You want to look your best but you’ve only got a small student budget to buy make-up, skin care and hair care products… Have no fear, we’ve got you covered!
Here’s my list of 10 must have products that are all available for £5 or less:
W7 In The Buff Eye-shadow Palette £4.25
If you lust after the Urban Decay Naked 2 palette but can’t justify the £37 price tag then you’ll love this. The eye shadows in this palette are almost exactly the same as those in the Urban Decay palette. Their quality is amazing for the price and with twelve shades including both shimmer and matte, you’ll be able to create a range of looks suitable for both day and night.
Available from Amazon.
Hask Argan Oil £2.50
This is one of the most budget friendly hair oils that will help to leave your hair feeling soft and looking super shiny. This little bottle should last a lot longer than you think, as you only need to apply a small amount to the ends of your hair, avoiding the root area. Hask Argan oil can be applied to both wet and dry hair to help with damaged hair and to prevent frizz.
Available from most Primark stores.
L’oreal Micellar Water £4.99
Micellar water is so quick and easy to use that you’ll have no excuse not to take your make-up off at the end of the night. Simply apply to a cotton wool pad and wipe over face. It’s gentle to the skin but tough enough to remove even water-proof mascara.
Available from Boots. Currently on offer at just £2.49!
Sleek Rose Gold Blusher £4.49
Sleek Make-up create amazing blushers that are highly pigmented and also purse friendly. Rose Gold is one of their best-selling blushes as it suits a wide range of skin tones. It has a gorgeous gold shimmer running throughout, which creates a beautiful glow on skin. This blusher has also been likened to NARS blusher in the shade Orgasm, although Rose Gold is slightly pinker in colour. If Rose Gold isn’t for you then Sleek have 10 other shades to choose from.
Available from Superdrug.
Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer £4.19
This concealer is well loved within the blogosphere and it’s easy to see why when you use it. The only downside to this product is that it is only available in four shades, meaning you may struggle to find one that suits you, especially if you have a darker skin tone. It lasts really well throughout the day, however if using it under your eyes don’t use to much as the product is quite thick and can settle into thin lines.
Available from Boots.
Vo5 Heat Protect Styling Spray £4.19
This budget friendly heat protecting spray will help to prevent your hair getting damaged while you blow dry and style it. The spray is able to protect against damage of up to 230°C. Vo5’s Heat protecting spray is usually available on offer with other products meaning that you could also pick up one of their other products if you need it.
Available from Superdrug. Currently on offer at just £2.99!
Makeup Revolution Eye Shadow Primer £2.50
Using a primer is the best way to ensure that your eye shadow stays put and doesn’t fade and crease as quickly. Make-up Revolution’s eye shadow primer is available in two different formulas: Matte and Brighten. The first is perfect for matte eye shadows and the second for shimmer eye shadows.
Available online from Makeup Revolution.
Seventeen Stay Time Powder £4.49
If you want to keep your foundation in place and to stop your skin from looking oily, then this is a must have for your make-up bag. Simply apply over your foundation to keep your skin looking flawless. It’s really light when applied to skin and doesn’t look cakey and overly powdery when applied, like some budget powders sometimes do.
Available from Boots.
MUA Nail Polish £1
MUA has a great range of budget products and their nail polishes are great. At only £1 each, you could probably get more than one! These polishes usually need two coats, with some of the lighter shades occasionally needing three. They tend to have good staying power and usually last about four days or so before chipping.
Available from Superdrug.
Barry M Ultra Moisturising Lip Paints £4.49
If you’re looking for a lipstick that lasts but is also moisturising, then look no further! These lipsticks contain cocoa butter to help add moisture to lips when applied. Although there are only 8 colours in this range, there is a good mix of shades from deep berry shades to bright pink.
Available online from Barry M.
What bargain products are you using and loving? Let me know in the comments below.
