Jun 26, 2026

The $40 Target Haul That Looks Like Nordstrom

Written by Heather Taylor
|
Edited by Ashleigh Ray
The $40 Target Haul That Looks Like Nordstrom

One of the biggest challenges your esteemed writer experienced when selecting beauty, home and accessory items for this piece was the limit of a $40 budget at Target. This amount doesn’t go as far as you want it to at the big-box retailer.

Despite inflation’s best efforts, I triumphed with a modest haul of five, fun items. The total amount came out to $34.77 at Target which cut it close to our $40 limit. But as you’ll find out while reading, nearly every similar item we found at Nordstrom was much more expensive.

Check Out: 10 Target Shopping Hacks That Will Save You Tons Immediately

Read Next: 9 Subtly Genius Things All Wealthy People Do With Their Money — That You Should Do, Too

Here’s the $40 Target haul that looks like Nordstrom and costs a lot less.

Also Find: The Best Target Buys for the Money Right Now

  • Price: $8.99

From the start, we wanted our Target haul to include the highly rated and inexpensive Tree Hut shea sugar scrub in coco colada.

What does Nordstrom equivalent to this sugar scrub look like? Turns out, it’s Whish Beauty’s sugar scrub in coconut. The Whisk jars are much smaller than Tree Hut’s (eight ounces to their 18 ounces) and retail for $30. Target comes out on the other side of this haul with more sugar scrub for a lot less money.

  • Price: $6.80

Summer is coming, and the beaded crab and shell bag charm from art class is just what your handbag or tote needs to dress itself up for the hot season.

Surprisingly, crab-themed bag charms are in short supply at Nordstrom. The closest comparison is a Cara faux leather crabby bag charm. Despite the $20 price tag, this charm doesn’t offer much by way of details.

  • Price: $7.99

A New Day’s simple gold bow earrings have been praised by Target shoppers for their comfortable all-day wear and the size of the bow earrings, which are slightly larger than expected.

Variations of gold bow earrings are also available at Nordstrom, but you’ll spend anywhere from $28 to nearly $50 per pair from brands like Madewell and Little Sky Stone.

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  • Price: $6

A nearly $100 difference exists between Room Essentials’ mini lavender arrangement and Nearly Natural’s lavender in a white wicker planter sold at Nordstrom.

Granted, the Nordstrom plant measures at 22 inches compared to the 10-inch arrangement at Target, but both plants are faux. We have a much harder time justifying spending $104.99 on an artificial accent when there’s a much cheaper alternative.

  • Price: $5.39

You won’t find lip butter at Nordstrom, regardless of the brand, for less than $12 (or more) per tube.

This is where the bestselling Vitamasques tinted lip butter balm really shines with your wallet. Each tinted shade, from pink vanilla to birthday cake, costs less than $5 apiece, making it financially feasible to buy a few faves at a time.

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Editor’s note: Prices and availability are subject to change.

This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.

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Written by
Heather Taylor
Edited by
Ashleigh Ray