The bottom shelves of beauty aisles used to mean bad products. You’d find chalky foundations, sticky lip glosses and lotion that smelled like a hospital. Luckily that old era is passing, and now most products look like they cost a fortune thanks to new design. They also contain actual ingredients like niacinamide, squalane, and peptides. Check out the body cream that everyone thinks costs $50….amazing,
1. A Gel Foaming Cleanser With Hyaluronic Acid for Hydrated Skin
e.l.f. SKIN Holy Hydration! Daily Cleanser Mini
See price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Foaming cleansers generally fall into two categories: those that are too squeaky clean and those that are not effective enough. This gel-to-foam formula encompasses both sides, and gives a nice balance. The foam is nice and light, and of course rinses off easily, without that post-wash tight feeling. Hyaluronic acid and ceramides offer quiet maintenance as the gel cleans off sunscreen, mascara, and the everyday grime of the week. The mini size is also great for traveling. At less than $5, that’s even better. This cleanser is vegan with a Leaping Bunny certification, and it is also small enough to carry in your gym bag or carry-on without getting questioned by TSA. It’s a great starter cleanser for your cabinet or as a back up in your restroom.
2. A Hydrating Concealer That Covers Dark Circles Without Creasing
e.l.f. Hydrating Camo ConcealerSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Usually, drugstore concealers settle into fine lines by lunchtime, but this one does not. After application, the formula remains workable for some time, allowing you to blend it into the under-eye area without racing against time. Fair Rose has a leaning pink undertone, which is useful for canceling out the blue-green tones that show up after a rough night. The finish of the product is satin, meaning it is not matte or dewy, just skin-like. The coverage is full, but it is not cakey. The product is also hydrating, and holds up enough so that it does not cling to dry patches around the nose. It is vegan, double certified cruelty-free, and under ten dollars. This is the kind of base product that you keep repurchasing without giving it a second thought.
3. A Tinted Lip Oil That Doubles as a Glossy Stain
NOONI Korean Lip OilSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Most lip oils promise to hydrate lips while also adding some tint, but most fail to provide the hydration. This Korean formula does it differently. With the aid of apple seed oil and raspberry fruit extract, it creates a non-tacky gloss that doesn’t become sticky after 10 minutes (a common lip oil fail). The Applepeony shade is a soft pinkish-red that gives the effect of popsicle stains on lips. The scent is light, and the plumping is most likely from the oil’s cushioning rather than any stinging. The doe-foot applicator is large so one swipe will cover the entire lip. It’s pocket size, and at less than five dollars, it’s the perfect price for a stocking stuffer!
4. Small, Travel-Friendly Brush Built for Precise Under-Eye Concealer Application
1Pc Concealer Brush for Under Eye Face (1 Pieces)See price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Small brushes are used for specific applications, and this one was designed for the half-inch of real estate under your eye. Its head is narrow, slightly tapered, and densely packed to push liquid concealer into the inner corner without dragging. The synthetic bristles are soft, so there is no scratchiness on the thinnest skin of your face. It also works for spot-concealing a pimple, or blending out nose contour if that’s your thing. It has a black handle, is travel-friendly in terms of length, and there’s nothing precious about it. It’s a tool you throw in your makeup bag and forget about. For less than five dollars in most listings, it’s the kind of low-stakes purchase that means you can stop using your ring finger and wondering why there is patchiness in your coverage by noon.
5. Collagen Eye Patches That Target Dark Circles and Puffiness
Deluxe Collagen Eye Mask Collagen Pads (2 Pack)See price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Get ready for some math! You’ll get sixty under-eye patches the price of one fancy single-use sachet. These patches are a drugstore must-have. The cooling hydrogel feels refreshing on your skin which is great at 7am after only getting 4 hours of sleep. Collagen does the firming work, and the gel helps moisturizes the skin under your eyes. Do you think these under-eye patches will get rid of the dark circles from your late nights? Of course not! However, they do de-puff the bags under your eyes so concealer won’t make you look like you have cracked spackle. You can also keep these in the fridge for an extra cooling sensation! You can do work and answer emails while using these patches. Nobody has to know!
6. Two-Step Korean Cleansing Duo With Rice Water and Ceramide
The Face Shop Rice Water Bright DoubleSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
The first thought about double cleansing may be, “Ugh, what a chore!” but trust me, it’s worth it. Oil cleanser, then a foaming cleanser. In all, it takes about 90 seconds. The cleansing oil? It breaks down even the most stubborn waterproof mascara and sunscreen, while leaving no greasy film behind. The foaming cleanser, which whips up a nice, dense, and pillowy foam, takes care of the oil cleanser and any residue that it may have left behind. Both of these sets of formulas contain a K-beauty staple, rice water plus ceramide, that protects your skin from feeling dry or stripped. They also have Vitamins A, B, and E to help improve your skin’s glow. The gentle, vegan formula is both dermatologist-tested and safe for sensitive skin. This is an absolute must-have as a first step into glorious two-step cleansing that so many people raving about good skin tend to mention.
7. Hydrogel Under-Eye Patches That Cool, Hydrate, and De-Puff
SANZHUAN Collagen Eye MaskSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
At Sephora, you could buy a single sheet mask, or, for the same price, you could get thirty pairs of hydrogel patches. And before you say anything, the math really checks out here. At 7 AM, when out faces are looking less than their best, the coldness of the gel patch paired with the collagen-infused gel is definitely appealing. The patch does have some actual ingredients for help with under-eye puffiness, and fine line smoothing. The patches are designed to not slide down your cheekbones, and instead stick to your skin so you can leave them on for 15 minutes while answering work emails. They won’t erase evidence of a poor night’s sleep, but they will do a great job of covering for you.
8. Salmon PDRN Mask and Serum Duo for Plump, Glowing Skin
medicube Salmon DNA PDRN DuoSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Salmon DNA in skin care products may sound a bit strange, but PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotides derived from salmon sperm DNA) is one of the most researched ingredients in K-beauty and is known to help with skin repair. The starter duo is quite the low-risk opportunity. The jelly gel mask becomes cool and soothing, while gripping to your skin like a second layer for 20 minutes. It is packed with low-molecular hydrolyzed collagen that absorbs instead of staying on top. The pink peptide serum is meant to be used as a base layer set underneath your other products, or used on its own, depending on the day. With four masks and a full-size serum, you will be able to evaluate whether PDRN really deserves the hype prior to committing to the full medicube lineup. It is a good starting point to enter a slightly bizarre, but highly effective category.
9. Color-Shifting Lip Oil That Reacts to Your pH
L’Oreal Paris Plump Ambition pH Hyaluron LipSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
While color change lip products sound gimmicky, this one actually works, earning its keep. This product changes to a light pink shade that matches no one but yourself! That’s not the only unique factor – it also contains hyaluronic acid to help hydrate your lips, as well as tripeptides for lip-plumping without the stinging sensation. The biggest surprises lie in the applicator – instead of a classic sponge, you get a cushioned tip surrounded by massaging beads. This makes for a much more enjoyable experience, and feels more like a treatment than a lip gloss. On top of all that, this gloss is also non-sticky and lightweight, and while the claim of 24-hour hydration is a bit much, at this price it’s understandable. This also provides a great shine, which is often hard to find in drugstore cosmetics.
10. Cherry-Tinted Lip Oil That Plumps and Hydrates in One Swipe
Sokgo Hydrating Lip Glow OilSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
The cherry-tinted lip oil sits perfectly between gloss and balm, and this one leans a little more towards balm. The formula feels more glass-like instead of sticky, which is great if you are familiar with the struggle of your hair sticking to your lip product when it is windy. The shade is a sheer cherry red and is not costume-like. Just one swipe and you are good to go. This is the kind of lip oil that lives in your coat pocket from October to March, gets reapplied a lot, and, because of the short wand and clicky cap, it doesn’t end up at the bottom of a tote bag like other lip products. It is a small product, but still nice.
11. Full-Coverage Concealer That Hydrates While Hiding Dark Circles
e.l.f. Hydrating Camo ConcealerSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Concealers that do not settle in fine lines are rarely found at the drugstore. However, this one in Deep Caramel, which is a deep shade with cool rosy undertones, is about $6 and actually, fully, covers without going chalky. The coverage is amazing. It allows enough time to smooth before it sets to a satin finish. It also dries down to a liquid base which means it doesn’t get dry and cakey under the eyes. It is also vegan and is certified cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny and PETA. It does not require touch-ups and has no flaking or creasing. For the price, it is genuinely hard to beat.
12. An Ultra-Shine Clear Gloss With Vitamins A and E
e.l.f. Lip Lacquer, Hydrating Lip Gloss, NonSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Glossy lips are one thing but not having the hair-sticking-to-your-mouth situation is the real game-changer and that’s exactly what the doe-foot means. The gloss is sheer, tacky, and weightless. The conditioning work is done by the vitamins A and E, so your lips are softened instead of coated in syrup. Of all the shades, the clear one is the most versatile. Wear it alone for that just-bit-your-lip look, or throw it over a matte lipstick you’ve been bored with since last winter. It’s also vegan and cruelty-free, plus it’s priced like a snack. Under ten dollars, the bar for drugstore gloss has been shifted. Anyone still loyal to their high-end tube should keep one of these in a coat pocket.
13. A Rose Water Face Mist That Doubles as Makeup Setting Spray
Mario Badescu Facial Spray with AloeSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
The face mist with a pink cap has gained a significant following, and for good reason. The ingredients in the mist are as follows: aloe vera, gardenia, thyme, and bladderwrack extracts, all combined with a rose water base. The mist is designed to distribute evenly and provide a soft and cooling spray. The scent is also great, with the rose scent being refreshing instead of overly strong or perfumery. The mist can be used to reset the skin if it is feeling tight under makeup. It can be used in place of a toner after cleansing as well. The facial mist is good for refreshing and reviving a tired complexion. The 4-ounce bottle is the perfect size to fit on your desk, in your gym bag, or on your nightstand. It is also great for all skin types. Sensitive skin can use it without irritation. Oily skin won’t get slicked out. Dry skin will get a hit of hydratation without feeling heavy as well.
14. Peptide Under-Eye Patches That Work Like Shapewear for Puffiness
grace & stella Peptide Under Eye PatchesSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Hangover eyes?, Deadline eyes? Cried-at-a-commercial eyes? These patches can fix all three. These patches go on and stay cold for the full ten minutes. They will not slide down to your mouth. The peptide-niacinamide-rice extract combo works on reducing puffiness and shadows that your concealer leaves behind. You get six pairs in each pack, so they can also be used to stuff stockings or as little birthday gifts. The essence left over is enough to pat into your cheeks. They are also used by Jessica Alba, so there’s that. These are a perfect gift for anyone who needs to revive their under eyes.
15. Buttery Tinted Lip Balm That Melts Into Glossy Blackberry Color
e.l.f. Glow Reviver Melting Lip BalmSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
The shade in question is called Blackberry Sorbet and it reads like a slightly bitten-into berry: more than a whisper of pink, but less serious than wine. The formula is more balmy than glossy, so no tacky pulling of your lips is gonna happen. That’s thanks to the butter situation: 5% mango, 3% cocoa, 2% shea, and a 1% hydrating hyaluronic acid blend that does the heavy lifting underneath. Each swipe builds color, so a single swipe is a light tint and three will take you to lipstick territory. The angled tip allows you to hug the lip line with no mirror needed. For under ten dollars, it’s vegan and cruelty-free. Perfect to stash in your pocket for the rest of February!
16. Honey-Infused Lip Stick That Doubles as Balm and Gloss
Nature Republic HONEY MELTING LIP (02 FIG)See price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Fig is the type of shade that looks neutral in the tube but ends up showing up as a moody berry-warmed nude when applied to the lips. The texture is definitely more balm than lipstick, earning the honey comparison by being cushy and slippery. There’s a shine oil complex doing the heavy lifting here, and honey extract gives that glassy look that K-beauty does so well. No tackiness. There is a click-up mechanism that only goes one way (read the instructions twice and learn from my mistakes), but it keeps it hygienic and travel friendly. You can wear it over a matte lip that’s started to feel like sandpaper by 3 p.m. Either way you want to go, your lips will end up looking hydrated, slightly bee-stung, and slightly expensive.
17. Apple Seed Oil Lip Tint That Plumps and Glosses
NOONI Korean Lip OilSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
The ingredients in this product might make you think of a smoothie order, but the real purpose is to soften your lips, not quench your thirst. Appleginseng is the name of this shade and it is a sheer warm pinkish red, more cold and flushed than lipstick. The texture is silky and not sticky, and there is no weird pull gloss leaves behind. They also look really glossy, which is nice. NOONI says that about half of the moisture will last for 24 hours and that is pretty accurate. Six hours in it is still soft and the tint is still there. This is a good gift for people who think that plain lip balm is boring, but who don’t want to commit to a full on lip stick.
18. Big-Brush Lip Oil That Glides on Glossy Without the Stick
Beauty Glazed Big Brush Head Lip OilSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
The innovative brush head is the main attraction here, and it really is worthy of the spotlight. With a unique design that is wide, flat, and curved to the shape of your lips, it is able to cover your entire pout in one swipe instead of three annoying passes. No oil is sticky, and it won’t make your lips stick together for that hard-to-talk pull. Shade 102 KISSY is a soft, pink shade that is perfect for everyday wear. It has just the right pigment to show up soft pink on camera. It’s a vegan and cruelty-free product, and it is so affordable that you can consider it a drugstore impulse buy. You can pair this gloss with a lip liner for a cute and finished look, or you can throw it on by itself on a makeup-free day for a polished look. This thing is small but it is great at what it was designed to do.
19. Raspberry-Tinted Lip Oil That Stains Without the Peel-Off
NOONI Korean Lip OilSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Here is the math for Applecherry Tinted Lip Oil: small, practical, under $20, and looks good in a photo. It checks all of those boxes. Applecherry is tinted red, but not fully. It is a very rare occasion that you find a lip product that can be applied without a mirror. You can actually trust this because of the way it is designed, and Applecherry is also one of those products that does not require you to be super careful when putting it on. We can thank apple seed oil and raspberry extract for the conditioning. The oil feels soft and comfortable instead of sticky. The plumping effect is not extreme. Think slightly fuller lips. It does not give you that stung look. The applicator is designed to give you just enough product to cover both lips in one dip so you don’t have to go back to the tube. It is small enough to fit in your coat pocket as well. Applecherry is a great stocking stuffer and we highly recommend that you purchase it.
20. Full-Coverage Concealer That Hydrates Instead of Settling Into Creases
e.l.f. Hydrating Camo ConcealerSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Five dollar concealers creasing by 3 p.m. is the norm, so I’ll take “mostly delivers” as a win here. While it is a liquid formula, it has more of a matte-like grip than a liquid formula slippery enough to blend out under eyes, instead, it stays put over a blemish. For Deep Olive, golden and warm. Satin, matte, and dewy finishes skew the perception of drugstore shade ranges. Be light on the doe-foot applicator; it gets more product than you’d think. By mid-afternoon, powdered drag from cheaper concealers gets even worse, so this one sits on skin instead. For less than $10, it is vegan, Leaping Bunny certified, and priced like an impulse buy at the checkout aisle. Reasonable expectations, reasonably met.
21. Creamy Lip Liner That Glides On Without Any Tugging
e.l.f. Cream Glide Lip LinerSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Plum & Get It is described as a “deep purple-leaning berry” shade, which offers an adult feel to it without going into an overly dark aesthetic. A good selling point for this liner is the creamy texture. There is no need to tug at your bow, it doesn’t skip over pilly patches, and there is no dry chalky drag that other cheap liners contain. It glides on smoothly and dries to a soft matte finish. This liner can hold up to lipstick, or it can stand alone if you are going for the lined lip look. It comes in 8 different colors, all costing less than a coffee. It is also Leaping Bunny and PETA certified, making it an ethical choice. This liner competes with drugstore prices over makeup that is three times the cost.
22. Peptide-Packed Lip Gloss That Plumps Without the Sticky Finish
essence | The Super Peptide Glossy LipSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Toffeetastic looks how you would expect, with a warm caramel-brown color. There is a milky finish that looks more polished that sticky. The formula does the heavy lifting here. Peptides, shea butter, and vitamin E mean it’s actually treating your lips while it looks glossy, not just coating them in a flavored wax. The squeeze tube applicator glides on easy without that tacky pull that glosses usually have by hour three. It doesn’t have parabens, fragrances, or microplastics. Made in Italy, which feels nice for the price point. You can wear it alone for a my-lips-but-better moment, or layer it over a brown liner to really commit to the cocoa lip vibe. It’s usually under five dollars.
23. Fourteen-Piece Sponge Set With Every Puff Shape You’d Need
14-Piece All-Purpose Makeup Sponge Puff SetSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
At first glance, it might seem like fourteen sponges is a bit much, but it’s not difficult to lose a makeup sponge on a trip to the bathroom, so realistically, it’s fine. Fortunately, this collection has all the sponges you’ll need for your everyday makeup routine. You’ll get three large sponges for liquid foundation, three small sponges for liquid concealer (to use under your eyes and around your nose), and three soft puffs for setting powder to use as a sponge to apply cream blush (or a cushion compact). The teardrop sponges are meant to be used when wet, and they will expand when you wet them, and will boost your foundation into your skin rather than dragging it across to leave a flawless finish. The sponges are purple, if you care about that. You can toss the puffs in the washer to clean any foundation streaks. Make sure to alternate sponges so that they all get used and they will last you a long time. Overall, a decent value for all the sponges.
