Photographer: Jacq Harriet; Fashion stylist: Herin Choi; Hair: Eric R. Williams; Makeup: Mariko Herano; Models: Laura at Elite, Cory at New Pandemics, Aalyah at IMG
There's no denying that the drugstore beauty aisle has gotten some upgrades in the past few years. Next to the simple cleansers and moisturizers you can now find retinol and hyaluronic acid serums. Makeup brands are keeping up with emerging trends, including with skin tint and cream blush launches. And the hair-care aisle has gotten a few reboots with more options for curls and coils.
Besides these upgrades, many of us rely on drugstore products — whether for a childhood staple we can't let go of or the need to quickly buy a matte lipstick before going out with friends — for convenience and affordability. It's part of the reason why we have our Steals category. Amid testing hundreds of products for the annual Best of Beauty Awards, we get to give an extra shout-out to the products that blew our minds without stressing our bank accounts.
Our only requirement for the Steals category: The product has to be $11 or less. (We raised it by $1 from last year to ensure we're getting every product we can.) The category is divided into four subcategories: body, hair, makeup, and skin — and we have a feeling you're going to enjoy our picks, such as the hyaluronic-acid infused Maybelline New York Lifter Lip Gloss and Pantene's hydrating Miracle Intense Rescue Shots.
Without further delay, here are the 2021 Allure Best of Beauty Award winners in the Steals category. Enjoy the savings. —Gabi Thorne
All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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When hair looks fuzzy and dull, tiny breaks in the cuticle are to blame. The proteins in Tresemmé Keratin Repair Shampoo and Conditioner restore sleekness by plugging up those microscopic holes — for a microscopic fee.
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In the Suave Smooth Performer Shampoo and Conditioner duo, the conditioner's amino acids are amazing at repairing damage, while the sulfate-free shampoo is equally gifted at building lather.
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Plenty of factors contribute to brassiness in blonde hair: sun exposure, minerals in tap water, styling products. The purple pigments in OGX Blonde Enhance + Purple Toning Shampoo get to the root of the problem by neutralizing yellow undertones.
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The bouncy Herbal Essences Argan Oil & Aloe Botanical Repairing Mask adds softness and luster without dragging down curls or flattening fine hair.
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Creamy in texture, crammed with moisture, and unwilling to fade or feather, the lush cherry bullet of Revlon Colorstay Ultimate Suede in Couture checks all the boxes on our fantasy lipstick Bingo card.
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Applied once a week in the shower, the perfectly measured dose of lipids, glycerin, and amino acids in the Pantene Pro-V Intense Rescue Shot boosts moisture, seals split ends, and inoculates hair against future damage.
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Mist on the lightweight Hask Tea Tree Oil & Rosemary 5-in-1 Leave-In Spray to calm your scalp, polish flyaways, undo tangles — the list is staggering, but the price isn't.
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With a texture that falls somewhere between a pomade and a lotion (a potion!), the leave-in Aussie Miracle Coils Stretching Cream organizes curls and elongates tight spirals.
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The oversize brush of E.L.F. Cosmetics Big Mood Mascara has more than 200 bristles (we consulted the company) that work to inflate every last lash (we consulted the mirror).
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The precise tip of Flower Beauty The Skinny Microbrow Pencil delivers such fine strokes, it's impossible to tell where the pigment ends and your brows begin — which is really the entire point.
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The Maybelline New York Lifter Gloss formula, packed with hyaluronic acid, provides intense moisture and shine. When the gleam fades, the suppleness stays for hours.
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The delicate fluid of CoverGirl Clean Fresh Skin Milk Foundation is made with coconut milk and aloe vera and disappears the second you start blending, creating an even canvas with a dewy finish.
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The Essence Fix & Last 18H Make-Up Fixing Spray keeps your makeup looking fresh and newly applied for up to 18 hours — that's the length of a flight from New York to Singapore — for roughly the price of a round-trip subway ride.
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Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser was on the first-ever Best of Beauty winners list in 1996 and it's still here for a reason: hydrating ingredients gentle for sensitive skin but powerful enough to remove makeup. (One thing that's different, though: The 2021 formula is paraben-free.)
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Buffered by vitamin B and cushioned in glycerin, the retinol in Pond's Rejuveness Lifting & Brightening Eye Cream goes easy on the eyes as it smooths fine lines and crepiness.
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Filled with antioxidant turmeric and natural butters, the unassuming tube of Burt's Bees Rescue Balm delivers the relief of the goopiest salve — with a texture to rival the smoothest satin.
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We all know about retinol's ability to diminish wrinkles — and its reputation for irritating skin. The lightweight serum of The Inkey List Retinol releases the molecule at a deliberately slow rate, delivering all its magic while minimizing the abrasive side effects.
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Any humble scrub can polish skin. But the Japanese-inspired Bioré Brightening Exfoliating Scrub elevates exfoliation to an art form with yuzu lemon (to brighten tone) and dragon fruit (to refine texture).
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Second only to exiling your zit to an Alpine retreat, the cooling St. Ives Acne Control Spot Treatment works at a brisk clip, quelling redness and reducing swelling with icy menthol and salicylic acid.
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A sink-side staple with the presence (and essence) of a fancy guest soap, Baylis & Harding Goodness Rose & Geranium Hand Wash coddles skin with essential oils and a dewy, floral scent.
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Containing anti-inflammatory ingredients and 2 percent salicylic acid, the Alba Botanica Acnedote Face & Body Scrub is versatile enough to use on your face and body, leaving no pore unpurged.
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With shea butter and oils, the remarkably lightweight Nivea Breathable Body Lotion is like a deep inhale for your skin, leaving it more supple and refreshed. (We can't get enough of the Tropical Breeze scent.)
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Hydrating enough to bolster your moisture barrier and light enough to slather on your hands, the nongreasy Jergens Ultra Healing+ Hand & Body Cream keeps limbs silky and screens pristine.
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