30 Low-Cost, High-Reward Beauty Products To Upgrade Your Routine
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I wish I had bought this sooner! I’ve been struggling with deep whiteheads and blackheads on my chin and nose for years. I get monthly facials with microdermabrasion, and it barely helps. After about a week's worth of use out of this, they are finally coming to the surface and can be extracted!" —Allie
Get it from Amazon for $12.50.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I used to wear a powder foundation I loved, but then I noticed I was getting too old for powder. I was so discouraged as I was looking for liquid foundation — they all looked orange and cakey on me and settled into my fine lines. I had just about given up on the idea of foundation until I found this! It's amazing! Matches and blends in with my skin flawlessly, and moisturizes and smoothes my wrinkles! I'm so excited I found it!" —Kol Rinah
Get it from from Amazon for $10.18+ (available in 30 shades).
See it in action on TikTok here.
Promising review: "This is one of the best makeup products of the year. I've tested this many different ways over the last two weeks and it has held up every time. I have used this on its own as a powder foundation, with and without primer, and over foundation as added coverage as a light setting powder. This stuff is great; it holds up. My makeup looks flawless all day with minimal shine/oil break through." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $9.95+ (available in 20 shades).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Reviewers with hair textures from type 1a (stick straight) to type 4c (coily) have left 5-star ratings for this bottle of magic. Those with straighter hair say it helps smooth flyaways and add volume, while those with coily hair say it enhances their natural curls and adds shine.
Promising review: "I don’t usually do reviews on products, but for this one, I absolutely have to. I have 3c-type hair and struggle with a lot of breakage, unmanageability, and moisture. When my mom mentioned this product to me, I didn’t take her seriously because of the simple fact that we have two completely different hair textures. I never would have thought this brand would work on my hair ... I have never in my 22 years felt my hair like this. I feel like I have a completely different head of hair. This product is so amazing, and I will FOREVER be using this product in my hair regimen." —Theressa Hailey
Get it from Amazon for $10.97.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Plus, removing all that excess dead skin can help with everything from preventing razor bumps and ingrown hairs before shaving, smoothing away bumps caused by Keratosis pilaris, and prepping your skin for the perfect streak-free self-tan.
Promising review: "I have very thin and light body hair, so any form of removal (shaving, waxing, etc) usually leaves me with a lot of ingrown hairs. I've tried body scrubs and washcloths, and neither really does a great job. I saw this product recommended by a dermatologist on TikTok and thought I'd try it; it's amazing! I also have very sensitive skin, and this mitt doesn't leave my skin irritated at all." —Kat
Get it from Amazon for $10.99 (available in three colors and two-packs).
Promising review: "This product works really well, and it is so much fun to use! I even got my boyfriend to try it with me. I apply it after cleansing and toning by taking some of the product on my finger tips and massage it all over my face and chin for a few minutes, avoiding the skin around my eyes. It lifts up all of the dead skin which you can easily wash off once you're done. I followed it up with the rest of my normal nightly regimen and a hydrating mask. When I wake up, my face feels incredibly smooth — really noticed a difference! I'll be using this twice a week to reap the benefits of the exfoliating but not overdo it." —J
Get it from Amazon for $12.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
According to reviewers, this cream will add a slight bit of volume to thin, fine hair or enhance the waves in those with thick, curly hair.
Promising reviews: "I’ve tried so many curl products and this is my favorite even over high-end curl creams. I have really long wavy hair. This controls the frizz and leaves my hair soft and brushable. This isn’t texturizing and it doesn’t leave a sticky or tacky residue. Love this so much." —Amazon Customer
"I'm so grateful that I found this product. My hair is wavy and frizzy. Every once in a great while, my waves resemble curls, but the frizz is always there. I've only used this product one time so far and I never want to be without it. I put some on after towel drying (no brushing) my hair, and my waves actually resembled curls! It wasn't instant, so I was skeptical, but after about 15 minutes, I caught a glimpse of my hair in the mirror, and I was amazed. It looked styled rather than a ratty mess. I slept on it, and it still looked great in the morning!!!" —mich0610
Get it from Amazon for $7.97 (also available in a pack of two).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I was looking at Fenty, Kosas, and other lip glosses at Sephora and then I heard about this Maybelline lifter gloss and decided to try this instead. Since I could get three or four different colors in this gloss for the same price as one of the high end gloss, I went this route after reading all the good reviews here. The reviews were right — this lifter gloss has the same kind of applicator brush, wear, and moisturizing capabilities as high-end glosses. My favorite color is stone — it's a great neutral nude that flatters a lot of different skin tones." —Z Fam
Get it from Amazon for $6.97+ (available in 25 shades).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
This stuff is gold. I'm relatively new to the Poreless Putty Primer fandom but now that I'm here, I'm not leaving anytime soon. This makes SUCH a difference in how my foundation goes on, and it makes it look as close to poreless as I think is humanly possible — and maintains the smooth look for many hours! Just be sure to let it sit for a little bit before applying your foundation.
Promising review: "Okay so first nothing will make you 'poreless,' but this stuff is amazing. Will even out fine lines and help with super porous areas; my T-zone [has really visible] pores and this definitely gave me a boost in confidence. I would highly recommend. Especially to those not to familiar with makeup, this is a game changer. Honestly it works better than my $30 primer from Urban Decay and lasts all day. I am oily so I usually blot some powder on later in the day but if you have dry skin this could be the ultimate game changer!" —Olivia
Get it from Amazon for $10.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
This is designed to work on all hair types, with reviewers with 2b to 4c curls mentioning it worked for them!
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 (I 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
Check out BuzzFeed's full review of the Elizavecca hair treatment for more deets!
Get a bottle from Amazon for $7.60.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
It's way less wasteful and easier to carry around than a pack of oil blotting sheets — just pop out the stone roller to give a quick wash before reusing!
Promising review: "First off, if you have extremely oily skin, this. is. it. I was so tired of getting blotting powder/wipes. It felt wasteful and always left residue on my face. I saw this on TikTok and NEEDED it. It was backordered but then I got an email saying it was in stock and I was SO excited. Not only is it affordable, but it's washable, which helps you save money and be less wasteful." —Kelsey B.
Get it from Amazon for $8.04.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising reviews: "I have used Moroccanoil for years and decided to give this a shot. This is better than Moroccanoil and I will be buying again. It keeps my hair soft and smooth even in summer humidity. Great product." —Caitlin K.
"This product is a legit alternative to the Ouai hair oil. They smell identical, they feel exactly the same, and they left my hair shiny and soft. And most importantly it saved me some money for the future." —Brianna Reed
Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in packs of two and four).
Kayla Boyd / BuzzFeed
BuzzFeed editor Kayla Boyd swears by this mascara and says: "As someone who isn't a big fan of false lashes (the glue irritates my eyes and I'm terrible at applying them) this budget-friendly holy grail does the trick for both lengthening and volumizing my lashes. It uses a conic shape fiber brush to help the mascara apply evenly without getting too clumpy. Plus, it's cruelty-free!" Peep more deets in her full Essence Lash Princess mascara review.
Promising review: "After using Lights, Camera, Lashes by Tarte for the past year, I got tired of breaking the bank over mascara. My sister suggested Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect and I IMMEDIATELY fell in love. It provides dramatic length and great volume. I can honestly say I can’t stop looking at my eyelashes in the mirror every single day because of how awesome they look. Also, it is very long-wearing. I go from an eight-hour workday right to the gym and sweat [a lot]..and this stuff doesn’t budge! I love it!!" —Carrie E Weikert
Get it from Amazon for $4.99 (available in two colors and a three-pack).
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I absolutely love this. This is now my go-to hair mask. I have bleached and curly 4C hair. This makes your hair go from brittle and crunchy to soft and loose, and it locks moisture in your hair. Your hair will stay moist for 2-3 days without adding any other product to your hair. And the best part is it smells so good. Too good. Like… I have the urge to eat it." —V
TGIN ("Thank God It's Natural") is a Black woman-owned business based in Chicago.
Get it from Amazon for $15.96.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
But of course no one should feel pressure to lay their edges, unless they want to! Check out, "Just A Friendly PSA That You Don't HAVE To Lay Your Edges Down If You Don't Wanna."
Promising review: "I thought how funny it would be to buy one of these 'cause, just use an old toothbrush right? For years I’ve done this until seeing this product, what sold me was the double ended feature. Both useful and necessary for kinky curly hair. I immediately knew based on the appearance and texture of the bristles, that they were boar bristles. It’s firm but comfortable, I’ve even used it all over to smooth some fly-away hairs when it was slapped into a bun. Now, I laugh cause I should have gotten one sooner. Haha. Jokes on me. ...No regrets." —Free Spirited
Get it from Amazon for $4.
The color-adaptive formula is designed so one of four shades will work on any skin tone.
Promising review: "This under-eye concealer is truly exceptional and stands out in its price range. Its emollient base, combined with highly concentrated pigmentation, not only provides excellent coverage for concealing hollows or dark circles under the eyes but also moisturizes the delicate skin in that area. Furthermore, it exhibits remarkable staying power without drying out or settling into fine lines. I have become a dedicated and loyal customer of this product." —Reviews For You
Get it from Amazon for $6 (available in four shades).
Promising reviews: "I have some discoloration/hyperpigmentation and I am not usually good at using concealer. This is easy-to-use and perfect for beginners and amateurs like me." —Marie
"I am a 30-year-old female. I have extremely dark under eye circles. Honestly, that is the only reason I wear makeup — to cover them. I've used numerous kinds of concealers. Tarte Shape Tape, Mary Kay, Estee Lauder (assorted kinds), IT Cosmetics Bye Bye under eye, Clinique, Laura Mercier, Mac, and Bobbi Brown. I usually spend anywhere from $25–$30 on one tube of concealer and still feel unsatisfied with the coverage. Or it looks too heavy and thick by the time I sit with a damp makeup sponge and powder (accentuating my under-eye fine lines). This little gem is great. I use this concealer every day instead of all my high end brand concealers. It's full coverage, buildable, lasts all day, not drying and not too liquidy. I'm so happy I gave this a try, will definitely be keeping this baby in my every day makeup bag." —Brittney
Get it from Amazon for $8.80+ (available in 21 shades and various pack sizes).
Heartspring/Etsy
Promising review: "I’m actually obsessed!! The color is even more gorgeous than I thought it would be, plus it’s moisturizing. All my close girlfriends have asked what I’m wearing on my lips when I use it. Highly recommend!" —Jacy
Heartspring is a small Etsy shop based in Santa Monica, California.
Get it from Heartspring on Etsy for $8.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I used to pay a professional to dermaplane my face once a month to remove the peach fuzz, which makes me look older and makes the makeup application more cumbersome. I searched for years for a home product to use to save money and time. This is the closest I have been able to get to professional dermaplaning in the convenience of my home, on my time/schedule, and at a fraction of the price. Love it!" —SEM1969
Get a pack of three from Amazon for $5.94 (also available in a pack of nine).
Promising reviews: "This stuff is a holy grail product for me for a reason I wasn’t expecting! I bought this to keep in my beach bag for days out on the boat. My hair is always a tangled mess by the end of the day, so I thought this would help. It definitely helps with tangles, but it also has tamed my frizz so well that I use it every day now! I spray it on right out of the shower and comb through. I have also sprayed it on dry hair on days when I didn’t wash my hair. It’s fantastic!" —Chelsea
"I am someone who is having a hard time finding a balance of moisture and products that don't irritate my scalp, and I have tried almost everything. My scalp is so sensitive, but my 4c hair breaks from dryness. I read the ingredients and had low expectations but man was I in for a surprise. Not only did it moisturize my hai,r but it also moisturized my scalp without irritating it! If you have dry hair and a sensitive scalp I highly recommend this product as a moisturizer in between shampoo days. Will be buying this product again." —Jess
Get it from Amazon for $6.99 (also available in three other scents and in a three-pack).
Promising review: "First of all, amazing deal for the price! Secondly, they work amazing!! I have issues with tired eyes and I used the patches for about 30 minutes after I washed my face, while I was in the shower, then took them off when I did my makeup, and my under-eye was so moisturized and rejuvenated!" —Tiara Baker
Get a pack of 10 pairs from Amazon for $9.95 (available in packs of 20 and 30).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Check it out on TikTok.
Promising review: "First, let me start with the price. My favorite thing about this product is its price vs. its quality. Most times, we find a low or responsible-priced product...well, let's say you get what you pay for, so usually you're left disappointed, BUT this stuff is wonderful. The smell, the de-tangling ability it has, plus I love how soft my hair is and my curls. No stiff hair and, on the days I want a little more hold or crispness, I just mix some of my firmer hold mousse in with this in my hands before I apply it. Wish I knew bout this product sooner. Thanks, TikTok." —Angelia Taggarrt
Get it from Amazon for $3.98 (also available in a pack of two).
Reviewers with hair types 1c—4c have had success with this mask.
Promising reviews: "I have natural 4c hair, and this product was amazing. I did not think it would because of the texture, but once it was saturated in my hair, my hair became more healthy. I had less breakage, and my hair seemed to stay more moisturized during the week. I use this mask once a week." —Adrain T.
"My hair is very thin and curly. The ends are damaged from heat and color, causing my hair to look even more unruly. I do oil treatments once a week and only wash my hair two to three times a week, but NOTHING has made my hair feel like this product does. There is an immediate difference as soon as this product touches my hair. It leaves my hair feeling so silky, even after I rinse it out and dry my hair." —Melissa
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I have used expensive brushes for years to apply my foundation until I watched one of those videos online where products are reviewed. Well, I bit the bullet and bought these little egg-shaped sponges, and boy was I amazed at how wonderful they were. I soaked the sponge in cold water, squeezed out most of the moisture and then squirted my IT foundation onto the sponge. Apparently dabbing the sponge is better than swiping, so that's what I did, and hey presto, I have a beautifully moist-looking facial makeup coverage, without it looking cakey or too much. It is quite remarkable how this sponge works to cover all imperfections, and if I need a little more foundation, I just dab away and the job is done." —DenO
Get a set of five from Amazon for $5.99+ (available in five sets).
Reviewers with hair types ranging from 2a–4c say the lightweight formula makes it easy to define waves and curls.
Promising review: "This is my favorite hair system for my curly, 3a–3c, medium-coarse, very dry hair. This mousse makes my hair soft and bouncy and it hold the curl well. My hair does not get as dry and frizzy as it used to. This gets reactivated easily with the Curl Refresher Spray, and my curls last for days." —ShaniAZ
Thank God It's Natural is a Black woman-owned small biz based in Chicago, Illinois that specializes in hair products.
Get it from Amazon for $12.99.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "This actually works. It may be that it is working in conjunction with everything else I am using, but I can tell you that everything else was not working by itself. Since I started using this a couple of weeks ago, I have seen firmer and smoother skin under my chin and down my neck. The improvement stays even when I miss a day, it's remarkable." —A
Get it from Amazon for $11.97 (also available in a two-pack).
Promising review: "I'm going to get straight to it. I have NEVER had a lip balm that does what this tube of magic does. I have had chapped lips for years, no matter the season, and no other lip balm works like this one. It goes on smooth, not greasy, and absorbs SO WELL. After just three days of use my lips are soft and smooth. No peeling or flaking, and I...AM...IMPRESSED! I'm literally conceited now, LOL. I've taken 93 selfies with the infamous duck lips pose, AND my hubby even noticed during our last smooch sesh that something changed, LOL....TMI? Maybe. But y'all need to know how friggin' awesome this product is. I'm stocking up ASAP!!" —iamzenobiamarie
Get it from Amazon for $10 (available in six flavors and three-packs).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
New to essences? Try applying this after cleansing but before your moisturizer. Applying it to clean skin and under you moisturizer will help lock in all that snail mucin goodness!
Promising review: "Been using for two weeks and the change in my skin has been remarkable. Pores are so much smaller. Skin seems so smooth and hydrated. I use every morning and most nights. Yes, the product is sticky, but it’s absorbed quickly in 1-2 minutes. Excited to see the results after using for an extended time." —Lisa H.
Get it from Amazon for $16.98 (also available in a two-pack).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising reviews: "My goodness these Superstay 24 hours are the best thing if you're looking to keep your lip color on and not move. Great job!!! Maybelline keep up this REMARKABLE JOB!! 👏 🙌 LOVE THESE." —michelle
"This goes on and stays on! I love this lipstick line and plan on buying several more colors. The Blush On is a perfect mix of red and pink, in my opinion, and does favor the pink side of the color spectrum, which I absolutely love. Apply the lipstick, wait two minutes (if you put your lips together a minute before the moisturizer, they can stick together and ruin your look), apply the moisturizer, and you are good to go. I typically only have to apply the moisturizer one or two times throughout the day depending on how much I eat or drink. Love this line!" —BestlaRose
Get it from Amazon for $5.41+ (available in 38 colors).
I personally use this one and love it. The actual pencil itself has never broken while I'm using it (I've had many a brow pencil from other drugstore brands snap in half before I even use it two times), and the spoolie at the end is softer and smaller than similar pencils, allowing for more precise application and less irritation.
Promising review: "Truly remarkable. Goes on very easy, looks like powder-ish when fully dry. The tip and angular style of the pencil allows for efficient application. Highly recommend." —JMV
Get it from Amazon for $7.84+ (available in four shades and packs of two and three).
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The reviews used in this post have been edited for length and clarity.
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