Nowadays it costs an arm and a leg to get your nails done professionally. Especially depending on what city you live in. I live in Portland Oregon and a decent set here will run you about $120+. These recommendations will allow you to do them yourself at home!✨💅 time to be boujee on a budget! it’s a great way to treat yourself without needing to take out a loan😉 ❤️ here is a list of my favorite products to use and also things from my own wish list!
I'm tired of seeing the same drugs store-alternatives or Amazon finds of more expensive items go viral then sell out EVERYWHERE so you can't find it in the first place. Here are some under-the-radar dupes I've found in my quest for budget beauty and fashion that aren't over hyped. I'll be adding more items as I discover them, so keep an eye on this space!
I have had hair down to my waist for as long as I can remember, but it has never been as healthy as it has been since using the products in this list! Amazingly shiny, strong, long, healthy, hair does not have to be genetic.
These are some of the most beautiful and cute press on nails that will be perfect for any type of occasion. These nails have gradiants, rhinestones, glitter, and charms making them be an amazing statment to your look!
Picture a Sunday bath: razor, shave oil, a quick wax strip on the legs, then a pad on the bikini line to head off ingrowns. This smooth skin list covers billie, Schick, Gillette Venus and Flamingo razors, EOS shave creams, wax kits, at-home IPL and ingrown care. Block out the time and the week is handled.
Sharing all of my go-to makeup products that are both affordable and amazing! These are my tried and true favorites I’ve repurchased over and over again. The quality is unbeatable for the price, and I always get so many compliments when I wear them so of course I had to share!
This is a list of my favorite haircare products that leave you feeling as luxurious as your salon does. Here you will find products that will help maintain color freshness, nourish your hair, and the best tools for styling from a cosmetologist passionate about hair care!
It feels like everyone’s talking about Saie Beauty right now — and for good reason. This clean, dewy, and minimalist brand has totally taken over my feed, and I’ve tested enough of their products to know which ones are actually worth the hype. Here are my Saie favorites — the must-haves for that effortless, glowy look everyone’s chasing.
These are just a few of the clean beauty and skincare products that have well-surpassed their hype. I’ve bought these more than once and consider them must-haves in my bathroom cabinet!
You wash your hands forty times a day, your rings catch on gloves, and your nails take a beating before lunch. If you work in healthcare, food service, a salon, a lab, or any job where your hands are constantly busy, you already know most beauty routines fall apart by hour two. This is everything I actually keep on rotation to make my hands, nails, and wrists look like I don't spend eight hours scrubbing, lifting, and sanitizing. Took me two years of trial and error so you can skip straight to what works.
These are the products, apps, routines, and media I genuinely use most days to stay productive, feel great, and unwind after a long day. Each recommendation below includes why I use it and what makes it stand out — from skincare that keeps my skin balanced to daily apps that help me save or earn rewards, plus shows and podcasts I revisit again and again.
Who says glam has to come with a hefty price tag? These are my ride-or-die drugstore picks that prove you don’t need to spend a fortune to look and feel amazing. Each product has earned a permanent spot in my routine because it delivers real results, whether it’s a flawless base, a pop of color, or that perfect finishing touch. They’re cute, dependable, and wallet friendly because great makeup shouldn’t break the bank.
(On Sale RN!) I’ve been using these since high school, and I swear by them. I wear them every day and all night. They literally only come off to put a new set on. I sleep, shower, and aggressively nap in them, and they still hold up. I don’t baby them, I’m just careful when rubbing my eyes. If a cluster falls off, it’s easy to patch later, but it’s not super noticeable, so I usually just wait until it’s time for a reset. People ask me about them all the time because they hold up so well and look pretty without being overly dramatic. They look done, but they’re a lot less dramatic than other lashes, which I love for everyday wear, just going to classes, and low-key days.
If you have sensitive skin, this list is tailor-made for you! I tend to gravitate toward fragrance-free body products because artificial fragrances often irritate my skin and can even trigger my asthma. I’m a big fan of all these skin and hair care products and hope they work for you, too! (I include 3 products from The Ordinary that I’m trying soon. I suspect I’ll love them, though!)
When Covid hit back in 2020, I was left to figure out how to remove my Dip powder nails that were done by a salon....I took to the internet and slowly taught myself how to remove and apply Dip nails. Over the years I have definitely learned SO MUCH, especially when it comes to the products which can make the process easier or harder. Here are the products I've used and recommend for those interested in diving in to this fun hobby.
These products have been tried and tested by me, a girly with fair, oily and acne prone skin. I have been trying to make the switch over to cleaner products that are high quality and don’t break the bank with occasional splurges. I am a true makeup girly since high school, and have tried everything from drugstore products to high end products. These are my true recommendations that I wear myself almost everyday and would recommend to my mom or besties!
Items I have found helpful for an easier self care, not everyone has a lot of time during the day to do big elaborate self care routines. These items have definitely helped me as a busy momma, wife and employer
I have ALWAYS struggled with painful acne. I deal with cystic acne around my cheek areas and even have some scars from it. To top it off, my skin is extremely sensitive to various skincare products, so I’ve tested a million things to see what (a) can help the appearance of my acne and (b) not burn my skin. Trust that I’ve tried them all!😅 My skin does well if I mix up products every so often, so hence the various types of products :)
Press-on nails you can brag about all day long. I love how budget friendly they are and all the time (and money) I save by doing press ons myself. And they are the absolute cutest.
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The products I actually keep on my own shelf. As a regulatory toxicologist, I read ingredient lists for a living, so everything here is chosen for transparent formulas and short, sensible ingredient lists. It covers skin, hair, and oral care, including Cellura (the line I built) and a few other brands I genuinely rate.
This is a list of skincare products that I absolutely love and highly recommend! They are affordable and definitely worth the hype 😊 And for reference, I have combo/dry skin
I’m not a huge fan of makeup, so I try to keep it pretty natural and light. Whether that’s the colors and tones, or the general feel and application of the product itself. These are my personal favorites so far! (Still trying new things, so stay tuned!)
All my go-to everyday makeup essentials in one place! From hydrating primers and long-lasting powders to glowing bronzers and radiant highlighters, these products keep my skin fresh, radiant, and flawless all day. Perfect for creating a natural glow or full glam-look these are the items I truly can’t live without! 🌸☀️✨
Tip: Always prep your skin and blend products well for the most natural, radiant finish.
After years of searching for the cleanest beauty products that didn’t compromise on performance, pigmentation, or staying power, I finally found a routine & a group of products I love, that look good, and that feel good on my skin. (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.)
let’s be real staying fresh, clean, and put together with a busy gym schedule is not always easy… these are the products i actually use to make it effortless ✨💌
gym days, busy days, life in general… these are the products i swear by to stay fresh, smell good, and just feel put together without overthinking it.
When I started working from home, I stopped wearing my daily makeup, and started caring about my skin care. Now I only wear makeup for special occasions, but my skincare is for everyday.
These are my makeup must haves. I’ve struggled to find products that support hydration, and mature skin issues like fine lines and wrinkles. Many of these products have helped me feel much more confident about my skin when I’m wearing make up. Get a hydrated look that makes you feel more vibrant!
Not everyone has the money to put towards high end and celebrity brand makeup products. I have stuck to drugstore makeup all my life and found that these products work just as good as their high end counterparts. Note: For the acne girlies not all of these products are noncomedogenic but these are products that do not heavily irritate my skin and have the least amount of irritating ingredients I have found while still being great products. If a product is fully noncomedogenic I will list it in the note below. If you have really sensitive skin and are concerned about the specific ingredients on a product please look a the list on the website before purchasing, you can also copy and paste them into an online ingredient checker that will do the work for you and tell you what is good and bad for your skin.
Healthy skin is the foundation—makeup is the finishing touch. These are some makeup products that I have tried and tested multiple times over the years, I used to work on the beauty counter in my local Boots store so I have a lot of opinions regarding brands.
I’ve tested a lot of haircare, and most of it isn’t worth it—these are the exceptions. Everything here is something I’d genuinely repurchase because it actually helped with dryness, frizz, and overall hair health. No overhyped products, just the ones that do their job and make styling easier.
When I wear makeup, these are the products I’m reaching for! Natural looks - I have combination skin too!
Skincare is also a time of day that I truly look forward to, especially my evening routine! The retinol and gel moisturizer are my favorite parts!
I'm 30 and have suffered with cystic acne as long as I can remember. I swear, I've tried EVERYTHING. Here's what has helped the most besides prescription clyndamicin pads, mupirocin ointment, and tretinoin (talk to your derm!)
My favorite makeup brands and items that helped me glow up! Lots of these are trending items that everyone is buying. Others are some that I have found at small stores like dollar tree that are now part of my daily routine.
Some fairytale coded makeup finds! Yesstyle has such good makeup! And the packaging is adorable:)) Perfect for those Kpop and Douyin style makeup looks!
I’m someone who is very picky when it comes to makeup. texture, packaging, familiarity are all factors that strongly define what I pick. Here are all the products I ended up warming up to and love!
Tested melasma solutions: This is my collection of effective at-home treatments for melasma and other stubborn facial hyperpigmentation. These products have clinically tested ingredients like tranexamic acid, niacinamide, and vitamin C. I've been on this journey for over a year and in the past three months stepped up my game: these are the products that have made the biggest difference in my melasma journey. Some I started at the same time, I've included them. These products deliver visible results and my moisture barrier is intact. I have also added sun protection tools to prevent dark spots from returning. This is perfect for anyone looking to fade hyperpigmentation safely without expensive dermatologist visits.
Tired of wasting money on overhyped skincare? I’ve tested tons of products on my acne-prone, combination skin—and these are the *only* ones I keep coming back to. Whether you're dealing with breakouts, dullness, or dryness, these glow-getters deliver real results.
Walking into a wall of 800 foundations while a perfectly contoured employee asks if you need help is its own kind of nightmare. This list is for the person who wants to look put-together but doesn't know a serum from a primer, has zero patience for 14-step routines, and just wants someone to say ‘buy this, put it here, done.’ I spent two years slowly figuring this out so you can skip the awkward wandering.
These are my favorite makeup recommendations, that are high end, or you can find at the local drugstore. I love to find budget friendly items that compare to luxury brand names.
This is my real curl routine — the wash-day treatments, styling tools, and satin sleep essentials I actually use to keep my curls defined, soft, and healthy. As a San Diego creator who films a lot, my hair has to look good on camera and feel good day to day, and these are the products that get me there, from detangling and deep conditioning to protecting my curls overnight.
How to treat your skin with the products it deserves to make it nourished, hydrated, and dewy! These products listed are my favourite skincare products!
I’ve gathered my go‑to products that stay fresh and organized inside a stylish tote or a sleek hardcase. You’ll find essentials like Garnier Micellar Water, Bare With Me Hydrating Concealer Serum, and Chillin Like a Villian Fat Oil Lip Drip that travel beautifully. Save this list for your next shopping trip or drop a comment with your favorite bag! ✨
even if it's cold and the sun sets early we should still look as cute as we want to this season! these are my favorite products I like to use every year :)
These are the products I actually use every day to keep my skin fresh and even-toned in the Highveld heat and dry winters. No fancy stuff, just affordable things from Clicks and Dis-Chem that work, from shower to sunscreen. Ask me anything in the comments!
If you see me with nails, 9 times outta 10 they’re press ons. As a baddie on a budget, consistent acrylic sets don’t happen. Plus for my job I can’t have long nails, and sometimes I don’t want the shorties for my weekend out. Here are the best recommendations for this nail shop alternative.
You know that moment when you lean in and someone says ‘wow, what are you wearing?’ These are the fragrances that actually make that happen. Built this list after years of blind buys that smelled like department store air fresheners. If you want compliments from the person who matters most, not strangers in an elevator, start here before your next date night.
These are my holy grail curly hair (and regular) products that I use consistently. As someone who struggled to love their curly hair and learn how to maintain it, these products helped me erase any confidence issues I was having. I went through a lot of trial and error and these products are the ones that stuck!!!
Skincare favorites that keep my face alive even on zero sleep. This list includes TikTok viral skin tints, hydrating masks, moisturizers, and anti-aging creams that actually work. Perfect for busy moms, tired besties, or anyone who wants glowing skin without the drama.
These are products I use for either casual events or going out!
Some are affordable and some are high quality products!
I do mix cream, powder, and shimmery makeup tg because I have combination skin and these products work for me.
This would be products I would use for my DREAM full-glam makeup routine. BRANDS THAT ARE MORE INCLUSIVE TOWARDS DARKER SKIN TONES: Haus Labs, Juvia's Place, Fenty Beauty, Pat McGrath Labs, Danessa Myricks Beauty, Rare Beauty, NYX sometimes, E.L.F. sometimes (comment other brands pls b/c I'm pale AF, but I want to make sure I try and recommend brands that work for everyone)