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The 20 Best Beauty Products Under $10

You know the saying “You get what you pay for”? Well, that doesn’t necessarily apply to beauty products. Look hard enough and you’ll find some real gems in the drugstore aisles. Lucky for you, we’ve already done the digging. Here, 20 steals that will rival your designer stuff.

9 Drugstore Beauty Products the Pros Always Use


loreal voluminous og
Ulta

L'oréal Voluminous Original Mascara

With a fluffy wand and a creamy formula, we can always rely on this mascara to beef up our lashes without ever clumping or crumbling; it's no wonder we've been using it for over a decade now. 

L'Oréal ($8)

revlon colorstay eyeliner
Revlon

Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner

Simply put, this is a no-fuss eyeliner for the pro and novice alike. The fine-tipped pencil glides easily across your lids and produces the most precise flick—or the smokiest smudge when you used the blending sponge on the opposite end. Oh, and it’s self-sharpening; just twist up at the base whenever you need more liner.

Revlon ($9)

e l f matte lipstick
E.l.f. Cosmetics

E.l.f. Velvet Matte Lipstick

It's hard to believe that this lipstick only costs three dollars. With a smooth texture and impressive color payoff that's easily on par with fancier brands, we have no problem stocking up on all nine shades. 

E.l.f. ($3)

covergirl vitalist healthy elixir foundation
covergirl

Covergirl Vitalist Healthy Elixir Foundation

Equal parts makeup and skin care (with vitamins E, B3 and SPF 20), this creamy formula gives you full coverage over any imperfections without masking your skin. Plus, it comes in 14 shades for easy color matching.

Covergirl ($10)

rimmel stay matter pressed powder
Rimmel

Rimmel Stay Matter Pressed Powder

It’s a top rated product at Ulta for good reason: It really does keep your skin matte (but not flat) wherever you apply it—which, for us, is always the forehead and nose. Suffice it to say, it’s our go-to on a hot day.

Rimmel ($6)

l a girl hd pro concealer
L.A. Girl

L.a. Girl Hd Pro Concealer

We thank YouTube for bringing this concealer into our lives. After watching countless videos of people erasing everything from deep blue under-eye shadows to lobster-red splotches with it, we finally decided to fork over the five dollars to try it ourselves. Best decision ever—the coverage is impeccable and it’s the rare concealer that doesn’t crease or settle into fine lines.

L.A. Girl ($5)

catrice chocolate nudes eyeshadow palette
Catrice

Catrice Chocolate Nudes Eyeshadow Palette

Packed with everyday shades that you’ll actually use, this pocket-size palette also impressed us with its smooth, satiny application. Tip: The darker browns are excellent for filling in sparse brows.

Catrice ($4)

nyx cosmetics ombre blush
NYX

Nyx Cosmetics Ombre Blush

Sure, the ombré surface of this blush is pretty to look at, but there’s a reason for the two-tone effect. It’s so that you get the most natural-looking flush from blending the colors together. And though it’s technically a powder, the pigments are so finely milled that it feels downright creamy against your skin.

NYX Cosmetics ($10)


maybelline superstay matte ink lip color
Maybelline

Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink Lip Color

You know that colleague of yours whose lipstick always looks flawless—even after a greasy lunch? She’s probably wearing this stuff. One swipe and you’ll feel the color stick onto your lips. It’s an admittedly odd sensation at first, but once you let it dry for a few seconds, it settles into a soft, matte finish that no amount of snacking will remove.

Maybelline ($8)

revlon lip balm
Ulta

Revlon Color Stay Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain

Let's keep talking lipstick. A traditional tube can be pretty messy (and intimidating) for the uninitiated, but this tinted balm is as easy to use as it is flattering. Swipe it on for the slightest hint of color—or layer on liberally for more of a pop.  

Revlon ($10)

simple micellar make up remover wipes
Simple

Simple Micellar Make-up Remover Wipes

Each wipe is soaked in micellar water (which is comprised of tiny makeup- and oil-dissolving molecules) so that you can remove a full face of foundation and eyeliner with complete ease. Seriously, there is zero tugging or stinging involved. In fact, your skin feels softer after using them.

Simple ($6)

dr jart vital hydration mask
Sephora

Dr. Jart+ Water Jet Vital Hydra Solution Mask

Whether you're broken out or as dry as the Sahara, this soothing mask will make things better. Saturated with hyaluronic acid and algae extracts, it plumps your skin with moisture and sits comfortably on your face without sliding down.

Dr. Jart ($6)


smiths rosebud salve
Sephora

Smith's Rosebud Salve

What do professional makeup artists and product minimalists have in common? This balm. It's incredibly lightweight yet hydrating and can be used on chapped lips, dry cuticles, even knees and elbows. 

Smith's ($6)

wet n wild 1 step wonder gel
Wet n Wild

Wet N Wild 1 Step Wonder Gel

Constantly chipping your nails? This bulletproof polish gives you the glossy and long-wearing finish that is the hallmark of a gel mani—without having to use a topcoat or heat lamp.

Wet n Wild ($5)

batiste original clean dry shampoo
Batiste

Batiste Original Clean Dry Shampoo

As dry shampoo devotees, we’ve pretty much tried every single kind out there. This is one of the few that we restock over and over again. With oil-absorbing rice starches, it gives limp roots and stringy bangs a noticeable refresh. And whereas some formulas can weigh your hair down, this one just gives it a nice lift.

Batiste ($6)

moroccanoil hairspray
Sephora

Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray

Fans of the brand's cult favorite argan oil will love this hairspray because it has the same wonderfully addictive beachy scent. And if you're just in the market for a really good hairspray that won't leave your strands crunchy, this is it. 

Moroccanoil ($10)

clairol hair food strawberry ginger root clarifying shampoo
Clairol

Clairol Hair Food Strawberry Ginger Root Clarifying Shampoo

Get ready for a really nice lather. This fragrant formula effectively de-gunks your hair from any product buildup so you get the sort of bouncy clean feeling that’s typically reserved for salon visits.

Clairol ($10)

garnier sleek shine intensely smooth leave in conditioning cream
Garnier

Garnier Sleek & Shine Intensely Smooth Leave-in Conditioning Cream

If you’re prone to frizz or have thick or curly hair, this leave-in cream will be your new best friend. Just make sure to rake it through damp strands so it’s evenly distributed and you’ll get the smoothest finish—even when you air-dry.

Garnier ($3)

dove dry spray antiperspirant
Dove

Dove Dry Spray Antiperspirant

Now, it's time for underarms. This featherweight spray keeps our skin dry (and our hygiene in check) in humid 95-degree weather. Plus, it doesn’t ball up or leave white marks behind like some sticks do.

Dove ($5)


st ives soft silky coconut orchid body lotion
St. Ives

St. Ives Soft & Silky Coconut & Orchid Body Lotion

The biggest knock we have on body lotion is that it feels slick on skin. Not so with this family favorite. Even our typically product-adverse brother slathers this onto his elbows and knees despite its sweet coconutty scent. (Rest assured—there are six other fragrances to choose from if that’s not your jam.)

St. Ives ($5)



Jenny Jin Headshot Vertical 2023

Beauty Director

Jenny Jin is PureWow’s Beauty Director and is currently based in Los Angeles. Since beginning her journalism career at Real Simple magazine, she has become a human encyclopedia of...