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Genius Things Under $30 That Make You Look Amazing

We’re spilling our best beauty (and beauty-adjacent) secrets.

Written by Natalie Gale
Genius Things Under $30 That Make You Look Amazing
Amazon
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Attention, beauty lovers — or anyone who loves a good deal, really. Bustle’s shopping editors have compiled this list of 50 products on Amazon that are so worth it, because they’ll help make you look (and feel) absolutely amazing.

You’ll find masks, gadgets, accessories, and tons of tips and tricks on the subtle little tweaks that help give your appearance (and therefore, your confidence) a boost. Plus, nothing on the list is over $30.

1This Moisturizing Under-Eye Balm That’s Easy To Apply Anywhere, Anytime

Sure, this under-eye treatment has gone viral on TikTok, but that’s not all it has going for it. The balm is a daily deep moisturizer infused with retinol to increase skin cell turnover, peptides to strengthen the skin barrier, hyaluronic acid to intensely hydrate, and alpha arbutin to reduce hyperpigmentation. It gives you a smoother, more hydrated under-eye area not only upon application, but all day long. And because it’s in convenient stick form, you can apply it anytime you need a boost, no matter where you are.

2This 160-Piece Set Of Press-On Gel Nails That Look Super Realistic

Get the nail salon look without the price tag with these press-on French tip gel nails that go for no more than $30 (for a whopping 160-piece set). The set comes with 30 nails in five different neutral colors, and their pliable gel material means they contour perfectly to all nail shapes. They require nothing more than a primer and a top coat, and they look super realistic.

3These Thin Leather Belts To Add Dimension & Shape To Your Looks

Cinch the waist of any dress or top with these thin leather belts that add dimension and shape to your looks. The belts’ lengths adjust with a sliding inside layer, while the metal alloy fastener in the front makes them look perfectly tailored to your specific measurements. Use the belt to keep an oversized sweater closed, to add a waistline to a smock dress, or to add a pop of visual interest to a bodycon look. And since the belts are genuine leather, they’re sure to last you a lifetime (but they’re only around $10 each).

  • Available colors: 22

4These Powder Puffs That Make Your Makeup Look Airbrushed

These cute little puffs are made of foam covered in microfiber, and are designed to help you apply and buff out your makeup perfectly. When you use them to apply setting powder in particular, they’ll make your skin look practically airbrushed. Sold in a six-pack, they have a convenient satin finger strap on the back, and they’re easy to wash either in the sink or the washing machine.

  • Available colors: 12

5A Peel-Off Lip Stain That Actually Lasts All Day Long

Amazon’s number-one best-seller in lip stains, this Wonder Blading lip stain by Wonderskin is about to become your new favorite lip product. The genius stain actually lasts all day long — you apply the product, let it sit for a minute, and then wipe it off with a damp cloth, revealing a perfectly set stain that you can then top off with a lip gloss, if you want. If you want more details, check out our editor’s firsthand review of the product.

  • Available colors: 17

6This Luxe Body Lotion That Gives Your Skin A Subtle Sheen

Making sure your body is smooth and hydrated every day doesn’t have to cost you more than $10. This budget-friendly body lotion by Mario Badescu does exactly that, as it deeply nourishes with vitamin A, beeswax, and peanut oil without feeling heavy or greasy. It even has mica that adds a subtle, natural-looking sheen to your skin, so you look radiant from neck to toe.

7These Jewelry-Like Hair Ties To Elevate Your Ponytails & Buns

Trade in your plain hair elastics for this three-pack of gold hair ties that look just as nice on your wrists as they do in your hair. Strong enough for thick and curly hair types, the ties give your updos a chic upgrade at a super low cost — this pack of three is no more than $10. While this chain link design is so in right now, the ties come in tons of different bracelet-like options, with different elastic and metal colors to match anyone’s hair color and preference.

  • Available colors: 21

8A Powerful Yet Gentle Pimple Patch Designed For Early-Stage Breakouts

You’ve probably heard of Hero Cosmetics’ Mighty Patch pimple patches that all but eradicate late-stage pimples overnight. But did you know they have a Mighty Patch Micropoint line designed for early-stage pimples? The patches’ tiny micropoints deliver salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and willow bark extract straight to the source, gentle bringing the pimple to the surface so it’s gone ASAP.

9This Eyelash Growth Serum That Helps To Transform Lashes In As Little As A Month

If you haven’t invested in an eyelash growth serum yet, here’s your sign to do so. This VieBeauti serum has sold over 10,000 times in the last month alone, and its glowing reviews attest to its effectiveness. All you have to do is brush the serum onto your lash line once a day, and in no time, you should notice stronger, fuller, healthier lashes.

10This Tinted Powder That Lets You Cover Up Roots & Fake A Fuller Hairline

Make your hair look thicker and fuller in seconds with this hairline powder by BOLDIFY. The under-$20 product works wonders when it comes to concealing roots, touching up highlights, or thickening the look of your hair. The powder comes with a handy applicator for perfectly targeted coverage (unlike root sprays), and it’s designed to stay locked in place for 48 hours. It even comes in 14 different natural shades to perfectly match your hair color.

  • Available colors: 14

11This Chic, Smooth Bodysuit With The Perfect Cut

Upgrade your standard bodysuits with this one that gives you the most gorgeous silhouette with its square neckline and cap sleeves. It’s part of the brand’s “smoke cloud” collection, named for the fabric’s buttery soft feel and super stretch. The double layer fabric is perfectly opaque, it has a thong cut at the bottom, and it’s less than $30. The bodysuit is comfy enough to wear everyday, but its elegant cut and its chic color options make it easy to dress up, too.

  • Available sizes: X-Small — 3X-Large
  • Available colors: 12

12These Glow Drops That Are Rich In Good-For-Skin Nutrients

Give your skin an instant boost of radiance with these glow drops that ring up at under $25. The drops contain ingredients that are chock full of antioxidants, like vitamin C, vitamin E, rosehip oil, and sunflower seed oil. The drops brighten and provide a healthy, dewy glow to dry or undernourished skin — they can even be used in place of a moisturizer. Pro tip: mix a drop into your foundation to give it a dewier finish.

13An LED Mirror So Your Makeup Always Looks Perfect

Never again struggle with less-than-ideal lighting while you’re applying makeup with this travel makeup mirror. It has three light temperature settings — cool, natural, and warm — so you can apply your makeup in whatever light it’ll be seen in. The LED mirror has adjustable brightness settings and a detachable magnifying mirror, too. It charges with a USB, and its smaller-than-an-iPad dimensions make it so easy to travel with. Plus, it’s under $25.

14This Blow Dryer Brush For Easy DIY Blowouts That Look Professionally Done

Perfect your blowout for less than $30 with Conair’s “Knot Dr.” blow dryer brush. You’ll never again have to juggle a round brush in one hand and a blow dryer in the other with this hot tool that acts as both. The handy tool smoothes, dries, and detangles all in one step, with flexible nylon bristles that gentle work through tangles as it blows hot, warm, or cool air. Its silicone-cushioned paddle adds some extra shine, too.

15This Concealing Polish That Strengthens Nails, Too

Transform brittle, yellowing, or dry, unpainted nails with this concealing nail polish that’s designed to strengthen natural nails and conceal imperfections with its sheer wash of color. The polish hides yellowing or cracking (perfect for your post-gel manicure nails) while it nourishes with primrose oil, keratin, and jojoba oil. While the polish comes in three neutral-adjacent colors, this sheer pearl white option nails the “quiet luxury” vibe.

  • Available colors: 3

16An Affordable 3-Pack Of Dainty, Gold Plated Earrings

It sounds too good to be true, but it’s not — get a new, refreshed set of earrings for less than $15 with this three pack. The set comes with three different pairs — one mini gold hoop, one mini gold hoop with a cubic zirconia stone, and one gold leaf stud with cubic zirconia gems. Wear them all together, or mix and match depending on what your earscape looks like. And since each earring is made of 14-karat gold-plated brass, they’re durable enough for everyday wear.

17This Tinted Lip Oil For A Glossy Effect Without Any Stickiness

This three-in-one product packs such a punch, it’s about to become your new favorite makeup staple — the lip oil hydrates while it adds a subtle tint and a glossy finish, too. It’ll leave your lips with a look that’s understated yet eye-catching, with a lightweight, non-sticky formula and a sheer wash of color. It contains peptides to deeply nourish your lips, and each lip oil in this two-pack goes for less than $10.

  • Available colors: 11

18This Tinted Balm That Gives Your Skin A Super Natural-Looking Flush

Stash this handy all-over balm in your bag and you’ll never be without a quick complexion refresh any time of day. The balm’s sheer wash of pink color is perfect for lips, cheeks, and eyes, as it helps to perk up your face whenever you need a quick boost — and it’s just as perfect for no-makeup makeup looks, too. It contains shea butter and sweet almond oil to add some extra nourishment to dry skin, and it goes for less than $25.

19This Soothing Eye Mask You Can Use Warm Or Cold

Perk up puffy eyes in the morning with this handy gel bead mask. Just store the mask in the fridge or freezer — then, when you’re ready to use it, its velcro straps make it fit comfortably against your face for instant relief and reduced puffiness. It works warm, too, which is especially great for migraines or dry eyes. Just pop it in the microwave for 20 seconds and it’ll be good to go.

  • Available colors: 3

20These Self-Tanning Drops You Can Mix Into Any Lotion

At-home tanning has never been so easy. These self-tanning drops by Isle of Paradise mix into any of your existing moisturizers, meaning you can incorporate self-tanning into your routine without adding any extra steps. Amazon’s number-one best-seller in facial tanning drops, the product goes for no more than $30 and makes your glow fully customizable — add three to 12 drops into your moisturizer depending on how much of a bronze you want. You can even mix it into your body lotion, too.

  • Available shades: 3

21A Blackhead Extraction Tool For Giving Yourself At-Home Facials

Reduce the look of clogged pores in mere minutes with this blackhead remover tool. The professional-grade tool is under $30, and helps you extract pores safely at home with its stainless steel face spatula. Its blackhead remover mode turns water on damp skin to steam as it gently extracts excess oil and sebum from your pores. Its other modes assist in cleansing and applying creams, and it even comes with two silicone scrubbers to give your skin an even deeper clean.

22An 8-Second Rinse That Gives You Impossibly Silky Hair

A hair treatment that takes only eight seconds to use? It’s not too good to be true. This 8 Second Wonder Water hair rinse by L’Oreal is designed to make your hair silkier and shinier in just a few seconds. It’s full of moisturizing agents and amino acids that work to instantly repair damaged hair — apply the Wonder Water two or three times a week to damp hair after shampooing, and get ready to see your hair transformed from the very first use.

23These Satin Scarves That Are So Versatile & Chic

These adorable satin scarves come in a whopping 40 different colors and patterns — but since they’re less than $10 each, you don’t have to pick just one. Use them to tie your hair back on wash days, add a little oomph to a ponytail, or tie them around your neck or pocketbook. And they have almost exclusively five-star ratings, to boot.

  • Available colors: 40

24A Hair Treatment That Removes Buildup & Brightens Your Color For Less Than $5

Designed to prep your hair for color — though it can be used to extend the life of your color, too — this Color Prepare hair treatment by Malibu C goes at the very beginning of your hair care routine. Simply wet your hair, massage it in and rinse, and then use shampoo and conditioner. It removes mineral buildup and other color blockers, ensuring you get a more even, bright color that lasts for longer, too.

25These Affordable Under-Eye Masks That Make A Noticeable Difference

Have you been seeing these Grace & Stella eye patches everywhere lately? Probably because they’ve been getting so popular on Amazon, and for good reason — they help to give you a noticeably more hydrated, brighter under-eye area after just one application. These restoring under-eye masks are perfect for when you have tired skin from a restless night, and they work even better if they’re kept in the freezer or fridge. Plus, this pack of 24 pairs is no more than $10!

26An Eyeshadow Primer That’ll Prevent Your Makeup From Creasing Or Fading

An essential makeup routine step if you’re wearing eyeshadow, especially if you have oily skin, this Thank Me Later eyeshadow primer by Elizabeth Mott means your eye makeup won’t crease or budge all day long. The weightless formula gives you a smooth canvas and locks makeup into place while also boosting the color of any eyeshadow you apply on top. And if you need more convincing, check out the reviewers’ many impressive before and after photos.

27This Dainty Gold Anklet That’ll Upgrade Any Ankle-Baring Look

Add a pop of stylishness to your look with this dainty gold anklet that’s under $15. Anklets are among this year’s biggest jewelry trends — and while this might not be the $400,000 diamond anklet Rihanna wore on the red carpet last year, it’s an elegant and affordable way to try the trend. Made of 14-karat gold-plated brass, the anklet’s durable enough for everyday wear, has an adjustable length, and comes in over 30 different designs.

  • Available designs: 33

28A Stainless Steel Gua Sha For Depuffing & Sculpting Your Skin

If you’ve been looking to invest in a gua sha tool, check out this stainless steel option that’s less than $10. And before your start, read up on the history of gua sha — it’s been used within the Traditional Chinese Medicine practice as far back as the Paleolithic Age to treat pain and illness. This stainless steel gua sha tool is great for lymphatic drainage on the face or anywhere else on the body, and is easy to clean and comes with its own travel pouch. Pro tip: keep it in the fridge of freezer to enhance its depuffing abilities.

29These Beauty Sponges That Give Makeup A Professionally Done Effect

For greater precision when applying your makeup, check out this seven-pack of makeup sponges. It comes with six large sponges in three distinct shapes, and one small sponge designed for precise eye makeup and concealer application. Each of the latex sponges is super soft and bouncy, and, when used damp, with help you blend your makeup flawlessly without absorbing it. They even come in their own adorable storage jar, and they’re less than $10 in total.

30These Knotted Headbands That’ll Make Any Outfit A Bit Cuter

For a quick and easy hairdo, pop on one of the knotted headbands from this set of four, each of which has a trendy, yet neutral design. The wide headbands are slip-resistant and, according to their many glowing reviews, don’t hurt behind your ears by the end of the day. They’re perfect for second- or third-day hair when you want to hold your hair back, or for adding a bit of visual interest while keeping your locks out of your face.

  • Available colors: 5

31This Teeth Whitening Kit For Professional-Level Results At Home

Get professional-level whitening results at home for right around $10 with this teeth whitening kit. It sounds too good to be true, but it really works — and it’s so easy to use. Just fill the trays with the included carbamide peroxide syringes, put the trays in your mouth, turn on the LED light, and sit for 10 to 30 minutes. While you’ll see results after just one use, use the kit for a week to see full results and say goodbye to pesky coffee, tea, and red wine stains.

32These Hot Rollers That Give You A Bouncy Blowout Look Without Any Skills Required

These ionic conditioning hair setters give you maximum curls with minimum frizz. The set comes with 20 hot rollers in three different sizes — each roller has a velvet lining and color coded clips to secure them in place without creasing the hair. The rollers’ thermal cores help them retain heat for longer, and they even have over 17,000 five-star ratings to back them up.

33An Eyeliner Stencil For The Perfect Clean Lines (Anywhere)

Do you struggle to get the perfect cat eye look? Say hello to this $5 eyeliner stencil that’ll solve that problem for good. The stencil is designed with a thin edge for a clean finish, and you can use it with any type of eyeliner brush or pencil. And it’s not just for eyeliner — use it for snatched brow edges or for contouring your nose or cheekbones, too.

34These No-Show Panties So You Don’t Have To Worry About Panty Lines

Say goodbye to panty lines with this seven-pack of seamless underwear. The panties are made of a nylon that’s stretchy but not tight, so you’ll feel like you’re wearing nothing. Their cotton crotches provide breathability, and their cheeky fit gives you the perfect amount of coverage. The panties come in both neutral and colorful options, and they come out to only around $3 each.

  • Available sizes: X-Small — X-Large
  • Available colors: 16

35This Portable Wand For Smoothing Down Unwanted Baby Hairs & Frizz

This ultra-convenient frizz tamer wand is about to give you the easiest slicked back look ever. The serum smooths unwanted frizz while boosting shine at the same time with keratin and argan oil, and its tangle-free spoolie applicator gives you all that sleekness with just a swipe or two. The product is especially great for stashing in your bag and using for last-minute touch-ups, and it goes for no more than $10.

36A Wireless, Seamless Bra That Still Provides Support

Another seamless piece to add to your underwear collection: this wire-free, seamless bra. The stretchy nylon bra has adjustable spaghetti straps and built-in pads that’ll stay in place through the wash. The bra’s fabric is buttery soft, but still gives you the support of an underwire bra without any of the discomfort. It has a hook-and-eye closure in the back, comes in 19 different colors, and goes for less than $30.

  • Available sizes: X-Small — XX-Large
  • Available colors: 19

37This Three-Piece Set For Grooming Your Eyebrows & Lashes

Elevate your beauty tool lineup for less than $10 with this three-piece brow comb and lash spoolie set. It’s Amazon’s current number-one best-seller in brow brushes, but you’ll get so much more than just that. It comes with a lash separator for defined, lengthened lashes, along with an eyebrow tool with a spoolie on one end and an angled brush for brow makeup application on the other. It even comes with a third tool that includes another spoolie and a double-sided comb, which can be used to help slick down baby hairs.

38These Gel Nail Strips For Easy, Salon-Level Manicures At Home

Get salon-worthy nails for a fraction of the price with these gel nail strips. The clever strips are made out of real, semi-cured gel nail polish that you can contour perfectly to your nail shape. Just apply them with the included wooden stick, cut them to your desired length, cure them under a UV lamp for 45 seconds, and file them down to your preferred shape. This “cream light” color is so chic and versatile, but the nails come in 32 other colors, too.

  • Available colors: 33

39These Clever Socks That Intensely Moisturize Dry, Rough Heels

Kiss dry, cracked heels goodbye with these fuzzy moisturizing socks. That’s right — deeply hydrating dry soles is as easy as slipping these on before bed. The socks’ heels are infused with jojoba oil, olive oil, and vitamin E, all of which are intensely nourishing, for heels that are noticeably softer upon waking. The set comes with two pairs for less than $20, and the toe-less design ensures your feet won’t overheat while you’re asleep.

40This Hair Wax Stick To Take Your Slicked-Back Buns To The Next Level

Get perfectly slicked-back looks without any of the stiffness with this Bed Head hair wax stick by TIGI. The easy-to-apply stick gives you soft, pliable hold — depending on how much you use, you can give you hair a bit of extra texture or a lot of staying power. It also makes your styles easy to reshape without leaving you with a bunch of extra buildup, and it has a soothing lavender fragrance, to boot.

41A Flat-Top Brush For Your Most Flawless Makeup Looks Ever

Elevate your makeup base with this flat top kabuki brush — an extra dense brush designed to perfectly and expertly apply liquid foundation. It has an ergonomic design that makes it easy to hold, and it comes with its own storage box to keep it clean. The brush gives you natural-looking, streak-free coverage, and you can even use it for powder, concealer, or blush, too. And you can get this professional-level finish for just around $10.

42An Exfoliating Enzyme Cleanser That Gives You Super-Soft, Smooth Skin

Exfoliate your face thoroughly but gently with this papaya enzyme powder face cleanser by Hanalei. The enzymes gently exfoliate dull skin without stripping or burning, revealing a smoother, softer, and even brighter complexion. And the cleanser’s powder form means the product stays in its most active, effective state, and you can fully customize your experience — add a little water for a stronger cleanse, or a lot of water for a gentler lather. This means the product will last you forever, and it’s less than $20 to begin with.

43This Foolproof Hair Waver For Mermaid-Like Waves Without Any Effort

Create the most stunning beachy waves in seconds with this three-barrel hair waver. The appliance works on all hair types and imparts mermaid-like waves with an adjustable temperature. It even heats up in 60 seconds! And if you’ve been looking for a hair waver, this is the one to get — it’s Amazon’s bestseller in the category, and it’s less than $30.

44An Eyelash Curler That Comes With Replaceable Rubber Pads

Curling your eyelashes is such an underrated step — it makes your lashes so much more noticeable, whether you wear mascara or go au natural. And to ensure you’re getting the most bang for your buck, check out this under-$20 eyelash curler by Brilliant Beauty. It’s perfectly calibrated to fit all eye shapes and to give you the perfect amount of pressure along your whole lash line, and it even comes with replaceable rubber pads.

45This Double-Sided Fashion Tape That’s Gentle On Clothes & Skin

This body and clothing tape gives your outfits those little tweaks that make them look professionally tailored. This box comes with a whopping 50 3-inch strips for right around $10, and each strip has adhesive on each side that’s friendly to both fabric and skin. Now, you’ll never again have to worry about bra straps poking out, sagging necklines, or socks that fall off your heels.

46A Sealing Leave-In Lotion For Split Ends

Seal split ends fast with this split end mender lotion by SexyHair. Use it on clean, damp hair from the middle to the ends before using other stylers, or apply it on dry hair’s ends as needed. The salon-level product is impressively affordable, too — this 3.4-ounce bottle costs less than $25.

47This Trendy Bodysuit That’s Comfortable, Chic, & Looks Great On Everyone

Athleisure is about to get so much more chic. This athletic romper is the perfect everyday piece to throw on, keeping you cute and comfy while you run errands, hit the gym, or just lounge at home. It has an elegant scooped back and neckline, a bike shorts cut on the bottom, and a stretchy fabric that contours to your body and wicks away moisture. It comes in 12 trendy color options, and it’s surprisingly no more than $20.

  • Available sizes: X-Small — X-Large
  • Available colors: 12

48These Super-Strong Resurfacing Pads For A Smooth, Glowing Complexion

Another at-home beauty solution that’ll give you professional-level results? These glycolic acid resurfacing pads. They contain professional strength 20% glycolic acid, balanced with soothing allantoin, calendula, and green tea extract. Designed to be used after cleansing and before other products, the pads give your complexion a powerful exfoliation, leaving it softer and smoother. Plus, this jar goes for less than $25 and comes with a whopping 50 saturated pads.

49This Rechargeable Fabric Shaver To Make Your Knits Look Brand New

It turns out that removing pills from clothing that’s been in your rotation for a while will make it look brand new. That’s why this rechargeable fabric shaver is such a fantastic investment. The device’s precise blades give your fabric a close shave without any damage, cutting off all lint and fuzz and storing it in the lint catcher for easy cleanup. The shaver is less than 6 inches long, making it great for travel, and it’s no more than $20.

50These Reusable Under-Eye Patches That Are Just As Effective As Disposable Ones

Love under eye patches, but don’t love all the waste? It might be time to invest in these reusable under-eye treatment patches — that are only around $15. The reusable silicone patches are designed to give you more hydrated, brighter skin underneath your eyes. Just pop them on and let them sit for 10 to 30 minutes for full results. Pro tip: store them in the fridge for an extra cooling and depuffing effect.