I've always felt that it's not hard to find good products with big price tags, it's not hard to find rubbish products for pennies; what's hard is finding something that's great and affordable. So here are my top picks under £5! These are products that I think are fantastic full stop and most of them I reach for just as much (or sometimes more than) my high-end pieces.
An old favourite is the Sleek Blush in Suede (£4.49, post here). It's that perfect muted peach colour for when you're not quite sure what to wear. It goes with everything, it lasts all day and it's hard to get wrong. As for highlighter the winner by a mile is Makeup Revolution's Radiant Light in Breathe (£5, post here).
My shimmery single eyeshadow pick is the Makeup Revolution Mono Eyeshadow in Adore Moi (£1, post here). It's a really nice beige-y gold colour that is just so pigmented and has a lovely soft texture. My pick for matte eyeshadow is Natural Collection's Solo Eyeshadow in Milk Chocolate (£1.99). It can be really hard to get matte eyeshadows right on a limited budget but Natural Collection have got it so right! They're so easy to apply and blend; there's not a hint of chalkiness to the formula, plus even the light shades are pigmented. Milk Chocolate is a lovely taupe-y pink-brown. I've also chosen a palette: Makeup Revolution's Iconic 2 (£4, post here). It's an amazing-quality dupe of the Urban Decay Naked 2 and is full of gorgeous everyday essentials, both mattes and shimmers are amazingly pigmented and have a buttery texture. Finally for eyeshadows I have to mention my go-to cream formula; Maybelline's 24 Hour Colour Tattoo in On and On Bronze (£4.99). It's just that perfect neutral shimmer base for day or night. I don't know about 24 hours but it lasts me all day! Whether on it's own or to make it even easier to create a smokey nude eye; I just love it!
I've never been big on spending lots on lip pencils; I feel they're essential but not that exciting. Therefore I was thrilled to find Essence's cheap range that are creamy and cover most of the bases in terms of the colour range. My favourite is the Essence Lipliner in 06 Satin Mauve (£1, post here) which goes perfectly with MAC Twig for a Kylie Jenner nude lip. A great brow product if you're on a budget is the Rimmel Professional Eye Brow Pencil (£2.99). If you're like me and have really asymmetric eyebrows, sometimes you just have to get in there and do a bit of drawing and this works great. A bit of a new discovery for me is the Collection 24 Hour Felt Tip Liner in 1 Black (£2.99). I'd pretty much given up on felt liners as the tip was never the right shape and feel and they always seemed to dry out after only a couple of weeks. Well this one is the perfect shape and size to get the detail right, do a nice flick and a few weeks later it's still just as pigmented and inky as it was the first time I use it. It doesn't smudge or transfer and really does last all day. Plus the tip isn't scratchy in the slightest. For underneath the eye I go for something softer, and again I love Essence's offering. My favourite is the Essence Long-Lasting Eye Pencil in 19 Hot Scorch (£1.50). It's a gorgeous shimmery brown-scotch shade that has the nicest creamy texture.
I do have a bit of a love-hate relationship with it but if you can find a colour match I'd give Collection's Lasting Perfection Concealer (£4.19, post here) a go. It tends to wear off my oily eye area quite quickly but it's perfect for concealing blemishes; one of the best concealers I've ever tried in that respect. I go on about it all the time but the only eyeshadow primer for me is e.l.f.'s Eyelid Primer in Sheer (£1.95). It makes a huge difference to eyeshadow; making it last longer, colours show truer and just really makes the most out of your eye products.
Also repping for ultra-affordable makeup brushes; I've included the e.l.f. Studio Blush Brush (£3.95). I pretty much love all the Studio line brushes but I thought I'd show you one other than those I've already mentioned a lot on my blog. I love this for applying highlighter down the centre of my face and across the highest point of my cheekbones as it doesn't pick up too much product and is a great shape. My budget mascara is one I picked up pretty much by accident: the Collection Supersize Fat Lash Mascara in Black (£2.99, post here). I'm so glad I came across it as it's my go-to everyday mascara as it both lengthens and adds volume but never looks too much; perfect for beginners. Last but definitely not least is my #1 budget lip product (and one of my top lip products full stop), which are the Makeup Revolution Lip Hugs (£2.50, post here). The shade Keeps the Planet Spinning is representing these above. They have a really nice amount of pigment but they're still a sheer lip colour. KTPS is a really lovely raspberry tone that looks great for day or night.
1. e.l.f. Primer 2. Essence Hot Scorch 3. Collection Eyeliner 4. Rimmel Brow Pencil 5. Makeup Revolution Keeps the Planet Spinning 6. Sleek Suede 7. Makeup Revolution Adore Moi 8. Makeup Revolution Breathe 9. Essence Satin Mauve 10. Makeup Revolution Iconic 2 (Shade 2) 11. Makeup Revolution Iconic 2 (Shade 5) 12. Natural Collection Milk Chocolate 13. Maybelline On & On Bronze 14. Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer
I hope you enjoyed this post and it saves you bit of money!
What are your favourite products that cost under £5?
I love Suede by Sleek, ive just hit pan on my little compact, so I don't know whether or not to try something new or stick with the same one x
ReplyDeleteWhy not both? ;) haha xx
DeleteI love these sort of posts, means that might be something I haven't tried and for under a fiver you can't go wrong. I am going to pick up the collection felt tip liner as like you I always have problems and that sound like it could work for me too.
ReplyDeleteMy fave for £5 would have to be the one blush sticks by MUR :)
Pams Stuff and Things
Definitely do - it's such a great eyeliner! xx
DeleteI literally want everything you've shown haha! Ahh my bank account is crying. Apart from the Collection concealer which I of course already love like everyone else and their dog does!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to try out their felt liner though because they're my favourite types and that is so cheap! I've also heard their regular liquid liner in a pot is amazing as well (and similar price)
KatHorrocks.com
Ooh I've not tried that - will have to get it :) xx
DeleteReally nice! I love all colors of these swatches! Just my shades! Great!
ReplyDeletexoxo Colli // tobeyoutiful
Glad you liked :) xx
DeleteThis is such an awesome post! I love blushes from Sleek and that one in Suede looks gorgeous, I'll definitely look out for it on my next shopping trip! :)
ReplyDeleteSarah / Sarah Smiles
They do some great affordable shades xx
DeleteI love these posts as it means I can discover some great budget products. I haven't tried the majority of these and I am especially eager to try out Makeup Revolution's Radiant Lights, Breath in particular x
ReplyDeleteBeauty with charm
Do it! xx
DeleteI love the Maybelline Colour Tattoos. On and on bronze is one of my faves. The Makeup Revolution palette looks so pretty. Such a good dupe for the Naked palette. Love this post! x
ReplyDeleteMapped Out | Fashion, Beauty, Lifestyle
On and On Bronze is such a classic and looks really nice with the Makeup Revolution palette! xx
DeleteI love my Makeup Revolution palette in Romantic Smoked (£4), e.l.f. liquid eyeliner (£1.95) and my MUA blusher in Bon Bon (£1). Great post! Budget beauty brands have been really stepping up their game recently :)
ReplyDeleteRoxie ♥
http://thebeautifulbluebird.blogspot.co.uk/
Ooh I don't have the Romantic Smoked palette - may be one I should get my hands on! xx
DeleteWho knew Natural Collection had such a lovely eye shadow colour; I always ignore their stand in Boots but I may have to check them out now!! On and On Bronze is just the business!!!...xx
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean - I used to just pass them right by! xx
DeleteI love the MR Radiant powder in Breath, it's really amazing! The Rimmel eye brow pencil has been my favourite for years and I also love the e.l.f. brushes :) I definitely think you can find really great products from budget brands. I need to explore essence more :) x
ReplyDeleteMummy’s Beauty Corner
Thank you! I definitely recommend Essence xx
DeleteFab picks! I really want to give the Makeup Revolution Radiant Light a shot as I’ve heard some really great things, and Keeps the Planet Spinning looks absolutely gorgeous :)
ReplyDeleteCharlee XO | CharmedCharlee
They're both amazing products I can't stop using :) xx
DeleteSome great choices! It is true that it can be difficult to find products under £5 but you've chosen well!
ReplyDeleteAndrea
andrea-herinfinitevariety.blogspot.co.uk
Thank you :) xx
DeleteOooh, some lovely budget buys here, defo going to check a few of them out. xx
ReplyDeleteJulie
www.rainingcake.com
Glad you enjoyed! xx
DeleteAll those shades are absolutely gorgeous! Sleek blushes are amazing!
ReplyDeletexprincessjas | ♥
They really do the best affordable blushers! xx
DeleteLove this post, there really are so many bargains out there! I really need to give a Makeup Revolution highlight a go!
ReplyDeleteStyle Sunrise ☀
:)
x
One of my fave products from them! xx
DeleteI haven't tried Suede, but I really like Sleek blushes! I've tried the Collection liner and really liked it too :)
ReplyDeleteMilly // Mini Adventures
Definitely check out Suede :) xx
DeleteThe collection liner and the color tattoos are also staples in my makeup stash. Need to have a look at your recommendations from Essence. I hear so many good things about their line but never tried anything. X
ReplyDeleteRenata | Speaking Beauty UK
Definitely do - at a pound go you can't go wrong! xx
DeleteI love the elf studio brushes and the collection concealer is one of my favourites too, but I agree there could be more shades :)
ReplyDeleteVelvet Blush
I hope they expand it given how popular the product is! xx
DeleteWhat a great post though most these are brands we can't get here :( I still can't get over how cheap those Makeup Revolution products are!
ReplyDeletexo, alison*elle
Aww - you can deffo get Makeup Rev and Sleek internationally and they're my favourite brands! xx
DeleteReally enjoying your blog at the moment Huns, great job. I live the photo you've used in your post xx Bean's Beauty Blog
ReplyDeleteThank you :) glad you're enjoying it! xx
DeleteI am definitely going to picking some of these products up xx Bean's Beauty Blog
ReplyDeleteEnjoy! xx
DeleteI really need to get me some Makeup Revolution. I think I say that every time I see you feature their products...hehe. I've recently become a fan of Sleek as well after receiving several of their products in a swap. The Rose Gold Blush and Storm Palette are divine.
ReplyDeleteBeauty Isles | Asian Face Masks Two Winner Giveaway
Haha get on it! I love Rose Gold too and I need to repurchase Storm as I loved it a few years back xx
DeleteSome good picks, think I'll try out that brow pencil as I'm in desperate need of a new one :)
ReplyDeleteThe Fairytale Pretty Picture
Definitely check it out :) xx
DeleteI love these posts and I love the products you picked, gave me some great ideas of new makeup pieces to try.
ReplyDeleteBeka. xo
littleworldofbeka
You're welcome :) xx
DeleteGreat top picks! With all the high end products being released on a constant basis, it's nice to see some good old affordable drugstore makeup that works just as well. Lovely post :) xx
ReplyDeleteBrenda BusyBee
So many gorgeous picks here. I'm a big fan of the Collection Extreme liner and love how pigmented the Sleek blushes are :)
ReplyDeleteStyle Sunrise ☀
:)
x