27 Cheap Treat Alternatives To Trendy Name-Brand Items
Nyx Shine Loud liquid lipstick, aka the all-day liquid lippie you've been searching for for years. Just swipe on a layer of the deeply pigmented color, let it dry, and coat with the high-shine gloss on the other end of the tube. Once it's dry, it really and truly doesn't transfer when eating, drinking, or kissing — a miracle.
A plush blanket folks compare to the splurge-worthy Barefoot Dreams ones — but these are more aligned with your budget's dreams. Cozy, meet chic.
Briotech hypochlorous acid spray, a simple yet magical concoction reviewers swear by for everything from piercing irritation to rosacea to acne. Plus, it's super similar to the famous Tower 28 spray but HALF the price.
A classic and classy smocked cotton maxi dress complete with pockets to stuff full of summer sunshine. If a perfect sundress that gives Nap Dress energy for only $30 sounds good to you, look no further. You could ~scoop~ up all three colorways for less than the price of one Hill House dress. 🤑
A set of super-fine pens perfect for bullet journaling, color-coding, and giving your endless lists a little more ~pizzazz~. And the price is equally amazing...doing the math, it comes down to less than 50 cents a pop!!!
A tennis bracelet that could pass for real-deal crystal or diamonds — trust me. This beauty will look so stunning on its own or stacked with other bracelets, and you don't have to worry as much about losing it as you would a splurgier version!
A pair of endlessly reusable, nonstick Amazon Basics silicone baking mats (available with or without macaron templates drawn on 🙌) even the most dedicated bakers can count on. The proof is in the photo below — the results are identical to the much splurgier Silpat mat!
A go-everywhere fanny pack complete with an adjustable strap, pockets, and the ability to be worn in a trendy crossbody fashion. And yes, it could pass for a brand that rhymes with Blue Moo Melon.
E.l.f.'s hydrating Power Grip Primer, which reviewers say delivers expensive-quality (like *cough* Milk Hydro Grip), look-locking results for under 10 bucks. Because you deserve that makeup you worked so hard on to stay and slay TRULY all day.
A pretty and whimsical jewelry dish/ring holder sure to *ring* in tons of compliments and have people shocked you got it from Amazon and not Anthropologie.
Pus-absorbing, pimple-eliminating patches you can rely on to zap zits faster than you ever thought possible. And personally, I prefer them to the pricier Mighty Patch version!
Movie star–worthy, mirrored cat-eye sunnies at a "still waiting for my big break" price. Even if the rest of your outfit is a tee and sweats, these'll make your 'fit attract all the paparazzi. And psst...if you've had Quay sunnies on your wishlist forever, you could just get these now and save the rest of that $$ for a rainy day.
Or a pair of chic, somehow-only-$15 sunglasses that some folks say are comparable to a certain brand that rhymes with Shmay-Span.
And, because sunny season is upon us, one more option: amazingly inexpensive round sunglasses sure to have you looking and feeling groovy for a fraction of the price of their designer counterparts.
Bestselling wireless Bluetooth earbuds ideal for anyone who wants the AirPods experience but without the AirPods price...or even just to have a great quality wireless headphone option they won't panic about losing on the subway. Some people even say these under-$30 picks are *better* than AirPods.
A pack of beauty sponges that have oodles of 5-star ratings...and you get SIX of them for half the cost of a single Beautyblender. Hello to your best beauty routine ever, without breaking the bank.
Surprisingly comfy braided mule sandals available with 2- or 3-inch heels, so you can get the perfect height for you. These can be dressy or casual and will become a summertime staple — plus they could pass for the version by It brand Dolce Vita.
A roomy duffel bag that could pass for a trendy brand and will be here for you on every weekend trip, gym run, diaper change, and/or flight for the foreseeable future. It can even attach easily to your suitcase handle!
A collagen hair treatment thousands of people of all hair types love for making damaged strands look like new. Salon-worthy results for under $10? Don't mind if you do. And some people are even comparing the results to the cult-fave (and over three times the cost) Olaplex treatment!
High-fashion-looking chunky droplet earrings offering Bottega vibes without you having to spend Venet-all that cash.
A pack of denture cleaning tablets reviewers also love for cleaning out their fave drinking vessels — and you can get literally 10 times as many for less than the cost of a pack of Bottle Bright. We love a budget hack as much as we love a multi-use product!!!
Physicians Formula Diamond Dust setting powder if a glowy, luxe-looking finish to your face sounds good, and saving $30 by not buying the Fenty Diamond Bomb sounds even better.
A tear-off daily self-care calendar (giving Rifle Paper vibes) illustrated with pretty plants and room for to-dos, yes — but also more important stuff like what you're gonna eat, self-care plans, affirmations, and what you're thankful for. There's even a space for reflection at the end of the day! Lovely.
A set of satin pillowcases that not only look super posh, but are also gentler on your hair and skin than the regular pillowcases you have now. And um, did I mention you can get two for under $10?? 👀
A Nyx brow pencil you might wanna feast your eyes on if you love Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz but want to be better about your budget. While you shouldn't have to ~budge~ on great beauty products, you may not even be able to tell the difference if you switch to this cruelty-free pick that's less than half the price!
A compact and cord-free milk frother so you can treat yourself to Starbucks-worthy drinks at home whenever you want. Turns out you don't have to visit a $$$ hipster café (or use a $$$ appliance) to score a totally Insta-worthy morning beverage.
An incredibly affordable and cool pair of combat boots that are a super convincing Dr. Martens alternative if you're in the market for a totally trusty everyday boot without the splurge. Plus, the side zip means no constantly undoing and redoing the laces!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business of Fashion
7 hours ago
- Business of Fashion
Why Hailey Bieber Won the Celebrity Beauty Lottery
Listen to and follow The Debrief :Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Overcast Background: Bieber, a celebrity and influential beauty figure with a strong Gen-Z following, launched Rhode just three years ago, quickly distinguishing the brand with minimalist product offerings closely tied to Bieber's personal aesthetic. She just sold to E.l.f. Beauty for $1 billion, even as rival celebrity beauty brands struggle to grow sales or attract buyers. Priya Rao, executive editor at The Business of Beauty at BoF, joins the Business of Fashion's Brian Baskin and Sheena Butler-Young to discuss how Rhode distinguished itself in a crowded celebrity beauty landscape, why E.l.f. Beauty saw strategic value in the acquisition, and what this landmark deal signals about the evolving beauty industry. Key Insights: Rhode's clean, minimal brand aesthetic also mirrors e.l.f.'s broader mission, albeit at a different price point. 'There's something about Rhode's branding that really makes sense with what E.l.f. already does. They both want to be accessible but aspirational,' Rao notes. Like Rhode, 'E.l.f. has always had a really good sense of what young people want,' says Rao. The success of Rhode demonstrates that differentiated, clearly communicated value propositions continue to resonate strongly in the beauty market. 'From the consumer side, this just shows that the right brand can find the right price at any time, as long as you're able to point and show you offer something different,' explains Rao. Rao highlights how rare it is for a celebrity beauty brand to resonate beyond hype. 'Most celebrity beauty brands are not succeeding at this level,' she says. Rhode's limited and focused product assortment have also contributed to its success. 'She's not launching everything under the sun,' says Rao. 'She's focusing on what she knows and what her audience connects with, and that's why it's working.' The acquisition isn't just about short-term gain – E.l.f. sees lasting value. 'This isn't a flash in the pan for them,' says Rao. 'They're betting on Rhode being a long-term growth engine, not just a trendy pick-up.' Additional Resources: E.l.f. Beauty Acquires Hailey Bieber's Rhode Skin for $1 Billion
Buzz Feed
2 days ago
- Buzz Feed
If You Love The Look Of Expensive Brands A Bit Too Much, These 35 Cheaper Versions Will Save Your Bank Account
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. E.l.f. Glow Reviver Melting Lip Balm for all the ultra fans of Summer Fridays, Rhode, and Laneige whose bank accounts are begging them to put a stop to the lippie madness. These new deliciously tinted, moisturizing, buildable glosses are just as buttery and decadent as the balms that inspired them, for a fraction of the price. 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! A set of Victoria's Secret–inspired seamless "invisible" underwear so soft and stretchy your butt will want to *sing* when you slide them on. This is a true holy grail underwear that doesn't show, doesn't ride up, and somehow manages to look cute all at the same time. A Skims-inspired square-neck compressive body suit that's basically 10 outfits in one — you can rock it solo, wear it as a bodysuit tucked into jeans, or pair it with a hoodie or a jacket. Go, little base layer, gooooo! A pair of Bottega Veneta–inspired pilot shield sunglasses so close to the $699 version that reviewers are *spooked* by the attention to detail, down to the weight of them. These are already blowing up on TikTok so I'd personally grab them NOW before everyone descends on them. 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! A set of golden bracelets giving ~quiet luxury~ vibes at "I want to pay rent this month" prices. Reviewers especially love these mix-and-match sets because they look like expensive versions from Cartier — the middle one is giving the $8,000 "Juste Un Clou" and the studded one is giving the $6,000 "Love Bracelet!" Essence's Drop of Sunshine Bronzing Drops, aka the more affordable version of the beloved $39 Drunk Elephant version. This buildable, hydrating formula is an easy way to add a ~sunkissed touch~ to your beauty routine without breaking the bank (or compromising your skin!). 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. A ribbed button up tank top with some real Abercrombie & Fitch energy to perfectly straddle that line of "professional" and "I am 100000% going out after work today, and a martini glass will be involved." A plated clover bracelet that's a neeearrr perfect lookalike of the beloved $4,600 Van Cleef version, and will quickly earn its spot as one of your "effortless everyday" pieces you slide on before you leave each morning. 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. A pair of Buff Bunny-inspired booty-highlighting biker shorts for anyone who wants to add some fun prints and colors to their favorite ~asset~ when they're on the move, for a fraction of the usual $48 price. 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. 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 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? 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 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. 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. A square-neck lettuce trim "going out" top that a lot of reviewers compare to an expensive mall brand, but muuuuch more affordable. And thank goodness, because once you fall for its comfy stretch and effortless cool, you're going to want it in WAY more colors. A super lightweight, loose-fitting high neck muscle tank for fans of the Lululemon version at a *much* lower price point. This is a breezy *dream* thanks to the quick-dry fabric, the cross-over pleat in the back, and the slight petal hem at the bottom. 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. 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 ridiculously soft oversized hoodie reviewers compare to $$ brands like Skims, Aritzia, and Abercrombie. You know how on TikTok sometimes people say "this hoodie hoodies" like it's a noun and a verb? Enter this cult-favorite, reviewer-beloved hoodie, which does, in fact, hoodie. 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. And a pair of elevated, effortlessly chic wide leg petal sweatpants that look like they fell out of an Anthropologie ad. Reviewers love how cozy and breathable these are, and that the style is perfect for indoor lounging *and* outdoor errands. A set of Bala Bangle-inspired wrist and ankle weights to get your ~fitness~ on this spring — these serve all the same cuteness and function without the $55 price tag. Not to mention this has a TON more colors available to match your 'fits. 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. 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. A bodycon lounge dress perfect for fans of Skims looking to spare themselves a few bucks — this versatile, figure-hugging dress has just the right amount of compression to mimic the iconic style and stay oh-so-comfortable for long periods of wear. Catrice's Magic Shaper Face Cream Palette as an $8 alternative to the $88 (!!) Makeup Forever Palette. This includes a range of highly-pigmented, super blendable shades to help you contour, highlight, and bronze on days when your Gcal just say "GO GO GO" all the way down. (Psst — this is the same brand behind the TikTok-famous $6 Under Eye Brightener, so you know they mean business!) 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. 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. 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.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Why Hailey Bieber's billion-dollar deal is about more than just beauty
This week, E.L.F. Beauty acquired model and mega influencer Hailey Bieber's beauty brand Rhode for $800 million in cash and stock, with another $200 million dependent on growth. Rhode, which launched just under three years ago and has just 10 products, reported net sales of $212 million at the end of March. Bieber will stay with Rhode as the chief creative officer and as a strategic adviser to both E.L.F. and Rhode. The deal shocked much of the cosmetics world. Alexis Androulakis, a beauty industry veteran and one of the creators behind @thelipsticklesbians on TikTok, posted an incredulous video reacting to the sale. 'If you had told me that Rhode would be the first to sell out of all the brands on the docket for sale right now, I would have told you you're out of your mind.' The brands she is referring to, including Glow Recipe, Makeup by Mario, and One/Size, have been in the industry longer, are selling more products and, depending on your chosen metric, are more successful. Companies up for sale aside, Rhode is far from the only beauty line fronted by a celebrity. Rhode's success is due, in equal part, to celebrity, marketing and status. From social media metrics alone, Bieber's influence is clear: some 55 million followers on Instagram and 15 million on TikTok. She is as true a celebrity as we have in 2025. She is married to a generation-defining pop star, has a gaggle of high-profile friends, stylist-curated fashion, and enough celebrity feuds and marriage issues to keep her relevant. Tarang Amin, the CEO of E.L.F. Beauty, told The New York Times that it was Bieber's influence and loyal, younger fan base that made Rhode so attractive. 'I have not seen another brand where there are communities waiting, or a pop-up event in L.A., willing to camp out overnight for 14 hours in line — not just for product, but to buy into the entire lifestyle.' It should be mentioned that Rhode — and this deal — does not exist without Glossier, which the brand emulates in aesthetic and product. Founded in 2014 by Emily Weiss, Glossier was the beauty brand of the mid-2010s. Before it emerged, makeup trends tended heavier: cut-crease eye shadow looks and high-contrast contour made popular by Kim Kardashian and YouTube tutorials. Glossier's ethos, 'skin first, makeup second,' was almost shockingly antithetical at the time. None of the limited products initially offered, like the Perfecting Skin Tint, offered full or even buildable coverage. Glossier felt both revolutionary and exclusionary enough to be aspirational. If you had acne, hyperpigmentation or rosacea, Glossier products where simply not for you. Like the 'clean girl' beauty trend, you could only be a Glossier girl if you already had perfect skin. And thanks to that concept, centering the health of your skin and your so-called 'natural beauty' is commonplace in today's beauty market, including at Rhode, which sell-defines as a skin care company. Weiss' marketing strategy, 'born from content; fueled by community,' quickly made her products status symbols as she pioneered influencer marketing. Tubes of Balm Dotcom lip balm and the pink plastic bubble pouches the products came in were intentionally displayed on brunch tablescapes and wellness posts all over Instagram. Instead of leaning into hard sells and traditional ad campaigns, Glossier centered the ever-online young woman consumer. Bieber, incredibly social media literate with a lucrative awareness of her own influence, has made quick work of elevating Rhode products to status symbols and selling, as E.L.F.'s Amin said, a lifestyle. Whereas Glossier sold an idea, Bieber can sell that and something more material: the promise that buyers might achieve even a whiff of her very aspirational life. One of her earliest examples of the power of her own influencer marketing was the Rhode Lip Case, a silicone iPhone case with a built-in slot to hold a Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment or Tint. A week or so after posting a selfie featuring the case and allowing acolytes to debate whether the phone case would ever be available to the public, it launched on the Rhode website for $38, including a lip gloss. Bieber has since posted numerous selfies with different colored glosses, all with a similar effect: sales, and lots of them. Part of the E.L.F. Beauty deal includes a partnership with Sephora, which will make this the first time Rhode products will consistently be available in stores. For beauty brands, an in at Sephora is huge — although it doesn't mean you've made it. Bieber has deliberately limited Rhode's brick-and-mortar exposure, with one of her most successful pop-ups to date her Coachella photo booth. Branded with both Rhode and Kendall Jenner's 818 Tequila logos, the booth allowed patrons to walk away with strips of well-lit photos, a small bottle of tequila and their choice of a Rhode lip product. According to Shop Drop Dail, a website that covers branded concepts, the photo booth 'quickly became one of the most talked-about experiences of the festival, generating over 2.5 million impressions on social media.' It's a true indicator of Bieber's success in employing gentle exclusivity and perceived closeness to celebrity to sell her products. I had a dermatologist friend once advise me never to use makeup or skin care by a brand that also makes handbags. I've applied the same mandate to celebrity lines. I've only ever tired Rhode's Glazing Milk, a watery pre-makeup layer that claims to provide hydration, and a swipe of a co-worker's Lip Tint. They were both fine, but I didn't buy them after that limited exposure. But even if Rhode didn't end up replacing legacy products that I've long pledged allegiance to, I am still very much aware of the brand. That is what is most remarkable. Bieber should be commended, not for Rhode's products, but for her ability to capture the zeitgeist, burst through a deeply saturated market, and surpass even other celebrity-fronted brands. I'm open to Rhode, but for now, I'll probably stick with what I've got. This article was originally published on
