Affordable beauty favorites under $25 - Episode 56

Let’s talk budget beauty! In this episode, I’m sharing my absolute favorite beauty products that are all $25 or less.

Whether you’re restocking staples or looking to try something new without breaking the bank, these makeup, skincare, and haircare picks are high-performing and wallet-friendly.

Create & consume

What Austen is creating this week: reels for the Avril Lavigne concert

What Austen is consuming this week: Tara Michelle’s Italy vlogs in preparation for my own trip

In this episode:

Makeup favorites under $25

Skin tints

A good base doesn’t have to cost a fortune. These skin tints offer lightweight coverage and a healthy glow.

• Covergirl Simply Ageless Skin Perfector – smooth and hydrating with just the right amount of coverage

• e.l.f. Halo Glow – a TikTok favorite for a reason: dewy, radiant, and buildable

Concealer

Brighten and conceal with these easy-to-blend options:

• Tower28 Serum Concealer – skincare meets concealer. Lightweight and natural-looking

• Covergirl TruBlend Concealer – full coverage without feeling cakey

Bronzer & contour

Add warmth and definition with these cream and powder formulas:

• Milk Makeup Matte Cream Bronzer Stick – easy to swipe on and blend

• Maybelline City Bronzer – a reliable drugstore favorite

Blush

Pop of color, coming right up:

• Tower28 Get Set Blush – blendable, natural, and buildable

• Covergirl TruBlend Blush – a classic that gives a soft flush

Brows

Keep brows in check with these affordable grooming must-haves:

• Pixi 2-in-1 Brow Pencil and Gel

• Covergirl Clean Fresh Brow Gel

• Milk Makeup Kush Brow Gel

• Lawless Shape Up Brow Pencil

Eye primer

Prep your lids so shadow stays all day:

• Milk Hydro Grip Primer

• Wet n Wild Megalast Eyeshadow Primer

Eyeshadow

These palettes and sticks deliver pigment without the price tag:

• Covergirl Eyeshadow Sticks

• Julep Beauty Eyeshadow Sticks

• Morphe, Wet n Wild, and Colourpop Palettes – endless color options and buttery textures

Eyeliner

• Rare Beauty Eyeliner – smooth application and stays put

Mascara

Lashes for days:

• L’Oreal Lash Paradise – length and volume in one

• Covergirl Eye Enhancer Mascara – a solid drugstore classic

Powder

• Wet n Wild Photo Focus Loose Setting Powder – sets everything down with a soft-focus finish

Setting spray

• Pixi Vitamin Wakeup Mist – refreshes and locks in your look

Lip liner

• Make Up For Ever Lip Liner in Wherever Walnut

• Lawless Forget the Filler Definer Liner

• Glossier Lip Line in Hold

Lip gloss, oils & balms

Juicy, hydrated lips incoming:

• Summer Fridays Dream Lip Oil

• Covergirl Clean Fresh Yummy Gloss

• Naturium Phyto-Glow Lip Balm

Skincare favorites under $25

Cleansers

• Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser – gentle and effective

• Versed Day Dissolve Cleansing Balm

• Paula’s Choice Extra Gentle Cleanser

Eye creams

• innisfree Bright Eye Serum

• Versed Weekend Glow Brightening Eye Gel (recently reformulated)

Eye masks

• Pixi DetoxifEYE Eye Masks

Serums

• The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid

• Glossier Super Pure Serum

• Versed Gentle Retinol Serum

Toners

• Paula’s Choice BHA Toner Pads (new product!)

• First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads

Moisturizers

• Versed Skin Soak Moisture Cream

• Pond’s Fresh Hydration Moisturizer

Makeup removers

• Glossier Milky Oil (wish they made a bigger bottle)

• Pond’s Cold Cream Cleanser

• Neutrogena Makeup Cleansing Wipes (now compostable!)

Spot treatments

• Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patches

Facial Oils

• Pixi Jasmine Oil Blend

Lips

• Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask (berry flavor!)

• Bath & Body Works Lip Scrubs

Sunscreen

• Innisfree Daily UV Defense Sunscreen

• Paula’s Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen is $26 – just slightly over, but still worth a mention

Haircare Favorites Under $25

Shampoo & conditioner

• V&CO Shampoos and Conditioners – affordable and effective for daily use

Styling products

• Tresemmé Extra Hold Hairspray

• TIGI Bed Head Wax Stick – perfect for sleek buns and flyaway control

Summary

You shouldn’t have to shell out a ton of cash to find great products.

These tried-and-true products are proof that beauty can be both effective and affordable. If you’ve been looking to revamp your routine on a budget, this lineup is a great place to start.

What are your favorite beauty buys under $25?

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