30 Best Beauty Products Under $30

Affordable skin care, makeup, and hair care holy grails, chosen by me and some of my beauty-loving friends

While I totally believe in splurging when something is that good, I also get very excited to find an incredible product that won’t cause heart palpitations when you look at your bank statement. I put together this list of under-$30 greats with a little help from some friends (and an exclusive deal on Laneige!). Enjoy this free post and consider subscribing or upgrading to paid to get full access every week!

1. L’Oreal Telescopic Lift Mascara in black/brown, $11.99. “I learned about this magic mascara when it went viral on Tik Tok last year and never looked back. This mascara is seriously powerful. It makes my lashes dangerously long, and the comb-like applicator ensures they don’t clump. This product makes it look like I’m wearing falsies, something I’m way too lazy to actually do. I save it for when I need to pull out the big guns, like on a night out or a date.” — Caroline Goldfarb, TV writer, founder of Fishwife, and former Glowing Up podcast host

2. Covergirl Lash Blast Waterproof Mascara, $12.99. “One of the best daily-wear mascaras for people with hard-to-hold-a-curl lashes like mine.” — me

3. “I love Neutrogena Rapid Repair Retinol Face Moisturizer with SPF 30 ($21.99) because it delivers just the right amount of hydration (along with a touch of retinol) and an excellent everyday sunscreen.” — Val Monroe, beauty editor, writer of How Not to F*ck Up Your Face

4. Versed Weekend Glow Daily Brightening Solution, $17.99. “Ideal for those looking to fade discoloration and even skin tone. It’s very gentle on the skin for a solution with a combination of different acids—one of my top exfoliants for its formulation and price point. — Dr. Adeline Kikam, dermatologist, DO, FAAD

5. Vanicream Moisturizing Skin Cream with Pump Dispenser, $14.29. “I have pretty bad eczema and have gone through lots of moisturizers, but this is my absolute favorite. It's unscented and just does the job and keeps my skin hydrated throughout the whole day!" — Michelle Li, stylist, writer

6. Flamingo Face Hair Removal Cream, $7.99. “This fantastic cream effectively and painlessly removes unwanted facial hair, leaving skin smooth and hair-free. It’s a product that I use myself and find not to be as harsh compared to others.” — Dr. Kikam

7. Verb Dry Shampoo for Brunettes, $20. “One of the only ones that doesn’t leave my hair looking white.” — me

8. Etude House Soon Jung 2x Barrier Intensive Cream, $10.34. “It's so gentle and comforting that even my reactive skin loves it.” — Robin Black, makeup artist, photographer

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READ: Out, Damned Dark Spots: How I Finally Faded Mine

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9. La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm, $15.99. “It’s my go-to moisturizer—I love that you can find it everywhere—its super soothing, thick, healing, good for even scrapes and minor bruises, hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic and non-greasy.” —Nidhi Sunil, model (Dr. Kikam agrees and also chose this!)

10. “Obsessed with the Beauty of Joseon sunscreen ($18) because it is cosmetically elegant with no white cast, creamy and hydrating, affordable, and has more advanced SPF filters with better coverage only available outside of the U.S.” — Dr. Joyce Park, MD, dermatologist

11. Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask, $24. “Yes, it’s for night but I use it for day too. An all-time lip-hydrating fave. Also, I arranged a special deal for readers for 20% off Laneige products! Use code MICHELLE20 between 10/8-12/8/2023 at us.laneige.com” (discount excludes sets & limited edition flavors. One-time use per customer. If you need other Laneige recommendations, ask away in the comments!) — me

12. Shiseido Lash Curler, $24. “Even better than the beloved Shu Uemura one for my short, straight lashes. The shallow curve really grips close to the lashline.” —me

13. “Oh how I love Huda #Bombbrows, $17. It draws the most realistic brow ‘hairs.’ My only complaint is that it runs out too quickly.” — me

14. NARS Blush in Orgasm mini, $17. “This soft pink, which has a two-decades-long cult following, makes you look, as my BFF Gemma says, like you had ‘gentle but meaningful sex that morning.’ The smaller size lasts forever and is only $17.” — Joanna Goddard, writer of Cup of Jo and Big Salad

15. Mario Soft Pop Blush Stick, $30. “Sticks are so easy and portable. This one comes in pretty, creamy shades like Soft Coral.” — me

16. “I used to buy loads of Addiction Tokyo in Japan and bring it back to stock my kit. My favorite product is The Blush ($26). The matte, pearl and highlight shades have incredibly finely milled, silky powder (a Japanese trademark) with intense pigment ideal for layering. I’m crazy about their bright pinks and corals plus they make an unusual blue/lavender highlighter shade that is surprisingly flattering.” — Robin Black

17. Youthforia Dewy Gloss, $26. “I was never a lip gloss person until now. I don’t like wearing too much product but this gloss (I like the purply shade) is just the right amount of tint. It’s founded by an Asian woman so I love supporting her business as well. This gloss and her color changing blush are staples in my handbag.” — Aya Kanai, head of editorial and creative, Google Shopping

18. Maybelline Lifter Gloss, $8.99. “I love the shade Gummy Bear as it works well on various skin tones. They're quite comfortable on the lips but give a great pay-off.” — Jaleesa Jaikaran, makeup artist

19. Make Beauty Serum Balm Hydrating Lip Treatment, $26. “Leaves lips looking hydrated and refreshed while the color is perfect for everyday wear. I often wear the pale pink sheer over a brown lip liner for a hint of 90's. ” — Robin Black

20. “Sunnie's Face Fluffmatte ($18) is one of the best velvety matte but super comfortable to wear formulas I have ever tried. They make shades that are gorgeous on all skin tones but if you have a yellow or olive undertone, their nudes will change your life.” — Robin Black

21. “Smashbox Always On Longwear Matte Liquid Lipstick in Out Loud ($27)— is a rich, warm terracotta that instantly grabs attention. And it truly lives up to its “longwear” promise.” — Dr. Kikam

22. NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Monte Carlo, $7. “I’m so excited to share this $7 lipstick, which I have been wearing for years. The color lasts forever — even through a cheeseburger and fries (with mayo, naturally) — and can be either soft pink or bright red, depending on how many layers you apply. Years ago, I even wore it to the White House Christmas party (!), and I kind of feel like Michelle Obama would have approved.” — Joanna Goddard

23. Pat McGrath Labs PermaGel Eyeliner Pencil, $29. “This is literally the only eyeliner that goes on so smooth it makes it effortless to draw straight lines. Also it’s Pat McGrath, so you know it’s top quality.” — Vivian Xue Rahey, nail artist, CEO of Pamper Nail Gallery

24. Dior Nail Glow, $30. “After discovering it a few years ago, all my friends now wear this everyday polish, which is just sliiiiiiightly pink, to enhance their nails' natural color — the pinks of the nails become pinker and the whites become whiter. It’s beautifully glossy in person and easy to apply. Your nails just look DONE.” — Joanna Goddard

6 more under-$30 faves from Michelle!

25. Cosrx Snail Mucin Essence, $25. A hydration superstar.

26. Tarte Double Take eyeliner, $26. Liquid on one end, pencil on the other.

27. Colorwow Pop and Lock Serum, $20. Adds shine and frizz control.

28. Method Men Cedar & Cypress Body Wash, $7.99. Bought for my teenage son, kept for myself. And so much cheaper than fancy washes marketed at women.

29. Westman Atelier Contour Stick Mini, $25. Creamy, realistic-looking sculpting for those of us who aren’t looking for “Instagram face.”

30. Olive & June Cuticle Serum, $18.89. This little foam-tip clicky pen makes cuticle care downright enjoyable.

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