buzzfeed Press
41 Cheap Beauty Products That Are *Very* Similar To Expensive Name-Brand Options
Images
BuzzFeed and our publishing partners may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. Read More Allll I’m saying is this $7 tinted lip balm is so close to Clinique’s “Black Honey” that one of our staffers said it “genuinely spooked” her. As a shopping editor with over a decade of experience working in journalism and digital media, I cover everything from beauty and fashion to home, travel, gaming, and pets, and I'm constantly saving interesting products on TikTok (in *very* organized folders, mind you) to share with BuzzFeed readers. If you love trying out new beauty products, you know it's a passion that gets expensive *very* quickly. But thankfully, the market is ever-expanding with affordable alternatives to the popular, trendy brands that dominate store shelves and social media feeds. Whether you're a makeup fanatic or skincare aficionado, check out these cheaper swaps for brands like Fenty Beauty, Laneige, Supergoop, and much more. BuzzFeed Shopping writer Emma Lord says, "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 two from Amazon for $9.99 (or get one for $6.99; also available in pink and nude versions). BTW, people also love this for helping heal piercings. (Note: This product has newer packaging that you might receive instead of the older bottle shown above!) Promising review: "This spray is amazing. I had a rash on my face and it disappeared after one use of this spray. I had a stye in my eye and the skin around the eye was irritated. This spray fixed not only the irritation but the stye went away as well. Any sort of blemish or acne is taken care of with this simple inexpensive spray. Great for after-sun care or workout redness. Everyone loves Tower 28's expensive SOS spray. The SOS spray contains hypochlorous acid, which is the exact same ingredient in the Briotech spray for much less money. It’s a miracle worker." —Squid466 Get a 4-ounce bottle from Amazon for $14.99 (available in four sizes). This stuff is gold. 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 It's color-adapting, so one of five shades will work well for any skin tone! To use, apply this in thin layers to avoid creasing, then follow with your favorite setting powder (Catrice also makes one that matches these shades) if you like. If you don't like applying products with your fingers, they also make a triangle-shaped puff that's perfect for using with this. I have this in the Light Rose shade (I'm very pale), and it works *so* well to brighten my undereyes — I use my fingers to apply it (after moisturizing and applying my primer), and it blends seamlessly. 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 five shades). Also, she's ~multipurpose~ — reviewers like to use this as a blush too! Promising reviews: "I used to manage a Benefit Cosmetics boutique, and I can say this is 100% comparable to BeneTint! 👍🏽 The sheerness is natural-looking but not invisible, and the color lasts a workday. Not heavy like a power blush that sits on top of the skin. No breakouts!" —Katie Stober "I bought this on a whim after seeing a TikTok where it was suggested. I tried it for the first time today, and it definitely lives up to the hype. I take the excess off on the side of the bottle and then put a couple of dots on my cheeks and blend it out with a brush so I don't get it on my hands. It blended easily and surprisingly wasn't too dark. Gives a nice, natural flush." —FinAndMarketing Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in 11 shades and in sets of three). I've been using Monday dry shampoo for a while now, and I'm officially a devotee. I was so skeptical because of the low price, but it honestly works better for me than pretty much every other dry shampoo I've tried. It lasts me a good long while, too! Also, a tip from my hairdresser that's been lowkey life changing: Use dry shampoo on *clean* hair; don't wait for it to get oily — it works way better to prevent oil buildup and extend your hair's freshness and volume between washes. I've been using that method with my Monday dry shampoo, and it works wonders. Promising review: "Honestly, one of the best dry shampoos I've used and at an amazing price. I’ve used others — Batiste, Not Your Mother's, Philosophy, Amika, IGK — and always felt disappointed. Not with this one. 100% recommend!" —Katrina S. Promising review: "I RARELY write product reviews, and if I do, it’s because something is either so terrible or so incredible that I can’t keep it to myself, and these are the latter!! For some reason, I have a hard time getting pimple patches to really stick to my face, and I have very dry skin. I’m also not willing to regularly spend $15 on nine patches — so when I saw these 96, I repeat, 96 patches for this price, along with a good star rating, I just had to try them. And let me tell you, THEY ARE AMAZING!! "I can put them on and then do all my skincare over top, including wetting my face for snail mucin, and they do not budge. They don’t come off on my pillow or slide around, and I think they minimize and reduce redness WAY better than Cosrx, Mighty Patch, or Peach Slices. They pull out everything and don’t leave you with a little whitehead to deal with in the AM. If you’re not sure, just trust me babe, I’m sure for you!" —Sydney Get a 96-count pack from Amazon for $16.99. Promising review: "I LOVE the look of pimple patches on myself (as weird as that sounds) and absolutely hate the semi-clear ones, since they just draw my eyes to something that’s SUPPOSED to be invisible. So I easily fell in love with the Starface pimple patches — but the issue with those is they’re SO expensive and don’t work at all. THESE, however, have immediately sucked everything out of my face. I love them and literally wear them all the time. So many people have complimented me, saying, 'Oh my gosh, I love how you just wear stickers on your face; it’s adorable.' These also work as [an alternative to] the TikTok Shop ones that are really popular right now and are cheaper! 10/10 from me :)" —evalyn evoke Get a pack of 240 patches from Amazon for $8.99 (available in multiple designs/shapes as well as multipacks). 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. Don’t think twice about it: your curls need this brush." —Natalie Gonzalez Get it from Amazon for $8.49 (available in three colors). Reviewers with everything from thin, fine hair to 4c curls have reported positive results from this moisturizing formula, which is particularly recommended for folks whose hair is damaged from using hot tools, bleach, and the like. 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 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 $15, 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 Promising review: "This sunscreen is lightweight and spreads easily. No odor, no white cast. I have been using EltaMD for years. I cannot tell the difference between this Neutrogena and the EltaMD on my face, except, of course, for the price. I can easily buy four Neutrogena bottles for the price of one Elta MD. The packaging is the same. Airless, pump dispenser." —Elizabeth Promising review: "My skin dries out severely during the winter all the time, and I have to constantly use Vaseline to keep it moisturized (normal cream doesn't work on me). Imagine my surprise when my SO tried to put snail goo on me, eww!! I resisted for weeks, refusing to use this product as she constantly vouched for its abilities. After a month, I finally gave in, and boy, it is amazing! My hands feel more moisturized than ever for longer, and it doesn't leave a disgusting, greasy feel like Vaseline. Take it from a once non-believer, you have to try this. Even if it doesn't work for you, you paid a fraction of what you would've paid for any other name-brand moisturizers." —Kyoko Ozaki Check out a TikTok of the marshmallow lip treatment in action. Promising review: "My new must-have! My number one go-to for healing lips was Carmex. This beat it. I love the consistency (very creamy/smooth), it’s not heavily flavored or goopy, and it obviously smells amazing. It isn’t overbearing and also doesn’t keep coating your mouth like the Eos stick balms (still great, but more wax)." —Breanah Shirazi Promising reviews: "These are great for oily skin. I normally can get through half the day before my face looks like a grease pit, and that's after applying anti-shine under makeup. These wipes are a miracle. They absorb quickly, and I love having them in my purse. I normally use two a day — much better than Tatcha." —Leslie M.I Photographer "These have been a game changer for swamp hag summer. I use these during the day to keep my skin clean and reduce breakouts from sweating out the souls of my enemies." —Kim Possible Get a 100-pack from Amazon for $6.95 (available in three styles and a bundle with a pocket mirror). I snagged the Tocobo lip mask, and it feels amazing to put on — it's nourishing without feeling *too* sticky, and it's not gritty either. It leaves the most amazing glazed finish, and my sensitive skin has tolerated it just fine with no irritation. At this price point, it's a no-brainer purchase for me. Promising review: "I have the driest, flakiest winter lips in existence. Have tried ChapStick, Vaseline, Aquaphor, camphor…I have even put MENTHOL on my lips. THIS! is the only thing that 100% works for me. It has a jelly-like but light texture that is heaven for my lips. It's so different than Vaseline, etc. It has a faint smell but nothing you can really taste. Just get this instead of Laneige; it’s really affordable for the quantity! 😭💖💖 The love of my lips!" —Rebecaa Get it from Amazon for $15.76 (also available in three other styles). Reviewers compare it to Hanacure, which anyone in the beauty community has probably heard of, only this is wayyy cheaper, especially considering you get eight packs and a brush with the set! Promising review: "As good as Hanacure, much better price! The Zombie pack face mask is the best! It works just as well as other tightening masks but it's a fraction of the cost. I use these once a week and am extremely satisfied. My skin feels so good after, and my wrinkles are getting less noticeable." —meredith shaputis Get a box of eight masks from Amazon for $9.70. Promising reviews: "Similar to the Drunk Elephant bronzing drops but half the cost!!! Definitely has more shimmer/glow to it." —Taylor Luckhardt "This is EXACTLY what I was looking for. I apply after moisturizer and makeup, highlighting under my eyes and brow bones. Not too sparkly, just makes me look like I’ve had enough coffee. Seems to last through hot and sweaty Florida days, so that’s a plus. I’ve tried other luminizers, and for me they are usually too sparkly or weirdly colored. I tried an $$ Glossier one that remained strangely sticky the whole time it was on my skin." —DLW Get it from Amazon for $14.97 (available in five shades). Also, if you follow beauty influencers, you miiiight notice the similarities between this palette and 2018's James Charles x Morphe palette, plus his Painted "Artistry Canvas" palette that's *currently* going for $55. Promising reviews: "Clearly time I got a new eyeshadow palette. Sargent Freddie Mercury (my not-even 4-pound bunny) made it his mission to destroy my James Charles overpriced palette. This palette is the same quality, maybe even nicer. This eyeshadow was put on at around 3 p.m., and it's almost 1 a.m., the 'highlight' stayed on my nose even with my mask on through a whole day of work. That blew my mind." —Daniel T Adams "Best palette I've owned and you can't beat this price! The colors are beautiful and vibrant. They are also extremely pigmented, especially the shimmery colors, and they all seem to blend well. I'm happy to have every color I could ever want in an eyeshadow in the palm of my hands, and I've been experimenting with colors I've never worn before!!" —Mary Diamond Promising review: "This eye primer is amazing!!! I have super oily eyelids and was getting to the point that I would rarely bother with eyeshadow because even with expensive primers, it would be smudged and creased within an hour. So glad I don't need to shell out for Urban Decay or Mac Paint Pot anymore; they don't hold a candle to this, and it's so much cheaper." —Chloe Promising reviews: "I’m using this now for my daughter, and it’s incredible! Her twists last more than a week, and her hair is so healthy and shiny. Great product! I’m only using this now as a styling gel." —Ashlea P. "Holy grail curl definer. I have been using it to define my curls for about 5 years. I spent so much money on other definers before I found this gel. It is VERY moisturizing and does not give you that dry, hard curl that feels like it will break off if touched wrong. It dries clear, does not leave any residue, and curls will last until your next wash — which is usually about 4–7 days for me. You can use a little or a lot, depending on how defined you want your curls to be. I use about a handful, but that's my preference. I simply slather it on, root to ends, and then whip my head back and forth a few times, and I'm done with my hair!! I am definitely a lifetime customer!!" —Starr Promising review: "I have Fenty Cherry Treat, a lip oil from Dior, and several other brands that were $20 or more…and the Nyx Fat Oil is better! Same consistency as the others, but a little more color, which is a good thing. About as long-lasting as any other thick lip gloss. It’s always awesome to find a less expensive [option] for the high-end products I like." —Jennifer Get it from Amazon for $8.25+ (available in 18 shades). Promising review: "Best eye cream I have ever used!!! Better than Benefiance by Shiseido and Clinique or Lancôme, for less than a third of the price with the amount you get. It is rich enough to do the job but not greasy. It doesn't interfere with concealer, yet softens lines. Love it so much!!!!" —Lory Lacy Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in three sizes and a two-pack). And remember, like with any retinol, don't start off applying this every day. Start slow and work yourself up if needed, paying attention to your skin. You'll also definitely want to use a sunscreen (with at least SPF 30) while using this product. Promising reviews: "I absolutely love this stuff! I saw a dermatologist on TikTok who raved about this product and tried it out, and it's been the most amazing stuff! It's helped my face to clear up very quickly, removing all of the blemish spots and dark spots around my face. It's been one of the best products I've added to my face routine. This would be great for all ages/stages and for any weather types." —Successful Solo "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 Promising review: "Don't hesitate, just buy these. I was using the Real Technique sponges for years and bought these on a whim after seeing several TikToks praising these. I love these sponges and the price. I apply liquid foundation with a damp sponge and these work better than Real Techniques. They are dense but soft and 'bouncy.' I wash mine between each use and these hold up very well and much better than the RT. Very happy with my purchase and the price. Will definitely continue to buy." —chris Get a set of five from Amazon for $5.99 (available in five sets). A ton of people compare it to Beauty Blender's own liquid cleanser, which is $15 for a (much smaller) 3-ounce bottle. I've used Ecotools brush cleaning shampoo for years, and it makes cleaning my brushes so much easier. I just add a bit of the shampoo to my brush and gently rub it against a silicone mat under running water, and it makes quick work of removing all the makeup that's built up on my brush for, frankly, way too long. You'll see the water start running brown immediately, which is always super gross but also really satisfying, and once you see your brush return to its original color, you know you're done. And the bristles are always left as soft as before, too! Promising review: "The best, most affordable brush and sponge shampoo on the market! No joke, I have tried everything; even homemade hacks like dish detergent mixed with olive oil. Nothing works like this brush shampoo. Don't waste your money on the Beauty Blender soap and other big-name brands." —Lily Get a 16-ounce bottle from Amazon for $15.17. Promising review: "These things are so soft! Great for taking off makeup. I was using the Makeup Eraser before, but these are 100 times better. You just wet them, wipe off your makeup, rinse, and hang out. I guess you could use a new one each day, but they are very big, so you can get a few days out of one. Great value for the money!" —Shopforbargains Get a pack of 12 from Amazon for $13.98+ (available in 13 color combos and in packs of 30). Reviewers say it's *especially* effective for sensitive, acne-prone skin and oily/combination skin types (though reviewers with dry skin report great results too). And multiple people compare it to SkinCeuticals' vitamin C serum — which, if you're unaware, retails for a whopping $185 for the same size bottle. Promising reviews: "I absolutely LOVE this serum. I was spending an absurd amount of money on SkinCeuticals products. This serum is way better. My skin is clearer and brighter. The only negative about this serum is the smell. It's awful! I will tolerate it and continue to use it because of its effectiveness and price!" —Tish "I am a licensed esthetician who deals with hormonal cystic acne that leaves scarring on my sensitive skin. My skin has improved so much since I started using this product!!! For the first couple of weeks, my skin purged out any underlying blemishes but afterward was clearer + smoother than I’ve seen it in YEARS! I LOVE THIS PRODUCT!! I love that it not only targets my acne scarring with the vitamin C but also soothes the redness with the niacinamide, has retinol, AND helps minimize my blackheads and pore size with the salicylic acid. 😭 It is the perfect product for my sensitive oily acne prone skin!" —Jackie Promising reviews: "The best I’ve tried so far and I used Dior, Tarte, Two Faced, you name it. I always have a problem with brand-new mascara because they have too much product on the brush, especially first few uses, and my lashes stick together. I didn’t have this problem with this one. I could layer it without any product starting to fall off or my lashes sticking together. And I love that they don’t test on animals." —Detti "This product is fantastic; the best I've used in years! And the price can't be beat. It's [leagues] ahead of the well-known brand names that sell for five times as much and more!. Just one or two coats gives me length and volume. With the gloppy other brands, I'd given up wearing makeup at all. I have sensitive blue eyes — and did I say I'm old, which adds another layer of sensitivity — and this mascara don't bother my eyes at all, no redness or irritability." —Antonia Albany Get it from Amazon for $4.97 (available in four shades). Promising reviews: "So good I wanna gatekeep her. Stunning color for us pale girlies." —Grace "This stuff is no joke. I like to use one product for my full face for a quick makeup routine: as eyeshadow, blush, and some highlight all at once. When I tell you I need exactly two dots for my whole face, I couldn’t be more serious! Has a different, more glossy texture than a Rare Beauty blush, but the pigment is much stronger. Comes off very dew-y and kind of glossy, but can be made matte with powder. The only thing I will say is that if you overwork it, there can be small lifted spots, which happened to me when I first tried it because I used too much, then had to try to blend so much. Already purchased another color." —Oscar Julian Zapotitla Get it from Amazon for $7+ (available in 12 shades). Promising review: "I love love love my Physicians Formula Diamond Dust mineral powder! I wish I’d known about this before I spent $42 on a Fenty compact that does MORE than I want with the sparkle; this product gives just the right amount of coverage without having it end up all over my face and on my clothes as well. It’s also pretty if you want to bring attention to your collarbones or shoulders. A perfect amount of shimmer with little effort! Try it!! You can thank me later!!" —camielle parent Get it from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in two shades). Promising reviews: "What can I say, I saw a TikTok about this lipstick and for $10 had to try it! The reviews are right, for some reason this lipstick is better than even $20 name-brand ones bought from Ulta. Not only does it smell great, but dries in under a minute and survived eating a cupcake, a Starbucks drink, and an entire evening out, no smudging and had to be removed with a makeup wipe. Fantastic product!!" —Claire "Beautiful and soooo worth the money! Usually, I always purchase either Stila Cosmetics or Kylie Jenner, but both of those are very pricey and expensive, so I looked up matte lip glosses on Amazon and saw this and thought I would give it a try. I absolutely love it. Very easy to put on, does not smudge, beautiful colors, very, very happy about the size of it! I went and purchased set B now because I love this product!" —Vickyy Get a six-piece set from Amazon for $7.99 (available in six different sets). Aaand while you're at it, you *might* want to snag this $7 clear liner that's a reviewer-attested swap for Urban Decay's version. By lining your lips with this first, it'll prevent bleeding and feathering and create a defined lip shape. The Lip Bar is a Detroit-based cosmetics company making the makeup industry more inclusive one stellar, eye-catching, long-wearing lippie at a time. Every product from The Lip Bar is vegan and cruelty-free. BuzzFeed Shopping editor Kayla Boyd says, "I use The Lip Bar's matte liquid lipsticks often, and the formula is truly incredible. It hardly budges at all throughout the day, the pigment is bomb, AND it doesn't dry out my lips at all — which is really difficult to find in a matte lipstick." Promising review: "This red really does look good on everyone! My go-to red has always been Mac Ruby Woo, but this one is equally/differently amazing! It’s a deeper red that pops on Black skin tones. It’s not drying like other matte lipstick, but the color is dense and rich. There’s slightly more transfer than I’d like, but for the color, price and vegan ingredients, it’s a solid 4.5 and I want more colors." —Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $14.52 (available in 18 shades). Promising reviews: "I have the kind of eyebrows that look very full with brushing, but can quickly look like one has 'collapsed' once my hair or something else touches it. I’ve used nearly every product from Anastasia Beverly Hills, but never had luck keeping my brows in place. Well, let me tell you, this stuff is no joke. I had to scrub my eyebrows clean tonight to get them to move. If you need some help holding your fluff, this will be your new favorite product. Also, I was able to ditch the eyebrow pencil since this stuff holds every hair in the place you brush it." —Bailey M, Deacon "This is so, so much better than the clear mascara that I was using. Ditto for the expensive eyebrow gel that I used before that. This stuff is: not crunchy, not crusty, and doesn't wear off, all day long. What it IS is nothing short of amazing: a little brow pencil and some of the eyebrow soap, and you have perfect brows all day, with no worries." —H. K. Rodman Get it from Amazon for $4.99+ (available in a one- or two-piece set). Promising review: "I have blonde brows and have used a ton of different brow gels, all of them more expensive than this one. Wow Brow gets the job done as well as any. Stays put until you take it off. The wand is the perfect size for filling in brows. There's quite a bit in that little tube so it's a good value." —PenName Get it from Amazon for $6 (available in four shades). Promising reviews: "I have extremely dark under-eye circles. Honestly, that is the only reason I wear makeup, is to cover them. I've used numerous kinds of concealers. Tarte Shape Tape, Mary Kay, Estée Lauder (assorted kinds), IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye, Clinique, Laura Mercier, Mac, and Bobby Brown. I usually spend anywhere from $25–$30 on one tube of concealer and still feel unsatisfied with the coverage. 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 everyday makeup bag." —Brittney "Oh my gosh. I have spent so much money on expensive concealers, and this is my all-time favorite. I’m 61 and starting to get crepey skin under my eyes. Other concealers make it worse, but I also have dark circles, so I feel like I need something. And this is it! Moisturizing, silky, and covers the circles. I love it!" —Lynnette Smith Get it from Amazon for $9.98 (available in 22 shades, plus a color-correcting shade). This solution uses a mixture of glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acid. The first two are alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) that exfoliate the skin's outer layer while the last one, a beta hydroxy acid (BHA), reduces pore congestion. Promising review: "I’ve been using this for over four years and repurchase it every single time I run out — it’s that good. I used to swear by Babyfacial by Drunk Elephant, but after trying this, I never went back. It gives me the same smooth, glowy, clarified skin without the high price tag. The formula is powerful (you can feel the tingle working), but it’s never been harsh on my skin as long as I follow the instructions. It’s a bit thinner than Babyfacial, but just as effective — maybe even more so. My skin always feels baby-soft after rinsing, and over time, it’s made a huge difference in texture and brightness. Honestly, this stuff is magic in a bottle and such a skincare staple for me!" —Jamie Promising review: "Expensive isn't always better. I tried this spray before spending the day outdoors in 90-degree heat at Disneyland, and the only place my makeup moved was on the tip of my nose because I have allergies and use a lot of Kleenex. But otherwise, it looked as fresh as it did when I put it on. I’ve used Mac and Urban Decay setting spray, and they never worked as well as this stuff. I am completely amazed. Definitely give it a try." —Stephanie A few reviewers compare the rosy nude shade to Charlotte Tilbury's popular Pillow Talk lipstick; other similar products mentioned include YSL Velvet Cream and Tartist Creamy Matte Lip Paint. Promising reviews: "This is velvet, full coverage without feeling like glue on your lips. It does transfer. The color is very pigmented so what you see is what you get. Honestly one of the best lip color products I've ever used, I put this above Charlotte Tilbury." —Lexi Lee Get it from Amazon for $9.90 (available in 35 shades). Promising reviews: "You need this face scrub. Got rid of my obvious blackheads after two to three uses. Just make sure you tone or moisturize after each use. This is much, much better than the $60 scrub I purchased last year at an expensive chain makeup store. Do it!" —WhatTheFrenchRoast "I have no clue how this stuff works as amazing as it does, but it's AWESOME! After getting this and using for over a week I officially switched from the Rodan + Fields reversal line to the Acure brightening scrub. It work evens better than products that were costing almost 15x the amount. I've even gotten two of my friends to order it and they love it as well. You can't go wrong." —Michelle A Malaska Promising reviews: "I was skeptical about this product at first but I am so glad I decided to buy it. It really removes my makeup, even waterproof mascara with ease. It has no smell and doesn't leave my face oily. It reminds me of my Bioderma that I got in the UK. And for this price, amazing!" —Kat "I've been using makeup wipes my whole life because I didn't even know this existed. I saw it in stores but nobody ever told me what this was. This is literally amazing, buy reusable pads and this and you're set for life. I'm really upset nobody ever told me what this stuff was. I don't understand why makeup wipes even exist...this cleanses your face, takes off your makeup. Nobody should not know what this stuff is." —Amazon Customer * Beauty Products Reviewers Say They’ve Been Using For Over 5 Years * Easy Makeup Products That Won’t Require You To Watch Beauty TikTok Tutorials * Trust Me When I Say You’ll Want To Add These 38 Beauty Products To Your Routine ASAP * TikTok-Approved Beauty Products That’ll Convince You That App Isn’t A Total Waste Of Time * Beauty Items With Results So Good, You'll Wonder If Otherworldly Forces Are Involved Plus, finds from Amazon, Glossier, The Ordinary, Sephora, Soko Glam, Tarte, Ulta, and Walmart. 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. The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.
Comments
You must be logged in to comment.