I'm a Beauty Editor—Here Are 30 Under-$50 Items I'll Never Stop Using
Most Wanted is a weekly series in which one editor, staffer, or influencer shares their top 30 must-haves or current wish-list items.
I'll be totally honest. There are luxury beauty products out there that I think are totally worth the extra dollars and ones that I would never spend a dime on. Although I love the idea of a high-end mask, serum, or oil that will give me glowing skin overnight, I also resonate with the philosophy that you don't always have to spend a ton of money to have great skin. Case in point, I have at least 30 beauty products on my "all-time favorites" list that are all under the $50 mark. Shocking, I know!
I also don't like to keep any secrets. These products deserve the spotlight, and I'm here to make sure that they get it. If you're in a spending mood but don't want to go too overboard, keep scrolling. I'm sharing my list of under-$50 beauty products I just can't imagine myself without.
I recently tried this TikTok-famous brand (color me influenced) and was incredibly impressed by how well everything worked considering each product is under the $20 mark. This facial oil, in particular, is so soothing and hydrating. I use it at night and wake up with the softest skin of my life. As a bonus, it's completely noncomedogenic, meaning it's safe for acne-prone skin.
When I tell you I have been obsessed with this mascara… I know there are a ton of formulas out there that promise no clumping, flaking, or transfer, but this one truly lives up to that promise. My eye area tends to get oily, and I've used this both with a primer and without one and experienced zero transfer. I was shocked, TBH. The length it offers is also superior, and it has fast become my number one mascara, knocking a former favorite out of the top spot.
Surprisingly, I haven't given anything from Millie Bobby Brown's beauty line a go yet, but I'm definitely thinking about changing that. These energizing eye patches are oh so cute, and I wouldn't mind popping them on in the morning for a little self-care moment.
I'm a huge Rare Beauty stan, so it should come as no surprise that I've been completely in love with the brand's tinted lip oil. The unique gel-to-oil formula starts off glossy and dries down to a gorgeous tint that looks just like a lipstick. It's basically impossible to pick a favorite shade, but this rosy brown is definitely a standout.
Although this is really just a fancy water spray, I've found that I now can't imagine my skincare routine without it. Evian mineral water is delicious to drink, but I find that it hydrates my skin so well and works great for adding moisture on top of my makeup or works great as a setting spray.
Okay, I'm cheating a bit because this is technically the travel size of Grande Cosmetics' legendary lash serum, but it's so good that I think I need a travel size to make sure I'm never without it. Not only does half our staff love it, but it's also truly the best lash serum I've ever used. There has definitely been noticeable and significant growth in my lashes since I started using it four months ago. I'm incredibly happy with the results and will probably never stop using it.
I've basically used this foundation exclusively since it dropped. The formula is a tad runny and needs to be applied quickly, but once it's on, wow. I also just love that it's silicone-free, keeps me hydrated throughout the day, and offers great buildable coverage.
Nécessaire can do no wrong in my eyes. This deodorant gel is one of the best formulas I have ever used. I'll wear it during the day while running errands, doing a workout, and more. It definitely helps reduce sweat, and odor is basically nonexistent. As a bonus, the AHAs in the formula help with dark spots, razor bumps, and ingrown hairs around the armpit area.
I literally never shut up about this face oil because I think it's one of the best noncomedogenic options on the market. It provides your skin with deep hydration without clogging pores and just gives your skin this supernatural-looking glow. I know it's a few bucks over $50, but I definitely believe this one is worth it!
I've used this cleanser from Shani Darden for years. Somehow, it manages to calm, clear, and hydrate my skin all at the same time. The ingredients work so well together to nurture your skin's barrier and help you avoid any excess moisture loss. It has worked wonders for my dehydrated, barrier-damaged skin.
This Kosas concealer is so packed with hydrating and nourishing skincare ingredients that it can almost double as an eye cream (peptides, hyaluronic acid, panthenol, and arnica to name a few!). It really perks up my eye area and camouflages blemishes like no other.
Up Next: I'm in My Spending Era, But These 30 Beauty Products Are Kind to My Wallet
Shawna Hudson is a beauty, wellness, lifestyle, and travel writer with over 10 years of experience. She graduated from California State University, Fullerton, with a degree in journalism and has written for other publications such as Bustle, The Zoe Report, Byrdie, Elite Daily, and more. She is currently a beauty writer at Who What Wear and hopes to continue feeding her (completely out-of-control) beauty obsession as long as she can. Stay up to date on her latest finds on Instagram @shawnasimonee.
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