Every time we walk into a Sephora, we somehow end up walking out $100 lighter — and then we don't even end up loving half of the expensive stuff we got wrangled into purchasing by the convincing salespeople there. Sometimes it feels like a lot of magazines make us feel that if we really want high-quality items, we have to drop a million dollars on each product. But the truth is, there are some great beauty products out there — for skin, hair, and makeup — that don't cost a lot but really, genuinely work. These are some of our absolutely favorite products that at $10 or less pop, are great for anyone on a budget while still being really high-quality products that get fantastic reviews (and which we've personally tested and think are exceptional, especially for their price range. Not every good-quality company is manufacturing products only Gwyneth Paltrow can afford!
When it comes to playing with beauty products, we all know kids can be serious mini-mes. For anyone with a little one who loves to play in the makeup bag, check out some safe kid makeup kits, which can make life a lot simpler and more stress-free (the kids can just have their own stuff to play with so they don't mess up mom's!). In the kid beauty realm, try new hairstyles, especially easy ones to get hair out of the kid's face — we're not exactly the most dexterous, but these really are easy to accomplish. And when it comes to makeup for ourselves this summer, check out bright & colorful lipstick shades to find the perfect shade for the season! And for mama's hair, take a look at a 'T-shirt hack' for frizz-free curls. The hack is a game-changer for anyone with frizzy, wavy, or curly hair, and it doesn't even cost anything more than the average routine or add any extra time.
Alba Botanica Very Emollient, Unscented Body Lotion, 32 Ounce
This body lotion is fantastic in a lot of regards. It's great for sensitive skin, it's light enough for the summer, it's free of parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances, and we love the amazing price for a gigantic container.
Alba Botanica Very Emollient, Unscented Body Lotion, 32 Ounce ($8, Amazon)
Thinksport Kids Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+
A full SPF 50, this is an excellent, coral reef-safe sunscreen. It's also super affordable and is top-rated by EWG. It's free of harmful chemicals and it's also 80-minute water resistant — perfect for kids learning to swim.
Thinksport Kids Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+ ($9, Amazon)
Aveeno Positively Radiant Oil-Free Makeup Removing Wipes
These makeup-removing wipes are both oil-free and incredibly hydrating, and they're great for evening skin tone and texture. They're gentle enough to be used around the sensitive eye area, but strong enough to take off makeup.
Aveeno Positively Radiant Oil-Free Makeup Removing Wipes ($6, Amazon)
16 Pack Reusable Bamboo Makeup Remover Pads With Laundry Bag
As much as we love the convenience of a makeup wipe, we also want to try to be environmentally responsible. So we keep a thing of makeup wipes in the dresser for nights when we're just too tired, but try to more regularly use these when we have the energy.
16 Pack Reusable Bamboo Makeup Remover Pads with Laundry Bag ($9, Amazon)
NYX Lip Lingerie Matte Liquid Lipstick
NYX is a cult favorite in the beauty world, and for good reason — the Lip Lingerie is an absolute dupe for the Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick, and at only $7 a pop, they're considerably less expensive.
NYX Lip Lingerie Matte Liquid Lipstick ($7, Amazon)
Naisture Facial Sheet Mask Face Treatment
These masks are incredibly hydrating, they're not overly expensive for one-off sheet masks, and they smell absolutely amazing. They're also really nourishing, and claim to help stimulate cell turnover.
Naisture Facial Sheet Mask Face Treatment ($10, Amazon)
Eve Hansen Collagen Sheet Mask
As we age, our skin produces less and less collagen, which is what makes our skin stay elastic and keep it from wrinkling. However, using masks like this one may help boost the collagen in our facial skin (and it feels great).
Eve Hansen Collagen Sheet Mask ($7, Amazon)
L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect Hydra-Nutrition Eye Balm
Everyone needs a good eye cream, but despite what people tell us, we don't have to break the bank for it. Mostly, we just want to make sure the super-fragile skin under and around our eyes stays really hydrated. This stuff may help reduce dark circles and puffiness, and improve elasticity.
L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect Hydra-Nutrition Eye Balm ($9, Amazon)
Burt's Bees Face Cleanser for Sensitive Skin
We love Burt's Bees generally (that lip balm is basically the best thing that ever happened) and this cleanser is no exception. Affordable, hydrating, and cleansing without drying, this stuff feels great on the skin and smells good, too.
Burt's Bees Face Cleanser for Sensitive Skin ($10, Amazon)
Andalou Naturals Ultra Sheer Daily Defense Facial Lotion, SPF 18
In the morning, following cleansing and a serum, it's always a good idea to moisturize, and a moisturizer with SPF helps protect the skin. This will keep skin hydrated and help prevent sun damage, including sun spots and fine lines.
Andalou Naturals Ultra Sheer Daily Defense Facial Lotion ($10, Amazon)
Hair Tail Mask 3 Pack
Pick up a trio of these cult-favorite hair masks for just $10. They're touted as best for those with color-treated hair, but will help any hair that's dull, lifeless, and in need of moisture.
Hair Tail Mask 3 Pack ($10, Amazon)
CeraVe Salicylic Acid Cleanser
This cleanser is so great for anyone dealing with acne, or for anyone with especially oily skin. It's also perfect for those little bumps that show up on legs and arms. It's really effective while also being gentle.
CeraVe Salicylic Acid Cleanser ($10, Amazon)
QIBEST Professional Makeup Contour Concealer Eyeshadow Primer, Full Wear Concealer
This multi-use product is an absolute hero, especially given how inexpensive it is. It's a remarkably full-coverage concealer that's also an exceptionally good eye shadow primer, helping colors to last longer and stay brighter.
QIBEST Professional Makeup Contour Concealer Eyeshadow Primer, Full Wear Concealer ($10, Amazon)
Maybelline Great Lash Big Washable Mascara, Blackest Black
Some inexpensive products are absolute icons, and this mascara from Maybelline has been beloved by generations. Whether it's the formula, the brush, or both, we're not sure, but this stuff lasts for ages and doesn't clump.
Maybelline Great Lash Big Washable Mascara, Blackest Black ($5, Amazon)
La Pure Waterproof Eyeliner Stamp
For anyone who's bad at making perfectly winged eyeliner (we are so the worst at it), try using an eyeliner pen with a stamp on the end. Then it's just a simple game of connecting the dots — not nearly as hard!
La Pure Waterproof Eyeliner Stamp ($10, Amazon)
Eucerin Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Face Cream
This ultra-hydrating night cream is designed to help repair your skin while you sleep. We love that it's soothing for sensitive skin, and incorporates coenzyme Q10, which helps fight against the aging process.
Eucerin Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Face Cream ($9, Amazon)
Flower Beauty Flower Pots Powder Blush
This blush is silky, smooth, and most importantly, it blends like an absolute dream. It lasts for ages and is highly pigmented, so a little goes a long way. It also really stays in place and doesn't smudge around the face.
Flower Beauty Flower Pots Powder Blush ($10, Amazon)
Tweezerman Neon Great Grip Eyelash Curler
This is the tool for people who are really into makeup as well as people who couldn't care less about makeup. Whether or not lash primer and mascara are applied after the curling happens, just curling lashes makes the eyes look larger and makes mama look more awake.
Tweezerman Neon Great Grip Eyelash Curler ($9, Amazon)
*Psst: if you choose to purchase an item from this post, Cafemom may receive a small cut. Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication; however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.
