It pains me to say this, but I fully embraced millennial makeup trends when I was younger. This meant applying bronzer everywhere, ringing my eyes with black liner, and swiping on some light pink gloss for the finishing touch. But my skincare—or lack thereof—was even worse, and my idea of taking care of my skin consisted of putting makeup remover onto a cotton ball, smudging it all over my face, and calling it a day. In hindsight, this is probably why I thought I needed tons and tons of beauty products in order to elevate and be successful when I first began my makeup and skincare journey.
That said, I’ve learned a lot since then. I now know that you don’t need dozens of pricey products in order to get glam, glowy skin. Because at the end of the day, beauty doesn’t have to be expensive—which is why I’ve broken down the 6 beauty products I swear by. These are the ones I consistently reach for, are safe for my dry and sensitive skin, and plan on using until the very last drop. And the best part? They’re all under $50. So, keep scrolling and save your $$$ with these affordable finds.
The Under-$50 Beauty Products I Swear By:
1. Clear plumping gloss
I have severely chapped lips (it’s genetic) that stay dry year-round, and every summer, I can count my bottom lip splitting in the center without fail. But Chapstick and lip balms have the inverse effect for me, and nothing—and I mean nothing—gives my lips relief and hydration the way a good clear plumping gloss does. A generous application of this is how I finish my morning skincare routine, and I’ll apply throughout the day as needed. It works like a charm.
Lip Injection Extreme Lip Plumper
This is my absolute ride or die—I have yet to find a plumping gloss that comes close to working as well. I don’t experience a lot of tingling with this one, and the clear shade looks great alone or paired with a nude lip liner.
2. Heavy-duty moisturizer
My eczema made itself known when I was 12, but it got way worse when I entered my 20’s. It took me 5 years to find moisturizers that work because I was applying all the wrong products to my face and body. When I finally asked my dermatologist for her insight, she explained to me that I need a real heavy-duty moisturizer; serums and lightweight formulas won’t get the job done. In addition, I also need products that won’t irritate my sensitive skin. It’s a delicate balance, but I’ve gotten the hang of it.
Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream
La Roche-Posay is one of the most affordable skincare brands out there and one of the best for sensitive skin. With my dry skin, this is the only moisturizer that’s ever fully hydrated my face; I never came close to achieving the glazed donut look before. I also love how the formula’s safe to use on both my face and body.
Pure Petroleum Jelly
When you have eczema, keeping Vaseline on-hand is an absolute-must. I’ll typically use this on my legs because that’s where most of my eczema is, but I’ll occasionally use it on my face and lips whenever they need a boost of hydration.
3. Tinted moisturizer and foundation
Sometimes I want a full-beat, sometimes less is more. Whatever the case may be, keeping both a tinted moisturizer and foundation on deck is key. I can grab either one when I need it, depending on my mood, or will mix them together to create a medium coverage base layer.
SunnyDays SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen
This all-in-one tinted sunscreen does it all: Protects skin from harmful UV rays, moisturizes, and works well as a lightweight foundation. I love applying this with my fingers for a super natural look. Also, underpainting also works well in tandem with this product.
Healthy Luminous Foundation
In truth, I randomly grabbed this at Rite Aid four years ago and have been using it ever since. This foundation offers medium, buildable coverage and has SPF 20 in the formula. There’s also a wide shade range available.
4. Nude lip liner
I criminally overlooked lip liner for years, but when I swiped it on for the first, time, I became hooked, and it’s become a staple in my beauty routine ever since. A nude liner and clear gloss is my fail-safe lip combo that I’ll rock this with full glam or natural skin for a little “oomph.”
That said, I’m still using my KKW Beauty liners (RIP), but I have a couple other faves in my mix RN as well.
OneLiner Multi-Liner in Draw Me
This is one of my darker liners, which is probably why I tend to gravitate towards it when I’m feeling extra moody. It also pairs well with Tower 28’s ShineOn Lip Jelly in Cashew.
Kind Words Lip Liner
Selena Gomez disrupted the beauty space when she launched Rare Beauty in 2020. Unlike its counterparts, Gomez’s brainchild accentuates the wearer’s natural beauty, and this hydrating, long-wearing and vegan lip liner does just that.
5. Gentle cleanser
I’ve been dealing with chronic inflammation, so my skin’s been all out of whack and extra sensitive, and washing my face everyday has been making my skin break out. So despite the fact that I use a very gentle cleanser, I still have to be careful and use sparingly. Likewise, my skin also just looks better with the motto “less is more,” and I’m a firm believer in following the results. After all, skincare isn’t an exact science, and you have to find what works best for you.
Micellar Cleansing Water
Lately, this seems to be the only cleanser I can use almost daily without fail. The formula is gentle AF, and works well after rinsing your face with water (like out of the shower) or to remove eye makeup. The fact that it lasts forever is also an added bonus as well.
E.L.F COSMETICS HOLY HYDRATION!
Makeup Melt Cleansing Balm
Allow me to introduce to you the pinnacle of makeup cleansing balms. Believe me: elf doesn’t play around—a little goes a long way, and I’ve never removed face makeup as quickly as I can with this. Also, this balm comes with a spatula for mess-free scooping purposes, and is formulated with hyaluronic acid and peptides to deliver youthful, radiant hydration to users. And for just $11, I’m going to click *add to cart* until the end of time.
Toleriane Gentle Facial Cleanser
Although I can’t use this everyday, it’s been my ride or die since 2021. So believe me when I tell you that I will keep it with me for the foreseeable future. The milky formula makes me swoon, and whenever I use this after my cleansing balm to remove makeup, my skin looks glowy AF.
6. Setting powder
Contrary to popular opinion, having dry skin does not mean you have to shy away from setting powder (or powder in general). I recently learned that applying cream products onto dry skin can actually make it look more textured. In my case, I’ve found that using a yellow powder to set my undereyes, smile lines, and chin works best for setting concealer; and using a beige or medium loose setting powder to set my face makeup everywhere with a big powder brush gives my skin a blurred, photo-ready finish. This also helps avoid color transfer from my foundation.
That said, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with embracing your skin’s natural texture; we all have it (and if someone tells you they don’t, they’re probably lying). However, when I wear makeup—especially full glam—I want my skin to look as naturally photoshopped as possible.
Yellow Setting Powder
I’ve been using this powder for the areas I conceal for years. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it, right? It doesn’t irritate my skin, which is a huge plus, and the amount you get lasts for a long time. Is it the best powder out there? Probably not. But it works for me, so I’m happy with it. Additionally, I’ll use this in shade “Beige” to set my face.
Complexion Sponge Trio
e.l.f is one of my favorite beauty brands—they’re affordable AF and have high-quality products. This sponge set is so soft and does not disappoint. I’ll use the largest sponge for base makeup or blending in cream contour, the medium one for setting my concealer with powder, and the smallest for blending out my liquid concealer.
Precision Powder Brush
This is probably the nicest brush I own; it is so, so soft, and its large size makes it perfect for applying loose powder all-over.
