35 Cheap Swaps For More Expensive Products That Budget Shoppers Will Swoon Over
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
My colleague Emma Lord can vouch for this: "I bought this because I crave that Black Honey and will buy it until the day I die, but I am always paranoid of losing it, so I almost never let it leave my bag. I have tried probably five or six "almost" versions of Black Honey that came close, but this one genuinely spooked me. It has the same easy glide, same buildability, and the same refreshingly hydrating effect. It was a two-pack so I gave one to my BFF, another Black Honey fan, who also could not detect the difference!"
Promising review: "Better than Clinique! I bought this one on a whim but never liked the real Black Honey Almost Lipstick by Clinique, since it tends to run red on me. This shade, in my opinion, is exactly what Black Honey SHOULD be, as it looks more like Black Honey in pictures. For the price, it can’t be beat, so I’m buying more." —HAC
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $9.99 (also available in a pink honey version, individually, and as a two-pack that includes both!).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "These are my new favorite. They are comfortable and do not show under all my clothes. They are super soft too and hold up all day without gapping. I have been buying Victoria’s Secret underwear for many years spending unnecessary money. I’ll repurchase these over and over again." —Joshua
Psst — if you're looking for a thong option, reviewers are obsessed with these Skims-inspired thongs that are also on Amazon!
Get a set of six from Amazon for $19.99 (available in women's sizes XS–XL and 14 sets).
Amazon
My coworker Emma Lord says: "I bought the OG body wash after being peer-pressured by all the lovely reviews and happily used it all winter. I was so happy to discover that the Wild Iris Musk Body Wash was a perfect warm weather update — the scent is so lovely, floral, and fun, and manages to have depth and staying power without being overwhelming. My favorite thing about Cremo body washes is how easily they pair with other scents, because I am a body mist gremlin who swaps out her scents every day. The lather is also deeply satisfying and I feel quite refreshed and squeaky clean without ever feeling dry."
Promising review: "Oh my. The scent of this is intoxicating. I’m so excited to try the others. I keep smelling my arms. So so good. Great body wash in general. But the smell and price make it my absolute favorite." —Chelsea Shackelford
Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in three scents).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I absolutely love these sunglasses! They suit my face beautifully and elevate any look with their stylish design. The gold details on the sides are such a stunning touch — reminiscent of high-end Miu Miu sunglasses but at a fraction of the cost. They’re lightweight, comfortable, and feel durable. I’ve received so many compliments already. Highly recommend these for anyone looking to add a chic accessory to their collection!" —Arsalan sheikh
Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in five styles and in multipacks).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
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).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
It's suitable for all hair types! Reviewers with everything from straight, fine hair to thick, curly hair said it worked for them.
Promising review: "I looooove this so much. The smell is amazing, and it tends to stick around for a while so I love getting whiffs of it through the day. My hair is softer and doesn’t seem as frizzy as before. I put it on after washing my hair, and then after it’s dry. I tend to wash my hair two times a week, so I’ll use it in between washes on my ends to make sure they still look nice and healthy. Great value too; I’ve been using it pretty consistently since purchasing and I’ve barely made a dent in it. Love it!" —Noley
Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in two sizes, as a mist, and five other formulas).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "So comfy and they look just like the photo! The quality is great, they aren't see-through, and I love the bright color! They fit true to size. They are definitely a great value for the money." —Hope
Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in women's sizes XS–XXL and 22 styles).
Amazon
Promising review: "I bought this before I was gifted the Dorsey necklace and they are almost identical. If you don’t want to spend $$$ on the Dorsey necklace, this is a great option." —Bianca
Get it from Amazon for $14.95+ (available in yellow gold, rose gold, white gold, and three other styles).
Amazon
Promising review: "I am LOVING this 'ONE AND DONE' product. I'd watched a few videos about how wonderful having this dual-ended item was; blush on one side, bronzer on the other. I needed something easy for travel, and I love creamy textures, so I thought I'd try them. WOW; I'm in love. They glide across the skin, blend out, and look very natural. The value is fantastic compared to other dual-ended makeup sticks. The smell is light and a touch tropical." —Vanessa Sykes
Get it from Amazon for $14.97 (available in four shade combos).
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "Wow wow wow!!! 🤩 This blanket is so soft and the colors and image is so vibrant! The material is great. Lightweight but also snuggly weighted, I don’t know how to describe it. I almost bought the one from Anthropologie, but this is exactly like it way less price! I think I’ll be gifting a few of these because they are so nice!" —Amy
Get it from Amazon for $34.82+ (available in five sizes and 17 styles).
Amazon
Popilush is a small business that specializes in activewear and shapewear.
Promising review: "Run to get this! PURCHASE!! I ordered a large — I’m usually wearing an XL, however, it fit perfectly. It does not cut off my thighs, so so comfy! No bra needed, will be a staple this summer. It’s not overly thick, but it’s not cheap material. I’m obsessed!" —Andrea
Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in women's sizes S–XXL and seven colors).
Emma Lord / BuzzFeed
Check out a TikTok of the E.l.f. mascara in action.
BuzzFeed Shopping writer Emma Lord swears by this: "I am not a new human to the tubing mascara game, and in fact readily spent $26 on the famous OG blend from Blinc every time it needed replacing. I didn't even love it for the length half as much as the fact that tubing mascara like this genuinely never smudges, but can I just say — regardless of price, the E.l.f. tubing mascara formula blows all the others I've tried out of the water. It gives me way more length and volume than other brands, slides on so much more easily, stays put ALL day, and never, ever smudges. My favorite part, though, is how gently and easily it comes off with soap and water. In the past, other mascara removals have felt rough on my lashes, but this comes off so fast that I'm like ??? was I even wearing mascara a minute ago?? Anyway, I hesitate even writing this review because I want to gatekeep the hell out of this before it sells out, but the world needed to know. I'm a big fan of the brown shade (which is what I'm wearing above!) but it also comes in black and soft black."
Get it from Amazon for $7 (available in three shades).
Promising review: "Like so many, I found this scent on TikTok. I was a bit skeptical at first but finally got around to trying it. First off, this scent smells amazing! Almost every time I've worn it, I receive compliments. It has a sweet smell, almost like warm cake or sugar cookies with a hint of lemon. With such an affordable price, I would definitely recommend this to anyone curious about trying it." —Chrissy
Get it from Amazon for $5.39.
Lulu Candles is a US-based small business that specializes in scented candles and perfumes.
Promising review: "I enjoy having a scented candle burning in my house. But I don’t like heavy, floral scents, so finding the perfect scent is difficult. This scent is perfect. It doesn’t slap you in the face, it doesn’t cling to your clothes and hair hours after leaving the house. This candle is warm, inviting, and elegant." —Micknan
Get it from Amazon for$19.95+ (available in six sizes, in gift box options, in packs of two, and in a variety of scents).
Jenae Sitzes / BuzzFeed, www.amazon.com
My colleague Jenae Sitzes uses it: "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 and as a two-pack).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Simply apply it on wet hair after a shampoo, wait five minutes, and rinse it out. It's 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 (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.
Promising review: "I loved it. It is made of very good material. It looks very elegant and beautiful, my hand looks very delicate. I am a size 7 and this one fit perfectly. I recommend it 100%." —carolin j Santana pineda
Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in sizes 5–10, three finishes, three styles, and in sets of two).
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review: "I love this so I ordered a second for backup! Depending on my day, I will add no more than one or two drops to my moisturizer or my primer. Takes away the winter pallor of my face, which definitely has not had enough sun lately. The bottle is small, but you don’t need to use much. Reasonably priced for the amount. I would say buy it." —Incognito
Get it from Amazon for $5.99.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "Right after the first pair came I got another. These shorts are so comfy and they fit well on me as a plus size person. I use these for exercising, swimming, loungewear on a hot day, and as safety shorts underneath skirts and dresses." —Mak
Get it from Amazon for$24.99 (available in women's sizes XS–3X and 34 colors).
Emma Lord / BuzzFeed, www.amazon.com
They have 10 hours of battery life, too!
iJoy is a small business that specializes in headphones and tech accessories.
Check out why BuzzFeed Shopping writer Emma Lord loves these: I own a pair of these, and because I'm vain as heck and need to own all things pink, but I was decently surprised by how well they muffle noise! I feel like these are ideal for people who still want to hear some of the world around them (read: parents, people working in open offices), but still want to listen to their tunes comfortably. The charge on these goes for at least four hours (I haven't tried it beyond that yet), and the Bluetooth connects to my devices super easily. Excellent pair of headphones for the price point.
Promising review: "They’re comfortable, hold a charge really well, and actually work really well in terms of noise cancellation. My daughter can be sitting next to me, talking, and I can barely even hear her. I almost prefer these in terms of sound quality to my Gen 1 AirPods as well. Easy to charge, easy to pair, very lightweight, and the fit is adjustable. I’m very impressed with these headphones!" —Samantha H.
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in five colors).
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "Looks far more expensive than it was, and it's a great neutral. It will look terrific with any dressy outfit. My college daughter said it looked very 'posh' and was happy with it." —Jennifer Miller
Get it from Amazon for $21.99+ (available in 12 colors/styles).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I had seen this on TikTok and thought it was a waste of money, until I tried it, and it works. It locks in your makeup. You just have to make sure your makeup is perfect and then spray your face." —Mary
Get it from Amazon for $9.97+ (available in five styles, two sizes, and in packs of two).
Promising reviews: "My favorite sheets have to be Cozy Earth. But they are way too pricey for a guest bed. These sheets are just as good without the huge price tag. Side by side comparison to these versus expensive brands like Cozy Earth or Peacock Alley — these sheets are thinner and deeper, which actually fit better on our deep mattress with a 3-inch topper. These sheets are just as cool feeling as the higher-end ones when you get in bed. They wash well. They hardly wrinkle. And even after months of use, they are still in great shape. They haven’t started to peel yet or fray. No loose threads or tears. Great sheets!" —Susan
"We have Egyptian cotton sheets that were expensive and I promise we have changed them back out for the comfort of these sheets. The cotton sheets were cold and these were just right. The other thing is my husband has thin skin that any nick he will bleed. Well he has bled on these white sheets and when we washed them (in cold water as instructed) the blood always comes out and never stains. I can't say enough great things about them except to say all three of my adult kids are receiving a set as part of their Christmas!" —Sheree Chrestman
Get a set of queen sheets from Amazon for $36.97 (available in sizes twin–California king, plus sheet sets with deep pockets for taller mattresses and 45 colors and patterns).
Amazon
BuzzFeed Shopping editor Maitland Quitmeyersays: "This is my go-to satin pillowcase. I have two Slip pillowcases, and several of these, and actually the Bedsure ones wash up much nicer and retain an incredibly silky smooth feel after dozens of trips through the laundry. They're the only ones I'll buy going forward, and I recommended them to my mom and now she's in love with them too!"
Promising review: "My hair has never been better! I got this because of TikTok and it has done wonders for my hair. My hair isn’t frizzy or dull looking when I get up in the morning." —Aaron Key
Get a set of two from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in four sizes, 35 colors, and in packs of four or individually).
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Reviewers do recommend sizing up (especially if you're between sizes) as they run a bit small!
Promising review: "Love these! Super comfortable and the leather isn’t overly shiny (making them look super fake). I’m on my feet all day at work and needed a summer alternative. So far, so good. Definitely recommend, especially for the price." —Amazon Customer
Get them from Amazon for $29.99 (available in women's sizes 6–11 and eight colors).
Promising review: "This stuff is a miracle! I have struggled with redness ever since my HS acne cleared up. I don't need blemish coverage, but just something to even out my skin tone. I tried this and it was a MIRACLE! I don't understand how it works, but it goes on green and then magically matches my skin tone! It lasts all day, doesn't make my face feel too oily (like some moisturizers do), and looks like I'm not wearing anything at all!" –Laura Key
Get it from Amazon for $9.98+ (also available in five other styles and as a two-pack).
Amazon
Promising review: "So cute, love it! Functional buttons all the way down. Light ribbed fabric and the style is darling!" —Megan
Get it from Amazon for$11.69 (available in women's sizes S–XL and nine colors).
Amazon
Promising review: "Diva, stop letting these influencers sway you into spending your hard-earned (and scarce) beans on $20–$30 subpar lip balms — you’re paying for the brand, and the quality is questionable. E.l.f. KNOCKED THEM BOTH OUTTA THE PARK WITH THIS! SO BUTTERY, SO YUMMY, SOOOOOOO MUCH PRODUCT!!!!! I wasn’t expecting the tube to be so generous in size, by far the biggest amount I've seen from the market. The flavors are divine, the color payoff is even better than Summer Fridays … and it’s only $9, you cannot go wrong. I just can’t fathom any balm being priced above $12, E.l.f. always hits and barely misses. 🩷💋" —SONIA
Get it from Amazon for $9 (available in six shades).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising reviews: "It’s much more spacious than it looks. It’s very sleek and stylish. I use it as my work bag and find that it looks professional and has enough space for all of my stuff. I carry a laptop, pencil case, two books, makeup bag, water bottle, wallet, lotion, phone and laptop charger, and other small miscellaneous objects. Still plenty of space. And when you carry it, it doesn’t feel bulky or cumbersome." —Su
"Purchased for my daughter, who is an attorney. She said she really likes it and has gotten many compliments on it from her peers." —J Cliett
Get it from Amazon for $35.99+ (available in 10 styles).
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Juno & Co. is a small business specializing in personal care and skincare products.
Promising review: "I’ve loved the Farmacy Green Clean for many years, but at $30+ for a jar that lasts 1-2 months max, it was a pricey product to buy on a regular basis. I wanted something just as good at a lower price and I FOUND IT! This cleanser absolutely melts away makeup and deep cleans the skin without any drying or eye irritation! It smells great and a little goes a loooonng way — I’m in love!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
You can see a similar one in this TikTok!
Promising review: "I was really debating buying the $95 one but figured I spent enough on the bag, so I decided to just get a replica for the cherry. I’m so glad I did! It looks almost exactly like it except for the slight change in hardware color. The quality seems great, and it looks sturdy. I love it! It really gives the bag an extra nice touch." —Oriana Pineda
Get it from Amazon for $6.99 (available in two styles).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising reviews: "I have several pairs of Rothy’s in a very similar style to these, and they are actually just as comfortable right out of the box as Rothy’s…maybe more so. I also purchased in black. LOVE THEM!!" —Amazon Customer
"I couldn’t be happier with these flats! As a result of them dropping in price, I purchased four pairs in varying colors to wear with jeans and sweaters. Not only do they look cute, but they are also decently padded and comfortable. I have been buying Vivaia flats for over $100 and these look just as good and are more comfortable to wear." —PSK
Get it from Amazon for $32.99 (available in women's sizes 6–10 and 14 colors/patterns).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Joy Jolt is a small business that specializes in modern and pop culture-themed drinkware and kitchen accessories.
Promising review: "These square wine glasses are just like the ones from Crate & Barrel but half the cost. So worth the money. They come well packaged and look so good on display. Buy them, you won't regret it!l." —Heather W.
Get a set of two from Amazon for $19.95 (available in three styles).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
The weights are covered with a sweatproof, skin-friendly silicone layer that's comfortable, and the adjustable elastic band helps you get the right fit. You can even remove weights as well if needed!
Promising review: "I love these! So great for yoga or mat Pilates. I like that they are 2 pounds each, which is the perfect weight, and you can even take off weight as well. I use them every week for my workouts. Very durable band as well!" —Robyn
Get a pair from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in two sizes and 14 colors).
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "Really well constructed. Comfortable fabric. I don't wear shorts, so these will be great for summer. The fit is great. I ordered these pants in three more colors the day after the first pair arrived. Excellent value!" —Montana Fam
Get it from Amazon for $32.99 (available in women's sizes XS–XXL and 14 colors).
Reviews in this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.
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