Cheap doesn’t have to mean eek when it comes to your make-up bag
Ordering tap water down your local? Avoiding eye contact with cash machines? Scared to even peek in your purse? Well, you’re not alone, with one in five people admitting to having no spare cash at all after paying for the essentials in January*. Luckily, pay day is just around the corner for most of us, meaning we’re in the money – well, sort of – and can finally treat ourselves to those beauty buys we’ve had our eye on. Yay! Even better news? Looking good doesn’t have to cost a fortune. We’ve put together a whole new make-up bag’s worth of kit for less than the price of your big shop. Trust us, your bank manager won’t even notice this bargainous beauty spree!
The £1 Eyeshadow (1)
Vivo Eyeshadows come in high-intensity matt or pearl finishes, so it can be built up to create a statement eye or used as a wash over the whole lid if you’re after a more natural look. Try mixing Pearl Mink with Matte Slate for the ultimate dark and defined smoky eye.
The £3.79 lipgloss (2)
For days when the full lipliner and lipstick combo is too much effort, pucker up with 17 Va Va Voom Lipgloss in So Buff, £3.79. It contains menthol and capsicum, which causes a tingling sensation while plumping up your pout. Don’t let this put you off though. We love it for giving us full lips and a low-maintenance hint of colour.
The £1 lippy (3)
Nearly nude or bright and bold? With MUA lipsticks, £1 each, there’s no need to choose just one. Apply the high-pigment colour straight from the bullet for pout perfection.
The £1 Eyeliner
Pimp your peepers with Primark Eye Pencil in Black, £1. This soft kohl is perfect for adding definition, and is soft enough to smudge along your lid and lash line.
The £2.99 powder (4)
Whatever skin tone you’ve been blessed with, it’s always best to set your base with a sheer powder. We recommend NYC Smooth Skin Loose Face Powder in Translucent, £2.99. It contains rice starch, which absorbs oil without clogging your pores, so your shine is controlled, minus that cakey finish.
The £1 lashes
Falsies are fickle. No matter how careful we are with them, it’s unlikely they’ll make a second outing. The fab Allura False Eyelashes only cost £1 a pair, so are less painful in every way when you peel them off at bedtime. To make affordable lashes even better, invest in a pricier eyelash glue, which will last for ages and keep ’em in place all night.
The £5.59 bronzer (5)
For sun-kissed sexiness and skin-flattering warmth, Rimmel London Natural Bronzer, £5.59, is our go-to-glow. It doesn’t have any shimmer, so it’s perfect for contouring. Sweep across the hollows of your cheeks, and from the corner of your lip to your eye, for defined cheekbones even Kate Moss would be proud of.
The £4.99 mascara (6)
Give your lashes a lift with Collection 2000 Pump Up The Volume Mascara, £4.99. The V-shaped wand allows you to apply the product from root to tip, adding instant volume and definition. And the mascara itself contains pro-keratin, a type of protein that conditions your eyelashes and encourages growth. Double win.
The £10 concealer kit
Dark circles, red patches and spots beware. Soap & Glory Kick-Ass Concealer, £10, comes with two complimentary shades in each palette, plus a transparent setting powder so you can blend those skin-saboteurs clean away.
The £7.99 foundation (7)
Create a great, long-lasting base with Maybelline Fit Me Foundation, £7.99. The lightweight formula lets your natural skin tone shine through, while still providing coverage where you need it. It also contains SPF18, so your delicate skin gets the protection it needs.
The £8.49 highlighter (8)
Who needs sleep, when you can fake it with L’Oréal Paris Lumi Magique Touch of Light Highlighting Pen, £8.49. Applied around the eyes, the product’s light-reflecting particles bounce light off bleary blemishes, a bit like a photographer’s light, making you look like you’ve had loads of duvet time. You can also use it to highlight your brow bone, cheekbones and cupid’s bow.
The £6 blusher (9)
Get gorgeous rosy cheeks with Topshop Blush in Flush, £6. The cream-to-powder formula gives a luminous, natural-looking finish. It can also be used on your lips for a subtle kiss of colour.We love!
