long-lasting moisture, and the soothing, delicious smell that reviewers compare to more expensive brands like Philosophy and Bath & Body Works.
A plated, jewel-embedded ring you can buy yourself as a little treat if the $1,250 Cartier Love Ring is decidedly out of your budget. Dare I say this version is ... prettier than the designer one?
The Face Shop's Rice Water Bright Foaming Facial Cleanser, a gentle, cult-fave Korean beauty product reviewers swear by as an alternative to the pricey Tatcha Rice Wash. This hydrating cleanser removes waterproof makeup and sunscreen with ease, has an ohhhh-so-satisfying lather, and leaves skin moisturized after use.
A reviewer-beloved (and makeup artist-beloved!) beauty sponge blender that rolled up and ate up all the expensive name brand versions for breakfast. This is firm and smooth when you use it dry for powder applications, and soft and flexible when you wet it for creams and liquids, making it the ultimate versatile sponge in your beauty trove ... for a mere $4 (!!) compared to the $20 BeautyBlender version.
An oh-so-classic pair of slip-on pointed toe ballet flats reviewers *love* as a cheaper alternative to the beloved Vivaia and Rothy's version, especially since these are also designed for all-day wear without any painful break-in periods.
And a pair of ridiculously comfy, arch-supported suede clogs with some reeeeal Birkenstock energy at a fraction of the price. These are the *foot's kiss* perfect shoe for romping around and staying cozy.
A hydrating, plumping lip glow oil reviewers compare to the cult-fave Dior Lip Oil ... that is, if it were a FRACTION of the price 👀.
A set of square stemmed wineglasses inspired by the iconic Crate & Barrel version, except these are durable as heck (good for particularly rowdy wine-and-cheese nights). Reviewers especially love these chic, understated glasses because they work well for red and white wines.
A suuuuper easy to use Beachwaver B1 Rotating Curling Iron with automatic curling technology similar to the $599 (!!) Dyson Airwrap that not only creates (LITERALLY) effortless curls, but is designed with a ceramic heat barrel that makes them hold up the whole day.
A pair of classic white sneakers for anyone who needs a chic "go-to" shoe but doesn't want to deal with the sometimes EXORBITANT prices of ~brand-name~ sneaks. These are sleek, comfy, and won't make your bank account blink at you pointedly.
Plus a set of cult-favorite, absurdly affordable moisture-wicking exercise socks to spare you both from blisters and the ridiculous price of socks from name brands.
A little tomato light reviewers compare to the (out of stock!) $80 Urban Outfitters version, and swear by to cozify their kitchen space. Is it a fruit? Is it a vegetable?? Whomst can say, but whatever it is, it's adorable.
An iconic spaghetti strap sundress with built-in shorts perfect for romping around in the warm air *and* for saving a few bucks — this compares very closely to a more expensive mall brand version.
Moodmatcher color-changing lipstick, an affordable WinkyLux alternative that not only adapts to the pH of your skin to create a personalized, perfect shade for your skin tone, but lasts for HOURS. Reviewers marvel at its all-day staying power even after meals and breaking a sweat. Look at that lil' green lipstick go!!
A pair of leakproof period "Cloudfeel" boyshorts that compare to the $39 Thinx version, designed to hold up to 12 (!!) tampons worth of period blood and give you tons of protection on heavier flow days or overnight. Reviewers love how ultra soft and comfortable the fabric feels — not to mention the money it saves on disposable period products!
An affordable cult-favorite luxury-scented candle with a scent reminiscent of Le Labo's Santal 33, and a throw so satisfying that reviewers can't stop gushing about it. If you're in the market for a signature scent for your space, look no further than this jasmine, oud, and sandalwood blend.
A high-quality, *just* compressive enough layering T-shirt reviewers love so much that a ton of them tried it and immediately ordered more colors to stock up. This shirt is double-lined but still feels lightweight on the skin, giving a sophisticated, expensive look with a casual feel. Reviewers compare it to Skims at a fraction of the price!
L'Oréal Paris Makeup True Match Lumi Glotion designed to enhance your skin's natural ✨ glow✨ just like the pricy Drunk Elephant drops — perfect for anyone who wants a lightweight alternative to foundation or just a lil' extra low-effort, ethereal shimmer in their lives.
A deliciously soothing, super gentle Briotech spray reviewers compare to the pricier Tower 28 SOS Spray. It's similarly designed with hypochlorous acid, which targets bacteria that causes acne, skin irritation, and blemishes *without* drying your skin. Reviewers swear by this handy little spray for helping not just with acne, but rosacea, eczema, dryness, dermatitis (scalp included!), and even toenail fungus.
A pair of bow-knot satin heels that are both dainty *and* show-stopping in a way that's giving "I traveled here by bubble." 💕 Psst — reviewers compare these to the $300 Loeffler Randall version!
Etude's delightfully multipurpose Dear Darling Water Tint, which a lot of reviewers compare to Benefit's Lip Tint. This smudgeproof formula is designed primarily to be a natural-looking, weightless lip stain, but reviewers use it as a blush as well!
A luxe, super soft two-piece pajama set with some real "vacation mode" energy, so even if your future travel plans are "backyard" and "someone else's backyard," you can still feel like you're on a tropical getaway. Psst — reviewers compare these to the $128 Roller Rabbit version! 👀
A set of espresso martini instant cocktail tea bags — all the sophistication of tea, the zing! of coffee, and the 😜 of a cheeky cocktail, without the exorbitant bar price tags. All you have to do is add three ounces of cold water, 1.5 ounces of hard liquor, and the tea sachet into a glass, and you'll have a delicious cocktail in one minute.
A chic structured toiletry organizer with a "window" so you can look inside and easily access whatever you need on the go. Reviewers especially love how the structure of it stops items like beauty products or medications from getting crushed inside (and that it's a heck of a lot cheaper than the $100 Truffle Clarity version).
A simple faux-diamond tennis bracelet to add a touch of sophistication to any outfit without the price of name-brand versions like Swarovski (even though reviewers agree this looks like the Real Deal 👀).
And a dainty gold-plated station necklace, another home run from jewelry brand Pavoi so close to the real diamond versions from Quince and Dorsey that run $400+ that it'll turn all your everyday looks into ~quietly expensive~ looks.