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Affordable Beauty Essentials that Match or Exceed the Quality of High-End Counterparts

Affordable Beauty Picks: Inexpensive Alternatives That Outshine High-End Brands' Offerings

Mask Usage Resulted in Skin Tightening and Wrinkle Reduction as Demonstrated by Reviewer's Before...
Mask Usage Resulted in Skin Tightening and Wrinkle Reduction as Demonstrated by Reviewer's Before and After Appearance

Affordable Beauty Essentials that Match or Exceed the Quality of High-End Counterparts

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Hey there, check out our incredible budget beauty finds! These fabulous picks may have been doled out as samples, but they were all hand-picked by our editors. Fun fact, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners might earn a slice of the sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.

A diverse collection of Wet n Wild lipsticks, flaunting an array of vivid and subtle hues, each featuring the doefoot applicator exposed.

By the end of this post, we've calculated savings of over $900, averaging $30+ savings per swap.

Picture of NYX resemblant pen-style eyeliner

Below, we've compiled low-cost beauty products that our BuzzFeed Community members swear by. Some even claim they're better than their expensive counterparts.

A wavy line, depicting the level of precision or subtlety, symbolizing the application of eyeliner.

1. Skin1004 face masks

Showcase of Concealer Application: Demonstration of Sponge Applicator, Before-After Comparison of Eye with and Without Concealer, Noticeable Dark Circle Absence After Application

Reviewers cannot get enough of these skin-lifting, pore-tightening masks. Not only do they deliver impressive results, but they're also mysteriously fun. As they dry on your face, they tighten, giving you the so-called "zombie" effect. If you're looking for a more affordable alternative to the pricier Hanacure masks, Skin1004 might be right up your alley.

Green sponges of varying sizes held by a hand, the larger one vibrant and the smaller one pallid, both featuring flat surfaces for use.

2. NYX Fat Oil Lip Drip

Editor at BuzzFeed sporting visibly different eye lengths, adorned with a single streak of mascara

This hybrid lip gloss and lip oil boasts vegan squalane, raspberry, and cloudberry oils, providing a sheer wash of color, high-impact shine, and a non-sticky finish. Many adore it, especially those fond of Dior's Lip Oil. Some even reckon it outperforms the pricier version!

Buzzfeed Editor Spotted Without Makeup

Promising review: "This lip oil is a total game-changer! It's not sticky at all, lasts long, has sheer color, and a delightful scent that's just too good to be true. Perfect if you're after a lip gloss, but don't like stickiness." -Lola

Eyelashes lengthened with mascara application by the same editor

NYX Fat Lip Drip: $8.99 at Amazon (available in seven shades, plus clear).

Display of partially singed curly/coily hair accompanied by the text

Dior Glow Lip Oil: $40 at Sephora (available in seven shades, plus clear).

Critic with Loosened, Free-flowing Curls Provides Evaluation

You save: $31.01

Highlighter shades from Colourpop, demonstrated on three arms with distinct skin tones: one highlighted with the shade

3. L'Oreal True Match Lumi Glotion

NYX's Pore-Filling Solution Showcased: A Look at Its Demonstration Sample

Often hailed as a fan-favorite, this glycerin-infused illuminator offers a natural-looking glow that you can mix with a moisturizer or foundation, use as a base under makeup, or apply as a highlighter or bronzer. For those unwilling to splurge on Drunk Elephant Bronzing Drops, this L'Oreal product is an excellent, more affordable alternative.

Vintage-inspired Blush Compact with Integrated Mirror: The Balm's Retro Pinup Blush Powder Pack.

Promising review: "I mixed this with my Olay Regenerist Cream (it's excellent for my wrinkles), and it gave a great shimmer! Perfect if you're in search of a Drunk Elephant Bronzi Drops substitute!" -raegan kuball

Image of Coty Airspun powder packaging with a rundown of the verschilt Color variants, including illustrative Exemplars.

Promising review: "I actually prefer this glowy lotion over the drunk Elephant one, and I have both. Its formula goes on smoothly and not greasy. It leaves a beautiful tan, works well with makeup on top, and has excellent lasting power. Recommend!" -ggvega

Holder Grasping Small Jars in Red, Green, and Pink

L'Oreal Lumi Glotion: $12.97 at Amazon (available in four shades).

Visual Assessment: Cream Effectiveness on Under-Eye Region - Noticeable Tightening and Brightening Apparent

Drunk Elephant Bronzing Drops: $38 at Sephora.

Two individuals sporting bold metallic charcoal eyeliner.

You save: $25.03

...and so forth, providing savings across a variety of beauty products!

Dual eye comparisons: first image portrays one eye with mascara contrasted against the other without, demonstrating mascara's impact; second image features mascara on both eyes, accentuating lashes for a defined, lengthened look.
  1. In the market-priority-post, BuzzFeed highlights a content focused on personal care, where their editors have personally selected inexpensive yet gorgeous skincare finds with significant savings.
  2. One of the featured products is the Skin1004 face masks, offering a market-redo-post of the pricier Hanacure masks, delivering impressive results while maintaining a fun and affordable experience.
  3. The NYX Fat Oil Lip Drip, a hybrid lip gloss and lip oil, is highlighted as an inexpensive alternative to the Dior Lip Oil, boasting a non-sticky finish and similar performance, making it a buzzworthy find in the beauty and personal care market-amazon-majority.
  4. The L'Oreal True Match Lumi Glotion is another budget-friendly item, trialing as a fan-favorite, offering a natural-looking glow and serving as an excellent, more affordable alternative to the Drunk Elephant Bronzing Drops in the beauty and personal care sector.
  5. When shopping for under $50, these budget beauty finds from BuzzFeed's market-priority-post provide not just a beauty boost, but also significant savings, with many reviewers swearing by their effectiveness and gorgeous results.
NYX Kohl Pencil Equipped with a Spoolie Brush on One End, Showcasing Its Applied Color Swatch
Agreements of Roseful Appearance
Critic's Mixed Cosmetic Blend Review
Luxurious Black and Rose Gold Makeup Tools
Gel brow color within a pot, equipped with a double-sided applicator (angled brush on one side, spoolie on the other), and an example of applied strokes shown on a mock-up eyebrow visual.
Transformed hairstyle: Frizzy, limp locks before, wavy and voluminous strands after - BuzzFeed Shopping editor's makeover
Beauty blogger demonstrates smoothing of facial pores following application of the primer
Showcasing the transformation of eyebrows post cleaning with a spoolie and soap, as demonstrated by a reviewer.
Reduction in redness, texture, acne, and scarring showcased in a reviewer's transformative experience

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