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We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.
You already know about our affinity for uncovering behind-the-scenes shopping secrets at Ulta and Sephora. But there’s another online e-tailer we like to peruse for lesser-known beauty buys: Amazon. Yes, the place we used to reserve for buying books, streaming episodes, and making the occasional digital grocery run is also home to a surprising array of under-the-radar beauty gems.
On our last Amazon browse, we stumbled across scores of products we’d never even heard of that had thousands of positive reviews. We promptly lost ourselves in an Amazon black hole, and a few hours later, we emerged with quite a few of the best Amazon beauty products we think you’ll want to know about. Some are straightforward, some are strange, but all of them have the approval of thousands of people around the world. Add to cart.
Here are the best Amazon beauty products under $50.
Elizavecca Milky Piggy Carbonated Bubble Clay Mask
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Courtesy of Amazon
Bubble masks are all the rage in Korean skincare, and this one is a fan-favorite to add to your routine. It's formulated with charcoal to lift impurities from the skin and stimulate pores for a truly deep cleanse. Plus, powerhouse ingredients like green tea, pomegranate, and collagen treat and soothe skin.
Amope Pedi Perfect Foot File With Diamond Crystals
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Courtesy of Amazon
This electronic foot file uses micro-abrasive particles to shed dry and dead skin from your feet. As the Amopé company puts it, the “skin on your feet is thicker than on the rest of your body, so you really do need that something special for your feet.” Customers couldn’t agree more. It has glowing testimonials and before-and-after pictures for hard evidence.
Pure Body Naturals Dead Sea Mud Mask
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Courtesy of Amazon
Key Ingredients
Magnesium is an absorbent mineral that is crucial to the body's overall health. In skincare, it works to calm the skin, enhance skin barrier function, and treats dryness.
Thanks to a high concentration of sodium and magnesium in Dead Sea mud, this mask claims to draw out blackheads and blemishes like a magnet. With ingredients like kaolin and sunflower oils, we believe it and deem it one of the best beauty products we’ve yet to find on Amazon.
TruSkin Naturals Professional Vitamin C Serum
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Courtesy of Amazon
Key Ingredients
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient required for the growth and repair of tissues in all parts of the body, including the skin, but we cannot produce it on our own. For the skin, it helps to boost collagen, lighten discoloration, and fight free radicals.
In its product description, the company claims this is “the best organic” vitamin C serum, which we’d be quick to dismiss if it weren’t for the thousands of reviews (the majority of which give five stars). Made with “organic and natural ingredients” like vitamin C, aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, and witch hazel, the serum promises to tighten and brighten—all for an incredibly affordable price.
OZ Naturals Super Youth Eye Gel
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Courtesy of Amazon
Thousands of reviewers have an overwhelmingly positive reaction to this natural eye gel, which says it is 100% vegan and natural. (We stalked its website, and it seems the eye gel is made with a blend of ingredients like organic aloe, plant stem cells, jojoba oil, and vitamin E, among others.) Users rave about the clear gel, with some mentioning visible improvements of dark circles after days of use. Now, if that isn’t steadfast proof this is one of the best Amazon beauty products money can buy, we don’t know what is.
BS-MALL Premium Synthetic Kabuki Makeup Brush Set
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Courtesy of Amazon
This 10-piece brush set has a boatload of positive customer reviews and they’re quite the steal. Users rave about how soft the bristles are. Some people say there is a chemical smell from the paint on the handles, but overall, the quality of them is surprisingly high, given the low price point.
Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay
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The secret's out: This much-loved under-the-radar skin product is truly stellar. With a staggering amount of positive reviews, this mask—which you mix with equal parts apple cider vinegar—is a lifesaver for those with oily or acne-ridden skin.
One note: If you have sensitive skin, you may want to leave the mask on for a shorter period of time to prevent redness and irritation.
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Byrdie / Bianca Lambert
Chloven Velvet Hair Scrunchies, 45 Assorted Colors
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Courtesy of Amazon
The only thing better than one velvet hair scrunchie is more than one velvet hair scrunchie; with this 45-piece assortment, you won't ever have to worry about running low on hair ties. There's a color to match every outfit, mood, or occasion, and they look just as cute when worn on the wrist as they do when tied up in hair.
Tinkle Eyebrow Razor
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Walmart
Remove peach fuzz and other tiny hairs on the brows, neck, and face with this gentle blade. It's ideal for all skin types (even sensitive) and allows for closer precision on delicate areas of the face as opposed to a traditional razor.
Italia-Deluxe Ultra Fine Lip Liner
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If variety is the spice of your life, you’ll love these eyeliners—thousands of people give them their seal of approval. Be warned, however: The colors you receive may differ from the ones shown in the photo, so if you have your heart set on a certain shade, it’s a bit of a gamble.
Elizabeth Mott It's So BIG Volumizing Mascara
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Courtesy of Amazon
The name says it all—if major volume is your goal, you might want to try this under-the-radar mascara from Elizabeth Mott. The brush’s hourglass shape makes it perfect for thickening thin lashes, and the formula is very smooth, according to users.
Naturenetics HairAnew Hair Skin and Nails Vitamins
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Courtesy of Amazon
Made with vitamin C, vitamin E, niacinamide, vitamin B6, biotin, and more, this supplement promises to “nourish your hair follicles from the inside out.” Some users noticed hair that looks better overall, stronger nails, and longer eyelashes.
HSI PROFESSIONAL Glider Flat Iron
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Courtesy of Amazon
When something gets this many overwhelmingly positive reviews on Amazon, you should probably trust that it delivers. This flat iron is super affordable, and users rave that it performs better than its more expensive counterparts.
Milani Baked Blush
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Sure, there are a handful of cult-favorite blushes within the beauty world, but do they have a handful of positive reviews on Amazon and come in at less than the cost of lunch? That would be a hard no. This user-beloved pick boasts a streak-free, radiant finish each and every time, and users praise the saturated pigment and lasting durability.
Organys Lash & Brow Booster Serum
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Courtesy of Amazon
Lash serums have earned a somewhat sketchy rap over the years due to some less than savory ingredient lists (think scary chemicals, alcohol, etc.). This top-rated pick, however, is responsibly formulated and features all-natural ingredients. Plus, compared to extensions and other highbrow serums on the market, the price tag is a steal.
Sacha Cosmetics BUTTERCUP Setting Powder
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Courtesy of Amazon
Despite the fact that diamond-dust setting powders are officially alive and well, according to Amazon users, this lesser-known powder from Sacha is, to quote Marilyn Monroe, a girl’s best friend. With an impressive number of reviews, this finely milled, “flashback safe” powder is said to be flattering to all skin tones and ideal for baking, contouring, highlighting, or whatever technique floats your boat.
LilyAna Naturals Retinol Cream
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Courtesy of Amazon
Key Ingredients
Green tea is a botanical derived from the leaves and buds of the tea plant Camellia sinensis. The active components of green tea are polyphenols (also called catechins) that are believed to benefit the skin due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Retinol creams are notoriously pricey, but not this beloved formula by LilyAna Naturals. It's a high potency retinol cream that can help reduce the look of fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, acne scars, all while improving the skin's texture and its overall look. Thanks to the inclusion of additional organic ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, green tea, shea butter, and jojoba oil, you can rest easy knowing this cream is a true treat for your skin and won't cause flaking, peeling, or irritation commonly associated with retinol use.
Cosmedica Skincare Hyaluronic Acid Serum
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Courtesy of Amazon
This hyaluronic acid serum has a devout following on Amazon, with users saying it soothes their dry patches and plumps up fine lines. Plus, the price can't be beaten.
St. Tropez Self Tan Classic Bronzing Mousse
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We're all fans of St. Tropez's line of (faux) bronzing products here at Byrdie HQ. This mousse is the OG self-tanner that gives you a back-from-vacay in one swipe. And don't worry, you won't see even a hint of orange.
What Our Testers Say
“St. Tropez's Self Tan Classic Bronzing Mousse ticks all the boxes for me. It delivers a natural-looking color that’s (mostly) smell-free, and doesn’t go on patchy or streaky. Basically, it’s a solid, go-to tan I can always rely on.” — Lisa Patulny, Product Tester
Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25
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Courtesy of Sephora
This men's lip balm has been a best-seller at Sephora and Amazon for years. We love that it's paraben-free and packed with hydrating ingredients, not to mention SPF 25. You can read more about this best-selling lip balm here.
Mario Badescu Drying Lotion
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When we think of the most iconic skincare products, Mario Badescu's Drying Lotion makes the list. Why? This pink-tinged solution dries up even the most stubborn of breakouts overnight with its mix of sulfur, salicylic acid, and calming calamine.
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Byrdie / Bianca Lmabert
What Our Testers Say
"Mario Badescu's Drying Lotion does just what it says: stops pimples in their tracks and calms them at the same time." — Bianca Lambert, Product Tester
NYX Professional Makeup Setting Spray Matte
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Scores of Amazon users have positive things to say about this wallet-friendly makeup setting mist, and we're not surprised. The formula helps keep makeup from slipping and sliding in even the most humid of climates.
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Byrdie / Khera Alexander
What Our Testers Say
"By mid-day, my forehead and nose are usually pretty oily and I use blot tissue to minimize the shine, but I found that the spray did a good job of keeping my skin fairly matte that I didn’t need to blot my skin until the early evening." — Khera Alexander, Product Tester
What to Look For in Amazon Beauty Products Under $50
Testimonials
When choosing beauty products to buy on Amazon, take advantage of the reviews section to see what previous purchasers say. Reading the reviews can also help you determine if a product is right for you based on other people’s experiences. Look for products that are backed by many highly positive reviews.
Ingredients
For makeup and other consumable beauty products that you plan to buy on Amazon, check to see if there’s an ingredients list added. Look for top-notch ingredients that you know work for your needs, skin, and hair type. If there is no ingredients list available, you may be able to find one in the user-generated questions section or leave a question for it in that section yourself.
Personal Needs
Just because you see a fantastic deal on Amazon beauty products doesn’t mean you actually need the item. Make sure that you consider what you need and will use before making a purchase. Don’t choose an item simply because it is a good deal, be sure it is the product you want and can use.
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