Favorite Everyday Beauty Products under $30

I feel like I’ve shared my favorite beauty products with you all before, but they’ve never really been the kind you can buy at a drugstore or supercenter like Walmart. Walmart’s beauty section is insane, and so many of my everyday items come from there so I figured what better time than now to share those with you all! After dozens of requests, my favorite everyday beauty items under $30 are below….

Biolage Shampoo & Conditioner

True story – I’m one of six kids, my dad shops at Costco and all he bought for us growing up was Pantene Pro-V 2-n-1. If you aren’t familiar, 2-n-1 is when they combine shampoo and conditioner. Considering 4 out of the 6 kids are boys, and my mom has pin straight and silky fine hair, no one ever complained {myself included!} I didn’t know any different. I actually used Pantene Pro-V 2-n-1 well into my 20’s and it was only recently that a conversation with Brittany, the woman who cuts & colors my hair, that I realized I should probably move on from the 2-n-1 life. Here’s why: when you put conditioner on your roots, it weighs it down. Shampoo on the other hand needs to saturate and cleanse the roots so that it really gets out the dirt and grime. These two do two totally different things – and require different applications – but a 2-n-1 forces you to apply it the same. When I was complaining to Brittany that my hair always felt heavy she asked me what shampoo and conditioner I was using and literally dropped her jaw to the floor when I told her it was Pantene Pro-V. I mean here I am with a $500 Dyson hairdryer, but I spend $4 on a bottle of 2-n-1. I started laughing because 1. she’s right, and 2. because I needed a change. But I wasn’t ready to give up the ease of buying my shampoo at the store. I didn’t want fancy shampoo or conditioner that I had to order online, or that cost $30+ – I just don’t value a shampoo or conditioner at that price. So I went to my local Walmart and browsed the options. I settled on Biolage and haven’t looked back {going on 2+ years now!} There isn’t anything crazy special about this shampoo or conditioner other than I like the smell, I like the way it makes my hair feel, I like the price point, and most importantly, I like that I can now apply the shampoo and conditioner separately. Winning!

Bioderma Micellar Water

I can’t remember who, but a follower told me about Bioderma’s micellar water a few years ago and I haven’t looked back since. It is the most gentle way to remove make up or grime from your face after a long day {I use these pads and/or a q-tip} and a bottle lasts forever. You can’t beat the price either. I can’t go a day without using this! If you’re wondering what micellar water is, you can read more about it here!

Essie Gel Couture Nail Polish

I realized a while back that nail salons dilute their polishes to make them last longer, which in reality makes them more watered down. Salons have also started charging $5 extra {!!!??} if you want to use a ‘gel couture’ color which is just absolutely ridiculous. They say its because it lasts longer than a regular polish {and it does!} but that doesn’t mean I’m going to pay the amount that the bottle costs just to use it. Long story short – I hate walking into a salon and relying on their polishes, so I always bring my own, and the ‘gel couture’ line from Essie is my long-time favorite. I just keep the bottles in the center console of my car and bring them in with me whenever I go. Fairy Tailor is my favorite blush pink, but I also recently bought ‘Lace Me Up’ which is pictured above {also on my nails} and I really love it.

Covergirl Translucent Powder

I’ve talked about this powder on my Instragram before, but it’s one of those things I’ve been buying for years because it works, and because its affordable. I can have one in each purse, one in the car, and one in my bathroom without thinking twice. If I was buying the Laura Mercier translucent powder for example, I definitely would not have so many to go around. I also like this powder because it’s pressed and super easy to apply. I often use it as the first product on my face after my serums and moisturizer to give my face a little buffer before the bronzer goes on. I also always apply after putting on sunscreen – even if I’m at the pool, I hate a greasy looking wet face, so I always pat a little of this on. It goes on clear, takes away shine, and is just the best.

Neutrogena SPF 15 Moisturizer

I’m so grateful that I found this product because it was truly the very first ‘beauty’ product I ever bought and I loved it immediately. Had I bought something similar and hated it, I may have gone many more years without wearing a face moisturizer with SPF, but because it worked out, I started wearing SPF on my skin daily at the age of 14 {thank you to my mom for encouraging this!} I remember I bought it at the Walmart in Pass Christian, MS after my mom told me I should start wearing SPF on my skin daily {we spent our summers in Mississippi and the only place to shop was the local Walmart -I lived there!} I had no idea what to buy, but recognized the brand Neutrogena, picked the first moisturizer I saw, and became hooked. It’s lightweight, non-greasy and goes on smooth. I literally liked it so much, I used this same lotion for almost 15 years. It was only 2 or so years ago that I decided to switch it up! I still keep a bottle in my cabinet for traveling or when I want to get back to my roots. You never really forget your first true love! 😉

L’Oreal Telescopic Mascara

I like loooooonnngggg skinny lashes. I don’t want them clumpy or thick, so when a friend introduced me to L’Oreal’s telescopic mascara I was hooked. Back in the day when I worked at Neimans and got a significant discount, I would buy one from Giorgio Armani, but when I left Neimans and lost the discount, I pretty much vowed to never buy expensive mascara again. What’s the point? It all dries out after about a month anyways, and you can find really amazing options for way, way less. This one from L’Oreal is my all time fav and definitely something I have in my make up case at all times. Makes your lashes crazy long without all the clumps.

Neutrogena Hydroboost Face Masks

I love a good cheap face mask, and these are great. They are super hydrating and feel amazing on the skin. I like to buy them in bulk and keep them in my refrigerator. I also love to bring out a few when girlfriends come over, or when I go home to visit my mom or sister and we all do them. Don’t get me wrong, I love an expensive face mask too – but when the masks are $2 a pop, you don’t have to feel guilty about sharing one with everyone!

Batiste Dry Shampoo

I used this for the first time when it was gifted to me by a girlfriend on her bachelorette trip. It was in our ‘goodie’ bags and I brought it home after the trip hooked. I think having my girlfriends show me how to use it was also key {I’m kind of a novice when it comes to dry shampoo} but if you’re looking for one that isn’t too sticky, but that works well and is a great price, try this one from Batiste. To use, lift up sections of your hair and spray at the roots {keep bottle a few inches from head}. Massage the product into the roots and then brush. Works like a charm!

Bare Minerals SPF Sunscreen

Of all the items pictured, this is the only item that is relatively new to me. Since becoming pregnant, I have been looking for a healthier ‘non-toxic’ sunscreen and this one fit the bill. Y’all know I love my Supergoop!, but this one is nice because you can buy without having to order online. I have the face stick and the mineral SPF 50 and love both.

Dove Bar Soap

Started this post with a product I grew up using, and ending it with another one. Dove bar soap is something I haven been using since I was a kid. Another bulk buy from Costco, this is what my parents bought and used on us growing up so it’s just what feels familiar to me. I know most people these days probably use shower gel and a loofa, but I’ve just never been able to make the switch. Nothing makes me feel as squeaky clean as this simple soap and I love it. I also love the gentle exfoliating bar too if I’m feeling fancy 😉

Ok that’s it for now! Of course there are sooo many more items I use and love that are under $30 but it would take me all day to walk through them all. Walmart seriously has the most extensive collection of beauty items and brands {and oftentimes less than other retailers!} so check them out and let me know your favs in the comments!

Photos: The Retro Penguin

thank you to Walmart for sponsoring this post!