Photographed by: Arrow Radisch; Set Design: Sarah Possamai (edited)Save this storySave this story
Just when you thought $20 couldn’t go very far, we’re here to introduce you to 23 stellar hair, skin, makeup, and body formulas that just so happen to cost as little as $6. These are not simply products that we like for their appealing price point (though that certainly doesn’t hurt). These are products that we would treasure no matter what they cost: daily shower upgrades, like a skin-smoothing body wash from Olay; new makeup staples, like a dramatic tubing mascara from Maybelline New York; and hard-working skin care, like a depuffing, brightening eye treatment from Peach Slices.
For a product to win an Allure Best of Beauty Award in our Steals category, it has to deliver the kinds of hair-transforming, skin-smoothing, lash-enhancing results that blow away our editors, full stop. The winners of our Steals awards stand out from other products at the drugstore, yes, but they’ve also edged out more expensive ones from our routines, reviving damaged hair, moisturizing dry complexions, and making each step from shower to skin care to makeup to makeup removal faster, more effective, and more fun. The fact that many of them cost less than a cocktail is a beautiful perk.
Scroll to discover our 23 Allure Best of Beauty Steals winners.
Best of Beauty Awards 2026: Steals Winners
Shop your favorite category or keep scrolling for the year's best budget-friendly beauty picks.
See our winners:
- Best Body Steals
- Best Skin-Care Steals
- Best Makeup Steals
- Best Hair-Care Steals
Best Body Steals
Tree Hut Shea Sugar Scrub
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Best Body Steals
Tree Hut Shea Sugar Scrub
Amazon
Global senior director of commerce audience and analytics Lexi Herrick shows off the texture of the Tree Hut Shea Sugar Scrub.
Why It Won: The most colorful, cheery route to radiant skin, Tree Hut Shea Sugar Scrub comes in a huge assortment of scents (including Coco Colada, Preppy Peach, Lychee Kiss, Cinnamon Dolce), and the scrubs themselves are bright and sparkling in shades like hot pink, pearlescent white, cosmic purple, lime green—if it’s in a crayon box, it’s in this collection. There are over 60 fun options, and each is so tempting, with fragrances inspired by yummy desserts, summery fruits, and tropical flowers, that at $9 a pop, you just might stock a few in your shower. Each exfoliates gently (with sugar) and softens (with shea butter and natural oils, like pistachio and evening primrose), while leaving skin deliciously fragranced.
Tester feedback from social media manager Bianca Richards
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"If you're wondering why the Tree Hut Shea Sugar Scrub won an Allure Best of Beauty Award again, it's because of me—sorry, not sorry! I have a year's supply of Tree Hut's Shea Sugar Scrub in my linen closet simply because it's affordable and that damn good! The sugar granules are strong enough to slough away dead skin, revealing a smoother base, and don't get me started on the scents! They're long-lasting even out of the shower, making it a staple in my routine for the long run." —Bianca Richards, social media manager
Nivea Essentially Enriched Body Lotion
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Best Body Steals
Nivea Essentially Enriched Body Lotion
Amazon
Why It Won: The numbers speak for themselves: This quick-absorbing lotion is 20% oil, including almond oil, for a silky formula that leaves skin incredibly nourished and hydrated. And at $8 for a bottle that’s so big it feels supersized, you can happily slather Nivea Essentially Enriched Body Lotion on with abandon, 24/7.
Tester feedback from creative director Amber Venerable
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"Nivea Essentially Enriched Body Lotion is a tried-and-true classic in my household, as well as in my parents' house when I was growing up. It penetrates deep into my skin and leaves me glowing. I never have to think about looking ashy." —Amber Venerable, creative director
SheaMoisture Vitamin C & Niacinamide Even Tone Deodorant Stick Aluminum Free
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Best Body Steals
SheaMoisture Vitamin C & Niacinamide Even Tone Deodorant Stick Aluminum Free
Amazon
Why It Won: Underarms aren’t exactly a self-care hub, but it’s nice to have a deodorant that picks up the slack: SheaMoisture Vitamin C & Niacinamide Even Tone Deodorant Stick Aluminum Free nourishes and hydrates with shea butter to help counteract irritation that may come from shaving, and the creamy, invisible stick keeps us smelling fresh all day long, so we can happily go about our lives, without giving any real thought to our pits.
Tester feedback from creative director Amber Venerable
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"This deodorant really had lasting power, which is something I'm always skeptical about with aluminum-free deodorants. By the end of the day, I'm still fresh as ever every time I wear it." —Amber Venerable, creative director
Eos Vanilla Cashmere Body Mist
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Best Body Steals
Eos Vanilla Cashmere Body Mist
Amazon
Commerce production assistant Hailey Roy spritzes on the Eos Vanilla Cashmere Body Mist.
Hailey Roy
Why It Won: A decadent vanilla fragrance—we're talking a tablespoon of vanilla extract kind of scent—in a gourmand body mist that’s delicate, nongreasy, and hydrating. Eos Vanilla Cashmere Body Mist soothes skin with aloe, moisturizes with glycerin and hyaluronic acid, with a scent that’s reminiscent of freshly baked cookies (vanilla, caramel, cashmere), making this spritz pure indulgence.
Tester feedback from commerce production assistant Hailey Roy
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"This mist is a decadent vanilla dream. If you're just as obsessed with its twin body lotion as I am, this is a true treat. Worn together, they make for a dreamy pairing that amps up the sweet, cozy vanilla notes. Layer it with a richer vanilla eau de parfum (I like the newly launched Eilish Intense Eau de Parfum), and you've got a deeper, spicier vanilla scent that lasts even longer." —Hailey Roy, commerce production assistant
Olay Super Serum Body Wash for Normal Skin
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Best Body Steals
Olay Super Serum Body Wash for Normal Skin
Amazon
Why It Won: Infused with the same skin-smoothing and brightening ingredients as Olay’s best-selling Super Serum, this body wash pulls double-duty as skin care while it cleanses. Olay Super Serum Body Wash for Normal Skin exfoliates with gentle beta-hydroxy acids (BHA) and leaves behind antioxidants (vitamins E and C, niacinamide) and collagen peptides to help skin stay smooth, nourished, and glowing. The silky texture and sweet scent are invigorating on sleepy mornings, refreshing at the end of a long day, and the hydrating formula means that stripped-skin feeling is a thing of the past.
Tester feedback from beauty director Sarah Kinonen
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"I don't know what I love more: this body wash's ultra-foamy lather or the giant pump bottle it comes in. Together, this drugstore cleanser quickly earned a permanent spot in my shower." —Sarah Kinonen, beauty director
Best Hair Steals
Pantene Abundant & Strong Shampoo and Pantene Abundant & Strong Breakage Defense Conditioner
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Best Hair Steals
Pantene Abundant & Strong Shampoo and Pantene Abundant & Strong Breakage Defense Conditioner
Amazon (Shampoo)
Amazon (Conditioner)
Why It Won: Allure editors have a lot of shampoos and conditioners in our showers, but no matter how many expensive bottles are lined up, we find ourselves coming back to Pantene Abundant & Strong Shampoo and Pantene Abundant & Strong Breakage Defense Conditioner. This gentle-formula duo makes hair look so much healthier and fuller; it’s priceless. Over time, the shampoo helps nourish the scalp (with panthenol and niacinamide), while the conditioner fortifies strands (with lipids) for thicker-looking hair that’s more resistant to breakage—but the immediate results are so shiny and lush, we’re already hooked.
Tester feedback from social director Kassidy Silva
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"Nestled between a dozen pricy shampoo and conditioners is my ultimate hair steal: Pantene Abundant & Strong Shampoo and Abundant & Strong Breakage Defense Conditioner. After a nearly year-long hair-regrowth journey, I’ve gone from an ultra-tight pixie to a thick bob. This steal is a must-have for keeping my hair strong during its grow-out." —Kassidy Silva, social director
Tgin (Thank God It's Natural) Scalp Clarifying Shampoo
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Best Hair Steals
Tgin (Thank God It's Natural) Scalp Clarifying Shampoo
Amazon
Why It Won: No matter what you’ve put your scalp through—cans of hairspray, daily blow-drying—Tgin (Thank God It's Natural) Scalp Clarifying Shampoo gives it a fresh start. The color-safe shampoo removes every last bit of product build-up weighing down roots, and lemon oil hydrates a dry, itchy scalp while smelling crisp and bright—a total scalp-balancing treatment for about $17 (you can’t even get a decent glass of wine for that price anymore).
Tester feedback from designer Briana Rengifo
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"Smells sooo yummy and fresh! I love the gel texture and that it doesn't leave residue like other shampoos I’ve tried. Obsessed with the pump top!" —Briana Rengifo, designer
Dove UV Repair & Glow 10-in-1 Radical Recovery Mask
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Best Hair Steals
Dove UV Repair & Glow 10-in-1 Radical Recovery Mask
Amazon
Why It Won: It takes only one minute (and about $12) to counteract drying, frizz-inducing damage from sun exposure, blow-dryers, elastic ties, and everything else we subject our hair to on a daily basis. Dove UV Repair & Glow 10-in-1 Radical Recovery Mask has instant benefits—smoothing, conditioning, ramping up shine—and long-term ones, helping to strengthen hair with seed extracts and plant oils (coconut and apricot) for less breakage and dullness over time. In testing by Dove, wearing the hair mask for one minute was shown to make hair look more radiant for up to five days. Now that’s a bang for your buck.
Tester feedback from content director Sophia Panych
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"On days when I treat my hair to this mask, my natural, not-quite-straight/not-quite-wavy hair air-dries wavier—and a lot less frizzy." —Sophia Panych, content director
Hairitage By Mindy McKnight Fry No More Heat Protectant Mist
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Best Hair Steals
Hairitage By Mindy McKnight Fry No More Heat Protectant Mist
Amazon
Why It Won: If you’ve invested in a great curling iron or flatiron, consider Hairitage By Mindy McKnight Fry No More Heat Protectant Mist your insurance policy for shielding strands against heat damage. The fine mist coats hair in rice starch and argan oil to increase elasticity, while adding so much rich-looking shine all on its own that you’ll be able to save time styling (go ahead and congratulate yourself on the smart planning). It smells expensive—fresh and floral—but costs less than $10.
Tester feedback from editorial assistant Jennet Jusu
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"I have coarse, 4C hair, and tend to use a two-step process to achieve long-lasting curls, which includes blowing-out my hair, then running a hot brush through it. The Hairitage By Mindy McKnight Fry No More Heat Protectant Mist doesn’t feel sticky, has a light fragrance, and is actually misty is a plus for me. I get a little worried that the heat on my hair will cause more damage than intended, so the fact that my hair came out soft, and that a little product goes a long way, makes this great for my hair type." —Jennet Jusu, editorial assistant
Tresemmé A-List Collection Smoothing Cream
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Best Hair Steals
Tresemmé A-List Collection Smoothing Cream
Amazon
Content director Sophia Panych with the Tresemmé A-List Collection Smoothing Cream.
Sophia Panych
Why It Won: This is a quick fix we can get behind! Tresemmé A-List Collection Smoothing Cream is a total game-changer for transforming frazzled, dry ends into moisturized, soft ones no matter how overdue you are for a trim. But here’s the best part: You can use this cream on damp or dry hair, so you don’t even have to style for it to work its magic. Just run a pump or two through mid-lengths to ends, and damaged hair drinks up this elixir until there’s no trace of product, just deceptively healthy-looking shine.
Tester feedback from content director Sophia Panych
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"I reached for this nourishing tub of hair cream all summer long. The silky formula is rich enough to soften straw-like ends, but silky enough that it doesn't make my fine hair look greasy. I use it any time I need some moisture: before air-drying, to smooth frizzies along my hairline, to add shine to sad split ends, and to create a slicked-back bun without breaking out the gel or hairspray." —Sophia Panych, content director
Garnier Fructis Flexi Hold Curls Moisturizing Gel
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Best Hair Steals
Garnier Fructis Flexi Hold Curls Moisturizing Gel
Amazon
Why It Won: Our favorite drugstore curl gel is also one of our favorite curl gels, full stop. Garnier Fructis Flexi Hold Curls Moisturizing Gel defines, moisturizes, and adds tons of crunch-free hold, for the softest, bounciest curls (and we can even reup while we’re grocery shopping—win, win!).
Tester feedback from social media manager Bianca Richards
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"I genuinely never would have thought I'd love this product as much as I do! I don't use a gel when styling my natural curls, like ever! I stick to styling creams and oils because I don't want my curls to have that crunchy finish. However, Garnier put "flex" in Flexi Hold because my curls are beautifully and neatly defined for easy, daily styling (so much so, that I'll use this product by itself instead of layering on other products). For the efficacy, the price, and the amount you get, this is certainly a new one in my routine." —Bianca Richards, social media manager
BeingHaircare Curl Power Mousse
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Best Hair Steals
Being Haircare Curl Power Mousse
Amazon (2-Pack)
Why It Won: The tropical fruity scent, the airy, whipped texture, the frizz-smoothing coconut oil—everything about Being Haircare Curl Power Mousse is restorative. The frothy foam hydrates and defines 3A-4C curls with a side of aromatherapy.
Tester feedback from senior shopping director Shanna Shipin
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"Ribbons, ringlets, S-shaped stragglers: all of the different curl patterns on my head absolutely love this mousse. It defines beautifully without the crunch and pumps volume and bounce into my easily weighed-down hair. I blind-tested this without knowing the price, and it performs just as well as styling products that cost triple as much." —Shanna Shipin, senior shopping director
Best Makeup Steals
Morphe ChromaPlus 6-Pan Eyeshadow Palette
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Best Makeup Steals
Morphe ChromaPlus 6-Pan Eyeshadow Palette
Amazon
Associate social media manager Katie Gunderman applies the Morphe ChromaPlus 6-Pan Eyeshadow Palette.
Katie Gunderman
Why It Won: The blendable, buildable powders in Morphe ChromaPlus 6-Pan Eyeshadow Palette do not skimp on color payoff or shine. There are molten metallics in approachable shades (gold, silver, bronze) and artsier ones too (rainbow chrome, lilac, fuchsia). And they can be applied dry for diffuse shimmer, or wet when you want more of a wow factor. The silky mattes go on without streaking (like some other inexpensive shadows might) along lashlines, over lids, and through creases for so many possible looks and so many color options (there are nine versions of the palette). When you break it down, it comes out to about $2.66 per eye shadow shade, which you just can’t beat.
Tester feedback from associate social media manager Katie Gunderman
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"If you're an eye shadow girlie, you need this palette! I've been lucky enough to use every shade this palette comes in, and if you love chrome, glitter, and color, it's a must. I've been a longtime lover of Morphe products and have a handful of their other palettes, but I love that these are small and compact with just six shades. Each palette gives an entire range of shades and textures to create a whole look; not just a natural brown in the crease with a shimmer, but a full, colorful, dimensional, glittery look! There are two types of shimmers: one with your more typical glitter, and one that's a reflective-chrome formula. The color payoff is amazing, the matte shades are so creamy and easy to blend, and there's never any fallout from your eye shadow brush. I love how even the bright colors are easy to blend. If you're looking to get into more fun, colorful shadows, these are beginner-friendly and affordable!" —Katie Gunderman, associate social media editor
L'Oréal Paris Infallible Blur-Fection Longwear Loose Setting Powder
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Best Makeup Steals
L'Oréal Paris Infallible Blur-Fection Longwear Loose Setting Powder
Amazon
Why It Won: Instead of requiring you to find your perfect shade match, L'Oréal Paris Infallible Blur-Fection Longwear Loose Setting Powder puts color theory and some fancy cosmetic chemistry on your side. Candy-colored pink shades (in Light Pink or Deep Pink) color-correct and add luminosity without actually looking rosy on skin, more like you’re being lit by a ring light. The airy texture of the powder adds to the soft-focus effect, blurring pores and fine lines in a few quick sweeps—a no-brainer finishing touch for any makeup look. Plus, there are two translucent options, Light and Medium Deep, when you want to even out your skin texture without the brightening effect.
Tester feedback from associate social media manager Katie Gunderman
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"The L'Oréal Paris Infallible Blur-Fection Longwear Loose Setting Powder is what I grab for over all other powders when I need long-lasting wear. It mattifies immediately and keeps makeup looking good (my cream products never crease!) after a full day of wear. I love that it comes in brightening and translucent shades, both of which perform better than my luxury powders—and for only $16." —Katie Gunderman, associate social media manager
Milani Cosmetics Make it Last Original—Natural Finish Setting Spray
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Best Makeup Steals
Milani Cosmetics Make it Last Original—Natural Finish Setting Spray
Amazon
Why It Won: Waterproof, sweatproof, foolproof—Milani Cosmetics Make it Last Original—Natural Finish Setting Spray keeps foundation looking fresh, prevents contour from streaking, and locks in smoky eyes so they never smudge. You can dance the night away, run around town for hours, or lounge in the sun until you’re beat; your makeup will outlast you every time. And getting a full day and night out of your makeup from a $14 spray is a pretty good deal, if ever we’ve seen one.
Tester feedback from former senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin
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"I have a super-oily T-zone, and to test this setting spray, I spritzed it on a full face of makeup without any powder. My makeup stayed in place all day and didn't break up or look patchy at all. Soooo good!" —Sarah Felbin, former senior commerce editor
Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Sky Tubes Tubing Mascara
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Best Makeup Steals
Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Sky Tubes Mascara
Amazon
Social media Ddrector Kassidy Silva applies the Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Sky Tubes Tubing Mascara.
Kassidy Silva
Why It Won: Finally, a great tubing mascara at the drugstore! Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Sky Tubes Tubing Mascara costs half as much as others without sacrificing one iota of quality. This is a long-wearing, smudge-proof, easy-to-remove tubing mascara with all the length and inky black color you want. In fact, we would argue that Maybelline’s tubing mascara delivers way more volume and length than most of the pricier ones we’ve tried. (While convenient for their budge-proof, rinse-away formulas, a lot of other tubing mascaras can be lacking in the drama department.)
Tester feedback from social director Kassidy Silva
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"There is no category where I cycle through Best of Beauty samples as quickly as I do with mascaras: Hate the brush shape, the product is a little clumpy, not long-lasting, ugly tube… You name it, and I’m nitpicking. I have big, hooded eyes with average-length lashes, so I’m looking for something that lengthens my lashes, doesn’t smudge because I refuse to reapply during the day, and has a low price point since mascara needs to be replaced often. The Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Sky Tubes Tubing Mascara checks all my boxes. After using the Shu Uemura lash curler, I apply two coats of this mascara, working it through my top lashes, and easily getting to the inner corners and outer edges with the tip of the wand. I don’t usually apply mascara to my bottom lashes, but I haven’t had issues with application or smudging on the rare occasions when I do. I find that it stays in place for about 12 hours, no matter the weather, and slips off at the end of the day with warm water, a makeup wipe, or a gentle cleanser. Shout-out to Allure beauty director Sarah Kinonen for this incredible rec!" —Kassidy Silva, social director
Versed Lip Frame Defining Lip Liner
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Best Makeup Steals
Versed Lip Frame Defining Lip Liner
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Ulta Beauty
Why It Won: Smudgy, blendable, soft—these are not words we usually associate with lip liner, but Versed Lip Frame Defining Lip Liner offers a different way to define. Draw it on and run your finger over the line to blur it for a stained effect that makes lips look subtly fuller under gloss or lipstick, without a penciled-on quality. It’s the kind of trick a makeup artist would use, and you can get it at Target for $12, so why not experiment a little? And, like any good liner, it helps the color you put on top wear longer.
Tester feedback from Best of Beauty editorial assistant Arietta Hallock
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"I’m used to lip liners that are pencil-sharp with a waxy, crayon-like consistency. This one is softened with mango seed butter and has a rounded yet precise tip. Its distinct lines can easily be softened with the swipe of a finger, and they’ll still stay all day. It’s my go-to versatile liner!" —Arietta Hallock, Best of Beauty editorial assistant
Covergirl Clean Fresh Yummy Gloss Plumper
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Best Makeup Steals
Covergirl Clean Fresh Yummy Gloss Plumper
Amazon
Allure Beauty Box content manager Hannah Brower applies the Covergirl Clean Fresh Yummy Gloss Plumper.
Hannah Brower
Why It Won: Long on glassy shine with a tingle that lets you know it’s working, Covergirl Clean Fresh Yummy Gloss Plumper makes good on its promise of fuller lips. This is one plumping gloss that actually delivers. It comes in a large range of 12 creamy or glitzy, glittering shades (pinks, reds, browns, sheer icy blue that might even make your teeth look whiter) and has a lovely peppermint-y taste while it works its magic.
Tester feedback from Allure Beauty Box content manager
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"I love a good lip gloss, but I can't stand when they're sticky, and this Covergirl gloss gets it just right. It delivers beautiful shine, hydration, and a subtle plumping effect without any tackiness. Plus, the affordable price makes it an easy repurchase." —Hannah Brower, content manager, Allure Beauty Box
Wonderskin 1440 Longwear Eyeliner
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Best Makeup Steals
Wonderskin 1440 Longwear Eyeliner
Amazon
Contributor Kara McGrath applies the Wonderskin 1440 Longwear Eyeliner.
Kara McGrath
Why It Won: The pointed tip and creamy formula make it easy to angle Wonderskin 1440 Longwear Eyeliner right into the roots of your lashes for the most flattering eye-defining effect (score number one for this pencil!). You can draw a superthin line without any skipping or dragging, build it up for more drama, or smudge it for a smoky look. And rest assured that once it’s set, it’s not budging until you take it off. The pencil comes in neutral and colorful shades (black, brown, blue, maroon) with matte or subtly sparkling finishes that don’t look overtly glittery, but rather create a luminous take on classic eyeliner.
Tester feedback from contributor Kara McGrath
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"The primary thing I care about with eyeliner is that it's creamy enough to glide on easily. This Wonderskin liner definitely fits that bill with the added bonus of lasting for hours once it's set. It comes in a bunch of pretty colors, but I'm partial to Kalamata, a rich, chocolatey brown that reads as almost black, but with a little more warmth that looks nicer with my complexion." —Kara McGrath, contributor
Best Skin Steals
Peach Slices Snail Rescue Ultimate Eye Gel
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Best Skin Steals
Peach Slices Snail Rescue Ultimate Eye Gel
Ulta Beauty
Commerce editor Sarah Han applies the Peach Slices Snail Rescue Ultimate Eye Gel.
Sarah Han
Why It Won: The adorably named Peach Slices is the bridge line of Peach & Lily, a K-beauty powerhouse—and Peach Slices Snail Rescue Ultimate Eye Gel lets you dip a toe into some of K-beauty’s biggest trends without breaking the bank. If you’ve been curious about snail mucin, for example, this is an excellent way to try the quirky ingredient that’s beloved for hydrating and soothing—the $14 eye gel is made of 70% snail mucin, in a cooling, depuffing formula. It also contains another Seoul staple, cica, a calming redness-reducing botanical, and 2% niacinamide, a tried-and-true form of vitamin B3 known to help reduce inflammation and brighten skin.
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
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"I love gels in any skin-care because I'm impatient and they absorb quickly, plus, I have finicky combo skin that loves lightweight formulas. Another benefit? They add a cooling punch when it comes to application, and for my perpetually puffy undereyes, this comes in especially clutch. Every morning, I reach for Peach Slices' Snail Rescue Ultimate Eye Gel to wake up my undereyes and lids and help give that area a brightening boost. This and a light-coverage concealer is the perfect combo for everyday office life. I've moved on from slathering snail mucin all over my face (sorry!), but I really like the OG K-beauty ingredient in targeted forms, like this eye gel. Long live the snail (and our beloved HA, cica, and niacinamide)!" —Sarah Han, commerce editor
Bioré UV Aqua Rich SPF 50
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Best Skin Steals
Biore UV Aqua Rich SPF 50
Amazon
Why It Won: We’re good to reapply Bioré UV Aqua Rich SPF 50 thoroughly and frequently: The light lotion sinks in quickly and won’t clog pores, the chemical sunscreens are totally sheer, and our skin is left feeling softer and hydrated, not sunscreened up. Best of all, the $16 price tag means we don’t feel like we have to conserve the formula. We can stock up and get the sun protection our skin needs.
Tester feedback from beauty director Sarah Kinonen
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"When I went to Japan a few years ago, I stocked up on so many tubes of this glow-inducing chemical sunscreen—and immediately became obsessed with how easily it blends in and wears under makeup. Now, I can get it statewide, which means I have an endless supply in my bathroom cabinet, my desk at work, et cetera." —Sarah Kinonen, beauty director
Cetaphil Nourishing Oil to Foam Cleanser
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Best Skin Steals
Cetaphil Nourishing Oil to Foam Facial Cleanser
Amazon
Why It Won: If life is about balance, Cetaphil Nourishing Oil to Foam Cleanser has it all figured out. The gentle, foaming elixir feels soft on skin, rinsing away dirt and makeup while hydrating and coddling with flaxseed oil. After every wash, our skin is left feeling clean, fresh, and noticeably softer—a win at any price point.
Tester feedback from beauty director Sarah Kinonen
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"I’d like to think of myself as a no-frills kind of beauty person, but I’m currently sitting here at my desk wearing 500 pounds of liquid blush, so…nevermind. But what is no-frills is this texture-changing cleanser that easily removes said blush and more in seconds. It’s fragrance-free, safe for sensitive skin (and formulated with moisture-locking glycerin for a little extra hydration), and has a pump top for mess-free cleansing. I like to use about two pumps on dry skin (though you can wet your face first), then gently massage it into my hours-old makeup and watch it all melt off. Then I’ll add in a little water to get a lather going, making sure anything extra-caked-on dissolves away. It may not be fancy, but it's hardworking—and that's the vibe I need in 2026." —Sarah Kinonen, beauty director
Written by Elizabeth Siegel
How does Allure choose the best drugstore beauty products for Best of Beauty?
We test affordable products from mass-market retailers across skin care, hair, makeup, nails, and tools. Editors judge based on performance, wearability, ingredient quality, and value, not price alone. Every winner must deliver results that rival prestige products.
Are drugstore beauty products really as good as high-end ones?
Yes, many of the products in this list outperform or match the results of luxury counterparts. From longwear foundations to dermatologist-recommended cleansers, drugstore winners prove that high performance doesn’t require a high price tag.
What types of products are included in the Steals category?
This category can include cleansers, serums, moisturizers, mascaras, lipsticks, nail polishes, tools, and more, all available at national retailers or pharmacies. We cover a wide range of beauty needs, including acne solutions, volumizing shampoos, waterproof eyeliners, and glow-boosting skin care.
Are there fragrance-free or sensitive-skin-friendly options among the winners?
Absolutely. Many drugstore winners are non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic, and fragrance-free. We include formulas designed for sensitive skin, reactive eyes, or breakout-prone areas, with clear labels and ingredient transparency.
Where can I buy the Steals Best of Beauty winners?
All products in this category are available at major retailers like Target, Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, Amazon, or directly from brand websites. Each product listing includes a buy link to make shopping quick and easy.
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