If a product is good good, I have no problem spending a little extra. A retinol cream that smooths and evens my skin tone? Worth it. A moisturizer packed with barrier-supporting ingredients that leaves my complexion looking plump and bouncy? Absolutely. And an SPF that blends like butter and leaves behind the prettiest sheen? Sold. But here's a little secret from someone who tests beauty products for a living: some of my all-time favorites—the ones I reach for during my everyday morning routine—are under $50 at Sephora.
Yes, luxury skincare often lives up to the hype (and the price tag), but there are so many under-the-radar finds that cost less than your lunch and still rival their high-end counterparts. Take fragrance, for example. Most cult-favorite perfumes will run you $200 plus, easy. But Sephora has a surprisingly great selection of travel sizes, solid fragrances, and rollerballs that let me test-drive luxe scents without committing to the splurge.
Whether you're restocking your staple beauty essential or looking for your next new favorite, Sephora's under-$50 section is a goldmine for beauty that doesn't skimp on quality. From drugstore-priced, yet luxury-performing, hair oils that repair damage to makeup formulas that feel and wear like second skin, you don't have to drop a paycheck to glow.
Because the truth is, a high price tag doesn't always equal high performance. Here are my favorite under-$50 Sephora haircare, skincare, and makeup picks that, as a beauty editor, I keep on standby.
Most days, I go for a soft glam smokey eye with a subtle wing that gives just enough definition without looking overdone. This waterproof eyeliner is the only reason it actually lasts—from early meetings to late dinners—even when my spring allergies have my eyes watering nonstop this time of year.
I am a self-proclaimed fake tanning expert. I have a self-tanner on most days of the week, and in order to rely on a natural-looking faux glow, I opt for gradual tanners most of the time. This one from Tan-Luxe contains hydrating aloe vera to draw in hydration, and rich emollients to seal in that moisture.
Introducing the cult favorite YSL Candy Glaze lip balm-lipstick hybrid that has the color payoff of your favorite lipstick, but all the moisture of a rich balm. Shade 44 is my all-time go-to nude that looks pretty on every single skin tone.
I've tried just about every concealer on the market, and while there are a few newer formulas I reach for, I always keep NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer on hand. It blends like butter without creasing, and a tiny dab goes a long way for solid coverage.
This curl gloss is a favorite among wavy-haired Marie Claire editors for a reason. The lightweight formula defines and shapes curls and waves without a hint of crunch, adds serious shine, and smooths flyaways with a boost of moisture.
The Lip Butter Balm from Summer Fridays is the perfect tinted lip balm to toss in your bag and have on hand for anything, anytime. Packed with shea and murumuru butters, this ultra-moisturizing formula glides on like, well, butter.
This super creamy, deeply pigmented formula is one of my favorite ways to get the perfect tightline, and our team agrees: "The Kulfi Kajal Eyeliner applies smoothly and does not tug or get caught on my waterline," says one Marie Claire tester, adding, "Rich in color and pigment, this eyeliner is brown girl-friendly as the black and brown eyeliners show up on darker skin."
There are a lot of new SPF formulations that have caught my eye this year, but a unanimous winner among beauty editors? The Ultra Violette Future Screen SPF 50. It's a broad-spectrum mineral SPF that blends out totally sheer, wears beautifully, and provides adequate UV protection.
Sensitive, dry, combination, oily—every skin type can get behind the Dieux Instant Angel moisturizer. The peptide-rich formulation is packed with barrier-supporting ingredients to replenish lost moisture without ever feeling heavy, and it's gentle enough for even the most reactive skin.
This $14 find might be the most underrated lip gloss on the market, in my opinion. I'm obsessed with its super glossy—but never sticky—formulation that gives my lips a mirror-like shine, subtly plumps without the sting, and layers perfectly over any lipstick.
I whip out this spray anytime my skin needs a little extra TLC, and immediately it feels refreshed, soothed, and ready for the rest of the day. The secret is the hypochlorous acid, which has natural antibacterial effects and visibly calms irritated skin. The SOS spray also has the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance, which means it's safe for sensitive skin types.
In the summer, I aim for my skin to glisten à la Hailey Bieber during her glazed donut era. Tom Ford is pricey, but the shimmering body oil in the mini size comes in at a relatively affordable price for a luxury beauty favorite. Plus, the scent is the yummiest grown-up gourmand, and the imparts specks of gold all over your body like a literal fairy.
As I mentioned, I wear a smokey eye on the regular, which means I rely on waterproof, long-wear formulas to keep it in place all day. The only thing that melts it all off without any tugging? Then I Met You's Living Cleansing Balm—i.e., the K-beauty cleansing oil that makes makeup removal fast, easy, and gentle.
I love the Vertigo Lift Mascara so much, I've officially broken up with my go-to formula of the past decade. It nails the trifecta of lift, volume, and length, making my barely-there lashes look convincingly fake—in the best way.
My secret to soft, even, smooth-as-hell skin is this $13 chemical exfoliant. It's a gentle formulation that sloughs away dead skin cells for a radiant complexion. And bonus: I also use it under my armpits to help keep odor at bay.
Few products generate as much hype as the Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Foundation did. The secret lies in its incredibly inclusive shade range, blurring, filter-esque finish, and incredible coverage that feels like second skin. If you have yet to try it, just do yourself a favor and pop this liquid foundation in your bag—it's under-$50, after all.
What makes this hair oil a standout is that it works for every hair type, adds a glossy sheen for the softest, healthiest-looking hair ever, and uses Olaplex's signature bond-building technology to repair damage and prevent more from occurring. It's a win all around.
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