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Before You Splurge On These High-End Viral Products, You Should Take A Look At 19 Less Expensive Versions (That Are Just As Good)

If you’ve been thinking about buying the viral Samba Janes or the Rhode milky toner... try these cheaper swaps first.

Posted 21 hours ago

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by Karly Jacklin BuzzFeed BuzzFeed Staff

I'm a resident writer, cat mom, and obsessive online shopper who is passionate about quirky pet products, home decor, size-inclusive fashion, and, above all, perfumes.

1. A pair ofAdidas-lookalike Mary Jane sneakersif you're like, "I love cute and comfy shoes...but IDK if I wanna spend designer money." Plus, reviewers say if you have narrow feet — these might be even *better* than the Adidas version. These also have a memory foam insole, so they're great for all-day wear.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I’m really happy with these shoes! They are very comfortable, lightweight, and fit perfectly. I’ve been wearing them daily, and they still look great. The quality is better than I expected for the price, and they provide good support for walking all day... I would definitely buy them again and recommend them to anyone looking for comfortable and stylish shoes." —Maité Fuentes

Get a pair from Amazon for $34.90 (available in women's sizes 5.5–11 and in seven colors)

2. Maybelline Lifter Glaze Oil Balm to hydrate your lips *and* give them a pop of color at the same time. It's infused with hyaluronic acid and a blend of deeply moisturizing oils for a nongreasy, nonsticky finish. Plus, the "Acai Glaze" shade is a darn near perfect match for the $25 Clinique Black Honey "universal" shade beloved by TikTok.

www.amazon.com, Amazon

Promising review: "I love this tinted lip balm! It gives my lips the perfect wash of color while keeping them super soft and hydrated. The texture is smooth and lightweight — not sticky at all — and it feels like I’m just wearing a nourishing balm, but with a natural lipstick look. The tint is buildable too, so I can swipe once for a subtle glow or add more for a deeper pop of color. It’s perfect for days when I want a little something without doing a full face of makeup. Plus, it’s great for touch-ups on the go. Highly recommend if you want moisture + color in one easy step!!" —J.P. 

Get it from Amazon for $6.97 (available in eight colors). 

3. A set of ruffled pajamas made to resemble the $99 Piyama set. It's giving Sabrina Carpenter — very dainty, very cutesy. 🧸🎀 Tons of reviewers love these for bridal events like showers and bachelorette parties, and even to wear when getting ready on the morning of their wedding.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "So comfortable and so, so cute! From a pajama lover — I think these might just be my new favorites. I’ve tried all brands (designer and otherwise) and these top my list without a doubt. The ruffles are such a cute touch! Highly recommend!" —Melissa 

Get it from Amazon for $25.99 (available in women's sizes S–XXL and 16 colors). 

4. A tomato table lamp sporting a similar design to the chronically sold-out Urban Outfitters version (and it's like less than half the price of it, too). Sure — you may not need another lamp, but you definitely WANT some of these quirky vibes in your living room.

Amazon

Promising review: "Saw Urban Outfitters had a tomato lamp for $100 and said hell naw. But then this lamp came along from the Amazon gods for $30 and no way I could pass up such a sick lamp. Smaller than anticipated but is immaculate. Runs almost everyday/all day and has been doing great for a year now. After a few hours, it automatically goes to the strobing setting. Remote has never failed me yet (knock on wood)." —Samantha L.

Get it from Amazon for $26.90.

5. A pair ofwireless over-the-ear headphones if your heart *wants* Apple's AirPods Max but your head is like, "Do you have 500 American dollars lying around? Literally, no. Just no." Appease your pragmatic side (while still honoring your heart's desires) with these bad boys that have a very similar aesthetic for just about $20. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

iJoy is a small business that specializes in headphones and tech accessories. 

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 fit is adjustable. I’m very impressed with these headphones!" —Samantha H. 

Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in five colors). 

6. Some stylishtabi-style shoeswith a slight heel that are super similar to the Maison Margiela ones you may have seen floating around your Pinterest home page. Here's a way to appease your fashion-forward Carrie Bradshaw heart *and* your limited budget...that is also giving Carrie Bradshaw. That girl almost lost her apartment over her love of putting designer shoes on her credit card. Don't be like that. Please.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "So soo perfect!! As cute as the Maison Margiela tabis are, the price is NOT cute. These are the perfect alternatives!! I'm a true 7.5 in shoes and these fit me PERFECTLY!! Really comfortable to wear and very true to size! Soo chic and unique! Perfect for everyday!" —Gh0stgrl

Get a pair from Amazon for $55.99 (available in women's sizes 5–11 and in 3 colors). 

7. Tree Hut Tropic Glow body butter that smells almost exactly the same as Sol De Janeiro's $48 Brazilian Bum Bum Cream — plus, it's fast-absorbing and has some of the same ingredients, like guarana extract and cupuacu butter to help smooth and soften skin. At the current sale price, you can literally get *five* tubs of Tree Hut's version for the price of one full-size Bum Bum Cream.

Karly Jacklin / BuzzFeed

If what you love most about the Bum Bum Cream is its fragrance, this is worth the swap. The formula is thinner and "wetter" (which, TBH, is a plus for me — that's how I like my skincare products), but the scent is dang near identical. It should be illegal to smell this good!

Get it on Amazon for $9.97 (also available in nine other scents).

8. A cast-iron Dutch oven, which looks nearly identical to a certain French cookware line'siconic piece. If you love the look of an ~aesthetic~ pot but don't love the $460 price tag, this one is a whooole lot cheaper. Plus, this beautiful little number is oven safe up to 500 degrees, has a PFOA-free nonstick coating, and reviewers note that it's super easy to clean.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "This is a great enameled cast-iron pot — the green I ordered is a bit darker than the photo portrayed, but it is a heavy-duty Dutch oven, every bit as great as my daughter’s Le Creuset." —LisaShoe

Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in four sizes and 16 colors).

9. A pair of oval acetate sunglasses with UV 400 protection. These are an affordable alternative to the viral Miu Miu sunnies without compromising on style or ~lavish~ vibes. Personally, I'd consider the trending $500+ Miu Regard glasses to be a liiiiiittle out of my price range. But if Bella Hadid is wearing them, I am, too — so thank goodness for this stylish swap. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Oh, and FYI: Reviewers are saying that these work very well for small heads and faces. If you struggle to find sunglasses narrow enough to stay put, these are for you!

Promising review: "I originally purchased because they looked so designer-inspired. When I received them, I was so pleasantly surprised at how good they are! Great quality, fit nicely, and have a great weight to them! I love that you get two pairs for such an affordable price. Perfect for spring break, vacation, and everyday [wear]. Makes a great gift as well." —D'Arcy Vandenberg

Get a pack of three pairs from Amazon for $18.99 (also available in packs of one or two).

10. A Revlon one-step hair dryer and volumizer so you can *finally* replicate the gorgeous way your hair looks (and feels) after leaving the salon — or borrowing your friend's ridiculously expensive Dyson Airwrap. This brush both dries and styles your hair, so you don't have to put your hair through the heated horror of blow-drying and then using a curler. Two birds, one really awesome hair tool.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

The oval brush design smooths the hair and the round edges create volume — leaving you with a salon-worthy blowout at home. It also has two heat and speed settings and a cool option, and it's designed to work on all hair textures — reviewers with 2b–4c hair mentioned it working for them. 

Oh, and Revlon also has a One-Step Styler designed specifically for curly hair for just $39.99!

Promising reviews: "I own a Dyson airwrap but it’s so expensive I hate traveling with it. I purchased this in hopes it would be a functional alternative, however, I have found it to more than exceed my expectations. Obviously, it doesn’t have the swapping capabilities the airwrap does but the round brush is what gets used the most and this is a very good alternative for a fraction of the cost." —August Eve

Get it from Amazon for $50.69 (available in three styles).

11. Byoma Hydrating Milky Toner featuring a gorgeous, pearly texture that bears a striking resemblance to the Rhode Glazing Milk. The results you could get are similar, too — reviewers report reduced redness, a dewier skin finish, and generally less irritation after regular use. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "OK, so I absolutely LOVE this stuff! I tried it on a whim after hearing a few different people rave about it. I had tried a similar product from Rhode and was not really wowed by it, but thought it was still a nice product. But this milky toner, however, blew me away. I apply it after washing my face with my hands and gently pat it in, and it just leaves a moisturized, dewy finish. I also have recently started mixing it in with my foundation when I apply it to my makeup and it’s been a game changer. For the price point, amount of product, and versatility, you just can’t beat it. Will be repurchasing!" —talon12

Get it from Amazon for $14.99. 

12. A lip glow oil with a subtle plumping effect. This is a near-perfect alternative to the influencer-beloved Dior Lip Oil... at a regular person-beloved price point.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "This is by far my favorite lip gloss on Amazon. The lip gloss keeps your lips moisturized and plump throughout the day. Highly recommend if you haven’t tried already!" —Brianna Clark 

Get it from Amazon for $4.99+ (available in six shades, including two-packs). 

13. A set of satin pillowcases that'll give your bed the same  ✨🏰 palatial 🏰✨ vibes as some of the more expensive silk pillowcases on the market (like the ones from Slip and Blissy). And they're not just for decoration — satin pillowcases can help your hair out by preventing breakage and frizz, and it's gentler on your skin too.

Amazon

BuzzFeed Shopping editor Maitland Quitmeyer says this is her 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 reviews: "I ordered these pillowcases just to see if they could compete with Blissy. Well, they can. I have washed them three times and they came out great. They seem to protect your hair and skin. So, I’m very happy with them." —EMc

"Arguably, they’re softer than my more expensive ones! They did arrive very wrinkled but a quick wash and dry and they’re shiny and wrinkle free. I like the envelope closure a lot more than competing brands zip closure." —Hannah Watkins

Get a set of two from Amazon for $6.64+ (available in standard, queen, king, and body pillow sizes and 32 colors).

14. A pair of teardrop earrings with a similar design to the FashionTok-beloved Bottega Veneta earrings, except these are under $10. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "These are absolutely BEAUTIFUL! If I didn't know any better, I would have said these are the Bottega drop earrings. I personally love the smaller ones. I have not ordered the larger ones yet. Smaller ones are truthfully the perfect size. We love a good alternative because who has $800+ to spend on the Bottegas." —Brittany

Get them from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in 11 colors, two-packs, and an extra-large size). 

15. Dossier's "Ambery Vanilla" perfume you can compare to YSL's oh-so-popular Black Opium scent— minus the $110 price tag. This sultry blend of pink pepper, mandarin, patchouli, and vanilla will have everyone asking, "What are you wearing?" And then, well... it's up to you how to answer that. 😉

www.amazon.com

Dossier is a small business that specializes in alternative, affordable perfumes — check out the rest of their options on their Amazon storefront! 

Promising review: "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 $28.94+ (available in two sizes). 

16. A faux-leather bag that'll make you do a double take — nope, this is not Polène's $560 Cyme bag but a $63 bad boy that you can get on Amazon. It's got a metal closure, that same unique U-shape, and it can hold quite a lot, too. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I bought this bag looking for something similar to 'that one brand' that was affordable. This bag is absolutely gorgeous and looks identical. When I opened the box, it smelt a bit weird, but I took a leather cleaner/conditioner to the bag with a microfiber cloth, and it no longer smelt, and she looked nice and shiny. It took me a while to figure out how to organize my things as it is a unique shape, but once it was organized, I loved it." —lisa keegan

Get it from Amazon for $62.99 (available in three colors).

17. A pair of sandals beloved by reviewers who find them to be an excellent alternative to Birkenstocks. If you've been looking for some cheaper — but still stylish and high quality — sandals to grab before your next vacay, reviewers say these are IT. Plus, the support is impeccable! The cork footbed is designed to mold to the exact contour of your feet, and the straps are easily adjustable for a snug and secure fit.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "As someone who owns several pairs of Birks, these sandals are absolutely up to the expectations of real Birks! The Birks I have are the Arizona soft footbed. I wanted this style of Birks, but I couldn’t find the soft footbed version of them. I saw these and thought I might as well try them for the price. Let me tell you, these are even comfier than my soft-footbed Arizona Birks! Omg, they feel amazing. They are nice and padded! They are so adorable, too! Great quality." —Lee

Get it from Amazon for $34.99 (available in women's sizes 5–12, two widths, and 19 colors).

18. An ornate mirror with the same bougie, baroque vibes as the extremely expensive Anthropologie mirror that is constantly showing up on your favorite influencer's IG feed...except this one isn't a thousand bucks.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I’ve had my eye on the Anthropologie mirror in this similar style for years. But I cannot bring myself to spend that kind of money on a mirror. I don’t care how nice it is. But this mirror is gorgeous, much more affordable, and while not an exact [substitute], it’s very similar and brings just as much charm to a room. It’s incredibly sturdy, detailed, and well made. I do notice a bit of waviness in the mirror itself but it’s not extreme and serves its purpose while adding beauty to a space." —Deborah L.

Get it from Amazon for $84.99+ (available in 10 sizes and five styles).

19. A pair of high-waisted"Secretsculpt" biker shortsthat you'll feel SO cute and confident in. There's no front seam AND there's some butt-sculpting technology in the back to make your junk in the trunk look FIRE. Plus, they're cheaper than the $64 Lululemon Align shorts, too.

www.amazon.com, Amazon

Promising review: "I am actually really impressed with the quality of these. I’d compare them to Lululemon Align. Not too thin, not see-through, plenty of coverage, but also soft and super comfortable. The butt scrunch isn’t super noticeable, which I love, but still gives you a nice shape. I wouldn’t say the fit is like compression, but they aren’t going anywhere. I’ll def get them in more colors, I’m so impressed." —Megan Lindsay

Get it from Amazon for $26(available in women's sizes XXS–XL and eleven colors). 

Why Trust BuzzFeed Shopping?

BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: Our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way.

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.