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Psst — You Didn’t Hear About These 33 Cheaper Versions Of Expensive Beauty Products From Me
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BuzzFeed and our publishing partners may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. Read More For less than $10, you can snag the best alternatives to $24 Summer Fridays lippies and $30 curl brushes out there. As a Senior Shopping Writer at BuzzFeed, I specialize in a broad range of topics, including beauty, cleaning, fashion, personal care, home, fitness, and my beloved “TikTok made me buy it.” My work has been featured across lifestyle and writing publications during my ten years in the digital media space, including Bustle, HuffPost, HelloGiggles, and The Washington Post. Promising review: "The texture is thick! But it’s a good thick. These feel so smooth on the lips and are very glossy. Currently my favorite E.l.f. lip product, over the Glow Reviver Oil. Smell is not overwhelming and neither is taste. I came back to order them all." —Khloe3 Promising review: "I have not tried the name-brand brush, but grabbed this one to see if the design worked for my hair. Holy defined curls, Batman! I styled pretty much as usual, but used the brush to distribute the product (I use Innersense gel), lifting at the roots and letting the curls bounce after I released. This photo is after breaking the cast with some hair oil. My curls are never this defined and healthy-looking. Don’t think twice about it: your curls need this brush." —Natalie Gonzalez Get it from Amazon for $8.49 (available in three colors). Promising review: "This smells heavenly!! I wore it today with the Cheirosa 62, and it smells delicious! I already purchased a second bottle for me and one for my daughter because I know it's going viral, and I don't want to run out! It's already hard to find where I am. To me, this is even better than the Vanilla Cashmere, and that's been my absolute favorite so far." —Heather Mg Check out a TikTok of the Slipsticks in action. I *jumped* on this because I'm a huge fan of Clinique's Black Honey line — I'm wearing the Mauve Mentality shade that's meant to be an alternative to the $25 Nude Honey above! I love the consistency of this and the lightweight, buildable color. It's the perfect "keep this by the door/in a purse" lip tint that goes well with pretty much any outfit, since it's in that genre of "no makeup makeup." My only complaint is that you have to be careful not to twist it too high up, since the formula is kind of melty and makes it hard to twist back down. But otherwise this is an EXCELLENT everyday lippie to have in your arsenal!! Promising review: "Love these. Sheer, pigmented, but buildable, and don't feel heavy or thick or sticky like Wet 'N Wild lip oils do. I love that it's available in a stick option." —catina m. claytor Get it from Amazon for $10 (available in 11 shades). Promising review: "This product is AMAZING! I am an RN, and I am on my feet for 13+ hours during my shifts. Over the past four years, my feet (and pinkie toes) have taken a beating. Cracked, peeling, dry, hard...I was embarrassed to wear flip-flops, not only for my fifth toe, but because my heels were flaky, peeling, and horrid. I had tried pedicure tools to no avail. THIS. This product healed my feet. I have only used one application so far, but my feet are like 90% better. I am wearing flip-flops! And my pinkie toes are almost healed! It's incredible! I am so very happy with my results, and I highly recommend this product." —Rachel L Get a pack of two from Amazon for $7.95. Kuumba Made is a small business that specializes in luxury scents at affordable price points. Promising review: "This has become my favorite scent! It goes on with a coconut/vanilla scent that turns into a soft musky sweet sandalwood/amber scent. It’s a thicker oil consistency that lasts. I got the small roller bottle that is perfect to keep in my purse and for traveling. I’ll definitely buy again!" —Roberts0816 Get it from Amazon for $12.49+ (available in two sizes — check out other scents on Kuumba Made's landing page!). Promising review: "Great lip tint that's buildable. It dries soft to the touch with no transfer. Lasts hours! Can be drying on the lips, so I put a lip oil on top of this lip tint — the tint doesn't budge or smear away. I'm buying more of these!" —Abelle Get it from Amazon for $8.97 (available in six shades). Promising review: "They work great, look cute, and make me feel pretty. I’ve been buying these for over a year now, and I’m always happy to recommend the brand whenever people ask about the little stars on my face. I like the different colors. I get to match them to my outfits. Other brands usually charge an absurd amount for a few puny stickers that barely do anything, but these patches actually pull gunk out and leave the blemish looking much better afterward. It’s kinda gross, but super satisfying. Totally worth the money, and it’s more than earned my praise." —Fredric M. Get a pack of 240 from Amazon for $8.99 (available in 11 styles). Promising review: “If you use St. Tropez tan products or any fake tanner, do yourself a favor and try this. This stuff is AWESOME. Dries quickly, lasts longer, does NOT make your skin stinky, applies evenly, and you get a fair amount of product!! Other tanners I’ve used become VERY noticeable when they start fading. Gross hand lines, patchy white spots, etc., but not this stuff. The best one-hour tan I have ever used!” —Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $10.49 (available in 16 styles). Note that the AAD recommends using at least SPF 30 and reapplying as needed for skin protection. You can read about sunscreen myths and facts from dermatologists for more information! Check out a TikTok of the collagen sunscreen in action. Promising review: "I am a skincare snob. I spend way too much money on products. But over the last couple of years, I’ve been trying to find a new moisturizer with SPF that doesn’t bankrupt me. I need something that can help my dry skin, protect from the sun, and not irritate my sensitive skin. I was skeptical about this product, never having heard of the brand, but I gave it a try. I am SO thrilled with the results. This moisturizer is BETTER than the $55 alternative I have been using. It moisturizes like a dream. It doesn’t pill. And my sensitive skin loves it. I am THRILLED with my purchase and will definitely be back for more!" —R. Berry Promising review: "Wish I would have found this sooner! Works great and so far the cheapest option I have found for powder sunscreen. Love that my face isn’t greasy anymore from normal sunscreen!" —Michelle "I have fine hair so anytime I’m in the sun I get burnt on my scalp. Regular sunscreen make my hair super oily and gross and I cannot stand wearing hats. I'm so glad I found this. You do have to apply it more often, and also it doesn’t work if it gets wet. Love this stuff, it's such a lifesaver." —james If the name rings a bell, it's likely because you've used or heard of this brand's beloved under-eye masks!! You can check out Grace & Stella's Amazon page to find those and more high-quality, affordable versions of beauty products. Promising review: "This is a must! Feels like a cloud and way better than a hand towel to dry your face, the perfect self-care product." —Jennifer Get a pack of 60 from Amazon for $8.96. Promising review: "I have super frizzy, curly hair and live in New England, where we have super humid summers. I have been struggling to find a product that de-frizzes my hair without making it look oiled down, and this is it. I put it in my wet hair after washing, towel-dried, and put my hair in a ponytail to go to work. My hair was frizz-free all night — even working outside in high humidity. People even asked if I did something to my hair! This is an amazing product for the price. Absolutely buying again and would recommend to anyone with a frizz issue." —Marissa Promising review: "If you are looking for a truly budget-friendly and exceptionally versatile line of facial and body care, this is it. I have used this on my arms and legs for two weeks, and I see a real game changer. Are my arms and legs devoid of all crepe-iness? NO! Don't let any brand tell you that they can make any natural aging bodily changes disappear. However, this cream, when used consistently, will provide a temporary plumpness to those crinkled areas. I am 65, I am happy and grateful to have reached my mature age; nevertheless, I want and will give my skin all the effective products to keep it as supple as possible." —marihad t arrus Psst — if you're looking for one designed for neck tightening, Gold Bond's Age Renew Neck & Chest Firming Cream is another fan favorite! Read more about how biotin shampoo could help with the fullness of hair at Cleveland Clinic. Maple Holistics is a small business that specializes in beauty products with all-natural ingredients. Check out a TikTok of the biotin shampoo in action. Promising review: "My hair was starting to thin rapidly in my mid-20s. Thankfully, I caught it early. I started using this shampoo regularly, and haven’t done any other treatments. The thinning immediately slowed and eventually stopped. It’s six years later, and I still have a great, full head of hair. Judging by my family history, I should be totally bald by now, and this product is the only thing I've used. I credit this stuff with saving my hair! What a miracle!" —Amazon Customer Psst — reviewers mention this is most effective when paired with a scalp massager to work it into their roots! Check out a TikTok of the Aussie multi-use spray in action. Promising review: "This is an amazing product! It’s like that other '10' product, but MUCH more affordable! You only need to spritz some on your hand, rub palms together, and then apply. I have yet to try it on dry hair, but as a leave-in applied on wet hair, it is amazing! My hair is dry, medium to thick, and its texture changes due to hormonal fluctuations and certain medications. My hair feels wonderful with this (and it smells great, not overpowering at all). Best leave-in I’ve used in quite a long time that doesn’t leave my hair feeling weighed down or dirty. Highly recommend if you like “10” products. Can’t go wrong with this stuff!" —Shayne Check out a TikTok of the E.l.f. tubing mascara in action. 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). Check out a TikTok of the Baked Luminous Blush in action! Promising review: "Baked formulas are my absolute favorites when it comes to blushes and bronzers. These CoverGirl ones are magnificent. I knew I would like these just by looking at them, but they are even better than expected. I have seen many videos online comparing this formula to Hourglass. These CoverGirl ones have great quality, and they are worth every penny. The blushes are very pigmented but at the same time easy to build and blend. They are luminous but not shimmery or sparkly, and they don't enhance texture or pores. I got them in the shades Rose Latte and Strawberry Drizzle, and I will probably get the other two as well. The bronzer is also great. The shade I bought, Honey Bun, has a rosy undertone that goes very well with my skin tone. Like the blushes, it is very easy to blend and build." —Yise Get it from Amazon for $9.97 (available in eight blush and bronzer shades). 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 (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 that 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! Promising review: "I’ve used this setting spray a few times now and I absolutely love it. It really helps my makeup stay in place all day without needing touch-ups, even in heat or humidity. The mist is super fine and dries quickly without feeling sticky or heavy on the skin. It sets everything beautifully without ruining your makeup or leaving any residue. I also love that it doesn’t have a strong scent. If you want your makeup to last and still feel comfortable, this is a great choice. Definitely a new favorite in my routine!" —YSantiago Promising review: "I bought both, the cherry is more pink with a little bit more pigment, the apple is more red with very slight pigment. I use the pink on my lips; it lasts an acceptable amount of time, and I use the red for blush; it's the perfect amount of color. These are just as good, if not better than, the $20+ jelly tints, and both smell so good. Very cute and very usable!" —Ella Get it from Amazon for $4.97+ (available in Apple and Cherry). Promising review: "This product actually works! Very affordable, too. There are a lot of expensive teeth whitening products out there, but why spend extra money when you don't have to? Definitely worth trying!" —Mona L Cureton Promising review: "Love these drops. So effective, a little goes a long way. Great for a boost of hydration, especially in the colder and/or drier months. Great as a primer before makeup to smooth the skin. Such a value for a product that packs a punch. My skin hasn't looked better!" —Ken Dossier is a small business that specializes in alternative, affordable perfumes — check out the rest of their options on their Amazon storefront! Promising review: "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 Get it from Amazon for $26.12+ (available in two sizes). Promising review: "I have tried many different drugstore powders and this one is by far the best. Undetectable on skin. Doesn't settle into lines. Lasts all day with some natural fading toward the end of the night. It mattifies without making you too flat. I have repurchased it for about 5-7 years now. The L'Oréal Infallible comes close, but it does settle into lines. This one doesn't! You can wear it alone or over foundation." —Yuliya Get it from Amazon for $8.98 (available in 24 shades). Promising review: "I've been using the Vitamin C Face Serum for a few weeks now, and I’m absolutely in love with it! My skin feels so much smoother and brighter, and I’ve noticed a significant reduction in the dark spots I’ve been struggling with. The serum absorbs quickly, leaving no greasy residue, and it has a lovely, light scent. My complexion is looking more even, and I can see a visible improvement in my skin tone. I also appreciate how gentle it is on my skin, with no irritation at all. This serum has quickly become a must-have in my skincare routine! Highly recommend for anyone looking to tackle dark spots and brighten their skin." —Patricia D. Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in four styles). 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 The color-adaptive formula is designed so one of four shades will work on any skin tone. 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." —Monica T. Get it from Amazon for $6 (available in four shades). Promising review: "I know you have seen this on TikTok and wondering if they are worth the hype. They are so just order them. I have so many colors from this brand, they are so easy to apply. Get them." —Milly Get it from Amazon for $9.90 (available in a variety of shades). 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 15 shades). Jerome Alexander is a small business that specializes in airbrush cosmetic products. HELLO — I found this through a recommendation on a Reddit beauty forum for people in their thirties, and I am OBSESSED. I am not very skilled with makeup and was intimidated by the brush factor, but it's nearly foolproof. This foundation straight-up glosses over my pores and redness and makes my skin look so even-toned and natural that it doesn't look like I used much foundation at all. It's a bit price-y compared to brands I used in the past, but I'm still on my first bottle of it, and it's been three full months. I hope this never stops getting made. It is so lightweight and lovely and has made my makeup routine feel like a TREAT. Promising review: "Bought this because I saw it on TikTok, and it did not disappoint. I love the lightweight feel of it and how easy it is to build." —Smickens Get it from Amazon for $22.99 (available in 12 shades). Promising review: "I bought this and my daughter immediately tried to steal it because she thought it was the real thing. Ha! This is so easy to use and a little goes a long way. This will last for a while. And was a fraction of the price of the brand name." —Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $6.99 (available in three shades). Promising review: "I’d yet to find anything (even foundation) that could cover up my red areas. Cheeks, chin, nose, and forehead. It comes out green, but has a gorgeous lightweight finish of a tint that indeed covers my redness beautifully. There’s no greasiness to it at all. It dries down to a beautiful matte finish. It’s super easy to use. I use my fingers. The texture is like silk. It leaves my face baby-soft, not sticky at all. It doesn’t settle into my fine lines or wrinkles, and I don’t need powder to 'bake' it under my eyes. It also covers the black circles under my eyes." —Julie F. Get it from Amazon for $10.97 (available in six styles). * Beauty Products So Good, You’ll Do Surgery On The Packaging To Get Every Last Drop * If Your Beauty Drawer Is Full Of Regret Purchases, It’s Time To Try These 32 Cult Favorites * Beauty Products That May Not Be Glitz And Glam, But Are Realllllly Good At Their Jobs * I Need You To Know That These 36 TikTok Beauty Products Have *Actually* Earned Their Fame * Beauty Products With “Pick Your Jaw Off The Floor” Review Pics Plus, primers & setting sprays, and finds from Soko Glam and Tarte. 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.