The 45 Best Cheap Finds That Solve Your Worst Beauty Problems For Less Than $25

If you frequently turn to waterproof mascara to prevent smudging under your eyes during the day, you’ve probably noticed that those “raccoon eyes” are unavoidable when trying to remove your makeup at night. Rather than scrubbing at your sensitive eyes or just giving up and going to bed, try this Japanese mascara remover (made by the same brand behind the cult-favorite Heroine Make mascara). Packaged similarly to a tube of mascara, it disperses a makeup-removing solution that’s infused with nourishing ingredients like almond oil, argan oil, and rose oil. You can let the remover sit on your lashes for two to three minutes before wiping away your waterproof mascara with a cotton pad, or add your usual face cleanser into the mix to take off your mascara with the rest of your makeup.

The next time you wash your face, keep your hair and your sleeves protected from the water with this absorbent headband and wristband set. Covered in a super-soft terry cloth fabric, the flexible headband has a sponge lining to soak up water that would otherwise mess with your hair, while the wristbands contain a stretchy elastic that fits securely to prevent water from dripping down your arms. You can also use the headband to keep your hair out of your face when you’re doing your makeup or relaxing with a face mask, and the three-piece headband and wristband sets come in a variety of colors to match with your bath towels.

• Available options: 32

Dry lips can strike at any time of the year; when they do, applying lip liner or lipstick can be a struggle as flaky patches tend to prevent the color from sitting smoothly on your lips. Since lip balm alone won’t get rid of the rougher texture, start your lip prep with a gentle exfoliator. This two-in-one formula uses brown sugar crystals to help lift away flaky skin and nourishing ingredients like Hawaiian kukui nut oil, shea butter, jojoba seed oil, and grapeseed oil to restore hydration. The ingredients naturally give the lip scrub a sweet scent, and it’s also vegan and cruelty-free.

This deodorant-like stick was designed to stop thigh chafing, but you can swipe it on wherever you experience irritation (like under your boobs or on your heels). Infused with soothing and moisturizing ingredients like aloe, grapeseed oil, and vitamin E, the balm-like formula creates a barrier on the skin that allows it to glide smoothly instead of creating the friction that leads to chafing. It’s been dermatologist and gynecologist approved for those with sensitive skin, and multiple Amazon reviewers report that it even holds up against the most humid days.

Given that you’re technically supposed to clean your makeup brushes every seven to 10 days, it can become pretty time consuming to regularly clean a whole set of brushes (not to mention the toll it takes on your hands). For less than $30, this little machine — which both washes and dries brushes — will do all the work for you. The chargeable device works by placing your makeup brush in the spinning attachment and submerging it into the bowl (filled with warm water and your cleansing solution) as you press the power button. You can choose from three spinning speeds, and once the brush is clean, you can lift it out of the water and keep spinning it until it’s dry and ready to use again right away.

• Available colors: 2

It’s rare for a single coat of mascara to give the lengthened and thickened effect I’m after. But it’s also rare to be able to add multiple coats without some clumping. To guarantee great lashes every time, gently brush through your lashes after every coat of mascara (waiting until it dries to comb through) with this mini eyelash comb. The tiny stainless-steel prongs will help to separate lashes and remove any clumps of mascara, and it comes with its own storage cap to keep it clean in between uses.

• Available colors: 5

Along with the tops of your feet and your ears, the scalp is one of those troublesome areas you’re most likely to forget to apply sunscreen to. And it’s also the most annoying to deal with once that sunburn starts to peel and flake off into your hair. Rather than apply a liquid formula along your part line, brush on a generous dose of this powder SPF (and reapply every two hours). The powder formula offers broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection to keep your scalp safe from the sun, and the translucent shade works like a dry shampoo to quickly blend into your hair and even absorb excess oil. You can use this to top off your face sunscreen throughout the day, too.

• Available options: 6

Even once you figure out what’s triggering redness in your skin (be it from a skin condition like rosacea or an occasional breakout), it can be hard to treat — and even harder to cover it up. If you’re wanting to camouflage facial redness in one quick step, use this green-tinted cream before you apply your foundation. A pea-sized amount is all you need to color correct your whole face (and less if you’re targeting a specific area), thanks to green encapsulated pigments that cancel out red tones. The lightweight cream can also serve as a primer thanks to its blend of moisturizing ingredients like panthenol, glycerin, and vitamin E.

Trying to treat breakouts on your face is frustrating enough, but when zits start to pop up on your body, you need a more specialized plan of attack. That’s precisely why Naturium developed this body wash, which uses encapsulated salicylic acid to slowly release the active ingredient so that it’s less likely to cause irritation. As the salicylic acid penetrates deep into the pores to dissolve pore-clogging debris like excess oil and dead skin cells, the gel formula moisturizes with sunflower seed oil and olive fruit oil. You can use this on a daily basis if needed, but to really let it get to work, you’ll want to let the body wash sit on your skin for a minute or two before rinsing it off completely.

Every blonde (or balayage brunette) knows the importance of a purple-tinted shampoo (or conditioner) for neutralizing brassy tones. And while there are lots of amazing prestige options out there, this duo from L’Oreal is equally up to the task. For less than $20, you get a full-size shampoo and conditioner, both formulated with violet pigments to reverse warm, orange-y tones back to a cool blonde shade. The shampoo and conditioner are both sulfate-free, and they’re also infused with hibiscus flower extract to help nourish and strengthen fragile, color-treated hair.

Even if you follow all of the dermaplaning basics, those with sensitive skin can still experience irritation (you are shaving your face, after all). For all of the skin-smoothing benefits, minus any risk of redness or post-shaving bumps, opt for an electric razor like this one. An Amazon favorite with nearly 100,000 five-star ratings, the battery-operated device uses an 18-karat gold-plated floating head that’s hypoallergenic and contours to the curves of your face — whether you’re removing peach fuzz from your upper lip or along your cheeks. The compact design makes it easy to take with you while you’re traveling, and there’s even a built-in LED ring light to give you the most precise shave possible.

• Available colors: 6

Experiencing tiny bumps or rough patches of skin along your legs, arms, or buttocks? Chances are it’s keratosis pilaris (KP for short). And while you can’t exactly cure it, as it’s a skin condition caused by a buildup of keratin in your hair follicles, you can smooth things out at home with the right exfoliator. This body cream was specifically formulated to treat dry, rough skin with a combination of salicylic acid and lactic acid. While these chemical exfoliants help to unplug the follicles and break down the buildup of dead skin cells, the body cream also includes three ceramides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid to protect the skin barrier and prevent moisture loss. Because it’s noncomedogenic and fragrance-free, it’s also a great option for those with sensitive skin.

Waking up with a bit of debris around your eyes is usually nothing to worry about, but if it becomes more persistent, you might be dealing with a condition like blepharitis or even too many lash mites (yes, they’re a thing and yes, they look as gross as they sound). No matter what the cause, an ophthalmologist can help you out — as can these individually wrapped cleansing wipes in the interrim. The hypoallergenic formula pairs tea tree oil and panthenol with a textured wipe that does everything from cleansing away eyelid crust and soothing irritation to even eliminating those Demodex mites.

Cracked heels and calluses are no match for this at-home foot mask that has been described by Amazon reviewers as “transformative” and “magical.” The individually packaged booties are meant to be worn for one 60-minute session, and they contain a mix of chemical exfoliants that work over a two-week period to peel away dead skin. Though the masks couldn’t be easier to use, be prepared to keep socks on while you wait for your feet to be officially sandal-ready, as reviewers note “you will experience peeling for a few days.”

• Available options: 8

Even professional makeup artists can struggle with perfecting a crisp cat eye, which is probably not the confidence boost you were looking for. Instead of trying to even out your wings on your own (a task that requires a lot of makeup remover and even more patience), reach for these liquid eyeliner stamps. Complete with a cat eye stamp for your left eye and a cat eye stamp for your right eye, the dual-sided tools include a traditional liquid eyeliner at the opposite end to connect the cat eye shape to your lash line. You can choose from several different stamp sizes depending on how thick or thin you prefer your cat eye, and the formula is both waterproof and smudge-proof.

Whether you have a sparse hairline, an oversized part, or you’re dealing with root regrowth as you stretch out salon appointments, this hair powder can help. Available in 14 shades to best match your hair color, the powder locks onto the scalp and hair for coverage that was designed to last until you shampoo. The powder is cruelty-free, vegan, and noncomedogenic, and it’s also easy to apply, thanks to its travel-friendly compact that includes a built-in mirror and applicator puff.

• Available shades: 14

Keep this mask in the freezer and pop it on for immediate relief the next time you’re dealing with puffy skin. The cold pack is filled with gel beads that mold to your face and is lined with a felt material to make it more comfortable. It uses adjustable straps to keep the mask hands-free, and you can also put it in the microwave when you’re looking for help with relieving sinus pressure or eye strain.

• Available colors: 5

Yes, we all know that using sunscreen every day is important, but it’s not exactly easy to find a broad-spectrum option that goes on completely clear without leaving behind a sticky or greasy residue. That’s where this Japanese sunscreen comes in. Developed to appeal to all skin types and tones, the water-light essence immediately absorbs into the skin without any lingering film or white cast. You’ll be keeping your skin protected against UVA and UVB rays with SPF 50 coverage, but you’ll also get some moisturizing benefits courtesy of hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and glycerin.

When you want to hold onto your vibrant hair color for as long as possible, consider adding this conditioner to your wash day routine. The color-depositing conditioner works like a semi-permanent hair dye to enhance color without altering the hair structure the way that a permanent dye does (aka, you’re not putting the health of your hair at risk by using this). At the same time, the cruelty-free formula contains ingredients like keratin, coconut oil, almond oil, and shea butter to help moisturize and strengthen hair that might already be experiencing dryness or damage from color treatments. You only need to use the conditioner once or twice weekly to notice immediate results, and you can apply it on wet or dry hair, letting it sit for up to 20 minutes before washing it out. (Applying the conditioner on dry hair will give you bolder results, FYI.)

• Available shades: 20

Even with a new razor and plenty of moisturizing shaving cream, if you’re shaving regularly, you’re bound to experience a bit of irritation or ingrown hairs (especially if you have sensitive skin). To prevent the problem from the start, swipe one of these treatment pads over troubled areas on clean, dry skin about 24 hours after you’ve shaved. Each day after, you can keep using one of these disposable and compostable pads, which work to soothe razor burn with ingredients like aloe vera and witch hazel, and exfoliate away the dead skin cells that can lead to ingrowns and bumps with a combination of glycolic and salicylic acids.

This liquid matte lipstick boasts nearly 100,000 five-star ratings on Amazon for its quick-drying color that will take you from your morning coffee to dinnertime sans touchups. The pigmented formula comes in dozens of colors, from your classic nudes and sheer pinks to bolder reds and berries, and even a bright blue. You don’t need to use a lip liner with this, thanks to the applicator’s tapered tip that allows you to expertly paint the color along your lip line, but for the smoothest finish, prep with an exfoliator and lip balm.

• Available shades: 42

You’ve undoubtedly heard about retinoids a time or two before, particularly in regard to the ingredient’s ability to speed up skin cell turnover, improve skin tone and texture, and increase collagen production. But if the fact that it’s available by prescription only has prevented you from trying it out, Differin is your next best bet. Especially effective when it comes to keeping pores clear and reducing breakouts, the over-the-counter treatment uses a 0.1% concentration of adapalene, which is the only retinoid available over-the-counter. Much like a prescription retinoid, you’ll need to commit to using this gel for several weeks before you start to notice any benefits, and to minimize the risk of retinization (the redness, dryness, and flaking that can occur from retinoid/retinol use), ease yourself into nightly application by starting once each week and increasing your frequency on a weekly basis.

When your hair could use an extra boost, this at-home gloss will revive and repair it in just 10 minutes. The clear formula won’t mess with your color, but instead, adds shine with the brand’s GlaziPlex™ — a complex that also moisturizes hair with ingredients like babassu seed oil and vitamin E. In addition to being cruelty-free and vegan, the gloss is free from alcohols, silicones, sulfates, and ammonia, and it will keep hair looking shinier for 10 washes before you need to reapply it.

Soothing skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema, atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, and even acne is as easy as spritzing this mist over the affected area. Hypochlorous acid is the secret behind its success, an ingredient that’s naturally produced in the body, and one which contains antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. You’ll want to give the bottle a good shake before you use it, misting the hypochlorous acid onto clean skin and allowing it to air dry for the most skin-soothing benefits.

If there’s a beauty problem more frustrating than thinking you’ve thoroughly washed your face, only to notice that your washcloth is covered in makeup marks, I’ve yet to find it. To keep your towels clear, try committing to a double cleanse that starts with a cleansing oil or cleansing balm. For example, this Internet-viral balm starts as a solid cleanser that gets massaged into dry skin and emulsifies into a silky oil when rinsed with water to break down makeup, sunscreen, and other debris. Once you’ve rinsed the citrus-scented cleanser off, follow up with your preferred liquid or gel cleanser to remove any last remnants of makeup.

Dry cuticles and the hangnails that come with them can be annoying to deal with. But they can also be contributing to weaker nails that never seem to grow out. Luckily, the solution is as easy as brushing this cuticle oil along your nails once each day. Infused with nourishing ingredients like avocado oil, grapeseed oil, and sunflower seed oil, the cuticle oil not only nourishes the area to help prevent hangnails, but the moisture it provides also strengthens the cuticle, which is responsible for keeping out bacteria that can otherwise cause infection.

If perfectly polished curls have been a longtime part of your everyday hair routine, you’re probably experiencing a bit of dryness (at best) and breakage (at worst). That’s because frequent heat styling alters the structure of the hair. And while there’s no quick fix once the damage is already done, you can stop it in its tracks by replacing your curling iron with this heatless solution. To get heat-free curls, you’ll want to place the super-soft satin rod on top of your head and wrap sections of your hair around either side in an outward direction away from your face. You can use the satin scrunchies included in the set to secure your hair on either side of the rod, and sleep with the headband set in place for bouncy curls by morning.

• Available colors: 13

When you don’t have the 14-day grace period to wait for the foot mask mentioned earlier to peel away skin (or if that grosses you out, which is fair, TBH), there’s this foot file. Shaped to fit comfortably in the palm of your hand, the tool is made with etched glass to buff away dry skin and calluses without leaving scratches on your skin or causing pain. You can use the file on wet or dry skin, and it comes with its own storage lid to keep the tool clean in between uses (just rinse it with warm, soapy water and let it dry first).

If you regularly turn to a chemical exfoliant or retinoid to exfoliate, but you still feel like your foundation looks cakey, peach fuzz might be to blame. While it’s perfectly harmless, removing that ultra-fine facial hair through a shaving technique called dermaplaning can make all of the difference, and it can also be done right at home with a precision face razor. This set of three razors works for dermaplaning beginners and experts alike with a slim razor that even includes a precision cover for when you want to target smaller areas like around your eyebrows. Once you’ve completed your dermaplaning, you’ll always want to follow up with a moisturizer and hold off on applying makeup for about 24 hours to avoid any irritation or post-shaving bumps.

Switching to a silk or satin pillowcase can eliminate some of the friction that’s contributing to tangles, frizz, and knots. Silk pillowcases tend to come with a higher price tag, but satin options like this pillowcase set offer the same benefits when it comes to helping both your skin and hair retain more moisture (when compared to a cotton pillowcase) as you sleep. Not only does this mean smoother hair in the morning, but it’s also a more breathable fabric that won’t irritate your skin. You can throw these satin pillowcases in the washing machine, and it’s also worth noting that they’re available in more than 30 colors, so you can match them to your current sheets.

• Available colors: 37

Sometimes, it’s not the actual product you’re using that’s causing you issues, but the tool (or lack thereof) that you’re using to apply it with. That especially holds true when it comes to self-tanner, which can be tricky to evenly smooth over your skin. If you’re tired of ending up with a self-tan that’s blotchy or streaky, grab one of these mitts for your next self-tanning sesh. For less than $10, the velvet applicator mitt can be used to help blend in lotion, cream, mousse, and spray-on self-tanning formulas, preventing any stained palms or overly tanned hands in the process. The reversible mitt has a slot for your thumb to make it even easier to use, and it can be washed and reused over and over again.

Dealing with a stye is not only annoying, but the swelling and tenderness it causes can also be painful. For those who find themselves dealing with styes on a regular basis, rinsing with a non-irritating eyelid wash can help offer some relief (and maybe even prevent future styes). This eyelid wash was formulated to be gentle enough for contact lens wearers, but effective when it comes to removing the oil and debris that can build up and cause styes and inflammation in the first place. The cleanser is fragrance-free and alcohol-free, and it can even be used to help remove excess eye makeup that you might otherwise be missing.

Making the switch to an aluminum-free deodorant? This underarm scrub can help speed up the detox process that often gets a little smelly as your body begins to release all of the sweat and waste that the aluminum in your previous antiperspirant was plugging up. Charcoal powder in the cruelty-free and vegan scrub works to draw out odor-causing bacteria, while ingredients like coconut oil and green tea leaf extract help to cleanse, hydrate, and soothe. You don’t need any special tools or application techniques to activate the formula; just scoop out some of the scrub, massage it under your arms, and rinse the area clean.

For those who feel like their makeup isn’t complete without some kind of eyeliner, a set of precision brushes is a must-have. But many eyeliner brushes aren’t quite precise and pointy enough, which is where this four-piece kit comes in. It includes fine-tipped brushes that can be paired with gel eyeliner formulas to create the crispest of cat eyes and lash-hugging liner, as well as flat and angled brushes that can be used to fill in your winged look and even blend in concealer to define your wings and cover up any mistakes.

Between washing your hands and applying sanitizer throughout the day, your hands can take a beating. If you’re not restoring some of that moisture, you’re probably not only dealing with dry hands, but you may be experiencing damaged nails that are brittle and prone to breaking. This cruelty-free nail cream helps to condition dry nails and cuticles with a blend of coconut oil, shea butter, jojoba seed oil, and vitamins that can be applied multiple times throughout the day.

Just as a face primer works to give your makeup a smoother, longer-lasting finish, a primer for your eyelids can help prevent your eyeshadow from fading and your lids from getting greasy throughout the day. This K-beauty formula requires just a pea-sized amount of the product to cover both lids for a smoother eyeshadow application that won’t budge. In here, a sebum-controlling powder helps to prevent oily lids and creasing, while pearl powder evens out the tone of your eyelids and even enhances the color of your eyeshadow.

There are more than 70,000 five-star ratings on Amazon for this leave-on exfoliant, which simplifies the process of clearing out clogged pores with a 2% concentration of salicylic acid. A BHA, salicylic acid is able to penetrate more deeply into the pores than its AHA counterparts, clearing out the excess oil and dead skin cells that can contribute to congestion and breakouts. The leave-on formula was designed to be applied post-cleansing, and it also contains green tea leaf extract to help soothe skin and reduce any dryness or irritation that could occur from using salicylic acid. While the brand notes that this liquid exfoliator can be applied as often as twice daily (once in the morning and once at night), you’ll want to slowly work your way up to more frequent applications depending on how your skin tolerates the active ingredient.

For anyone who has ever struggled with cleaning up eyeshadow fallout after perfecting a smoky eye, these shields have (quite literally) got you covered. The half-moon-shaped pads were designed to stick underneath your eyes and catch any product that would otherwise leave you with dark smudges. You’ll get 120 eye shields in each set, which also feature an angled edge that can be used as a guide when applying winged eyeshadow or liner. (Pro tip: try sticking the shields to the back of your hand a few times before placing them underneath your eyes, as reviewers note they can be a little too sticky at first.)

If you want in on the scalp health craze taking over social media, buying a scalp massager brush is the easiest way to do it. This silicone tool can be used just before washing to help loosen product buildup and debris (think dry shampoo and texturizing spray) that can otherwise sit on the scalp and cause clogged pores and irritation. If you don’t have any product in your hair, you can use the scalp brush in the shower along with your shampoo for a more thorough cleanse and scalp massage combo. But no matter how you use the brush, you’ll be increasing blood circulation to the scalp, which is thought to potentially help with hair growth and thickness.

There’s sensitive skin, and then there are sensitive skin types that become irritated when exposed to the most common of ingredients (think fragrances and sulfates). This facial cleanser, which often comes recommended by dermatologists, was designed with the latter in mind. It’s a simple, pH-balanced formula that’s so gentle, it’s been awarded with the National Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance. Those prone to irritation and allergic reactions will be happy to know that the cleanser is free from dyes, fragrances, botanical extracts, and gluten, and despite the fact that it’s soap-free, the cleanser still works into a lather that’s capable of removing makeup (without leaving skin feeling stripped or tight after rinsing clean).

If brushing your hair tends to be an arduous (and painful) task, this brush is for you. Created by a busy mom who was fed up with struggling to work a brush through her own knotted hair, this detangling solution was designed with flexible bristles of varying sizes that glide through the hair instead of pulling at it. The brush also features an easy-to-hold handle, and it can be used on both wet and dry hair. Parents of kids with knot-prone hair have called it a life saver, too.

• Available options: 18

This tea tree oil-infused body wash was formulated to solve an array of skin concerns, from dealing with body odor caused by excessive sweating to soothing itchy skin and even potentially helping with athlete’s foot and nail fungus. While the tea tree oil brings anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties to the formula, the body wash also includes peppermint oil, coconut oil, and aloe vera to refresh, hydrate, and soothe. If you’re turning to this to help with odor or foot fungus, try letting the body wash sit on your skin for a minute or two before rinsing it off to really give the ingredients a chance to work.

You clean your makeup brushes on a weekly basis (or at least you’re meant to), so it only makes sense that you would clean your hairbrush on a similar timeline. To avoid a buildup of hair and fuzzies in your day-to-day hairbrush, add this mini cleaning brush to your shopping cart. Everything about its design was intentionally chosen to get in between those hard-to-reach bristles, from the pointed tip that can be used to rake out stray hairs to the stiff bristle brushes that can comb out debris.

Whether dealing with a particularly warm day or you’re in the midst of a long-haul flight, we’ve all been in a situation where you’re feeling sticky (and maybe slightly smelly) with no shower in sight. When you need a quick refresh, keep these body wipes on hand, which are infused with ingredients like aloe vera, oat kernel extract, and grapefruit seed oil to moisturize and clean your skin while on the go. Each sheet is big enough to swipe over your whole body, and the wipes are also made from biodegradable vegetable fibers that decompose. You can choose from several subtle scents like cucumber and grapefruit, or go the unscented route when you want to cleanse away sweat and dirt without adding fragrance into the mix.

• Available options: 5

If you can’t quite seem to grow your nails out, you can fake your way to a longer manicure with these temporary press-ons. Each set comes with an assortment of sizes to match the shape of your natural nails, along with all of the tools you’ll need — from a nail file, alcohol pads, and a cuticle stick for prepping your nails to your glue and adhesive tabs for securing them in place. The press-ons come in a mix of solid colors and patterns, all designed using gel polish for a fade- and chip-resistant finish that can last for a solid two weeks (just be sure you use both the glue and the adhesive tabs when you want a longer-lasting manicure).

• Available options: 14