37 Affordable Alternatives To Expensive Brands

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3 days ago

A tinted lip balm reviewers confirm is just as good as Clinique's $25 "Black Honey" — but you'll get two for just $9! You can stow one away for later use or even bless a friend with your bounty.
A long-sleeve bodysuit in a deliciously soft fabric — known as Smoke Cloud — that reviewers compare to Skims. They say it washes well, too, so you can count on it being high quality despite the deceivingly low price!
Elizavecca's Collagen Coating Hair Protein Treatment — it works just like a hair mask to repair your locks in five minutes flat. The ceramide 3- and collagen-packed formula repairs all types of hair, whether you've got over-processed tresses or 4c hair that's susceptible to dryness. Reviewers even say the $8 product is comparable to Olaplex No. 3!
An affordable luxury-scented candle sure to win over fans of Le Labo's $90 Santal 33. Jasmine, oud, sandalwood — this has it all, and reviewers say it has a super strong (but not overbearing) throw.
A pair of lightweight legging-style joggers reviewers say are comparable to Lululemon Align Joggers — but for less than 30 bucks, so you can girl math two more Pilates classes into your weekly budget.
Billion Dollar Brows Eyebrow Powder if you absolutely adore your Anastasia Brow Duo, but you're trying to cut down on the cost of cosmetics. This buildable formula fills in gaps to give you a fuller, yet completely natural look.
A popular checkerboard throw blanket that's garnered comparisons to Barefoot Dreams' much more expensive option. Since you're saving so much, you might as well buy one for your couch, one for your bed, one for your guest bed...
A baroque-inspired mirror — with a gorg gilded frame — if you've long dreamt of owning ***that*** Anthropologie mirror but don't want to take out a second mortgage on your home in order to do so.
Some affordable Eos Shea Butter Vanilla Cashmere body lotion that TikTokers are tripping over themselves to get as they swear it moisturizes and smells as good as much more expensive options from brands like Philosophy and Bath & Body Works.
L'Oreal True Match Lumi Glotion — it'll deliver a sun-kissed, natural glow comparable to Drunk Elephant's bronzing drops *and* you don't even have to spend any time in the sun to achieve it.
LivaClean Superstar pimple patches if you love the look of Starface patches, but can't stomach throwing even more money at your acne. Paying for clear skin is just the worst, isn't it??
A stretchy bodycon pencil dress that'll basically feel like a second skin. Some reviewers say they were considering splurging on the Skims version until they tried this and loved it just as much!
A tube of E.l.f. Halo Glow Liquid Filter — a $14 alternative to Charlotte Tilbury's Hollywood Flawless Filter — with a hyaluronic acid- and squalane-infused formula that will beautifully blur pores and leave you dewy and radiant.
A Simple Modern tumbler if you're looking for an option that will keep your drink cold for hours on end, and don't really care about the name brand. 🤷‍♀️ It also comes in a bunch of pretty pastels and checkerboard prints, sooo it's really a no-brainer.
A set of aesthetic wrist and ankle weights that look a whole lot like Bala Bangles, but will ring in at half the price. You can use 'em on a power walk, at Pilates, or just while you do chores around the house — it may seem simple, but wait until you're putting away dishes in overhead cupboards for a couple of minutes...
A sunrise alarm clock reviewers say is super comparable to Hatch's as it offers seven nature sounds and slowly wakes you up over the course of 30 minutes by mimicking a sunrise.
A faux-leather bag that can straight up pass for Polène's Cyme. Despite its low price point, reviewers say the quality and detail — from the stitching to the hardware — is there. 👏
A cherry bag charm if you're currently 'Jane Birkinifying' all of your bags — aka accessorizing your accessories — and fell in love with a particular $95 charm that's taken TikTok by storm.
A Briotech spray reviewers compare to Tower 28's SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray. Similar to its pricier counterpart, the mist employs hypochlorous acid to fight off irritants and target all sorts of skin woes from acne and rosacea to eczema and dermatitis.
A colorful pan — from BuzzFeed's Goodful line — that's not just cute, but has the ability to kick all of your other dented and scratched pots to the curb as it can pan fry, sauté, sear, boil, simmer, blanche, braise, poach, deep fry, stew... and more but I'll stop myself there.
Slingback heels for anyone leaning into their timeless French fashion era. What can I say? The French know what they're doing and these Chanel-inspired heels are a no-brainer.
Hanes Ultimate ankle socks — an affordable alternative to Aritzia's TNA line that'll still deliver a low crew cut and cushioned design that ensures all-day comfort.
A beaded shoulder bag you'll immediately treat as well as your firstborn child, so it stays in the best condition imaginable. It's v similar to options from Staud if you love the look but simply can't afford the brand!
A Baccarat Rouge 540-inspired moisturizing body wash so you can still take a moment to treat yourself, even if you don't have time for an everything shower. Reviewers say the white jasmine, red currant, and sweet amber scent lasts on their skin all day and even delightfully lingers in their bathroom.
A longline sports bra that reviewers swear by as it offers loads of support, isn't see-through, and its quality is on par with much more expensive options from Athleta and Lululemon.
MagicMinerals AirBrush Foundation — a worthy alternative to Dior's (discontinued 🪦) Airflash. This two-piece airbrush foundation and kabuki brush delivers a lightweight, buildable, flawless finish. Reviewers say a little goes a long way, too, so you don't have to worry about the spray-on formula going too fast.
A pair of $15 oval sunnies reviewers say may or may not look like a $500+ Celine pair 👀 and I'm right there with them.
A sophisticated laptop tote bag that looks a whole lot like one from Beis but for a fraction of the price. 👀 It'll fit your laptop, your wallet, your snackies, and more, so you don't have to schlep several bags to the office.
A pair of stylish teardrop earrings if you want the luxe look of Bottega Veneta but don't want to drop the equivalent of a month's rent on them — especially with how often you misplace things.
A dazzling cubic zirconia ring that looks *just* like the one you've seen on the hand of many a celeb and influencer — but for $10. Just keep it away from water (and maybe don't wear it to Solidcore classes if you sweat a lot), and you'll get your money's worth.
A trio of hydrating lip sleeping masks for just $10 (!!) if you've been hesitant to drop $$$ on a singular Laneige lip mask.
A CZ tennis bracelet that — according to reviewers — can pass for real-deal diamonds, especially when incorporated in a sparkly stack.
NYX Fat Oil Lip Drip — a TikTok-approved Dior alternative sure to deliver the perfect pout for under 10 bucks! It can be worn alone for a subtle look or layered over other lip products for a full glam moment.
An Amazon Basics 6-quart Dutch oven people compare to budget-busting versions from Le Creuset, Staub, and Lodge. Cutting costs here means you can invest more in ingredients!
A floral cottagecore rug or mat that — for the first week, at least — will have you staring down at the floor in awe. Reviews compare it to Rifle Paper Co. options, but note that the price is way more palatable!
A set of cylindrical wineglasses that'll make you feel R–I–C–H even if you're just throwing back some Two-Buck Chuck. These babies may be from Amazon, but they're totally giving Crate & Barrel.
And a set of amber glass soap dispensers guests might mistake for Aesop, but they won't run you over $40 a pop! Fill 'em with your products of choice and get ready for loads of compliments!