Photographed by: Zhong Lin; Fashion stylist: Gabriella Karefa-Johnson; Hair: Jawara; Makeup: Raoul Alejandre; Manicures: Mei Kawajiri; Set Design: Gerard Santos; Production: Tiagi; Models: Alex Consani; DP (motion only): Brad WickhamSave this storySave this story
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The economy might feel a little nutty right now (no, seriously, have you seen the price of a can of mixed nuts lately?), but there will always be hundreds of thousands of beauty buffs out there who are price-conscious about their purchases—with or without a looming and ever-shifting threat of international tariffs. That’s why the Steals category has long been an important part of our Allure Best of Beauty Awards (we officially introduced it in 2014), so that everyone can feel seen and find the very best options no matter their budgets.
We take the Best of Beauty vetting process very seriously, and the Steals category is no different. This year, the products had to cost $24 or less, but price alone doesn’t make something a deal. Value does, and you can rest assured every winner on this list offers impressive innovation, unparalleled efficacy, and exceptional accessibility—not just because of how much they cost but how easily you can find them. You can pick up many of these winners while shopping for groceries or grabbing your prescription, while others are stocked at some of your favorite beauty specialty stores or even on TikTok Shop. In fact, you might recognize some of these hair stylers, shower essentials, and makeup bag must-haves from your For You Page—further signs that you’re far from alone in searching for a good beauty deal.
So welcome, you’ve come to the right place—this list of thoroughly tested, seal-bearing steals is the perfect place to start, and honestly, end your quest for pretty impressive savings.
Best of Beauty Awards 2025: Steals Winners
Shop your favorite category or keep scrolling for the year's best budget-friendly beauty picks.
See our winners:LargeChevron
Best Body Steals
Billie Revive Body Wash
Best Body Steals
Billie Revive Body Wash
Billie
Walgreens
Why It Won: The jumbo-size bottle of Billie Revive Body Wash contains enough niacinamide, retinol, and glycerin to brighten, smooth, and hydrate your skin for weeks on end. The gel’s rich, non-drying lather, dreamy, fresh-cotton scent, and astounding $8 price tag are the reasons we’ll continue to restock it in our shower again and again.
Tester feedback from senior news editor Nicola Dall’Asen
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“Billie must take the phrase 'bang for your buck' very seriously, given that its $8 body wash comes in a bottle bigger than John Cena's quads. What's more, its fragrances are just strong enough to provide a little aromatherapy in the shower but not so much as to overwhelm or linger. Much like John, it's hard to beat.” —Nicola Dall’Asen, senior news editor
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen Broad SPF 70
Best Body Steals
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen Broad SPF 70
Amazon
Why It Won: With a featherweight, oil-free spray, Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen Broad SPF 70 leaves a nongreasy layer of sun protection that blends in seconds and won’t clog pores down the line. That means you can spritz with abandon (and every two hours) whatever you’re doing outside—running, gardening, picnicking, lounging at the beach—without every speck of dirt or sand sticking to you like a magnet.
Tester feedback from executive beauty director Jenny Bailly
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“My family does not actually drink this stuff, but you might think it based on how many bottles we go through every spring and summer. Even my tween and teen boys will apply it willingly—it’s never sticky or streaky or ‘yuck, Mom.’ And sunburns? I’ve never even noticed a tinge of pink—on any of us—after using this spray.” —Jenny Bailly, executive beauty director
Saltair Santal Bloom Multi-Lipid Body Butter
Best Body Steals
Saltair Santal Bloom Multi-Lipid Body Butter
Amazon
Content director Kara McGrath applies the Saltair Santal Bloom Multi-Lipid Body Butter.
Why It Won: As we slathered on the Saltair Santal Bloom Multi-Lipid Body Butter, we were convinced we were testing something from the Splurges category—and could you blame us? The rich cream holds its own against hydrators twice the price: It looks stylish with its beachy, ’70s-style font, it smells warm and inviting, and it’s bubbling over with barrier-repairing and moisture-replenishing ingredients like ceramides, phospholipids, and coconut oil.
Tester feedback from content director Kara McGrath
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“I love a big ol' tub of body butter—especially when it costs 20 bucks. With its notes of rose, jasmine, and sandalwood, this stuff smells way more expensive than it should; the scent is light and elegant, not sickly sweet like many other drugstore-priced options. The formula is great too: It's a mid-weight cream that makes your skin feel hydrated, not sticky. I like it best for the spring and fall.” —Kara McGrath, content director
Skintimate Fragrance Free 2-in-1 Shave Oil + Moisturizer
Best Body Steals
Skintimate Fragrance Free 2-in-1 Shave Oil + Moisturizer
Amazon
Why It Won: Razors and sensitive skin get along about as well as cast members on The Real Housewives. Skintimate Fragrance Free 2-in-1 Shave Oil + Moisturizer sets out to repair the relationship, leaving synthetic dyes and fragrances out of this supremely gentle formula. Soothing oils like shea, sweet almond, and jojoba intensely soften the skin, preventing nicks, with aloe and vitamin E stepping in to calm things down post-shave.
Tester feedback from senior news editor Nicola Dall’Asen
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“I genuinely did a double-take the first few times I used this shave oil because I could swear my leg hair was melting off—even the really stubborn stubble that's barely long enough to shave. Nothing has given me as close a shave as this. And you should take my word for it; I've got Italian body hair." —Nicola Dall’Asen, senior news editor
Eos Vanilla Cashmere Body Lotion
Best Body Steals
Eos Vanilla Cashmere Body Lotion
Amazon
Why It Won: Every pump of the Eos Vanilla Cashmere Body Lotion will nourish your skin and have you suddenly craving dessert. The combination of vanilla, musk, and caramel smells like warm cookies out of the oven, but it’s the decadent blend of skin-softening shea butter, shea oil, and glycerin that’s the real treat here, absorbing quickly and leaving behind moisture that lasts and lasts.
Tester feedback from senior director of audience development Lexi Herrick
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“The Eos Vanilla Cashmere Body Lotion is truly a luxury for half the price. I love the fluffy, cloud-like texture that glides smoothly onto my skin post-shower. The vanilla smell is so sweet and lingers all day. And the tub lasts forever—even for body butter enthusiasts like myself who tend to really lather it on thick." —Lexi Herrick, senior director of audience development
Palmer’s Coconut Oil Formula Brazilian Coco Firming Oil
Best Body Steals
Palmer’s Coconut Oil Formula Brazilian Coco Firming Oil
Amazon
Why It Won: The quickest way to get a head-to-toe summer glow all year round is by spreading Palmer’s Coconut Oil Formula Brazilian Coco Firming Oil over your limbs after every shower. The ridiculously nourishing formula leaves you glistening but never greasy, with the coconut, açai, and brazil nut oils restoring suppleness to a level that pleased our testers as much as its tropical, coconutty scent and mess-free pump.
Tester feedback from shopping market editor Angela Trakoshis
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“I’ve been looking for something to help with skin texture and firmness, and this oil really delivers—my skin feels noticeably smoother and softer immediately after using it." —Angela Trakoshis, shopping market editor
Tree Hut Lotus Water Serum-Infused Hand Wash
Best Body Steals
Tree Hut Lotus Water Serum-Infused Hand Wash
Amazon
Why It Won: You’ll be looking for reasons to wash your hands with Tree Hut Lotus Water Serum-Infused Hand Wash on your bathroom sink—and not just because it transports you to season three of The White Lotus (minus the snakes and toxic smoothies). More viscous than your average hand wash, it leaves skin squeaky clean but silky soft, the result of combining ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin with gentle cleansers derived from coconuts
Tester feedback from associate beauty director Sarah Kinonen
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“Hand soap goes fast in my house, which is great, because it proves we’re constantly (and thoroughly) washing our hands, but…. his is one my husband and I wish stuck around longer because it was just so good. The scent is fresh but not overpowering; it doesn’t leave sticky residue after rinsing, and it’s $5—you can’t beat it." —Sarah Kinonen, associate beauty director
Florence By Mills Love Core Black Cherry Hair & Body Mist
Best Body Steals
Florence By Mills Love Core Black Cherry Hair & Body Mist
Ulta Beauty
Why It Won: Who needs rizz when you have Florence By Mills Love Core Black Cherry Hair & Body Mist? A scent made for when you’re feeling fun and flirty, according to founder Millie Bobby Brown, the unexpected blend of tart black cherry, sparkly lime blossom, and earthy oud is both immediately alluring and immensely easy to wear.
Tester feedback from senior copy manager Dawn Rebecky’s niece, Ava Reiner, age 14
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"The Love Core Black Cherry Hair & Body Mist from Florence By Mills comes in a colorful, fun package that's so cute, but I promise it smells even cuter. The fruity scent is the perfect amount of subtle, enough that my friends catch a whiff when I walk by, but not so strong that it gives my mom a headache. It has an effective, convenient spritzer that doesn't drip or leave big wet spots on my hair or skin after applying. I love to mist this anytime—in the morning, after a shower, or even before heading to the beach, where the scent lasts long even on a breezy day. Just be prepared for everyone you meet to ask you questions about what you're wearing." —Ava Reiner, age 14, senior copy manager Dawn Rebecky’s niece
Best Skin-Care Steals
Garnier Erase It All Makeup Cleansing Balm with Hyaluronic Acid
Best Skin-Care Steals
Garnier Erase It All Makeup Cleansing Balm with Hyaluronic Acid
Amazon
Why It Won: You can spend all day watching TikTok videos of people taking off their makeup with the Garnier Erase It All Makeup Cleansing Balm with Hyaluronic Acid, but nothing will prepare you for just how efficiently the $15 formula works in real life. The turquoise-colored balm helps break down the most indelible makeup the second you start massaging it over your skin. And with hyaluronic acid, shea butter, and jojoba oil, your skin is left softer and plumper than it was before you washed your face.
Tester feedback from senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor
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“Cleansing your face should be simple. This balm is exactly that: A no-frills formula that breaks down makeup as it slides across my face. It dissolves my waterproof makeup and sunscreen in seconds, leaving my skin clean and soft (without that filmy residue that some balms can leave behind)." —Jesa Marie Calaor, senior beauty editor
St. Ives Rose & Aloe Micro-Exfoliant
Best Skin-Care Steals
St. Ives Rose & Aloe Micro-Exfoliant
Amazon
Why It Won: Describing the St. Ives Rose & Aloe Micro-Exfoliant as “delicate as a flower” is not a backhanded compliment—it’s the reason the gentle scrub scored a spot on this list. Rose water brings with it soothing properties and a lovely scent, as ultrafine silica powder and jojoba beads very softly help break up flakes to reveal petal-soft skin that feels pampered, not perturbed.
Tester feedback from content director Kara McGrath
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“I really like how this scrub feels: The superfine grain gently exfoliates while the base cleanser foams up nicely. It also smells fancier than it is, with a light rose scent that isn't too sweet or powdery." —Kara McGrath, content director
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
Best Skin-Care Steals
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
Amazon
Why It Won: A little Best of Beauty history: Cetaphil’s classic cleanser was one of the 200-plus winners in Allure’s first-ever awards in 1996. There’s a reason a new generation of editors continues to fall in love with the brand, and the Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser is one of them. With sensitive skin types in mind, the creamy, fragrance-free formula boasts a simple ingredient list, using glycerin and niacinamide to strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier and nonstripping micelles— molecules in micellar water—to tenderly wash away dirt and oil.
Tester feedback from ditor in chief Jessica Cruel
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“Name a better cleanser for sensitive skin…. I'll wait…. You can't! Cetaphil has a constant place in my shower. I use it every day as the base to my skin-care routine. Sometimes all you want your cleanser to do is clean, and that's it. There are no bells and whistles, but it is the most hydrating formula I've tried. I even use it on my armpits occasionally—gotta love that natural deodorant life.” —Jessica Cruel, editor in chief
E.L.F. Skin Holy Hydration! Thirst Burst Drops
Best Skin-Care Steals
E.L.F. Skin Holy Hydration! Thirst Burst Drops
Ulta Beauty
Walmart
Why It Won: You’ll be uttering your own exclamations when you see just how dewy your skin looks after a layer of the E.L.F. Skin Holy Hydration! Thirst Burst Drops. Wear it on its own, wear it under makeup.… heck, mix a few drops into your foundation, and you’ll find that the powerhouse blend of hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and hibiscus extract leaves behind a glass-like sheen.
Tester feedback from associate manager of audience development Melanie Curry
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“My skin gets super dry in the winter, and even now, when we're transitioning from summer to fall, I desperately need extra hydration. Enter these Thirst Burst Drops. They're multiuse: You can use them as a day or night serum, and even as a primer. I usually opt for the latter because my skin always feels super dewy and moisturized after application, which makes my makeup glow, giving me that natural, I-just-woke-up-like-this look.” —Melanie Curry, associate manager of audience development
Cocokind Electrolyte Water Cream
Best Skin-Care Steals
Cocokind Electrolyte Water Cream
Amazon
Why It Won: Like a bottle of coconut water on a hot day, Cocokind Electrolyte Water Cream quenches thirsty skin with its refreshing gel-cream texture and host of humectants (glycerin, sodium PCA). But that’s not even the best part. As lightweight as this moisturizer is, it does some serious work bolstering your skin barrier and easing irritation, meaning sensitive and acne-prone types can also enjoy this viral, skin-reviving value powerhouse.
Tester feedback from deputy beauty director Elizabeth Siegel
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“It feels light and refreshing going on, and it's even more elegant than a lot of other serums that are twice the price. It makes my skin feel softer with a pretty, dewy sheen." —Elizabeth Siegel, deputy beauty director
Versed Doctor’s Visit Instant Resurfacing Mask
Best Skin-Care Steals
Versed Doctor’s Visit Instant Resurfacing Mask
Revolve
Versed
Commerce editor Sarah Han applies the Versed Doctor’s Visit Instant Resurfacing Mask.
Why It Won: Is a weekly application of Versed Doctor’s Visit Instant Resurfacing Mask actually the equivalent of a series of peels at a dermatologist's office? Absolutely not. For several hundred dollars less, is its cocktail of acids (lactic, glycolic, salicylic) and fruit enzymes (pineapple and papaya) going to help keep your pores clear and your skin bright? Absolutely yes.
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
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“I struggle with dedicating time every week to deep exfoliation, so Versed Doctor’s Visit—which you leave on for three minutes max—is music to my impatient ears. The jelly texture is fun and applies way faster than something like a clay mask, which I always find a mess to spread all around. There’s a little bit of everything (AHA, BHA, vitamin C-rich enzymes) for maximum exfoliating, brightening, and pore-minimizing results.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
Neutrogena Collagen Bank Moisturizer
Best Skin-Care Steals
Neutrogena Collagen Bank Moisturizer
Amazon
Why It Won: We consider Neutrogena Collagen Bank Moisturizer a worthy investment when it comes to keeping skin plump and protecting our precious collagen reserves. In addition to your usual, reliable hydrators (glycerin, shea butter), the cushiony face cream helps stimulate collagen production in two ways: through bakuchiol, the plant-derived ingredient that can jump-start cell turnover, and teeny-tiny peptides that get deposited deep into your skin to boost productivity in terms of elasticity. It’s the type of insider-trading we (and our complexions) are totally okay with.
Tester feedback from features director Dianna Singh
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“The best defense is a good offense, which is where Neutrogena Collagen Bank Moisturizer really shines: It helps you get ahead of the natural collagen loss that happens as we age. And the lightweight, nongreasy formula is easy to layer with other products." —Dianna Singh, features director
Best Makeup Steals
Maybelline New York Super Stay Lumi-Matte Foundation
Best Makeup Steals
Maybelline New York Super Stay Lumi-Matte Foundation
Amazon
Why It Won: Lumi(nous) matte is absolutely an oxymoron, but it does in fact seem to be the best way to describe the finish of Maybelline New York’s Super Stay Lumi-Matte Foundation. The medium-to-full coverage formula most certainly tamps down shine and covers nearly every imperfection, but thanks to silica, glycerin, and an infusion of amino acids, it doesn’t dull the skin’s natural radiance or flatten its texture. Unfathomably lightweight and long-wearing, it’s our kind of contradiction in terms.
Tester feedback from shopping market editor Angela Trakoshis
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“I struggle with finding a foundation that lasts all day without feeling heavy, but this one gives me the perfect soft matte finish and actually stays put.” —Angela Trakoshis, shopping market editor
L’Oréal Paris Infallible 3-Second Setting Spray
Best Makeup Steals
L’Oréal Paris Infallible 3-Second Setting Spray
Amazon
Social media manager Bianca Richards applies the L’Oréal Paris Infallible 3-Second Setting Spray.
Bianca Richards
Why It Won: We would never recommend keeping your makeup on for two days straight. But if you did, the viral L’Oréal Paris Infallible 3-Second Setting Spray is one of the only setting sprays on the market to offer an up to 36-hour wear claim. For the love of our skin, we didn't test that out, but we did find that this fine, sweat-resistant mist froze our foundation in place the entire day—without freezing our facial features. In fact, once it dries down, it gives your skin a pretty radiance.
Tester feedback from social media manager Bianca Richards
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“The L'Oréal Paris Infallible setting spray has been a game changer for my glam because once it’s misted, my makeup does not budge at all. I've influenced my mom and friends with this steal, and it's become a staple across all of our beauty routines." —Bianca Richards, social media manager
Nyx Professional Makeup Buttermelt Blush
Best Makeup Steals
Nyx Professional Makeup Buttermelt Blush
Amazon
Associate manager of audience development Melanie Curry applies the Nyx Professional Makeup Buttermelt Blush.
Why It Won: Based on name alone, we wouldn’t blame you for thinking that the Nyx Professional Makeup Buttermelt Blush is a cream. But while it's made with a mix of mango, almond, and shea butters (and smells like a fresh-out-of-the-oven baked good), the formula is a supremely silky powder that melts over skin, leaving behind a layer of highly pigmented color that can be sheered out or built up depending on your blush barometer for the day. Choose from 12 shades and two finishes: shimmery or matte.
Tester feedback from shopping market editor Angela Trakoshis
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“Most blushes fade on me within hours, but this formula melts into my skin and gives a natural, long-lasting flush that doesn’t budge." —Angela Trakoshis, shopping market editor
ColourPop Liquid Blush
Best Makeup Steals
ColourPop Liquid Blush
Amazon
Why It Won: Neither too oily nor too watery, the ColourPop Liquid Blush is the ideal consistency for seamless blending and a second-skin quality that lasts for up to eight hours and won’t disturb your makeup underneath. Available in a soft matte finish, as well as a pearlescent option, you’ve got a shade for every aesthetic, whether that’s a fanciful Chappell Roan–style fuchsia (Wildest Dreams), the perfect clean-girl pinky nude (Super Shy), or a healthy, blonzer-style hue (Culver City).
Tester feedback from commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann
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“This blush easily contains a hundred bucks' worth of pigment for just $10.” —Sarah Hoffmann, commerce producer
CoverGirl Outlast Forever Velvet Pigment
Best Makeup Steals
CoverGirl Outlast Forever Velvet Pigment
Amazon
Why It Won: Long before liquid lipsticks or beauty influencers were a thing, or even Instagram, there were CoverGirl’s long-lasting Outlast lip stains that locked onto lips with such strength, you needed an oily makeup remover and a lot of elbow grease to take them off. The plushy Outlast Forever Velvet Pigment continues the tradition but with a comfortable, flexible formula that glides on smooth and dries down matte without drying out your lips. It's just as astonishingly steadfast as its predecessors, but comes off easily with a good makeup remover and a gentle touch.
Tester feedback from senior copy manager Leslie Lipton
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“A woman at the next table in the restaurant tapped me on the shoulder and said, ’Excuse me, but I have to ask, how do you get your lipstick to stay on through the entire meal? Secret shared: After pretty meticulous skin and lip prep, I apply CoverGirl Outlast Forever Velvet Pigment. Even if the lip pencil and cream bullet I use on top fade on the rim of my Aperol spritz, I know the Outlast Velvet Pigment will be there through the cappuccino.” —Leslie Lipton, senior copy manager
Ulta Beauty Collection Too Cheeky Lip & Cheek Color Stick
Best Makeup Steals
Ulta Beauty Collection Too Cheeky Lip & Cheek Color Stick
Ulta Beauty
Why It Won: The definition of grab and go, Ulta Beauty Collection Too Cheeky Lip & Cheek Color Stick swipes on a sheer layer of color—eight of them to be exact, in three different finishes—that barely needs any blending to look like a natural flush (one of our testers applied it as she was running out the door to catch the train). It’s the candelilla and carnauba waxes that give the stick its effortless slip, even if your skin or lips aren’t in their best, most-hydrated shape. The Brits wouldn’t call that too cheeky—they’d say it’s bloody brilliant.
Tester feedback from senior art director Ingrid Fowler
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"This multi-stick stood out to me so much that I messaged our associate beauty director about how much I loved it. I swipe the creamy formula across my cheeks and lips, and it's light enough to avoid the need to be too precise. I have the shade Debut, a soft cocoa color, which suits my cool-toned complexion. My current go-to is this stick, plus a lip oil on top—it's sitting in my purse as I type!" —Ingrid Fowler, senior art director
Wet n Wild Lip Oil
Best Makeup Steals
Wet n Wild Lip Oil
Amazon
Why It Won: Don’t let Wet n Wild Lip Oil’s straightforward name and unassuming price tag fool you fool you into thinking it’s either straightforward or unassuming. It uses a whopping seven plant oils—cherry, marula, camellia, jojoba, avocado, raspberry seed, and blueberry seed—to soothe even the driest lips, while the 11 shades come in bold shades like crimson (Heart Rate) and claret (Merlot Glass) that will definitely get you noticed.
Tester feedback from content marketing manager Hannah Brower
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“This is everything you want in a lip oil—hydration, shine, and zero stickiness—at a really affordable price.” —Hannah Brower, content marketing manager
Vaseline Lip Therapy Advanced Healing Tube
Best Makeup Steals
Vaseline Lip Therapy Advanced Healing Tube
Amazon (3-Pack)
Why It Won: Vaseline Lip Therapy Advanced Healing Tube takes the brand’s classic moisture-locking, lip-protecting, petrolatum-based formula and puts it in a handy-dandy tube. The result is a silky balm that you can take with you everywhere and that everyone in your household can use to relieve dry, chapped lips all year round.
Tester feedback from associate beauty director Sarah Kinonen
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“This may have the simplest ingredient list in the category (two ingredients, that’s it), but that doesn’t mean it isn’t hard-working. One heavy coat of over lip balm locks in moisture long after application… and my third coffee." —Sarah Kinonen, associate beauty director
Nails.Inc It's Topless 4-in-1 Nail Polish
Best Makeup Steals
Nails.Inc It's Topless 4-in-1 Nail Polish
Amazon
Why It Won: We love a beauty product that speeds up our routines, and Nails.Inc It's Topless 4-in-1 Nail Polish cut our testers’ at-home manicure times down to just five minutes (so much for Netflix-and-paint-your-nails). The four-in-one formula combines a basecoat, a peptide-infused nail-strengthening treatment, pigment, and topcoat into one bottle, so all you need is two coats and you're done. Efficiency aside, our testers also loved the shade selection and the fact that none of the 22 hues left behind any stained fingernails—not even Kendall, a rich cherry red.
Tester feedback from content director and serious at-home manicurist Kara McGrath
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“I was so skeptical of a polish that says it doesn’t need a basecoat or a topcoat, but I followed the directions and found it stayed chip-free for five days. And I was happy that even the brightest red shade didn’t stain my nails underneath.” —Kara McGrath, content director and serious at-home manicurist
Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge
Best Makeup Steals
Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge
Amazon (4-Count)
Why It Won: You’ll be amazed by how quickly the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge delivers a seamless finish to almost every cream or liquid you apply—picking up and dispensing the perfect amount of product with each pat. It’s not a miracle, though: it’s thoughtful engineering. The flat edge lays down product, the rounded side buffs and blends, and the precision tip gets into all the hard-to-reach areas like nostrils and lash lines.
Tester feedback from senior director of audience development Lexi Herrick
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“This complexion sponge is really high-quality and effective. I find that it blends well without absorbing too much product, and has a gentle texture that never irritates or rubs too harshly on my skin. It also cleans well and can be used for much longer than many of the makeup sponges I’ve tried.” —Lexi Herrick, senior director of audience development
Best Hair-Care Steals
Suave Hyaluronic Infusion Moisturizing Shampoo & Conditioner
Best Hair-Care Steals
Suave Hyaluronic Infusion Moisturizing Shampoo & Conditioner
Walmart (Shampoo)
Walmart (Conditioner)
Why It Won: Our testers could not believe their eyes—or the quality of their hair—after swapping the Suave Hyaluronic Infusion Moisturizing Shampoo & Conditioner into their shower rotations. The drugstore duo features hyaluronic acid, which binds moisture to individual hair fibers to help turn straw-like strands and frayed split ends into hair that looks and feels like silk.
Tester feedback from deputy beauty director Elizabeth Siegel
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"This stacks up to the fancier shampoos and conditioners in my shower (of which there are plenty) and even surpasses them in terms of how shiny it makes my hair look—you would never know I'm way overdue for a trim, because my ends magically look healthy (not split) again. It's got a really subtle scent that's a welcome change from the usual fruity or floral fragrances you find in drugstore shampoos and conditioners. The shampoo sudses gently and rinses away easily, but what I really love is how my long hair looks afterward: healthier, hydrated, and shiny.” —Elizabeth Siegel, deputy beauty director
Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Frizz Tamer
Best Hair-Care Steals
Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Frizz Tamer
Walmart
Shopping director Shanna Shipin applies the Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Frizz Tamer.
Why It Won: While convenient, many frizz-taming wands make hair stiff and flaky. Our testers were relieved to finally find an option that didn’t leave behind crispy hairlines and plasticky strands. More of a silky serum than a sticky gel, Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Frizz Tamer slicks down fuzzies, flyaways, and baby hairs and leaves them sleek and shiny thanks to the addition of argan oil and keratin.
Tester feedback from senior copy manager Leslie Lipton
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“From ballerina buns to baby hairs, flyaways, frizz, and frayed ends, Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Frizz Tamer has every strand softly under control. With the mascara wand–like spoolie, I lightly apply the serum to the growing-in and flatiron-fried hairs that stick up along my part, and voilà! They magically lie down without greasiness, stickiness, or crunch. It's the finishing touch I didn't know I needed.” —Leslie Lipton, senior copy manager
Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Define & Shine Edge Gel
Best Hair-Care Steals
Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Define & Shine Edge Gel
Amazon
Why It Won: Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Define & Shine Edge Gel is strong enough to ensure your baby hairs don’t budge, but not so strong that your hairline gets stiff and flaky. The polished sheen you get from this gel comes from ingredients like glycerin and shea butter, and oils like coconut, flaxseed, and neem, which also conveniently help moisturize and strengthen fragile strands after they’ve been meticulously arranged.
Tester feedback from editor in chief Jessica Cruel
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“I have a flaky scalp, so typically edge control immediately causes a flare-up. However, this formula is alcohol-free, so I don't have that issue. It has enough hold to keep my hairline in check, but not so much that I feel like I need to rinse my hair after applying every day. It also doesn't leave any white flakes in my hair like some gels do.” —Jessica Cruel, editor in chief
Tresemmé Lamellar Gloss Finishing Oil
Best Hair-Care Steals
Tresemmé Lamellar Gloss Shine Finishing Oil
Amazon
Why It Won: Our nitpicky editors are in agreement with the thousands of five-star reviews across the internet. The Tresemmé Lamellar Gloss Finishing Oil is what stands between you and shampoo-ad levels of shine, locking in luster and quieting frizz with its mix of sunflower, coconut, and macadamia oils. Apply to damp hair before blow-drying or air-drying, or once it’s already styled as a glossing, smoothing top-up.
Tester feedback from Best of Beauty editorial assistant ElleAnna Revell
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“The ends of my hair get especially dry and brittle, and this oil does wonders as a midday refresh. I usually use one to two pumps and disperse through my mids to ends, focusing on my dehydrated ends. It’s become the perfect preheat-styling addition to my routine. Whenever I use it, my hair looks shiny and hydrated.” —ElleAnna Revell, Best of Beauty editorial assistant
Pantene Miracle Rescue 10-in-1 Multitasking Spray + Keratin
Best Hair-Care Steals
Pantene Miracle Rescue 10-in-1 Multitasking Spray + Keratin
Amazon
Why It Won: There are many reasons why your hair might be feeling meh, and the Pantene Miracle Rescue 10-in-1 Multitasking Spray + Keratin addresses nearly every one of them. A potent pairing of ingredients improves hair health on all levels: pro-vitamin B5 gets down to the protein blocks of the hair and builds bonds, so strands are softer, stronger, and more elastic than before; keratin seals up tiny breaks in the cuticle to restore strength and sleekness. But while the list of what it can do is staggering, the price certainly isn’t.
Tester feedback from contributing writer Sophia Panych
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“With lots of fine, long, highlighted hair, a leave-in conditioner is a nonnegotiable in my routine. After a shower, this spray adds the extra moisture and shine I need while also acting as a detangler, frizz tamer, and split-end softener. But I also use it on dry hair. It’s great at smoothing fuzzies around my hairline, slicking strands back into a sleek bun or ponytail, or acting as a protective layer before I swim laps at the gym. It’s a good thing it costs less than $20 because I go through a bottle every few months.” —Sophia Panych, contributing writer
Nexxus Hy Volume Lifting Cloud Foam
Best Hair-Care Steals
Nexxus Hy Volume Lifting Cloud Foam
Amazon
Why It Won: It’s not a typo—the “hy” in Nexxus Hy Volume Lifting Cloud Foam refers to hyaluronic acid, one of the ingredients that helps this mousse lift roots and add fullness. Called “hyaluronic tubing technology,” the formula works by coating each individual hair in plumping polymers—similar to how a tubing mascara works for lashes—to give the look of thicker hair. Two pumps and you’ll be saying hello (or hy!) to bulkier blowouts.
Tester feedback from associate beauty director Sarah Kinonen
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“As someone who considers brushing their hair a form of styling, I generally don’t need products like mousses or foams. But for some reason, this styler’s Hy Volume name caught my attention, so I gave it a shot. A single pump raked through damp hair before air-drying gave my fine, limp hair an incredible (and honestly, unbelievable) amount of volume by the time it dried—I didn’t even recognize it." —Sarah Kinonen, associate beauty director
Dove Intensive Repair 10-in-1 Serum Mask
Best Hair-Care Steals
Dove Intensive Repair 10-in-1 Serum Mask
Amazon
Why It Won: If you have a lot of hair that needs a lot of moisture, at $10 a tub, you could be extra generous with this Dove Intensive Repair 10-in-1 Serum Mask. But you don’t really need to. The ultrarich formula uses amino acids to reinforce weak strands, glycerin to hydrate and soften, silicones to smooth the cuticle, and coconut oil to add more moisture and shine. Depending on your length, all you need is a dollop to emerge from the shower with silkier, more manageable hair.
Tester feedback from executive beauty director Jenny Bailly
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"My bleached, gray, perimenopausal, very thirsty hair loves nothing more than a tall drink of the Dove 10-in-1 Serum Mask. Whenever I use it in place of my regular conditioner, my hair dries smooth and feels silky." —Jenny Bailly, executive beauty director
Written by Sophia Panych
How does Allure choose winners for the Best of Beauty Steals category?
Allure’s editorial team—in-house writers, editors, and contributors—painstakingly tests thousands of products every year (yes, thousands), including products available at mass-market retailers across the makeup, skin, hair, and body categories. Regardless of price tag, we consider each product’s performance in the following categories: efficacy, packaging, fragrance (where relevant), and user experience (including texture and wear). A product earns an award for Best of Beauty Steals if it’s under $24, delivers exceptional results, and offers routine-improving value that rivals—and sometimes even surpasses—formulas with luxury price tags.
Are winners in the Steals category really as good as high-end ones?
Absolutely. Best of Beauty Steals winners match—and sometimes even outperform—beauty products at luxury price points. Whether it’s a light-as-air longwear foundation, a crunch-free volumizing mousse, or a dermatologist-recommended cream cleanser, the winners in this category prove that exceptional performance doesn’t require an exorbitant price tag.
What types of products are included in the Steals category?
The Best of Beauty Steals category features cleansers, moisturizers, lipsticks, nail polishes, shampoos, hair stylers, tools, and more. The winners cover a wide range of beauty needs, including a frizz tamer, a firming body oil, a steadfast setting spray, and glow-inducing hair care—all available at mass-market retailers, specialty beauty stores, drugstores, and grocery stores nationwide.
Are there fragrance-free or sensitive-skin-friendly options among the winners?
Some of the Best of Beauty Steals winners are noncomedogenic or fragrance-free and safe for sensitive skin, such as the Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, Cocokind Electrolyte Water Cream, Vaseline Lip Therapy Advanced Healing Tube, and Neutrogena Collagen Bank Moisturizer. If your skin is supersensitive or reactive, we recommend checking out the 2025 Best of Beauty Sensitive Skin winners, which have all been chosen for their gentle formulas and vetted by our prickly-skinned editors.
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