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Our Picks: 15 Holy Grail Beauty Products All Under $40 on August 14, 2023 at 1:48 pm Us Weekly

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Us Weekly has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services.

As a member of the media covering beauty and style, I’ve been lucky enough to sample products from many luxury brands. But at the end of the day, most of my all-time faves are budget-friendly finds from the drugstore. I firmly believe that you do not have to spend a fortune to look your best!

Below are 15 of my holy grails, from skincare staples to makeup must-haves. All of these items are under $40 each so you can get glam without breaking the bank. Shop my go-to picks below!

L’Oréal Paris Lumi Glotion

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L’Oréal Paris

An affordable alternative to the cult-favorite Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter, this L’Oréal Paris Lumi Glotion is a tinted liquid highlighter that gives your skin a luminous glow. I’ve been using this dewy lotion as my foundation all summer, and I love how it delivers dewy hydration with color.

Supergoop Glowscreen Sunscreen

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I’m ashamed to admit that I only started incorporating SPF into my daily skincare routine about a year ago. Not only does this Supergoop! Glowscreen sunscreen have anti-aging benefits, but it also primes my makeup with a pearlescent glow. Obsessed!
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Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask

LANEIGE

Celebs and customers can’t get enough of this Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask! The bestselling lip balm is juicy and hydrating — never sticky! Your lips will feel soft, smooth and supple overnight.

Maybelline Master Precise Eyeliner

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MAYBELLINE

I’ve been perfecting my cat eye since Lauren Conrad debuted her signature look on ‘The Hills.’ And this is the liquid eyeliner I swear by to achieve the look!

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer

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Sick of your eyeshadow smearing after a night out? This base primer from Urban Decay is an absolute game-changer for long-lasting staying power and creaseless color!
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L’Oréal Paris True Match Powder

L’Oréal Paris

I was first introduced to this L’Oréal Paris True Match Powder over a decade ago, and it’s still my go-to powder on the go. Each compact contains blendable powder, an applicator sponge and a mirror so you can touch up your makeup while you’re out. Say goodbye to shine with this mattifying powder!

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser

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Cetaphil

I have very sensitive skin, so this Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser is the only product that won’t irritate my complexion. Dermatologist-recommended!

CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion

CeraVe

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Even though this is technically a PM moisturizer, I use this CeraVe lotion any time of day! This ultra-lightweight cream makes my skin feel soft and hydrated.

Lumify Redness Reliever Eye Drops

LUMIFY

A former ‘Bachelor’ contestant told me about these magical whitening eye drops that reduce redness immediately. Whenever I wake up with bloodshot eyes, these Lumify eye drops make me look alert and awake within seconds!
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$11.97
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It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer

IT Cosmetics

Ladies with mature skin, this one’s for you! This It It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer is my favorite concealer I’ve ever tried. Creamy with full coverage, this concealer covers up my wrinkles, eye bags and discoloration. Highly recommend!

Nars Mini Blush & Bronzer Duo

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Orgasm blush and Laguna bronzer — the dynamic duo. This travel-size compact features two cult-favorite products from Nars that I can’t live without.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz Pencil

This dual-sided Brow Wiz from Anastasia Beverly Hills includes an eyebrow pencil and spoolie brush. This mechanical pencil shapes, defines and fills in your brows like a boss!

Charlotte Tilbury Lip Liner in Pillow Talk

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There’s a reason every influencer raves about this Charlotte Tilbury Lip Liner (especially in the shade Pillow Talk). The formula is creamy and the pencil glides on like a dream. Plus, Pillow Talk is a classic nude color that flatters every skin tone!

Laneige Water Sleeping Mask

LANEIGE

If you love the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask (see above), then you’ll also adore the Water Sleeping Mask! This face mask hydrates, brightens and softens skin — it’s like slugging without the stickiness.
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$32.00
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Grace and Stella Gold Eye Masks

Grace & Stella

Tired of waking up to puffy eyes? Try these gold eye masks from Grace and Stella! These individually-wrapped gels reduce wrinkles, under-eye bags and dark circles. It’s like a spa treatment from the comfort of your own home! I typically apply these popular masks on the day of a big event.

Not done shopping? See more of our favorite products below:

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This post is brought to you by Us Weekly’s Shop With Us team. The Shop With Us team aims to highlight products and services our readers might find interesting and useful, such as wedding-guest outfits, purses, plus-size swimsuits, women’s sneakers, bridal shapewear, and perfect gift ideas for everyone in your life. Product and service selection, however, is in no way intended to constitute an endorsement by either Us Weekly or of any celebrity mentioned in the post.

The Shop With Us team may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. In addition, Us Weekly receives compensation from the manufacturer of the products we write about when you click on a link and then purchase the product featured in an article. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product or service is featured or recommended. Shop With Us operates independently from the advertising sales team. We welcome your feedback at ShopWithUs@usmagazine.com. Happy shopping!

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Us Weekly has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services. As a member of the media covering beauty and style, I’ve been lucky enough to sample products from many luxury brands. But at the end of the day, most of my all-time faves are budget-friendly finds from the 

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Kim and Kanye’s Daughter North West Faces Criticism Over Her Tattoos

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North West, the 12-year-old daughter of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, is under the spotlight once again — this time for showing off a collection of tattoos that set social media on fire. In recent photos and videos circulating online, North was seen with several arm designs, including tributes to her parents and fashion-inspired symbols. While fans were quick to admire her bold style, not everyone was impressed.

Critics argue that the tattoos — even though they appear to be temporary — are another example of celebrity children being pushed into adult trends too early. Comments flooded social media platforms, with some users saying Kim allows North too much freedom, while others defended the reality star’s parenting approach, praising her for letting her daughter explore creativity and self-expression.

“Kids should be kids,” one commenter wrote, reflecting a broader sentiment among parents online. Meanwhile, supporters pointed out that North comes from one of the most fashion-forward families in the world and that experimenting with style is part of her upbringing.

Kim Kardashian has not directly addressed the controversy, but she has often spoken about encouraging her children to express themselves authentically. North, already known for her viral TikTok appearances and fashion collaborations, seems unfazed by the criticism.

At just 12, North West continues to blur the lines between youth culture and celebrity identity — reminding the public that in the Kardashian–West household, individuality isn’t just allowed, it’s celebrated.

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Jennifer Lopez’s Ex Fires Back: “You Are the Problem”

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Ojani Noa Accuses J.Lo of Cheating After “Never Been Loved” Comments

Jennifer Lopez is once again at the center of a media storm — but this time, it’s her first husband, Ojani Noa, turning up the heat. Following Lopez’s recent Howard Stern Show interview, in which she claimed she has “never been truly loved” by any of her exes, Noa has publicly accused the superstar of cheating and playing the victim.

In the viral Instagram post that has now spread across major outlets like TMZ and New York Post, Noa didn’t hold back.

“Stop putting us down. Stop putting me down with your victim card,” he wrote. “The problem is not us. Not me. The problem is you. You’re the one who couldn’t keep it in your pants.”

“You Chose Fame and Lies Over Love”

Noa and Lopez were married briefly from 1997 to 1998, before her rise to Hollywood superstardom. In his explosive statement, he accused her of being unfaithful during their marriage, claiming she prioritized fame over their relationship.

“You have been loved a few times. You’ve been married four times. And have had countless relationships in between,” Noa continued. “You decided to lie, to cheat on me. You begged me to keep the marriage intact to avoid bad press.”

Noa described himself as “faithful, honest, and loving,” saying he uprooted his life and career to support Lopez at the beginning of her entertainment journey. “I left my family, my friends, everything behind for you,” he wrote, “but once fame came calling, you left me behind.”​

Lopez Silent Amid Growing Backlash

As of now, Jennifer Lopez has not publicly responded to Noa’s allegations. During her Howard Stern interview, the singer and actress claimed her former partners “weren’t capable” of loving her, saying, “It’s not that I’m not lovable… it’s that they’re not capable.”

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Her remarks were widely interpreted as referencing all of her ex-husbands — including Marc Anthony, Cris Judd, and Ben Affleck — but it was Noa who reacted first and most forcefully. His comments have ignited widespread debate online, with many questioning whether Lopez’s honesty came at the expense of others’ reputations.

Public Response and Media Fallout

The online reaction has been intense, with social media users split between defending Lopez’s right to share her truth and blasting her for allegedly rewriting history. Meanwhile, entertainment analysts note that the controversy adds to an increasingly turbulent year for the singer, following canceled tours, underperforming films, and ongoing scrutiny over her marriage to Affleck.

This latest backlash has also reignited conversations about Lopez’s highly publicized romantic history. As tabloids and fans speculate whether more exes might respond, the situation underscores an old truth in celebrity culture — that every candid confession comes with consequences.

For now, Jennifer Lopez remains silent. But in the court of public opinion, the debate about who’s really at fault in her love story is only just beginning.

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Selling Your Soul in Hollywood: The Hidden Cost of Fame

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By all appearances, Hollywood is a dream factory — a place where charisma, talent, and luck collide to create stars. But behind the camera lights and red carpets lies a conversation few inside the industry speak openly about: the spiritual and moral price of ambition.

For actor Omar Gooding, the idea of “selling your soul” in Hollywood isn’t a metaphor — it’s a moral process that begins with tiny compromises. In an October 2025 interview, Gooding explained that no one in Hollywood makes a literal deal with the devil. Instead, it’s the quiet yeses, the moments when comfort overrides conviction, that mark the beginning of the trade. “They don’t say, ‘Take this or you’ll never make it,’” he said. “They just put it in front of you. You choose.”

Those choices, he argues, create a pattern. Once you show that you’ll accept something you once resisted, the industry notices. “Hollywood knows who it can get away with what,” Gooding said. “One thing always leads to another.” The phrase “selling your soul,” in this context, means losing your say — doing what you’re told rather than what you believe in.

That moral tension has long shadowed the arts. Comedians like Dave Chappelle, who famously walked away from millions to preserve his creative integrity, often serve as examples of where conviction and career collide. In resurfaced interviews, Chappelle hinted that he felt manipulated and silenced by powerful figures who sought control of his narrative, warning that “they’re trying to convince me I’m insane.”

This isn’t just about conspiracy — it’s about agency. Hollywood runs on perception. Performers are rewarded for being agreeable, moldable, entertaining. Those who question the machine or refuse the script risk exile, while those who conform are elevated — sometimes beyond what they can handle.

We see the ‘collections’ all the time,” Gooding explained. “When the bill comes due, you can tell. They made that deal long ago.”

But the story doesn’t end in darkness. Gooding also emphasizes that in today’s entertainment landscape, artists have more control than ever. With streaming, social media, and creator‑driven platforms, performers don’t have to “play the game” to be seen. Independent creators can build their own stages, speak their own truths, and reach millions without trading authenticity for access.

Still, the temptation remains — recognition, validation, quick success. And every generation of artists must answer the same question: What are you willing to do for fame?

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As Gooding put it, “You just make the best choices you can. Because once it’s gone — your name, your peace, your soul — there’s no buying it back.”

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