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35 Cheap Swaps For Expensive Beauty Products So Exceptional That You’ll Never Go Back
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We hope you love our recommendations! While every product is independently chosen by our editors, BuzzFeed and our publishing partners may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. You can read more about how our affiliate partnerships work in our Editorial Standards & Ethics Guide. Shout out to this game-changing biotin shampoo and these elite teeth-whitening pens that get the job done *without* costing a whole lot of money. Note that the AAD recommends using at least SPF 30 and reapplying as needed for skin protection. You can read about sunscreen myths and facts from dermatologists for more information! Check out a TikTok of the collagen sunscreen in action. Promising review: "I am a skincare snob. I spend way too much money on products. But over the last couple of years, I’ve been trying to find a new moisturizer with SPF that doesn’t bankrupt me. I need something that can help my dry skin, protect from the sun, and not irritate my sensitive skin. I was skeptical about this product, never having heard of the brand, but I gave it a try. I am SO thrilled with the results. This moisturizer is BETTER than the $55 alternative I have been using. It moisturizes like a dream. It doesn’t pill. And my sensitive skin loves it. I am THRILLED with my purchase and will definitely be back for more!" —R. Berry Promising review: "This smells heavenly!! I wore it today with the Cheirosa 62, and it smells delicious! I already purchased a second bottle for me and one for my daughter because I know it's going viral, and I don't want to run out! It's already hard to find where I am. To me, this is even better than the Vanilla Cashmere, and that's been my absolute favorite so far." —Heather Mg If the name rings a bell, it's likely because you've used or heard of this brand's beloved under-eye masks!! You can check out Grace & Stella's Amazon page to find those and more high-quality, affordable versions of beauty products. Promising review: "This is a must! Feels like a cloud and way better than a hand towel to dry your face, the perfect self-care product." —Jennifer Get a pack of 60 from Amazon for $8.45. Psst — one dermatologist on TikTok even recommends using it on your armpits to help fight the bacteria that causes body odor! Promising review: "My sisters were constantly raving about this toner, so I decided to try it. Since using it, I’ve realized why they love it so much! My skin went from bumpy and textured to smooth and glowy. My clogged pores have completely disappeared. I’ve already recommended this product to a bunch of my friends, and they love it too! I’ve been using this product for about two months, and it’s still doing wonders. Definitely worth buying!" —Noa May I personally will live, breathe, and die by the magic of "universal" Black Honey version — it lasts FOREVER and also functions as the perfect blush — but it sells out so often that I am also deeply relieved to know it has a cheap alternative in case of lip emergency! Promising review: "I absolutely love this product. The dark color is perfectly sheer. It also adds the most beautiful color to your lips. I am a Clinique Black Honey lip fan, and this gives me the same look for a fraction of the cost. I love it and have several that I keep in various spots. Not sticky either, which is my biggest gripe about lip glosses. My hair doesn’t get stuck in this like some glosses, but I get the shine." —Hamps5 "I searched high and low for this color after I saw it on, guess what ... TikTok! And the creator was right, it’s great for everyone. It’s not too dark or too light. Keeps my lips hydrated with a bit of color and shine. Love it." —Erin C. Get it from Amazon for $8 (also available in six other shades). Read more about how biotin shampoo could help with the fullness of hair at Cleveland Clinic. Maple Holistics is a small business that specializes in beauty products with all-natural ingredients. Check out a TikTok of the biotin shampoo in action. Promising review: "My hair was starting to thin rapidly in my mid-20s. Thankfully, I caught it early. I started using this shampoo regularly, and haven’t done any other treatments. The thinning immediately slowed and eventually stopped. It’s six years later, and I still have a great, full head of hair. Judging by my family history, I should be totally bald by now, and this product is the only thing I've used. I credit this stuff with saving my hair! What a miracle!" —Amazon Customer Psst — reviewers mention this is most effective when paired with a scalp massager to work it into their roots! Promising review: "I am a lotion user every single day. I use face moisturizers that I love. I am over the moon about how good this is. I mainly use it on my neck, hands, and forearms. The difference is amazing. My skin actually feels so good. I wish I could but larger containers of it." —Kimberly P. Promising review: "I am in the beauty industry and have tried almost every mascara there is. From low end to high end, and this one is the ONLY one that meets every need I have in a mascara. The black is so well pigmented, no smudging, buildable, and easy to cleanse off your lashes. Where has this mascara been all my life? I love it!" —Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $12.99 (also available in brown and a curling version). This is designed to work on all hair types, with reviewers with 2b to 4c curls mentioning it worked for them! Promising review: "Like many others, I tried this as a replacement for Olaplex. Honestly, Olaplex never had a great effect on my hair and certainly wasn’t worth the price. This did an unreal job on my hair!! I was skeptical (tried a little bit first because I was petrified it would burn off my hair and I would end up bald!) but, lo and behold, it was magic! My hair is so strong, silky, and healthy-looking after just one use. Plus, you can’t beat the price! Have already ordered another box. I should also add that I have curly/wavy hair that’s been colored to a light brown. Buy it!!" —BB Check out BuzzFeed's full review of the Elizavecca hair treatment for more deets! I bought this after being peer-pressured by all the lovely reviews, and I'm happy to report it lives up to the hype. The scent is lovely — it has depth with a hint of floral, but it's light and not at all overpowering. My favorite thing about it is how easily it pairs with other scents, because I am a body mist gremlin who swaps out her scents every day. The lather is also deeply satisfying, and I feel quite refreshed and squeaky clean without ever feeling dry. Promising review: "Cremo's body wash is nothing short of exceptional. If you’re a fan of luxurious fragrances, this product will quickly become your new favorite. It boasts an incredible scent that perfectly mimics Baccarat Rouge 540 — a fragrance renowned for its sophisticated and captivating aroma. What sets this body wash apart is not just its stunning scent but also its longevity. The fragrance lingers beautifully throughout the day, ensuring you stay enveloped in that luxurious aroma long after your shower." —Ralph D. Thompson II Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in two other scents). (It goes without saying that you don't need to lay your edges if you don't want to, but this is a handy option if you do.) Promising review: "Love this. It doesn’t leave a white cast after it dries and keeps my flyaways tamed. I like the longer wand. No clumps when you take it out of the tube. Easy to apply to your hair. Good value, especially for the brand. I like the rounded slim tube instead of the hard plastic that I’ve gotten before. Functions as it should without the mess." —Myan Espino Promising review: "This product actually works! Very affordable, too. There are a lot of expensive teeth whitening products out there, but why spend extra money when you don't have to? Definitely worth trying!" —Mona L Cureton Get a two-pack from Amazon for $14.49. Dossier is a small business that specializes in alternative, affordable perfumes — check out the rest of their options on their Amazon storefront! Promising review: "Gorgeous scent! I love perfumes, and I’m super picky. I either love or return. This scent is gorgeous. Smells a bit sweet but not overly sweet, not super vanilla, just a hint of it with sophistication. Very soft and sultry. I applied moisturizer (thin, thin layer of Vaseline) and then sprayed perfume. It stayed on my skin for probably over eight hours. I checked my sweater the next day you could easily smell it on my sweater. Definitely worth the money." —Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $28.94+ (available in two sizes). The color-adaptive formula is designed so that one of four shades will work on any skin tone. Promising review: "Took years off my eyes! This product is so reasonably priced. I came across a TikTok promoting this and decided to take a chance since the price was super reasonable. My eyes looked brighter in a good way, and the concealer worked so well that I felt I looked younger. I got compliments from friends asking what I did differently with my makeup. I recommend it." —Monica T. Get it from Amazon for $6 (available in four shades). Good Molecules is a small business that specializes in affordable skincare products. Promising review: "This stuff is amazing!! I put it on every night and morning. I’ve been using it for a little over a month, and you can already tell a difference. My dark circles are hereditary, so I truly thought nothing would work. However, this stuff IS GREAT!" —Shay M. Promising review: "I have not tried the name-brand brush, but grabbed this one to see if the design worked for my hair. Holy defined curls, Batman! I styled pretty much as usual, but used the brush to distribute the product (I use Innersense gel), lifting at the roots and letting the curls bounce after I released. This photo is after breaking the cast with some hair oil. My curls are never this defined and healthy-looking. Don’t think twice about it: your curls need this brush." —Natalie Gonzalez Get it from Amazon for $8.49 (available in four colors). Billion Dollar Brows is a small business that specializes in beauty products. Promising review: "I have found a new eyebrow enhancer powder! I’m blonde, and my eyebrows don’t show up very well. I have tried a lot of colors and products, but the rich, soft color of this one beats them all. Easily glides on, covers my gray brow hairs, and helps my eyebrows frame my face. And this one stays on all day until I wash it off! Well worth the price and the quality surprised me!!" —Pammer Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in five shades and multipacks). You can check out Vaseline's radiant body oils and lotions for more options! Promising review: "I am shocked by how pretty it is and how good it smells. Also, great price and great quality. It’s not too greasy, just really nicely moisturizing :)." —Faith Bremmer Promising review: "Diva, stop letting these influencers sway you into spending your hard-earned (and scarce) beans on $20–$30 subpar lip balms — you’re paying for the brand, and the quality is questionable. ELF KNOCKED THEM BOTH OUTTA THE PARK WITH THIS! SO BUTTERY, SO YUMMY, SOOOOOOO MUCH PRODUCT!!!!! i wasn’t expecting the tube to be so generous in size, by far the biggest amount I've seen from the market. The flavors are divine, the color payoff is even better than Summer Fridays … and it’s only $9, you cannot go wrong. I just can’t fathom any balm being priced above $12, E.l.f. always hits and barely misses. 🩷💋" —SONIA Get it from Amazon for $9 (available in Strawberry Shortcake, Blackberry Sorbet, Java Chip, Vanilla Toffee, Wild Cherry, and Yummy Gummy). Promising review: "Great alternative to the expensive patches. Effectively pulls fluid from acne. There is a lot of variety in sizes and shapes. Will buy again, though this pack looks like it will last a while!" —Peyton Get a pack of 142 from Amazon for $7.99. Check out a TikTok of the marshmallow lip treatment in action. Promising review: "My new must-have! My number one go-to for healing lips was Carmex. This beat it. I love the consistency (very creamy/smooth), it’s not heavily flavored or goopy, and it obviously smells amazing. It isn’t overbearing and also doesn’t keep coating your mouth like the Eos stick balms (still great, but more wax)." —Breanah Shirazi Get it from Amazon for $4.49 (also available in Strawberry Acai). Jerome Alexander is a small business that specializes in airbrush cosmetic products. HELLO — I found this through a recommendation on a Reddit beauty forum for people in their thirties, which mentioned that it performed like Dior's Airflash, and I am OBSESSED. I am not very skilled with makeup and was intimidated by the brush factor, but it's nearly foolproof. This foundation straight-up glosses over my pores and redness and makes my skin look so even-toned and natural that it doesn't look like I used much foundation at all. It's a bit price-y compared to brands I used in the past, but I'm still on my first bottle of it, and it's been three full months. I hope this never stops getting made. It is so lightweight and lovely and has made my makeup routine feel like a TREAT. Promising review: "Bought this because I saw it on TikTok, and it did not disappoint. I love the lightweight feel of it and how easy it is to build." —Smickens Get it from Amazon for $22.99 (available in 12 shades). Promising review: "Excellent for sensitive skin. Instantly helped with redness and hydration. Feels light putting it on and absorbs quickly, no feeling of residue. It has a scent, but it is pleasant and light, and it disappears quickly. I got Pyunkang Yul Calming Moisture Barrier Cream first, which is also excellent for sensitive skin, but now I will use it at night as it's not as light in comparison. Reminds me of Clinique's Moisture Surge line, which might feel similar, but theirs is not good for truly sensitive skin. I recommend it for overly sensitive, oily skin with redness due to past sun damage and or acne." —Anastasia Grinberg Promising review: "I decided to try a lash lift kit to do it at home, since I wanted to save the cost of doing it in a salon. And the truth is that it was an excellent decision! The kit works 100 percent, achieving spectacular results. I loved the ease of use and how I could get raised and defined eyelashes without leaving home. I would definitely recommend it to those looking for an economical and effective alternative to enhance their look." —Roxana Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in three styles of sets). Promising review: "I know you have seen this on TikTok and are wondering if they are worth the hype. They are so just order them. I have so many colors from this brand; they are so easy to apply. Get them." —Milly Get it from Amazon for $9.90 (available in a variety of shades). Promising review: "Love love love this stuff. This is such a stellar product that is so versatile. Can be worn alone to put some glowy life to skin. Add to foundation or layer it. Beautiful. Use it as a base where you put highlighter on top. Mix some with moisturizer. This, in my opinion, is better than so many high-luxury brands that make similar products. And I am pretty sure it can be used by all skin types. It’s not an oily feeling at all, and it doesn’t dry out the skin either. Just a total package. Can’t beat the price either." —Figgy08 Get it from Amazon for $14.91 (available in four shades). Juno & Co. is a small business specializing in personal care and skincare products. Promising review: "I’ve loved the Farmacy Green Clean for many years, but at $30+ for a jar that lasts 1–2 months max, it was a pricey product to buy on a regular basis. I wanted something just as good at a lower price, and I FOUND IT! This cleanser absolutely melts away makeup and deep cleans the skin without any drying or eye irritation! It smells great and a little goes a loooonng way — I’m in love!" —Amazon Customer Promising review: "I've been using the Vitamin C Face Serum for a few weeks now, and I’m absolutely in love with it! My skin feels so much smoother and brighter, and I’ve noticed a significant reduction in the dark spots I’ve been struggling with. The serum absorbs quickly, leaving no greasy residue, and it has a lovely, light scent. My complexion is looking more even, and I can see a visible improvement in my skin tone. I also appreciate how gentle it is on my skin, with no irritation at all. This serum has quickly become a must-have in my skincare routine! Highly recommend for anyone looking to tackle dark spots and brighten their skin." —Patricia D. Promising review: "I have super frizzy, curly hair and live in New England, where we have super humid summers. I have been struggling to find a product that de-frizzes my hair without making it look oiled down, and this is it. I put it in my wet hair after washing, towel-dried, and put my hair in a ponytail to go to work. My hair was frizz-free all night — even working outside in high humidity. People even asked if I did something to my hair! This is an amazing product for the price. Absolutely buying again and would recommend to anyone with a frizz issue." —Marissa Get it from Amazon for $4.22 (also available in a two-pack). Promising review: "I really like this shampoo. It’s not overly scented like some clarifying shampoos can be, and it makes my scalp feel so clean without drying my (already dry) hair out. Def recommend this. This is a good brand of shampoo all around. I tried the one for dry hair, and it smells so good and makes my hair really soft." —Abigail Peach Slices is a small business that specializes in affordable skincare products. Promising review: "I use these once a week and they really help my huge nose pores look way smaller and cleaner. The first time, I still had some oil and gunk in my pores, but the second time, I had even less. By the third time I used them, the only oil was on the patch, and my nose has never looked better. My pores appear smaller and my nose is smoother." —Sarah Cavasos Get a pack of seven from Amazon for $9.88. Promising review: "Love these! Stylish, easy, comfortable, price is good, beautiful, and strong enough to hold all my hair!!!" —Emily Davis Get a set of three from Amazon for $6.89 (available in four sets and also in sets of five). Check out a TikTok of the Magic Shaper Face Cream Palette in action. Promising review: "I love this palette. The blush is so pigmented and so are the bronzers. Good travel size. I am a professional makeup artist who travels weekly and it’s easy to throw into my touch up kit for backstage too, as it doesn’t take up much room and is very light." —Deja Victoria Seif Promising review: "I have combination skin and the Tatcha Rice Wash is the only thing I can use. I was gonna spend my last few dollars on the Tatcha but then I saw this. With the price I thought if it doesn’t work, it isn’t a huge deal. I’m never going back, this is like the exact same thing and you barely need any, the scent is the only difference besides it being a bit thicker BUT THAT'S GOOD because it’s BARELY thicker AND that means even less goes a much longer way. This is a holy grail item. If you haven’t tried it, I soooo highly recommend." —Lingaling Get it from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in two sizes). Here's what BuzzFeeder Elizabeth Lilly has to say about them: "I own multiple sets of these and even pack them when I travel because I never want to sleep on a cotton pillowcase again after getting used to these beauts." Promising review: "My hair has never been better! I got this because of TikTok and it has done wonders for my hair. My hair isn’t frizzy or dull-looking when I get up in the morning." —Aaron Key "These are really nice — perfect price point too. There's no difference between these and the same pillowcases from Kitsch at three times the price." —Keri Get a set of two from Amazon for $8.99 (available in 36 colors and four sizes). * TikTok Beauty Products You’ll Use Every Last Little Drop Of * Helpful Products For People Who Think They Suck At Makeup * Beauty Products So Good, Reviewers Say They “Can’t Live Without” Them * Sensitive Skin–Friendly Beauty Products You’ll Be So Glad You Own * Korean Beauty Products You Probably Haven’t Heard Of Yet But Should Totally Try This Spring * Problem-Solving Beauty Products For Those Issues You Didn’t Even Know Had Legit Solutions * Beauty Products That'll Help With Upkeep Without Costing A Fortune * Beauty Products That Work So Well, Reviewers Called Them “Wizardry,” “Sorcery” Or Just Plain “Magic” Plus, cosmetic bags, concealers, waterproof mascaras, and finds from Sephora, Soko Glam, and Ulta. Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity. BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way. Emma Lord is a Senior Shopping Writer at BuzzFeed with 10 years of experience in lifestyle writing that specializes in a broad range of topics, including beauty, cleaning, fashion, personal care, home, fitness, and her beloved “TikTok made me buy it.” You can usually find her grilling her pals on their latest must-have products, giving a fake name at the local Taco Bell after eating there for the fourth day in a row, or talking everyone's ears off about the magic of New York City.