The $20 Beauty Edit: Breaking Beauty’s Guide to Affordable Luxury

Let’s be real—nobody’s got Jeff Bezos money, but that doesn’t mean we can’t slay on a budget. In their latest “Damn Good Drugstore Finds” episode, Breaking Beauty hosts Jill Dunn and Carlene Higgins break down the absolute best beauty products under $20 that’ll have you looking like a million bucks—without actually spending it.

Let’s explore the best budget-friendly beauty must-haves straight from the pros.

Hair Care for Less

Laura Polko Los Angeles ($14 and under, Target)

Move over, Walmart Birkin—TikTok’s got a new obsession. Laura Polko Los Angeles is a haircare brand that looks and performs like a luxury but costs your daily coffee run. With formulas approved by celebs (Gigi Hadid and Charli D’Amelio swear by Laura Polko), this line is about volume, moisture, and color protection without sulfates, parabens, or a hefty price tag.

Jill and Carlene are obsessed with the Volume Shampoo and Conditioner, which gives your hair that fresh-from-the-salon bounce. 

Marc Anthony Grow Long Anti-Frizz Shield Ultimate Blowout Spray ($10.99, Ulta)

If you’ve ever dreamed of frizz-free, glassy hair that doesn’t succumb to humidity, this Color Wow Dream Coat dupe is it. Jill swears by it, calling it a “raincoat for your hair.” This spray locks in smoothness and shine even in 80% humidity while cutting your blow-dry time. Who needs a $30 anti-frizz serum when this does the job for a third of the price?

Body Care That Smells Like Luxury

Eos Shea Butter 24-Hour Moisture Body Lotion ($9.99, Target)

Meet TikTok’s most viral body lotion. If you want to smell like a snack (literally), this is for you. The Vanilla Cashmere scent smells like a warm vanilla cupcake drizzled with caramel. If that’s too sweet for your vibe, Coconut Water gives you those Sol de Janeiro vibes at a fraction of the cost.

Hot tip: If your winter skin is acting like a lizard’s, Jill recommends doubling down on hydration with Dove’s Cream Body Serum ($16.99, Ulta)—it’s packed with ceramides and niacinamide to make your skin baby-soft.

Lips That Look Expensive

Revlon Super Lustrous Glass Shine Balm ($10.49, Ulta)

Once upon a time, this viral lip balm-lipstick hybrid was discontinued (gasp), but thanks to the power of TikTok (and thousands of beauty girlies demanding its return), it’s back—and better than ever. Rum Raisin gives serious Clinique Black Honey energy with a perfect your-lips-but-better tint. It feels like a balm but shines like a gloss. Run, don’t walk!

Maybelline Super Stay Teddy Tint ($12.99, Target)

Jill’s latest lip obsession is this long-wearing lip tint that creates the perfect blurred lip. One swipe gives a soft tint, two give a blurred, matte stain, and three give full-on, budge-proof color. It’s your favorite soft-matte lipstick’s cooler, longer-lasting cousin.

Skincare That Punches Above Its Price

CeraVe Anti-Dandruff 2-in-1 Shampoo & Conditioner ($9.99, Target)

CeraVe’s expanding its skincare empire into haircare, and we’re here for it. This pH-balanced, dermatologist-tested formula combines pyrithione zinc, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid to revive dry, flaky, angry scalps. If we trust CeraVe with our face, we can trust them with our hair.

The Drugstore is Winning in 2025

If there’s one takeaway from Jill and Carlene, it’s this: You don’t have to spend big to look expensive. Whether stocking up on viral body lotions, finding the perfect long-wear lip tint, or giving your hair a frizz-free makeover, these drugstore gems prove that beauty on a budget is better than ever.

So, what are you adding to the cart first?