Fashion

The 20 Best Beauty Products Under $20

Why is that all the best beauty products cost so much? Sure, we all want lush lashes and luminous skin, but no one wants to shell out her entire paycheck in order to get those looks. Thankfully, the makeup gods (Greek mythology. Look it up.) have blessed us with tons of incredible and affordable products. $45 mascara, you've met your match.

by Michelle King

Makeup, I love you, but you're stealing all my money

Why is that all the best beauty products cost so much? Sure, we all want lush lashes and luminous skin, but no one wants to shell out her entire paycheck in order to get those looks. Thankfully, the makeup gods (Greek mythology. Look it up.) have blessed us with tons of incredible and affordable products. $45 mascara, you've met your match.

Neutrogena Triple Moisture Daily Deep Shampoo and Conditioner, $6.19

I used to get keratin treatments on my hair about every three months until eventually, my grandfather sent me one too many "How Keratin Treatments Will Kill You" articles. This Neutrogena conditioner leaves my hair super soft and frizz-free. Bonus points: The last three dudes I hugged asked me what shampoo I use. So, this tube also contains a siren song.

Yes To Blueberries Age Refresh Facial Towelettes, $5.99

You know those nights where you come home and you simply cannot be bothered with washing your face, because you have important things to attend to, like falling asleep in your bed while watching Everwood on your laptop? These towelettes are perfect for those nights. They manage to cleanse, moisturize, and remove makeup in mere seconds without leaving any of the sticky residue that so many towelettes do.

Revlon ColorStay Eyeliner, $4.99

Even if you think you could never, ever master liquid liner, the felt tip on this baby makes it completely foolproof. It dries quickly, so you don't have to worry about smudging. The black color is rich and smoldering, but not overpowering. If this eyeliner were a person, it'd be that overachiever jerk who always made you jealous.

Sonia Kashuk Eye Couture Eye Palette in Eye On Neutral 02, $19.99

Hey there. I just wanted to introduce you to my friend, the only eyeshadow palette you will ever need. Sonia Kashuk is known for creating high-quality products for low-budget ladies, and she's certainly delivered with her Eye Couture Eye Palette.

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain, $7.49

Raise your right hand if you've sworn off lip stains because they leave your lips dry and flaky. Stains, while awesome in theory, are typically not so great in execution. Revlon's Just Bitten Balm Stain, however, leaves lips moisturized and tinted.

Neutrogena Healthy Skin 3-in-1 Concealer For Eyes, $8.29

Neutrogena's 3-in-1 Concealer somehow manages to hide dark circles while still being lightweight and creamy.

Sonia Kashuk Core Tools Synthetic Pointed Foundation Brush in No 121, $12.99

If you've never applied foundation with a brush before, get ready to have your world rocked. The Sonia Kashuk brush in number 121 is truly one of the best foundation brushes out there. Its pointed tip allows you to get into the tiny crevices of your face, like around your nose and eyes, and the soft bristles are perfect for blending.

Bonne Bell Lip Smacker Dr. Pepper Lip Gloss, $1.99

Best. Deal. Ever. The Dr. Pepper lip gloss from Bonne Bell leaves your lips with a berry colored tint and makes you feel like a kid. If you used this baby back in middle school, you might remember how it left your lips dry and burning, but the gang over at Bonne Bell seems to have worked out that issue.

Garnier Fructis Style Sleek & Shine Anti-Humidity Smoothing Milk, $4.49

So many smoothing products weigh down hair, but not the Anti-Humidity Smoothing Mil from Garnier Fructis. Rub a quarter-size amount into your hair while it's still damp, and watch as you dominate in the battle of humidity.

Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit Face Scrub, $8.99

Is the best part of Neutrogena's Pink Grapefruit Face Scrub how delicious it smells (spoiler alert: like pink grapefruits) or how it clears up breakouts after just a few days? Maybe it's just the combination that make this product so lust worthy.

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream, $7.44

BB cream has a ton of hype surrounding it, but is it worth it? In short: yes. Although some BB creams will leave you looking greasy, Maybelline's Dream Fresh BB Cream will leave your skin simply glowing.

Rimmel London Lasting Finish Intense Wear Lipstick, $4.19

Rimmel's Finish-Intense Wear Lipstick comes in an array of bold, creamy colors, and is honestly one of the best drugstore lipsticks out there. The blue-red color (shade 01) is universally flattering.

Kiehl's Since 1851 Ultimate Strength Hand Salve, $15

What? You think your hands don't need some loving, too? This hand salve from Kieh's moisturizes your paws without making them greasy.

Maybelline Baby Lips Lip Balm, $3.99

Oh, Maybelline Baby Lips lip Balm. How do I love thee? I can't even count the ways, because it is all of the ways. I normally don't like lip balms (too waxy), but this one goes on smooth and even has a slight glossy finish. Whether worn alone or under your favorite lipstick, these are a must for any makeup bag.

Rickycare Dual-Tip 3D Blender, $8

Some beauty blenders will cost you upwards of $30, but this one from Ricky's gets the job done for a fraction of the price. Use it at the end of your makeup routine to buff foundation and blend in blush.

NYX Powder Blush, $6

The formula for NYX's powder blush is similar to that of NARS. It's richly pigmented, and lasts for hours. Plus, at only $6, you can play around with colors that you might normally avoid.

Not Your Mother's Clean Freak Refreshing Dry Shampoo, $8

Fellow lazy girls, your life is about to change. Most dry shampoos — even crazy pricy ones — leave your hair covered in a not-so-pretty white powder. Not Your Mother's Clean Freak Refreshing Dry Shampoo provides all the benefits of a dry shampoo, but without the white hair factor. Even if you insist on washing your hair every day, you can still use this product as a texturizing spray. Just spray a bit in your hands, rub your palms together, and run through your hair.

Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Polish Strips, $9.99

There are plenty of different nail polish strips out there, but Sally Hansen has the best selection of both simple, classic shades and totally insane designs. They're perfect for anyone who still hasn't quite mastered the at-home manicure.

Rosebud Salve, $6

When I say that this product can do just about anything, I'm hardly exaggerating. No, it can't solve world hunger or run errands, but it can moisturize your lips, cuticles, elbows, and knees. It lasts just about forever, even if you use it every single day.

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