Bomb Drugstore Beauty Brands From Around The Globe (All Under $50)
Travel the world with us (virtually, of course) with a spontaneous shopping spree through the worldwide web. As avid fans of drugstore beauty buys that offer premium quality with pocket-friendly price tags, we wanted to spotlight some of our fave cosmetics brands from around the globe for all beauty lovers who appreciate a budget-friendly buy. From South Korea to Africa and Australia, these buzz-worthy local beauty brands won’t disappoint.
Destination: United States
Melē Skincare
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Price: Under $25
Our first stop, Melē Skincare — a brand that’s fresh on the scene but is already making waves globally, and rightfully so. Growing tired of the industry’s scarcity of science-based skincare formulations tailor-made for melanin-rich skin, founders Esi Eggleston Bracey and Sarah Irby joined forces with dermatologists of color and Unilever scientists to create a skincare brand that has melanin running deep in its DNA.
What to Shop: Even Dark Spot Control Facial Serum, $24
Dark spots and discoloration are two common and often hard-to-tackle skin dilemmas among women of color. But there’s always a solution to hyperpigmentation woes, and Melē Skincare is a good place to start. Their award-winning dark spot serum contains 3% niacinamide, 0.3% pro-retinol, and hexylresorcinol — a powerful trio that will slowly erase dark spots and even out skin tone.
e.l.f. Cosmetics
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Price: Under $15 (excluding sets)
e.l.f (short for every eye, lip, and face) celebrates originality and beauty in all forms. From makeup to skincare and tools, expect A-grade quality with pocket-friendly price tags, which explains why the brand has such a huge international cult following.
What to Shop: Holy Hydration! Face Cream, $13. Drenched with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, peptides, and squalene, this holy grail formulation will take your complexion from dull to dewy AF in an instant. Something to add to your makeup stash? Definitely their Poreless Putty Primer, $10, which is available in three formulas, poreless, matte, and luminous to accommodate your skin’s needs while keeping your beat pristine. #Filterforwhat?
Destination: South Korea
COSRX (cosmetics + Rx (prescription))
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Price: $32 and under (including sets)
Our love for COSRX runs so deep! Meet the K-Beauty brand that offers minimalist formulations with optimum glow-up results. Why we love them? They keep things simple — providing solutions that combine nature’s best extracts with high concentrations of actives that also don’t break the bank, something that’s quite rare in today’s beauty market.
What to Shop: Their AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner, $20 (with Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence, $25) as a combo, particularly for uneven and acne-prone skin. Gentle enough for daily use, this toner consists of a very mild dose of naturally-derived acids that work to exfoliate dead skin cells, minimize pores and dissolve excess oils. Follow this up with their Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence, $25, which not only provides a major moisture boost but is also an absolute winner when it comes to skin repairing.
Destination: Africa
Suki Suki Naturals
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Price: Under $45
A premium beauty brand cultivated with some of Africa’s most treasured natural ingredients (prickly pear, papaya, and mango), which are “specially developed products for those living under the harsh African sun.” Their lush blends not only give your skin the bonus of a next-level goddess glow but, they primarily work to shield, protect and repair skin and hair from the sun’s hazardous rays. This range is a toiletry bag must-have for your next tropical beach vacay. *mentally manifests*
What to Shop: Their Rosehip Brightening Facial Oil, $47, will give you a glow so bright it’ll blind the haters. Mixed with rosehip is a good dose of seabuckthorn and argan oils that work overtime to stimulate cell regeneration and boost skin elasticity for diminished fine lines and wrinkles. Over time you’ll notice plumper, brighter, and an age-reversed-looking complexion. Benjamin Button who?
Destination: United Kingdom
Soap & Glory
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Price: Under $25
What to Shop: Their Righteous Butter Body Lotion, $12, is truly the girl it says it is for ultra-soft skin, thanks to its nourishing blend of shea butter, aloe vera, vitamin E, and rosehip oil. And we have to talk about its scent — an airy floral and fruity aroma with a musky base for some added decadence. *sniffs wrists for the 100th time* If you have extra coins to spend, also try their Face Soap & Clarity Vitamin C Facial Wash, $12. This triple-duty formula exfoliates, purifies, and brightens, leaving skin radiant and clean. Yuzu fruit is the star ingredient here, a citrus and powerful antioxidant that’s gaining more and more popularity in the West for its skin-brightening and anti-aging properties.
Destination: United Arab Emirates
Pinky Goat
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Price: $20 and under (excluding sets and artist packs)
Vouched for by beauty lovers and pro-MUAs, Pinky Goat’s range of trendy faux mink and vegan lashes merges quality, comfort, and drama, of course. Whether you’re looking to go all out with your peepers or have them a little lowkey, there’s a style for everyone and every occasion — Zoom meetings included.
What to Shop: Their Lulu Lashes, $26, are the perfect accessory for a dinner party at home or your next set of thirst traps for the ‘Gram. This particular style is all about glamor with dramatic volume from inner to outer, and a gorgeous curl that instantly lifts the eyes.
Destination: Japan
DHC
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Price: Starting from $5
Loved by skinimalists, DHC is a modern ode to traditional Japanese beauty philosophies. Olive Virgin Oil is the wonder ingredient that started it all, and today the brand sits high and mighty on rankings of the internet’s most-shopped and praised buys.
What to Shop: The Deep Cleansing Oil, $29 — point-blank, PERIOD.
We’re suckers for cleansing balms and oils, we’ve tried and tested them all, but DHC’s always has us coming back for more. It literally melts away makeup — even the most stubborn mascara can’t withstand it — leaving your skin with a fresh-faced, breathable feel and a killer glow. Try this once, and you’ll never be able to envision your routine without it.
Destination: Australia
Sukin Naturals
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Price: $32 and under
Sukin’s range of face, body, hair, and travel staples is formulated with care and 96.8% naturally-derived ingredients. Their products are cruelty-free, vegan, carbon-neutral, and 100% recyclable — a brand that lives and breathes clean beauty from formula to packaging.
What to Shop: Their Detoxifying Clay Mask | Super Greens, $13, is one of their best-sellers and a go-to when your skin needs a revival. Bentonite sops up toxins while kale and goji berry brighten your complexion and plump up fine lines. Avocado, baobab, and rosehip oil then add a hit of hydration to replenish moisture and improve uneven tone.
Lanolips
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Price: Under $26 (excluding some sets)
Founder Kirsten Carriol attributes her family’s heritage as the inspiration behind her world-acclaimed brand. During her childhood, she learned of the mighty power of lanolin through her grandfather and father. These teachings helped shape Lano, her lanolin skincare line that’s now everyone’s go-to skin therapy remedy.
What to Shop: The Original 101 Ointment Multipurpose Superbalm, $17, is a miracle, multitasking skin balm that’s a quick fix for all skin troubles. From parched lips, dry skin, cuticles, and elbows, not only does it replenish moisture but also keeps it locked in. One or two layers of this are enough for all-day hydration.
Have you guys tried any of these brands before? Stay tuned for part two! There are still lots more countries with amazing affordable brands that we’ll be shining the spotlight on!
Disclaimer: Every product we review has been independently selected and tested without bias by our editorial team. Although some brands allow affiliate links, we never take payment to review products, so we may earn a commission if you purchase a product by clicking on one of our links.
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