Under-$50 Beauty Products at Nordstrom That Are Editor-Loved

When you’ve been writing about beauty for a decade and have tested thousands of products along the way, you encounter a lot of duds. Save for true fiascos, subpar products are, frankly, forgettable. Instead, my mental Rolodex stores information on products I’ve deemed good over the years; the very good become my recommendations to friends and fodder for stories. 

…Then, there are the truly exceptional—in some cases, inimitable—products; products that give me butterflies with each use, and break my heart when I run out.

Fortunately, Nordstrom—which carries an excellent array of beauty brands—is only a click away. Recently, I happened upon the retailer’s beauty under-$50 section, which features little luxuries, including 15 of my holy grail makeup and skin care essentials.

Best Under-$50 Makeup at Nordstrom

Pat McGrath MatteTrance Lipstick 

Pat McGrath makes a damn good red. Case in point: Taylor Swift’s signature lip look is thanks to the brand’s Elson 4 shade. Unsurprisingly, the singer’s signature rouge is rarely in stock, but I’d argue my go-to—a close cousin of Swifts, the original Elson—is equally covetable. The creamy, blue-based crimson has a smile-brightening effect, and is among the few that my (blonde) twin sister and I find flattering. The formula feels light on the lips, and is, somehow, less prone to smearing than most red lipsticks I’ve tried. 

Westman Atelier Face Trace Contour Stick

When Michelle Pfeiffer deemed Westman Atelier’s blush one of her “all time favorites,” I procured the brand’s best-sellers post haste. Verdict: I second Pfeiffer’s praise for the product, yet, it’s the brand’s contour stick that’s truly tickled me pink. Creamy, mess-free, and a breeze to apply, it blends seamlessly into skin, and nails the greige undertones of an actual shadow. In turn, it imparts a believable cheek-sculpting, jaw-chiseling effect.

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat Awakening Concealer Click Pen

Shadows exist only in the presence of light. In addition to the aforementioned contour stick, YSL’s classic, brush-on illuminator is a must. Housed in a twist-up, pen-like applicator, the formula dispenses via soft, flexible bristles. The diminutive brushhead facilitates mess-free, targeted application to tricky areas, including the inner corners of the eyes, the cupid’s bow, and browbone.

Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick

Fact: Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillowtalk lipstick is worth stockpiling. Designed to flatter every skin tone, the mauvey-pink shade also complements any outfit I’ve ever paired it with, and I keep a tube in three of my most-used purses. I’m hardly alone in my love for the famous lippie: Amal Clooney, brand Ambassador Kate Moss, and countless other notables have donned the hue, too. 

Best Under-$50 Skin Care at Nordstrom

Sunday Riley C.E.O. Glow Vitamin C + Turmeric Face Oil 

This brightening serum is so good, I can hardly blame my sister for “accidentally” taking mine home with her after a recent visit. Hailing from an Oprah-approved brand, the formula features a particularly potent, glow-giving form of vitamin C, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate. Turmeric doubles down on its brightening benefits, which are evident both instantly and over time. 

Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm 

This dense, oil-packed cleanser removes all traces of the (15+) products I use daily—without stripping my naturally dry skin of much-needed moisture. In fact, my face is significantly softer post-use, thanks in part to jojoba oil and shea butter. Lavender and eucalyptus oils create a spa-like experience that make cleansing more ritual than chore.

Fresh Rose and Hyaluronic Acid Deep Hydration Moisturizer 

This delicate, fast-absorbing face cream packs serious quenching power thanks to hyaluronic acid. Within seconds, it plumps fine lines, deposits a weightless dewiness, and smooths rough texture. Rose extract, known to soothe irritation, leaves skin balanced and petal-soft.

Shop more of my all-time beauty favorites, all under $50, below. 

Dior Addict Lip Glow Balm

Armani beauty Luminous Silk Hydrating & Brightening Concealer 

Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Oil