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31 Beauty Products That'll Help With Upkeep Without Costing A Fortune
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We hope you love our recommendations! While every product is independently chosen by our editors, BuzzFeed and our publishing partners may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. You can read more about how our affiliate partnerships work in our Editorial Standards & Ethics Guide. Hey, you — you deserve to keep your hair, skin, and nails in tip-top shape without breaking the bank. And tell Gary not to worry! The snail mucin is obtained in a safe way, so no snails are harmed! I've personally been using this for almost a year, and it's amazing how it's improved aspects of my skin that I didn't even know needed improving. I didn't think my skin looked too dull before, but after seeing how this brightened and soothed my skin, I'm never going back. I spray my face with rose water, gently pat the essence into my skin while it's still damp, and let it absorb. Plus, it absorbs so quickly, it's like your skin is saying "gimme gimme gimme!!". Promising review: "I’ve been using this morning and night for about two weeks, and I can say I understand the hype! My skin looks better than it has in so long. Firstly, the texture surprised me. When you think of snail mucin, you think slimy and gross. This wasn’t sticky or slimy whatsoever. I was afraid it was gonna leave my skin feeling gross and slippery. Surprisingly, my skin drank it right up! No residue whatsoever, and it’s a nice primer before makeup. I have oily skin, and it’s helped with that as well. My skin is so soft, with a nice, healthy glow. I’ve noticed my red spots from past acne are fading, and my skin just overall looks great. Highly recommend!" —Sarah Downs And bonus! This stuff is free from parabens and provides a sulfate-free haircare system, making it super gentle on your gorgeous curls. BuzzFeed Shopping contributor Jasmin Sandal says, "My hair is the ~perfect~ combo of wavy, curly, and frizzy, and this drugstore product has been a holy grail of mine for some time. I've found that it's the only formula that will give me soft, naturally curly waves come the a.m., and since I'm generally a nighttime hair washer, I have the perfect excuse to avoid blasting my hair with heat. Before hitting the pillow, I like to run my fingers through my towel-dried hair with a pea-sized amount of this, flip my mane over, and then give the ends a good scrunch. In the morn, my hair appears shiny with defined, wavy curls — we're not talking HD — but they have a nice, soft definition to them that doesn't require much styling." Promising review: "Absolutely love this stuff! It's the one hair product I have to have. I rotate shampoos and conditioners, but have never found anything to put on damp hair that I like as much as this. It says it's for curls, but it works great on straight hair too. I have had super straight to very curly over the years and have loved this on all hair styles." —Bunco Queen of the Universe To use, mix the powder and activator and apply it to your face. FYI — you'll look like a character from The Walking Dead as the mask works its magic (it's called the "Zombie Pack" for a reason!). But once you rinse it off after 10-15 minutes of letting it dry, you'll have some happy and radiant skin. Skin1004 is a Korean skincare brand that provides high-quality skincare items made of plant-based ingredients from Madagascar. Its signature ingredient is centella asiatica extract, a soothing and hydrating antioxidant that is known for its ability to help heal wounds and protect the skin. Promising reviews: "After years of trying different products on my sensitive, acne-prone, red, rough skin, I saw this mask and all of the positive reviews and thought, 'what the hell, I'll give it a go.' Even after the first application, I was really impressed with the results. My rough skin is smoother, I have no additional breakouts, and when I do wear makeup, it actually blends into my skin. It also helps the deep wrinkles on my neck. I even got a compliment on my skin the other day — this NEVER happens. I use the mask twice per week. I'm on month two, and I recommend it to anyone with problem skin. My only caution is that it smells kind of funky (who cares), and it's a little hard to remove. I only apply the mask when I'm going to shower and wash my hair. It's zombie life for me here on out!" —Charlie B Promising review: "My 6-year-old daughter has keratosis pilaris, commonly known as 'chicken skin.' This year, it really flared up during warm weather, so I gave this wash, along with lotion, a try. Wow, I saw results after just a few uses, and after a couple of weeks, most of her bumps disappeared. Thrilled we skipped a trip to the dermatologist! Can’t beat this price for the results either." —Ashley Steigerwald I've been using this serum for about eight months now and cannot say enough good things about it. I got the "glow" serum (I love that there are different options for different skin concerns), and it continues to minimize my pores and makes my skin look plumped and radiant! Promising reviews: "Aesthetician approved! Been using this product for about four months, and I’m loving it. There’s no smell and does not cause any redness or irritation to my face….and I have a sensitive face." —NOLA70 "Y'all, I just discovered this serum, and let me tell you, it's the real MVP! As someone who's been battling uneven skin and dark spots like a pro wrestler, this serum is the hero I never knew I needed. The rice water and alpha-arbutin? It's like a one-two punch of skincare magic! My skin is glowing like a firefly after a night out. And those pesky lines and wrinkles? They're running scared, girl! This serum is so lightweight, it's like wearing nothing at all. It plays nicely with my sensitive skin and even looks fab under makeup. I'm talking glass skin realness! If you want a serum that's gonna make your skin look like a million bucks, get on this Beauty of Joseon train! It's a solid 5 stars from me. My skin has never been happier!" —Lunari OK, so I've been using this serum every night for about two months, and all I have to say is this: It has shoved its way up to the top 10 beauty products I've come across as a shopping writer (out of the *countless* ones we test on this team)! I've tried everything from Grande Cosmetics' lash serum to good ol' castor oil — this one beats them all. Friends and family have interrupted me mid-sentence to ask what false lashes I was wearing and demanded I send them the link when I told them I had only been using this serum. I put my bestie (who has been a lash tech for five years!) on this. I apply a light coat of mascara, and the tips of my lashes literally brush my eyebrows. And since it's oil-free, it's super lightweight and causes no irritation to my eyes. It has 100% earned and kept its place in my nighttime routine. Promising reviews: "I know it’s expensive, but I went from puny lashes to nice full lashes after using this. I didn’t repurchase (I kept telling myself it was too expensive), but within a month or so, I was back to puny lashes again. Never again. I will always have this serum on hand. My lashes grew and filled out. I experienced no irritation, and it was as easy as pie to use. It’s unscented, and it feels like putting water in your lash line. But the magic? Undeniable. I love this stuff. Expensive but worth it. In the first week or so, you need to do it every day. After that? A couple of times a week to maintain. It’s SO good. I’ve turned my girlfriends on to it, and they feel the same. And for good reason. It works." —DC Get it from Amazon for $29 (available in three sizes). Apply this directly to wet hair, avoiding the roots, massage it in for eight seconds, then rinse. Practically NO effort required. You can use one dose for fine- to medium-textured hair, two to three doses for thick- to curly-textured hair, and add one more dose if you have long hair. Promising reviews: "I don’t usually do reviews on products, but for this one I absolutely have to. I have 3c-type hair and struggle a lot with 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. Thank you so much!! ♥️" —Theressa Hailey Promising review: "Right out of the box I could tell these mitts were going to be exactly what I needed. Excellent quality and easy to use! I’ve tried them twice already and my skin is now incredibly smooth! After I scrubbed my arm, I looked at the mitt and saw it was covered with dead skin cells. I’ll be buying more of these as gifts for girlfriends (in a fun spa gift basket)!" —Danielle Get it from Amazon for $11.39+ (available individually or as a pair and in five colors). But just remember, scars and stretch marks are totally normal! Promising review: "This is by far the BEST skincare I have found. I have sun-damaged skin and it has helped more than anything I have used. If used as directed it will not only fade scars, it will also fade spots. I use this twice daily and have been using for probably a year now and see a remarkable difference in my skin's appearance. I use instead of lotion, as it absorbs really well." —Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $11.12 (also available in two bigger sizes). Promising review: "I never write reviews, but this stuff is magic in a bottle. I'm a level 7 blonde with high-level highlights and hair that loves to pull red. If my hair starts to look brassy, I use this and voila — it looks like I just came out of the salon again. I'd love it even if it didn't make my hair feel soft, but it does that too! Please don't ever stop making this!" —scooptwins Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (also available in a bigger size). Promising review: "I’ve been using this product daily for about three months, and my dark undereyes look 10x better. I’ve used a lot of different products on Amazon that are supposed to help with dark circles, but I never had much luck in seeing a difference. However, since using this cream, it’s been a game-changer. I apply it at night before bed, which seems to help with puffiness when I wake up the next morning. I’m by no means a dermatologist, but I feel like this is the best product for me as a 25-year-old man. It’s a small tube, but it lasts a long time. For the price point and the results I’ve gotten, you can’t go wrong!" —Neko Check out more of the best drugstore eye creams! For persistent or bigger pimples, leave a pimple patch on overnight for two to three days to allow the pimple to diminish completely. Promising review: "I've suffered from full coverage acne since I was 8 or 9 years old (I know. A freakishly young age to start.). I've used every product known to man. Proactive, Neutrogena, Clearasil, medication from dermatologists...the list goes on, and I'm sure most people have experienced the same. BUT THESE WORK. HOLY SHT THESE WORK. They suck everything out in ONE GOSH DARN NIGHT. I buy a whole bunch at a time and go through probably five packets a month, and I've never been happier, and I've never had such clear skin. All you have to do is wash your face and stick the dots on before bed. I stick them wherever I see the red starting, feel that 'oh it's a big one' pain under my skin, or where whiteheads have already started." —Danielle Get a pack of 72 from Amazon for $9.99 (available in five sizes). Read more about ketoconazole shampoo at Cleveland Clinic. It's safe to use on color-treated, chemically processed, and gray hair! Promising review: "Best dandruff shampoo I've ever tried. I’ve had dandruff my whole life, and recently it got much worse and turned into what was pretty much scalp psoriasis. I have tried MANY products and treatments over the past year, and nothing has come close to this shampoo. I haven’t had ANY dandruff since I started using it; it took care of my psoriasis as well. Would absolutely recommend for anyone with bad dandruff." —Alicia Eddy Here's what BuzzFeed Shopping writer Emma Lord says about it: "I started using one of these a few months ago and WOWZA, it really helps you get extra mileage out of your shampoo. I have a whole lot of hair on my head, so sometimes it's a struggle to feel like I've soaped up my whole scalp thoroughly, but this was a very effective way to spread out the suds and really get them to the roots. I was worried it might tangle in my hair, but it was totally fine on that front, too. I've noticed that my hair has been a little less greasy at the roots since I started using it. And I'm echoing a ton of reviewers here when I say it just feels reeeeeally, really nice." Promising review: "I saw this little thing all over TikTok, and everyone swore by it. To be honest, they’re right, and I now swear by it. It’s perfectly soft and sturdy to massage the scalp. Works shampoo into roots, helps with dry skin, and such. I absolutely love it, and I use it every time I wash my hair. I most definitely would recommend it to anyone. Don’t hesitate." —Z Get it from Amazon for $6.49 (available in three colors). Etude is a South Korean cosmetics brand based in Seoul. Etude House celebrates beauty and aims to provide both makeup and skincare products that are beginner-friendly. Make sure to shake before using and apply to areas that will be exposed to UV rays. That's me in the pic shown above! Although I was in the chilly Swiss Alps, that sun was *strong*. And when I tell y'all, I am picky with sunscreen...I am PICKY. No matter what, it has to be lightweight, non-greasy (my oily skin doesn't need any help looking shiny lol), virtually invisible on my skin, and it has to work well as a base layer for other products like tinted serums and foundation. I found my perfect match in this sunscreen. It protects my skin while still letting it breathe and allowing its natural glow to peek through. It also dries down to a *true* silk-matte finish and mixes super well with your daily moisturizer! Promising review: "I’ve been using this sunscreen for a long time, and I always end up coming back to it. The texture is very lightweight and fluid, absorbs quickly, and doesn’t leave my skin feeling heavy or greasy. It blends easily, leaves no white cast at all (which is extremely important to me), and works perfectly under makeup. I have sensitive, dry skin, and this sunscreen has never irritated me or caused breakouts. What I really appreciate is how comfortable it feels throughout the day. It doesn’t pill, doesn’t sting my eyes, and it gives a natural finish that looks good whether I’m wearing makeup or not. It’s one of those products you can apply in the morning and forget about because it just does its job quietly and well. I’ve tried many sunscreens over the years, especially Korean ones, and this is one of the most consistent formulas I’ve used. For the price and quality, it’s absolutely worth it, and I would repurchase it without hesitation. There’s really no excuse not to wear sunscreen when products like this exist." —Marcela Get it from Amazon for $18.99 (available in two styles and two sizes). This toothbrush is also formulated with nano-silver, which may help kill off microbes left on the bristles. Mouthwatchers is a small business established by Ronald Plotka, DDS, that specializes in antimicrobial toothbrushes designed to get deeper cleans that even patients with "great" dental hygiene might miss with traditional brush and floss routines. Promising review: "This was another one of my TikTok purchases! I was skeptical, but my kids hate flossing their teeth, so I thought this might help in between making them floss. They work amazingly! My kids said they could see and feel a difference on the first use, and I agree! They are definitely worth a try! I would suggest not pushing too hard; those tiny bristles really get in there, and if you push too hard, you might be sore like I was. It felt like after going to a dental cleaning." —AN Check out our Mouthwatchers flossing tootbrush review to learn more! It comes with a precision cover to help you shape your brows to the exact shape you want. Or leave them just how they are. Remember, removing facial hair (or any hair) is optional, not necessary! Promising review: "Plucking the more egregious of my thick black hairs is at least a 2–3x/week effort. I opened these rather hesitantly — I mean, they are sharp blades going on your face — took a sip of Prosecco for courage, washed my face, and started shaving. I could not believe how easy and quick it was. After a couple of swipes down my cheek, I noticed that it was done. I thought it was going to take a lot more skill and time. First complete face shave (full cheeks, upper lip, lower lip, jawline) over and done with in less than three minutes with outstanding results. So much easier than tweezers and depilatories!! Wow." —Tara D. Get a three-pack from Amazon for $5.94 (also available in a pack of nine). Read more about tongue scraping at Cleveland Clinic. Promising review: "Unfortunately, I, like many, suffer from bad breath and have tried so many things to stop it. I read that sometimes it's the germs on your tongue that can cause it, so I went wild trying to brush my tongue. Of course, we all know how that ends — gagging, watery eyes, and it still looks like that gross film is on your tongue. I finally decided that maybe it was time to get a tongue cleaner, and it had to be a stainless-steel one because they are easier to clean and sterilize. This product is really easy to use, and I can get very far back on my tongue without activating my gag reflex. Also, it doesn't have the feeling like brushing with a toothbrush does. This cleaner just glides across my tongue, taking all the icky germs and bad breath with it. I love my nice new fresh breath and boost of confidence!" —jordanb Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (also available in two bigger packs). Promising review: "TikTokers have done it again. This was one of the products on Amazon a person could not live without, stating all-day freshness. It's true — I cannot believe it. The taste isn't strong; it does not burn at all. It keeps my breath smelling fresh all day no matter what I eat. This brand will be a new staple in my bathroom and morning routine." —Zac And if you need more convincing, check out our in-depth review of TheraBreath oral rinse! Get a pack of two from Amazon for $15.34. It is recommended that you use it on your hair right after the shower, but reviewers say it looks good when you use it on either wet or dry hair when you want to skip the styling process! Promising review: "I found this product through a BuzzFeed article for those with frizzy hair, and THIS PRODUCT DID NOT DISAPPOINT PEOPLE! I put this serum through the wringer — I got this to stand up to Bay Area fog AND the nasty, humid heat wave we got a couple weeks ago. No frizz, no extra curls. Nothing! On top of that, it made my hair super glossy. I'm very impressed. Heads up, though, a little goes a long way. One pump is enough to cover my hair, and I have medium-length hair. I do have oily hair, so working on my ends first, then working to my roots works for me." —Jazmine Carbajal Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (also available in packs of two and four). Promising review: "I normally do not write reviews but this product did the job, wow! It literally erased my dry cuticles, instantly leaving me healthy moist-looking nails! Love it and it’s so easy to apply and doesn’t leave any extra oil or residue. Love!" —Diana Apanovich Mavala is a family-owned small business based in Switzerland. Promising review: "This really helps!!! I've been biting my nails to the nub for 24 years. I have nails now, and I don't bite anymore; that's all I wanted. This product made that happen. It tastes SO bad, I never realized how much I subconsciously put my hands in my mouth until I used this. However, I figured I should warn you/give you guys a heads up, be prepared to taste this on ANY AND ALL foods you have to eat with your hands. To me, that was a small sacrifice I was DEFINITELY willing to make to get my nails to this point. I don't even need to use it anymore because now I'm more aware of my nails. All in all, I HIGHLY recommend this product." —Kelsey Walton Promising review: "I saw a dermatologist recommend this on TikTok, and I figured I’d give it a try. I have had red bumps on the back of my arms for as long as I can remember and have tried many things, so I didn’t have very high expectations. After one use, I could already see a difference! It says to use 1–2 times a week, but I use it usually every other day, and I use CeraVe rough and bumpy lotion after, and now my red bumps are almost nonexistent. This product has truly been life-changing, and I would recommend it to anyone struggling with red bumps! 10/10!" —Sidney Get it from Amazon for $12+ (available in five sizes). Read more about how rosemary oil could be as helpful at encouraging hair growth as Rogaine at Cleveland Clinic. Apply the gel to edges and smooth with fingertips or with a brush for a specific hold. Or! Just rock your edges' natural texture. Check out this article on why laying your edges is never mandatory. Mielle Organics is a Black-founded business that got acquired by P&G Beauty but is operating as an independent subsidiary and continues to be led by its founding members, Monique Rodriguez (CEO) and Melvin Rodriguez (COO). Promising review: "I like the light consistency of this edge control. It doesn’t take much and did the job I was looking for it to do. I didn’t have any issues with flaking or dryness. My hair texture is different since it's been growing back since chemotherapy, so honestly, it doesn't take much for it." —FitSisterP Simplified Skin is a cruelty-free brand and a family-owned small business based in Cleveland, Tennessee. Promising review: "This is the second time I have ordered this and will keep on ordering it! The scent is light, and it feels so refreshing when I spray it every morning! No irritation to the skin, and it is the extra kick of moisture my skin desperately needed. I have used it on my hair a couple of times only, and again, the light scent really peps me up, and it helps my hair have a subtle shine to it. I highly recommend this product!" —Loretta Arenas Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in three styles and four sizes). And remember, like with any retinol (that actually works) *just do not use it every day.* Start slow and work yourself up if needed, paying attention to your skin. Promising review: "I bought this for my teenager to use for his acne scars, but he ended up not using it. I ran out of my Murad retinol serum, so I gave this a try. I actually like it better than the Murad! It absorbs quickly, with zero smell or irritation. As with any retinol product, be sure to wear sunscreen when you're going to be outside." —C. Munsterman Check out BuzzFeed editor Daniel Boan's CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum review for more deets! This is designed to work on all hair types, with reviewers with 2b–4c curls mentioning it worked for them! Promising review: "I have tried everything on the market to fix my damaged, bleached hair that keeps breaking off. I stumbled across this hair treatment on TikTok. I had never heard of it before, but decided to give it a try. I used it for the first time yesterday, and I couldn't believe how amazing it made my hair feel and look. It's sooo soft, shiny, bouncy, and nourished. My bleached rat's nest now looks and feels like hair again. Even my boyfriend noticed a huge difference in my hair. I’m going to buy a lot more of this product. I’ve been really frustrated about my hair for years now because of all the damage. Now I can finally relax and enjoy my new hair." —Eline Check out BuzzFeed's full review of the Elizavecca hair treatment for more deets! The razor has two edges, a fine-toothed one for thin hair textures and a wider one for thicker hair textures. (FWIW, people also use this on their pets as a quick grooming solution!) Promising review: "I recently got a pixie haircut. I was hesitant to get one based on the fact that I'd have to get frequent haircuts, the cost of which would add up quickly. I did some research on YouTube and found some videos using the tinkle hair cutter to trim hair in between salon visits. I LOVE this thing! It is easy to give a little trim or a drastic cut, both of which I have done since getting the tinkle cutter. I was very nervous to try it, fearing that I might mess up my hair so I just did a little bit first, but it was easy and only takes off small amounts of hair at a time, remember, I have a pixie cut — if you have long hair it will cut that off! Basically, all you have to do is comb your hair in the direction it grows until you're satisfied with the cut. Seven months post-pixie haircut, and I have only been to the salon once to have a re-shaping done of my hair. I will say that when the cutter feels like it's 'pulling' your hair, it's time to get new razors. I still prefer my pixie cut to be pretty short, and assuming I would have to go to the salon once a month for upkeep, I have saved $210 since having my hair cut. TOTALLY WORTH IT!" —brandi in louisiana Promising review: "This baby is seriously sharp and does serious magic to my horrific calluses! I have had foot files and that ridiculous Ped Egg before, and they don’t hold a candle to this. So imagine my surprise when this actually works really well! I used it dry out of curiosity since it says wet or dry, and honestly, I feel like it works even better dry than wet. I can’t believe how much better my feet look! Sooooo gross to use (it’s basically Mount Everest in foot skin), yet such a satisfying result! My only sad thing is that now it hurts to walk on gravel barefoot. Worth it!!" —ShadowlakeGirl Promising review: "I am on my feet a lot, and I had two nails that had thickened to the point where I couldn't use the regular nail clippers anymore because they didn't open far enough. I had nail scissors, but they weren't nearly strong enough. I'm not going to lie — I was getting really self-conscious about them in addition to the fact that my shoes were getting more and more uncomfortable. I found these clippers and tried them out, and I couldn't believe how smoothly they cut through my super-thick nails. I thought I was going to have to apply a lot of pressure, but the blades just slid right through. One of the best purchases I've made in a while!" —Katie D. Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in three styles and three sets). Promising review: "I have suffered from splitting and cracking fingers for years. I tried Eucerin, Lubriderm, and Gold Bond creams, but none seemed to relieve the splitting from recurring. I tried O'Keeffe's Working HandsCream and within two and a half days, the splitting and cracking were no longer a factor. Since using the cream, I have not suffered any more cracking or splitting. I am on a busy schedule and only use it at night when I go to bed. It says it's non-greasy, but you can definitely feel a slick texture on your hands once applied. That's why I use it at night before bed when I don't have to open door knobs, touch smartphones, or shake hands. It has the texture of cake icing, goes on smoothly, and works into the skin quickly. It has no smell I can detect. I am so glad I found this cream, it has ended years of split and cracked fingers/hands." —T.H. Get it from Amazon for $8.89 (available in four sizes). Our O'Keeffe's Working Hands Cream deep dive goes into more details, so be sure to check it out. * TikTok Beauty Products You’ll Use Every Last Little Drop Of * Beauty Products With Before And Afters So Good, You’ll Be Like, “Me Next” * Beauty Products That Work So Well, I’m Convinced “Magic” Is In The Ingredients List * Cheap, Soothing Beauty Finds That’ll Make Your “Ouch” Skin Say “Ahhhh” * Beauty Products Reviewers Swear By For Staying Matte * Helpful Products For People Who Think They Suck At Makeup * Beauty Products Perfect For Anyone Who’s Clueless About Beauty Products * Things To Upgrade Every Step Of Your Beauty Routine From Head To Toe * Beauty Products That’ll Have You Looking Downright Ethereal Plus, concealers, cosmetic bags, fragrances, k-beauty must-haves, products reviewers in their 60s love, waterproof mascaras, and finds from Sephora, Soko Glam, Ulta, and Walmart. Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity. 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. Gabriela Manjarrez is a staff writer on the BuzzFeed Shopping team who covers a variety of topics from beauty to home to travel, while having a special enthusiasm for K-beauty, quirky (but useful!) trinkets, and all things luxe and aesthetic.