Each week we cut through the noise to bring you smart, practical recommendations on how to live better – from what is worth buying to the tools, habits and ideas that actually last.
As a bratty teen, I scoffed at drugstore makeup. I wondered why my mom bought her moisturizer and mascara at Target when the pricier options from Sephora were so much cooler. She had more in common with the experts than I realized. When we recently asked dermatologists for their favorite products, it turned out many of them can be found at the drugstore.
Read the full story: The 21 winter skincare essentials that dermatologists use when dry weather wrecks their skin
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Our budget beauty picks at a glance
For hydrating your skin:
Elf Thirst Burst Drops
For an affordable toner:
Byoma Milky Toner
For a cruelty-free cream blush:
Versed blush stick in Brownstone
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The fancy eye palettes and lip sets still call to me, but now that I pay my own rent, I’m trying to break my habit of dropping major bank on makeup that’s available for half the price at CVS.
To help me out, I asked two beauty content creators with a track record of sharing drugstore makeup recommendations: Sabrina Ho – a creator whose beauty advice has earned her millions of TikTok views and Pooja Jain – a lab scientist and founder of the beauty brand Roop Radiance. They told me how to build a budget-friendly makeup routine – with many of their recommendations costing $16 or less – that will trick even a trained makeup artist into thinking you’re spending much more than you are.
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Do your homework
I love nothing more than losing track of time at Sephora, testing out dozens of concealers until I find my perfect shade. At the drugstore, this isn’t always possible.
To make a smart purchase you won’t regret (it’s not a bargain if you don’t use it!), Ho recommended doing a bit of research before shopping.
She likes to read product reviews, hunt for shade swatches online, and understand her skin’s needs. “Everyone’s skin is very different, and there is a massive range of products to accommodate each skin type. Knowing whether you are sensitive to fragrance or have issues with clogged pores is highly recommended,” she said.
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Build your base
For makeup – at any price point – to look best on your face, focus on properly prepping the skin before applying your makeup.
“As you wear your makeup, it settles. It’s why you see your makeup start to crack during the day or [that it’s] separating in certain areas - and that’s usually because your skin is not prepped for the makeup,” Ho said.
She likes to start with a milky toner, followed by a hydrating serum and SPF. Like her makeup, many of her favorite skin prep products are affordable, including this $13 serum from Elf and this bestselling toner from Byoma. Editor’s note: This creator had a prior partnership with Byoma.
Elf Thirst Burst Drops
$12.97 at Amazon $13 at Ulta BeautyByoma Milky Toner
$14.99 at Amazon $15.99 at Ulta Beauty***
Find (the right) dupes
Brands such as MCo Beauty are known for duping popular high-end beauty products. But Jain recommended doing a bit of detective work to see how the two items actually compare.
“Packaging can gaslight you, especially when it comes to dupes,” Jain said.
To see if the cheaper alternative matches up to the real thing, she advised examining both products’ formulas and ingredients.
One of Jain’s favorite dupes is the Versed blush stick in Brownstone, which she’s found a worthy alternative for Rhode’s Pocket blush in Toasted Teddy – and it costs nearly $10 less.
Versed blush stick in Brownstone
$14.99 at Target $15.99 at Ulta Beauty***
Tools might be worth the investment
With the right application, a $13 foundation can outperform its pricier counterpart.
Ho found that brushes and sponges can offer a cleaner look than makeup only applied using your fingers (guilty). Some of her personal favorite brushes come from affordable brands including Jessup and Elf, such as this one, which you can snag for under $10.
Elf Ultimate Blending Brush
$8 at Amazon $8 at ElfRead more of our beauty coverage:
Home-cook upgrade: non-toxic, nonstick pans
I’m tired of choosing between my $7 pasture raised eggs sticking to my pan or potentially harmful chemicals leeching into my breakfast.
Nonstick and non-toxic pans are a solution to that dilemma, but they’re not all created equal. To find the ones worthy of your dollar, we spent two weeks testing 13 of the most popular models on the market.
In the end, this sleek titanium pan from Our Place took home first place. Not only does this pan look great on a stovetop, but it can withstand temperatures up to 1,000F (540C).
Our Place Titanium Always Pan Pro
$179 at Our Place $179 at AmazonRead the full story: The seven best non-toxic cooking pans in the US, tested in a food lab
On the move: laptop backpacks
To find the best laptop backpacks, we put 11 of the top models through a round of rigorous tests – including walking more than 10 miles and packing for plenty of pretend trips. And to our surprise, this under-$65 backpack beat a spendier option triple its price.
North Face Vault Backpack
$32.50 at Macy’s $70 at ZapposRead our recommendations: The best laptop backpacks in the US – tested
Winter survival 101: winter boots
Right when I was prepping to retire my winter gear for the season, a nor’easter hit New York City. The foot of snow that buried my apartment’s entryway proved the power of a quality winter boot – and that I should really buy my own pair rather than steal my roommate’s.
To find the best winter boots that’ll last through the slush and snow, we asked people who spend a bulk of their day outdoors for their favorites. If you’re on the hunt for an end-of-season deal, these North Face booties recommended by a meteorologist are currently on sale for 30% off.
North Face Thermoball Traction Booties
Now $48, originally $69 at North Face $69 at AmazonRead our guides:
The 11 best men’s winter boots, according to stylists, Antarctic workers and a dog musher
The nine best winter boots for women to buy for life, vetted by pros who work outdoors
At home: shower upgrades
You don’t need to participate in the dark showering trend or take a four-hour everything shower to elevate your shower routine.
Recently, we shared six easy and affordable shower upgrades – including a pair of terry slippers designed to mimic the complimentary pair you’d receive at a high-end hotel, and a plush bath towel made from organic Turkish cotton.
Brunch Essential Terry Slipper
$98 at BrunchParachute Organic Plush Towel
$59 at ParachuteRead our guide: Six underrated – and affordable – shower upgrades, including a better bath towel and cleaner water filter
