43 Budget-Friendly Swaps For Pricier Products

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13-06-2025

A stylish pair of machine-washable pointed-toe flats, which probably look eerily familiar because they're just as cute as the ones from Rothy's and Vivaia — but these will be much kinder to your wallet. The breathable material helps prevent sweating and the stretchy knit upper keeps you comfy all day long! You'll never run out of 'fits to pair these with.
E.l.f. Suntouchable Invisible Sunscreen because when did sunscreen become one of the most expensive items in your skincare routine? Enter this affordable find, which offers SPF 45 *and* goes on smooth and clear without any white cast. It works well as a blurring primer to create the perf setup before applying makeup too! TLDR; it's the more affordable version of Supergoop.
Buttery soft high-waisted leggings if you've had your eye on the Lululemon Align version but can't bear to shell out an entire Benjamin for one piece of activewear. These are made of a heavenly soft material *and* they're squat-proof. They're called ~Dreamlux~ leggings for a reason, people.
A trio of hydrating lip sleeping masks that'll have you questioning why on earth you ever spent $24 on a single Laneige jar when you get THREE of 'em for a fraction of the price? They're infused withberry extract and vitamin C to help heal dry, cracked skin. You'll sleep soundly knowing your lips are hydrated and your wallet is full.
Rael Beauty's Miracle Patch — you get 96 in a pack, which is about a third of what you get when you splurge on Mighty Patches. These K-beauty hydrocolloid patches have super thin edges so they're nearly invisible. Wear 'em when you're out and about and no one will have any idea you're healing a zit while running errands.
A Skims-esque sweetheart neckline bodysuit, which will seem too good to be true because it's super stylish and won't bleed you dry financially. It'll go wonderfully with skirts, shorts, and jeans that require a seamless tucked look. The ultra-smooth ~~smoke cloud~~ fabric is also double-layered for extra support.
And this scoop neck top so you can enjoy that deliciously smooth fabric similar to the one in the cult-fave Skims top *with* the same fitted look to boot. The best part? This one is significantly cheaper and comes in a variety of colors.
A TikTok-beloved "Soft" perfume rollerball for a sweet, warm scent that rolls on easily and isn't too overpowering. There's a reason reviewers can't stop raving about the captivating scent, with some comparing it to lemon pound cake. YUM! It's basically the affordable version of Pink Sugar, which goes for $65.
A MUA–approved black makeup sponge that does its job so well, you may forget about the Beauty Blender and Real Techniques versions, which aren't exactly cheap. If you want a flawless finish when blending concealer, foundation, BB cream, and even powders, this makeup sponge has you ~covered~ alright. It's also easier to see your product on the black surface of the sponge *and* it won't leave ugly stains behind.
And a bottle of makeup brush-cleaning shampoo because you need to wash away the impurities residing in your brush bristles immediately!!! This stuff is formulated with gentle, plant-based ingredients and will give you the same results as the Beautyblender soap — but for half the price.
A gorgeous laptop tote bag with high-end vibes you'll probably want to carry everywhere, even when you don't need your computer. It can fit laptops up to 15.6 inches and other essentials, like your phone, makeup bag, iPad, and more! You'll also breathe a sigh of relief knowing you didn't splurge over $100 on the pricey Béis Work Tote.
Catrice "Instant Awake" Under Eye Brightener to help liven up your tired eyes with a lightweight formula that delivers superb coverage in just a few swipes. This tinted concealer contains hyaluronic acid and shea butter that may also help reduce dark circles over time. Bonus: It's just like the $33 Becca version but for MUCH less!
A Revlon one-step hair dryer and volumizer if you'd love to style and dry your hair at the same time but not go broke on the expensive hair tools. Mission accomplished! You'll speed up your routine while giving your hair an unbelievable amount of shine and volume. Dyson Airwrap who?
A set of aesthetic wrist and ankle weights, which will make the spendy Bala Bangles seem like a distant memory. These work the same — they easily attach with Velcro straps and have a waterproof design so bring on the sweat! Plus, the skin-friendly silicone material won't cause irritation while you work out.
CeraVe Retinol Serum that'll help refine your skin's texture and tone over time. This lightweight serum uses encapsulated retinol to gently reduce the appearance of pores and acne-related marks. If you've been too scared to try retinoids until now, this is a great place to start. Reviewers say it's better than the pricey options out there, like the $92 Murad Retinol Serum!
An eyebrow soap kit so you can style your brows however you please. It'll make your brows look thicker using your existing hairs. Reviewers say it works just like the pricey name-brand versions and will help you get the precise texture, shape, and volume you want for your brows!
Some soft microfiber makeup removing towels reminiscent of the popular Makeup Eraser you're about to completely forget about. Hello, you literally get 12 of 'em! Add a bit of water and they'll wipe away the day's makeup with ease. These are *the* definition of legit, so don't sleep on 'em.
And!!! Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water when you're ready to get un-ready but don't want to irritate your face with endless scrubbing and wiping. This gentle formula contains rose water and glycerin to remove makeup, cleanse, *and* hydrate your skin. Just think of it as the more sensible version of Bioderma!
Some cleaning tablets that work just like the popular Bottle Bright tablets but for way less $$$ (15 cents per tablet, to be exact). When it's time for a major refresh, simply drop a tablet in a glass of warm water, then add your mouthguard, retainer, or Invisalign to help demolish odor-causing bacteria, discoloration, and plaque! Bonus: You can even use 'em, to clean grimy water bottles and coffee tumblers.
E.l.f.'s Holy Hydration! Thirst Burst Drops, which uses hyaluronic acid to give your parched skin a giant gulp of moisture. Reviewers swear it's an affordable alternative to the $35 Watermelon Dew Drops from Glow Recipe (they cost 3x as much, just sayin'.) This stuff will help hydrate, plump, and brighten your skin with each use. Wear it solo, apply it before makeup, OR add a few drops to your foundation.
LilyAna Naturals eye cream so you can brighten your under-eye area and reduce dark circles with nourishing ingredients, like provitamin A, vitamins C and E, and rosehip seed oil. We all know about the name-brand versions that can set you back a few bands, but you're too smart for that.
A Renpho percussion massager that'll make it seem like the $300 TheraGun never existed. This one is just as good for relieving sore muscles and it comes with five massage heads to help target different muscle groups. There are also five speeds to choose from to really personalize your massage experience!
A soothing Briotech spray to help calm angry, irritated skin with the same holy-grail ingredient used in Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Spray: hypochlorous acid. Give yourself a spritz to help treat inflammation, reduce redness, *and* strengthen the skin barrier.
A bottle of Elizavecca hair treatment with collagen ingredients and protein extracts when your goal is to restore over-processed hair. Dull, dry strands are about to go POOF — and you won't even have to spend quadruple the cost on Olaplex.
A pair of lightweight legging-style joggers reviewers say are just as good as Lululemon's Align joggers. Whether you're rotting on the couch or hitting the gym, you'll be comfy as heck in these thanks to the elastic waistband and four-way stretch material!
A lash-extending E.l.f. Cosmetics tubing mascara because your lashes deserve the best and you don't wanna waste your time with dry, clumpy (expensive) formulas that leave you full of regret. This one is perfect for thin, delicate lashes. The lightweight tubing technology wraps around your eyelashes for a smudge-proof lift that looks natural. Plus, it's super easy to take off at the end of the day without tons of harsh scrubbing.
OR! Essence's Lash Princess Mascara adored by literally thousands of reviewers because it actually delivers length and volume to your sad lashes without any messy clumping. Once it graces your lashes, you'll wonder how you ever considered overspending on the Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara.
A set of internet-famous Mellanni sheets that'll make it hard for you to get out of bed in the best way. It'll also be hard to believe they don't cost hundreds of dollars, which is what you would spend on Cozy Earth or Egyptian cotton sheets These are made with wonderfully soft moisture-wicking microfiber fabric that actually lasts.
And these silky satin pillowcases so your bedroom will look and feel more luxurious for a fraction of the price of high-end brands like Blissy. These have a cooling effect that's sooo soft on the skin. It also creates less friction for your hair.
NYX setting spray to complete your fierce makeup look with a much-needed BANG! A spritz or two of this stuff will help lock in your product with a matte finish so it lasts for hours without constant reapplying *and* without splurging on Urban Decay's version.
A cult-fave luxury-scented candle — it'll upgrade your space with an upscale feel at a reasonable price. The divine scent features a blend of jasmine, oud, and sandalwood that'll carry you away to a paradise where everything is this amazing *and* affordable.
A reviewer-beloved TruSkin vitamin C serum with vitamins C, E, and hyaluronic acid so you can hydrate and brighten your skin with *one* product It can also help smooth and fade blemishes and dark spots like an absolute charm! Reviewers say it works like the all-too-expensive SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic serum.
A pack of duster sponges if filthy baseboards are the bane of your existence and it's time for a better solution. Simply dampen the sponge and swipe it across dirty surfaces. When you're finished, just rinse it clean and go about your day completely oblivious to the Scrub Daddy's existence.
Nyx Fat Oil Lip Drip because even though it may not seem possible, you can indeed upgrade your pout game without hurting your wallet! It uses vegan squalane and raspberry and cloudberry oils to hydrate your lips. You won't even remember Dior's $40 famous lip oil after this.
An Ugg-inspired suede mule slipper that'll have you doing a double-take when you see the price because they're wayyy more affordable than the name-brand version without compromising on the cozy factor. These have a memory foam insole that molds to your feet for maximum comfort. They even come in half sizes, folks!!
BestLand's high-performance matte lipsticks with literally every color you need for feeling *and* looking absolutely fabulous. It goes on smooth and stays put all day long. Some reviewers even prefer it over more expensive brands that do the same thing, like Tarte, Stila, and Kylie — just to name a few!
An adjustable mini belted pack — yes, there is such a thing as a fashionable fanny pack that doesn't break the bank. If you've been longing for the Lululemon one, this is a much cheaper (and dare I say, cuter) alternative.
An elegant pearl choker if your fashion game could use an upgrade that only looks expensive. This necklace will have Vivienne Westwood clutching her pearls because it's basically identical to the expensive version with a budget-friendly price tag.
A magical eye primer when you want your eye makeup to remain intact ALL day without any smudging or creasing. It'll seem too good to be true but believe the hype — reviewers swear this stuff works just as well as (if not better) the more expensive Urban Decay and Too Faced versions.
A set of chic cylindrical wineglasses so you can feel like absolute royalty without overspending. These are just as glamorous as the Crate & Barrel version but each sip won't be a reminder of how much money you wasted.
E.l.f. Poreless Putty Primer, which helps blur your pores to give you a buttery-smooth, matte complexion that's ~primed~ and ready to receive any makeup you may apply next. It contains collagen, squalene, and hyaluronic acid so you know it's the good stuff — in fact, it's eerily similar to Tatcha's Silk Canvas primer and other expensive options.
Pure Instinct Roll-On, a "pheromone-infused" scent that went viral on TikTok and rightfully so. It's cheaper than the Basic Instinct option, so you're already ahead of the game. It's made to blend with your skin's PH to create a unique scent that'll make you smell utterly irresistible.
A cruelty-free brightening facial scrub that'll quickly become a series regular in your skincare rotation thanks to its magical powers. Reviewers love how well the sea kelp and French green clay work together to detoxify, soften, and get rid of dead skin cells. Plus, it's more affordable than the pricey versions, like Clinique and The Body Shop, for example.