Best of Beauty: Cheap Thrills

These brighteners, smoothers, and plumpers belie their rock-bottom price tags (all are $10 or less) beautifully.

Makeup

NYC New York Color Smooth Skin Perfecting Primer, $3.99. The Spanx of primers: It firms, evens, and is so lightweight you won't even notice that you're wearing it.

Video: How to Get Great Skin Like a Celebrity >

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Makeup

Maybelline New York Dream Fresh BB Sunscreen, $8.99. Five self-adjusting shades, SPF 30—and did we mention five shades? This multitasker helps women of all skin tones get even.

Video: How to Look Expensive >

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Makeup

Wet n Wild MegaGlo Illuminating Powder, $3.99. Swirled together, the ribbons create a rose-gold blush; used individually (wet or dry), they make lids glisten.

Video: How to Save Money on Your Beauty Routine >

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Makeup

NYX Matte Bronzer, $9. Shimmer-free and available in five sun-kissed shades, the powder makes it easy for every woman to have a believable bronze. The extra-large pan means you can keep the charade going year-round.

Video: Our Favorite Drugstore Beauty Bargains >

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Makeup

Mark Just Pinched Instant Blush Tint in Berry, $8. This cool raspberry sinks into skin for that proverbial glow from within, and doesn't go MIA like so many cream blushes.

Video: Our Favorite Drugstore Beauty Bargains >

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Makeup

Essence Liquid Ink Eyeliner, $2.99. The laser-sharp point is easy for amateurs to maneuver. Pros love that the jet-black line doesn't budge or crease.

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Makeup

Rimmel London Glam'Eyes HD Quad Eye Shadow in Black Cab, $5.99. Blended together, the four shades strike the ideal balance of sparkle and soot for sexy smoky eyes.

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Makeup

CoverGirl NatureLuxe Mousse Mascara, $9.49 - $9.75. This souffle-like mascara builds long, lush lashes that don't stiffen or flake. Bonus: It rinses off without the need for harsh scrubbing.

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Makeup

Vaseline Lip Therapy in Cocoa Butter, $1.99. So rich and effective, a pot slightly bigger than a Tootsie Roll is all you need to keep lips, cuticles, and even elbows smooth this winter.

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Makeup

Maybelline New York Color Show Nail Lacquer (shown here in Keep Up the Flame), $3.99. Mint green, canary yellow, silver-flecked navy—there are certain trendy polish shades you want to play with before committing. At this price, you easily can do both.

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The sunshiney season brings with it weird rashes, bumps, and bites-and a lot fewer clothes to cover them up. Wishing you had a dermatologist on call? Luckily, we have a phone full of top docs, so we got their clever remedies and tips for all your summer skin care woes (and saved you the copay).

That’s right. We said it. These nail polish colors aren’t just sexy—they’re the hottest things you can put on your feet this summer. Now the hard part: choosing one.

Best of Beauty: Cheap Thrills

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makeup, skin care & hair: tips & tricks for a more beautiful you