Beauty on a shoestring

29 Jan 2012 04:59 AM | Posted by bh'sOlivia

Couture make-up is nice; with its pretty packaging and expensive feel, but if you would rather put your hard-earned money towards something other than your beauty kit, it feels good to know that you can still look a million dollars without spending anywhere near that much.

Check out our gallery of must-have beauty buys for babes on a budget, and discover just how easy it is to look dazzling, for just a few dollars...


Eyes

Don’t have a lot of money left over from your monthly pay? If you’ve just finished your favourite eyeshadow and your mascara is teetering on its last legs, rest easy in the knowledge that you don’t have to spend a lot of money on your eyes in order to look fabulously flutter worthy. Whether you’re rocking the bare-eyed look, or are playing up the sultry smoke, we bring you the definitive list of eye products you won’t be able to pass up – no matter what your budget.

We love:
essence Gel Eyeliner

Mode Duo Eyeshadow

Australis Killer Curves Mascara

Rimmel Professional Eyebrow Pencil

Face of Australia Eye Primer


Lips

Though super expensive lip products are lovely to keep, with so many delicious lip shades and styles out there to gobble up, it makes sense to spend your beauty bucks wisely so you can keep more in your kit! Each girl needs at least seven lip treats in her bag at all times, no? Check out which lip staples you’re going to want to have by your side if you’re keen to rock some seriously sumptuous kissers.


We love:
Prestige Colour Persist Lipstick is a long-wearing lipstick

Ulta3 Luminous Lip Gloss

Hello Kitty Matte & Kiss Lipsticks

NIVEA Lip Care Essential

Carmex Lip Balm Click Sticks

Paul Frank Lip Smacker® Balm


Face

It’s a very misguided belief that just because it’s more expensive, it must be better. When it comes to our faces and treating our skin, those of us with normal skin needn’t worry too much about whether or not the most expensive, and most specialised products are hitting our skin. Check out our hit list of the best beauty products for when you want to create the perfect face base on minimal bucks.

We love:
essence Fix and Matte! Translucent Loose Powder

Mode Pressed Powder

Avon Perfect Wear Concealer SPF 6

Australis Fresh and Flawless Makeup

Maybelline New York Expert Wear Fade Proof Blush Bronzer

Sax Complexion Blusher

Natio Ageless Illuminating Primer

 

What is your favourite budget beauty buy?

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Member Comments (98)

Posted by: katshepsutt (Australia)

Austalis Ready Set Go Translucent powder is my #1, but that essence purple gel liner sure has my attention - I've been looking for one llke that for ages, and with positively RAVE reviews for being highly pigmented AND waterproof, it's a sure bet for me - thanks bh :-) Lots of other bargain buys too, will be going through this list with a fine tooth comb for sure...

Posted on: January 29, 2012 (Jan 29, 2012 6:53am)

Posted by: Nda (Australia)

Ohh I wouldn't mind trying that Rimmel eyebrow pencil :)

Posted on: January 29, 2012 (Jan 29, 2012 7:55am)

Posted by: Delicious Girl (Australia)

Great bargain buys! I like Essence products, great quality for the price :)

Posted on: January 29, 2012 (Jan 29, 2012 9:44am)

Posted by: aleksandra (Member since 2008, Australia)

My favourite budget beauty buy that was featured in the slideshow would have to be Carmex lip balm. For years I have relied on the product to keep my lips smooth and nourished and have never been dissappointed.

Posted on: January 29, 2012 (Jan 29, 2012 10:11am)

Posted by: sugar_cube (Australia)

australis mascara

Posted on: January 29, 2012 (Jan 29, 2012 10:55am)

Posted by: Roxymisha (Australia)

Maybelline and Rimmel mascaras are my best budget buys.

Posted on: January 29, 2012 (Jan 29, 2012 10:55am)

Posted by: Rpear (Australia)

I love bargains! i m a real hunter! hehe I love the look (and price) or the ultra3 lip glosses! absolute bargain! Thanks BH! Chemist warehouse always has really great deals!

Posted on: January 29, 2012 (Jan 29, 2012 11:25am)

Posted by: Gofton (Member since 2007, Australia)

Lucas Papaw Oinment - dry cuticles, dry lips,dry skin, lipgloss, scratches, insect bites etc - best beauty budget buy ever!

Posted on: January 29, 2012 (Jan 29, 2012 11:25am)

Posted by: Jasmine390 (Australia)

Coastal Scents... ANY of their products are amazing! And awesome quality for something soooo cheap!

Posted on: January 29, 2012 (Jan 29, 2012 11:32am)

Posted by: blackmagic (Australia)

I'd like to try the essence fix and matte in future.

Posted on: January 29, 2012 (Jan 29, 2012 11:33am)

Posted by: blackmagic (Australia)

My fav budget beauty buy is my dove creamy soap :)

Posted on: January 29, 2012 (Jan 29, 2012 11:34am)

Posted by: Discomilk (Australia)

I love australis fresh and flawless pressed powder, and I love essence lip glosses! I also love maybelline, one of my most favourite brands ever!

Posted on: January 29, 2012 (Jan 29, 2012 11:40am)

Posted by: MissChriss (Australia)

My fave budget buy would be the nivea lip balms.. Soo cheap and wonderful.

Posted on: January 29, 2012 (Jan 29, 2012 11:44am)

Posted by: Platinum Ms (Australia)

Natural Skin Expert range is Australian own and most of the products are under $5 from cleanser, scrub and sorbolene

Posted on: January 29, 2012 (Jan 29, 2012 11:50am)

Posted by: Princess Fiona1 (Member since 2007, Australia)

Wauuu, what a great list, thanks BH. I love Dove and Garnier for cheap body products, and they are so efficient, and smell fantastic.

Posted on: January 29, 2012 (Jan 29, 2012 12:02pm)

Posted by: SMP-kitten (Member since 2008, Australia)

Was thiniking about the Essence gel eyeliner - with that price and the great reviews it may be my next buy!

Posted on: January 29, 2012 (Jan 29, 2012 12:04pm)

Posted by: beauti-licious (Australia)

I always use nivea lip care essential lip balm.

Posted on: January 29, 2012 (Jan 29, 2012 12:34pm)

Posted by: Narao10 (Australia)

I love to try essence gel liner. Best Budget buy!!

Posted on: January 29, 2012 (Jan 29, 2012 12:46pm)

Posted by: Nidhi1 (Australia)

wow I like the look of essence gel liner.....have to try it now... =D

Posted on: January 29, 2012 (Jan 29, 2012 12:46pm)

Posted by: Aprilmcr (Australia)

That Paul Frank Lip Smacker is sooo cute!

Posted on: January 29, 2012 (Jan 29, 2012 1:11pm)

Posted by: bonzie (Australia)

Wow, never knew essence was at Target! Time for bargain hunting :)

Posted on: January 29, 2012 (Jan 29, 2012 1:29pm)

Posted by: Neilrawson (Australia)

Mode, Biore, Ult3, Garnier, Palmolive, Maybelline, and Dove are just a few of my brands that I purchase at budget price. With anything I be patient and wait for my beauty items to go on sale, especially perfume.

###Sandra

Posted on: January 29, 2012 (Jan 29, 2012 1:41pm)

Posted by: Stay C (Australia)

Ihave the Paul Frank for Lip Smacker balms in Cotton Candy and Strawberry Banana and both are delicious and since they're Lip Smackers they work, just can't bring myself to try the Carrot Cake flavour yet =D

I adore Ulta3 nailpolishes because they come in a grat range of colours, last really well and are super cheap, my local Amcal chemist has just dropped their price to a measly $2, at that price I'll eventually own them all.

Posted on: January 29, 2012 (Jan 29, 2012 1:43pm)

Posted by: Michelle Sweetheart (United States)

Rimmel blushes and lipsticks, and Pantene conditioner.

Posted on: January 29, 2012 (Jan 29, 2012 2:13pm)

Posted by: DanniiBeauty (Australia)

A few good ones I will have to try!

Posted on: January 29, 2012 (Jan 29, 2012 3:00pm)

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