Even though we beauty editors are known for collecting (or, depending on who you ask, hoarding) skincare, makeup, and hair products, we also know the importance of sticking to a budget, however difficult it may be. We know better than anyone how quickly a shopping trip can veer off the rails. One minute you're heading to Sephora to pick up your favorite product—just one!—and the next minute you're leaving with a triple-digit receipt and some serious post-purchase remorse. No judgment; we've all been there.
In order to prevent these (ahem) unexpected shopping sprees, we're setting a budget for ourselves. Our goal is to spend no more than $150 in total, purchasing only the products that we love the most. Was it difficult to narrow down our expansive wish lists? Yes. Was it worth it? Definitely. Keep scrolling to see the 15 products we'd buy with a $150 budget.
Kaitlyn McLintock, Associate Beauty Editor
"This blush is one of my all-time favorites. I apply it to the back of my hand, blot my makeup sponge in it, and then press it onto my cheeks for a natural flush of color. I swear I get so many compliments on my makeup when I use this!"
"I can't shut up about this hair mask. It's rich and creamy, moisturizes my hair better than almost any other hair mask I've tried, and smells incredible—think tropical notes of banana, coconut cream, and mango butter."
"I love a good body oil, and this one is a personal favorite. It's the perfect no-fuss product; it's not overly scented, and it's not too greasy. Plus, it combines antioxidants, vitamins, and omega-6, -7, and -9. I use it after almost every shower."
"To me, this eye shadow palette is as close to perfect as an eye shadow palette can be. I love the mix of neutral matte shades, and I use it often to create subtle, daily eye makeup looks."
Katie Berohn, Beauty Editor
"I've put so many people on to this air-dry cream. It perfectly amplifies whatever your hair's natural texture is and provides light hold for an effortless style that lasts all day."
"This is one of my holy-grail beauty products. I've been using it for years to set my makeup under my eyes and in my T zone, and it has lasted forever and makes my skin look flawless and never too matte. This is definitely a product I would never not stock up on."
"I love a good candle, and if I had money to burn at Sephora, I would definitely buy this one from Replica. It brings ski lodge vibes right to your apartment."
Shawna Hudson, Associate Beauty Editor
"This is one of my absolute favorite sunscreens. It gives you the most incredible glow and is both noncomedogenic and silicone free! It's been a savior for my dehydrated, acne-prone skin since it also has ceramides to help repair your skin barrier. I use it every day so I'll definitely be stocking up once Black Friday rolls around."
"I love this leave-in conditioner from Briogeo. It adds so much hydration to my hair and makes it extra soft without weighing it down. I have curly hair so finding the right products can be tricky, but I can say with confidence that this one works so well for my naturally dry hair."
"Hydration is key, especially during the winter months. This ceramide- and honey-rich mask from Farmacy has been a staple of mine for years. My skin tends to get extra dehydrated during the fall and winter months, so I'll be buying several of these the minute they go on sale at Sephora!"
Erin Jahns, Beauty Director
"If you took away all of my other skincare products and just left me with this ultra-hydrating cleanser from Shani Darden's line, my skin would still be okay. It's nourishing and gentle, and it never strips my skin. I recommend it to literally everyone regardless of their age, skin type, or skin concerns."
"I've probably gone through 50 of these. This zinc- and aloe-infused micellar water is my favorite in the game, especially since it's *extra* great for people like me who are breakout prone. It's such a simple product, but I immediately notice a (not-good) difference in my skin's clarity, brightness, and smoothness when I try out a different formula."
"I talk about this eye cream ALL the time. I have tried hundreds of formulas over the years, and this is the one that I continue to come back to and rely on. It's hydrating, calming, and smoothing (and so magically weightless on the skin), and I also appreciate that it's one of the only eye creams I can wear under makeup for a totally flawless-looking under-eye."
"It's an icon for a reason. I love that these glide on like butter and deposit the perfect amount of pigment. I own a lot of the shades at this point, but Iconic Nude is the backbone of my entire lip routine."
"If there's anyone out there who doesn't agree that this is the most elite lip mask on the market, it's obvious that they just haven't tried it yet. It plumps! It hydrates! It adds beautiful shine! It's not too heavy or sticky! It won't make you break out around the mouth! It wears so many hats, which is probably why I'm wearing it all day and all night, seven days a week."
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