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    Don't Sacrifice Your Wallet For Results: 32 Affordable Beauty Products That Actually Work

    "You get what you pay for" does not apply here.

    1. An exfoliating mitt if you love the delightful feeling of disgust that comes with seeing dead skin slough away right before your eyes and knowing that your skin is going to feel SO SMOOTH after.

    a reviewer photo of the mitt covered in dead skin
    a reviewers leg covered in rolls of dead skin

    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 Gill

    Get it from Amazon for $6.99.

    2. An easy-to-use collagen-coating hair mask so it looks like your hair hasn't undergone years of abuse at the hands of bleach and blow-dryers.

    BuzzFeed editor's before and after photos showing that the cream made their hair less frizzy and more smooth
    Bek O'Connell / BuzzFeed

    Read our Elizavecca CER-100 Collagen Coating Hair Protein Treatment review to learn more about why my colleague calls it "the miracle product I've been searching for."

    Promising review: "I have 4c hair and was looking for a protein treatment for my thin and fragile hair. I had recently used a product in my hair that had so much alcohol in it; that wreaked havoc on my hair, leaving it pretty damaged. I was very skeptical about this product because I have never seen anyone with my hair type use it. Boy was I wrong to doubt this product, it left my hair looking and feeling beautiful. I highly recommend it to anyone natural or with curly hair." —Therese-Claire

    Get it from Amazon for $7.12.

    3. A bottle of nail and cuticle care oil you apply like a clear coat of polish to help your nails get all the cuticle-softening, nail-strengthening nourishment they've been craving.

    Promising review: "I had peeling, weak nails for years. Tried everything. I bought this in February. This size bottle lasted a bit more than a month with me religiously applying it two to three times a day. I was really seeing great improvement, so I bought another bottle in late March. By May, all the peeling had grown out and my nails were getting stronger every day. I then bought the big 4-ounce refill bottle because I never want to run out of it again! Cannot recommend this stuff enough!" —Diana

    Get it from Amazon for $9.90+ (available in three sizes). 

    4. A velvety lip tint with a precision tip applicator because it turns out you don't have to pick between bold, buildable color and smooth, all-day staying power.

    reviewer wearing the coral link ink and holding the product
    a reviewer wearing the lip tint in red

    Promising review: "Very pretty color. Lasts a long time, doesn't smudge when dry, and when I think I need to reapply, I can just put a new coat over it, and looks good as new. Love it!" —Shawn

    Get it from Amazon for $9.90+ (available in 45 shades).

    5. A budget-friendly putty primer for blurring pores, smoothing wrinkles, and getting that virtually airbrushed look. Plus, this primer is mixed with squalane, which offers a whole host of hydrating skin benefits.  

    a reviewer wearing the primer and foundation
    a reviewer holding a small tub of the primer

    Promising review: "This is smooth, blends well with foundation, and feels good on the skin. Sets well with powder. I sometimes wear it alone for a little smoother look. Since it's colorless, it doesn't look like foundation. The price is great and I've yet to see it in a store. I like that I can control how much to apply, and a little goes a long way. It appears to wash off well. Will be buying it again." —Momma Bee

    Get it from Amazon for $9.50.

    6. A pack of Skin1004's zombie masks that'll deliver skin-tightening, fine line-reducing benefits at the small price of looking like an extra in The Walking Dead for 15 minutes. It'll just make the post-facial reveal that much more sweet!

    The kit includes eight Zombie Pack sets (powder and activator), plus one applicator brush!

    Promising review: "When you put it on, the smell hits you hard. As it is on your face the smell is not too bad and the mask tingles as it dries. Wash it off and reveal clean, smooth skin. Plus fun to take pictures looking like a cracked mess." —raine

    Get an eight-pack from Amazon for $14.98.

    7. A gluten- and cruelty-free lengthening mascara if you're tired of getting excited about mascaras that never live up to their promises. This one is different — or at least according to the 224,000+ 5-star ratings.

    before and after showing the mascara made their light lashes visible and lengthened
    Reviewer showing off their fluffy, full-looking lashes

    Promising review: "Holy grail mascara! I've used this mascara for about three years now and it still tops any other mascara I've tried. It will transfer if you apply it to your lower lashes, so I use a different mascara for my bottom lashes, which I don't mind at all. I always get asked if I'm wearing falsies! It's a mascara that stays wet longer, so I always apply one coat, let it get tacky, then apply a second coat for best results." —Joseph Gonzalez

    Get it from Amazon for $4.99

    8. A pack of 40 acne patches so you can stop that zit dead in its tracks with gunk-absorbing powers that speed up the pimple healing process. The sticker format can also help prevent you from picking or popping. 

    a reviewer photo of a large acne patch with white spots all over it
    a reviewer hand with two pimple patches on it covered in white gunk

    Promising review: "I ordered these on a whim after a long day of isolation and internet browsing and because I have a terrible habit of picking at spots on my face and making them into something much much worse. These magical spots are life-changing!!! Put them on before bed (or before work) on clean skin and FORGET about them. You don't notice they're there — unless you go to pick at something and then YOU STOP!! Leave them in place for at least six hours and then peel them off. They come off easily (but not so easy that they come off while sleeping) and the amount of 'bleck' they suck out is amazing!!! So a spot that was going to erupt into Mount Vesuvius ends up being NOTHING!!!! I've purchased six packages and will keep buying them. An amazing value!" —Jennifer Nothdurft

    Get a 40-pack from Amazon for $8.49 and an eight-pack of the large patches for $8.49

    9. black eyeliner stamp to take the anxiety-inducing guesswork out of liquid eyeliner application and make it easy to achieve a perfect cat-eye look every time.

    a reviewer wearing the eyeliner stamp
    a reviewer hand holding the eyeliner pen/stamp

    The set comes with two double-ended pens. Each pen has one side with the wing stamp, and the other with a traditional liquid eyeliner tip.

    Promising review: "Eyeliner was the most tedious part of my makeup routine, but the flick stick makes me look forward to doing my liner without having the stress of messing it up with my shaky hands." —Zehra Ali

    Get it from Amazon for $13.48+ (available in three sizes and a combo pack).

    10. Or an award-winning cruelty-free eyeliner because it glides on smoothly, is brightly pigmented, and lasts a long time, so you can get the bold look you're after without the subsequent raccoon eyes.

    A model wearing black winged eyeliner
    a model wearing the eyeliner in blue
    Kulfi Beauty

    Kulfi Beauty (named for a type of South Asian ice cream) is a woman-owned small biz that Priyanka Ganjoo founded after spending years working in the beauty industry without ever seeing herself represented. Their mission is all about creating space for self-expression, particularly within the South Asian community, and all of their products are made with the skin concerns of WOC in mind.

    Promising review: "This product glides on so smoothly and stays on all day, even on oily lids. The colors also look fantastic on brown skin! I just repurchased a couple of shades; I’m never using another liner." —Devika S.

    Get it from Kulfi Beauty or Sephora for $20 (available in six colors).

    11. A vegan exfoliating body scrub that buffs away bumps by combining the benefits of a chemical peel and microdermabrasion treatment into one gentle, at-home treatment. If you struggle with persistent KP, this scrub is for you.

    Promising review: "So I have keratosis pilaris on my bum and have been always super self-conscious about it. I’ve used this product five to eight times and they are seriously like GONE. It’s soooo smooth now and I’m super happy. It does say to use once a week but I’ve just been using it every time I shower (which is almost every day LOL). I only use a dime-size amount and it’s able to cover my bum and some of my legs. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who also has pesky bumps on their body. Also, this product has no scent, which is a plus for anyone who has sensitive skin!!" —Ang M

    Get it from Amazon for $12+ (available in four sizes). 

    12. A volcanic stone face roller so you can soak up excess face oil even if you have makeup on! Unlike blotting papers, this roller is able to be washed and reused, reducing waste and saving you $$$.

    Promising review: "Amazing! I have very oily skin and I’m always shiny. I hate those blotting papers; this is so much better! I roll it all over my face several times a day and in seconds my skin is matte again. Also, it’s like a nice little face massage when I do it. It is super easy to take apart to clean, and after using hot water and my facial cleanser it is dry pretty quick, though I usually just let it sit out overnight. Highly recommend!! I’m going to buy more so I can leave them all over — purse, diaper bag, bathroom, car!" —Brooke Burns

    Get it from Amazon for $12.93.

    13. A tub of rejuvenating eye cream to tighten, brighten, and lift those tired eyes and make it look like you actually got enough sleep and didn't stay up late rewatching The Office...again.

    Promising review: "I never ever write reviews. I have tried every eye cream out there. Not one does what is says. This was immediate! I saw softening of my wrinkles and crow's feet. It’s amazing. I will be buying this again and again." —melisa delaney

    Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in four sizes).

    14. A pack of multipurpose dermaplaning razors because that middle school eyebrow mishap has made face shaving and brow shaping feel like risky business. These teeny-tiny blades safely remove peach fuzz, exfoliate skin, and include a precision cover for worry-free eyebrow maintenance.

    a reviewer photo of the razor with shaved peach fuzz attached
    on the left, a reviewer with clumps of peach fuzz on their cheek and text reading 'fuzz left after using razor

    Promising review: "Took me a little while to figure out the right angle to use this effectively but once I did it worked like a charm. I’ve used it for shaping eyebrows and managing the little bit of blonde peach fuzz I have on my upper lip. I haven’t tried it anywhere else but no bad reactions or pain, and relatively easy to maneuver with a bit of practice." —Kelly G.

    Get a three-pack from Amazon for $5.94.

    15. A tube of Glossier Boy Brow for instantly filling and fluffing brows with just a couple of quick swipes. Now, who's ready to face the day with the best brows on the block?

    AnaMaria's before and after photo showing darker, fuller-looking brows after using Boy Brow
    AnaMaria Glavan / BuzzFeed

    Promising review: "Don’t need no boys in my life except Boy Brow. GET THIS. It tames your brows, thickens, and looks so natural. LOVE." —Lila 

    Get it from Glossier or Sephora for $17 (available in seven shades).

    16. A bottle of professional-grade callus-removing gel that quickly removes years' (I repeat, YEARS') worth of hard calluses without endless scraping and scrubbing. Reviewers say dead skin dissolves in mere minutes, so I'd start picking out a new pair of sandals, like, now.

    Just presoak your feet, apply the gel, let sit for five to 10 minutes, and rinse! It's recommended you go back in afterward with a foot file just to make sure no residue or dead skin is left behind.

    Promising review: "I have the driest heels and this is the ONLY product that has ever worked. Before I used this my heels had some pretty deep cracks and now they're almost baby soft again. BUT please follow the directions...left it on my super-dry thick-calloused heels for only three minutes and the callouses were literally melting off! Wonderful product! So glad I don't have to go soak my feet in those tubs at the nail salon anymore." —Kiki

    Get it from Amazon for $14.99.

    17. A silicone-free L'Oréal moisturizing treatment if you want visibly healthier-looking hair FAST — like, eight seconds fast. This rinse-out formula works on any hair texture or length, delivering the proteins and amino acids necessary for a shiny, flippable mane.

    to the left, an image of brown hair with the text
    A reviewer with defined coily hair
    @lorealparis / Via www.instagram.com, www.amazon.com

    Shine in a silicone-free product?! Dreams really do come true.

    Promising review: "OMG!!! Most amazing hair treatment I’ve ever used in my entire life. Most hair masks weigh my hair down but since this is a water, it makes it SO soft and bouncy. I’m obsessed and will keep buying. Holy grail." —Natasha

    Get it from Amazon for $9.87

    18. A tattoo aftercare salve so you can soothe, protect, and enhance your ink, whether you got it five days or five years ago. Made from just seven vegan and cruelty-free ingredients, this balm is sensitive skin-safe and will make both colored and monochrome tats POP.

    a reviewer photo of an arm tattoo labeled
    a reviewer photo of the same arm tattoo labeled

    Mad Rabbit was found by college friends Oliver Zak and Selom Agbitor after seeing a gap in the market for all-natural products to heal, protect and enhance tattoos. They pitched their tattoo salve in season 12 of Shark Tank.

    Promising review: "Product was awesome. It rejuvenated a 5-year-old tattoo and made it look like new again. Mad Rabbit absorbed into the skin very easily without being greasy." —Janson Ward

    Get it from Amazon for $18.98 (available in two scents). 

    19. A cruelty-free lip balm with SPF 25 to take even chronically irritated lips from dry and cracked to hydrated and smooth while protecting them from future damage.

    a reviewer's lips before using the lip balm
    the same reviewer's lips after sing the lip balm

    Promising review: "This little tube has changed my life. For going on 12 years I've had almost nonstop chapped, cracked, and peeling lips. It doesn't seem to matter the season or even be related to time spent outdoors. I'd just learned to live with it and cringe when I'd see close-ups of my face. I happened upon a post in a women's hiker forum and this brand was heavily recommended. For the first time in many years I can smile without my lips hurting and can eat without them burning. It stays on even after brushing my teeth. It's so nice to feel soft lips again after all these years." —Bluebearee

    Get it from Amazon for $10 (available in six flavors). 

    20. A painless, mint-flavored teeth-whitening pen because traditional strips are tough to use, expensive, and can leave you with teeth sensitivity that is, in my professional opinion, NO fun. With this pen you can get instant results. And the best part? No lingering sensitivity. 

    Promising review: "I bought this on a whim when I saw someone review it on TikTok. After using it several times over the course of a week, I immediately noticed the difference in the color of my teeth. I'm a smoker and a heavy coffee drinker. I'm finding that this product will be a lifesaver in terms of what my smile looks like. I would definitely recommend!!" —Mully

    Get a two-pack from Amazon for $18.95.

    21. A miraculous dark circles concealer with a built-in sponge applicator for brightening up any stubborn dark circles with crease-resistant coverage.

    a reviewer photo before applying the concealer
    a reviewer photo of the same reviewer with the concealer applied

    Promising review:I love this concealer! I am pale and the brightener has a slight pink undertone, so it works well to cancel out any darkness under my eyes, but also works as a concealer too. It doesn’t feel dry under my eyes. I always have a hard time finding a concealer that I love because most make my under eyes look dry/cakey even though they seem well moisturized before. I love how well this conceals but still feels so lightweight!" —Lover Of All Things Beauty

    Get it from Amazon for $8.80 (available in 15 shades).

    22. A ridiculously charming exfoliating stick that acts as a gentle skin scrub to draw out excess sebum, whiteheads, and blackheads from your pores. And after you're done ogling at all the gunk your octopus friend evicted from your face, just give it a rinse and reuse later. 

    a reviewer photo of the octopus shaped scrub stick
    the cap off to show the salt on the top of the remover

    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 myself." —LuckLocust

    Get it from Amazon for $12.50

    23. A tube of retinol night cream that works hard while you sleep so you can wake up to the tighter, plumper skin you've been dreaming of. 

    Promising review: "I cannot believe how well this is working! I've been using it consistently every night with moisturizer for one week and I'm already seeing drastic results to smooth out my cystic acne scars on my cheeks! I'm so excited that I've found something that doesn't break out my acne-prone, eczema-prone, highly sensitive skin." —Emily Hill

    Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in two sizes or as a pack).

    24. A sulfate-free biotin shampoo with over 24,000 5-star ratings to help strengthen hair with regular use so it looks thicker and more full. Don't worry, it's 100% safe for all hair types — even color-treated hair!

    Promising review: "I love this shampoo! I had gastric sleeve surgery and my hair was very, very thin. I started taking biotin and switched to biotin shampoo as recommended by my doctor. It doesn’t make your hair grow by washing it, but it makes your hair and roots stronger. And it worked. After I used the whole bottle, my hair was stronger. I had a lot of new growth that was sticking around (the previous new growth fell out early on), and my hair was getting thicker. Eight months later, my hair is back to normal. It's longer and thicker than ever. I still use it twice a week and love it! I don't love the way it smells, but others love it when they smell my hair." —Diane J. Huff

    Get it from Amazon for $11.95.

    25. A wildly popular Bio-Oil because real-life magic (aka science) has gifted us this powerful blend of nourishing oils and vitamins to help fade scars and lock in moisture without feeling heavy on the skin and clogging pores.

    a reviewer selfie of their face dotted with acne and acne scars
    the same reviewer with the look of the scars improved

    Promising review: "After just about three weeks of use I’ve seen such a positive change in both the evenness of time and of the texture of my skin. Melasma and acne scarring have faded pretty dramatically — I don’t even bother putting on foundation when I do my makeup in the morning. The oil is so lightweight and doesn’t exacerbate my already oily complexion." —L T C

    Get it from Amazon for $9.99

    26. A nourishing leave-in conditioning cream for long-lasting frizz control for every hair type. Apply to wet or dry hair and enjoy up to three days of sleek styles even in high humidity. 

    reviewer showing her hair
    same reviewer after using the product with day 2 hair

    Psst! You can use this on DRY hair *and* would you just look at that price!

    Promising review: "I'm very impressed with this product! I have badly damaged hair like a bird's nest due to frequent hair coloring, Japanese perm, and hot tools for styling. I was at first reluctant to buy this since it was so cheap and I normally use expensive salon brands. Since I've been using so many products and it didn't take away the tangle or frizz very well, I decided to purchase this product based on its high reviews. I am so glad I did! It got rid of my tangles and made my hair very soft and smooth. Just because it's cheap doesn't mean it won't work as well. In this case it worked spectacularly! I am also impressed with the smell. I am very allergic to perfume and this has a very light, fruity smell that didn't cause me to sneeze." —honeydew

    Get it from Amazon for $3.99.

    27. The ever-reliable O'Keeffe's Working Hands cream that's a lifesaver for dry, cracked hands that need something a little stronger than the average moisturizer. This famous formula locks in moisture, while creating a protective barrier to prevent future moisture loss.

    For best results, you should apply the cream after washing your hands, after showering, and at bedtime.

    Promising review: "This stuff is brilliant! My hands were extremely dry, and cracked and bleeding (Constantly washing hands for work, and freezing temps). A few people suggested this to me, and I figured it was worth a shot, so I ordered it. OMG! THIS STUFF IS AMAZING! The day after application, the difference was incredible. My hands were still red, but not as raw. And the cracks were much lessened. By the fifth day you could barely even tell they were cracked n dry. MUST BUY." —Maureen Buckley

    Get it from Amazon for $9.93

    28. A skin solution if you're someone who shaves or waxes but your skin rebels with angry red razor bumps and ingrown hairs every time you do. Apply this post hair removal for silky smooth results.

    the back of a reviewer's head with razor bumps labeled
    the back of the same reviewer's head with no razor bumps labeled

    Promising review: "I was very surprised by how well this product works. I’ve been using it once a day every day for the past month and it really has made a difference. Exfoliating wasn’t enough for my skin and I don’t like to sit there pulling out my ingrown hairs. It smells like alcohol but I was very surprised by how it leaves my skin. It does not dry it out, leaves it moisturized and my ingrowns have been reducing." —Krystle

    Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in two sizes).

    29. A silky-smooth Huestick to layer under foundation as a color corrector or as a breathable, blendable, buildable pigment on lips, cheeks, and eyes.

    a model using the multistick on their eyelid
    a model before, during, and after using the multi stick as a color-corrector
    Ulta Beauty

    Live Tinted started with a viral video of founder Deepica Mutyala using red lipstick as a color corrector. Created based on feedback from the subsequent online community, Live Tinted now has a range of Multisticks that can be used as a color corrector to balance discoloration under makeup and as an eyeshadow, blush, and lipstick.

    Promising review: "I use the Huestick in Origin as a color corrector under my eyes and it works great! It is smooth, blends easily, and is covered up easily with concealer." —Shivani 

    Get it from Ulta Beauty for $24 (available in five colors). 

    30. A cruelty-free eyeshadow primer because with all the hard work you spent on that smoky eye, you should be able to enjoy it all day without smudging or creasing.

    a reviewer's closed eye with eyeshadow on labeled
    the same reviewer with the eyeshadow still on labeled

    Promising review: "This is the best eyeshadow primer I have ever purchased! I was on the fence as other primers have left my eyes feeling sticky or heavy, and after long periods of time I still tend to get creases. Not with this primer. A little goes a long way with this primer. It lasts all day, and I have even gone to work a few times still wearing 'last night's makeup' because it holds so well. I am amazed with the quality for the price — and even though the tube is small it has lasted me a little over a year since I only have to use such small amounts." —nasty-otter

    Get it from Amazon for $13.99.

    31. A fast-drying matte finishing spray for keeping your makeup in place and maintaining that matte look you walked out of the house with ALL day.

    Promising review: "I have used many different setting sprays before but this one is a reorder for me. It is a beautiful, high-quality setting spray that truly delivers on the promise of hydration and dewy skin. I spray it on after my moisturizer, wait a minute, apply makeup, and spray again. It gives me that airbrush, blended finish that I so love. The ingredients are natural and nontoxic for the skin. Love Love this spray...I would recommend this to anybody who wants a flawless look!!" —noemi

    Get it from Amazon for $15.95.

    32. A powerful 2% BHA salicylic acid exfoliant if harsh scrubs haven't done your skin any favors. This helps to clear skin and unclog pores by gently sloughing away dead skin to reveal the texture-free glow hiding underneath.

    Promising review: "This product helped clear my skin after I struggled with many other products. I was struggling with what I thought was milia on my forehead. I have tried exfoliating with all sorts of different products. I read a review on Reddit and thought I would give it a try. So glad I did. I put this on and saw results in on night. I honestly love how well this product worked for me." —Nicola

    Get it from Amazon for $13+ (available in two sizes).

    The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.