In a cost-of-living era where luxury beauty products are all over our social feeds and well-meaning group chats, it can start to feel like the only way to achieve that promised ‘glow’ comes with a hefty price tag.
Whether it’s a product that promises to give you runway-ready hair before you even get out of bed, or a skincare must-have that swears it holds the secret to reversing years of sleep-deprivation-induced dark circles, it can be tricky to know what’s really worth handing over your hard-earned cash for. And that’s where we come in.
The marie claire beauty editors have worked overtime to curate the ultimate list of affordable beauty buys – from skincare saviours and haircare heroes, to wellness and make-up must-haves, there’s no gatekeeping here.
These budget-friendly buys are guaranteed to get your skin glowing, all while keeping your wallet happy.
2024’s Best Beauty Products Under $50
2024’s top beauty products
- Endota Organics Signature Blend Hand & Body Lotion, $30, The Iconic
- Sundae Body Very Berry Body Whip, $40 Priceline
- Vitamin C Hand Cream, $24, Lamav
The Best Body Products Under $50
Endota Organics Signature Blend Hand & Body Lotion
$30 , The Iconic
Relax into a state of pure bliss by slathering skin with Endota’s signature occlusive lotion. Its scent mirrors that of their beloved spas.
With soft hints of summer berries, this creamy formula will leave skin feeling soft, not sticky. It’s infused with a cocktail of Australian botanicals and vegan rice milk to nourish and hydrate
Vitamin C Hand Cream
$24 at Lamav
Dry winter hands can finally be put to rest. Dosed with an enviable amount of Vitamin C, this plush formula works overtime to boost collagen production and improve the appearance of wrinkles.
Bali Body Gradual Tan
$25.95 at Adore Beauty
With its transfer-free, natural DHA and coconut-oil rich formula, this dries down instantly to minimise both streaks and collateral mess.
Hada Labo Night Body Serum
$39.95 at Adore Beauty
Supercharge your night routine with this serum for the bod. Hyaluronic acid and retinol work hard to hydrate and tone for near-overnight results.
By Rosie Jane Dulce Everyday Body Wash
$42 at Sephora
Lather up with peace of mind, as this clean formula is packed with antioxidants to gently cleanse skin without stripping. Subtle notes of vanilla and musk make for a luxe, long-lasting scent.
A moisture-magnet for thirsty limbs, this silky smooth serum pairs prickly-pear seed oil and squalene to replenish the barrier. Try applying on post-shower skin to lock in hydration.
Urban Jungle Grime Fighter Body Wash
$36 at Sephora
Dirt, dead skin and lingering SPF are no match for Urban Jungle’s Grime Fighter. The hero ingredient, lactic acid, works beneath top-level grime, revealing clearer, smoother skin
Soap & Glory Smoothie Star Body Butter
$22 at Mecca
Decadently rich without the price tag, this indulgent body nourisher is dosed with sweet almond oil, pistachio oil and shea butter, all of which are super-hydrators.
The Best Makeup Products Under $20
Revlon Illuminance Serum Tint
$38.95 at Myer
True to name, this hardworking hybrid delivers luminous results. Bonus points: it’s lightweight, breathable and dosed with skin-benefiting actives.
Meet your perfect flush. As Espressoh’s clear, gloopy texture melts into the skin it reacts to pH levels, creating a completely unique tint. Colour payoff and shade will vary depending on skin tone and pH, but the results are always dewy.
Mecca Max Off Duty Blush Stick
$20 at Mecca
These fall into that sweet spot of being both vibrantly pigmented and glow-inducing, and the serum texture layers seamlessly. Start light for sheer, no-makeup makeup, or apply liberally for a fresh finish. Try layering all three shades high on the cheekbone for the coveted sunset-blush look.
L’Oréal Paris Color Riche Lipstick
$24.99 at Adore Beauty
Wearing beautifully on the lips, L’Oréal’s Color Riche is infused with argan oil to hydrate and vitamin E for boosted plumping. With 70 pigmented shades (in three finishes (matte, satin and shine), these will find a well-earned spot in your rotation.
Clarins Lip Oil
$48 at Myer
This handbag staple gives a high-shine gloss plus the feel of an enriching balm. A unique blend of lush oils leaves lips supple and soft. Layer on top of lipstick for added shine or wear solo for a sheer tinge.
Kosas Wet Lip Oil in Exposed
$37 at Mecca
A unique find, Kosas Wet Lip Oils have a super-slick finish that plays into the idyllic mermaid-core trend. This iteration contains hyaluronic acid and peptides to firm and plump
Rimmel Wonder Bond Mascara
$22.95 at Adore Beauty
Achieve doll-like length and fullness. The soft-bristle applicator makes for close-to-lashline lift (and separates nicely), while the formula itself contains a biotin bonding complex to boost lash health and promote fullness
Naked Sundays Cabana Glow SPF 50 Mineral Glow Serum Drops
$45 at Mecca
The ultimate glow-getter. These bronzing drops are part skincare (they hydrate, soften and brighten), part makeup. Wear alone for a vacay-level glow, or pair under foundation for a lit-from-within finish. Always read the label and follow the directions for use.
Alignment Lip Liner in Maya
$37 at Holme Beauty
This richly pigmented liner has serious staying power.
Natio Application Brush
$14.95 at David Jones
Blend with ease with Natio’s affordable Apply and Prime Application Brush. It’s designed with dense fluffy hairs and set on an angle for foolproof perfection.
Dewy-C Setting spray
$32 at Adore Beauty
Extend the life of your makeup look with AB Lab’s mist. It rehydrates tired makeup, prolongs wear time and deposits a radiant sheen.
Mecca Max Liquid Zoom Liner in Cobalt Blue
$22 at Mecca
Glide across the lashline with ease, leaving behind a richly lacquered wing. Cobalt blue tones make for a nautical pop of colour.
Loved by makeup artists for its versatility, this gel cream formula multitasks for lips, cheeks and eyes (if you’re feeling bold). Colour intensity is buildable, it melts into the skin and dries down for a powdery finish.
Designer Brands Blur Primer
$17 at Adore Beauty
Evenly coat your canvas. Fade imperfections, banish shine and minimise the appearance of pores with this velvety primer.
The Best Skincare Products Under $50
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo
$37.95 at Adore Beauty
The mattifying powers of this gel-cream moisturiser are designed to help clear pimple and blackhead-prone skin. Added Phylobioma boosts the skin’s microbiome, while salicylic acid and zinc help declog pores, and niacinamide helps fade the appearance of dark spots.
Purple Ginseng Cleansing Balm
$39.95 at Naturium
With purple ginseng and linoleic rich oils, this dreamy balm melts away grime and makeup for fresh, clean skin that won’t feel tight.
Paula’s Choice Mandelic Acid Exfoliant
$50 at Sephora
A favourite to buff away dead skin cells and help fade the look of dark spots, this mandelic and lactic acid-rich exfoliant is effective and gentle. You can work up to daily use if needed.
CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum
$44 at Adore Beauty
Time to play the long game with your skincare. This serum heroes an encapsulated retinol that works slowly over time to support collagen and hyaluronic acid production in your skin, resulting in the improved appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Sans the irritation.
The Ordinary Milky Toner
$24 at Adore Beauty
It’s milky but it’s a toner. From the budget-friendly brand The Ordinary, this new prepping product doses skin with a 30 per cent saccharomyces and 3 per cent fermented NAG cocktail to help smooth out skin.
Vitamin B Serum
$39.95 at Alpha-H
Boasting a potent combo of 5 per cent niacinamide plus ferulic acid, this serum supports your skin’s barrier function, protects against free radicals and even aids with reducing oiliness.
The Jojoba Company Daily Glow Exfoliating Tonic
$39.95 at Adore Beauty
This Aussie beauty brand is based on the hydrating qualities of jojoba. This lotion blends the ingredient with 6 per cent PHA, niacinamide and hibiscus for smooth, glowing skin.
Bondi Sands Thirsty Skin Hyaluronic Acid Serum
$16 at Myer
With generous counts of hyaluronic acid and native botanicals, this serum offers skin round-the-clock hydration for a fraction of the cost of most others on the market.
Bioderma Sébium Anti-blemish Foaming Gel Deep Cleanser
$32 at Adore Beauty
Designed for acne-prone skin, this cleanser combines an AHA and BHA to sweep away dirt and blemish causing impurities without overstripping.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Water Gel Moisturiser
$38 at Priceline
With five times more hydration power, this cream keeps the complexion bouncy and radiant around the clock.
Ultra Violette Queen Screen SPF50 Super Glow Bronzing Drops
$45 at Adore Beauty
Adding a hint of healthy glow, these drops can boost all-over colour or lift facial high points. Always read the label and follow the directions for use.
Weleda Skin Food
$28.95 at The Iconic
This is a cult buy for a reason. Thick and creamy, it will help soothe any rough bits (think heel, elbows and cuticles) while being equally good as a deeply hydrating face cream.
Best Wellness Products Under $50
The Beauty Chef Plumpers Collagen Chewables
$45 at Adore Beauty
Boost your collagen intake with these chewable tablets. Easy to pop on the go, they’re stacked with hydrolysed collagen peptides, hyaluronic acid and good bacteria (Lactobacillus plantarum L-137). Take up to three a day to help give skin a boost.
Gem Deodorant
$10 at Priceline
This spray deodorant boasts just as many body-loving benefits as your potent body lotions. Hyaluronic acid and shea butter are at the forefront to keep skin healthy, while odour-fighting ingredients help protect and scent for 48 hours.
OPI Infinite Shine Nail Polish
$24.95 at Myer
A hard-working lacquer that doesn’t chip means fewer visits to the salon. Keep things light and bright with a sweet pastel colour palette; lemon yellows and soft peaches are in favour this season.
Optimum Whitening Toothpaste
$15 at White Glo
Elevate your daily ritual with the latest in oral care. White Glo uses special technology to buff away stains and protect enamel. A blend of hydrogen peroxide and HAP gel give impressive whitening from day dot.
Moon Teeth Whitening Pen
$35 at Mecca
Here’s something to smile about. Co-created with Kendall Jenner, this teeth whitening pen harnesses urea peroxide for gentle longer-term whitening, and lavender oil, strawberry fruit extract and honeysuckle flower extract for brightening.
Best Haircare Products Under $50
Wella Color Fresh Hair Mask
$37 at Sephora
For glassy strands, look to clear gloss treatments. No longer reserved for the salon, these at-home masks offer semipermanent colour, toning or simply shine-boosting. Wella adds nourishing avocado oil to leave hair feeling silky.
Klorane’s cult dry shampoo keeps hair looking fresh between washes. It’s now in an ultra-gentle version with added oat and ceramide and 99 per cent natural ingredients for freshness without irritation.
Wet Brush Go Green Palm Detangler Brush
$35 at Priceline
Get rid of knots and kinks with the palm-hugging Wet Brush. Its IntelliFlex bristles and watermelon-oil infused cushion easily detangle and deliver intense hydration.
Tresemme Serum Cream
$20 at Woolworths
Dosed with amino acids and ceramides, this leave-in shinemaker coats fibres so smoothly it looks like you’ve just been to the salon – all for supermarket prices.
Original & Mineral Strong Hold Hair Clay
$41.95 at Adore Beauty
This delivers hairspray-level hold while being malleable enough to add choppiness, definition, volume and lift. It does a lot. Smooth unruly frizz or stubborn strands while keeping a natural, matte finish.
VS Sassoon Smooth Fusion Hair Straightener
$49.95 at Harvey Norman
This affordable hair straightener ticks a lot of boxes. It has five heat settings up to 210°C, keratin ceramic-ionic plates to protect hair and a slimline shape, making it ideal for travelling. Plus, it comes with a paddle brush and salon hair clips.
Bondi Boost Growth Miracle Mask
$40 at The Iconic
The rich and restorative hair mask treatment for hair growth from Bondi Boost is ideal for weekly use on fine, thinning, lifeless hair.
Straand Cleansing Pre-Wash Scalp Oil
$ at Sephora
Take a root-to-tip hair approach by building a routine around the scalp. A pre-wash oil like this one from Straand can help treat build-up and balance dryness, itchiness or flakiness.
Kerasilk Strengthening Bond Builder
$48 at Adore Beauty
A high-tech hair investment, Kerasilk’s mask-like treatment engages biomimetic silk and Bondamide ingredients, targeting deep into the hair shaft.
Eleven Sea Salt Texture Spray
$27.95 at Adore Beauty
Effortless, tousled waves often come at a cost. But a sea salt spray is a foolproof step to regain natural texture in mere seconds.
This article originally appeared on Marie Claire Australia and is republished here with permission.
