I Don't Feel Bad Spending My Money on These $25-or-Less Summer Beauty Products
I take my summer beauty prep seriously. So far, I refreshed my highlights, went in for a glow-boosting facial, and booked a mani and pedi. (The latter is necessary before breaking out all of my summer sandals.) All of this is expensive, and once it's complete, I don't necessarily have extra cash lying around. While I'm fine with making an investment when it comes to some particular high-end beauty products, I still want to save money where I can.
Lucky for me, Ulta's Memorial Day Sale is happening right now. There are hundreds of beauty products on sale—453 to be exact. I scrolled through all of them. Yep, I spent over an hour looking through Ulta's sale section with the goal of creating a great big shopping guide. Ahead, see all 18 beauty products I'm snagging while I still can. My summer beauty prep has officially been sorted.
This do-it-all product from Jennifer Aniston's haircare brand is a personal favorite. Get ready. It detangles, boosts shine, smooths, and protects against heat and environmental damage all in one spritz.
Don't sleep on these eye shadows. They're so affordable, yet they deliver intense color and shine. You won't find a beauty editor that doesn't back these.
A 100% mineral formula, this SPF 50 sunscreen is silky-sheer and fast-absorbing and provides up to 80 minutes of sweat and water resistance. It's a must for hot summer days.
Fresh eye makeup brushes that come in a handy (not to mention sleek!) carrying case? Yes, please!
I love a good facial roller. Not only does it feel nice, but it helps cool and de-puff the skin, sculpt facial contours, and encourage lymphatic drainage. I'm definitely incorporating this into my morning and/or nightly skincare routine.
These eye shadow sticks are so creamy, blendable, and easy to use. I'm buying the shade Magnetic Pink while it's on sale. It's giving Y2K vibes in the best way.
Summertime shaving can cause some serious skin issues, including redness, razor burn, and those dreaded ingrown hairs. Not only do they look unsightly, but they can hurt. To avoid them, I'm adding this exfoliating scrub to my cart. The lightweight sugar scrub clears pores and contains a blend of hydrating oils to keep the skin smooth and bright.
If it's dark spots you struggle with, I recommend this brightening version of the aforementioned scrub. It uses lemon peel oil to brighten hyperpigmentation. It adds a fresh, summery scent as well.
Speaking of summertime shaving, this is the dual-ended razor-trimmer combo I'll be using. It hits the sweet spot between affordable and effective, and I swear it's cut down on the number of ingrown hairs I get.
If a Beautyblender is as important to your makeup routine as it is to mine, I recommend stocking up on a few fresh ones while they're one sale. This is one of those practical beauty buys I love.
Lately, I've been loving brown eyeliner instead of black. It adds just as much definition, yet it looks softer and more natural against my blue eyes. This one is currently 50% off, so you know I'm getting it.
BeautyStat Cosmetics makes one of my favorite skincare products, the Universal C Skin Refiner. (It's also on sale right now, FYI.) It's also Hailey Bieber's favorite vitamin C serum. Since I'm all stocked up on it right now, I'm devoting part of my shrinking skincare budget to the brand's microbiome-supporting cleanser. It uses gentle coconut surfactants to clear oil and debris from pores while high-tech ingredients strengthen the skin's natural microbiome.
A lightweight skin cream is what my skin craves each summer. This one has a lightweight, cooling texture; keeps my skin plump and hydrated with cactus water; and never clogs my pores.
I use an ice roller all year round, but it becomes a critical part of my morning routine in the summertime. That's because I'm usually up late, eating and drinking salty things, and I wake up with a bloated, puffy face. That's not to mention how high heat can make redness worse.
This foundation is apparently one of Olivia Rodrigo's favorites. The clean formula offers lightweight, buildable coverage and anti-pollution skincare benefits. It comes in 43 shades.
One-half hydrating stick and one-half highlighter, this skin-loving product is infused with snow mushroom—an all-star hydrating ingredient. That means it glides across the skin, boosting moisture levels, while a subtle sheen boosts your glow.
Treat and prevent summertime body breakouts with this skin-cleansing and -clearing wash. It uses CBD and salicylic acid to remove dirt, debris, and excess oil from the pores.
Repeat after me: Cleaning your makeup brushes is necessary and should happen regularly! That's especially true for anyone with acne-prone skin since dirt and bacteria can accumulate on the bristles and then make it into your pores. I'm adding this handy little brush cleaning mat to my cart. It has four textures to thoroughly clean each brush head.
Kaitlyn McLintock is an Associate Beauty Editor at Who What Wear. Although she covers a wide range of topics across a variety of categories, she specializes in celebrity interviews and skincare and wellness content. Having lived in Los Angeles and Austin, Texas, she recently relocated back to her home state of Michigan where she works remotely. Prior to Who What Wear, she freelanced for a variety of industry-leading digital publications, including InStyle, The Zoe Report, Bustle, Hello Giggles, and Coveteur. Before that, she held a long-term internship and subsequent contributor position at Byrdie. When she's not writing, researching, or testing the latest and greatest beauty products, she's working her way through an ever-growing book collection, swimming in the Great Lakes, or spending time with family.
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