We take budgeting really seriously. Sometimes you’ve got to sacrifice important things like your favorite beauty buys in order to save a little (woe is us!), but you don’t have to go without your favorites. Of course, nothing is going to be as good as the real thing, but these products are similar enough that you won’t feel like you’re going without.

Cleanser

Spend: Guerlain Eau de Beauté Micellar Cleansing Water

Want to remove your makeup but keep your skin hydrated, too? This is the micellar water you need. It has nigella oil, making it a cleanser, toner and makeup remover in one. And a favorite of many girls with great skin!

Save: Garnier Skin Micellar Cleansing Water

For only $7 you can get similar results. Of course, you won’t be getting the luxury hydrating benefits, but this cleansing water is brilliance on a budget. It will remove your makeup with just one soaked cotton pad and won’t be harsh to your skin.

 

Treatment

Spend: SK-II Facial Treatment Essence

This lightweight formula exfoliates the face and helps the skin renew cells. It’s an investment for a reason, as it delivers unbelievable results and is often heralded as a ‘savior’ product. Using it every day after cleanser gives you firmer, clearer skin.

Save: Missha Treatment Essence

Containing natural yeast extract, this essence can be wiped into your skin using a cotton pad, they call it a ‘miracle essence’ from South Korea, and it will hydrate, restore and rejuvenate the skin to create a glowing complexion without a hefty price tag! Win.

 

Brows

Spend: Anastasia Dipbow Pomade

It’s not a serious investment, but this is the brow gel for perfect brows. It’s creamy, easily blendable and definitely the product you need for perfectly groomed brows.

Save: NYX Tame & Frame Tinted Brow Pomade

Looking to save your dollars? Then this is definitely the brow gel you need. Similar to Anastasia, this is beautiful brows on a budget. It’s waterproof, so you need to get your application right before it sets.

 

Nude Lips

Spend: MAC “Shy Girl”

Want a creamy pinky nude that suits all skin tones? Nude is the color of this season, so and this one has a supple, soft shine.

Save: Rimmel “Nude Delight”

For a drugstore lookalike, grab “Nude Delight”. It’s creamy and pinkish but moisturizes and hydrates so it won’t dry out. Perfect when you want a nude lipstick on a budget.

 

Foundation

Spend: Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick

For speedy but flawless coverage, it’s gotta be the Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick. It’s creamy and effortless, all you need to do is swipe it across your skin and voilá, a flawless finish.

Save: Revlon PhotoReady Insta-Fix

Although this is more of a concealing stick, the Revlon PhotoReady Insta-Fix is super easy to use. It’s blendable, lightweight and covers all flaws but won’t give you the coverage that a stick foundation will.

Concealer

Spend:  YSL Touch Éclat

I am in love with this concealer. Touch Éclat is light reflecting, meaning it reflects those dark circles when you stayed up too late watching Netflix before an early morning. And it isn’t really too out of budget but there are cheaper alternatives if you’re trying to save.

Save: Catrice Re-Touch Light-Reflecting Concealer

This is a great alternative, it will cover, conceal and has a similar design to the YSL one if you can’t get your hands on it. The only downside is the lack of variety of shades, there are only three pinky-nude shades and the formula may settle under your eyes a little as it’s a touch more watery than the YSL.

Highlighter

Spend: Nars Highlighter in ‘Albatross’

If you want that beautiful shimmering glow this is what you need. It’s pigmented, just the right amount of shimmer and will lift cheekbones and eyebrows with hardly any effort. Cult product!

Save: Elf’s ‘Gotta Glow’

For those of us on a budget, don’t sacrifice your shine. This highlighter is often compared to the Nars highlighter in YouTube videos. It’s subtle, sheer, and gives a shine that is almost identical to the Nars one. This one seems more sheer, with the shine less finely packed together, but is great for a subtle no-makeup glow.

 

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