The best products under $20, according to beauty editors

Beauty that punches well above its price point.

Sarah Tarca and Sherine Youssef are Australian beauty editors and the founders of Gloss Etc, a weekly newsletter dedicated to the best beauty reviews, news and tips. 

A big part (and perk) of our job as beauty editors is to be guinea pigs for the latest and greatest product launches, treatments and technology in the beauty space. For this reason, we will sometimes recommend products with price tags that may cause you to need a little lie down (certain skincare products and devices fall here). 

In saying that, we also firmly believe that good beauty can come cheap. Many of our trusted staples are budget-friendly and we’ve become experts at spotting a good ‘dupe’ that in some cases can outperform the original. Our high/low ethos means you’ll always find a mix of both bougie and budget recommendations in our weekly newsletter drop.

We like nosy people. Don’t be shy, head to our Beauty section for more. 

This week, we’re turning our attention to the lower end of the spectrum – we are in a cost of living crisis after all! Our favourite beauty buys under $20 include some recent discoveries for 2024 (lip glazes, hand washes) as well as some tried and tested workhorses we’ve loved forever – all costing about the same as an alt-milk coffee right now.

Rimmel Multi Tasker Better Than Filters

This may be inspired by a cult highlighting/priming/glowy base which is three times the price but I maintain it’s actually better — and I will die on this hill. It hits the right balance between a shimmer and a glow. You can wear it as an all-over base on your good skin days without looking like you’ve dipped your face in glitter, mix it with your foundation, or use it as a highlighter.  Also, the doe-foot applicator is it. – Sarah

Get it here.

Go-To Transformazing Sheet Mask

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Go-To (@gotoskincare)

I have used maybe 200 or so sheet masks in my time (this is not an exaggeration) but this is the only one I’ll continually buy with my own money again and again. It’s perfect. It manages to hydrate and brighten the skin all in one go (kakadu plum pulls its weight here), but doesn’t leave any residue that bothers makeup application. This makes it ideal before big events or parties, or when you want your skin to look like you live on green juice. It’s also a lifesaver the morning after a night out, when your skin is very very thirsty (pop it in the fridge beforehand — trust me on that). – Sarah

Get it here.

Du’it Foot & Heel Balm Plus

Birkenstocks sans socks season is here, so if your heels are in anything other than perfect condition, run down to the chemist, get this and start using it tonight. I mean it. It’ll turn your scaly AF feet smooth as a baby’s bottom thanks to exfoliating AHAs, emollient vitamin E, glycerin and urea. – Sherine

Get it here.

Mecca Max Glaze Phase

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by MECCA MAX (@meccamax)

At my current rate of application/reapplication, I’m going to have to replace this tiny vial very soon — but at $15 each, I’m not complaining (too much). The formula is light and thin, kinda slippery and leaves a glassy finish. I’m dressing my lips in ‘Blackberry Glaze’ at the moment, a similar shade to Clinique Black Honey. – Sherine

Get it here.

Hairification Pure Health Mask

I hate washing my hair, so I really begrudge spending loads on haircare. This mask punches well above its price point on the efficacy front, dishing out all the softness and glossiness that a $50 mask would. It breathes life back near-death strands that have been destroyed by bleach, hot tools, etc. As an unnatural blonde who regularly tortures her hair, I am not worthy of the reborn strands it gives me. – Sarah

Get it here.

QV Face Oil Free Gel Cleanser

Sarah and I differ on what’s appropriate to spend on basics like cleanser – she thinks splurging makes the routine more ritual-like and while I agree, I can’t justify dropping the cash on something that literally goes down the drain. This Aussie brand consistently delivers quality skincare at accessible price points and they have a range of cleanser and moisturiser formulas for different skin types. I see this anti-shine wash for combo skin (it’s me, hi) being one I reach for repeatedly once summer rolls around. – Sherine

Get it here.

Chalon Paris Mandarin and Basil Hand Wash

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Châlon Paris (@chalonparis)

No more tipping supermarket hand wash into old Aesop bottles (no judgment, we’re all that person). This is a legit supermarket hand wash that looks just as good as the ones you find in fancy hotels. Not only have they nailed the aesthetics, they’ve worked with a Parisian perfumer to get the scents so bougie that washing your hands becomes a bit of a treat. – Sarah

Get it here.

Bondi Sands Be Bronze Bronzing and Hydrating Serum

While I’m on the subject of ‘close cousins of cult products’ this is an excellent one for those lusting after Drunk Elephant’s D Bronzi drops but with more of a drugstore budget. It’s bouncy (squalane helps with that) and gel-like with just the right amount of sheen, so you can add a couple drops to your base to warm up the whole face, or just use it like a bronzer on the areas where the sun hits. – Sarah

Get it here.

Mavala Nail Color

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by MAVALA Australia (@mavalaaustralia)

These are the only nail polishes I’ll use on my nieces and here’s why: where most polishes have a synthetic resin base, these have a wood-based resin so they don’t obstruct the nail, meaning oxygen and water can pass through the polish and to the nail plate. Why is that important? An occlusive layer over nails can lead to them becoming softer (think of what happens to skin under a waterproof Band-Aid). Bonus: the formula is heavy on the pigment, so there’s less chance of it streaking, plus the mini size is cute.  – Sherine

Get it here.

Revlon Face Defuzzer

This is one of those products that has a permanent place in my bathroom cupboard. It’s way, way at the back, but it’s always there. It’s what I use to defuzz my chin of the annoying hairs that came with my adult acne (good times). – Sherine

Get it here.

For more on budget-friendly beauty, head here.