Building a makeup routine that feels complete, polished, and fun shouldn’t mean draining your bank account. The truth? It is possible to fill your makeup bag with products that perform like the high-end ones—but without the luxury price tag. It’s all about finding those go-to essentials that give you major payoff, multitask where you need them to, and keep your wallet just as happy as your skin.
At e.l.f., affordability is built into our DNA—75% of our products are $10 and under, which means you can mix, match, and experiment without feeling like your wallet is taking a big hit. Whether you’re building a beginner-friendly kit, refreshing your current lineup, or just craving a budget-friendly glow-up, the options are endless.
High-quality formulas, skin-loving ingredients, and trend-setting shades don’t have to cost a fortune. In fact, with just $25, you can create a full makeup routine that takes you from fresh-faced to full glam. Ready to build out your dream routine without breaking the bank? Here’s our budget-friendly guide to a full-faced makeup routine.
Beauty Product Shopping Tips on a Budget
Shopping for beauty on a budget doesn’t mean you have to compromise on quality—it just means shopping smarter. First, lock in products with multitasking power: a tint that’s made for lips and cheeks, a setting spray that doubles as a refresher, or a CC cream that covers and hydrates.
Next, look to brands known for delivering high-quality essentials at accessible prices (ahem… like us!), so you can try new launches or test out new products without the sticker shock. And don’t forget to prioritize products you’ll use every day—think mascara, concealer, or a solid brow gel—before splurging on extras.
Finally, keep an eye out for mini sizes or value sets that let you try more for less. With a little strategy, you can stretch your budget further while still building a routine that feels fresh, fun, and expansive.
Affordable Base Makeup Routine for $25
Facts: A flawless base doesn’t have to mean an empty bank account! With these three powerhouse products, you can create a smooth, even complexion—all for $25.
Start with Stay Cool Gel Primer Stick ($8), a refreshing primer that glides on effortlessly to calm and prep your skin. Next, even things out with Soft Glam Satin Foundation ($9), which delivers breathable coverage with a natural finish that feels lightweight all day.
It comes in a wide range of undertones and shades, so you can easily find your perfect match! To finish, brighten under-eyes and cover any blemishes with our Hydrating Camo Concealer ($8)—a fan favorite for its creamy texture and long-lasting wear. Together, these three essentials lay the perfect foundation for any look, proving that a flawless base can absolutely be affordable.
Affordable Blush & Bronzer for Under $15
When it comes to cheeks, a little color and contour go a long way—and luckily, your wallet doesn’t have to work overtime to get the look. Our Camo Liquid Bronzer & Contour ($8) melts into skin for effortless dimension, giving you that sun-kissed sculpt without the fuss.
For a juicy, natural flush, layer on Sheer For It Blush Tint, our tinted lip and cheek stain that hits for only $6. The best part? It multitasks as a lip tint too, making it a double win for both color and convenience. Together, this multitasking duo serves up glow, warmth, and versatility—all under $15.
Affordable Eye Makeup for Under $15
Eye makeup often feels like a “makeup extra”—products that you tend stray away from if you’re beauty shopping on a budget. But eyes are where you can really play and they shouldn’t have to be left out of the mix! Here’s how to create a polished, put-together eye that’s super affordable but has major luxurious payoff.
Start with our cult-favorite Instant Lift Brow Pencil ($4) to shape and define brows with ease. For endless looks in one tiny package, grab our Bite-Size Mini Eyeshadow Palette ($4)—which is packed with pigment, is perfectly portable, and goes for under five bucks! Finish things off with a swipe (or two) of Lash ‘N Roll Curling & Lifting Mascara ($7) for lash lift and flutter. Altogether, this entire eye routine comes in under $15. In other words, you don’t need to splurge to look like you did!
Affordable Lip Combo for Under $12
Nothing pulls a look together quite like the perfect lip combo—and it somehow always looks better when you know you nailed it for less than $12. Here’s how to get the perfect lip without an appalling price tag. Start by defining and shaping with Cream Glide Lip Liner ($3). It’s smooth, precise, and keeps your color in place without drying out your pout.
Top it off with the glossy shine of our Glow Reviver Tinted Lip Oil ($9), which is packed to the brim with nourishing ingredients for hydration and delivers a dreamy wash of color. Together, this duo gives you a polished, juicy lip look that feels luxe but costs less than a movie ticket. You’re welcome.
Affordable Setting Powder for Under $10
The secret to locking in your look without spending a fortune? A setting powder that works hard and feels weightless. Halo Glow Loose Setting Powder ($9) blurs, sets, and leaves behind a soft-focus finish that keeps your makeup fresh all day. It’s silky, never cakey, and gives your skin that lit-from-within glow we all crave.
Our e.l.f. pro tip: pair it with Halo Glow Triangle Powder Puff for an even smoother, mess-free application—it’s optional, but totally worth the upgrade. With these two in your makeup bag, you can keep shine in check and radiance on full display, all while staying under budget.
Don’t Forget Sun Protection! Affordable SPF for Under $15
No routine is complete without SPF—if we’re honest, it’s the most important step in your routine! Sun protection not only helps shield skin from UV damage but also keeps it looking healthy and radiant in the long run. The best part? You don’t have to spend big to get broad-spectrum protection. Suntouchable Invisible Sunscreen SPF 35 ($15) is weightless, non-greasy, and melts seamlessly into skin (no chalky cast in sight).
Pro Tip: make SPF the final step in your routine every single day—it’s the easiest way to protect your glow.