8 Beauty Products Under $30 I’ll Honestly Never Stop Using

I’d be lying if I said an abundance of free products wasn’t one of the perks of working as a beauty writer.

But I’m also willing to admit this can easily translate to a certain disregard where pricing is concerned.

It’s one thing to get mascara for free in the post. It’s quite another to pay for it with your own hard-earned money.

That’s why I try my best to be objective and vouch for products across different price points. And believe me when I say, expensive does not always equal effectiveness in beauty. Where to spend versus where to save will always come down to personal preference.

For me, I’d rather splurge on big ticket skincare tools, serums, foundation and concealer. But things like cleansers, moisturisers, hair styling products and fun makeup buys? I’m a bargain hunter all the way. 

So, in the spirit of sharing, I’ve compiled eight beauty products under $30 I’ll never stop using, from do-it-all skin salves to the world’s greatest waterless cleanser. 

Keep scrolling for the edit, and why I love every single one.  

1. Lanolips Golden Dry Skin All Over Salve, $28.95.

What: Lanolips Golden Dry Skin All Over Salve

• An all-over skin ointment made up of over 70 per cent lanolin, beeswax and manuka honey. 

• Incredibly rich and works to treat flaky, dry, chapped or irritated skin anywhere on the body (think lips, cuticles, elbows, heels and similar). 

• Also comes in the smaller Lanolips Golden Dry Skin Salve 25g size you can stash in your handbag or office drawer.

Why I love it:

This is like the MacGyver of skin care. It does it all. I especially love it on cuticles and when my lips are really, really cracked. 

2. Weleda Skin Food, $25.95.

What: Weleda Skin Food

• A super nourishing ointment that can work as a targeted treatment or all-over face moisturiser. 

• Rich in plant oils, lanolin, calendula, chamomile and sunflower oil, Weleda Skin Food restores lipid levels and acts as a barrier cream to prevent water loss and keep the skin looking plump.

Why I love it:

This stuff is legendary in skincare land! I am a little too breakout-prone to use it on my face all the time, but I love Skin Food on hands, elbows, heels and on my eyelids (they are prone to dryness in winter).

Back in the day when I used to travel long-haul, this was my go-to “lock-everything-in” product as well. 

3. La Roche-Posay Serozinc Toning Mist, $25.95.

What: La Roche-Posay Serozinc Toning Mist

• A soothing face mist rich in zinc sulphate designed to mattify the skin and refine the look of pores. 

• A great add-on treatment for oily or acne-prone skin. 

• Can also grab in a La Roche-Posay Serozinc Toning Mist 50mL travel-friendly size, or the La Roche-Posay Anti Blackheads Kit value pack with the brand's other best-sellers for blackhead and/or acne-prone skin.

Why I love it:

I am a sucker for a face mist in between each step of my skincare routine, and this one is excellent when I’m feeling greasy or congested.

It seems to blot out shine without flattening the look of skin. Plus, I love anything rich in zinc! I find it really soothing. 

4. L'Oreal Paris Paradise Mascara, $24.95.

What: L'Oreal Paris Paradise Mascara - Black is a volumising mascara that coats every lash and deposits a lot of product for a full, fluffy lash look. 

Why I love it:

I still think this is one of the best drugstore mascaras going around if you want a fat, voluminous lash look.

It’s inky black and wears well, and the soft bristles really coat every single baby lash. 

You can check out more bargain vs bougie mascara comparisons in our YouTube video below.

5. Maybelline Cheek Heat Gel Cream Blush, $16.95. 

What: Maybelline Cheek Heat Gel Cream Blush

• A lightweight, dewy gel blush that’s soft and buildable. 

• Comes in a few different shades, and works well across the cheeks, eyelids and as a lip tint. 

• One of Adore's resident makeup artists Megan (who also happens to be the brains behind the AB Instagram and TikTok accounts) rates this too, check out her Maybelline Cheek Heat review here.

Why I love it:

This is the closest thing I’ve ever found to Glossier’s Cloud Paint in Australia! It’s really light and gives a natural-looking flush - I like smudging it over my nose for a natural flush. 

Side note - you can see how these two affordable makeup products together instantly make me look refreshed, and with zero effort.

6. Dr. Bronner’s Castile Liquid Soap, $14.25.

What: Dr. Bronner Castile Liquid Soap - Rose 237ml

• A multi-purpose, do-it-all soap that works on the body, pets, laundry, makeup brushes, dishes - you name it.

• Made from coconut oil, fair trade palm oil, olive oil and hemp oil so it gently cleanses without stripping the skin. 

• Comes in a whole bunch of scents and sizes, you can browse the full Dr. Bronner’s Castile Liquid Soap range here.

Why I love it:

Dr. Bronner’s has cycled in and out of my bathroom since I was a uni student working on a department store beauty floor, and I’ve never not finished a bottle.

I quite like it as a body wash (the rose scent is beautiful, but you only need one drop!). It’s amazing for travel (because it does everything) or to wash your dog.

7. Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk, $19.99.

What: Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk 250ml

• An affordable dry shampoo that works well on light to medium hair colours - Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk Tinted would suit deeper hair shades better.

• Formulated with oat milk, starch and rice powder, when applied to the roots, this powder works to absorb oil and clean the hair without having to wash your hair. 

• Also has a really soft fragrance. 

Why I love it:

I’m super finicky about dry shampoo formulas because I’m a chronic hair toucher, and hate the powdery residue most leave behind.

Klorane’s version is light and quickly absorbed, and leaves my hair feeling clean and airy (as opposed to heavy with product). 

8. Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micelle Solution, $29.99.

What: Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micelle Solution

• A gentle, French cleansing micellar water that removes makeup, sunscreen and grime without the need for water. 

• In layman's terms, micelles are little surfactant molecules with a tail that can dissolve oily substances, like sunscreen and makeup. 

Why I love it:

When it comes to a fool-proof first cleanse, this stuff is God tier.

It’s gentle, it works, it’s affordable and it lasts forever. I swipe mine on with a reusable cotton round and follow up with a second cleanse with my usual cleanser.

Want more bargain beauty content? Check out these stories below:

• Need New Makeup Brushes? These Very Good-Looking Vegan Ones Start From Just $10

• The $9 Brow Wax That's a Bargain Dupe for My Old Discontinued Favourite

• Our Verdict on the $60 Serum That Promises to Reduce the Appearance of Breakouts & Ageing