22 Korean Beauty Products Under $15 That’ll Earn A Permanent Place In Your Routine

22 Korean Beauty Products Under $15 That’ll Earn A Permanent Place In Your Routine

BuzzFeed-Shopping·2025-06-28 15:06

1. A waterproof mascara reviewers have hailed as a holy grail if you have short, straight eyelashes that don't seem to hold a curl. The slender, curved wand makes sure that even those sneaky, barely-there lashes get the attention they deserve — and if you already have some length to work with, this mascara gives you that extra oomph.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

And! If you need a good mascara remover (that's also under $15), here's onefrom the same brand.

Promising review: "10 stars if I could! This is the only mascara that I've ever used that has actually been able to maintain a curl for my lashes. I'm blessed with long thick lashes, but sadly they point straight at the ground. Most mascaras that I’ve tried can’t seem to hold any of the curl from my lash curler, leaving me with dark smears under my eyes and droopy lashes not long after application. With this mascara… absolutely flawless. No transferring at all. Just wore it for the first time on a 8 hour flight and my lashes looked the exact same after a long nap under an eyemask as they did when I first applied. Seriously, this stuff works." —Samantha Anne

Get it from Amazon for $14.07+ (available in five styles).

2. A buildable Missha tinted BB cream that's a primer, foundation, concealer, AND sunscreen (with SPF 42 and PA+++)! It also offers some seriously hydrating skincare magic thanks to the hyaluronic acid and ceramides. If you're someone who wants to skip out on having a million different bottles on your vanity and simplify your beauty routine, this is THE one-and-done face product.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

In case you're not familiar with it, PA stands for "Protection Grade of UVA" and is a four-level rating system that's more common in Asia. In this case, PA+++ just means this product offers a high level of protection against UVA rays, which don't cause sunburn but rather cause the skin to turn brown.

Promising review: "I've been using Missha BB cream for eight years now, and it's hands-down the best BB cream I've ever tried! What I love most is how lightweight it feels on my skin while still providing natural coverage that hides my redness and occasional blemishes without looking cakey. The staying power is impressive — I can apply it in the morning, and it still looks fresh by the end of my workday without needing touch-ups. After eight years of loyalty to this product, I can confidently say it's worth every penny!" —Daryna

Get it from Amazon for $12.90 (available in seven shades).

The shade range is unfortunately pretty limited for this product — if you're looking for another option in this price range, check out E.l.f's Camo CC Cream!

3. A pair of moisturizing booties to intensely hydrate and repair your dry, rough, cracked feet. If you don't want to deal with those foot peel masks that can take up to a week for the final result, give these a try — they'll make your piggies baby soft in only 30 minutes!

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "My feet have been dryyyyy since having my kiddos (maybe hormonal, idk) and I've been using the metal grater regularly, lotions and creams nightly, pedicures with callus removal monthly, the list goes on. I'm shocked at how well these socks work! One time used so far and my feet feel amazing! Better than all the other things I mentioned. I didn't get the peel ones cuz I've done that once and don't feel like dealing with the peeling so I'm talking about the nom-peel moisturizing socks. Get them! 30 minutes of chilling with them before sleep time and you'll love your feet!" —EB

Get two pairs from Amazon for$14.95 (also available in larger pack with four pairs).

4. A clear, high-shine lip plumping gloss people on TikTok swear is like getting lip fillers without the actual needles. This formula is packed with micro-sized silica particles that work to stimulate your lips, giving them that extra oomph by boosting circulation. What does that mean for you? Fuller-looking lips with minimized fine lines!

VT Cosmetics

This gloss is also infused with hyaluronic acid, jimo root, and jojoba oil — AKA the holy trinity of hydration to keep your lips soft and lock in moisture.

There are two versions of this lip plumper: beginner and expert. If you're new to lip plumpers, try this beginner version first — you can expect a mild tingling that can give your lips a subtle, natural boost. For those who love bold, fuller lips, the expert version delivers a spicier sensation for a more dramatic effect.

Check out both versions in action on TikTok!

Get it from Amazon for $14.

5. A matte-finish liquid blush enriched with vitamin C and equipped with a built-in sponge applicator. Reviewers say it's super pigmented with excellent blendability, and it also applies well using a finger or brush (if you don't want to use the sponge). It has buildable coverage, so you can go as natural or as bold as you want without looking cakey.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Love love love!!! This blush goes on very liquidly and blends out both easily and beautifully. It looks very natural on me (for reference: I have fair skin with green or blue undertones). Not to mention it’s the most affordable blush I’ve used in a decade. I do use a semi-sheer liquid foundation (Covergirl Simply Ageless Skin Perfector Essence Foundation) and it sits really nicely on top of it without smudging it. I set it with a powder and I generally wear my makeup for 16+ hrs; the color does not fade. Perhaps it would also look nice on the eyelids." —Kori

Get it from Amazon for $6.99 (available in 23 shades).

6. A loose translucent setting powder that works so well to mattify greasy skin and control midday shine, you can finally stop buying those blotting sheets you run through on the daily. This lightweight powder will ensure your makeup stays put all day!

Amazon, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I rarely leave reviews but this stuff is AMAZING!!! It seems like no matter what moisturizer, primer or setting spray I use, my face feels oily and it’s like my makeup is melting off my face. I used this today for the first time and after EIGHT HOURS of wear, I realized I hadn’t needed any blotting papers, my face didn’t feel like an oily mess, AND my makeup still looked flawless!!! 10/10, this product is a game changer!!" —jrmacint

Get it from Amazon for $9.49.

7. A nourishing lip butter made with manuka honey. It's so deeply hydrating, it’s basically a lip mask in disguise — your lips will stay hydrated and luscious for 12 hours straight! It has a special air-fit, dial-turning container so you can dispense the exact amount of product that you need, keeping things hygienic while also protecting the efficacy of the active ingredients.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I’ve tried countless lip balms and I really liked this one. For starters, the packaging is great. I love the twist bottle type opening that slips out the perfect amount of product. The simple honey scent is also nice, but not overpowering. I keep this product in my bathroom and use it before bed and in the mornings and like the small, sheer amount of gloss that it gives, while also moisturizing. I’d say it’s comparable to Laneige, but at a better price." —Divya Desai

Get it from Amazon for $14.90 (also available in six other shades).

8. And a hydrating lipstick (also containing manuka honey) that melts down into a gloss once applied?!? Korea is really living in 2035. 🤯 This divine lippie has just the right amount of sheer tint and leaves that perfect glassy look. Reviewers have been comparing it to Tarte Juicy Maracuja and YSL Candy Glaze!

www.instagram.com, www.instagram.com

Promising review: "These have become my FAVORITE lip product. They feel like silky jelly on your lips. They don’t dehydrate them or dry them out. They give a gorgeous plumping effect that makes them look bigger and fuller. The colors are nice. I have three different ones and use them all regularly mixing them with lip stains and lipsticks for fun. They combine nicely with other products but again, the fact that they don’t dry my lips out is great!" —Alyssa C.

Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in 21 colors).

9. A super rich hair serum ready to give your locks the intense hydration and nourishment they've probably been craving. This dreamy concoction is derived from seven incredible oils: argan, olive, coconut, apricot, marula, jojoba, and camellia. Reviewers say it's perfect for dealing with tangles or split-ends, and they absolutely love the fruity floral scent!

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising reviews: "First off, the smell is wonderful. It’s like a very classic perfume scent but not too strong. I have bleached blonde hair and my hair tangles so easily. I use this after I shampoo my hair and am able to comb through so much easier. I highly recommend this oil." —chad underwood

"After using the product for two days, I can see a big difference, I have damaged hair due to heat damage, and this is already making my hair look and feel a lot healthier without making it oily or dry. It is a very high-quality product for damaged hair." —Ariana

Get it from Amazon for $14.50 (also available in other sizes and styles).

10. A Nooni tinted appleberry lip oil if you ever wanted a lip product that's not too sticky or thick but still gives a subtle pop of color. Not only does this oil give you a beautiful tint, but it's also nourishing for dry, flaky lips.

Amazon, www.amazon.com

This lip oil is vegan, cruelty free, and has no parabens, sulfates, or phthalates.

Promising review: "This is the first lip oil I've ever used. Usually I avoid anything with oil because I have very sensitive and generally oilier skin, but I wanted to give this a try because I wanted something sheer and pretty for a natural makeup look. Probably the best purchase I've ever made!!! It's super sheer and looks fine on its own without any other makeup. The smell is delicious, and while the gloss dries and fades after about an hour or two without eating, the color stays all day! I did have to reapply after eating, but not after drinking water! I just wish it was bigger, it's a teeny bottle. Would definitely buy again!!" —Rachel

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 12 shades, a jumbo size, and multipacks).

11. An ethereal liquid eyeshadow glitter so that every time you step in direct light, your eyes do that magical sparkle. It dries super fast, so you won’t be stuck waiting around, afraid to blink in case of smudging. You can totally rock it solo for some subtle shimmer or layer it over your other eye makeup when you’re feeling extra. ✨

Amazon, www.amazon.com

Promising reviews: "I’m not great at makeup, but I wanted something to add to my eyes and this was the perfect choice. It's super easy to apply, blend, it dries quickly, and gives a great pop of color and sparkle to my makeup." —Danni

"I recently bought this product and I fell in love with it. This glitter will last on my eyes longer than any other products I’ve bought. I like adding it on my inner corner. When I wear it out I will get at least one compliment when I go out. 10/10 recommend." —Zaira Herrera

Get it from Amazon for$10.84+ (available in six shades).

12. A light, silky Touch in Sol No Poreblem primer to create a base for your makeup that's satisfyingly smooth. If flaky patches and dryness are always ruining your look, this super hydrating primer will save the day; plus, it's great at minimizing the appearance of spots, blemishes, and pores. If that's not enough, the proof is in the orange — I mean the one below!

www.instagram.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I never leave reviews but I had to praise this product. This is seriously a holy grail staple to your makeup. I've tried dozens of primers, and none have even come close to this. It doesn't matter if you're using oil-based or silicone-based makeup. It will all blend and sit seamlessly. I have dry skin and oily skin, so finding something that suits both needs is hard. It doesn't get patchy either, which is something I struggle with. But THIS primer is absolutely perfect. 10/10. Would give 100 stars if I could!!" —Placeholder

Get it from Amazon for $12.99.

13. And a tube of Elizabeth Mott Thank Me Later eye primer capable of enhancing the pigment of your eyeshadow, giving it that ✨ pop ✨ you crave. It also helps control oil on your lids to make your makeup last all day.

www.amazon.com

Elizabeth Mott is owned by Korean American Alice Kim and partners with top Korean manufacturers to bring affordable yet effective K-beauty products to the U.S.

Promising reviews: "This stuff works!! Wish I would've known about this product years ago!! 10 stars!" —TJ

"This eye primer is amazing!!! I have super oily eyelids and was getting to the point that I would rarely bother with eyeshadow because even with expensive primers it would be smudged and creased within an hour. So glad I don't need to shell out for Urban Decay or Mac Paint Pot anymore; they don't hold a candle to this and it's so much cheaper." —Chloe

Get it from Amazon for $14.65.

14. Mixsoon Bean Essence that hydrates and exfoliates your skin at the same dang time. 🤯 This thick (but not sticky) essence contains natural ingredients like fermented bean, barley, and pomegranate to remove dead skin cells and revitalize skin tone.

www.amazon.com

Promising reviews: "I saw this all over TikTok/Instagram and decided to buy it because I have a lot of sebaceous filaments on my chin and nose. It works! You can physically see the sebaceous filaments come out of your pores; it is not the product bunching up. My [skin looked] so much smoother after using and was left with a moisturized glow. I then proceeded to have my boyfriend use this product to see if it worked this well on everyone on the first try, and it worked on his nose as well. Amazing stuff. 🩷" —Losa

"I have hyperpigmentation and oily skin. I feel this product regulates my oil production and it helps my makeup look so flawless. 10/10." —MissKayMae

Get it from Amazon for $13.95.

15. A deep cleansing foam with the power to dive deep into your pores, gently whisking away gunk and removing dead skin cells. Heartleaf extract is the magic ingredient here, and it's all about calming things down, reducing inflammation, and keeping your skin feeling soothed and pampered long after you've rinsed off.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Let me tell you, I have awful blackheads, and this helped clean them out and made them a lot smaller. I love this stuff. I pair it with the oil cleanser (from the same brand and line), and they did wonders for my skin! I recommend it if you have clogged pores and blackheads." —Nabi

Get it from Amazon for $13.

16. A cute little Tonymoly octopus-shaped blackhead remover that can help rid your nose and chin of all the gunk that's built up throughout the day and exfoliate pores, making your skin look smoother and cleaner. 

Amazon, www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "After just two days of use, this adorable little octopus has done wonders for me, smells great too. Here's how I used it: I wore down the stick just a little to where the texture from the salt is visible, scrubbed around on my face so there was plenty of product, then I used my fingers to gently massage all the gunk away. Rinse, pat dry, and enjoy the softness. Highly recommended for people with sensitive skin like me." —LuckLocust

Get it from Amazon for $12.50

17. A bottle of Elizavecca Hair Treatment because less time spent on your hair = more time to focus on other stuff, like job responsibilities and staying on top of your social calendar. It instantly smoothes and detangles, and you’ll notice way less frizz, giving you that sleek, polished look with minimal effort. Think Olaplex (without the $$$).

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

According to reviewers, this mask works on fine haircurly hair, and type 4 hair.

Promising review: "Like many others, I tried this as a replacement for Olaplex. Honestly, Olaplex never had a great effect on my hair and certainly wasn’t worth the price. This did an unreal job on my hair!! I was skeptical (tried a little bit first because I was petrified it would burn off my hair and I would end up bald!) but, lo and behold, it was magic! My hair is so strong, silky, and healthy looking after just one use. Plus you can’t beat the price! Have already ordered another box. I should also add I have curly/wavy hair that’s been colored to a light brown. Buy it!!" —BB

Get it from Amazon for $7.60.

18. Rael Beauty's Miracle Patch, which is designed to draw out the gunk from your pimples while creating a protective shield (if you find yourself tempted to pick at them). Unlike other patches, this one has edges so thin that they practically blend in with your skin — perfect for those times when you need a little acne-fighting magic but still want to go about your day without anyone noticing.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

BTW, these work best on open, draining pustules (rather than blackheads or pimples that haven't come to a head yet). You can read more at Cleveland Clinic!

Promising review: "I am a pimple patch fan okay. I have tried them ALL but I always was intrigued by this brand and was very skeptical on three things: effectiveness, visibility, and size. I LOVE the fact that Rael pimple patches have two different sizes, all with hydrocolloid. They are practically invisible on the face unless you are extremely close up. I would feel extremely comfortable wearing these to my childcare job because I know they are not visible, and if you work with kids you know how they love to point pimple patches out. 🤣 I left one on my face all night (9+ hours), and it completely erased the pimple on the side of my cheek. Best pimple recovery I've seen ever on my face. I love these and will buy more, and you should too!!!!!" —Brian Cage

Get a 48-count pack from Amazon for $12.99.

19. An adorable hydrating eye stick, aka the perfect remedy for dehydrated skin. This treatment is made with Icelandic glacier water, giving your delicate under-eye skin the fresh hydration boost it needs on days when you've hit the snooze button one too many times. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

It also helps tighten eye wrinkles if you'd prefer for them not to be as noticeable. And here's a tip! It reduces puffiness faster if used after refrigeration.

Promising review: "This stuff is magic! I purchased this product on a recommendation from a BuzzFeed list, and was not disappointed! I have not been sleeping well due to stress, and the first day I used it, my coworkers commented how well rested I looked! I told them about it and all of them ordered one for themselves. Very impressed!" —Saminyah Marcelin

Get it from Amazon for $9.99.

20. A Peripera glowy lip tint that looks and feels like a juicy gloss, *but* the pigment actually sticks around for hours. Unlike some tints that leave your lips cracked and dry, this one is infused with lily and witch hazel extracts so your skin stays soft, hydrated, and oh-so-kissable.

Amazon, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I recently discovered the world of K-beauty and was searching for a lip stain that offered a natural, yet noticeable tint, without the dreaded dry feeling or quick fade. I decided to try shades 3 and 5 of this particular brand after hearing they are the most popular shades in Korea, and I'm absolutely thrilled with the results! The color payoff is beautiful – a subtle, natural flush that enhances my lips without looking overdone. What truly impressed me is the longevity; the stain stays put for hours, even through meals and drinks, which is a huge plus. It also applies with a lovely, subtle gloss, giving my lips a healthy sheen. While the initial gloss is nice, if you prefer a high-shine look throughout the day, you might want to pair it with a clear gloss." —Jessica

Get it from Amazon for $9.90 (available in 22 shades).

21. Heyhae gel nail wraps so you can jazz up your manicure without the pricey salon visits. No need to juggle bottles of polish or buy a UV lamp — these wraps cure effortlessly in sunlight. Plus, they’re designed to be easily stretchable, ensuring perfect coverage on every nail. Reviewers say it takes about 10 minutes in the sun to cure, and you can expect about a week of wear.

Amazon

This set includes: 28 strips, one prep pad, one nail file, and one wooden stick. To apply the strips, just use your palm to warm them up. Once the strips are warmed, they can be easily pulled for the perfect fit on your nails. 

Note: If you live somewhere that doesn't get sun often, you can still use a UV lamp. You only need to pop your nails in for about 5 seconds!

BTW, Heyhae is a small biz!

Promising reviews: "I’ve been using other brand semi-cured strips and decided to give these a try not expecting much. I’m so glad I was wrong! They are thin, pliable and the sizes actually fit ALL my nails! Usually they’re too wide or two narrow. Application was a breeze and the adhesive feels so secure once it’s on your nails. So far they’ve held up to moderate wear and tear at the barn. I will only be buying these from now on!" —Nicole

"I've tried nail polish, powder, press ons, stickers, acrylics, the works, but I have a lot of sensory issues and I work in a very hands on job and nothing would stay on but these are amazing. After a little practice they're pretty easy to put on and they really do stay on for two weeks." —Anthony Wolski

Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in 21 styles).

22. An Etude eyebrow pencil complete with a brow wand on the other end for easy blending. The triangle-shaped pencil contains a blend of powder, wax, and oil for long-lasting color and a natural finish that looks totally effortless. It's great for filling in sparse areas or creating a whole new shape if desired!

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "This is the best eyebrow product I’ve ever used and so the price and ease of ordering makes me happy. I love that it has a brush wand on the other end so I can blend and refine my coloring with a quick flip and brush of the pencil/wand. The pencil itself has the perfect width and length and it’s in a beveled diagonal shape, which I’ve never had in a pencil before and I found it works the best for drawing more naturally. Plus, these pencils last me a long, long time! It’s the longest-lasting pencil I’ve ever used. I hope they never change these or take them away from me because I’d always been frustrated by eyebrow pencils before finding this one." —Lisa N. Hyman

Get it from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in eight shades).

The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity. 

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