Clever, Cheap Things Beauty Experts Say Are Worthy Of Their 5-Star Amazon Ratings

"In makeup, my go-to is NUDESTIX Nudies Matte stick,” wrote Madiraju, who uses it as a “blush, lipstick, and eye shadow.” It’s also travel-friendly for on-the-go application, because it has an easy-to-blend cream formula on one end, a washable, removable brush on the other, and comes in a tin with built-in a mirror.

• Available styles: 10

Madiraju is currently "obsessed” with TirTir’s Red Cushion foundation, which offers buildable, semi-matte coverage alongside elasticity-boosting nourishment. The compact also includes an egg-shaped puff for all-over application. “I went in with zero expectations and almost thought it wouldn't work. My jaw dropped when I saw the finish and how it wore!" Madiraju wrote.

• Available styles: 30

“Any cream blush can double up as a lipstick,” wrote Madiraju, and this e.l.f. cream putty blush is no exception. In addition to its buildable cream-to-powder finish, it also has argan oil and vitamin E for nourishing hydration. “This is a great multipurpose product [for both] cheeks and lips,” one reviewer wrote. “It goes on smooth and has great color.”

• Available styles: 6

If you’re looking for a more affordable alternative, this thermal blowout primer has earned thousands of high ratings from reviewers who called it “amazing” and “absolutely magic.” Its heat-activated formula boosts shine for a mirror-like finish and creates a humidity-resistant barrier that blocks out frizz.

According to Gerstein, "A look right now is quiet luxury (think pastel nudes) as seen on Blake Lively. To get the look for under $10, I love Mineral Fusion On Pointe. The formula is vegan, non-toxic, and chip resistant with a thick brush for smooth application. Gerstein likes to layer a sheer nude over a metallic nude “to give it a micro-fine shimmer [...] It’s not a metallic finish, but makes it more wet and shiny like you’re looking at glass."

• Available styles: 43

Like Madiraju said, your skin-care routine doesn’t have to be demanding — or expensive. This vitamin C serum has earned over 30,000 reviews because it gently brightens, deeply hydrates, and tones the complexion, all for less than $20. “It’s such an easy, effective step in my routine,” one reviewer wrote, and it “produces results.”

Constantly restocking on quality shampoos and conditioners can get really expensive, but celebrity makeup artist Jamie Greenberg found an exception: “I’ve been loving the Raw Sugar Living Grow Pro Shampoo + Conditioner which has vegan biotin in it to help strengthen the hair, and comes in a delicious passion fruit scent. Not to mention it’s literally a fraction of the price of more premium products!"

"I think it’s ok to spend a little less on lip balms, which can sometimes get a bit pricey even though it's not a lot of product,” Greenberg wrote. “For a cheaper alternative, I recommend the Herbivore Dream Jelly. It’s a plant-based, vegan lip product that’s super hydrating and has a smooth strawberry scent that is to die for!"

One of Greenberg’s cult-favorite products? Westmore Beauty 60 Second Blush Effect, which is a universal blush that reacts with your skin’s pH within seconds to create a customized hue that suits your complexion. According to Greenberg, it “gained a lot of popularity online and definitely lives up to its expectations.”

If you love affordable alternatives to pricey brand-name cosmetics, Instagram and TikTok influencer Aditya Madiraju calls NYX’s matte Buttermelt bronzer practically the “same as Charlotte Tilbury bronzer” — even though it costs a fraction of the price. Infused with shea, almond, and mango butter, it aims to belt into your skin for a bronzed, silky complexion that lasts 12 hours.

• Available styles: 6

According to Madiraju, this Milani Cheek Kiss cream bronzer performs just as well as the viral Chanel bronzer. Like the high-end alternative, the lightweight formula is buildable, light-reflecting, and creates a sun-kissed glow — but unlike Chanel, it costs less than $10.

• Available styles: 4

According to Madiraju, despite its low price tag, this Covergirl Clean Fresh Yummy gloss is "superior [to] most high-end lipglosses.” It’s infused with elderberry and acai for antioxidant-rich nourishment without a sticky consistency, and reviewers rave about the texture, scent, and shine.

• Available styles: 13

The Maybelline Build-A-Brow pen works the “same as high-end brow pencils,” according to Madiraju. With its dual-sided design, it contains an ultra-precision tip to create hair-like strokes and a clear brow gel that locks your look in for up to 24 hours. Both formulas are smudge-resistant, humidity-proof, and free from animal-derived ingredients.

• Available styles: 5

"My most purchased product in [the] hair category is Biosilk Voluminizing Therapy texturizing powder,” wrote Madiraju, because it’s a “cheaper alternative to high-end products and it works like a charm." This multitasking powder absorbs unwanted oil from the roots and uses silk proteins to boost volume and shine while also reducing frizz. Best of all, it won’t weigh down thin hair.

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Raven Hurtado, a stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago, recommends these creaseless hair clips to save you time and money: “You can use these clips for waves, setting curls, or [to] clip hair around the face away while doing your makeup or working out.” They’re made from durable materials, suitable for all hair types, and designed to fasten securely without denting strands.

• Available styles: 4

According to Hurtado, this "keratin hair mask is a nice affordable mask to add to your hair care routine.” It “makes your hair feel smoother, shinier, and nourished” using keratin — “a protein which helps protect hair and makes it feel stronger and healthy.” The mask also contains hydrating ingredients like shea butter and argan oil, and it’s suitable for all types of hair, including color-treated.

Hurtado also recommends this heatless curling headband, which is made from silky, cushioned satin for comfortable overnight styling. “What I like about this method is it saves you time in the morning,” wrote Hurtado. “Wake up, remove the rod, and you’ll have beautiful bouncy curls." The set also includes two scrunchies and a claw clip to secure it in place.

• Available styles: 8

This Color Wow flexible hairspray “is a miracle product,” wrote Priscilla Valles, celebrity extensionist. “It's one of those products [that] does everything in one – flexibility, UV protectant, non-sticky, non-yellowing, humidity protectant, etc,” plus it’s “a cheaper alternative to the Oribe Anti-Humidity Spray.”

Valles uses this stainless steel gua sha “every morning and night. It has completely changed my life and helps with inflammation.” Using its curved edges designed to hug the jawline and cheeks, it promotes blood circulation and lymphatic drainage — and you can put this one in the fridge for a stimulating boost of cold therapy.

It costs less than $10, but according to Valles, this shea Better Body lotion “keeps my skin so hydrated and moisturized for over 24 hours.” It’s packed with seven nourishing oils and butters that absorb into skin fast to provide all-day softness. While it comes in tons of scent options, the vanilla cashmere is Valles’ go-to because it “pairs well with other vanilla scents if that’s your signature!”

• Available styles: 14

According to Valles, this glowy illuminator is a convincing replacement for Drunk Elephant’s drops and it “can be worn alone on the skin or additionally with foundation." Either way, it creates a dewy, shimmery finish that remains lightweight despite its antioxidant-rich hydration.

• Available styles: 2

Bella Gerard, editor, creator, and B List author, wrote “I used to use a similar product from Sephora that cost me $28 — until I found the NYX Lift & Snatch Brow Tint Pen, which gave me virtually the same results! The unique pen-like tip is like a liquid eyeliner for your brows. You can use it to draw in super-precise hairlike strokes and completely transform your eyebrows. It also lasts forever."

• Available styles: 10

"The Sacheu Lip Liner Stay-N product can be used as just a lip liner, but I actually fill in my entire lip and use it as a full-on lip stain!” Gerard wrote. “It's a peel-off formula with majorly impressive staying power, but it doesn't make lips look dry or dull like some other stain formulas." The formula is cruelty-free and contains nourishing, hydrating ingredients like vitamin E and hyaluronic acid.

• Available styles: 7

"I love Say La V.'s Nourishing Veauty Wash because it offers next-level cleansing for the vulva without a next-level price tag,” wrote Hadley King, NYC-based Board-certified dermatologist. “Prebiotics support a healthy microbiome — particularly important in the vulva area! Jojoba beads help to prevent ingrown hairs, and vitamin E supports the skin barrier.”

Looking for a gentle cleanser that still removes stubborn makeup? "I recommend Garnier's Cleansing Balm with hyaluronic acid for a great gentle cleansing option,” wrote King. “With hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil, and shea butter, it hydrates and moisturizes the skin and supports the skin barrier, and it rinses clean with warm water. Great for all skin types, and particularly for dry, dehydrated, irritated, and sensitive skin."

Nail artist Elle Gerstein recommends this Dr. Dana nail repair kit, which opens up nail pores to deliver hydration and protein peptides for stronger nails after just one use. “In all my years using a strengthener this one is a game changer,” Gerstein wrote. “It’s a two-step process and you put the glycolic on first and then the hydration. This takes care of the cuticle and can fill in the damage quickly from gel and acrylic [...]. This is also a staple for just natural care.”

“Seaweed Bath Co. Exfoliating Jelly Cleanser is a cleanser and gentle exfoliator in one that will help remove dirt, oil, and other impurities,” wrote Serena Mraz, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Solano Dermatology and Associates in Vallejo, California. “The texture is gel-based, which is one of my favorite formulations for oily and acne-prone skin, with volcanic powder to gently exfoliate. It’s also packed with peptides which will help your skin retain moisture and will also help boost collagen production."

"Sunscreen doesn’t have to break the bank,” wrote Mraz. “I always recommend a mineral sunscreen with zinc oxide in addition to wide-brimmed hats and clothing. Look for a mineral sunscreen that has a multitude of skin benefits in addition to SPF protection." One example that fits the bill is Blue Lizard’s mineral sunscreen which is designed for sensitive skin due to its unscented, paraben-free formula, and it offers 50+ UVA/UVB protection for up to 80 minutes in water.

"As a cheaper alternative to in-office treatments, Wrinkles Schminkles Mouth & Lip wrinkle patches can effectively stave off and even reverse the ‘bar code’ lines,” wrote Mraz. When worn overnight, they can “help reverse and diminish lines” using the combination of compression, circulation, and hydration in a medical-grade silicone patch.

According to Madiraju, “A gloss does more for lips than a lipstick.” This affordable Maybelline Lifter Gloss is packed with hyaluronic acid to hydrate lips and give them a smoother, fuller appearance. It comes in dozens of colors, all of which have an extra-large wand for easy application on the go.

• Available styles: 25

“Lip liner + lip gloss is the winning combo” for full, hydrated lips, according to Madiraju. Thanks to its triangle-shaped tip, you can use this e.l.f. liner pencil to outline or fill in your lips. Its formula is cruelty-free and highly pigmented with a semi-matte finish that comes in seven shades — and best of all, it costs $4. “I like to line my lips with it and just throw on a clear gloss,” one reviewer wrote.

• Available styles: 7

Another fan-favorite liner that costs just a few dollars? This NYX slim lip pencil, which has earned an average 4.4-star rating from over 41,000 reviewers. Its formula goes on smooth and is designed to resist feathering and bleeding for all-day wear. Reviewers also “love pairing it with different lip glosses for a variety of looks.”

• Available styles: 13

"I of course have to shout out my very own multitasking product, the Blighlighter by Jamie Makeup,” wrote Greenberg. “It’s a 2-in-1 blush and highlighter hybrid perfect for on-the-go to save you time." Clean, vegan, and Leaping Bunny certified, it gives your cheeks a healthy flush and a subtle glow at the same time.

• Available styles: 3

"I also am a big fan of the PUR Cosmetics 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral SPF Powder,” wrote Greenberg. “It’s just how it says in the name: 4-in-1. It’s a foundation, concealer, SPF, and powder with amazing skincare benefits — it’s the full package!" The brand makes over 20 shades to match any skin tone and has earned over 5,900 five-star ratings.

• Available styles: 21

Hurtado recommends the RPZL boar bristle brush “because it has nylon and boar bristles so it’s easy to detangle hair, bending when you need it so it doesn’t cause hair to break. Another reason why I like this brush: It adds shine to the hair and you can use it to smooth out hairstyles.” It also has a cushioned paddle and you can use it on wet or dry hair.

"Hask Chia Seed Dry Shampoo is another affordable product that works wonders,” Hurtado wrote. “It absorbs oil with rice starch while adding volume,” plus it doesn’t have that “white residue that a lot of dry shampoos leave behind. This one also has chia seed which helps with strengthening and smoothing dry strands." No wonder it’s earned more than 6,000 five-star ratings.

• Available styles: 4

This Olivia Garden barrel brush is one of Hurtado’s favorite tools: “I love these brushes because it has a ceramic barrel that heats up like a hot tool while you’re blow drying and it doesn’t tug or pull the hair.” It’s also infused with tourmaline ion to boost shine and reduce frizz. It even has a retractable sectioning pin at the base.

• Available styles: 6

“With skincare, consistency is key, not the number of steps,” Madiraju wrote. Choose multitasking products that are effective and easy to use every day — like this highly rated Korean cleansing oil. It combines micellar particles with emulsifying botanical oils to remove heavy makeup, melt away sebum, and tone skin, all in one cleanse. “Definitely a new holy grail for me,” one reviewer wrote.

"You don’t need a 7-step skincare routine,” Madiraju continued. “You need a good easy 4-step routine that works for you every day (even on the days you are tired).” To hydrate, reviewers love this Bubble Slam Dunk hydrating moisturizer because it’s lightweight but nourishing, versatile for both day and night use, and easy to apply with its convenient pump bottle. It also layers well under makeup and doesn’t irritate sensitive skin.

Finally, a multitasking sunscreen protects your skin while helping it look its best. CeraVe mineral sunscreen uses zinc oxide for SPF 30 protection, but it also has three essential ceramides to restore the skin’s natural barrier, hyaluronic acid for hydration, and a universal tint that blends into any skin tone to create a healthy glow alongside sheer coverage.

"Scalp care is a must and it’s so nice seeing more products out there to help out scalp needs,” wrote Kylee Heath, a celebrity hairstylist and groomer. “I am obsessed with this Raw Sugar Not So Dry Shampoo for between washes. It’s a unique lotion formula which I really like too.” The bundle also includes a rosemary vinegar hair rinse, which “deeply cleanses the hair and scalp while being gentle. And doesn’t break the bank and keeps the scalp looking and feeling fresh."

"Oribe Dry Texture spray is a go for myself and my kit. It gives the hair a little grit and hold while not leaving it heavy,” wrote Heath. The formula has earned over 6,000 five-star ratings because it absorbs oil at the root and boosts volume and texture, all while remaining invisible.

If you’re looking for a quality product that’ll save you time and money, consider a multitasker like this hair serum. “I am someone who air dries my hair most days, but I like having a product that has thermal protection so I can also use it when I am going to do a blowout,” wrote Heath, who recommends this Milk hair serum. It’s a three-in-one leave-in that nourishes, controls frizz, and detangles hair before heat styling.

Valles recommends Rahua hydration shampoo for dry hair because it’s deeply hydrating and has a delicious tropical scent. Using Amazonian oils and natural protein-bonding sugars, “It is created to replenish the driest, thirstiest hair,” Valles wrote. This “[rich and creamy] formula leaves the scalp hydrated and balanced and hair stronger, healthier, smoother and shinier.”

Valles also recommends Herbivore’s Pink Cloud jelly cleanser, which is a “gentle cleanser that hydrates and preps your skin for your daily skincare routine.” Using nourishing ingredients like squalane, rosewater, and tremella mushroom, “this plant-based formula soothes the skin while removing excess dirt and oils from the face,” Valles wrote.

• Available styles: 5