Does Dollar Tree sell elf cosmetics?

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Dollar Tree may have raised their prices to $1.25, but that buck and a quarter can still get you some amazing steals, including on brand-name makeup. Beauty influencers have been hitting the dollar store chain and coming away with quite a haul. From an amazing and usually-expensive eyeshadow palette to basics like lip gloss, blush, and a blending sponge, items that can be found for much more at stores like Target, Walmart, and Ulta can, it turns out, be found on dollar store shelves. Read on for some of the beauty staples that can be hoarded by the handful at Dollar Tree—and some important shopping tips from retail experts.

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You'll find fabulous influencer favorites for a fraction.

In a Dec. 2022 video, TikToker @basicallyb3auty said "run, don't walk" to your nearest Dollar Tree, inspired by her finds that included e.l.f. beauty basics like Booster Drops and Face Duos in a ton of shades.

Also in her Dollar Tree haul was a selection of B-Pure products, including makeup tools, blush, face powder, an "interesting" Ioni eyelash glue liner, and a huge trove of e.l.f. Sheer Slick Lipstick in tons of shades.

Previously, TikTok user Kelly Strack hit her local Dollar Tree where she celebrated the addition of lots of items from Ioni, including the famous 3D Faux Mink Lashes. Influencer Kim Nuzzolo "almost missed" a very cool Flesh Beauty eyeshadow palette, typically sold at Ulta for $35.

As well as goodies from classic brands like Maybelline and Cover Girl.

In addition to some of the newer, trendier brands, Dollar Tree is also known to sell makeup from long-time labels like Maybelline and Cover Girl.

TikToker Amanda Frisch posted a video that showed what she found at her local Dollar Tree. It included lipsticks from NYX and Maybelline, jumbo eye pencils from NYX, and Cover Girl Skin Milk. Strack found Maybelline Superstay stick foundation, and TikTok user @thewanderingshopper picked up Rimmel bronzer and highlighter.

In her video, @thewanderingshopper shared this Dollar Tree pro tip: Look for the makeup in black-and-white packaging. Though the brand isn't marked on the packaging, she flips over a lipstick that says "Maybelline" on the actual product.

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Dollar Tree also has dazzling dupes and awesome alternatives.

In addition to drugstore makeup at slashed prices, Dollar Tree sometimes sells equal-or-better dupes of branded items.ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb

A cache of lookalike Beauty Blenders was spotted for $1.25 (the branded blending sponge is usually $20 at Ulta and Target) by Jacquelyn Fricke, a.k.a. @theshoppingbestie, who picked up a pair of knockoffs of the popular product. She says the cut-price sponges blended her foundation "like an absolute dream" and that she may just prefer her new finds to the actual Beauty Blender.

Strack pointed out a not-famous-brand four-piece brush set that's "great for detail work."

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Should you run to your local Dollar Tree to stock up?

According to Julie Ramhold, consumer analyst with DealNews.com, the makeup selection is going to vary by store. "In my experience, I've seen pretty much just L.A. Colors and Wet n' Wild—both of which can be found at stores like Walmart in a bigger selection of colors and styles, even if you do have to pay a little more."

Ramhold advises that if you want to buy recognizable brands at Dollar Tree, it's a good idea to check the "best before" dates for products by using something like this Cosmetics Calculator. She cautions that dollar stores often have low turnover for these products, so even if they're within the date range when they first make it to the shelves, there's a good chance they'll expire if they're not popular, and they won't necessarily be removed.

Shopping expert Trae Bodge can't say for sure whether these items are overstocks, discontinued products, or private label items. "I do know that Maybelline makes some products exclusively for Dollar Tree—their gel nail polish is an example of this. If the items are exclusives, they are more likely to be fresh, whereas if they are overstocks, they may have been sitting around for a while and/or shipped multiple times."

Bodge advises shoppers to carefully inspect beauty products purchased at any dollar store to make sure they're fully sealed, and check if there is a sell-by date. Another tip: "Ask an employee at the dollar store—they may have some intel."

A woman went viral on TikTok after issuing a public service announcement claiming that Dollar Tree sells name-brand makeup—just not in traditional packaging.

While user Tiffany (@tiffanytonimua) regularly posts hacks at the value chain, she claims in this clip that name brands like L’Oreal Paris are secretly sold there. She records the makeup section, pointing out a brand of lipgloss.

“Whenever you see packaging like this, just plain black and white, pay attention because it’s actually a name-brand product,” Tiffany says as she flips the lipgloss to the side, revealing its brand which is L’Oreal Paris. She then shows that the lipgloss is regularly priced at $12.99, while it is priced at Dollar Tree for $1.25.

Tiffany reinforces this hack in the caption, writing, “Dollar Tree tip! For those who don’t know. Check those black and white packaged products.”

The video racked up over 510,000 views as of Tuesday where viewers shared the makeup products they’ve discovered at Dollar Tree.

“I’ve bought Elf at Dollar Tree,” one viewer shared.

“I get elf,covergirl, Milano, nyx, la girl(some there makeup real good) and L’Oréal at my dollar tree,” a second said.

“Currently my DT has Milani, NYX, L’Oréal, and even Maybelline rn. DT gets dead stock from stores so check surrounding DTs too if yours has nothing,” a third claimed.

Some revealed other beauty products they recommend from Dollar Tree.

“THAT SHIMMER CONCEALER IS THE BEST $1 EVER SPENT OMG,” one praised.

“I get my eyelashes there and they’re amazing. Also the shiny ‘color corrector’ is an amazing inner eye highlighter,” a second stated.

“i bought the most amazing lashes at dollar tree one time so ik you’re telling the truth,” a third said.

However, others were more hesitant about the tip, speculating reasons as to why Dollar Tree may be selling name-brand products.

“I never knew this. Why is it given to the dollar store to sell? Close to expiration?” one person asked.

“Just be careful when buying these. there’s a good chance they’re expired. likely won’t harm you but be cautious anyways,” a second advised.

“Usually a color goof on a huge batch that they can’t save,” a third commented.

The Daily Dot reached out to Tiffany for comment via email and TikTok comment.

Update 3:27pm CT November 23: In an email interview with the Daily Dot, Tiffany explained that she has become more active on social media after battling breast cancer for over a year, deciding to share helpful makeup and shopping tips on TikTok. She noted that Dollar Tree carries ELF, Cargo, Maybelline, NYX, L’oreal, and Hard Candy makeup products, among others.

“I discovered the hack when I noticed a very recognizable product by NYX (Matte Lip Cream) in the generic packaging. I recognized the bottle immediately! This was a year ago,” she said. “Ever since then, I always look for those generic packaged products, and sure enough, the day I was recording, they had L’oreal. Since I am becoming more active on social media again, after battling breast cancer the last year and half, I decided to record this “tip”.

As a professional makeup artist of over 11 years and self-described “avid discount queen,” Tiffany says she regularly uses products from well-known brands she’s found at Dollar Tree.

 “I use these products on myself all the time and I have never experienced any issues,” she wrote. “This is an excellent way for anyone who wants to be a baddie on a budget, build their personal makeup collection, or build their pro makeup kits without breaking the bank.”

She also addressed some concerns viewers expressed in the comments. To her knowledge, the products are not expired and have no abnormalities.

“The products are not expired, they have no abnormal smell, and the color payoff is excellent!” she said. “If I put the products next to the same one purchased at a drugstore or online, you literally wouldn’t be able to tell the difference. The products at the Dollar Tree perform wonderfully for only a fraction of the cost.”

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