Beauty Editors Perpetually Hit "Add to Cart" on These 14 Hidden-Gem Amazon Finds
As much as beauty editors love luxury beauty products, I have to say there's something extremely satisfying about hitting "add to cart" on a random $13 find on Amazon. I won't lie to you and say that I don't enjoy a high-end mask or haircare treatment every now and again, but I generally gravitate toward more budget-friendly options that arrive on my doorstep in two days flat. Sure, it's partially due to laziness, but it's also that there are so many underrated items on Amazon that (shockingly) won't break the bank at all. Luckily, constant Slack conversations amongst the beauty team revealed that I'm not alone in this sentiment. I asked my coworkers to share their best Amazon beauty purchases they think don't get enough credit. Keep scrolling if you're looking to add new additions to your routine. We're sharing the best hidden gem beauty products Amazon has to offer.
"I love this stuff so much I wrote a love letter to it. It provides broad-spectrum SPF 50 with a milky texture that sinks into the skin without leaving a white cast behind. Plus, it adds a nice reflective sheen to my skin, so I automatically look more well-rested than I actually am. I use this every single day, without fail, and I know I'll continue to do so for however long it sticks around. " — Kaitlyn McLintock, associate beauty editor
"This isn't the most exciting thing I've ever purchased from Amazon, but it's one of the most practical. I like to apply a water-based toner to one of these soft gauze sheets and either wipe it across my skin or stick it on there like a homemade sheet mask whenever my skin needs hydration. They're soft and effective and inexpensive, so I keep going back to them. " — McLintock
"I have thin hair, so I'm always trying to stimulate circulation in my scalp and basically do anything I can to preserve and support the health of my hair follicles. I've been using a scalp massager for a while now. I rub it on my scalp in gentle, circular motions while shampooing, and I swear it makes my scalp healthier while also breaking up residue from styling products and dry shampoo." — McLintock
"I am obsessed with this stuff. My nails have been super damaged lately, so in lieu of using normal nail polish or getting my usual gel manicures, I've been using this nonstop on my nails. It fills in ridges and scratches, and genuinely acts like a concealer for your nails, delivering the most flawless glow." — Katie Berohn, beauty editor
My skin is extremely sensitive and can be reactive, so retinol has not been easy to incorporate into my skincare routine. This random Amazon find has been an absolute dream, though. First, it's pretty budget-friendly for a retinol cream. Second, it also contains hydrating, moisture-barrier-supporting ingredients like green tea, shea butter, and jojoba oil.
I bought this hair mask during the winter because I saw that it was a best seller on Amazon, and I needed something to give my dry, curly hair some extra support. Made with cosmetic-grade argan oil, the mask deep conditions, strengthens, and repairs damaged hair. I was pleasantly surprised by how well it worked, considering it was a $13 impulse buy.
Okay, it's not really a secret that I love Cosmedix products. This is one of my favorite moisturizers from the brand because it works so well for sensitive and reactive skin types. It contains microbiome-boosting probiotics and has no pore-clogging ingredients, making it great for acne-prone skin too. The one negative thing about this product, though, is the packaging. You can't tell when you're about to run out, and I was out for a few days. Luckily, Amazon came to my rescue. I was relieved to realize they sell it there and with two day-shipping to boot!
Ugh, this purifying spray is currently sold out on Amazon, but it's so good that I had to share anyway. After all, Amazon frequently restocks! An esthetician recently recommended that I try this spray since my skin tends to break out easily (especially when traveling). I spritz a bit of this on my skin after cleansing and even again after I apply moisturizer to soothe my skin. It also helps create a protective layer for sensitive skin to help prevent future breakouts and reduce any redness. It really works and is probably one of the main reasons I didn't experience any new breakouts on a recent trip.
This body treatment from Paula's Choice isn't necessarily unknown, but it is underrated, in my opinion. I got this one on Amazon when I was struggling with body breakouts in some very inconvenient places (I won't name any names). I was so happy with how well and fast it cleared up my skin. Not only that, it exfoliated my skin, making it feel softer, smoother, and look overall brighter. It does contain salicylic acid, which may be too strong for some, but it worked really well for my extremely sensitive skin, so it might contain just the right concentration for you too.
I'm a sucker for a good body oil, and this one happens to double as a hair and face oil. As I mentioned above, I'm usually pretty cautious about what I put on my skin since it's so sensitive, but this is a beautiful oil to use if you're not looking to spend a ton of money and still want something that will keep your skin hydrated, healthy, and radiant. This product is a blend of olive, almond, grapeseed, and lavender oil, and I love using it on my curls for added moisture and my skin when I hop out of the shower. It's simple and doesn't contain triggers known to set off sensitive skin, so I say give it a go!
As much as I would like to gatekeep and not tell you how good this eyelash primer is, I simply can't do it. I recently reviewed a few of Essence's mascaras along with this lash primer, and holy sh*t, it's my new favorite thing. I'm picky about lash primers, especially white ones, because many clump and still look white after you apply mascara on top. That's definitely not the case with this formula. My mascara also never budges when I wear it. I'm prone to smudging and flaking when I wear mascara because I have an oily eye area, but I can't say enough good things about this formula. It truly gripped my mascara in a way I'd never experienced before. There's usually at least a tiny bit of smudging still for me, even with a primer, but with this one, nope! It's also $5 on Amazon.
I'll choose a cream bronzer stick over a powder any day, and this Laura Geller formula I found on Amazon really does it for me. It's so rich, pigmented, creamy, and blends like a dream. I love using it to warm up my face after putting on foundation—it creates the perfect sunny glow.
Up Next: I Struggled With Body Acne for Years Until I Added This Basic Item to My Routine
Shawna Hudson is a beauty, wellness, lifestyle, and travel writer with over 10 years of experience. She graduated from California State University, Fullerton, with a degree in journalism and has written for other publications such as Bustle, The Zoe Report, Byrdie, Elite Daily, and more. She is currently a beauty writer atBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing and hopes to continue feeding her (completely out-of-control) beauty obsession as long as she can. Stay up to date on her latest finds on Instagram @shawnasimonee.
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