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Jun 19, 2023

36 Beauty Products Under $25 With Jaw

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed collects a share of sales and/or other compensation

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed collects a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.

When the $5 mascara works better than the one you paid 4x as much for 😲.

BuzzFeed Staff

Promising review: "Right out of the box I could tell these mitts were going to be exactly what I needed. Excellent quality and easy to use! I’ve tried them twice already and my skin is now incredibly smooth! After I scrubbed my arm, I looked at the mitt and saw it was covered with dead skin cells. I’ll be buying more of these as gifts for girlfriends (in a fun spa gift basket)!" —Danielle Gill

Get it from Amazon for $6.99.

Read our Elizavecca CER-100 Collagen Coating Hair Protein Treatment review to learn more about why my colleague calls it "the miracle product I've been searching for."

Promising review: "I have 4c hair and was looking for a protein treatment for my thin and fragile hair. I had recently used a product in my hair that had so much alcohol in it; that wreaked havoc on my hair, leaving it pretty damaged. I was very skeptical about this product because I have never seen anyone with my hair type use it. Boy was I wrong to doubt this product, it left my hair looking and feeling beautiful. I highly recommend it to anyone natural or with curly hair." —Therese-Claire

Get it from Amazon for $7.25.

Promising review: "I had peeling, weak nails for years. Tried everything. I bought this in February. This size bottle lasted a bit more than a month with me religiously applying it two to three times a day. I was really seeing great improvement, so I bought another bottle in late March. By May, all the peeling had grown out and my nails were getting stronger every day. I then bought the big 4-ounce refill bottle because I never want to run out of it again! Cannot recommend this stuff enough!" —Diana

Get it from Amazon for $9.90+ (available in three sizes).

Promising review: "Very pretty color. Lasts a long time, doesn't smudge when dry, and when I think I need to reapply, I can just put a new coat over it, and looks good as new. Love it!" —Shawn

Get it from Amazon for $9.70+ (available in 29 shades).

Promising review: "This is smooth, blends well with foundation, and feels good on the skin. Sets well with powder. I sometimes wear it alone for a little smoother look. Since it's colorless, it doesn't look like foundation. The price is great and I've yet to see it in a store. I like that I can control how much to apply, and a little goes a long way. It appears to wash off well. Will be buying it again." —Momma Bee

Get it from Amazon for $9.

The kit includes eight Zombie Pack sets (powder and activator), plus one applicator brush!

Promising review: "When you put it on, the smell hits you hard. As it is on your face the smell is not too bad and the mask tingles as it dries. Wash it off and reveal clean, smooth skin. Plus fun to take pictures looking like a cracked mess." —raine

Get an eight-pack from Amazon for $15.95.

Promising review: "Holy grail mascara! I've used this mascara for about three years now and it still tops any other mascara I've tried. It will transfer if you apply it to your lower lashes, so I use a different mascara for my bottom lashes, which I don't mind at all. I always get asked if I'm wearing falsies! It's a mascara that stays wet longer, so I always apply one coat, let it get tacky, then apply a second coat for best results." —Joseph Gonzalez

Get it from Amazon for $4.99.

Promising review: "I ordered these on a whim after a long day of isolation and internet browsing and because I have a terrible habit of picking at spots on my face and making them into something much much worse. These magical spots are life-changing!!! Put them on before bed (or before work) on clean skin and FORGET about them. You don't notice they're there — unless you go to pick at something and then YOU STOP!! Leave them in place for at least six hours and then peel them off. They come off easily (but not so easy that they come off while sleeping) and the amount of 'bleck' they suck out is amazing!!! So a spot that was going to erupt into Mount Vesuvius ends up being NOTHING!!!! I've purchased six packages and will keep buying them. An amazing value!" —Jennifer Nothdurft

Get a 40-pack from Amazon for $8.49 and an eight-pack of the large patches for $8.49.

The set comes with two double-ended pens. Each pen has one side with the wing stamp, and the other with a traditional liquid eyeliner tip.

Promising review: "Eyeliner was the most tedious part of my makeup routine, but the flick stick makes me look forward to doing my liner without having the stress of messing it up with my shaky hands." —Zehra Ali

Get it from Amazon for $12.72+ (available in three sizes and a combo pack).

Kulfi Beauty (named for a type of South Asian ice cream) is a woman-owned small biz that Priyanka Ganjoo founded after spending years working in the beauty industry without ever seeing herself represented. Their mission is all about creating space for self-expression, particularly within the South Asian community, and all of their products are made with the skin concerns of WOC in mind.

Promising review: "This product glides on so smoothly and stays on all day, even on oily lids. The colors also look fantastic on brown skin! I just repurchased a couple of shades; I’m never using another liner." —Devika S.

Get it from Kulfi Beauty or Sephora for $20 (available in six colors).

Check out our TruSkin Vitamin C Serum deep dive for more info!

Promising review: "This stuff is amazing! I am 39 and have dark spots in my face from sun damage and some scarring from cystic acne. Holy cow, this has lightened my dark spots by at least 75%. Honestly a miracle. And for the price! Other brands are four times the price. Try this out for sure. Stick to it and give it some time. I saw an amazing difference, so so happy with it. Also, some of the best customer service I’ve ever had." —Ashley F.

Get it from Amazon for $21.97+ (available in two sizes).

Promising review: "So I have keratosis pilaris on my bum and have been always super self-conscious about it. I’ve used this product five to eight times and they are seriously like GONE. It’s soooo smooth now and I’m super happy. It does say to use once a week but I’ve just been using it every time I shower (which is almost every day LOL). I only use a dime-size amount and it’s able to cover my bum and some of my legs. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who also has pesky bumps on their body. Also, this product has no scent, which is a plus for anyone who has sensitive skin!!" —Ang M

Get it from Amazon for $12+ (available in three sizes).

The Lip Bar founder Melissa Butler presented to the Sharks in season 6 of Shark Tank and was actually turned down. But that didn't stop her from growing a mighty beauty empire of vegan and cruelty-free products that celebrates diversity in all its forms.

This is one of BuzzFeed editor Kayla Boyd's (pictured above) go-to lipsticks:

"I use The Lip Bar's matte liquid lipsticks often and the formula is truly incredible. It hardly budges at all throughout the day, the pigment is bomb, AND it doesn't dry out my lips at all — which is really difficult to find in a matte lipstick."

Get it from Target for $16.99 (available in 14 colors).

Promising review: "Amazing! I have very oily skin and I’m always shiny. I hate those blotting papers; this is so much better! I roll it all over my face several times a day and in seconds my skin is matte again. Also, it’s like a nice little face massage when I do it. It is super easy to take apart to clean, and after using hot water and my facial cleanser it is dry pretty quick, though I usually just let it sit out overnight. Highly recommend!! I’m going to buy more so I can leave them all over — purse, diaper bag, bathroom, car!" —Brooke Burns

Get it from Amazon for $13.45.

Promising review: "I never ever write reviews. I have tried every eye cream out there. Not one does what is says. This was immediate! I saw softening of my wrinkles and crow's feet. It’s amazing. I will be buying this again and again." —melisa delaney

Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in three sizes).

Promising review: "Took me a little while to figure out the right angle to use this effectively but once I did it worked like a charm. I’ve used it for shaping eyebrows and managing the little bit of blonde peach fuzz I have on my upper lip. I haven’t tried it anywhere else but no bad reactions or pain, and relatively easy to maneuver with a bit of practice." —Kelly G.

Get a three-pack from Amazon for $5.94.

Promising review: "Don’t need no boys in my life except Boy Brow. GET THIS. It tames your brows, thickens, and looks so natural. LOVE." —Lila

Get it from Glossier or Sephora for $17 (available in five shades).

Just presoak your feet, apply the gel, let sit for five to 10 minutes, and rinse! It's recommended you go back in afterward with a foot file just to make sure no residue or dead skin is left behind.

Promising review: "I have the driest heels and this is the ONLY product that has ever worked. Before I used this my heels had some pretty deep cracks and now they're almost baby soft again. BUT please follow the directions...left it on my super-dry thick-calloused heels for only three minutes and the callouses were literally melting off! Wonderful product! So glad I don't have to go soak my feet in those tubs at the nail salon anymore." —Kiki

Get it from Amazon for $14.99.

Shine in a silicone-free product?! Dreams really do come true.

Promising review: "OMG!!! Most amazing hair treatment I’ve ever used in my entire life. Most hair masks weigh my hair down but since this is a water, it makes it SO soft and bouncy. I’m obsessed and will keep buying. Holy grail." —Natasha

Get it from Amazon for $9.87.

Mad Rabbit was found by college friends Oliver Zak and Selom Agbitor after seeing a gap in the market for all-natural products to heal, protect and enhance tattoos. They pitched their tattoo salve in season 12 of Shark Tank.

Promising review: "Product was awesome. It rejuvenated a 5-year-old tattoo and made it look like new again. Mad Rabbit absorbed into the skin very easily without being greasy." —Janson Ward

Get it from Amazon for $18.99 (available in two scents).

Promising review: "This little tube has changed my life. For going on 12 years I've had almost nonstop chapped, cracked, and peeling lips. It doesn't seem to matter the season or even be related to time spent outdoors. I'd just learned to live with it and cringe when I'd see close-ups of my face. I happened upon a post in a women's hiker forum and this brand was heavily recommended. For the first time in many years I can smile without my lips hurting and can eat without them burning. It stays on even after brushing my teeth. It's so nice to feel soft lips again after all these years." —Bluebearee

Get it from Amazon for $10 (available in six flavors).

Promising review: "I bought this on a whim when I saw someone review it on TikTok. After using it several times over the course of a week, I immediately noticed the difference in the color of my teeth. I'm a smoker and a heavy coffee drinker. I'm finding that this product will be a lifesaver in terms of what my smile looks like. I would definitely recommend!!" —Mully

Get a two-pack from Amazon for $19.95.

Promising review: “I love this concealer! I am pale and the brightener has a slight pink undertone, so it works well to cancel out any darkness under my eyes, but also works as a concealer too. It doesn’t feel dry under my eyes. I always have a hard time finding a concealer that I love because most make my under eyes look dry/cakey even though they seem well moisturized before. I love how well this conceals but still feels so lightweight!" —Lover Of All Things Beauty

Get it from Amazon for $8.99 (available in 15 shades).

Promising review: "After just two days of use, this adorable little octopus has done wonders for me, smells great too. Here's how I used it: I wore down the stick just a little to where the texture from the salt is visible, scrubbed around on my face so there was plenty of product, then I used my fingers to gently massage all the gunk away. Rinse, pat dry, and enjoy the softness. Highly recommended for people with sensitive skin like myself." —LuckLocust

Get it from Amazon for $12.50.

Pretty Fab Nails is a Florida-based Etsy shop creating bright and bold nail wraps to upgrade your at-home manicure game.

Promising review: "Put them on before my trip to Florida — spent a day at Discovery Cove and multiple days swimming in the pool at our resort and they held up remarkably well. Definitely would recommend and will definitely purchase more." —Jaclyn

Get a 20-pack from Pretty Fab Nails on Etsy for $7.99.

Promising review: "I cannot believe how well this is working! I've been using it consistently every night with moisturizer for one week and I'm already seeing drastic results to smooth out my cystic acne scars on my cheeks! I'm so excited that I've found something that doesn't break out my acne-prone, eczema-prone, highly sensitive skin." —Emily Hill

Get it from Amazon for $21.97.

Promising review: "I love this shampoo! I had gastric sleeve surgery and my hair was very, very thin. I started taking biotin and switched to biotin shampoo as recommended by my doctor. It doesn’t make your hair grow by washing it, but it makes your hair and roots stronger. And it worked. After I used the whole bottle, my hair was stronger. I had a lot of new growth that was sticking around (the previous new growth fell out early on), and my hair was getting thicker. Eight months later, my hair is back to normal. It's longer and thicker than ever. I still use it twice a week and love it! I don't love the way it smells, but others love it when they smell my hair." —Diane J. Huff

Get it from Amazon for $11.95.

Promising review: "After just about three weeks of use I’ve seen such a positive change in both the evenness of time and of the texture of my skin. Melasma and acne scarring have faded pretty dramatically — I don’t even bother putting on foundation when I do my makeup in the morning. The oil is so lightweight and doesn’t exacerbate my already oily complexion." —L T C

Get it from Amazon for $9.99.

Psst! You can use this on DRY hair *and* would you just look at that price!

Promising review: "I'm very impressed with this product! I have badly damaged hair like a bird's nest due to frequent hair coloring, Japanese perm, and hot tools for styling. I was at first reluctant to buy this since it was so cheap and I normally use expensive salon brands. Since I've been using so many products and it didn't take away the tangle or frizz very well, I decided to purchase this product based on its high reviews. I am so glad I did! It got rid of my tangles and made my hair very soft and smooth. Just because it's cheap doesn't mean it won't work as well. In this case it worked spectacularly! I am also impressed with the smell. I am very allergic to perfume and this has a very light, fruity smell that didn't cause me to sneeze." —honeydew

Get it from Amazon for $4.97.

For best results, you should apply the cream after washing your hands, after showering, and at bedtime.

Promising review: "This stuff is brilliant! My hands were extremely dry, and cracked and bleeding (Constantly washing hands for work, and freezing temps). A few people suggested this to me, and I figured it was worth a shot, so I ordered it. OMG! THIS STUFF IS AMAZING! The day after application, the difference was incredible. My hands were still red, but not as raw. And the cracks were much lessened. By the fifth day you could barely even tell they were cracked n dry. MUST BUY." —Maureen Buckley

Get it from Amazon for $9.98.

Promising review: "I was very surprised by how well this product works. I’ve been using it once a day every day for the past month and it really has made a difference. Exfoliating wasn’t enough for my skin and I don’t like to sit there pulling out my ingrown hairs. It smells like alcohol but I was very surprised by how it leaves my skin. It does not dry it out, leaves it moisturized and my ingrowns have been reducing." —Krystle

Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in two sizes).

Promising review: "Loved how it fully cover my blemishes without the caked on feeling. It always made my skin look moisturized and glowy." —Melinda Phillippee

Get it from Amazon for $7.44 (available in five shades).

Live Tinted started with a viral video of founder Deepica Mutyala using red lipstick as a color corrector. Created based on feedback from the subsequent online community, Live Tinted now has a range of Multisticks that can be used as a color corrector to balance discoloration under makeup and as an eyeshadow, blush, and lipstick.

Promising review: "I use the Huestick in Origin as a color corrector under my eyes and it works great! It is smooth, blends easily, and is covered up easily with concealer." —Shivani

Get it from Ulta Beauty for $24 (available in five colors).

Promising review: "This is the best eyeshadow primer I have ever purchased! I was on the fence as other primers have left my eyes feeling sticky or heavy, and after long periods of time I still tend to get creases. Not with this primer. A little goes a long way with this primer. It lasts all day, and I have even gone to work a few times still wearing 'last night's makeup' because it holds so well. I am amazed with the quality for the price — and even though the tube is small it has lasted me a little over a year since I only have to use such small amounts." —nasty-otter

Get it from Amazon for $13.99.

Promising review: "I have used many different setting sprays before but this one is a reorder for me. It is a beautiful, high-quality setting spray that truly delivers on the promise of hydration and dewy skin. I spray it on after my moisturizer, wait a minute, apply makeup, and spray again. It gives me that airbrush, blended finish that I so love. The ingredients are natural and nontoxic for the skin. Love Love this spray...I would recommend this to anybody who wants a flawless look!!" —noemi

Get it from Amazon for $15.95.

Promising review: "This product helped clear my skin after I struggled with many other products. I was struggling with what I thought was milia on my forehead. I have tried exfoliating with all sorts of different products. I read a review on Reddit and thought I would give it a try. So glad I did. I put this on and saw results in on night. I honestly love how well this product worked for me." —Nicola

Get it from Amazon for $13+ (available in two sizes).

The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.