When I say ‘cheap makeup’ there are two criteria a product has to meet to fall into this category.

1. It has to be under $50 – I know that sounds like a lot of money to some people (this will be explained in the next point) but I can swallow a $45 price tag on a fancy foundation. I can’t fork out $150 for a product though. It’s not that I can’t afford it, I just can’t spend that much money on my own vanity, especially when there are much cheaper alternatives that work for me. That’s not a dis at women (and men!) who spend lots of money on cosmetics (most of my beauty budget goes towards good haircuts and importing specialist shampoo) but it’s about prioritising what works for you. I’ve never found that spending $150 on something I can get for $40 has made much difference for cosmetics for me so I don’t bother. Cheap makeup is where it’s at for me.
2. It has to last a REALLY long time if it’s over $20 – My concealer and eyeliner are the most expensive products I own but I only have to replace them once every year or two and I use them most days. That’s good value in my book.

To be honest, I’m not a huge makeup expert or wearer. ‘Feels nice’ and ‘looks good’ is pretty much the only feedback you’ll ever get from me about a makeup product. The purchasing of makeup is always stressful for me. I never know exactly what I’m looking for so coming up with my perfect kit of cosmetics has taken many years, lots of trial and error and often some skin issues along the way. Does anyone else have total diva skin? Mine is fine for months and then all of a sudden it gets red and itchy for no reason. Such a drama queen. This means I end up having to switch products regularly because I never know when my skin will decide to kick a product out of the bridal party. To be honest, though, I don’t actually care about makeup that much. I like my makeup to look good and do its job but I have no interest in finding miracle products myself. I’d rather someone just tell me what to get. I love a makeup expert because they make the whole face of slap process so much less painful for me. Hot tip: Read Amazing Face by Zoe Foster Blake. It’s awesome, total no bullshit advice for people who don’t really know what they’re doing with make-up.

7 Cheap Makeup Products I’ll Buy Again

1. Natio Tinted Moisturiser – $18.95

I bought this from Chemist Warehouse (just about my favourite place to get cheap makeup) and I bought it purely because it has 50 plus sunscreen in it. I’m fanatical about sunscreen but I’m also kind of lazy when it comes to grooming so if I can get coverage and sunscreen in one product, I’m ALL over that. I wear this every day and I’m on my second bottle of it. I definitely see a third bottle in my future too. It’s light, it absorbs easily and gives just enough natural coverage so I don’t look like my face is caked in makeup. I’m definitely a tinted moisturiser/BB cream gal. Proper foundation is a bit too intense for this low maintenance gal.

2. Bye Bye Under Eye from Sephora – $38

I had my first tube of this for years until the entire label wore off and I had no idea what brand it was. I took to social media to see if anyone could recognise the tube and some random heavenly angel recognised it as Bye Bye Undereye from Sephora. I then called every Sephora in Melbourne and couldn’t find the shade I needed so I went on eBay and managed to get it super cheaply from a lady in Germany. It’s really creamy, it smoothes on beautifully and doesn’t look cakey and weird. It also lasts for AGES. If they ever discontinue this product, I’m going to be pissed. I fully intend on calculating how much I’ll need for the rest of my life and bulk ordering it. I actually love it that much.

3. Instain Blush from The Balm  – $41.50

I just randomly grabbed this one day from David Jones and it’s pretty ace. Just gives a nice little rosy lift, particularly in winter when all the colour goes from my face. I do have red-ish cheeks naturally so this isn’t an everyday product for me but it’s great to add a touch of colour if my face is looking a little flat.

4. Australis Colour Clique in Pink Lady – $16.95

I’ve always been a fan of primer. It’s like face spackle. I usually use Benefit POREfessional but the last time I ran out of that I couldn’t be assed going to the city to get more so I just grabbed this Australis one from the chemist. It’s bloody good. I got the Pink Lady shade to ‘brighten and illuminate’ and I reckon it works. I’m almost out of this but I’ll definitely be buying it again.

5. Bondi Sands Liquid Gold Self Tanning Oil – $19.95

I’m very much of school that embraces pale skin but for a special occasion where I don’t want to look totally translucent in a fancy dress, I’ll slap this stuff on after my shower for a few days leading up to the event. It’s light enough that it looks natural, it’s not streaky and it’s one of those gradual tanners so you don’t get that just-rolled-around-in-a-bag-Cheetos look. The best part? It has an extremely mild smell which is ace. Stronger fake tans smell like cat piss to me and I can smell them a mile away. The odour of Bondi Sands is bearable. It also doesn’t stain clothing or sheets. It’s easily the best fake tanner I’ve used and I’m extremely fussy with fake tanners. I’ll also use Sally Hansen Air Brush Legs Spray on the day of an event – it’s like body make-up. It just smoothes and gives a light tint. It also stops me from destroying every photo with glowing legs that bounce the photographers flash right back at them. #palegirlproblems.

6. Marc Jacobs Liquid Liner- $44

I got two of these for free in a goody bag from Sephora and I’m totally in love. I didn’t even know that Marc Jacobs did make-up and then these things came into my life. Hands down the best liquid eyeliner I’ve ever used and I say this because I’m rubbish at applying liquid eyeliner and this stuff is foolproof. Even though I didn’t have to pay for my first two, I’ve become so addicted to them, I’ll definitely buy more. $44 is creeping dangerously close to my no-go zone but it lasts for ages so I don’t mind springing for it.

7. Nude By Nature Moisture Shine Lipstick – $22.95 

I’m on my second tube of this stuff and it rocks. Have you read Eccentric Glamour by Simon Doonan? It’s fabulous. He recommends finding your ideal lipstick shade and then buying 20 tubes of it so you never run out of it if it ends up discontinued. I generally wear a hot pink lipstick but more recently I’ve had a nude/rose pink one on the go that I use instead of lipgloss. The Bare Pink shade of this lipstick is such a great everyday colour and just makes me look a bit more polished when I haven’t done a full face of make-up.

I do a cheap make-up post every now then to let people know what I’m using but also to get advice on what everyone else is using. The last I wrote a post like I discovered Tarte cosmetics and they’re awesome. So please let me know what cheap makeup you’re using and in particular, what products you’ve totally finished and then bought again.

What cheap makeup are you using right now? What’s your number one recommendation?

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