27 Affordable Beauty Products That’ll Totally Replace The Empty Expensive Stuff At Home
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "This is the best blush I’ve ever used. Perfect shade, perfect pigment level, perfect blendability, texture. No scent. Lasts a really long time. Highly recommend!!! 10/10!" —Justin
Get it from Amazon for $6.39+ (available in three shades and in sets).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
To highlight just how good of a deal this is: the Color Wow spray is almost $30 for 6.7 ounces, whereas THIS spray is under $15 for 8 ounces — so you are definitely getting more for less!
Promising reviews: "I have very wavy hair that doesn't like humidity. It frizzes and tries to re-wave itself whenever I've straightened and gone out in the humidity. I tested this out on a 10-minute walk this morning with my dog in 97% humidity, and there were very minimal flyaways and very minimal, almost non-existent waves. This product is super lightweight and doesn't make my hair greasy, which I'm prone to. I'd rate this 10 stars if I could! The smell is nice, too." —Jaime
"Works just as great as Color Wow for a fraction of the cost!" —Cynthia DeNarro
Get it from Amazon for$14.39.
Jenae Sitzes / BuzzFeed, www.amazon.com
Here's what BuzzFeed Shopping editor Jenae Sitzes has to say: "The packaging similarities are impossible to ignore, but that's not where the comparisons between this E.l.f. sunscreen and Supergoop's cult-fave product end. I've tried both, and I honestly prefer this E.l.f. version. Supergoop's had a slight graininess to it that I didn't love, while this E.l.f. sunscreen is exactly what I'd hoped Supergoop's would feel like: totally smooth and velvety. Like Supergoop's, it goes on totally clear and doesn't feel like you're wearing a mask; it sinks in immediately. And of course, a major selling point: A 1.7-ounce bottle of E.l.f. Suntouchable will cost you $14, while Supergoop's Unseen Sunscreen in the same size will put you back $38.
"Now, it's worth noting that Supergoop's Unseen Sunscreen has SPF 50, while E.l.f.'s product offers SPF 35. Both of these meet the American Academy of Dermatology's recommendation of using a sunscreen with SPF 30 or more, which blocks 97% of the sun's UVB rays. Anything over SPF 30 offers only slightly more protection (and nothing can block 100% of the sun's rays), yet the higher number, the more brands tend to charge. So do with that info what you will! This isn't the only SPF I use, but I love having it in my arsenal, especially when I do want to layer makeup on top!"
Promising review: "This sunscreen is a gem. I was not expecting to love it as much as I do. I absolutely love E.l.f. products, but I rarely try their skincare. Something told me to try this. When I put it on, it gave a smooth silicone finish and feel. I was faithful to Supergoop but didn't want to spend as much as the product is listed for. I will continue to use this sunscreen; it has been one of the best I’ve ever tried. I’ve been into skincare since I was 15; I am 37, and for me to say that this product is a gold mine is rare." —Angelina S
Get it from Amazon for $14 (available in two sizes).
Emma Lord / BuzzFeed
BuzzFeed Shopping writer Emma Lord says, "Hello, that is my face above because I bought into the hype of all the 5-star reviews and am glad I did!! Putting it on is like giving my eyelashes butterfly wings. It doesn't get clumpy, it stays put no matter how much you sweat, and you can apply it on very lightly if you don't want it to look so dramatic or continue applying for longer lashes each time."
Promising review: "Saw this product on TikTok and thought it would be expensive, looking at the results they got. I am beyond amazed with how my lashes look after about two coats. For around $5, you couldn’t ask for a better mascara! I will be buying this same one when I run out. I was not expecting to like it as much as I do! No complaints." —Kd
Get it from Amazon for $4.99 (available in black or brown and in a pack of three).
Dossier is a small business that specializes in alternative, affordable perfumes — check out the rest of their options on their Amazon storefront!
Promising reviews: "Gorgeous scent! I love perfumes, and I’m super picky. I either love or return. This scent is gorgeous. Smells a bit sweet but not overly sweet, not super vanilla, just a hint of it with sophistication. Very soft and sultry. I applied moisturizer (thin, thin layer of Vaseline) and then sprayed perfume. It stayed on my skin for probably over eight hours. I checked my sweater the next day you could easily smell it on my sweater. Definitely worth the money." —Amazon Customer
"I have had the actual YSL fragrance in 2022 and have not had a bottle since then. I just ordered this and got it today and must say this is a really great [alternative]. I smelled it and got instantly reminded of the bottle I had. It smells almost identical. I love the powdery and floral notes mixed with hints of vanilla." —Dean
Get it from Amazon for $29+ (available in two sizes).
Promising review: "I finally received my new body spray yesterday and was in complete shock at the resemblance to Baccarat Rouge 540. This body spray is so delicious. It is definitely a Baccarat Rouge 540 [alternative]. There were so many reviews that said how much this body spray resembled the very pricey perfume, and they were all correct. I absolutely love Baccarat Rouge 540, but it's so expensive compared to other perfumes like Chanel, so I opt not to purchase it regularly. This body spray is a wonderful substitute for overpriced perfume. Today will be my first day wearing the spray, so hopefully, it has great longevity throughout the day as well. 🤞🏼 Regardless, I would still purchase it again moving forward." —Tina
Get it from Amazon for $25+ (available in two sizes and nine other scents).
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BTW, people also love this for helping heal piercings. (Note: This product has newer packaging that you might receive instead of the older bottle shown above!)
Promising review: "This spray is amazing. I had a rash on my face and it disappeared after one use of this spray. I had a stye in my eye and the skin around the eye was irritated. This spray fixed not only the irritation but the stye went away as well. Any sort of blemish or acne is taken care of with this simple inexpensive spray. Great for after-sun care or workout redness. Everyone loves Tower 28's expensive SOS spray. The SOS spray contains hypochlorous acid, which is the exact same ingredient in the Briotech spray for much less money. It’s a miracle worker." —Squid466
Get an 8-ounce bottle from Amazon for $16.99 (available in six sizes and packs of two).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
When incorporating retinol into your routine, it's best to start slow (i.e. don't start off using this every day!) and gradually increase the frequency as your skin adjusts. Be sure to follow up with a moisturizer, and if using during the day, always apply sunscreen to protect your skin from UV exposure. Your skin will thank you!
Promising review: "I am very pleasantly surprised with the results of this so far! I'm in my mid-40s and fair-skinned. Sun damage and age spots were starting to take over my complexion. I've tried so many expensive creams, serums, facials, etc, with little results. Decided to try this based on the number of reviews, and I was not disappointed. After less than a week of using this in combo with their morning facial moisturizer with SPF, I already see a noticeable difference. My skin is hydrated, so much softer, and I can actually see the discoloration fading! I am shocked." —KMC
Get it from Amazon for $18.68.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I have Fenty Cherry Treat, a lip oil from Dior, and several other brands that were $20 or more…and the Nyx Fat Oil is better! Same consistency as the others, but a little more color, which is a good thing. About as long lasting as any other thick lipgloss. It’s always awesome to find a less expensive [option] for the high-end products I like." —Jennifer
Get it from Amazon for $8.97(available in 14 shades, including a clear option).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Emma Lord also has this and says, "I personally will live, breathe, and die by the magic of$25 'universal' Black Honey version — it lasts FOREVER and also functions as the perfect blush — but it sells out so often that I am also deeply relieved to know it has a cheap alternative in case of lip emergency!"
Promising review: "I absolutely love this product. The dark color is perfectly sheer. It also adds the most beautiful color to your lips. I am a Clinique Black Honey lip fan, and this gives me the same look for a fraction of the cost. I love it and have several that I keep in various spots. Not sticky either, which is my biggest gripe about lip glosses. My hair doesn’t get stuck in this like some glosses, but I get the shine." —Hamps5
Get it from Amazon for $7(also available in seven other shades).
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review: "🥰🌟🥰 AGHHHH! I love this little guy SO much!!! This stick is perfection. The color is sheer, buildable, and blends in easily and naturally. It's lightweight and does not clog pores. I applied this OVER powder and it looked fantastic. You can use a tiny, tiny bit and create an absolutely natural-looking 'flush.' The shimmer is subtle and perfectly evenly distributed. A lighter shade works perfectly on upper cheekbones, as a highlighter, even as a semi-sheer lip gloss. This is an amazing, high-quality, high-value product, 100%." —Dalevna
Get it from Amazon for $4.44+ (available in seven shades).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
This is designed for all hair types. For results, you should apply it to wet or damp hair from root to end, then style as usual without rinsing out.
Promising reviews: "This stuff is magical! Honestly, it’s the best leave-in conditioner I have ever used on my hair. I have highlighted long blonde hair that frizzes and tangles easily. I have tried every leave-in product, and none has compared to this one. It softens, hydrates, smooths, and leaves my hair looking like I just walked out of a salon! Not to mention it smells divine!" —Penelope
"I have very long, wavy hair and this product makes it so soft, defines my waves, and takes away the frizz! Smells AMAZING! I have them all too, PUREOLOGY, Oual, Olaplex… and it’s just as great, at way better price!" —Amazon user
Get it from Amazon for $6.54 (available in a pack of two).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Reviewers with everything from thin, fine hair to 4c curls have reported positive results from this moisturizing formula, which is particularly recommended for folks whose hair is damaged from using hot tools, bleach, and the like.
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 $7.69.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
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 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 $14 (available in 12 shades).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising reviews: "I used this with my Olay Regenerist Cream (it helps with my wrinkles). I mixed it, and it does a great deal of shine! You should buy it if you're looking for a Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Drops substitute! Way better than Drunk Elephant." —raegan kuball
"I actually like this glowy lotion better than the Drunk Elephant one, and I have both. This goes on smoothly and is not greasy. It leaves you very glowy with a beautiful tan and works well with makeup on top if you so wish. Lasting power, too. Recommend." —ggvega
Get it from Amazon for $13.98+ (available in five shades and as a two-pack).
Promising review: "Expensive isn't always better. I tried this spray before spending the day outdoors in 90-degree heat at Disneyland, and the only place my makeup moved was on the tip of my nose because I have allergies and use a lot of Kleenex. But otherwise it looked as fresh as it did when I put it on. I’ve used MAC and Urban Decay setting spray and they never worked as well as this stuff. I am completely amazed. Definitely give it a try." —Stephanie
Get it from Amazon for $9.97 (available in four finishes and a jumbo size).
Here's what BuzzFeed Shopping editor Chelsea Stuarthas to say about it:"I wear very little makeup — especially on vacation — but there's something about doing my brows that makes me feel more put together. I recently went on a 12-day trip to the UK, Croatia, Montenegro, and Spain, and traveled carry-on only so I really had to pare down my toiletries — especially as the airports I traveled through made us condense all of our liquids into a single quart-size bag. This stuff is TINY but does the absolute most! I wouldn't say I have particularly thin or thick brows, but this really zhuzhed them up with next to no effort."
Promising review: "The Boy Brow from Glossier was my ride-or-die eyebrow product for years, but the tubes are so small, and they raised the price, so I could no longer justify it. This brow glue is the closest thing I’ve found to it, and it’s half the price! Will definitely repurchase." —Alex
Get it from Amazon for $9.97 (available in five shades, including clear).
Read more about how biotin shampoo could help with the fullness of hair at Cleveland Clinic.
Maple Holisticsis a small business that specializes in beauty products with all-natural ingredients. Check out a TikTok of the biotin shampoo in action.
Promising review: "I love this shampoo! I had gastric sleeve surgery, and my hair was very, very thin. I started taking biotin and switched to biotin shampoo, as recommended by my doctor. It doesn’t make your hair grow by washing it, but it makes your hair and roots stronger. And it worked. After using the whole bottle, my hair was stronger. I had a lot of new growth that was sticking around (the previous new growth fell out early on), and my hair was getting thicker. Eight months later, my hair is back to normal. It's longer and thicker than ever." —Diane J. Huff
Get it from Amazon for $13.95 (available in three scents, four sizes, and packs of two).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
For reference, the Laneige lip mask contains 20 grams of product, while each of these measures 5 grams, or 15 grams for the entire set. So even with product sizes taken into account, these are a much better deal!
Promising review: "It’s been four months since ordering this and it’s now part of my nightly routine. I can’t go to bed before putting this on. I highly recommend this! And it’s worth it to get the three-pack. The flavors are not overly sweet and I think my favorite is the berry. I like it more than the Laneige night lip mask. For me, Laneige absorbs pretty quickly and in the morning I feel like my lips are dry again. With these, my still lips feel moisturized in the morning. It has a thicker consistency. I used to get dry/peeling lips pretty often as I’m outdoors/in the ocean a lot. However, since incorporating this in my routine, I haven’t had peeling lips in a long time. Loooove these!" —Angela
Get it from Amazon for $9.90 (available in six sets).
To use, apply this in thin layers to avoid creasing, then follow with your favorite concealer and setting powder if you like. If you don't like applying products with your fingers, they also make a triangle-shaped puff that's perfect for using with this.
Promising review: "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).
Kayla Suazo / BuzzFeed, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "Game-changer. I have tried so many concealers and they all end up caking up and settling in the lines under my eyes 😭😭😭. I recently decided I would try this because of all the makeup tutorials I watch and OMG!!!!! I use this under my eyes to cover up my dark circles. The coverage is fantastic, it goes on so smooth and I really like the applicator! This is such an amazing makeup product; it's hard to believe it's so inexpensive. This concealer delivers exactly what all the professional makeup artists claim it delivers." —RobinX
Check out our Maybelline's Instant Age Rewind Concealer review for more deets.
Get it from Amazon for $6.52 (available in eight shades).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising reviews: "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
"I tried the Milk [Hydrogrip] primer and it worked magic for my super oily skin. I came across this for a fraction of the cost. The milk primer was $34, but this does the same job for way less. I am happy with my purchase." —Shenelle
Get it from Amazon for $10.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "What can I say, I saw a TikTok about this lipstick, and for $10, had to try it! The reviews are right, for some reason, this lipstick is better than even $20 name-brand ones bought from Ulta. Not only does it smell great, but dries in under a minute and survived eating a cupcake, a Starbucks drink, and an entire evening out, no smudging, and had to be removed with a makeup wipe. Fantastic product!!" —Claire
Get a six-piece set from Amazon for $8.99 (available in six sets).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "For the price, this is an amazing highlighter. I heard about it on TikTok and I decided to try it out. I love it! Definitely recommend for an alternative highlighter if you’re not trying to spend a lot of money." —Salina
Get it from Amazon for $5.47 (available in three shade combos).
Promising review: "Smells great! This face mask does exactly what it says. My skin is nice and lifted, hydrated, noticeable reduction in fine lines, improved texture, reduced my pore size, and eliminated some newly developed rough patches forming around the hairline. Couldn't be more satisfied with this product! I have pretty good skin for 37, but this mask has really helped take my skin to the next level." —Samantha
Get a box of eight masks from Amazon for $19.54 (available in three pack styles).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising reviews: "Clearly time I got a new eyeshadow palette. Sargent Freddie Mercury (my not-even 4-pound bunny) made it his mission to destroy my James Charles overpriced palette. This palette is the same quality, maybe even nicer. This eyeshadow was put on at around 3 p.m., and it's almost 1 a.m., the 'highlight' stayed on my nose even with my mask on through a whole day of work. That blew my mind." —Daniel T Adams
Get it from Amazon for $8.99 (also available in a neutral palette).
Promising review: "E.l.f. has really stepped up their game lately! I was using Farmacy Makeup Meltaway, and I loved it, but it was very expensive. I decided to try the E.l.f brand because of the price, and it's the exact same thing! For $11, you can't go wrong with this product. I wear waterproof mascara, and this makes removing it super easy! My face feels super clean and hydrated after using this product. The product lasts for a good amount of time, too." —Haley McCaulley
Get it from Amazon for $10.97 (available in three sizes).
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
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