5 days ago
27 Cheap Beauty Products To Replace The Expensive Stuff
A ~weightless~ liquid cream blush for people who are going for the soft, dewy lewk but aren't ready to drop $25 on the Rare Beauty blush. This one stands out for its rich pigmentation and smooth blendability, made even easier with the built-in sponge applicator. Definitely a compliment earner!
Hair Chemist's Sleek Spray if you love the Color Wow Dream Coat spray but cringe every time you see its price. This anti-humidity spray works pretty much the same — apply it on damp hair, blow-dry to activate, and then enjoy smooth, glossy hair that'll have you feeling like a Kardashian.
E.l.f. Suntouchable Invisible Sunscreen that doubles as a water-resistant sunscreen (with SPF 35) and a blurring primer that grips your makeup and keeps it looking smooth all day. It goes on clear — no white cast, no greasy finish — just a silky, lightweight layer of protection. If you're a fan of Supergoop's sunscreen but *not* the price, then this is the next best thing.
A tube of the bestselling, $5 (!) Essence's Lash Princess mascara to get you the same results as those premium mascaras that go for $30+. It helps deliver dramatic length and volume without the need for false lashes. And the wand is really great for getting an even application that doesn't clump.
Dossier's "Ambery Vanilla" perfume if you're in love with YSL's Black Opium but not so into the $100 price tag. The scent lasts, the bottle's cute, and honestly? No one will know it's not designer unless you tell them (and even then, they might not believe you).
A lightweight Sol de Janeiro hair and body fragrance mist in scent Cheirosa '68 — infused with a lovely blend of hibiscus, jasmine, and sun musk, it's reminiscent of the iconic Baccarat Rouge 540 (but won't leave your wallet crying).
A Briotech spray made with hypochlorous acid, a powerful ingredient known for calming irritated skin, including helping with conditions like rosacea or post-acne redness. The Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Spray knows what's up, but with this, you get twice the amount for a fraction of the price — it's simple math at this point.
CeraVe's resurfacing retinol serum that works like a charm to tackle pesky dark spots, fine lines, and uneven texture. It gently helps renew your skin while keeping things smooth and hydrated — thanks to ceramides and soothing ingredients that help keep irritation at bay. And some reviewers even prefer it over pricier versions (like the $92 Murad Retinol Serum)!
Nyx Fat Oil Lip Drip infused with vegan squalane, raspberry, and cloudberry oils to hydrate your lips while providing some serious shimmer. It's comparable to the Dior lip oil and UNDER $10, so everyone say "thank you" to Nyx.
E.l.f.'s Hydrating Core Lip Shine in the shade "Ecstatic" that reviewers say is a solid replica of Clinique's Black Honey (ya know, the tinted lip balm famous for looking good on everyyyone), but for a fraction of the price! This one doesn't change colors as magically, but it is a beautiful, subtle tint with a non-sticky formula you'll be happy to have in your bag when you see a cute person at the grocery store.
And an E.l.f. multistick — in one simple step, you can add a splash of color to your eyes, lips, and cheeks! It applies as a blendable cream, then dries like a powder to create a more matte look. If you hate juggling several products, this multistick is endlessly versatile, and it's waaaay cheaper than the $39 one from Nars.
Marc Anthony "Grow Long" Leave-In Conditioner Spray for detangling while strengthening and nourishing your locks so they can grow to be as long as Rapunzel's. Why bother with several products when you can get everything you need in one spray (complete with biotin, vitamin E, caffeine, and ginseng) instead?
A bottle of Elizavecca Hair Treatment that only needs 5–20 minutes to revitalize your hair — and trust me, your strands will thank you. This treatment will leave your mane softer and glossier (it's the ceramide 3 and protein extracts!), and reviewers love how effective it is in repairing their damaged hair. You simply won't find another hair mask that works this well and is this affordable (*side-eyes Olaplex*).
E.l.f.'s Halo Glow Liquid Filter so you can get that gorgeous glow without dropping $$ on Charlotte Tilbury's Flawless Filter. You can mix it with foundation or moisturizer for a natural glow — or apply it directly as a highlighter. And you'll get some extra hydration thanks to hyaluronic acid and squalane in the formula.
Or L'Oreal's True Match Lumi Glotion that'll having you beaming like a beautiful sunset without spending three times as much on Drunk Elephant's D-Bronzi Drops. This adds a lightweight tint that creates a natural dewy look and you can also layer it with foundation or a moisturizer!
A bottle of Nyx setting spray if you're tired of your makeup sliding off halfway through the day. One quick spritz, and this magic mist locks in your look for up to 16 hours with zero shine — just like the beloved Urban Decay setting spray, except this one will leave you with extra funds for a sweet treat.
An extreme-hold Nyx eyebrow gel that'll ensure your brows stay sleek and sculpted from dawn 'til dusk! The wand applicator effortlessly tames your brows and provides a strong hold without any sticky residue. It's ideal for all brow types and perfect for creating anything from bold, defined arches to a natural, groomed look.
A bottle of sulfate-free biotin shampoo with over 36,000 5-star ratings? 🤩 Yes, please. And for under $15 — a total steal. The star ingredient, biotin, can help make your hair look fuller, while rosemary and coconut oils swoop in to nourish and moisturize your scalp.
A trio of lip sleeping masks that essentially do the same thing as the Laneige one (providing deep hydration and nourishment) but for waaay less money *and* you get THREE of them! It's primarily an overnight treatment, but it can also be used as a lip balm throughout the day — so you're getting some serious bang for the little buck you spent.
An under-eye brightener for when you stayed up way too late watching true crime documentaries and need to trick everyone at brunch into thinking you're well-rested and thriving. It adapts effortlessly to your skin tone to conceal dark circles while delivering a natural, bright finish — just like the Becca Under-Eye Corrector, but this one leaves you some spending money for an extra mimosa. 😉
Or Maybelline's Instant Age Rewind Concealer, which is used by even professional makeup artists because of how well it minimizes fine lines, dark spots, and redness. The lightweight formula blends beautifully (made even easier by the built-in sponge applicator), giving you fuller coverage without feeling heavy or cakey!
E.l.f. Power Grip Primer that'll have your makeup sticking to your face like its life depends on it. It's infused with hyaluronic acid to keep your skin feeling hydrated and looking plump. Just apply it, wait a quick 30 seconds, and watch as your foundation goes on smoother and lasts way longer than it ever has before.
A six-piece set of high-performance matte lipsticks you can trust to stay put through eating, drinking, and everything in between, delivering gorgeous color that lasts. As one reviewer put it: "This functions just like the high-priced lip colors you can find at high-end stores and makes it affordable for all!"
Wet n Wild's Megaglo Blushlighter with a soft blush and a radiant highlighter that can be worn alone or layered together for that "just got back from vacation" look. The formula is silky, blendable, and super pigmented (a little goes a long way), and it works beautifully across a range of skin tones. Plus, it's literally less than a latte!!
A box of "Zombie" face masks to help hydrate and tighten your skin while reducing the appearance of pores and fine lines. Just apply, let sit for 15 minutes, and rinse to see all the benefits! It's like Hanacure but at a fraction of the price, so you'll realistically be able to add and keep this in your routine.
A rainbow eyeshadow palette offering 40 different matte, shimmer, and metallic shades so you can play around and unleash your inner makeup artist *without* having to buy a bunch of pricey palettes. Whether you're feeling subtle or ready to experiment with bold, creative looks, this affordable palette is all you need — all for under $10. 😌
E.l.f.'s Holy Hydration! Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm to literally melt away every trace of makeup (yes, even waterproof mascara!) without stripping your skin. It's packed with skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides to help leave your face feeling soft, hydrated, and so smooth — and reviewers with sensitive skin give it their seal of approval!
