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If You’re In Your “Cheap Genius” Era, You’ll Love These 39 Affordable Swaps For Expensive Products
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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. Your brain is truly top notch for swapping out this $5 perfume for the $138 Yum Boujee Marshmallow one and this $12 neck cream that knocks expensive ones out of the water. Promising review: "This smells heavenly!! I wore it today with the Cheirosa 62, and it smells delicious! I already purchased a second bottle for me and one for my daughter because I know it's going viral, and I don't want to run out! It's already hard to find where I am. To me, this is even better than the Vanilla Cashmere, and that's been my absolute favorite so far." —Heather Mg Check out a TikTok of the marshmallow lip treatment in action. Promising review: "My new must-have! My number one go-to for healing lips was Carmex. This beat it. I love the consistency (very creamy/smooth), it’s not heavily flavored or goopy, and it obviously smells amazing. It isn’t overbearing and also doesn’t keep coating your mouth like the Eos stick balms (still great, but more wax)." —Breanah Shirazi Get it from Amazon for $4.49 (also available in Strawberry Acai) You can check out Vaseline's radiant body oils and lotions for more options! Promising review: "I am shocked by how pretty it is and how good it smells. Also, great price and great quality. It’s not too greasy, just really nicely moisturizing :)." —Faith Bremmer I personally will live, breathe, and die by the magic of "universal" Black Honey version — it lasts FOREVER and also functions as the perfect blush — but it sells out so often that I am also deeply relieved to know it has a cheap alternative in case of lip emergency! Promising review: "I absolutely love this product. The dark color is perfectly sheer. It also adds the most beautiful color to your lips. I am a Clinique Black Honey lip fan, and this gives me the same look for a fraction of the cost. I love it and have several that I keep in various spots. Not sticky either, which is my biggest gripe about lip glosses. My hair doesn’t get stuck in this like some glosses, but I get the shine." —Hamps5 "I searched high and low for this color after I saw it on, guess what ... TikTok! And the creator was right, it’s great for everyone. It’s not too dark or too light. Keeps my lips hydrated with a bit of color and shine. Love it." —Erin C. Get it from Amazon for $8 (also available in four other shades). Joy Jolt is a small business that specializes in modern and pop culture-themed drinkware and kitchen accessories. Promising review: "Crate & Barrel look for less. These look and feel very high end — almost like a thin crystal." —Lauren Get a set of two from Amazon for $14.95+ (available in three styles). Promising review: "I am a lotion user every single day. I use face moisturizers that I love. I am over the moon how good this is. I mainly use it on my neck, hands and forearms. The difference is amazing. My skin actually feels so good. I wish I could buy larger containers of it." —Kimberly P. I bought this after being peer-pressured by all the lovely reviews, and I'm happy to report it lives up to the hype. The scent is lovely — it has depth with a hint of floral, but it's light and not at all overpowering. My favorite thing about it is how easily it pairs other scents, because I am a body mist gremlin who swaps out her scents every day. The lather is also deeply satisfying and I feel quite refreshed and squeaky clean without ever feeling dry. Promising review: "Cremo's body wash is nothing short of exceptional. If you’re a fan of luxurious fragrances, this product will quickly become your new favorite. It boasts an incredible scent that perfectly mimics Baccarat Rouge 540 — a fragrance renowned for its sophisticated and captivating aroma. What sets this body wash apart is not just its stunning scent but also its longevity. The fragrance lingers beautifully throughout the day, ensuring you stay enveloped in that luxurious aroma long after your shower." —Ralph D. Thompson II If the name rings a bell, it's likely because you've used or heard of this brand's beloved under-eye masks!! You can check out Grace & Stella's Amazon page to find those and more high-quality, affordable versions of beauty products. Promising review: "This is a must! Feels like a cloud and way better than a hand towel to dry your face, the perfect self-care product." —Jennifer Get a pack of 60 from Amazon for $9.95. Promising review: "Tired of traditional 'cool' pillows that feel like a brick? Tired of soft pillows that wake you up in sweat? Look no more! I am a very hot-natured, hot-sleeping person. I can not sleep without a fan on high blowing on me. This pillow is legitimately cool and comfortable. Somehow soft but still supportive. Very, very happy with my purchase and the price!" —Robert Get a set of two from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in three sizes and two styles). Promising review: "I am in the beauty industry and have tried almost every mascara there is. From low end to high end, and this one is the ONLY one that meets every need I have in a mascara. The black is so well pigmented, no smudging, buildable, and easy to cleanse off your lashes. Where has this mascara been all my life? I love it!" —Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $12.99 (also available in brown and a curling version). Promising review: "I saw someone advertising this on TikTok, so this perfume oil was an impulsive buy, but I’m actually so obsessed with it! It smells amazing, and it’s still on my skin even after I showered. It reminds me of Yum Boujee Marshmallow by Kayali." —j miller "This has you smelling like a strawberry and cream dessert topped with marshmallows. The scent lasts for hours, and I’ve gotten so many comments on how good I smell! Will be buying a backup for my car and office!" —Jasmine Petry Get it from Amazon for $4.89 (available in many sets, including a combo three-pack of Choco Musk, Choco Musk Marshmallow, and Choco Musk Pistachio!). Promising review: "My sisters were constantly raving about this toner, so I decided to try it. Since using it, I’ve realized why they love it so much! My skin went from bumpy and textured to smooth and glowy. My clogged pores have completely disappeared. I’ve already recommended this product to a bunch of my friends, and they love it too! I’ve been using this product for about two months, and it’s still doing wonders. Definitely worth buying!" —Noa May Get it from Amazon for $6.93+ (available in two sizes and also in two-packs). Billion Dollar Brows is a small business that specializes in beauty products. Promising review: "I have found a new eyebrow enhancer powder! I’m blonde, and my eyebrows don’t show up very well. I have tried a lot of colors and products, but the rich, soft color of this one beats them all. Easily glides on, covers my gray brow hairs, and helps my eyebrows frame my face. And this one stays on all day until I wash it off! Well worth the price and the quality surprised me!!" —Pammer Get it from Amazon for $12.99 (available in four shades and also in multipacks). Promising review: "Every hat should be lined with SATIN!! Saves your hairstyle. Warm hat, no itchiness. I purchased four of these hats — one for the car, one for my work bag, one for home, and one for my coat pocket. It also makes a great gift." —Tracy Abc Burke Get it from Amazon for $9.95+ (available in 21 colors and also in a classic style — just be sure you are clicking into a satin-lined style, because not all of them are!) (It goes without saying that you don't need to lay your edges if you don't want to, but this is a handy option if you do.) Promising review: "Love this. It doesn’t leave a white cast after it dries and keeps my flyaways tamed. I like the longer wand. No clumps when you take it out of the tube. Easy to apply to your hair. Good value, especially for the brand. I like the rounded slim tube instead of the hard plastic that I’ve gotten before. Functions as it should without the mess." —Myan Espino Promising review: "I've seen these leggings all over TikTok and finally decided to give them a chance. I do a lot of HIIT workouts and find that these 'buttery soft' leggings never really hold up well. I don't know what they're doing differently here, but I love it. They are so soft and stretchy, but incredibly smoothing. They've done well in HIIT, low-impact, and weight-lifting workouts. I couldn't recommend these enough." —Ashley "These leggings are incredible! The fabric is so soft and feels just like Lululemon. Lightweight, high-quality, and sweat‑wicking. Even during intense workouts or runs, I don’t feel sweaty at all. They move perfectly with my body and stay in place without riding down. Definitely my new favorite pair!" —Kara Get them from Amazon for $32+ (available in women's sizes XXS–XL and a variety of colors) — and check out matching tops and bras at the Amazon CRZ Yoga page! iJoy is a small business that specializes in headphones and tech accessories. I own a pair of these, and because I'm vain as heck and need to own all things pink, but I was decently surprised by how well they muffle noise! I feel like these are ideal for people who still want to hear some of the world around them (read: parents, people working in open offices), but still want to listen to their tunes comfortably. The charge on these goes for at least four hours (I haven't tried it beyond that yet), and the Bluetooth connects to my devices super easily. Excellent pair of headphones for the price point. Promising review: "These headphones surprised me. I thought they were not going to be as great because of how cheap they are, but the bass is amazing! The noise cancellation is so good that I can’t hear anything. The volume is loud and sound quality is a win, and just how I like it. Very snug and comfy, recommend! Thanks TikTok, lol :)." —Chevelle Revero Get it from Amazon for $21.99+ (clip the coupon on the product page to get it for $19.79; available in five colors). Promising review: "I drink hot chocolate year-round, so when I say this is the best hot chocolate I have ever had, I'm serious. It's not overly chocolate, has a nice salty caramel flavor. It's not too sweet. It's just perfect. This is now my preferred hot chocolate! I definitely recommend. I have already bought several boxes after only finding this a few weeks ago." —Jim Linton Get a pack of eight from Amazon for $4.19. Promising review: "My backpack is absolutely essential for getting through my work day. It fits everything I need, from my laptop and charger to notebooks, pens, and even a snack or two. The compartments keep everything organized, so I’m never scrambling to find what I need. It’s comfortable to wear, even when fully loaded, making my commute a breeze. Honestly, I can't imagine my workday without it!" —kody craig Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in two sizes and three colors). Promising review: "Amazing eye cream. I love that it has retinal, and although I use prescription tretinoin, my eyelids and under-eye area don't tolerate it very well. This gentle retinal fills the gap. It's very effective and moisturizes well, but it still has a thin, light texture to it that doesn't leave a sticky feel. It's priced REALLY well. As many people know, retinals are generally pretty expensive. There's no scent to it, and I come back to this one time and time again. Highly recommend." —CSC Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (clip the coupon on the product page to get it for $13.59+; available in two sizes). Promising review: "These soft socks are like walking on clouds! I put them on and instantly felt the warm, cuddly comfort — they’re so soft, I never want to take them off. Perfect for chilly mornings or lounging around the house, they make me feel like I’m wrapped in a hug. The best part? They’re super cute and come in fun colors and patterns that add a little extra personality to my outfit. Whether I’m relaxing with a book, watching my favorite show, or just need some serious comfort, these socks are my new go-to. If you love feeling cozy and want to add a splash of fun to your sock drawer, these are a total must-have. Soft, stylish, and oh-so-snuggly!" —Shannon Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in six styles and multipacks). Promising review: "I really like this shampoo. It’s not overly scented like some clarifying shampoos can be, and it makes my scalp feel so clean without drying my (already dry) hair out. Def recommend this. This is a good brand of shampoo all around. I tried the one for dry hair, and it smells so good and makes my hair really soft." —Abigail Here's what BuzzFeeder Elizabeth Lilly has to say about them: "I own multiple sets of these and even pack them when I travel because I never want to sleep on a cotton pillowcase again after getting used to these beauts." Promising review: "My hair has never been better! I got this because of TikTok, and it has done wonders for my hair. My hair isn’t frizzy or dull-looking when I get up in the morning." —Aaron Key "These are really nice — perfect price point too. There's no difference between these and the same pillowcases from Kitsch at three times the price." —Keri Get a set of two from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in 30 colors and four sizes). Promising review: "Adorable makeup bag! Great quality, and I love that you can customize the color and letter. It fits a ton of makeup in it, and I’ve been using it for a year with no complaints. Makes a great gift as well." —Maddie Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 26 letters and eight colors). Promising review: "I have not tried the name-brand brush, but grabbed this one to see if the design worked for my hair. Holy defined curls, Batman! I styled pretty much as usual, but used the brush to distribute the product (I use Innersense gel), lifting at the roots and letting the curls bounce after I released. This photo is after breaking the cast with some hair oil. My curls are never this defined and healthy-looking. Don’t think twice about it: your curls need this brush." —Natalie Gonzalez Get it from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in four colors). Promising review: "I’ve been buying these for years. They replaced my Ray-Bans that look identical! Fit great and with the price point, I don’t have to worry too much with my kids and being on the go!" —Jessica M Get a pack of three from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in nine sets, as well as two-packs and individual pairs). Check out a TikTok of the Monday Dry Shampoo in action. Promising review: "I was thoroughly impressed with this dry shampoo. It's affordable, effective, and everyone compliments how great I smell when I use it. Two bottles lasted me a few months. It does have a white cast, but that can easily be worked into the hair to become undetectable." —Meg B. Promising review: "I have a real diamond tennis bracelet that I don’t always like to travel with or wear in the water. This is the perfect swap! The quality for the price is amazing, and it shines like it’s real. I’ve worn it all summer in the pool, and it hasn’t tarnished at all." —Sarah Reeves For what it's worth, Pavoi — the company behind this piece — has gone TikTok viral time and time again for its classic, modern, and expensive-looking pieces. I personally own almost all my "daily wear" jewelry from Pavoi and swear by it (particularly this gold-plated ring and these chunky gold-plated earrings!). Everything is so easy to accessorize and makes my outfits look and feel so much more put together, and the pieces are so durable that they're easily worth twice what I paid. Check out the rest of Pavoi's line of jewelry for more options, including earrings, bracelets, and anklets! Get it from Amazon for $17.95+ (available in three colors, two styles, and three sizes). Promising review: "I bought this before I was gifted the Dorsey necklace and they are almost identical. If you don’t want to spend $$$ on the Dorsey necklace, this is a great option." —Bianca Get it from Amazon for $14.95+ (available in yellow gold, rose gold, white gold, and three other styles). Promising review: "This is a quality product in my opinion. Equal to Moleskine sketchbooks at half the price. I don't often write reviews, but I have purchased and used a few of these, filled them up, carried them about, and found them quite durable." —E. D. Scoville Get it from Amazon for $9.99+(available in a variety of colors with blank, lined, dotted, or grid pages). Promising review: "These are my new favorite. They are comfortable and do not show under all my clothes. They are super soft too and hold up all day without gapping. I have been buying Victoria’s Secret underwear for many years spending unnecessary money. I’ll repurchase these over and over again." —Joshua Psst — if you're looking for a thong option, reviewers are obsessed with these Skims-inspired thongs that are also on Amazon! Get a set of six from Amazon for $16.19+ (available in women's sizes XS–XXL and 13 sets). Promising review: "These are awesome slippers! I just ordered my second pair in the more chestnut brown color, but my first pair was in apricot. Both pairs arrived true to color and true to size. They are very comfy, and you can definitely feel the memory foam insoles. As for durability, these slippers feel like they are built to last!" —Coral Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in women's sizes 5 –12 and 21 colors). 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, a pencil case, two books, a makeup bag, a water bottle, a wallet, lotion, a 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." —Su Get it from Amazon for $31.92+ (available in six styles). Popilush is a small business that specializes in activewear and shapewear. Promising review: "PSA: you need this AND you need the one with the shorts. I’m really not about influencing people to pay into fashion that will end up in a landfill, but I really think this onesie is a woman’s best friend. The long leggings are great for the colder months, but you’re active and you just want to throw your sweater or coat on top. The onesie with shorts is perfect for the warmer days." —MJMM Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in women's sizes S–XXL and seven colors). Promising review: "I’ve used this setting spray a few times now and I absolutely love it. It really helps my makeup stay in place all day without needing touch-ups, even in heat or humidity. The mist is super fine and dries quickly without feeling sticky or heavy on the skin. It sets everything beautifully without ruining your makeup or leaving any residue. I also love that it doesn’t have a strong scent. If you want your makeup to last and still feel comfortable, this is a great choice. Definitely a new favorite in my routine!" —YSantiago Get it from Amazon for $10.98+ (available in two sizes). Check out a TikTok of the Magic Shaper Face Cream Palette in action. Promising review: "Really well constructed. Comfortable fabric. I don't wear shorts, so these will be great for summer. The fit is great. I ordered these pants in three more colors the day after the first pair arrived. Excellent value!" —Montana Fam Get it from Amazon for $27.64+ (available in women's sizes XS–XXL and 14 colors). Lulu Candles is a US-based small business that specializes in scented candles and perfumes. Promising review: "This is such a great candle that fills the room quickly with a really nice strong smell that is soothing and relaxing. I was looking for a less expensive Le Labo Santal 33 scent candle, and this one is very, very close! It's a bit stronger, but I love it! The shipment arrived fast, and I just love how fast it fills up the room without being lit for so long!" —Cristina Bertolotto Get it from Amazon for $19.95+ (available in seven sizes, in gift box options, in packs of two, and in a variety of scents). Promising review: "I’m obsessed with this hoodie. I’ve been looking for a warm, soft hoodie with a big hood for a long time. This quality is excellent and feels more expensive. It is an oversized fit. I usually wear an XL top and sometimes L. The large fit perfectly! I want one in every color now." —LindsayW Get it from Amazon for $32.99+ (available in women's sizes 3XS–5X and 48 colors). 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. Emma Lord is a Senior Shopping Writer at BuzzFeed with 10 years of experience in lifestyle writing that specializes in a broad range of topics, including beauty, cleaning, fashion, personal care, home, fitness, and her beloved “TikTok made me buy it.” You can usually find her grilling her pals on their latest must-have products, giving a fake name at the local Taco Bell after eating there for the fourth day in a row, or talking everyone's ears off about the magic of New York City. Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.