Today I wanted to round up a few favorite products – all at very affordable price points! I know my taste (especially when it comes to skincare) can get a bit expensive, but I do try to test as many products across all price points and because of that have found some hidden gems. If you look at the nav bar of the site under beauty, I have an entire affordable beauty category that I try to keep filled with good recs. (And def check out this under $100 affordable but still fancy full beauty routine – I’m really proud of that post as it has some incredible, highly effective products!
9 Inexpensive Products I LOVE
Dr. Singha’s Mustard Bath
This is one of my all time favorite holy grail baths. I wrote a longer review of it, but I probably do this bath at least once a week whenever I want to get in a good SWEAT. And at $12 for the jar (8 oz. = 4 baths), it’s pretty affordable, too!
Scalp Massager
This thing is amazing. It feels so good on your scalp and helps make sure that your shampoo gets your whole head! I’ve talked about it before and gotten some feedback that it tangles your hair but what I do is I place it on my scalp, massage an area, pick it up, and then massage another area. You just have to be careful and only do the scalp, don’t get your ends in there! And any tangles are fixed with conditioner and wide tooth comb. It makes you feel like you’re at the salon!
Weleda Skin Food
Weleda Skin Food is one of my holy grail favorite products. Once again, it has it’s own blog post but I will put this on my face (the key is to warm up a little bit between your fingers and THEN apply), for ultimate hydration. It’s been likened to La Mer – as a clean, affordable dupe. I also love the body butter!
Olay’s Eye Creams
I have talked about Olay’s Retinol24 eye cream before and it’s amazing – one of the best anti-aging eye creams I’ve ever tried. But my most recent obsession is their Ultimate Eye Cream for day. It brightens, de-puffs, fights wrinkles, the whole shebang. And it contains niacinamide which has become another fav ingredient of mine as it strengthens the skin (which is really the only topical way to help fade the look of dark circles – strengthening that delicate undereye skin. I’m working on a longer deep dive post about the undereye area but this eye cream is a new fav!
Biore Pore Strips
I know that not everyone is a fan of pore strips. And I know you have to be careful, but is there anything more satisfying? I like to give my face a good steam and then use one of these. I don’t do them very often but they are just SO SATISFYING.
Neutrogena Clarifying Shampoo
This is another product I only use sparingly (maybe a couple times a month) but it is the BEST when you just want your hair and scalp to feel squeaky clean! It is like drain-o for your hair: it deep cleans the hair and scalp like no other, cutting through product buildup and just getting your hair really clean. I do find it drying (my hair is already very dry) which is why I don’t use it very often. I’ll do a hair mask afterward to put back any lost moisture!
Crest White Strips
I get my teeth professionally whitened at the dentist every 18 months or so (so every 3-4 cleanings?) but in between I love the 1 hour express whitening strips. They make a noticeable difference and are a good touch up since I drink quite a bit of both coffee and red wine!
Ice Roller
It is no secret that I adore my ice roller. It’s one of the my favorite products, expensive or not! I recommend reading the full blog post if you’re not familiar but an ice roller is just incredible for inflammation and puffiness… it also just feels really good and is a wonderful way to wake up your skin in the morning. For extra credit, do it over a sheet mask or eye gel masks!
Foot File
I bought this foot microplane four years ago and it’s still in great shape. I have tried a lot of pumice stones and foot files and sponges etc and this is just the absolute best for rough heels! I’ve been going for a lot of long walks wearing sandals and my feet are not looking so great. A few minutes with this thing (do it on dry skin, not wet skin… so before you shower, not after!) and they are baby soft again!
What are your favorite affordable beauty finds? Would love to know any more fun hidden gems!
OMG! I used to use the Neutrogena shampoo years ago…and I freakin’ loved it! Thanks for reminding me of this gem.
YAY – it’s really good!!!!
Okay, I’m sold on the scalp massager and foot file! And the ice roller – been meaning to get one for a long time! ❤️✨
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Yessss it’s the best!!!!
Love my ice roller bought it on your recommendation and it’s the best. Going to try the foot file and the Olay eye cream next. Love all your recs
I’m so glad! Let me know how they work out for you!!!!
The Neutrogena shampoo works wonders!!
Right!? For dry shampoo / salt water / product buildup… nothing is better!
I’m also loving the Olay eye cream for depuffing and dark circles! I went to the drugstore to find the Retinol 24 based on your rec, but couldn’t find it and snagged this instead. Not disappointed!
AH good I am so happy you like it!
These are all such great finds! Seeing the Skin Food tube reminded me of my favorite affordable gadget- the Dr Hauschka Tube Wringer! It’s oddly satisfying to see the crimping and get every single drop of product out of metal and plastic tubes, and I know it’s saved me money in the long run. I tube wring my toothpaste and any lotion tubes that will fit- I even use it on tomato and anchovy paste in my kitchen! It feels like such a novelty and relatively few people have one, so it makes a great under $20 stocking stuffer.
https://www.dr.hauschka.com/en_US/natural-skin-care/tube-wringer/
OH that is a great idea indeed! I really should invest in one. Thank you for the comment – SMART!
I love and own several of these on your recs. The scalp massager is great, I haven’t had any tangles. It feels so good. I really like the neutrogena shampoo, its a classic. Wanted to tell you I recently bought the Seaweed bath Co. version and I’m very pleased with it. The Weleda light cream has also become a favorite. I can’t wait to try the Olay eye cream. My friend recently gave me a generous sample he got with purchase of Insta Natural retinol serum. He was looking for an affordable clean alternative. We are both like the results and it’s very well priced! Another great round up Grace 🙂
Thanks so much, Cy! I hope you had a great long weekend.
Have you ever tried the Aztec Secret – Indian Healing Clay Deep Pore Cleansing Facial & Body Mask?
Also a fancy product I’m loving is the Dr. Dennis Gross Clinical Grade Resurfacing Liquid Peel!
You know, I bought it but haven’t played with it yet!!! Will have to give it a try!
I love Pantene rescue shots! Great post.
Oooh I will have to check that out – my hair needs some rescuing right now!
YAY I am so glad you included Weleda Skinfood! I am a fan as well!
Lisa | lisaautumn.com
It’s the best!
I am loving the Olay retinol eye cream (per your your rec) and can’t wait to try the daytime one now. I’m also loving the Versed brightening toner from Target. Follain’s moisturizer has become my go to and it’s really fairly affordable!
I love Versed’s products!!!! And the Follain moisturizer is FAB!
Thanks for this post- always love little upgrades! Quick question- have you ever tried the mustard oil/rub? I don’t have a shower but live in Florida so wondered if the oil would work if I applied and sat in the humidity before cold shower? Sounds amazing : )
I have! It’s more for massage and it’s amazing for sore muscles but it’s not going to give you the same results as the bath!!!! I think it could still be good though!
I bought the scalp massager after seeing you post about it recently. I am obsessed! I haven’t had any trouble’s with tangles and it really helps get product buildup off my scalp.
Oh good I am so glad to hear that. I have never had a problem (and have super unruly hair!) but I have gotten some complaints/questions on that front so wanted to include.