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1. Erase Your Face makeup removing cloths remove ALL makeup (yes, even waterproof makeup) with just water. WATER. Afterward you can just toss them into the laundry with everything else and they'll come out spotless. They're so much cheaper than the MakeUp Eraser and work *exactly* the same.
Promising review: "So I almost never write reviews for anything, but I could not help myself after using these. I received the Original MakeUp Eraser sample in the mail and fell in love, but after seeing the $20 price tag for one towel, I said no way. However, I found these and I figured $10 for four was at least worth a try. These towels work just as good, if not better, than the name-brand version. I can wipe off my makeup (including waterproof mascara) with just warm water in two minutes. I started using these a month ago and have not used traditional makeup wipes since. I gave one of my towels to a friend and she has the same opinion I do. I 100% plan on repurchasing these for not only myself but they will make wonderful gifts as well. These will save me money in the long run and are environmentally friendly. 5/5 stars!" —shirley m. lashway
Get a four-pack from Amazon for $9.47+ (available in two color combos).
2. E.l.f. Poreless Putty Primer glides onto your skin and blurs your pores, giving you the perfect base layer for your makeup to grip onto. Its squalane formula keeps your skin hydrated while looking mattified. It's *quite* similar to Tatcha's Silk Canvas primer and other big name brands — without the $$$.
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
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
3. Essence's Lash Princess Mascara enhances your beautiful lashes with its cone-shaped fiber brush. The best part, the formula is clump-free! Reviewers say it has the same (if not better!) results as name-brand mascaras for less than $5 AND it has over 241,000 5-star ratings!
Promising reviews: "The best I’ve tried so far and I used Dior, Tarte, Too 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 $4.99.
4. Or! L'Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise mascara volumizes and lengthens your glorious lashes *without* any flaking or clumping! Its floral-oil-infused formula conditions your lashes keeping them soft — plus it's perfect for all lash types no matter how short or sparse. This is so much like Too Faced's Better Than Sex mascara, they even have similar packaging.
Promising review: "I’ve been a user of Better Than Sex for almost 10 years and this blew it out of the water!!! I literally looked like I had fake lashes the way it made them longer and fuller without clumping. Seriously a game change for me. Will never switch up." —C. Carter
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $9.56+ (available in four colors).
5. Physicians Formula Diamond Dust translucent powder gives you the ultimate shimmer on your cheeks, nose, eyes, and anywhere else you want to brush this baby on. It'll give you that glassy, dewy finish and leave you *glowing*. Reviewers compare this to Fenty Beauty's Diamond Bomb highlighter (which is $40+!) and rave about how similar it is!
Get a side-by-side look at this next to the Fenty Diamond Bomb highlighter on TikTok — the creator applies one to each cheek for comparison!
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 $12.48.
6. TruSkin Vitamin C serum helps to even skin tone and reduce dark spots, fine lines, and wrinkles. Just dab some on after cleansing your face and top it with your favorite moisturizer. Over 90,000 reviewers gave it a 5-star rating for its truly magical results.
Promising review: "I like this better than Drunk Elephant and Murad vitamin C serums! I like the way it feels better on my skin and it works just as well if not BETTER than high-end brands. I have very oily skin and this doesn’t break me out or make me more oily! It soaks in really well and doesn’t leave me greasy. It’s very light. It works wonders for freckles and sun damage. It makes you skin look brighter and more even. This is holy grail. I was so skeptical but now I see what all the great reviews are all about. I feel silly for paying so much more for expensive brands now. I have also used other skin lighting products that made my face burn and this one is good for sensitive skin! I wish I would’ve found this sooner. I use it once a day before bedtime under my Body Merry night cream. I could also use it during the day under makeup but it’s not necessary for me." —Lee
Get it from Amazon for $19.77+ (available in two sizes).
7. Changeable Fantasy eyeshadow palette comes with so many vibrant colors, your eyes are sure to ✨pop✨ no matter what skin tone you have. With 40 matte, shimmer, and metallic shades, you'll be able to play around with fascinating combinations! Reviewers say it's JUST like the Morphe James Charles palette for a *fraction* of the price.
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
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
8. And Elizabeth Mott Thank Me Later Eyeshadow Base makes your eyeshadow pop more and enhances the color! Plus it combats oil and prevents creasing so it guarantees up to 24 hours of wear! It's super similar to the Mac Paint Pot but your bank account will ~thank me later~ if you get this one.
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
Get it from Amazon for $13.99.
9. Internet-beloved Makeup sponges blend your foundation, concealer, and everything else flawlessly. Reviewers rave about this affordable swap for Beauty Blender and Real Techniques — especially because it comes with five for less than $10!
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 $7.99+ (available in nine sets).
10. Maybelline's Cheek Heat gel-cream blush glides onto your skin, leaving a soft, dewy finish. This oil-free, water based formula will give you that au natural color and if you want more, you can easily build onto it. As good as Glossier's Cloud Paint is, sometimes spending the big bucks isn't worth the tears.
BuzzFeed Shopping writer Emma Lord says, "I'm a Glossier Cloud Paint stan so I'll continue to buy it, but I love this affordable alternative, too! It spreads on super easily and can either go on sheer or build for a bolder effect. I got the Rose Flush shade and enjoy it for ~everyday wear~ since it's so easy to squirt a bit on my fingers, swirl it into my cheeks, and be on my merry way. It lasts all day and looks super natural to boot!"
Promising review: "This is a great, cheap alternative to Glossier Cloud Paint. It’s less pigmented and blends more easily, so it looks very natural." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $5.98+ (available in six shades).
11. BestLand's high-performance matte lipsticks deliver intense colors to your lips while preventing them lips from drying out with moisturizing ingredients. Each lipstick costs less than $2 and dare I say, it may even be better than Kylie or Stila?
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 $9.99 (available in three shades).
12. E.l.f. Wow Brow sculpts your arches to give you your desired shape, volume, and texture. From natural to feathered brows, you can achieve anything with this baby. Reviewers say it's *just* like Glossier's Boy Brow — just with a better price.
Check it out in a quick makeup look from TikTok beauty influencer Mikayla Nogueira, who succinctly describes Wow Brow as "the tinted brow gel that does the job."
Promising review: "This is my absolute go to eyebrow gel. So easy to use, does the job without looking overdone because I hate the whole Sharpie eyebrow look lol, comes in a lot of natural colors, and is comparable if not better to Boy Brow, but much more affordable!" —Nina Ruth Bruno
Get it from Amazon for $5 (available in four shades).
13. Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer has medium coverage and lasts for up to 12 hours — on top of that, it uses Haloxyl and goji berries to target dark circles and reduce the appearance of fine lines. It's perfect for when you "accidentally" stayed up until 6 a.m. watching Succession but you can't have your boss knowing. At this price, *no* name brands can match this.
Promising reviews: "I have extremely dark under eye circles. Honestly that is the only reason I wear makeup, 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. Or it looks too heavy and thick by the time I set with a damp makeup sponge and powder (accentuating my under eye fine lines). 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
Get it from Amazon for $8.80 (available in 17 shades).
And check out our Maybelline Instant Age Rewind concealer review for more deets!
14. Or! E.l.f Camo Concealer provides crease-proof full coverage while keeping your skin hydrated. If you love the famous Tarte Shape Tape, this one is preeetty similar. Don't believe me? Believe the reviews 👀.
Promising review: "This concealer is the bees knees! I rarely leave reviews, which means I really want to make sure y'all know its great! I'm medium tone, biracial black/white. I like concealers that are lighter than the suggested shade, just to add a brighter under eye without needing too much extra drying powder to set it. So I got this to try and love it! It's similar to the Tarte Shape Tape or whatever their most popular concealer is called. Its thick, so you only need a small amount and it goes onto the skin effortlessly, staying in place where you want it. Its very lightweight at the same time, so the thickness isn't felt whatsoever. I have dry skin so I can tell you that its moisturizing too. It settles gently onto the skin ALL DAY LONG with zero creasing." —Terra
Get it from Amazon for $7 (available in 26 shades).
15. Broadway lip gloss set comes in a pack of three with one infused with mint oil, another with rosehip oil, and the last with coconut oil — all with different purposes. They'll give you the shine that you so desire and are similar to brands like Mac and Kylie Cosmetics, without the hefty price tag.
The mint oil lip gloss has a cooling effect while also soothing your cracked lips. The rosehip oil gives your lips more moisture and reduces fine lines. The coconut oil locks in moisture without the stickiness. So whatever your lips need, you'll find something for it!
Promising review: "I have tried so many lip glosses from Mac to Kylie to Shea Moisture and Kiehl's and I have to say this is by far THE best lip gloss. It is sooo smooth and glossy and doesn’t have that normal stickiness to it, which is absolutely amazing!" —Paige
Get a three-pack from Amazon for $7.04.
16. Nyx matte setting spray keeps your makeup in place for up to 16 hours. So even if you find yourself sobbing after a Titanic watch party, your makeup isn't going anywhere boo! Reviewers say it's a similar and cheaper alternative for MAC and Urban Decay's setting sprays.
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
Get it from Amazon for $9.46 (also available in dewy and radiant finishes, and a jumbo size).
17. Illuminating L'Oreal moisturizer enhances your skins natural glow with its shimmering color tint. During the winter, this will help you achieve that sunkissed look that's been missing because of those gloomy days. Reviewers say it's just like the Drunk Elephant bronzing drops — psst, maybe even better!
Promising review: "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. I will purchase again!" —DLW
Get it from Amazon for $13.98 (available in four shades).
18. Nyx Fat Oil Lip Drip delivers up to 12 hours of hydration (infused with vegan squalane, raspberry, and cloudberry oils) while giving you a glossy, tinted look — we love a 2-in-1! If you love Dior's Lip Oil or have been wanting to try it, reviewers say this is even better (for your lips AND wallet).
Promising review: "Best lip oil I have ever owned; better than Dior. It is not sticky at all, it's long lasting, sheer and it has the juicy drop smell. It smells so good, like really just like tooooooooo good to be true. It is perfect total game changer, so if you want like a lip gloss, but not too sticky then this is really for you. 😁" —Lola
Get it from Amazon for $8.97 (available in seven shades, plus clear).
19. Coty Airspun Translucent Powder minimizes the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, acne, and other blemishes (not that you need it, 'cause you're perf!) with its cloudlike formula. It won't cake your face and the best part? With over 80,000 5-star ratings, you have to believe it works just as well as the Laura Mercier powder, if not better.
Promising review: "I have been wanting to try this powder for a couple of years and just never got around to it. It has been compared to Laura Mercier and Charlotte Tilbury and it definitely is. It is worth every penny. I am a cosmetic addict and have tried hundreds of setting powders: Marc Jacobs, Fenty, Laura Mercier, Charlotte Tilbury, L'Oreal, Maybelline, Nyx, Physicians Formula, E.l.f, It Cosmetics, Ulta brand and who even knows what else. This is the BEST for the price and there is no reason to spend $30, $40, or $50 on some of the others. This powder is just as good." —angiandkamryn
Get it from Amazon for $12.76 (available in five shades).
20. E.l.f. Power Grip Primer is a perfect, affordable substitution for the Milk Power Grip primer and works on *all* types of skin. Just apply this base layer everywhere and it'll hold your makeup in place while keeping your face moisturized with its hyaluronic acid formula.
Promising review: "When they say GRIP! Lmaoo they never lied baby, the grip is gripping. I love this primer so much, gives makeup a smooth application and the sticky formula really gives that mega grip to keep product in place. This is a good alternative to the more expensive Milk primer. Haven’t experienced any caking or creasing. I’m also an oily girl and this primer definitely held up 9+ hours. Love it." —Hey Kae
Get it from Amazon for $10.
21. Maybelline Tattoo Studio Pencil glides on with no pull, thanks to its creamy formula. True to the name, it stays on ALL day — tried and tested by these reviewers! So even if you decide to go to the gym with a ~glam~ look, your cat-eye will stay fierce. Urban Decay eye pencil who?
Promising review: "You don't need a high-end eyeliner from Urban Decay or Bobbi Brown. I have oily lids and this is smudge-proof, lasts all day. I use it to tight-line my eyes and it glides on like silk. This will be my go-to eyeliner from now on :) Thanks Maybelline for saving me money!" —Jenny
Get it from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in 26 colors).
22. Nyx Micro Brow shapes, defines, and fills in your brows if you accidentally over-tweezed them. The ultra-skinny tips allows you to create natural looking hairs and you'll *def* get a bang for your buck compared to Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz — #browsonfleek.
Promising review: "I have used eyebrow products since I started using makeup. I used to buy the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz religiously but when doing an overhaul of my budget, I had to find a replacement. I tried out a few since then and this one is absolutely the best one. It feels and looks like the Brow Wiz...and it's HALF of the price. Literally just as good of a product AND it's cheaper. My only regret is not buying this sooner!" —Jamie V.
Get it from Amazon for $9.91+ (available in 12 shades).
23. Or! Milani Stay Put Brow Color if you use pomade instead. It'll define, sculpt, and fill your brows with up to 16 hours of wear! Stop spending all your hard earned money on Anastasia's Dip Brow pomade because it works just as well and comes with an application brush and spoolie.
Promising review: "I liked Anastasia products, but they dried out before I was half way through the jar, even though I use it quickly and keep the lid on tight. Milani is much better, with a creamy texture that doesn't dry out, and takes very little, using double ended brush, with spoolie, to apply and smooth. I follow that up with Beauty Junkies Brow Fix. It has a built in spoolie that applies gel smoothly. I wait a few seconds and press down on my brows to tame and set them in place. Both products remain flexible, but work together well to add color (Milani) and set (Beauty Junkies Brow Fix). They will wash off readily with soap/cleanser and water. A great combo!" —Indy Cindy
Get it from Amazon for $8.97+ (available in six shades).
24. A highly rated Revlon hot air brush to dry and style hair at the same time so you won't have to take so many steps in your styling routine. The barrel is oval-shaped, which will allow you to get closer to your roots for some extra ~volume~. Many reviewers rave about how it's similar to the Dyson Airwrap (which is quite $$$) or even better!
Promising review: "Why did I wait years to purchase this? I think this is my favorite Amazon purchase I've ever made. I achieve a salon blowout every SINGLE time. Make sure your hair is 80% dry before starting. It cuts the time of blowing my hair dry from 30 minutes to less than 10 minutes. Voluminous, bouncy, smooth hair. Such a great price, don't waste your money on buying a $600 Dyson when you can achieve a better look with this brush/hair dryer. Only downfall is it's a little loud, but other than that it's incredible!" —Jessie Monk
Get it from Amazon for $48.37.
25. Elizavecca Cer-100 collagen-coating hair treatment treats dry and damaged hair. After shampooing, massage it in and rinse after 5–20 minutes to see some luxurious locks. Reviewers say it works just as well as Olaplex, so you're welcome checking accounts.
Reviewers with all hair types (straight to curly types including 4c) and bleached and color-treated hair all love this! And BTW, this is the same brand that makes the Milky Piggy Carbonated Bubble Clay Mask that so many people swear by.
Promising review: "Better than Olaplex. I saw this in a BuzzFeed article. The reviews were so good I ordered it. Y’all. It came today. My hair looks like I spent all day at the salon. My hair didn’t look this good after my last Olaplex treatment and blowout. All I did after my shower was brush my hair. I added NO PRODUCT and my hair was soft, not frizzy, shiny, and just so easy to work with. It looked amazing. I am genuinely shocked and highly recommend you guys try this. I’m a real human and I’m not paid for this. Try it for yourself!" —arica kay
Get it from Amazon for $7.82.
And check out the BuzzFeed Shopping contributor pictured above's Elizavecca hair mask review for her first-hand experience (it's #1 in the post)!
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.