I'm in My 30s, But I Still Love "Back to School" Shopping—16 Under-$50 Beauty Products I'd Buy for the Ultimate Fall Reset
An (affordable) upgrade.
If you know me, you know I love a seasonal reset. That's why, no less than four times a year, I set aside time to refresh my beauty routine, update my wellness regimen, and even re-decorate my living space. It helps me stay on track, achieve my annual goals, and stay present throughout the year.
The summer-to-fall reset is my favorite one, mostly because it's the one I need the most. After a summer full of social plans, short trips, long days, and late nights, my routine needs a massive overhaul. And since I'm a beauty editor, it's only natural that I start with my hair, skin, and makeup collection. Ahead, see the 16 beauty products I recommend buying for anyone who, like me, is in need of a major fall reset. Luckily, Walmart's Beauty Event is on now through September 4, and a selection of these editor-approved items are on sale. Let's go!
It wouldn't be a seasonal reset if I didn't switch up my go-to perfume. After a summer of sun-kissed solar scents and juicy citrus elixirs, I'm ready to return to a more classic and sophisticated category. Enter Gucci's Bloom Eau de Parfum. Described as a "contemporary" floral fragrance, it unfolds on the skin with rich, white-floral notes—think intoxicating tuberose and alluring jasmine. It smells fresh and vibrant, like a flower garden grasping onto the last golden rays of summer.
If you want full, plump lips, I can't recommend this derm and plastic surgeon-developed drugstore product enough. It's clinically proven to visibly enhance lip volume in as few as three minutes, and the results only get better when you use it over time. In a clinical study, 94% of participants saw a visible boost in lip volume in one week. It's all thanks to an elite combo of hyaluronic acid filling spheres and pro-collagen peptides that 1) define lip contours, 2) volumize on contact, and 3) smooth fine lines. It even provides up to 48 hours of hydration.
Summer is harsh on hair—months of UV exposure, heat, salt, and chlorine really add up. If you're like me, and seeing way too many split ends, I suggest adding this on-sale Olaplex duo to your cart. It includes the brand's iconic bond-repairing shampoo and conditioner for stronger, healthier-looking locks.
Beachy waves might cut it in the summer, but come fall, I want my hair to look healthy, polished, and downright expensive. That's why I'm eyeing Wavytalk's 5-in-1 Curling Iron Set. It includes four interchangeable ceramic curling wands and a thermal brush for big, bouncy hair.
I spend all summer on the beach, and despite my diligent sunscreen use, I still see signs of sun damage come fall. That's why I'm dedicating myself to a consistent retinol regimen. This is my #1 product. It features pure retinol and a comprehensive peptide complex (nine in total) to address wrinkles, fine lines, uneven texture, enlarged pores, discoloration, and more. It even features a micro-particle ingredient that's 16 times thinner than pores to facilitate skin absorption.
Breakouts often increase in the fall, due to a drop in heat and humidity, which makes the skin overcompensate with increased oil production. That's not to mention purging from retinol and exfoliants... So, I always recommend stocking up on pimple patches for SOS moments, and these are my favorite ones. The hydrocolloid material helps shrink breakouts fast.
PDRN is one of the trendiest skincare ingredients ATM, and for good reason. It's a compound famously derived from salmon sperm, but you can get versions of it from plant sources as well. It facilitates skin healing, increases collagen production, and reduces inflammation. In other words, it helps regenerate the skin, which is why I'm incorporating it into my fall beauty routine. This internet-viral serum uses salmon-derived PDRN as well as niacinamide and peptides to firm, hydrate, brighten, and illuminate the skin. It even fades hyperpigmentation and reduces pore visibility.
Don't forget Medicube's Collagen Jelly Cream, which is beloved by Megan Markle. It's specifically formulated to target dark spots and discoloration and uses hydrolyzed collagen and niacinamide to brighten, plump, and hydrate the skin—all with a fun, pink-jelly texture.
I *need* dry shampoo to keep my oily roots in check. This is one of my tried-and-true favorites. It absorbs sweat and oil for a just-washed feeling, without leaving anoverwhelming powdery residue behind. It doesn't leave my roots looking gray either. Did I mention it's talc-free?
Versace's Bright Crystal Eau de Toilette is iconic. Originally launched in 2006, this bright-floral fragrance is soft, sparkling, and traditionally feminine. Notes include yuzu, pomegranate, lotus, magnolia, peony, and amber. It's an alluring elixir that deserves even more attention than it already gets, and right now, you can snag it for more than 50% off.
My skin gets dry the second temperatures drop, which is why I'm boosting my fall body-care routine with Naturium's The Glow-Getter Multi-Oil Hydrating Body Wash. The cushiony texture cleans my skin without stripping it, and ingredients like squalane, glycerin, and a linoleic-rich oil blend make it feel silky soft.
I use vitamin C every single morning for antioxidant protection. Olay's Vitamin C Serum pairs the hero ingredient with peptides for a firmer, brighter complexion. And it doesn't smell or irritate my skin like other vitamin C serums. In fact, I look forward to its light, refreshing citrus scent.
My boss, AKA Who What Wear's Beauty Director, introduced me to this product and I've never looked back. It's clinically proven to improve firmness and elasticity on the neck and chest, thanks to Alpha-3 Peptide, bearberry, and clary sage extract. I have a pretty severe case of "tech neck," due to constantly staring down at my phone and computer screens, and this has majorly improved my sagging skin and horizontal lines...remind me to send her a thank you note.

Kaitlyn McLintock is a Beauty Editor at Who What Wear. She has 10 years of experience in the editorial industry, having previously written for other industry-leading publications, like Byrdie, InStyle, The Zoe Report, Bustle, and others. She covers all things beauty and wellness-related, but she has a special passion for creating skincare content (whether that's writing about an innovative in-office treatment, researching the benefits of a certain ingredient, or testing the latest and greatest at-home skin device). Having lived in Los Angeles, California, and Austin, Texas, she has since relocated back to her home state, Michigan. When she's not writing, researching, or testing beauty products, she's working through an ever-growing book collection or swimming in the Great Lakes.