10 Budget Beauty Products That’ll Have You Looking Fresh and Savin’ Cash
The Simpsons had a makeup line inspired by the show. You can still find some of the collectible pieces online. It was released in collaboration with the cosmetics brand MAC. The collection was not necessarily budget-friendly, but it was a true masterpiece, depicting the influence of the series on pop culture as a whole.
Whether you are a fan of The Simpsons or not, just keep in mind that there are a lot of affordable beauty masterpieces out there, and we did some thorough research on the top 10 products. They can help you achieve your desired look without breaking the bank.
1. This blush will give you a kind of sun-kissed look, making your skin look warm and glowy.
This blush is nice and sheer with a glowy finish. It comes in 12 shades. A hand mirror and a little brush are included, and it’s cruelty-free.
A little tip for better application:
You need to apply the blush with a brush, starting at the apple of your cheek. Then gently swipe up and away. The formula is buildable, so you can create a natural or more intense look.
Pros:
- Beautiful colors
- Nice texture
Cons:
- The blush box is hard to open
Promising review:
I’ve been using this exact blush for years, and I hate that sometimes it’s difficult to find. I love how pretty it looks! It stays on all day, and the color is so cute.
I love that it leaves your cheeks glowing. You don’t even really need a highlighter with how glowy this blush is. I could never go back to using a matte blush. — Ashlyn
2. Give these cute, versatile, and compact makeup sticks a try: contour, blush, highlighter, and concealer.
These little guys are ultra-blendable and have a velvety cream-to-powder formula. With the shape of the stick, you can stay in control and apply your makeup with ease and precision. It is also long-wearing and cruelty-free.
Pros:
- You can apply it over the foundation without taking your makeup off.
- Smooth and creamy texture
- Gives you a very natural look
Cons:
- The texture is also oily
- Not too brightly-colored
Promising review:
I’ve seen a few reviews/makeup demos online about the Wet n wild Megaglo makeup sticks, so I had to give them a try. Really solid color but subtle on the skin, blends well, and gives great definition. I love! — Emma Lennon
3. For those wanting bolder and brighter brows, this tinted brow mascara will be the perfect choice.
This product gives you a laminated brow effect with a natural-looking finish. There will be no residue left over, and it also doesn’t stiffen the hair. Cruelty-free.
Pros:
- The color and brush are good quality.
- It is easy to blend in.
Cons:
- It will take a bit of scrubbing around the brow to get the wrongly applied product off.
- The actual shade may be a tad different from the picture.
Promising review:
I was skeptical because when I opened it, it seemed like the product was dried out, but once I applied it to my eyebrows, a subtle amount of product came out. I was fine with just one application, but I decided to put on 2 coats to see how it would look, and to my surprise, it came out looking totally natural after I brushed my eyebrows! I got the black tint, and when I opened it, I was skeptical because it looked like my brown one (the brown one is the Elf brand and doesn’t blend in naturally with my eyebrows).
Still, when I put on the first application, it blended in naturally with my eyebrows! I was surprised. I’ve been trying to find one that matches my eyebrows (black) and finally found this after searching for years! I love it and will definitely buy it again from now on! — Melisa
4. A super-lustrous lipstick with moisturizing qualities will be there when you need to take care of your lips, as well as spruce them up.
This product is infused with vitamin E and avocado oil. It is extremely lightweight and vibrant. You can choose between 4 finishes: classic super-lustrous in cream or pearl, super-lustrous, luscious mattes, or super-lustrous glass shine. And there are over 130 beautiful shades — lots to choose from.
Pros:
- It does not dry and peel on your lips.
- Has a bright pop of color.
- Feels very creamy on the lips.
Cons:
- Colors may differ slightly from their pictures.
- The taste can feel a little “fruit-soapy” (as one of the reviewers shared).
Promising review:
I have used this lipstick for many years. I love the way it feels on my lips. I use natural or light colors. It stays on for long periods of time. — Amazon Customer
5. Put on this concealer. It blends really well into your skin to efficiently cover what’s needed.
The product can cover dark circles and visually minimizes fine lines. These concealers are crease-resistant and have a creamy, yet lightweight texture. There are a lot of natural-looking shades to choose from.
Pros:
- Comes with a comfy applicator
- Long-lasting
Cons:
- The actual shade may differ from its picture
Promising review:
This concealer goes on smoothly with a soft brush applicator. Takes well to the firming gel I put on top, and it blends well with my make-up. I don’t know if it is supposed to, but it has a little firming action too. — Amazon Customer
6. A tiny bit of this highlighting product can go a long way and give you a silky-smooth pearly look.
This baked highlighter with micro-fine pearls creates a multidimensional, light-catching effect. It is enriched with vitamin E, murumuru seed butter, shea butter, and argan oil. Cruelty-free.
Pros:
- Very shimmery
- Nicely pigmented
Cons:
- The actual shade of the product may be a little different from its picture
- Easy to wipe off
Promising review:
Was looking for a new highlight when I stumbled upon this beauty. I have loved using it. Goes on effortlessly. Works well with my skin tone.
Highly recommend using it. It was also at a very reasonable price. Definitely will buy it again when I run out. — Reyna
7. Your lips will look impeccable with this creamy lipstick that creates a plush texture, and it will last quite a long time too.
This soft, matte lip cream gives you lightweight coverage that will never feel dry. It also has a soft and sweet scent. Cruelty-free.
Pros:
- Stays on for a long time.
- Feels nice on your lips.
Cons:
- The actual shade may differ from the pics (according to multiple reviewers).
- There’s not a lot in the bottle.
Promising review:
I hadn’t seen someone as fair as me review the nude colors, so I thought it might be helpful to some other pasties out there, lol. These shades are gorgeous, and the matte creams are much pinker than they seem. I’m excited to create some new lip combos!
These aren’t transfer-proof, but they feel really nice on the lips and don’t get all dry and crusty like other ones (I’m lookin at you, Kylie and Colourpop). The glosses are great for topping off your look! I’d definitely recommend :). — Rachel
8. This silky, skin-perfecting primer makes your skin look poreless and can last all day long.
This product will be equally perfect for a photo shoot and your everyday life. One time it even went viral. Your skin will feel silky and good to the touch without our makeup looking caked on.
Pros:
- Good coverage
- Efficiently blurs your pores
Cons:
- It is important to thoroughly wash the product off before bedtime (to be sure not to break out)
Promising review:
First time trying this and wow, did it blur my pores! I was really impressed. I’m 56 and do not have great skin. Medium pores, dark spots, just aging skin. But this really did wonders for coverage. — tracy cox
9. This color-changing lipstick has a unique shape, which makes it super easy to apply, and it is also conveniently waterproof.
The sparkly lipstick will create an exceptionally shiny effect. When you apply it on your lips, it shows a light color, and after 3 minutes of waiting, it will magically change. Purple will become pink, and light orange — creamy orange.
Pros:
- Moisturizing effect
- Long-lasting
Cons:
- The colors may differ slightly from the product’s photo.
Promising review:
Excellent hydration and lasts a long time. — Tathyale Bravo
10. And to logically conclude our list, here is a non-comedogenic solution that will be a blessing when you need to clean off all the gorgeous products that are shown above.
This cleanser will be a great addition to your beauty routine. You can use it alongside your other cleansing products. It removes surface oils, dirt, and makeup without over drying your skin.
Pros:
- It will clean your face very well
- It does not leave any residue
- The pump system gets most of the product out
Cons:
- Has a strong smell
- There is no exfoliant in the product
Promising review:
Love this product. I have very sensitive skin, and this product works way better than the one for sensitive skin. There is no irritation at all.
I have oily skin, and it works great. I keep buying it since I love it. — Melissa
We hope you liked our picks of the best affordable beauty products. And we have lots more budget-friendly products up our sleeve that will have you looking like a million bucks (without actually spending it).
Bright Side gets commissions for purchases made through the links in this post. All prices are valid at the time of publication. Reviews could have been edited for length and clarity.