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37 Beauty Products Budget Baddies Will Appreciate
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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 If the Drunk Elephant B-Goldi Bright Drops are your jam, but your wallet keeps saying, “Not today, boo (or tomorrow either),” you’re gonna love this $15 alternative. As a resident writer on the BuzzFeed Shopping team, I can't believe that I get to search the internet to help you find the best, most unique, life-changing products for my job. Promising reviews: "Just tried this primer along with the E.l.f. Soft Glam Satin Foundation, and I cannot say enough good things! The primer felt clean and light going on. This is hands down the best primer I have used. The two products are amazing. Def my new favs! Love love love!" —Cozette "After having used the travel-size version of this primer, I got obsessed with the feeling: cooling, moisturizing, smoothing. 😍 It did not feel sticky. Rather than a primer it felt like a moisturizer. I bought the real-size version and will continue to do so. It is very easy to use, and the cooling effect is almost addictive. It was my favorite step in my morning makeup routine for work all summer. I recommend it." —Tania Promising review: "Not only is the metallic shade subtle enough to stand out without an 'in your face' feeling, but this product stays on all day long. I work outside a little in Arizona and staying on all day is key for me! Highly recommend!" —Valeria Skoglund Get it from Amazon for $6+ (available in eight shades). Promising review: "This stuff is magic. I am not kidding you; this is my first Amazon review ever. Just a few weeks ago, my nails were brittle and peeling, I always had my nails done, and they were pretty much destroyed… then I saw this on TikTok and decided to give it a try, and I legitimately have never had healthier nails in my life! If you’re thinking about buying this… buy it!" —Jocelyn Nackley Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in three sizes). 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!” —Review Writer Get it from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in seven full size variations and a pack of two). Check out a TikTok of the glow oil in action. And if you'd prefer to apply with a tanning mitt like the creator in the video, you can get one from Amazon for $5.98. Promising review: "I love this stuff. It’s super moisturizing and smells so good. The scent is vanilla cocoa and mixes well with other vanilla scents. It doesn’t leave a sticky feeling, and I love that it leaves skin glowy and shimmery. BUY!" —I love this oil... Get it from Amazon for $8.97. You can also check out Vaseline's radiant body oils and lotions for more options! Promising review: "This is the most moisturizing lip treatment on the market. When my lips started getting dry due to the cold season, I was thinking of buying the Laneige lip mask, but it’s soooo expensive. This is a fraction of the cost and feels just the same. Very good product." —Riya Get a set of three from Amazon for $9.90 (available in five scent combos). You can use it on your legs, arms, underarms, and the bikini line, and it comes with a spatula for removing the cream! Promising review: "I have been looking for a good hair removal for my sensitive skin, and this one is perfect. It has a great odor and leaves my skin feeling smooth and silky. It does not burn my skin at all, even when I leave it on for 15 minutes or more. This is definitely my new hair removal cream. I will recommend this one to everyone." —Crystal Get it from Amazon for $9.47 (also available in a pack of two). Promising reviews: "It's inexpensive, and it smoothed my bottom. Good purchase for the price!" —Carey S. "Who would've thought? My new obsession: BUTT MASKS. Best used right before a beach/bikini day. Leaves skin smooth and hydrated. Helps lessen visibility of cellulite." —Kellie Daniel Get it from Amazon for $10 (available in three other formulas). Promising review: "Love love love this stuff. This is such a stellar product that is so versatile. Can be worn alone to put some glowy life to skin. Add to foundation or layer it. Beautiful. Use it as a base where you put highlighter on top. Mix some with moisturizer. This, in my opinion, is better than so many high-luxury brands that make similar products. And I am pretty sure it can be used by all skin types. It’s not oily feeling at all and it doesn’t dry out skin either. Just a total package. Can’t beat the price either." —Figgy08 Get it from Amazon for $14.15+ (available in four shades, two sizes and a pack of two). Check out a TikTok of the serum in action. Promising review: "Literally, the best hair product you can possibly get that is affordable and doesn’t leave your hair greasy — it makes it shiny and super soft. After I get out of the shower, when my hair is still damp, I put some on my ends and work the rest up into the top of my head. Sometimes I blow my hair dry after I get out of the shower and put it on and then after I blow dry I put it on some more, and it looks absolutely beautiful — no greasy hair here. My hair type is fine and gets oily really fast, and yet somehow this product tames it a bit and keeps it looking healthy for days! Will purchase again and again!!!" —Tara Klein Get it from Amazon for $18.99 (available in two sizes and in seven other options). 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 of 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. Also, it can make your hair look oily if you use too much. I do have oily hair, so working on my ends first, then working to my roots, works for me." —Jazmine Carbajal To learn more, check out our full write-up of this serum. Also this is the body wash version of their mega viral and effective facial Super Serum. Check out a TikTok of the Olay Super Serum Body Wash in action. Promising review: "I love love love this body wash. It smells SO expensive and like a luxurious perfume without being too much — still very much gentle but long-lasting at the same time. Delicious spicy scent that's also delicate. It really made my skin feel smooth and soft after use with good moisture level. Totally useful. Good for my sensitive skin. Large bottle and easy-to-use pump. I will 100% buy again!" —Jordan Alderon Get it from Amazon for $13.97+ (available in four variations and two sizes). Check out a TikTok of Gold Bond in action. Promising review: "This cream has tightened the skin around my neck beyond my expectations. I’ve been using daily (morning and evening) for over two months and still have product left. I’ve even tried it on my face and it gives me a bit of a 'face lift.' I’m officially a Bond girl. A bit sticky to the touch after a few hours of wear, but that doesn’t bother me. Will order again." —AP Wang Promising reviews: "Like so many, I found this scent on TikTok. I was a bit skeptical at first, but finally got around to trying it. First off, this scent smells amazing! Almost every time I've worn it, I receive compliments. It has a sweet smell, almost like warm cake or sugar cookies with a hint of lemon. With such an affordable price, I would definitely recommend this to anyone curious about trying it." —Chrissy "I was apprehensive when I bought this. I typically don't love perfumes with lemon because they remind me of cleaning products. This was definitely not like the others. Every time I wear it, at least one person will ask who made the cookies. It's a nice, light, lemon pound cake type scent. I'm buying again for sure!" —Melissa Fitzgerald And if you want to make your own pore pads with this, here are some cotton rounds, too! Promising review: "I have oily skin, and this toner has become a staple in my routine. I primarily use it as a second-step cleanser after washing my face, and occasionally as a quick mask by applying it with cotton pads for a few minutes. It effectively removes any leftover impurities and excess oil without over-drying. The 16-ounce bottle is huge and very affordable — excellent value for money. I appreciate that it contains 100% natural witch hazel, but please note it also includes 14% Natural Grain Alcohol. You can definitely smell the alcohol when applying, but it doesn’t feel harsh on my skin. After use, my face feels fresh, clean, and never sticky or tight. It truly helps refine pores and control shine throughout the day. Highly recommended if you’re looking for a straightforward, effective, and budget-friendly toner!" —Jeannie Get it from Amazon for $5.84 (also available in a two-pack). Fellow Buzzfeed Shopping writer, Emma Lord, actually owns this and says: "Hello, that is my face above, because I bought into the hype of all the 5-star reviews and now I will never look back!! Putting it on is like giving my eyelashes butterfly wings. It doesn't get clumpy, it stays put no matter how much you sweat, and you can apply it on very lightly if you don't want it to look so dramatic, or continue applying for longer lashes each time." Promising reviews: "Saw this product on TikTok and thought it would be expensive looking at the results they got. I am beyond amazed with how my lashes look after about two coats. For around $5, you couldn’t ask for a better mascara! I will be buying this same one when I run out. I was not expecting to like it as much as I do! No complaints." —Kd "I'm 65 and have thinning eyelashes. I've had a problem finding a mascara that would make my lashes look thicker again without being clumpy. Essence False Lash Effect has solved that problem. I can now confidently leave my house knowing that my lashes are visible and pretty and look natural. I will be buying this mascara for as long as they make it." —Tracey Weiss Get it from Amazon for $4.97+ (available in four colors and a pack of three). And then don't forget the mascara to really make them POP! Promising review: "Amazing. It takes some time to get used to it, but I swear it works better than the traditional curler. Even better is how compact it is. Perfect for travel." —Lauren B. The kit comes with up to 30 applications! They do recommend doing a patch test 48 hours before use to make sure you don't have an allergic reaction. If you don't already have an angled eyebrow brush for applying this, you can get a cheap dual-sided one here. Promising review: "This is the best eyebrow tint I’ve come across in my 33 years of life. There’s a learning curve to it, but once you get it, it’s fantastic! It lasts for a couple of weeks to a month, and there are so many uses in one package. I would say the first time to keep it on for 20–30 minutes, and then every time after do less. Since it’s henna, it stays in the hair forever, so it’ll just keep getting darker and darker until new eyebrow hairs grow in. PSA: The first time I did it, I thought it was turning my hair green, but I trusted the process, and no green! Definitely worth the purchase!" —Nikki Get it from Amazon for $11.09+ (available in six shades: black, burgundy, dark brown, golden brown, medium brown, and light brown; also comes in kits with varying accessories included). Promising review: "First off, if you have extremely oily skin, this. is. it. I was so tired of getting blotting powder/wipes. It felt wasteful and always left residue on my face. I saw this on TikTok and NEEDED it. It was backordered, but then I got an email saying it was in stock, and I was SO excited. Not only is it affordable, but it's washable, which helps you save money and be less wasteful." —Kelsey B. Fellow BuzzFeed Shopping writer, Gabriela Manjarrez, knows a thing or two about this beauty gem and says: "Honestly, I don't think TirTir is ever getting rid of me. I have a particularly oily T-zone, and I've noticed that this setting spray truly does help control excess sebum and keeps my forehead from looking like a glazed donut. It also leaves a natural, satin finish with a soft sheen to it, which I LOVE. As someone who is way too lazy for touch-ups when I'm out and about, I appreciate that my glam stays locked👏 in👏 with this." Promising reviews: "I swear to you, this stuff is magical. My makeup never budges when I use this, and I don’t have to use that much. You can take it off with micellar water pretty easily, but I’m telling you I have ugly cried with this over my makeup, and my makeup stayed. the. same. It’s the best. It also has the nicest bottle; it sprays really evenly over your face, and if it has any flaw, it’s probably that it makes your makeup a little too dewy, but I usually use a little powder over the parts of my face I don’t want to be highlighted, and it works like a gem. Also definitely blurs my makeup very well. 10/10 would recommend!!!!" —Jennifier Moore "I've fallen in love with this setting spray. It leaves the skin looking fresh, not shiny. It locks in makeup. The nozzle provides a very fine mist. I think it's replaced my Urban Decay All Nighter setting spray." —Michelle Get it from Amazon for $15 (also available in a semi-matte version and in a pack of two). Promising review: "This product delivers exactly as promised and is incredibly easy to use. I suffer from dry skin and often apply various products to soften my feet. With this, I simply spray it on and immediately massage it in with my hands. The dead skin comes off effortlessly. There's no waiting time, and it's gentle on the skin. It leaves my feet feeling exceptionally soft. This has quickly become my new favorite thing." —KimT They estimate that your skin should start shedding between 6 and 11 days after application. Dermora is a small biz that offers skincare solutions for your face and feet in the form of lip, eye, and foot masks. Promising review: "Let me start off by saying this mask is absolutely amazing! My friend and I decided to split the pack of booties and have a girls' night in. We are amazed at the results we got from the booties. On day five, the magic started to happen. Our feet started to peel, and by days 10 and 12, we were both done peeling, and our feet were super soft!" —Yaara E. Get a two-pack from Amazon for $16.14+ (available in two scents and in a pack of four). The color adaptive formula is designed so one of four shades will work on any skin tone. Check out a TikTok of the brightener in action. Promising reviews: "Took years off my eyes! This product is so reasonably priced. I came across a TikTok promoting this and decided to take a chance since the price was super reasonable. My eyes looked brighter in a good way, and the concealer worked so well that I felt I looked younger. I got compliments from friends asking what I did differently with my makeup. I recommend it." —Placeholder "Seriously amazing for the price. This product makes it looks like I didn’t just have a toddler who kept me up all night. Will definitely buy again." —Bethany Richardson Get it from Amazon for $6 (available in four shades). Promising review: "When my new hairdresser suggested I purchase this brush, I kind of rolled my eyes. I mean, a hairbrush is a hairbrush. They all work the same. Boy was I wrong! To say a hairbrush can be life changing may sound dramatic, particularly from a 44 year old woman who’s never really put forth an effort with her frizzy mop of hair, but this brush (and an awesome hairdresser) has suddenly given life to my hair. I’m regularly getting compliments on my hair. I’m able to still be super lazy with my hair and have it look great. I could not possibly be more pleased with this thing." —J. Ayres Get it from Amazon for $23.95 (available in seven styles). Promising reviews: "I saw this on TikTok and decided to try it, and it did not disappoint. No frizz, soft curls, and no shrinkage. It has great slip and not a strong smell at all; very pleasant. The size of the product is huge, and it will last me awhile. Definitely a staple for me. Highly recommend!" —MamaAKC "This works like a dream. It smells great and brought my curls back to life. The amount of product you get for the price you pay *chef's kiss*. I will definitely be buying this again." —Lily Get it from Amazon for $6.19 (available in packs of two or six). Promising reviews: "If you're someone who has sensitive skin like me, this product is for you! I highly recommend it. I learned about this product on TikTok and decided to try it out. It's worth the money. The smell is not overbearing, and it reminds you of a refreshing citrusy fruit. I'm very particular about trying skincare products, but this is your go-to. It will have your face feeling refreshed and clean, and there's no white cast." —Elisabeth L. "I love this because it’s inexpensive, effective, AND you get two of them in a pack. Will 100% buy again." —Mallory Get a two-pack from Amazon for $14.99+ (also available in packs of three, four and five, as well as with accessories like a bag or a soap holder). MainBasics is a small biz that sells beauty essentials. Promising review: "Love the size and handle on this brush! Great brush for dry brushing your skin before you shower. It’s a stiff bristle, so if you’re a beginner, I wouldn’t recommend this. You shouldn’t apply much pressure with this brush, or you can cause micro tears/scratches. I’ve been doing it for years, so I love this brush as my skin can get really dry, and it’s hard to exfoliate. I get ingrown hairs on my legs and little bumps on my arms, so doing this daily before I hop in the shower is a game changer!" —Allie_does_hair Seraphic Skincare is a small business that specializes in brushes, razors, and other personal care products. Head's up that you should start very gently, and that you really only need to use it two to four times a month to get good results without over-exfoliating and compromising your skin barrier. Promising reviews: "Not to be gross, but when I lightly use this on my dry skin, I can see the dry skin cells flying off! Great for cellular turnover. I use it on dry skin before showering and finish after shower with good moisturizing oil. Makes my legs feel soft and smooth. Don’t run too hard! Gentle strokes." —Juliet "Color me converted. It's so disgusting that you want to look away, but morbid curiosity keeps making you turn back. That's really a 'you' creature at the bottom of the tub. You really sloughed off a second skin like a Lizard Person and have now emerged as a new person. One that will no longer trust brand-name products because they are a lie. Seriously. Buy this. You don't even know you need it, but you do. You really, really do." —Mandi Konesni Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in six colors and in a pack of two). Promising review: "Best home mani ever! Great quality, well-designed, love the colors. They are easy to apply and stay on better than any others I have tried. Great value!! Will buy more and highly recommend Chillhouse products! Obsessed!" —Joy McDonnell Get it from Amazon for $15.99 (also available in 30 other styles). Promising review: "This is the best nail polish I’ve ever used! I’m a nurse, so I wash my hands A LOT. Normally, I have to paint my nails every two days because they chip so easily. This polish lasted six days! Including two 12-hour shifts! Not a single chip! Plus, it goes on so nicely. Definitely would recommend." —Jenn Paulek Get it from Amazon for $12.50 (also available in five other shades). Check out a TikTok of the plumping lip filler in action. Promising review: "I got this as an add-on last-minute because of the price. It's small, but wow, it's impactful. A little goes a long way, and you can feel it working instantly. There is a tingle, not quite a burn. I'd def use a bit at a time when starting, but it works great right away." —Bt2turntup Promising review: "Diva, stop letting these influencers sway you into spending your hard-earned (and scarce) beans on $20–$30 subpar lip balms — you’re paying for the brand, and the quality is questionable. E.l.f. KNOCKED THEM BOTH OUTTA THE PARK WITH THIS! SO BUTTERY, SO YUMMY, SOOOOOOO MUCH PRODUCT!!!!! I wasn’t expecting the tube to be so generous in size, by far the biggest amount I've seen from the market. The flavors are divine, the color payoff is even better than Summer Fridays … and it’s only $9, you cannot go wrong. I just can’t fathom any balm being priced above $12, E.l.f. always hits and barely misses. 🩷💋" —SONIA Get it from Amazon for $7.83 (available in 14 flavors). This is designed to work on all hair types, with reviewers with straight hair and 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 I 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." —Eline Check out BuzzFeed's full review of the Elizavecca hair treatment for more deets! BuzzFeed Shopping contributor Negesti Kaudo uses this: "I got a facial a couple of years ago, and I could tell something was different about my extractions, so I asked the aesthetician to write down the name of the product. I went home and immediately bought this! I LOVE IT. I love it more than any other skincare tool that I own. This thing gets gunk out like nothing I've ever tried before, and the first time I used it, I was absolutely disgusted. But I kept on using it. I don't have much acne, but I do have oily combination skin and visibly clogged pores, so this has been a lifesaver when I don't have time to visit an aesthetician. You have to use it while your face is still wet, so after washing your face or even using toner, and you just start scraping. Make sure you have a paper towel near (and maybe a camera) because you will be amazed and disgusted all at once, but you will literally never stop using. I use mine every other day to once a week if I'm having skincare issues, but it also does a great job with monthly use (it's just much grosser)! I follow mine up with Clinique's Clarifying Lotion 3 and Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel!" Promising review: "Don't doubt it, a staple in skincare. I got this little device from a TikTok and decided to give it a try. I never knew I needed it until the first time I tried it. The vibrations magically bring up all the stubborn blackheads you can’t reach with just your fingers, especially if you have acrylics like me." —Paige Chaney Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in three colors and in a waterproof version). Promising review: "After just two days of use, this adorable little octopus has done wonders for me, smells great too. Here's how I used it: I wore down the stick just a little to where the texture from the salt is visible, scrubbed around on my face so there was plenty of product, then I used my fingers to gently massage all the gunk away. Rinse, pat dry, and enjoy the softness. Highly recommended for people with sensitive skin like mine." —LuckLocust Get it from Amazon for $12.50 (also available in a set of two). Promising review: "I’m terrible about putting on lotion even though my skin is dry. I just hate it. But I love this stuff. It makes my skin feel great. Has a light, pleasant scent. Spray it on and rub it in. So easy! I just apply when going to bed or at least when I don’t have to put anything other than lounge clothes on right away. My skin looks and feels so much better, it makes me want to keep using it." —Slade Promising review: "While I haven't tried the Benefit Lip Tint, I saw this on TikTok and appreciated the lower price point. I am SO glad I gave this a chance! I only have the Cherry color, but it is the perfect bit of natural color, and can be deepened as desired upon application. There is no sticky residue and it is not drying or irritating at all. Looks great alone but even better with gloss on top. Love!" —Mollie Get it from Amazon for $6.16+ (available in 11 shades and four combo packs). * Reviewers Call These 32 Beauty Products A “Miracle” And You’re About To Become Their Newest Believer * "I've Gone Through Four Bottles Now": 30 K-Beauty Products That'll Make You Wonder Why You Waited So Long To Try Them * TikTok-Famous Beauty Products Reviewers Say They’ll Buy Again * Beauty Items With Such Jaw-Dropping Results, You’ll Be Fully Convinced A Witch Invented Them * Makeup Products Reviewers Actually Go Back To Time And Time Again Plus, lip stains and finds from Sephora, 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. Reviews have been updated for length and/or clarity.