There once was a time when you had to budget out your beauty routine, placing higher bets on products that delivered the results you deemed most desirable (after all, who can put a price tag on finally banishing uncomfortable breakouts or bottling up your own little fountain of youth?).
But thanks to innovative brands that are making quality formulas and ingredients more accessible, along with budget-savvy beauty enthusiasts (us included) who have a particular penchant for uncovering the diamonds in the rough (or the most luminous highlighter in the drugstore aisle), we now know that you don’t have to sacrifice your entire paycheck in the name of performance.
We’re talking new and classic makeup, skin-care, and hair-care picks that deliver the same results as some of your favorite high-end go-tos (if not better) for as little as what you’d spend on your morning breakfast sandwich or latte.
From a mascara that will replace your lash extensions to the dry shampoo that will make last-minute plans a reality (not to mention save you a lot of time on washing and styling), and plenty of rejuvenating serums, cleansers, and moisturizers along the way, read on for a mix of 30 (yes, 30!) of the best cheap beauty products that ring in at $5 or less.
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