Explore affordable beauty products from Sunday Riley, Kopari, BYOMA, and more. Nothing against Disney World, but we firmly believe Target is the happiest place on Earth.
What’s better than taking a leisurely stroll through the aisles (after treating yourself to a Starbucks Bee’s coffee, of course) and filling up your cart with all the essentials on your shopping list, plus a variety of other items?
Do you find fun treats along the way? We don’t believe so.
Not only is it a top destination for trendy home decor and fun fashion collaborations, but it’s also a great place to shop all things beauty. “On TikTok, you’ll find everything from the hottest brands to up-and-coming new brands to clean brands, in every price range,” says beauty expert and esthetician Erica Marie Gatt.
One of the best ways to find affordable beauty products and discover top brands is to shop Target’s extensive collection of beauty kits. With a variety of options in every category, there’s something for everyone (or at least a lot of something).
You’ll be surprised to see how Target has repositioned itself as a destination for TikTok beauty discoveries, celebrity makeup artist favorites, and dermatologist-loved skin care.
Because we never sleep on beauty trends, we enlisted a beauty expert to help us spend a few hours researching the best beauty sets at Target, from bath and body accessories to makeup and skin care sets.
Overall, here are the best bath and body sets from Kopari Forever Faves. Coconut oil is the star product of this brand, and you can shop three of their best-selling products here.
There’s a delicious body scrub that uses crushed coconut shells and brown sugar to remove dead skin cells, and an intense lip gloss that will leave your lips hydrated and perfectly glossy. But what’s our favorite addition?
Their coconut oil is basically pure coconut oil that works wonders for dry cuticles and can be used as a body butter, hair mask, and more. Best Skincare Sunday Riley Good Genes Power Couple Mini Set
This is Gat’s favorite product, and he says this duo can brighten your complexion. The kit includes the retinol-based Luna Sleeping Night Oil and the brand’s popular Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment (a longtime favorite of the Byrdie team).
Although they’re smaller products, they’re perfect for on-the-go and offer an inexpensive way to try out recipes before investing in their more expensive full-sized counterparts. Best Makeup Brushes Moda Brush Pro Full Face 13-Piece Makeup Brush Set
With this thing, you’ll never have to buy makeup brushes again. It comes in every size and shape you need or want, from an angled eyeliner brush to a fan brush perfect for highlighting to a dome-shaped blending option.
They’re all made with vegan, cruelty-free synthetic bristles that work equally well with cream and powder formulas, and we love that they come with a carrying case to store your brush arsenal. Best Budget Moisturizer
BYOMA Starter Skincare Set For less than $20, this three-piece set includes just about everything you need for your skincare routine (the only thing missing is sunscreen). The brand’s skin-barrier-strengthening formula is moisturizing, gentle, alcohol-free, and fragrance-free, making it a top choice for nearly every skin type.
Here, you get a jelly cleanser, a hydrating serum, and a gel moisturizer, all in one pretty box. The Best Olive and June Select Nail Polish Set. Anyone who loves a DIY manicure will love this set. You get three of the brand’s best-selling shades — a classic red, a sheer nude, and a bubblegum pink — plus a super-shiny, long-lasting top coat. All of the bottles are full-sized, which is always a win for us, and while this set doesn’t include a nail tool, the brand makes a set that’s also available at Target.
Best for Men: Bevel Men’s Skincare Set Don’t fall for Target’s selection of men’s grooming products. Case in point: This set has basically everything he needs for an effective skincare routine: a cleanser, daily exfoliating pads (also great for preventing ingrown hairs), and a gel moisturizer. These formulas are perfect for normal, oily, or acne-prone skin types.
BEST: CleanPacifica Vegan Collagen Facial Another one of Gait’s recommendations: “This is the perfect skincare trio for moisturizing, plumping, and hydrating while traveling,” she says. There are a few cleansers, night creams, and patches that are perfect for reducing puffiness around the eyes and smoothing laugh lines around the mouth. Not only are all the products effective, but they’re clean, too — Target has its own “clean” standard, making it easy for those seeking more natural alternatives to find products that meet their needs. BEST Scent is Frenshe Mood Lift Fragrance Discovery Kit Looking for a new signature scent? Scent kits like this one are the perfect place to start your search.
Try five different scents; each is named after a specific state of mind or mood and offers a unique combination of different notes. They also blend well if you like to mix and match, not to mention the little bottles
They’re TSA-approved, making them perfect for travel. BEST HairPattern Carry-On Kit Travel-sized products aren’t necessarily the most sustainable, but these are the exception to the rule — each little tube is refillable. This set
Contains shampoo, conditioner, and leave-in conditioner, perfect for all textures of curly, kinky, and curly hair.
How fun is the packaging?
Best for EyesIt Cosmetics Beautiful Together Eye Defining Trio “This trio has almost everything you need to create a perfect eye look,” Getter says of another of her favorite products. It includes mascara (which is
Both volumizing and lengthening, we might add), an ultra-pigmented, smudge-proof eyeliner, and a brow pencil. Notably, the brow pencil comes in a universal shade that works for all hair colors. Best for
Lips: Nudestix Everyday Lip Nudes Mini Kit “I love long-lasting, non-drying, smudge-proof lip products, especially in neutrals like these,” says Gatt (which include dusky pink, deep berry, and rose.) The mini size
This lipstick trio fits perfectly in your handbag and even comes with a sharpener and mirror to make application easier than ever. Best Lip Tint Set Peripera Ink Velvet Longwear Lip Tint and Lip Liner Set Peripera is a makeup brand known for its vibrant and innovative lip products. The popular Velvet Longwear Lip Tint set comes with a matching lip liner and is available at Target for less than $20. Whether you’re looking for a pop of color for a special occasion or for everyday use, you’ll love how it applies like a lightweight mousse to coat your lips with rich color.
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
