15 Best Cheap Beauty Products from Affordable Brands
We try the TikTok-viral beauty buy that’s flying off chemist shelves for smelling like a $500 perfume.
These products are hand-picked by our team to help make shopping easier. We may receive payments from third parties for sharing this content and when you purchase through links in this article. Product prices and offer details are not assured, and should be confirmed independently with the retailer. Learn more
Sure, it feels good to splurge on a fabulous foundation or gorgeous lipstick, but you don’t have to break the bank to get amazing results in your beauty routine. Affordable chemist buys can deliver the same – if not better – results than luxury makeup.
But I get it, there’s a lot out there.
To help you decipher which budget-friendly beauty buys are actually worth your coin, I asked the news.com.au checkout team for their absolute favourite picks.
Covering all things skincare, makeup and haircare – and featuring one $10 chemist buy that’s going totally viral over on TikTok for its scent that reminiscent of an exxy perfume brand – these are the best of the bunch.
BEST CHEAP BEAUTY PRODUCTS
GEM Skin Loving Deodorant in Santal, $9.99 at Priceline
Tried and Tested by Marina Tatas, Senior Shopping Writer
If you’re a beauty-obsessed Aussie that doomscrolls TikTok, there’s a good chance you’ve seen people going crazy for this $10 deodorant that’s supposed to smell exactly like a bougie perfume worth over $500.
Made viral by Aussie influencer @blueeyedkaylajade, the GEM Skin Loving Deodorant in Santal is a gorgeous blend of sandalwood and cedarwood – and I really love the smell. Plus I find that it lasts all day long too, which is great for a $10 deodorant.
The formula is also super great – it’s packed with hyaluronic acid, shea butter and vitamin E to keep your skin feeling soft and supple.
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+, $25.95 at Priceline
Tried and Tested by Philippa Tonkin, Shopping Writer
I will never stop raving about La Roche Posay Cicaplast. It has honestly saved my skin. Anytime my skin is feeling dry or I’ve gone too hard on the actives – or even when my acne is flaring up – Cicaplast is there like a warm hug.
I also love how multi-use it is. Personally, I use it all over my face like a moisturiser and sometimes as a spot treatment, but you can also use it like a wash-off mask or even just on areas of concern. This is one of those rare times that a product is actually well and truly worth the hype.
The Ordinary Soothing & Barrier Support Serum, $29.10 at Adore Beauty
Tried and Tested by Melody Teh, Acting Editor
I am a big fan of The Ordinary as they make skincare that works but at a budget-friendly price, which is what we all need in this economy, am I right? Throughout the years I have used many of their products and honestly you can’t go wrong with any of them, but my top pick has to be the Soothing and Barrier Support Serum.
I reach for this any time my skin is in desperate need of some TLC, whether it’s because I’ve damaged my skin barrier after putting on too many actives or if it’s particularly tight and dehydrated during the colder months. I just know it will soothe my skin and make it feel and look much more hydrated and healthier. Another favourite is The Ordinary’s Hyaluronic Acid, which at $16 works as hard as other hyaluronic acids triple the price.
Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation, $25.99 at Amazon Australia
Tried and Tested by Claudia Coy, Social Media Producer
This is hands down my favourite affordable foundation. While it took me a hot minute to find the right shade, I’ve been loyal to the Maybelline Fit Me range for three years now and always keep a spare bottle in my beauty cupboard for when I run out of my more expensive foundations.
While it’s a lightweight product, the coverage is buildable so you can either go for a ‘natural beauty’ vibe or a full face of glam look. And as an oily girl myself, I love that the formula is made with micro-powders to help control shine and blur your pores. While I do need to reapply powder towards the end of a workday, this is one of the best foundations I’ve tried for oily skin.
Dermal Therapy Overnight Lip Repair, $11.99 at Priceline
Tried and Tested by Harriet Amurao, Shopping Writer
We all know that Dermal Therapy lip balms are a cult-favourite, but their overnight lip mask deserves its flowers too.
It’s formulated with hero ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, urea, collagen and peptides which all work together to not only hydrate the lips, but also soften and plump them.
The lip mask has a subtle scent that is reminiscent of bubblegum or berry and it has a thick, smooth texture – which is honestly what you want in a lip mask.
It’s genuinely one of those products that makes me feel luxurious when applying it every night, and the best part? It’s only $11.99!
BUBBLE Day Dream Vitamin C + Niacinamide Tone & Texture Serum, $29 at Priceline
Tried and Tested by Marina Tatas, Senior Shopping Writer
Cult skincare brand Bubble landed into Aussie shelves late last year and my pick of the TikTok-viral range has got to be the Day Dream Vitamin C + Niacinamide Serum.
It’s rare to find such a hardworking vitamin C serum for under $30 – this one is also packed with niacinamide to help even out your skin tone and further reduce the appearance of dark spots.
I also love how effortlessly it fits into my skincare routine. The lightweight milky texture works so well with my other products and layers beautifully. It makes my skin look so glowy and fresh.
No7 Future Renew Night Cream, $67.99 at Priceline
Tried and Tested by Melody Teh, Acting Editor
As someone who suffers from dehydrated and dry skin all year long – yes even in the height of summer – a good moisturiser is a must-have. I’ve tried many of them, from bougie to budget, and I love that I can pick up one of my favourites from the local pharmacy. No 7 is the UK’s number one skincare brand and their Future Renew range sells every two seconds over there.
The No 7 Future Renew night cream is packed with the brand’s signature Pepticology. Developed over the course of 15 years by world-leading scientists, it’s full of skin-loving ingredients like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants. The texture is lovely, not too thick or lightweight, and absorbs into the skin quickly without leaving any greasy residue. Most importantly, my skin feels so nourished and hydrated every morning. I am onto my fourth bottle of this, it’s that good!
Maybelline New York Sky High Mascara, $15.60 (down from $25.99) at Amazon Australia
Tried and Tested by Philippa Tonkin, Shopping Writer
If you’re looking for an affordable mascara that won’t smudge and will still look great after a night out or a long day at work, the Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara is definitely the way to go. My lashes are on the shorter side and I love how it really adds length and volume even to my smallest, inside lashes. Plus, it’s also crazy popular and has over 100,000 five-star reviews.
Hada Labo Moisturising Facial Sheet Mask, $6.95 at Adore Beauty
Tried and Tested by Marina Tatas, Senior Shopping Writer
Hada Labo’s sheet mask is actually one of Priceline’s bestsellers – and it’s easy to see why.
Each mask is infused with an entire bottle of serum, supercharged with the brand’s innovative Super Hyaluronic Acid formula.
It helps give your skin a glass like glow that lasts all day long – perfect if you’re about to attend a special event where you want your skin to look immaculate. I’ve never used a sheet mask that’s so hydrating and soothing like this one, and priced at just under $6, it gets a big ol’ tick in my books!
Cetaphil Optimal Hydration Healthy Glow Daily Cream, $17.99 at Amazon Australia
Tried and Tested by Cindy Du, eCommerce Producer
If you’re on the hunt for a lightweight moisturiser that won’t break the bank, this might just be the one for you.
My skin is sometimes dry and usually sensitive – so I need a lightweight, non-greasy moisturiser that suits my skin and layers well.
Enter Cetaphil Optimal Hydration Healthy Glow Daily Cream – and my favourite thing about it is that it’s super affordable.
Texture-wise, it’s lightweight, absorbs quickly, and doesn’t leave a greasy or heavy feeling on my skin. The formulation is gentle and doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin, with great ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and niacinamide.
MP Cosmetics Sculpting Brush, $34 at Priceline
Tried and Tested by Philippa Tonkin, Shopping Writer
This is my new favourite makeup brush. Not only does it look like the expensive Hourglass brushes but it actually works just as well too. It’s perfectly angled for contour and also big enough to properly blend well too. At less than half the price of an Hourglass one, trust me when I say you will not regret it.
Pantene Miracles Keratin Sleek & Smooth Silicone-Free Shampoo, $13 at Priceline
Match with: Pantene Miracles Keratin Sleek & Smooth Daily Intensive Conditioner, $13 at Priceline
Tried and Tested by Marina Tatas, Senior Shopping Writer
I cannot believe how soft my hair feels after using this Pantene shampoo and conditioner. This product in particular is all about supporting hair damage and repairing dry and frizzy hair – and it did exactly that for me.
The shampoo made my hair feel so clean, and the conditioner gave it plenty of moisture. I really struggle with dry and frizzy hair, so I couldn’t believe what a difference this budget-friendly pick made to my locks.
Oh and it also smells amazing too, and I found that the scent lingered until the next morning. How good!
Milani Highly Rated Lash Extensions Mascara Black, $26.99 at Priceline
Tried and Tested by Claudia Coy, Social Media Producer
I’ve tried a LOT of mascaras in my time – from waterproof, brown, black, clear, white base coat … you name it, I’ve tried it. All in an attempt to find my one true love – a product that’ll give me length, width and long-lasting performance.
That’s when I met Milani Highly Rated Lash Extensions Mascara and I’m happy to report we’re now in an exclusive, loving, committed relationship.
So let’s talk about what makes Milani so great – firstly, it’s a tubing mascara (a Japanese-inspired last extending technology) which basically means it dramatically extends and lifts lashes and will give you that falsie look. It’s also a non-flaking, non-clumping formula which can last up to 16 hours. Another pro is that tubing mascara comes off easily with water, so no need for excessive tugging and pulling with a cotton pad. But the best part? The Milani Highly Rated Lash Extension is infused with shea butter and castor seed oil, which means it’ll nourish your lashes while you wear it.
Nude By Nature Natural Mineral Cover C3 Light/Medium, $42.95 at Nourished Life
Tried and Tested by Rosalyn Fannin, SEO AI and Generative Search Producer
I am not a big makeup wearer. I’d rather have an extra 20 minutes of sleep in the morning than slap on some mascara and doll myself up with a bit of lippy. But I make one exception to the rule: Nude by Nature’s Mineral Cover Powder Foundation.
It evens out my skin tone while covering up my freckles, moles and pimples, and makes my entire face look smoother. It also prevents my face from getting too shiny – I’ll occasionally get some oily sheen on my forehead on hot days, but nothing too crazy.
The vegan formula is what I love most. It uses natural ingredients like jojoba esters and vitamin C rich Kakadu plum rather than chemicals, so it doesn’t dry out my skin or cause any irritation. And it’s non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog pores and lead to whiteheads and pimples, which I can certainly vouch for. I’ve been using this since I was a teenager, and it never led to any adolescent acne or breakouts.
I wear the C3 Light/Medium shade, as I am on the pale side. It’s the first thing I reach for in my small makeup bag and is so good that I don’t need to wear concealer or liquid foundation. After over 10 years of using it, it’s the only one I’ll ever buy.
MP Cosmetics Full Bodied with Keratin Oil Cushioned Pin Oval Paddle, $15.99 at Priceline
Tried and Tested by Melody Teh, Acting Editor
On principle I refuse to pay an arm and a leg for a hair brush (it just feels wrong) but I still want a quality everyday hairbrush that will detangle my hair without breaking it. After perusing Priceline recently, I picked up this brush from MP. I have fine hair and this is a great brush that detangles my hair easily and gives it a nice smooth shine. And at $16, there’s not much more I can ask from it.
Sign up to our free shopping newsletter to get the best deals, shopping tips and guides delivered to your inbox every week.
‘Gross’ hair find that ‘blew me away’
Scalp care is the new skincare. These scalp serums will take your hair health from 0 to 100 – including a viral option that we rate.
‘Worth it’: Big change to cult beauty item
This “liquid gold in a bottle” sells every 3 minutes, but how does the new and improved version stack up to the cult classic?
‘Miracle’ teeth whitening kit 100k swear by
Get “whiter and brighter teeth” with this “miracle” teeth whitening kit that’s got over 100k happy customers.
A-lister reveals secret Aussie crush
Rita Ora reveals her ultimate Aussie crush and what makes them so attractive.