The world of beauty, skincare, and cosmetics can be pretty dazzling. These products fix the things we want to fix, hide the imperfections, and if we’re honest, we’ll admit that they help make us feel our best. The world of beauty is a pretty big place, and the sheer amount of choices can feel overwhelming. Undoubtedly, there are plenty of high-end beauty products that always deliver, but their premium price points might leave a little to be desired. You’ll be happy to know, however, that there are plenty more beauty powerhouses that perform just as well, if not better, and they’re surprisingly budget-friendly. Let’s take a look at 10 beauty must-haves that you can score for $5 or less.
Maybelline Great Lash Mascara
$4.28
Not only has Maybelline great lash won the Allure Reader’s Choice award, but rumor has it that it’s one of the best-kept secrets among celebrity makeup artists too. The best part is that this mascara never fails to deliver, and it’s a steal at $4.28.
NYX Butter Gloss
$4.97
With thousands of 5-star reviews on Amazon, NYX’s Butter Gloss has essentially risen to cult-classic status. This lightweight lip formula offers sheer to medium coverage, it’s featherproof, and most importantly, it’s not sticky. Another great thing about this gloss is that there are tons of color options, and coming in at $4.97, you can grab as many as you want!
Maybelline Fit Me Foundation
$3.46
Maybelline’s Fit Me foundation is another highly-rated fan favorite that makes this list of beauty must-haves. Formulated for normal to oily skin, this foundation comes in a whopping 40 shades, and it offers light, buildable coverage with an all-day matte finish. Coming in at $3.46, this one is hard to beat.
Body Brush
$4.49
While research on the real benefits of dry brushing remains limited, there’s no denying that adding this to your normal skincare routine will remove dead skin and polish your skin to a healthy glow. The good news is you can add dry brushing to your beauty routine for less than $5. This body brush fits into the palm of your hand for better control, and it’s travel-friendly.
Makeup Brush Cleaner
$4.99
Even a cursory Google search will tell you that cleaning your makeup brushes is a crucial part of your skincare routine. The ugly truth is that makeup brushes are notorious for harboring germs and bacteria, and if you’re not careful, dirty brushes can lead to breakouts. To help you keep your brushes clean, grab this makeup brush cleaner for under $5. Made of silicone, this brush cleaning mat has four different textures to clean various types of brushes without damaging them. Choose from four colors.
Vaseline
$1.99
Vaseline Petroleum Jelly is basically a one-and-done type of beauty product. From soothing chapped lips to healing cuts, this little jar of magic does it all. For just under $2, you have long-lasting moisturization that’s neither sticky nor greasy; this is certainly a must-have in any beauty bag.
The Ordinary Primer
$4.90
Primers are definitely a beauty must-have; they keep your makeup from sliding and also prevent it from settling in the wrong places. Lucky for you, a good primer doesn’t have to cost a fortune. For less than $5, this primer by The Ordinary locks your makeup in place, and it also does the heavy lifting to minimize the look of enlarged pores and other imperfections.
Dickinson’s Original Witch Hazel Pore Perfecting Toner
$4.48
Toners make a great addition to any skincare routine, but many women tend to skip them due to the misconception that toners are an unnecessary expense or overly harsh. Dickinson’s Witch Hazel blows those two myths right out of the water. Made with 100% natural distilled witch hazel, this toner cleanses and conditions your pores and balances your skin leaving behind a fresh glow. Even better, this skincare powerhouse retails for just $4.48.
Almay Eye Makeup Remover
$4.19
A good eye makeup remover is crucial, and this one by Almay won’t bust any budgets. Formulated with a botanical blend of aloe, cucumber, and green tea, this eye makeup remover is soothing to your skin, and it gently sweeps away any remaining traces of makeup your cleanser may leave behind. What’s more, it’s hypoallergenic and suitable for all skin types.
Simple Kind To Skin Micellar Cleansing Water
$4.99
Micellar water is another beauty bag superstar that does a great deal for your skin without pulling too hard on the purse strings. Formulated with Vitamin B3, Vitamin C, and triple purified water, his budget-friendly micellar water removes dirt and irritants, leaving your skin feeling fresh and clean. This micellar water boosts hydration up to 90%. Plus, there are no dyes, harsh chemicals, or fragrances, so it’s even great for sensitive skin.
