A lot of expensive beauty products are surprisingly simple
…and when there’s a simple formula, it’s easy to reduce the excitement of the packaging and additives like higher-end fragrance (often just fluff in cosmetics, for example) and silicone fillers, etc.
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And I know everyone’s going to be shocked when I say it, but Walmart and Target have some very surprising options that compare directly to the expensive items.
Here are some of my faves right now:
This $6 hair thickening spray/volumizer (seems to be a Walmart exclusive (shipping is free for $35+ orders or Walmart members). It uses the same polymer technology as the $26 Color Wow Raise the Root system. They’re both excellent, the functional differences, IMO, are packaging, marketing and fragrance.
$10 L’Oreal highlighting product has the same formula backbone as the lookalike CHANEL baume that’s $49. The packaging on the cheaper one is meh, but the product itself is excellent and is very hard to tell apart from the high-end one. I personally like the “glassy pink ballet” shade.
This $13 Dove body wash is an absolute dream for very dry skin thanks to a 50% glycerin formula. It’s a direct riff, in my opinion, on the Prequel Gleanser that’s about $20… except I think Dove actually improved it and made it a bit better. And if you want to go even cheaper, this giant $10 bottle of Dove uses a similar concept but lightens it up a bit. Also excellent.
These $11 Vitamasques lip balms from Target (almost impossible to find elsewhere rn) mimic the formula and texture of the $24 Eadem balms everyone’s currently obsessing over. Buy whatever you like, but a $24 lip balm is silly to me.
Under $20 for an excellent peptide serum? Yes, this $19 L’Oreal formula rivals the Khiel’s serum (they both come from the same parent co and ingredients libraries, btw), but actually goes harder in my opinion thanks to the added peptides. The Khiel’s version is about $80+, btw.
$9ish for one of the best sulfate-free moisturizing shampoos I’ve seen… and not enough people are talking about it. Safe for color/chemically treated hair, directly rivals the Pureology Hydrate like ($38 for those shampoos!). Again, same parent company and ingredients libraries. Biggest differences, in my opinion, are packaging, fragrance and a handful of botanical additives that may/may not have meaningful impact on hair.
A Bottega leather queen stepped aside and is doing her own thing now
And if you like the classic, often minimalist design of Bottega Veneta, you’ll love these options (and their prices). A little background here:
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Pieces designed by Valeria:
Please note these pieces are good quality leather, but NOT the same grades/finishing as Bottega. You’re buying good quality and great design, which is how you’re getting far more affordable price points.
My biggest gripe? The website doesn’t offer pics of the interiors, but the bags I’ve seen in person have been worth their price. I cannot vouch for every single bag though, because frankly, I haven’t seen all of them.
Soft Rialto Flap Bag ($418/free shipping and returns): Several different colors and leather finishes available, including a soft tan suede and a rich, dark waxed leather that looks like a dream for fall/winter
Convertible Tote in Leather/Suede ($648/free shipping and returns): This bag just looks expensive, but damn it, it’s incredibly practical, too.
Duomo Hobo Bag ($332/free shipping and returns): I love this one, and it’s one of the cheaper options.
NOT Valeria’s pieces, but also excellent Bottega-like pieces from Quince (continuing last week’s convo):
Woven leather shoulder bag ($120/free shipping)
Kaia crossbody in leather ($104/free shipping) …she’s small-but-mighty and transitions well thanks to the removable strap
Elodie woven leather shoulder bag ($168/free shipping)
Woven suede satchel ($158/free shipping)
Important towels note
Wayyyy back in newsletter #42, I explained what to look for in high-quality towels and how to care for them properly. I learned some pretty cool stuff during my time as home editor at Reader’s Digest, and I love sharing those tidbits with you. (Obviously feel free to request topics!)
Anywho, the big things to look for (if we’re making it super simple):
Extra long staple or long staple cotton (Turkish, Egyptian, Pima and Supima are automatically extra long staple)
Good GSM numbers. GSM =grams per square meter, a measurement of the towel’s overall weight (and that translates to thickness, fluffiness and often the fiber quality)
Towels that don’t specify cotton origin/type or GSM are typically junk, IMO. And please NEVER go for the blend towels (sorry, Target shoppers… they’re sneaky with towels!). They’ll get ruined quickly and they tend to STINK because synthetics trap and hold odors. More on that another time.
Anywho, some of my absolute faves are on sale right now so I’m sharing:
TOP PICK: Brooklinen Super Plush (bundles are currently 30% off, each large towel is well below $40/free shipping). 100% Turkish cotton, wildly high 770 GSM. The name “super plush” is incredibly accurate. These also put most Frette options to shame (which is wild bc those start at about $200/each).
Runner-up: Lands End Supima Cotton Towels (on sale for 40% off with code DENIM at checkout). These come in tons of colors, can be monogrammed, are made from excellent quality American-grown Supima extra long staple cotton and hold up for years. They’re medium weight and fairly easy to care for.
Discount codes for you
If you’re new here, you’re welcome to request topics or get me to do the dirty work of begging brands for discount codes for you. They don’t always do it, but they often will because they know this newsletter is positive press for ‘em, so yay!
I started a master collection here and you can keep checking it to see what’s updated each day (I try to add new ones every day or so), but here are some of my personal faves:
Additional 15% off at Perelel. Use code “BRYCE15” at checkout. I personally love the perimenopause vitamins/supplements, but they can be expensive, so the code is great <3
$75 off literally any mattress/pillow purchase at Leesa. Can be stacked on top of sale items! Use code “BRYCE75” at checkout. The Chill mattress is excellent if you’re a hot sleeper and want some additional back support!
10% off anything/everything at Organic Basics. Can be stacked on top of sale/clearance. Use code “BRYCEGRUBER10” at checkout. You know I’m wildly in love with the organic cotton underwear, but the tops/tanks are also 10/10. And the “LAST CHANCE” section is a treasure trove right now, but also I want to tell you I own this cotton blend cardigan. Love it more than I can express. Currently under $50 with the coupon code. It was much more expensive when I got it in May, agh.
15% off at Dedcool. Code “BRYCE15” is the ticket. The Mineral Milk perfume is definitely having a moment of stardom. Very clean/fresh (and currently trendy).
30% off at Brooklyn Bedding. Can be used on top of sale prices to get you steeper discounts (so if the sale is 20% off, the code will bring you higher to a total of 30%… it’s their biggest available discount and I basically peed on myself when they let me have it). Use it on anything, but I love the cooling Aurora mattress and the very affordable Signature Hybrid (compares to much more expensive hybrids and has an excellent warranty/return policy/sleep trial).
For the new subscribers, you may be looking for these links:
Newsletter #60 explored the leather bags from The Row and viable alternatives that are way cheaper/formidable quality.
And several of you wrote to me saying “THANKS!” for the tip on this mattress topper—worth every penny. If you need a whole new mattress though, this Helix is my personal fave and one that I own <3
From newsletter #63, the cotton-linen quilt set (from $160/set): Easily worth twice the price. 100% natural fibers, well-made, comes as a bundle and is perfect for warmer months, transitional seasons, etc. Machine washes with ease. NO POLY FILL!
This Splendid Puff top from newsletter #53 is a direct riff on the Doen broderie pieces that start at about $300. This one, even at full price, is over 60% less expensive, more versatile and super cute. (Make sure you use the extra 15% off code that pops up on the site for a steeper discount). And not that anyone asked, but I just think this brand is reliably wonderful in terms of styles and quality.
I keep newsletters open and free for the first month they’re published, but after about 4.5 weeks, they end up in the paid-access-only archives (this prevents bots and copycats from stealing my work, which, yes—has become a bit of an issue.)
Ahead of everyone else… this is important! Mason Pearson alternative <3
I’ll make a video on this in the coming few days, but I got a reader request for an alternative to the very popuular but also very expensive Mason Pearson brush (like $200-500 per brush).
I’m going to do a full video next week on why that brush line is so expensive and what you’re looking for, but I have a feeling I’m going to sell out the MUCH cheaper alternative when I post it.
So, ahead of that story, I’m giving everyone first dibs on this functional alternative that offers ALL THE QUALITY but under $40.
Same boar/synthentic bristle mix, but the handle is machine finished (does that really matter to you or your hair?). The end result is pretty much identical for tresses.
Natural boar bristles and nylon pins: Same fundamental mixed-bristle concept as Mason Pearson’s popular mixed models, and that’s what you’re looking for.
Air-cushioned pad: Same basic pneumatic/cushioned brushing concept (this is part of why it feels nice as you brush!).
