Do you often find yourself wandering the makeup aisle, feeling overwhelmed by all the choices, and wondering if you can find great products without spending a fortune?
I’ve been there too!
That’s why I set out on a mission to find the best affordable makeup brands that offer amazing quality at prices that won’t make you wince.
Whether you’re a makeup newbie or a seasoned pro, these 22 brands will have you looking fabulous without blowing your budget.
Let’s find out!
Key Takeaways
✅There are some super affordable makeup brands like e.l.f. Cosmetics, NYX, Maybelline, L’Oréal, and a few others that offer high-quality products.
✅At the time of choosing the best product, focus on its ingredients and formulas. Avoid all these products that have cheap synthetic ingredients.
What Makes Some Makeup Brands So Inexpensive?
When you stroll down the makeup aisle, the price tags can range from jaw-droppingly high to surprisingly low. So, what’s the secret behind those budget-friendly beauty brands?
Here are a few of them:
- Inexpensive brands usually go for simpler, no-frills packaging, which helps cut costs significantly.
- Affordable makeup brands often produce their products in huge quantities. This bulk production means they can negotiate lower prices for raw materials and reduce manufacturing costs.
- They tend to use more basic, tried-and-true formulas that don’t require as much investment to develop.
- Budget brands rely more on word-of-mouth, social media influencers, and straightforward marketing tactics. This allows them to save money and pass those savings on to you.
22 Affordable Makeup Brands to Add to Your Collection
Some affordable brands offer products that have great results That’s how you can build a makeup kit on a budget. Among many options, we picked some affordable options for you, and here they are:
1. e.l.f. Cosmetics
As one of the best budget-friendly makeup brands, e.l.f. Cosmetics offers tons of makeup options for everyone. It’s a UK-based brand, but now it’s making its way to the USA.
e.l.f. Cosmetics offers different and impressive products, like ELF putty primer and Holy Grail Putty Primer.
Beauty enthusiasts prefer e.l.f. Cosmetics because it offers high-quality products without breaking the bank. Most of their products are available for under $16.
2. ColourPop Cosmetics
ColorPop Cosmetics got a huge response from customers for its vibrant and trending makeup products at an affordable price.
In addition to being a budget-friendly option, it offers high-quality products like lipsticks, blushes, eyeshadows, and many more.
To get fun, bold, and colorful looks, ColorPop Cosmetics is the best option.
3. NYX Professional Makeup
Every beauty lover can fulfill their makeup product wishes with NYX Professional Makeup. After all, it’s a brand for professionals and beginners at a low price. And all of their products are cruelty-free. It’s a plus point with affordability.
It offers different products lip creams (lipsticks, lip stains, lip glosses, and liquid lipsticks), pigmented products, and brow pencils of different shades.
4. Maybelline New York
Maybelline New York – the oldest cosmetic brand in the US offers awesome makeup products with perfect formulas. This is a viral brand on social media like TikTok, and it’s happened because of its affordability and accessibility.
It is tagged as a star factor that gives depth and a beautiful look to any type of skin. Maybelline’s Lash Sensational Sky High mascara and concealers are very popular among young beauties.
5. L’Oréal Paris
Without L’Oreal, you cannot complete your makeup list. It has come a long way and has quickly become the most trusted brand in the makeup industry.
From skincare to body care, you can have every type of product from L’Oreal. Also, don’t forget to try its mascaras. It is as good as you need.
6. BKL/OPL
For high-performance makeup products with super affordability, BKL/OPL could be your choice. Its brown and black friendly palettes draw the attention of many beauty enthusiasts.
In recent days, BLK/OPL TRUE COLOR® Skin Perfecting Stick Foundation SPF 15 has become the best seller product from this brand.
7. Essence Cosmetics
As a European makeup brand, Essence Cosmetics draws younger beauty enthusiasts because of its affordable price point. It also defines simplicity with quality.
For everyday wear, you don’t need to cut your pocket when you have Essence Cosmetics. But its highlighter and Mascara are undoubtedly the best in their product list.
8. Wet n Wild
Wet n Wild has a wide range of products. And for the best part, these brands ensure that all of their products are cruelty-free and vegan-friendly.
Among tons of options, their budget-friendly foundation and highlighters draw the attention of conscious consumers.
9. Makeup Revolution
It’s a brand that offers affordable, impressive, but high-quality makeup products. From eyeshadows to highlighters, everything you can get from this brand is at a minimum cost.
Plus, all of their products are available in diverse skin tones. But their eyeshadow palettes got the most appreciation from consumers. It’s mostly effective in creating dupes of high-end and luxury looks.
10. BH Cosmetics
Among different affordable brands, BH Cosmetics stands out with its high-quality but budget-friendly product. Beauty lovers love its brushes and vibrant eyeshadow palette. You can get them at the cheapest rate.
To get variation in makeup style and bold looks within your budget, nothing can beat BG Cosmetics. Even makeup artists and beauty enthusiasts love their products.
11. J.Cat Beauty
J.Cat Beauty is an ethical brand that comes in an affordable price range. It becomes popular because of its vibrant color.
No wonder their glitter eyeshadows and liquid lipsticks have so much craze among people all over the world.
The best part is that this brand is certified as a cruelty-free brand that offers products after deep research and formulation.
12. Profusion Cosmetics
In the makeup category, Profusion Cosmetics has mastered crafting makeup products. Now, it is offering tons of game-changing products at low prices.
Their concept of product creation always meets customer’s desires. They have a huge collection of easy-to-use quality products, including shadow palettes, lip kits, and bronzers.
To add creativity and vibrancy to your daily makeup, you can try Profusion Cosmetics.
13. Morphe
Morphe loves to break the boundaries of imagination to produce professional products that influence every beauty enthusiast.
It’s loyal to its fan base and customers. Because of the increasing demand, Morphe made their product affordable and accessible.
From brushes to eyeshadow palettes, everything you can get from Morphe is different and buzz-worthy at an affordable price. Besides, you can try some of its popular products, like Jaclyn Hill Eyeshadow Palette and Continuous Setting Mist.
14. Sephora Collection
It is one of the largest international beauty brands and started its journey in 1970. We appreciate the Sephora Collection because of its wide range of products, its 2300 stores in 33 countries, and its affordable prices.
If you are looking for a budget-friendly makeup option to do some basic beauty tasks, then the Sephora Collection is always the best option for you. The best part is that its price starts at just $3.
15. The Body Shop
For skincare and body care, The Body Shop offers something for everyone at an affordable price. In their product lineup, you can easily find lots of things that are affordable, cruelty-free, and vegan.
Most of them are made from natural ingredients. So, on a low budget, The Body Shop offers something great.
Their skincare foundation is also now the king of their product line. Besides, you can try lipsticks, blushers, and even eyeshadows.
16. Glossier
When you need a really amazing product, Glossier could be the ideal one. This millennial-focused brand is creating products for you at the minimum price range.
With the “Skin First, Makeup Second” philosophy, it prioritizes skincare products. That’s why their foundation is possibly the best in the beauty world.
But they also have makeup, body care, and fragrance products in their product line.
One more thing, to take your beauty journey to the next level, don’t forget to try its finishing powder and matte lipstick.
17. By Beauty Bay
Looking for must-have makeup essentials from an expert makeup brand at an affordable price? Beauty Bay is the solution.
It has more than 10,000 products in its product list after transforming into a makeup brand from a fragrance retailer. From high-quality graphic liners to jade rollers, By Beauty Bay produces next-generation products.
If you want to start with the basics with a By Beauty Bay product, then try its eyeshadow palettes first.
18. About Face
American singer Halsey introduced “About Face” which is not only a truly remarkable brand but also easy to afford. Its transparency about makeup products makes all the products lucrative for beauty lovers.
They use cutting-edge formulas and natural ingredients in their products. It also follows beauty strands that ensure the expected result for every makeup lover.
Some products from About Face are now in style, like bold matte eyeshadow, glittering highlighter, lip gloss, and so on.
19. Pacifica
With high-performance and science-backed formulas, Pacifica added incredible value to the makeup world. They have a core commitment to offering high-quality products within accessible price segments.
From skin care products to body butter, every product is available in one place.
To start your beauty routine with the most innovative products, Pacifica is the default choice for you. Their nail polish in various shades and detoxifying face wash define Pacifica’s next-level dedication to beauty lovers. Remember! It is one of the most toxic-free clean makeup brands for travel.
20. RMS Beauty
Cosmetics could be better than ever, and RMS Beauty proves it very well. After starting their journey in 2009, the ruling clean-up industry offers high-quality makeup products at an affordable price.
Their product makes women feel more beautiful than ever. And why not?
All of their products, especially lip liners, concealers, and the perfect dreamy liquid blush, let you feel good enough to do everyday makeup tasks. It’s not only effective but also long-lasting.
21. Dose of Colors
There are a few vegan and cruelty-free brands available that shine in their way. Dose of Colors is one of those that was founded by Anna Petrosian.
Their product delivers amazing results, especially its long-lasting liquid lipsticks in different shades. You can wear it all day and night without worry!
22. Covergirl
Consumers always appreciate easy, breezy, beautiful, and affordable makeup options. That’s why, Covergirl is always here to make you feel the true effect of makeup products.
With its cruelty-free makeup, it has become an industry-leading makeup brand with various products like moisturizers, concealers, eyeliner, eyeshadows, and more.
All of these come at a reasonable price. So, if you want to do some experiments, then Covergirl is for you.
What to Consider When Selecting Brands?
Choosing affordable makeup brands can be a fun and rewarding experience. Here are some things to consider:
- Avoid products with harmful chemicals like parabens, sulfates, and phthalates.
- If animal welfare is important to you, opt for brands that are cruelty-free. For example, you can look for certifications from organizations like Leaping Bunny or PETA.
- Choose brands that offer a wide range of shades to cater to different skin tones. This ensures that everyone can find their perfect match, whether it’s for foundation, concealer, or lipstick.
- Check out what other makeup enthusiasts are saying about the products. Blogs, social media, and beauty forums can give you a real-world perspective on what works and what doesn’t.
- Compare the quantity you get with similar products to ensure you’re getting good value for your money.
Final Words
So there you have it—22 incredible makeup brands that prove you don’t need to spend a lot to look amazing. From ColorPop Cosmetics to Morphe, these affordable options offer something for everyone.
Next time you’re shopping for makeup, give these brands a try and see how easy it is to find quality products without the hefty price tag. Your wallet—and your makeup bag—will thank you!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the most affordable makeup brand?
Among different types of affordable makeup brands, Covergirl has become the king of affordability. It’s the most affordable makeup brand that offers a wide range of high-quality products at a minimum price.
Where can I find inexpensive, high-quality makeup?
You can find inexpensive but high-quality makeup products from various sources, like local stores, super shops, official websites, or different online selling pages like Amazon. But you need to keep searching, see honest reviews, and get the best product out there.
Why is high-end makeup so expensive?
High-end makeup products are a bit pricy due to their design and packaging. That is, it looks more designer and established, but it comes as an investment that increases the overall manufacturing cost.
