Budget Beauty Buys ~ Great Products Under $5

I love a bargain, so I’m always thrilled when I find an inexpensive product that really works! Here are some great products that are real budget beauty buys for under $5.

Salon Perfect Heated Eyelash Curler ~ $4.99 at Walmart

Salon Perfect Heated Eyelash Curler

I didn’t even know they made heated eyelash curlers until I saw one in a youtube video. It looked like an easier, quicker, all around better way to curl lashes! The only drawback: it’s a Dior product and costs 60 bucks! Sadly, it was out of my league. But then I saw one at Walmart for a fraction of the cost and decided to give it a try. It took a little fiddling to figure out which way to install the battery, and the “On” light is so tiny I almost missed it. But that aside, it actually works. It heats up in 15 seconds and easily and painlessly curls lashes.

Simple Oil Control Cleansing Wipes ~ $4.99 at Target

Simple Oil Balancing Cleansing Wipes

I’ve tried lots of brands of makeup removing towelettes, and  I usually don’t re-buy because I don’t like the feel of the film they leave behind on my face. I really like the Simple Liquid Eye Makeup Remover so I thought I’d try these as well. I noticed right away that they easily removed makeup without leaving behind a sticky residue. Now I keep a pack in the bathroom to remove my makeup at night.

Wet N’ Wild Bronzer ~ $3.99 at CVS, Walgreens, Walmart

Wet ‘N Wild Coloricon Bronzer in Ticket to Brazil

Bronzer is not a makeup staple for me, so I can’t see spending $35 on a high end brand, so when I want that sun-kissed glow I use this one from Wet n Wild. The color is a true tan without being too orange or too grey and muddy. It doesn’t have any glitter or sparkles and it applies and blends easily.

Sonia Kashuk Brushes ~ $4.99 at Target

Sonia Kashuk Flat Shadow Brush

Sonia Kashuk Crease Brush

Now that I’ve finally (at 51 years old) learned to apply eyeshadow properly I understand the importance of  good brushes. But you need so many that I don’t like to spend a fortune on any one brush. Sonia Kashuk makes good quality brushes that are fairly inexpensive. This flat eyeshadow brush is great for applying cream eyeshadows, or concealer. The crease brush is one of my all time favorite brushes. It’s the perfect size for applying my crease color, and the perfect soft yet dense combo for blending.

e.l.f. Brushes ~ $3.00 at Target

Elf Blush Brush

e.l.f. Contour Brush

e.l.f. also makes great quality brushes for short money. These are soft and don’t shed their hairs, and they clean up well. I love the elf blush brush for applying blush as well as applying setting powder over under eye concealer. The Contour brush is great for placing a darker shade of eyeshadow just where you want it.

e.l.f. Mist & Set ~ $3.00 at Target

e.l.f. Mist & Set

This is another item I can’t see spending the big bucks on. This setting spray contains aloe, green tea, cucumber and vitamins A, C & E. You can use it to set your whole face with a couple of spritzes or it’s great to spray onto the elf blush brush and tap onto under eye concealer.

NYX Wonder Pencil ~ $4.49 at Target and Ulta

NYX Wonder Pencil

This is a creamy pencil that comes in 4 flesh tone shades. You can use it to cover blemishes, as a lipliner, or as an eyeliner.

Every Drop Beauty Spatula ~ $5.00 at Walgreens & Amazon

Every Drop Beauty Spatula

I wish I had invented this one! I hate it when I can’t get the last bits of product out of the bottle… especially when it’s a serum that costs $25 per ounce. This handy little tool gets to the bottom and around the sides of all containers so I can get an extra week’s use out of my creams and lotions.

Makeup Sponges ~ $4.99 at TJMaxx & Marshalls

Revive Beauty Pro (left) and Earth Theraputics (right) Makeup Sponges

If you just can’t spend the money on the original “Beauty Blender” sponge, these are great dupes! They make liquid makeup application seamless and smooth. They puff up when soaked in warm water and become soft and springy. The round end is great for a natural makeup application, and the pointy end gets into those hard to reach places like inside corner of eyes and around the nose.