37 Effective Beauty Products Under $20
Lip gloss that isn’t sticky. That’s all.
We hope you love the products we recommend! All of them were independently selected by our editors. Just so you know, BuzzFeed may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to shop from them. Oh, and FYI — prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication.
1.
Prism Makeup Interstellar Eyeshadow Palette provides 21 ~out of this world~ shades that are blendable, pigmented, and range from matte to shimmery and neutral to bold — all for a fraction of the cost of higher-end brands. Repeat after me: Zetus lapetus.
Amazon
Promising review: “This palette is so pretty! Definitely a dupe for the Urban Decay palette. The pigmentation is more vibrant on a good eyeshadow base (like concealer or primer) but obviously what shadows aren’t. For the money of this palette though you really get a great deal. I have tried plenty of eyeshadow palettes in my time and I would consider the formula to be higher in quality.” —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon from $11.99.
2.
e.l.f Instant Lift Brow Pencil comes with a dual-sided pencil design so you can comb and contour with one side *and* define and fill in with the other. But hold your applause because here comes the real kicker: it costs $2.
3.
Kopari Coconut Lip Glossy leaves behind the memories of your middle school gloss in favor of something much more appealing: a hydrating formula packed with coconut oil, vitamin E, and shea butter that is — hold onto your britches here — *not* sticky. Gusts of wind no longer have a place here.
Promising review: “I have the worst chapped lips and am very picky about lip balms. This smells amazing (not overbearing but still sweet), is not sticky at all, and looks like lip gloss but better. It’s worth the price. I’m ordering another one pronto.” —HW9001
Get it from Amazon for $12.99 (available in two formulas).
4.
LA PURE Waterproof Eyeliner Stamp because, in spite of your best efforts, achieving the perfect cat-eye feels more intimidating than rocket science. This dual-ended tool is basically foolproof — simply apply the stamp to your lash line for your wing to be done in mere seconds. Spotify, play Rihanna’s “Where Have You Been All My Life.”
Promising review: “Okay, so I am as shaky as shaky gets when it comes to putting eyeliner on…but this is a miracle sent from above! It honestly is the most amazing eye makeup product I own at the moment. It is as easy as it sounds. Literally. I like that it is double-ended and you have two pens: one for the left eye and one for the right. The opposite end on both is just every day liquid liner pen, but it goes on soooo much smoother than any other liquid liner I’ve tried or owned.” —ˑMerkuryˑVolkanicˑ.
Get it from Amazon for $9.97 (available in three colors).
5.
Tower 28 Beauty BeachPlease Lip + Cheek Cream Blush is the ultimate two-in-one product. A sun-kissed glow is yours with just a few quick and buildable swipes, the hues are impeccable, and reviewers rave about the unreal lasting power. ::adds terra-cotta shade to cart::
instagram.com / Via @tower28beauty, instagram.com / Via @tower28beauty
This even contains green tea and aloe vera extracts to soothe, calm, and hydrate your complexion whilst giving it a flush of color.
Promising review: “I am in love with these lip and cheek tints. I own magic hour and rush hour and both blend beautifully. The colors melt into my skin and give a radiant sun-kissed finish. I apply these with my blender but you could use anything really. They’re pigmented and long lasting under my mask, rush hour did not MOVE under my mask, and I didn’t even set it!” —katiebean19
Get it from Sephora for $20 (available in six shades).
6.
NatureLab Tokyo Perfect Smooth Shampoo and Conditioner carefully tames frizz and protects tresses from further damage with its impressive ingredient list: Think botanical stem cells, yuzu ceramide, and exotic plant oils. It’s also sulfate-free to boot.
instagram.com / Via @naturelabtokyo
Promising review (shampoo): “I seriously have 30+ shampoo brands and this makes my silver hair smooth, shiny, and perfect. No frizz in humidity.” —susan von senden
Promising review (conditioner): “This has been my absolute favorite conditioner for a year. The scent is mild, citrusy and pleasant. My thick hair has felt really soft, and this has definitely helped with frizz.” —James Travis Donahoe
Get the shampoo ($14) and the conditioner ($14) from Amazon.
7.
Sephora Collection Bright Future Gel Serum Concealer provides an excellent dupe for *far* more expensive brands. Truly, this affordable tube holds its own: It’s ultra-blendable, won’t crease, and is infused with pineapple ceramide for an extra brightening effect. Dark circles who? Blemishes what?
Sephora
Promising review: “Matched my skintone absolutely perfectly, it’s hydrating (I have dry skin) and lasts for hours. I’ve spent YEARS trying to find a good concealer with the correct golden undertone (everything else I’ve tried is too peach!) and this is my holy grail.” —Laveda
Get it from Sephora for $14 (available in 26 colors).
8.
Korean Exfoliating Bath Washcloths described by one reviewer as a solution for back-of-the-arms bumps. It’s about time we retire that mesh loofah and move on to greener pastures — the pastures in this context being a green washcloth capable of revealing a smoother, softer surface with a simple few swipes. You are about to shed so much dead skin.
Promising review: “While the pockets are small (as others said, they shrink when wet, too!) they fit fine around my four fingers to form a mitt to use for scrubbing. I bought these because I read somewhere they help with keratosis pilaris. I have that on my upper arms and have never found anything that works until now! I was skeptical because literally nothing else has made an improvement before and now this has eliminated it. Will definitely buy again and hope it keeps working!” —Emily S.
Get a pack of four from Amazon for $4.
9.
AJ Crimson Lipstick may just be the last lipstick tube you want to buy. Ever. The formulas are ultra pigmented without being overly drying, so rest assured your pout will have the perfect pink wash of pink — no 80 layers of moisturizing balm required.
AJ Crimson
Promising review: “The Ex-Factor shade is BEAUTIFUL for darker-skinned woman. OMG, this color gave me life when I put it on. At first, it seemed super dark; but then it was very nice on my lips. I loved so much that I wore it to the gym 🙂 and felt amazing during my workout.” —Sandra D Troutman
Get them from AJ Crimson for $20.
10.
Colourpop Cream Gel Eyeliner adds a bit of ~Roy G. Biv~ to your makeup routine via fun, vibrant colors that make a statement for less than $8 a piece. The formula itself is long-lasting and transfer-proof to boot, meaning you won’t have to fret over random violet smears on a white blouse.
@sohanjudge / Via instagram.com, Sohan Judge / BuzzFeed
Promising Review: “These liners are the easiest thing you can add to your makeup kit that will make you stand out. An extra 10 seconds in the morning and bam! They’ve honestly changed the way I view makeup — now, it’s more of an accessory to match my outfit or mood for the day rather than a way to cover up imperfections. Plus, I always get compliments when I wear these and who doesn’t love to be gassed up?”—Sohan Judge, BuzzFeed Staff
Get them from ColourPop for $8.
11.
I Dew Care Plush Party Lip Balm addresses chapped lips once and for all. This functions as a sleeping mask — apply this shea butter, cocoa butter, hibiscus flower extract, and vitamin C mask formula before bed and wake up to a nourished pout. No flakes. Ever again.
12.
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser picks up makeup and impurities while maintaining your natural pH balance, aka your complexion won’t feel stripped of moisture. Everybody (everybody in this equation = folks with dry-to-normal skin) rejoice because this is your new holy grail.
amazon.com, instagram.com / Via @larocheposayusa
This daily cleanser contains prebiotic thermal water, ceramide-3, niacinamide, and glycerin.
Promising review: “This is very gentle on my sensitive skin. My face feels very clean after I use it without being overly tight or dry. This one is working out really well so far after several months of daily use.” —P.
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
13.
Shea Moisture Hydration Intensive Masque Hair Treatment provides moisture *and* definition with a powerful concoction consisting of mafura oil, shea butter, baobab oil, African rock fig, and honey. This affordable BB is step one to healthier hair.
Promising review: “I’ve tried a lot of deep conditioners, but this one is my go-to because it’s nice and thick and I know that it will work on my curly coils every time. Also has great slip for detangling! A holy grail product.” —Tiffany Reid
Get it from Amazon for $10.49.
14.
Tree Hut Shea Sugar Scrub sloughs away dead skin with a vengeance, leaving smooth and nourished complexions in its wake. The delicious ~matcha mojito~ scent (and sensitive skin-friendly formula) is a result of a truly stellar ingredients: mint, sweet almond oil, shea butter, avocado oil, green tea, and sugar.
Promising review: “Since discovering Tree Hut scrubs, I use this faithfully every time I take a shower. I have found zero irritation and it leaves my skin feeling smooth and soft. I have extremely sensitive skin so the fact that I can use a scrub that would be considered abrasive is amazing.” —Marin Piper
Get it from Amazon for $17.98.
15.
Pacifica Beauty Super Flower Rapid Response Face Oil containing rose and blue tansy oils, fatty acids, and vitamins A and C so you can scream toodle-oo to redness and irritation. People with especially sensitive skin cannot. stop. raving about this wonderful little bottle.
Promising review: “This is the second time I’ve bought this product. I love the blue tansy. I seriously wish I could bathe in this. My dry skin absorbs the oil, it plumps my skin, fills in fine lines, and makes my skin soft. They need to sell a body oil version of this!” —Gre
Get it from Amazon for $13.27.
16.
Vivienne Sabó Classic French Mascara upgrades your lash game with a clump-free, cruelty-free, smudge-proof formula. Just one coat will make you feel as if you ~actually tried~ this morning, sans heavy foundation or a ton of time.
instagram.com / Via http://@viviennesabo.paris, amazon.com
Promising review: “I absolutely LOVE this mascara. I have very sensitive eyes and holy moly, I’m in love. I’ve found my new favorite mascara! It makes my lashes look longer and it looks the same all day long. Plus, it doesn’t smudge during the day. It’s wonderful and a total must-buy!” —Katherine Ochsman
Get it from Amazon for $9.35.
17.
Innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask contains an impressive blend of lactic acid and hardened volcanic lava from Jeju Island. If your skin feels greasy enough to fry an egg, this deep-cleansing treatment is fantastic at drawing up excess sebum *and* keeping it under control.
instagram.com / Via @innisfreeusa
Promising review: “This mask is to die for. It has the same effect as GlamGlow Supermud, but is almost nine times cheaper. Very effective on acne, clears up my skin from blemishes, and leaves it feeling fresh and squeaky clean. This one is my holy grail from now on, and just a little of this mask goes a long way!” —Aliya
Get it from Amazon for $18.53.
18.
Ardell Wispies False Eyelashes deliver lash extension results for a fraction of the price (and effort). They’re designed with a seamless band technology for all-day comfort, look au naturale, and won’t feel like a heavy burden to your lids.
Julia Willing / BuzzFeed
Promising review: “I’ve worn these every day for five years. This is definitely the best type of lash you could buy when it comes to value/getting the most for your money. They adhere so well (use the DUO glue which you can buy separately), they’re pretty easy to remove as long as you don’t use too much glue, and most importantly they look GREAT. I love these and get compliments daily; lots of people assume they’re extensions until I tell them otherwise. I can’t say enough about these! I hope they never go out of stock because I don’t know what I’ll do.” —Kelly D.
Get a pack of five from Amazon for $11.22.
19.
Caudalie The des Vignes Shower Gel is a 100% plant-based, soap-free body wash dedicated to cleansing your complexion *without* stripping it of moisture — your pH balance will remain completely undisturbed. Now take a deep breath and inhale that white musk, neroli flower, and ginger scent.
Amazon
Promising review: “A Greek tour guide was wearing this product and gave me the name. She smelled so good without being overpowering. I am awaiting the perfume from Greece. I have already received compliments after using this product. Will buy again. Skin is hydrated after shower.” —KC Zaleski
Get it from Amazon for $12.
20.
Bread Hair-Wash stimulates scalp health with sensitive-friendly ingredients like argan oil, aloe vera juice, and lemon tea tree oil. It provides a squeaky clean that won’t dry out or tangle your tresses and is truly *chef’s kiss* for curl types 3a–4c.
Bread
It apparently smells like Froot Loops which ??? wow ??? you’ll be transported to the Saturday mornings of your youth with every use.
Get it from Bread for $20.
21.
Radha Beauty Rosehip Oil is currently negotiating a movie deal with Marvel: this little bebé is truly a superhero worthy of its own franchise. It delivers on its promise of glowing skin by morning, tackling redness, scarring, dehydration, and acne whilst you sleep.
Promising review: “My new holy grail! I have super sensitive, acne-prone skin in a very dry climate. This stuff is seriously so amazing. I use it from my face to my toes. It’s completely eradicated any dry skin I had and makes me glow. I’ve gotten so many compliments on my skin since I’ve started using it, even my boyfriend noticed! I love it after chemical peels too. It gets rid of peeling and dry patches as well as soothing any redness. It’s a decent-sized bottle for what you pay!” —Brynnieb09
Get it from Amazon for $13.95.
To learn more, check out “This Facial Oil Will Solve All Your Skin’s Problems.”
22.
Midnight Festival Brush Set takes the phrase “bang for your buck” and truly runs to the opposite end of the world with it. Rip open the packaging to reveal ten brushes, each of which is carefully constructed with dense bristles that buff, highlight, and conceal to perfection.
23.
Mediheal Intensive Hydrating Mask promises luxury spa results — no getting up from your Ikea couch required. This cotton liner mask is infused with hyaluronic acid, amino acids, and water-binding sugars deliver dewy and refreshed skin ~15 minutes; glass of vino to enhance the experience strongly encouraged.
Amazon
Promising review: “I have super dry, sensitive skin and any other sheet mask I’ve used has always burned or stings my skin. This mask soothes my skin and I can leave it on for 20 minutes or more without any irritation. It always hydrates my skin so much and leaves it super dewy and plump. It is definitely worth the money!!” —cass
Get a set of 10 from Amazon for $19.90.
24.
NYX Control Freak Eyebrow Gel grooms facial caterpillars to perfection, ensuring that each stray hair stays exactly in place — all without leaving any icky residue behind. It goes on clear which makes it perfect for any brow hue.
Promising review: “I absolutely love this stuff. I have a bare minimum makeup look and this stuff is part of it! I actually use it even if I don’t fill in my brows at all. This stuff is able to go on thin enough for me to not feel it but thick enough to hold the hairs where I want them until I take it off. I don’t have any extra wax or residue, it lasts until I remove it, and does not have any smell or tint to it. I take my brow shape pretty seriously since that seems to be what I’m complimented on more than anything else. You will not find anything this good for a price in the same ballpark.” —Nina
Get it from Amazon for $5.87.
25.
Gold Eye Treatments masks packed with collagen to make evidence of last night’s The Crown binge all but go poof. This brightens bags and softens fine lines, which means you’ll look completely awake before you’ve even had that first gulp of caffeine.
Jasmin Sandal/BuzzFeed
Promising review: “I decided to put these golden gems to the test after coming off of a red-eye flight with practically no sleep. After cooling them off in the fridge (which is what was suggested on the packet), I applied them to my purpley, puffy eyes, and…w-o-w. Not only did I feel like I was receiving some kind of royal treatment (because, gold), but after 20 minutes, my undereyes appeared brighter and any fine lines that were once lingering had vanished! After wearing these I didn’t feel compelled to apply concealer either, which is usually my go-to to disguise dark circles — and I even felt confident enough to go bare-faced for the rest of the day. Now, I find that I integrate these into my routine anytime I want to let my skin breathe free of makeup.” —Jasmin Sandal, BuzzFeed Staff
Get a pack fo 15 from Amazon for $19.97.
26.
Cosrx Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence takes dull, tired skin and leads it greener pastures (*insert idyllic farm image here*). Hyaluronic acid and panthenol provide ultimate hydration, and drumroll por favor — it absorbs quickly! No grease. No stick. Apply this before moisturizer to make sure all that goodness gets locked in.
27.
Dr. Dennis Gross
Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel Mini genuinely ~peels~ off dead skin cells with just one swipe. Salicylic, glycolic, and lactic acids work in harmony to tackle all of the following skincare concerns: dullness, fine lines, dark spots, and uneven texture. All it takes is a few swipes.
Sephora
Promising review: “I’ve never written a review for ANYTHING in my life but these peel pads are incredible. I have super sensitive skin and have to be really careful about everything that touches my face. These don’t make my rosacea flare up. If anything, they help! I live in a small mountain town in Idaho and these really help with dry, dull skin. I am so happy I found these pads.” —loveitallskin
Get a pack of five treatments for Sephora for $17.
28.
Daydreamer Face Wash accomplishes what we once thought impossible: washing your face without having to experience that uncomfortable, overly tight feeling. Soothing plant extracts even pack in some ~plumping~ effects while the calming scent of lavender means you’ll blissfully drift off to sleep with ease.
instagram.com / Via @blume
Blume is a Woman- and POC-owned brand that specializes in effective skincare and truly fantastic packaging.
Promising review: “I have sensitive, dry skin and this is the perfect product! It’s cleans my face without drying it out and feels amazing! My skin feels soothe, clean, and moisturized!” —Elena R.
Get it from Blume for $16.
29.
Bestool Detangler Brush is especially fantastic for 3a to 4c hair: it’s designed with eight flexible combs that turns detangling wet *or* dry hair into a pain-free process. So long, tearing out strands in the name of more defined curls! We’ve just streamlines that process forever.
Promising review: “This is a holy grail. I have 4c low-porosity hair that is easily tangled and matted at anytime. I’m also tender headed so I dread wash days. I used this to detangle wet hair before my wash and during my conditioning process. I’m amazed! This cut my detangling sessions down from an hour and a half to 20 minutes. I was also able to blow dry my hair to stretch it for styling because it was already so well detangled! Worth every penny.” —Trina R.
Get it from Amazon for $9.66.
30.
Lash Impact Serum promotes thicker, longer lashes for anyone ready to throw out their mascara. If you’re looking to repair thinning and brittle lashes in as little as eight weeks, then ding ding ding. You’ve found yourself a winner.
No7 Beauty
Maitland Quitmeyer / BuzzFeed
32.
The Seaweed Bath Co. Exfoliating Detox Body Soap combines bladderwrack seaweed, coffee, charcoal powder, and a blend of oils for a luxurious deep clean — one that won’t leave your complexion feeling ~I need immediate moisture~ dry right out of the shower.
Amazon
Promising review: “This soap is a miracle-worker. If you’re suffering from KP (keratosis pilaris), this helps significantly. I used it and after about one week I noticed a huge difference… adding some cream for sensitive skin after showers almost completely erased all of my KP altogether.” —PolakSlovak Girl
Promising review: “I’ve tried several soaps, looking for a good non-toxic option that works well for my face and body, and I fell in love with this one. I always have an extra on hand, for in case I run out of the other before the next ship date. It leaves my skin feeling exfoliated, clean, and soft, never dry. Loveee it.” —J McCormick
Get it from Amazon for $6.99.
33.
Hard As Hoof Nail Strengthening Cream uses calcium, vitamins, and hydrogenated jojoba oil to revive weakened nails — and not only does this promote quicker nail growth, but it also prevent chipping and hangnails. Your messy at-home manicure just got *so* much better.
Promising review: “I’ve been using this product for almost a full month. Before, my nails were bendy, paper thin, and had little ridges. After applying this product almost everyday three times a day, I can grow my nails out without fear. They are smooth, pretty, have excellent white tips. They still have a slight flexibility to them but leagues better than where they were and I’m hoping with continued use my nails will be hard as hoof, ha. After trying so many products, I believe this one is a holy grail.” —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $7.99.
34.
e.l.f., Illuminating Eye Cream provides your peepers with jojoba, vitamin E, and cucumber — meaning you dark circles and fine lines will begin to be gone. Luxe eye creams usually cost around a trillion dollars, so finding a holy grail item like this for ~$10 is basically like striking gold.
35.
Maybelline The Nudes Palette comes packed with with pigmented, neutral shades that are perfect for daily wear. Opt for one of three color schemes — the original nude, blushed, or gold — to further customize your look.
Amazon
Promising review: “I got this palette as a cheap mini to carry with me on month long a trip abroad, as I was scared to bring my expensive name brand eye shadows. I have had this for almost five months now and still find myself using it every day for a glowy, natural look. I personally prefer the matte shades over the shimmery ones, and love how well they blend and that they have good staying power, especially when used over a primer or under setting spray.” —Ali
Get it from Amazon for $9.02 (available in three themed color palettes).
36.
KVD Pomade Vegan Eyeliner, Shadow & Brow Pigment provides a cruelty-free triple threat you’ll ponder how you ever lived without. This creamy formula is waterproof *and* available in multiple shades of brown to ensure a perfect match.
Sephora
Promising review: “This is my new holy grail brow product. I have decently thick but bordering on blonde brows (I somehow am the opposite of most people in that my brows are about two shades lighter than my hair) and this pomade not only fills them in nicely, but also helps them stay put. I’ve seriously been out in 40 degrees C humid weather and while the rest of my makeup melted off, my brows stayed put! ” —KatSoChic
Get it from Sephora for $20 (available in 15 colors).
37.
La Roche-Posay Lipikar Balm AP+ Intense Repair has heard our prayers for nongreasy, intense hydration that doesn’t end in backne outbreaks — and boy oh boy, it sure does deliver. Reviewers swear it’s safe for sensitive and acne-prone skin, plus it’s great for streamlining your skincare routine because it’s allegedly fantastic for face and body.
instagram.com / Via @larocheposayusa
Promising review: “Well I’m sold on this stuff. I have very dry skin and if I apply this head to toe while still damp from the shower it goes on super quickly and dries fast without being greasy (which I loathe). This method seems to use very little product, so I’m still on this same bottle six months in!! I also use it on my face (yes really) and magically it doesn’t break out my sensitive skin. Like I said. SOLD.” —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in two sizes).
Looking for the perfect gift for any occasion? Check out all of BuzzFeed’s gift guides!
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The reviews in this post have been edited for length and clarity.
Need more for your skin? Check out Korean skincare products you need to know, cheap skincare products that are even better than luxury brands, products for an even skin tone or to deal with acne scars, or check out all of our beauty content for even more great stuff for your hair, skin, and more.
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