28 Affordable Ulta Beauty Products That Deliver Results

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18-05-2025

E.l.f.'s Lash Xtndr Tubing Mascara hugs each lash to create volume and extends length with a unique technology that our readers and editors alike can't stop raving about. Enriched with jojoba seed oil, this conditions as the applicator separates and lengthens each lash. What are you left with? A long-lasting, dramatic, eye-opening finish.
Maybelline's Lash Sensational Sky High mascara lifts lashes in one fell swoop — you won't believe you spent under $13 for this kinda finish. Infused with bamboo extract and fibers, it gives lashes a type of spellbinding hold and volume that won't clump or flake.
E.l.f.'s Poreless Putty Primer grips makeup for all-day wear. Simply sweep the velvety-soft formula (that has a few thousand positive ratings) over skin pre-foundation to smooth out uneven complexions and minimize the appearance of pores in a flash.
Good Molecules Yerba Mate eye gel wakes up under eyes with a healthy dose of caffeine and antioxidants to help reduce puffiness, not to mention assisting in hydrating and firming up delicate skin with hyaluronic acid. For something that costs as much as a fancy coffee but lasts a lot longer (a pea-size amount is all you need!), we know which one we're investing in to make us appear more alert in the mornings.
Living Proof Instant De-Frizzer spray reduces up to 92% of frizz (!!!) so all you have to do to tackle bedhead is give your hair a nice ~spritz~ and simply comb the product through. It also softens your hair between washes and provides UV protection, all with a lightweight and wearable formula. To put it lightly, not all heroes wear capes.
Aquaphor's Healing Stick packs natural skin healers like avocado oil and shea butter into one mess-free applicator with multitasking benefits, one that yours truly is actively using to hydrate dry patches and smooth skin creases. But that's not all this wonder balm can do: Glide it over skin to prevent chafing and irritation — or toss it in your bag to shield against windburn on the go.
To prevent under-eye dryness throughout the day, the Aquaphor Healing Balm is my MVP. I use it as a priming base for either my tinted eye cream (when I'm going for a no-makeup day) or under my concealer. It gives my skin an instant glow and locks in moisture; it appears to blur lines better than if I were to go without it. I have noticed that my makeup doesn't crease as much when I use it, which is obviously a bonus, but I wouldn't say that it completely prevents cakey-ness. I'm always kicking myself if I forget to apply it, as my skin is noticeably less hydrated, so this will continue to be a mainstay in my routine.Promising reviews: "I'm on my third tube and just ordered another. This is great for lips and dry patches on the face. I also use this as a primer for my concealer. Great product!!" —Lainy"I rub this on my neck and wrists before applying perfume. Makes my fragrance last ALL DAY and project." —MsandyPrice: $12.99
Nyx Professional Epic Ink Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner produces precise, sharp, and downright majestic cat eyes with its long-wear, waterproof formula. Invented with a fine felt tip that's user-friendly, it's perfect for newbs and pros alike who are looking to enhance their eye shape with a bold or subtle look that'll last.
Promising review: "This Waterproof Epic Ink Liner is so cute and so vibrant. The felt tip helps the product apply on soooo smoothly. This product would be ABSOLUTELY PERFECT FOR FESTIVAL MAKEUP. This product is available in different shades. Also, this product is really affordable, only $10. I will definitely be purchasing this product in different shades." —AlexisPrice: $10 (available in nine shades)
E.l.f. Cosmetics Glow Reviver Lip Oil drenches lips in a similar look and feel to costlier alternatives like, say, the Dior Lip Oil — but all for a more attractive price. Cracked lips will now be a thing of the past, thanks to its nonsticky, high-gloss formula that's packed with moisturizing jojoba and avocado oils.
Promising review: "This is a really great lip oil! It feels and looks great! It lasts for a long time, too! I love the minty scent too! I would definitely recommend!" —Ulta CustomerPrice: $8 (available in 10 shades)
First Aid Beauty's KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub Exfoliant decongests pores with a combination of glycolic and lactic acid. It gently exfoliates and renews rough and bumpy skin with pumice buffing beads that don't cause irritation.
Anua Heartleaf + Vitamin E pore-clearing cleansing oil gently cleanses with its lightweight formula but is tough on gunk and heavy-handed on impurities in one go. Reviewers rave about this sebum-reducing hero, noting its ability to yank blackheads out from cheeks and the nose once it emulsifies with water and is massaged into the skin. The result? A clear, glowing complexion that feels soft and soothed with not a lot of effort.
L'Oreal Age Perfect Midnight Cream renews cells and repairs the skin's natural barrier while you sleep, with its lightweight, antioxidant-infused moisturizer. Reviewers say they've noticed a visible difference in their skin's texture and fine lines after consistent nightly use.
Promising review: "I am on my third jar of this lovely night cream. A jar lasts about 6 weeks with nightly use. It accelerates cell turnover but doesn't beat up my skin's moisture barrier like similar products have in the past. It is weightless but keeps my skin moist and supple through the night. The consistency is pudding-like. The fragrance is pleasant, mild, and fades quickly. I'm most pleased that this product doesn't irritate my very sensitive eyes at all. On especially dry days, I dab a tiny bit extra under my eyes, and it plumps the area nicely. The price is very reasonable for the quantity and quality of the product. The jar is beautiful and can be repurposed to hold small treasures or be recycled." —MamalehPrice: $36.99
Mighty Patch hydrocolloid pimple patches work to absorb pus and shrink zits ~head on~ without you needing to do any extra work (or popping!). Since adult acne is a thing *sigh*, these are great to prevent picking and, according to one of our editors, are an effective treatment to help avoid scarring and hyperpigmentation.
Nudestix Nudies Matte Lux All Over Face Blush delivers a buttery-soft, peachy flush that you can use as an eyeshadow, blush, or lipstick. It's designed with a built-in brush, so you can take this vitamin-E-enriched, multitasking marvel on the go for first applications and end-of-day touch-ups. No extra tools or products needed.
Promising review: "Blush is not an integral part of my routine, so being able to keep this in my bag to brighten up my cheeks when I need to is great. Obviously purchased it because I can apply it, keep my hands clean, and not have to carry around an additional brush or Beautyblender." —ViPrice: $35 (available in five shades)
Curlsmith Hold Me Softly Style Balm offers a lightweight curl-enhancing formula that — ta-daaa — gives tresses some oomph without the crunch. Think: frizz control paired with soft definition; best applied to wet, sectioned-off hair that you can wrap and now shape with ease.
Promising review: "I hope they never discontinue this!!! I use this generously under my gel on wash days (on very wet hair), and it smooths and softens my coarse, low-porosity hair like a dream! I also love to use this to dry refresh my curls on days 2–4, and it's amazing at smoothing down my frizz! It's so lightweight and I love that it dries down super soft :-)" —KPrice: $28+ (available in two sizes)
Londontown Kur Illuminating Nail Concealer coats your nails in an Insta-worthy finish that brightens and neutralizes the look of discoloration. Available in several subtle shades, you can achieve that perfectly chic, no-mani mani in minutes. I mean, Hailey Bieber could never...
Benefit Cosmetics Porefessional Super Setter spray secures makeup with a lightweight, waterproof mist that lasts up to 16 hours *with* the added benefit of blurring pores for a satin-soft complexion.
I can attest that Benefit's The Porefessional Setting Spray lives up to the hype. It gently mists a light (but totally effective) airbrush quality over my skin that no other setting spray has ever done for me before. It blurs texture and uneven tone to leave my makeup pretty much looking — if you can believe it — flawless. I am, hands down, a true fan and will definitely be keeping this in my beauty arsenal for all makeup application days from here on out.Promising review: "I love this setting spray. My friend suggested it and now I've been using it for a few years and it is just so good. It keeps makeup intact for hours while also giving me a hydrated feel. It's very lightweight and sometimes I just spray it on throughout the day to make my makeup look more glowy." —IrisPrice: $16 (also available in full size $35)
Clinique Pop Lip + Cheek Oil in Black Honey dishes out the viral glossy look in a multipurpose formula that saves you time (and money). Ever dreamed of extending the universally complementary hue beyond your lips? Now you can color match your cheeks with the same wash, giving your skin a naturally-flushed look in a pinch. And don't fret, reviewers note that this dries down and doesn't feel sticky.
Promising review: "Didn't know my cheeks needed this. I have never been a big fan of using lip oils in my cheeks, but I tried this and wow, do I love it. It gives me a dewy glow that lasts all day without clogging pores or anything. My cheeks stay on the dry side, and this has been a total game-changer. It has become a must-have for my daily routine." —MelPrice: $27 (available in two shades)
La Roche-Posay Face Wash Cleanser gets you your money's worth since reviewers say its foaming technology goes a LONG way (and just look at the size of it!). Plus, its gentle formula works wonders to remove makeup, excess oil, and impurities, all while leaving your precious sensitive skin with its natural layer. This is now a strip-free zone!
Promising review: "I've been using this cleanser for about two years now, and it's treated me great. It makes my face feel so smooth, and it does a good job of clearing up my breakouts. I've put several people on to this product, and they seem to like it too. I also feel like the price is unbeatable. I've used CeraVe facial washes and all of that, and none of them really seemed to do anything for my skin except this one." —BigLianPrice: $19.99
Curlsmith Multi-tasking Conditioner upgrades your hair-softening experience with a protein-packed formula that can be used in so many different ways, it's got my head spinning (in the best way possible). Apply it as a rinse-out, deep conditioner, or leave-in treatment to achieve your healthiest-looking, hair-commercial-flipping, frizz-free hair.
Blends of babassu, jojoba, and castor oils are there for your hair cuticles — while hemp seed and rice protein offer a plant-based alternative to animal keratin to strengthen strands.Promising review: "I purchased this product because my hair lacked protein. I've used it as a regular conditioner, deep conditioner and leave-in, and it works well for all three! I have 3B/3C hair, and I love using a little bit of it as a leave-in after wash day. It helps my hair remain defined and soft until my next wash." —ChardonnayPrice: $28+ (available in two sizes)
Live Tinted Glotion Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 layers beautifully over prepped skin and offers lightweight coverage in a flexible shade that can even out your complexion (while still protecting your skin). You can expect a dewy glow that pairs well under concealer and foundation — or even while flying solo.
Live Tinted is a South Asian woman-owned beauty brand founded by beauty blogger and entrepreneur Deepica Mutyala. Her brand is built around diversity and inclusion, with phenomenal multitasking products that address skin concerns like hyperpigmentation. Just peep their top-selling color-correcting Huestick.I have an announcement to make: I've officially found my new holy grail in Live Tinted's Glotion. From the way it layers on top of my skincare to how it blends under my concealer and bronzer, this stuff means business. My skin feels hydrated and protected at the same time, and I've found it makes the perfect lightweight base for when I want to even out my skin tone without heavy makeup. The spout applicator is genius, allowing the product to trickle out easily across the skin. Plus, it rubs in seamlessly — unlike other mineral sunscreens you might have come across that leave behind a texture, cast, or weird-feeling film that pills. This does none of that. Something else I've noticed when I wear this? I receive a ton of compliments on the way my skin looks. So, needless to say, my obsession with this brand continues.Promising review: "I started using mineral sunscreen as my skin has become too sensitive to chemical ones. I tried various mineral sunscreens, and all left some type of white cast, too greasy, too heavy, pills under makeup, but not this one! It leaves a beautiful, glowy finish without looking greasy. It sits well under makeup, so I can't recommend it enough!" —AshPrice: $36 (available in two shades)
Peter Thomas Roth Ultimate 5 Solution Eye Cream features five benefits into its whipped, ultra-hydrating formula. Hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, ceramides, caffeine — oh my — all of which can help improve skin firmness, dark circles, puffiness, fine lines, and dryness if applied twice a day.
Promising review: "Extremely effective! I have always been a fan of Peter Thomas Roth, so I tried this eye cream. It outranks every other one I have tried, and I saw a change within a week!" —AudreyPrice: $38
Pür Silky Tint Creamy Multitasking Stick blends and melts into skin with a moisturizing, peptide-rich formula to deliver a sun-kissed glow that begs the question, "Who's that girl?!" Oh, it's just you and your new elevated makeup routine. Using the handy applicator, simply dab it on your lips, across your cheekbones and nose bridge, plus your brow bone for a unified, year-round, influencer-inspired flush.
Promising review: "The Pur 'You Go Pearl' multitasking stick is beautiful! The packaging makes it super easy to dispense the product and convenient to take on the go. The pearly color worked really well for my olive undertones. I use two methods for application, the first just my hands — I'll warm the product up on the back of my hand, then apply using my fingers to the high points of my cheeks and nose. The second — If I want to get a more precise application, I'll pick up the product with a brush and apply it to the inner corner of my eyes and brow bone. The product wears well and layers well both under and over powder. I'm interested in trying the more pink shade now! Highly recommend this!" —JasminePrice: $26 (available in six shades)
Batiste Dry Shampoo freshens up grease-ridden hair instantly — and as an added bonus, it also creates volume. Pro tip: Spritz this on your roots before bed and let it work the night shift on your oily locks for a serious time-saving solution.
Promising review: "I really love this dry shampoo. I have heard of this name brand for such a long time, but I always went with other dry shampoos. I smelled this in the store, and it smells so good, really fresh and light. I'm so glad I decided to buy this because it really gets the job done. It makes my second-day hair look like I washed it that day, and it looks, feels, and smells awesome. I have brown hair, and I also haven't noticed any white residue, which means it is absorbing up all the oil like it's supposed to. For the price and size of the can you get, you can't go wrong with getting this." —JennPrice: $12.49+ (available in two sizes)PS: It was also selected as our low-price point pick for the best dry shampoos.
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream perks up the skin's moisture barrier with its 4.5% squalene formula. Composed of a rich yet lightweight moisturizer, this can provide up to 72 hours of soothing hydration that absorbs into the skin without the greasy finish.
It's fragrance-free!This is the only moisturizer I trust to take care of dryness and irritation. I have hyper-sensitive, acne-prone skin. Once I apply this, it feels like a breath of fresh air is hitting my face in that it soothes any redness, delivers instant hydration, and doesn't feel greasy. I opt to use this at night as my final step in my routine, and, without fail, I wake up with my skin looking smooth and (still) feeling moisturized.Promising review: "I have combination skin that is both dry, oily, and sensitive in certain areas on my face. I'm so glad I made the purchase and tried it out. I use this product religiously and have seen so much improvement!" —AchanPrice: $26+ (available in four sizes and also in a refill)
Bumble and Bumble Invisible Oil Heat and UV Protector primes parched locks for initial post-shower styling *and* day two RE-styling. This frizz-fighting, leave-in formula detangles and shields each strand from sun rays and hot air so roots and tips of different thicknesses and textures can all receive a spritz wherever they require extra moisture.
Oh! This includes six featherlight oils, including coconut, macadamia, and argania kernel, and can be applied to both damp and dry hair for heat-styling protection or just protection from the drying effects of the sun. Promising review: "I am very picky about hair products, and this is my favorite leave-in conditioner! I have dry, damaged, thinning hair, so it's hard to find products that are very moisturizing but don't make my thinning hair greasy. This is the perfect balance. My hair detangles so easily with just a few sprays, and it protects my hair from heat damage as I blow-dry and straighten my hair. I will also use a little on my dry hair before straightening, and it doesn't weigh my hair down like every leave-in or heat protectant I've used. It smells great too. I tend to spray this into my hands and evenly distribute it through my hair. It truly is one of the best products out there, and trust me, I've tried a lot." —DenisePrice: $34
Winky Lux Flower Balm cleverly changes color with your skin's pH level. Taking the guesswork out of finding the perfect shade to match your complexion? Done, thanks to this rave-worthy lippy that even has a flower living inside of it.👀
Tarte Shape Tape Concealer camouflages dark circles, blemishes, and dark spots for long wear, crease-free coverage that never flakes. Because once this stuff is blended, it sticks to its plan of keeping your makeup looking on point.
RoC Vitamin C Brightening Serum for Dark Spots & Uneven Tone supplies the skin with not one, but two benefits: brightening and tightening. This noncomedogenic serum can help improve radiance and minimize dark spots *and* the appearance of fine lines with peptides that assist with the loss of skin elasticity.
Promising review: "This is the second time I have purchased this, and I love how it brightens my skin and removes dark areas. I have used other products twice as pricey and never got results like I do with this. Great for sensitive skin, too!" —MkMeLaughPrice: $34.99