The Best Bang-for Your-Buck Beauty Brands of 2025

2025 is off to a big start, with a lot of us taking a look at our beauty consumption. Viral trends, impulse buys and too much wasted product have many major influencers promising to do a no-spend month. Others are bringing back project pan, which encourages using all of a product before shopping for a new one. But not all of us have six shampoos already waiting in our cabinets, and sometimes buying beauty is necessary. That’s why we’re jumping in to de-influence you, cut out the trendy language, and give you the best bang-for-your-buck beauty brands we love.

The Bang-for-Your-Buck Brands We Love

eos

Eos is all about nourishing skin care backed by one of the skin’s all-time favorite ingredients, shea. Focused on sustainable sourcing, recycling and using only the highest quality ingredients, these derm-recommended formulas boast the quality of a luxury product without the high price point. You can find the brand’s lip and body care products on the shelves at Target, Ulta and even your local pharmacy.

CeraVe

A longtime favorite of NewBeauty, CeraVe is the holy grail of affordable skin care. Created in collaboration with dermatologists and offering several formulas approved for eczema, these simple and efficacious formulas are top-tier. Nourishing ceramides are the crown jewel in these fragrance-free, hard-working formulas, leaving skin protected and helping to restore your skin barrier.

Native

Leading the way in body care, Native delivers good-for-you ingredients alongside long-lasting odor protection. With lovely scents like eucalyptus and mint, coconut and vanilla, and tea tree and sage, you’re guaranteed to find a favorite. And for those of us with super-sensitive skin, there’s a variety of unscented options, too.

Monday

A member of NB100 and a hero for any hair day you might have (good or bad!), Monday is dermatologist-tested, pH-balanced and super-affordable. If you’re looking for salon-quality hair care without a high price tag, this brand is great! It uses time-tested ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and shea butter, with smoothing, moisturizing, volume and repair options.

NYX Professional Makeup

Affordable professional makeup that keeps up with the latest trends, NYX is a brand we’ll always love. From super-rich lip products to the latest in blush technology, this is makeup you won’t feel guilty grabbing. Whether you’re looking for a bang-for-your-buck beauty brand that will stand up to a long-wear challenge or desperately need a blush restock, you’ll love using every last bit of these forward-thinking formulas.

Catrice

Catrice is all about bringing you the standout stars in beauty formulas for less. We’ve been stunned by the performance of these budget beauties, and their core values of innovation and affordability make them the perfect pick for a beauty restock. With everything you need for your face, eyes and lips, you can find a full face of quality makeup you’ll want to use to the last drop.

Hard Candy

If you’re like us, you probably grew up seeing Hard Candy products, usually with edgy packaging that appealed to teens who wanted to experiment with makeup but didn’t want to be seen buying their mom’s brand. But this isn’t your teenage self’s Hard Candy. These days, they’re at the cutting edge of gorgeous formulas and viral-approved trends, from multi-chrome liners to all-day lip stains.

Milani

If you’re looking for a drugstore brand with stunning professional quality, look no further than Milani. Luxurious packaging, thoughtful formulas and gorgeous shades define this secret-weapon brand. There’s a reason why we’re still using the cream blush and balm lipstick; they’re amazing!

e.l.f.

Well known for their bang-for-your-buck products, e.l.f. Beauty delivers product after product that goes instantly viral. From its sultry lip oils to beautiful blushes, this brand always has what you’re looking for. Be it timeless essentials or trendy favorites you have to try, e.l.f. consistently delivers below budget.

ēma fragrance

Looking for a new way to indulge in fragrance that doesn’t cost a fortune? Introducing ēma, a solid perfume brand devoted to clean and affordable scents you can easily take on the go. Just check out their beautiful three-scent kits, which come with a compact for easy carrying.

Dossier

Another beloved NB100 brand, Dossier, isn’t just replicating top-shelf perfumes at bang-for-your-buck prices. With a full collection of Dossier Originals, they’re offering new and innovative scents that ground, refresh and calm. From the Musk Collection of sultry skin scents to the bright and inviting Sunny Vetiver & Neroli, you’re sure to find a scent perfect for you.