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Just 35 Sneaky Things To Get If Your Goal Is To Look ~Expensive~ While Being Thrifty
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We hope you love our recommendations! While every product is independently chosen by our editors, BuzzFeed and our publishing partners may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. You can read more about how our affiliate partnerships work in our Editorial Standards & Ethics Guide. Embrace a "frugal chic" lifestyle with these Bottega-esque teardrop earrings ($10), an Olaplex-level hair treatment ($8), and a fabric shaver to make all your old, pilled sweaters and leggings look brand new ($9). Looking expensive without actually having thousands of dollars in your bank account is an art. These budget-friendly fashion and beauty hacks will have you looking like you entered a new tax bracket, and you didn't even have to splurge on brands like Skims, Bottega, and Gucci. Prepare for lots of compliments and inquiries of "where'd you find that?" — but it's up to you if you want to share your secrets! Promising review: "I have the Skims bodycon as well, and this is a great alternative! The Skims dress is ribbed, and the fabric is thinner and softer, but I don’t think that the Skims dress quality increases proportionally with the higher price point. If I were to purchase another bodycon dress, it would hands down be this one. It hugs my figure beautifully and can be layered and styled for all seasons. It’s one of the most versatile pieces in my wardrobe!" —Makayla Curtis Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in women's sizes XXS–L and in three colors). They do recommend pairing this with their body gloss for added luminosity, but it'll work great as a follow-up to your regular body lotion too! This body oil doesn't contain dyes, so it won't stain your clothes, and it's not a tanning product. It's cruelty-free and vegan-friendly. Promising review: "I bought a more expensive glow oil, but it wasn’t as good as this. It goes on smooth and lasts a long time. It is absorbent and has a nice light natural scent, not heavy perfume. Great for layering scents. I will order again. A little goes a long way." —Fresia Moore "A game changer for achieving glowing skin! The oil enhances my natural tan beautifully and gives my skin a radiant shimmer that’s perfect for a night out. It keeps my skin hydrated without feeling greasy. I love how it adds a touch of luxury to my routine while keeping my skin soft and luminous!" —Amazon Customer Promising review: "It’s much more spacious than it looks. It’s very sleek and stylish. I use it as my work bag and find that it looks professional and has enough space for all of my stuff. I carry a laptop, pencil case, two books, makeup bag, water bottle, wallet, lotion, phone and laptop charger, and other small miscellaneous objects. Still plenty of space. And when you carry it, it doesn’t feel bulky or cumbersome. The bag does sag a bit after use. But has held up to wear and tear. I would recommend." —Su Get it from Amazon for $37.99 (available in seven colors). Reviewers say they use this as a step in their double cleansing routine, which is a method of cleansing your face twice — first with an oil-based cleanser, and then again with a water-based cleanser to help get all the gross stuff out of your pores. Promising review: "This is my first time ordering an oil-based cleanser, and I’m so glad I purchased this one. I originally saw this product on TikTok and wanted to see what the hype was all about. After using the cleanser on my dry face for 2–3 minutes, I could visibly see my white- and blackheads on my fingers. I was a little hesitant to try oil cleansing because I have acne-prone skin. However, my face has never looked better. After each use, my face is as soft as a baby's bottom, and my scarring doesn’t look as deep! The cleanser has a light, clean scent. Not super strong! I am currently pairing this cleanser with the Anua heartleaf soothing toner to achieve glass skin. #glassskinera" —Myshel Cagle The kit comes with everything you need to apply these, including nail glue, a nail file, a cuticle stick, and an alcohol pad. Buff your natural nails to remove the shine, then apply glue to your natural nail and the artificial nail for the best grip. Promising review: "I saw these all over my TikTok FYP and was so curious to try them. They are absolutely beautiful, and just after two days, I have gotten so many compliments. The glue holds super well, and the application process was super simple. I don't think that I will ever get acrylic nails again, as a set like this would likely be three times the price." —Leslie and Paige Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in 45 styles). Promising review: "Wow, what a find! If you’re always bummed with the look of your light color nail polish after a few days, this will not disappoint. This product gives full coverage over stained or discolored nails. Other whites, nudes, or light pink polish always end up looking messy when I do my nails at home. This stuff is magic! It can be used either sheer or with a few coats, and it corrects the dreaded 'smoker’s nails.' It lasts better than the professional manicures I have had. Is it pricey? I say no, based on either wasting your money on subpar polish or paying for a manicure at a salon. I finally have the perfect product. My nails look goooood." —Nadnor Need more details? Check out our full Londontown Illuminating Nail Concealer review! Get it from Amazon for $20 (available in six shades). Promising review: "This is EXACTLY what I was looking for. I apply after moisturizer and makeup, highlighting under my eyes and brow bones. Not too sparkly. Just makes me look like I’ve had enough coffee. Seems to last through hot and sweaty Florida days, so that’s a plus. I’ve tried other luminizers, and for me, they are usually too sparkly or weirdly colored. I tried an $$ Glossier one that remained strangely sticky the whole time it was on my skin. I will purchase again!" —DLW Get it from Amazon for $14.97 (available in five shades). Jewelry is not one of those things I like to splurge on, so when I found this budget-friendly pair, I decided to ~treat myself~. And wow, they look amazing in person! I'm sort of obsessed with this brand in general now (I wore one of their tennis bracelets to a wedding recently and got so many compliments!) and may finally be able to build up a collection of jewelry staples without going broke. Promising review: "This product is AMAZING! If you are looking for a good [swap] for the Jennifer Fisher earrings, these are it! They are super lightweight, effortless, and so cute!" —Anna Weir Get it from Amazon for $13.95+ (available in four sizes, three finishes, and two metal types). Promising reviews: "These are absolutely BEAUTIFUL! If I didn't know any better, I would have said these are the Bottega Drop Earrings. The smaller ones are truthfully the perfect size. We love a good alternative because who has $800+ to spend on the Bottegas." —Brittany "Absolutely gorgeous and perfect earrings! So lightweight, you’ll forget you have them on. Beautiful shine. I have very sensitive ears and torn piercings from years of heavy earrings (and sleeping in them), and I can easily wear these! Unless you want that really glam, oversized look, the 25mm are perfect for everyday wear. Treat yourself! :)" —AleeshaBombeesha Get them from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in a variety of colors and sizes). Promising review: "I purchased this bag because of the Chanel look, and I’ve gotten lots of compliments on it. I’m glad I purchased." —Carollpickard Get it from Amazon for $23.99 (available in 16 styles). Promising review: "My skin dries out severely during the winter all the time, and I have to constantly use Vaseline to keep it moisturized (normal cream doesn't work on me). Imagine my surprise when my SO tried to put snail goo on me, eww!! I resisted for weeks, refusing to use this product as she constantly vouched for its abilities. After a month, I finally gave in, and boy, it is amazing! My hands feel more moisturized than ever for longer, and it doesn't leave a disgusting, greasy feel as Vaseline. Take it from a once-non-believer: you have to try this. Even if it doesn't work for you, you paid a fraction of what you would've paid for any other name-brand moisturizers." —Kyoko Ozaki This is water-based, non-comedogenic, and oil-, alcohol, and fragrance-free. Note: It's designed for daily use, but since this is a retinoid, start slow and don't jump right into daily application, which may cause irritation. See how your skin handles it and work your way up from there, pairing with a good moisturizer and SPF. Promising review: "I have had semi-severe acne for the past 10 years and have tried many different things that promise clear skin, but I have never found anything that worked. I even went to the dermatologist a few times and did not see any results with what they prescribed me. Even though I knew this probably would not work as everything does, I tried it out because $14 wasn't too much to waste. Oh boy. I have only used this for about three months, and my skin is COMPLETELY CLEAR!!!! I was literally crying to one of my friends yesterday about how happy I was to be able to do basic things without the pain from my acne distracting me. I haven't had a single pimple in the past month, while I used to get 3–4 a day. I can't believe the day has finally come when I can glide a finger over my skin, and it is completely smooth. I can finally wear makeup. I can sleep on the side of my face. I can wear a mask without changing it from getting acne gunk on it. I finally beat acne after 10 long years thanks to Differin." —Hailie Perry Get it from Amazon for $13+ (available in three sizes). Promising review: "First, let me say I LOVE THIS RING!!!! I wear it all the time. I've been wearing it for over a month now and in the beginning, I tried to take it off when doing dishes, showering, and washing my hands. After about two weeks I just decided to leave it on, and it has been fine. I never take it off, the ring is true to size. It's not too thin or thick, feels great on, and it is durable. The only con is that the stones can sometimes look cloudy. Other than that, I love it couldn't be happier, it's great for the price, and I am very pleased." —tracy k revels Get it from Amazon for $17.47+ (available in four colors and ring sizes 5–10). Twist the bottom of the pen to dispense the fluid and brush onto the gem to clean! Promising review: "This ring cleaner WORKS. Cleans in less than five minutes!!! THIS PRODUCT IS A STEAL! (compared to more expensive ring cleaners or taking into the store to get cleaned). Plus, the pen is compact, and you can take it on the go or hide it in your purse. There is no harsh chemical smell either. The process is SO easy. A kid could do it! It’s a twist-up pen — you twist it until the blue product dispenses onto the brush. Then, you swipe the brush onto the diamond areas. I let it sit for about two minutes, then I rinsed my ring clean under water and dried it. TA-DA! My ring was AMAZINGLY CLEAN! You can see the main diamond and even the smaller diamonds sparkle! I didn’t even realize my diamond was cloudy until this product revealed how sparkly it could be!" —Kayla N. Check out why these are a fave in this TikTok. Promising review: "Y’all, I have been a loyal Lilac St. customer since they started, and I will never leave them. These are the absolute best quality. I get so many compliments. They are the most natural and most comfortable to wear. I use multiple times by using makeup remover and water to remove any glue. Seriously, will never stray." —Katiew Get them from Amazon for $11+ (available in four sizes; also available in a starter kit with their Originals, lash glue, and an applicator). Check it out a TikTok of the E.l.f. mascara in action. BuzzFeed Shopping writer Emma Lord swears by this: "I am not a new human to the tubing mascara game, and in fact readily spent $26 on the famous OG blend from Blinc every time it needed replacing. I didn't even love it for the length half as much as the fact that tubing mascara like this genuinely never smudges, but can I just say — regardless of price, the E.l.f. tubing mascara formula blows all the others I've tried out of the water. It gives me way more length and volume than other brands, slides on so much more easily, stays put ALL day, and never, ever smudges. My favorite part, though, is how gently and easily it comes off with soap and water. In the past, other mascara removals have felt rough on my lashes, but this comes off so fast that I'm like ??? was I even wearing mascara a minute ago?? Anyway, I hesitate even writing this review because I want to gatekeep the hell out of this before it sells out, but the world needed to know. I'm a big fan of the brown shade (which is what I'm wearing above!) but it also comes in black and soft black." Get it from Amazon for $8 (available in three shades). Throw a cropped jacket, vest, or long cardigan over the top for a cute cold-weather 'fit! Promising review: "I absolutely love this bodysuit! I discovered this brand from my coworker who was wearing this bodysuit in a different color and it looked so good on her I knew I had to give them a try. Finding items that fit my body nicely is next to impossible; but THIS?! It was literally perfect and full coverage + support and not sheer at all! I’m buying this in so many colors and the quality is SO good. I love this more than my Skims!" —Zoe T Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in women's sizes S–XXL and 15 colors). Reviewers with everything from thin, fine hair to 4c curls have reported positive results from this moisturizing formula, which is particularly recommended for folks whose hair is damaged from using hot tools, bleach, and the like. Promising review: "Like many others, I tried this as a replacement for Olaplex. Honestly, Olaplex never had a great effect on my hair and certainly wasn’t worth the price. This did an unreal job on my hair!! I was skeptical (tried a little bit first because I was petrified it would burn off my hair and I would end up bald!) but, lo and behold, it was magic! My hair is so strong, silky, and healthy looking after just one use. Plus you can’t beat the price! Have already ordered another box. I should also add I have curly/wavy hair that’s been colored to a light brown. Buy it!!" —BB Promising review: "This dress exceeded my expectations (especially coming from Amazon)! Finding a plus-size dress is not a fun task, but this dress made me feel super sexy and was perfect for my friend's semi-formal wedding. The fabric felt nice and did not look cheap. The only thing is that the fabric wrinkles easily, even if it’s been hung up for a while. Overall, I loved this and would highly recommend it." —Erica Get it from Amazon for $45.99 (available in women's sizes L–5XL and 28 colors and patterns). A few reviewers say the dress fits a bit roomy and that they were able to size down from what they normally wear. Promising reviews: "Hailey Bieber dress [alternative]. I loved the dress; it was perfect and I could adjust it to fit me in the back with the black drawstrings, which are on the front of the dress as well! My hair got stuck to some of the sequins of the dress, though. But overall, love the dress!" —Willy "This dress was surprisingly lovely! Great fit, so comfortable, looked amazing, and the sleeves are so cute. Got tons of compliments. Would recommend!" —Katrina R. Get it from Amazon for $87.99 (available in women's sizes XS–L and in seven colors). Promising reviews: "This product actually works! I’ve smoked for over 30 years, and my teeth have never been whiter! I think I’ve tried everything out there. I have finally found something that works. ! I will be sticking with this one!!!!" —MattK "I’ve tried the toothpaste and strips, and they either didn’t work or made my teeth sensitive. This stuff has been the best. Easy, effective, and doesn’t make my teeth sensitive!" —Bsk Promising review: "This is the BEST product I have used on my hair! I have my roots touched up every four weeks to keep the platinum blonde (helping hide gray hairs better) and Color Wow Money Mist showed an instant difference just blow drying. There is zero frizz, and my hair is shiny, soft, and beyond healthy looking! My new forever hair love right here!!!!" —Mary Get it from Amazon for $14+ (available in two sizes). Promising review: "Love these so much! I followed advice and ordered 1/2 size up as I have a very wide foot (years of ballet in my youth resulted with a bunion). They are very comfortable. I will probably order another pair in black as I love them so much! I scrutinized every single stone and jewel on the shoes first thing as that was another complaint I read in reviews before purchasing — even plugged in my glue gun to shore up any that were even slightly loose, and not one was loose! I will keep watch and be careful, though. I've purchased other shoes, much more expensive than these, and had problems with losing stones — so I didn't let that deter me from purchasing. Seriously, these are lovely — well-made, and I can't wait to wear them out on the town! Price is great!" —Zuzupetels Get them from Amazon for $33.98 (available in women's sizes 5.5–11 and six styles). Promising review: "The material feel and weight are very luxe. A must-have set. Looks and feels very chic, especially with a little French tuck action. Can’t wait to order in other colors!!!" —Michelle Ramirez Get it from Amazon for $49.99+ (available in women's sizes XS–XL and in 15 colors). Be sure to pick up two AA batteries if you choose the battery-operated version! They're not included. Promising review: "I LOVE THIS. I have seen this product all over TikTok and have been thinking of getting it for a while. It is the best thing ever. It removes all the little fuzz balls on my leggings or sheets. It helps me relax honestly. I recommend." —Kayla foulk Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in two colors). Also, she's ~multipurpose~ — reviewers like to use this as a blush too! Promising review: "I used to manage a Benefit Cosmetics boutique and I can say this is 100% comparable to BeneTint 👍🏽 The sheerness is natural looking but not invisible, and the color lasts a work day. Not heavy like a power blush that sits on top of the skin. No breakouts!" —Katie Stober Get it from Amazon for $6.90+ (available in nine shades). Promising review: "I'm one of those people who wears a belt for looks, not function. I had this belt on my list for a while because I like how it added an extra touch to outfits. Finally purchased it and it fits great! It really does that little extra to outfits because it looks expensive while being reasonably priced. I even had a coworker ask if it was 'one of those fancy Gucci belts.' I highly recommend!" —Jessica Maslyar Get it from Amazon for $14.99 (available in women's sizes XS–XL and in five colors). Promising reviews: "I have several pairs of Rothy’s in a very similar style to these, and they are actually just as comfortable right out of the box as Rothy’s…maybe more so. I also purchased in black. LOVE THEM!!" —Amazon Customer "I couldn’t be happier with these flats! As a result of them dropping in price, I purchased four pairs in varying colors to wear with jeans and sweaters. Not only do they look cute, but they are also decently padded and comfortable. I have been buying Vivaia flats for over $100 and these look just as good and are more comfortable to wear." —PSK Get it from Amazon for $32.99 (available in women's sizes 6–10 and 14 colors and patterns). Kitsch is an LA-based, self-financed, woman-owned business established in 2010 that specializes in hair accessories. Promising review: "Love that you can dress this up or down! It is my go-to accessory for working in preschool to put my hair up quickly. It is elegant and classic. It is amazingly durable, even in getting thrown in the bottom of my heavy work bag! I am amazed by this clip. I have coarse, medium-thick hair, and it is a perfect size." —Niki The weights are covered with a sweatproof, skin-friendly silicone layer that's comfortable, and the adjustable elastic band helps you get the right fit. You can even remove weights as well if needed! Promising review: "I love these! So great for yoga or mat Pilates. I like that they are 2 pounds each, which is the perfect weight, and you can even take off weight as well. I use them every week for my workouts. Very durable band as well!" —Robyn Get a pair from Amazon for $20.69+ (available in three sizes and 11 colors). Promising review: "I absolutely love these sunglasses! They suit my face beautifully and elevate any look with their stylish design. The gold details on the sides are such a stunning touch — reminiscent of high-end Miu Miu sunglasses but at a fraction of the cost. They’re lightweight, comfortable, and feel durable. I’ve received so many compliments already. Highly recommend these for anyone looking to add a chic accessory to their collection!" —Arsalan sheikh Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in five styles and packs of two or three). Promising review: "I bought these beautiful shoes to wear to my 50th wedding anniversary brunch. They looked really beautiful and elegant. They are really comfortable; I wore them for at least 5–6 hours, and I had no achy feet or tired legs. I’m over 70 years old, and I’m not in 3-inch heels too often. Also, I saw a designer version of this shoe in a department store, and they were over $250." —Beverly Triplett Get it from Amazon for $35.99 (available in women's sizes 6–11 and in seven colors). Hi, I have these and can't recommend them more!! As a pear-shaped individual, I love that they comfortably cover my bottom while still hugging me at the waist, thanks to the stretchy elastic there, aka no awful gapping. As other reviewers mention, these have a thickness to them that makes them feel high quality. In the summer, I do sweat in these a little at the waist, which is to be expected, but the wide-leg design helps keep everything else breezy. In the fall and winter, they go great over tights! Oh, and the pockets are nice and deep! Promising review: "I was so surprised when I received these shorts. They are such good quality. They have weight to them, making them feel expensive. I feel like I would buy these from Zara. Super cute and exactly what I was looking for!" —Jaimelee Calvello Get it from Amazon for $31.99 (available in women's sizes XS–XXL and three colors). Promising review: "This is [very similar to a] Jenny Yoo dress, and it's absolutely perfect. Quality is on par with more expensive brands. Not cheap like I expected. I wore it for family pictures and am keeping it to hopefully wear again because I love it so much!!! Don't spend a couple hundred dollars on this same style, buy this one!" —KymberlyJanelle Get it from Amazon for $71.99+ (available in women's sizes 4–26 and in seven colors). Promising review: "I've gotten so many compliments on these. Such an easy way to jazz up a look. The bobby pin style are very sturdy and can actually hold a lot of hair in place. I've worn them several times and they've been tumbled around in my purse for days and no pearls have come loose or fallen off. Highly recommend." —R.Lien BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: Our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way. Jenae Sitzes is a shopping editor with over a decade of experience working in online media, covering everything from affordable beauty and unique home finds to genius pet products, and she's constantly saving interesting finds on TikTok (in *very* organized folders, mind you) to share with BuzzFeed readers. The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.