Top 10 Beauty Budget Must Haves
Are you on a tight budget? Maybe you just don’t like to spend a ton of money on beauty products? These beauty budget haves will give you the most bang for your buck. Lipstick that lasts forever, the best gel for curly or wavy hair, the best razor (no more razor burn!) and more!
Okay, first off, let’s state the obvious…
I am NOT a beauty blogger.
I am a fairly low maintenance mom of 2 who barely ever plucks her eyebrows.
However, I do care about my appearance and I do try to put effort into how I look each day.
I do NOT invest a lot of money in my outward appearance though. I should probably invest more, but let’s be honest, I can think of a lot of better ways to spend my hard earned money.
That said, if you are a beauty guru or fashionista…more power to you! I watch my share of youtube beauty gurus and have learned quite a few tips and tricks.
Okay, now that that is out of the way, on to my beauty budget must haves!
Qualifications to make my beauty on a budget list:
- I must use the product on a fairly regular basis
- I must have repurchased the product at least 2-3 times (most of these have been repurchased MANY more times)
- The item must be $10 or less
Without further ado…here are my top 10 Beauty Budget Must Have’s (as of 2018):
Hollywood Beauty Tea Tree Oil Skin & Scalp Treatment
How I use it:
I use this daily. I use it at night after I wash off my makeup and then I often use it again in the morning right out of the shower. I have also used this as a scalp treatment. Basically, this tiny little bottle gets a lot of use! Great for keeping dandruff AND acne at bay, I also find it is very moisturizing to my skin. It is SUPER cheap too.
Where to find it:
You can find it here on Amazon. I have also purchase it from HEB, Sally’s Beauty Supply, Target, Walmart…basically anywhere that beauty products are sold.
Maybelline Makeup SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick (specially in the color Lover)
How I use it:
Well, it is lipstick, so I use it on my lips. Joking aside, this liquid matte lipstick lasts FOREVER and compliments ANY skin tone! What I mean by this is that I have complimented multiple people on their lip color, only to find out that they were wearing this exact shade! This beauty on a budget find seems to compliment every single skin tone by pulling the prettiest shade on everyone! (this lasts so long I have to use makeup remover to remove it most nights. And lipstick usually doesn’t last 10 minutes on me!)
Where to find it:
Amazon is your best bet to actually find this exact shade IN STOCK. I have had trouble finding this in stock in stores. This is a beauty budget must have for a LOT of people! Also available at Walmart, Target and Ulta.
L’Oréal Paris Makeup Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara
How I use it:
I use this to make my lashes look amazing! This layers well and makes even the scrawniest lashes look impressive. I prefer the waterproof kind, but if you aren’t a waterproof mascara fan, I have used the non waterproof version and it does not run/clump either!
Where to find it:
Of course, you can find this on my favorite site…Amazon! (and there is currently a coupon if you sign up for Subscribe & Save – learn more about Subscribe & Save here!) .
Also grab this beauty on a budget find on Walmart, Target and any drugstore (Do you know how to get the best deals at the drugstores? Read my post on The Drugstore Game!) near you! (although this is another product that seems to be sold out often…lately I have had more luck finding this in stock anywhere I go).
NOTE: There is also a “primer” for this mascara. I have tried it and I honestly don’t think it makes much of a difference.
How I use it:
Okay, so this one is going to be for my wavy/curly girl ladies! Although, if you ever use gel at all (to slick back a ponytail or bun maybe?), you might want to listen up.
This stuff is beauty on a budget GOLD!
Creates a nice hard cast that easily breaks with NO residue once your hair is dry. No clue what language I’m speaking? You must not have read up on the Curly Girl Method (if you have even the slightest wave to your hair, I highly encourage you read this book). Basically, you “scrunch” your hair with this gel while it is still wet and LEAVE it alone until it is dry. Then you “break” the cast (what gives you the wet head scrunched hair look that was so popular in the 90’s) and are left with beautiful frizz free curls/waves!
This stuff is awesome and SOOOO cheap!
Where to find it:
You can buy this stuff just about anywhere! Buy this huge tub here on Amazon that will likely last you the remainder of your time here on earth (recommended ;), however, over my $10 requirement…so if you want a smaller tub click here) . Plus, find this at Sally’s, Target, Walmart and pretty much any drugstore (often times you will find this in the ethnic hair care section).
Jergens All-Purpose Face Cream
How I use it:
Okay, remember how I mentioned up there that I prefer waterproof mascara? Well, getting waterproof mascara to come off at the end of the day can be a REAL chore! This stuff makes it easy!
Just smush (technical term) it all over your eyes and it will loosen all of your eye makeup making removal easy. Then just swipe off with a makeup wipe or cotton ball.
I also use this all over for a “just like grandma” moisturizing treatment every once in awhile. My skin feels awesome afterwards!
I do use miceller water sometimes (this brand specifically – which I would also consider a beauty budget find, but I have only purchased this once so far…so stay tuned.), but if I have several layers of my waterproof mascara on, this stuff is the only stuff that does the trick.
Where to find it:
The usual suspects. Amazon, Target, Walmart, your grocery store, the drugstore. Look in the old lady section. Haha!
Global Beauty Care Collagen Spa Anti Aging Treatment Mask
How I use it:
It’s a mask, so I use it as a mask. My skin feels gorgeous and glowy afterwards! You don’t rinse your skin after you take the mask off, so you rub in the extra product.
Where to find it:
I’m linking to it on Amazon, but go to your local Dollar Tree! You can grab 2 masks in a package for $1! Here’s a slightly embarrassing picture of me wearing it from Instagram:
How I use it:
I use this brush exclusively to brush my hair and my daughter’s hair. EXCLUSIVELY. I can’t stand other brushes anymore! These are so worth it. We have like 5 of these brushes.
Where to find it:
Pretty much anywhere. Check out this 2 pack on Amazon. Plus, you can find them at Sally’s, Walmart, Target, Ulta, etc
Wet N Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Quad ~ Walking on Eggshells 340B
How I use it:
I have a ton of eyeshadow. It’s kind of addicting for me. It’s one of my few splurges. I just love trying out new palettes (well, provided they are cheap).
This is a great old standby though. I find myself falling back on this palette probably 50% of the days I do my makeup.
This was the first palette I think I ever purchased more than once and it is STILL the only palette I have purchased more than once ( I think I’ve purchased it 4 times over the past few years?). Super cheap and it looks good.
Where to find it:
Amazon, but you will find it much cheaper in the drugstore, Walmart or Target.
How I use it:
I use this to make any eyeshadow into an eyeliner! I just dip this into any black eyeshadow (I have been using a black NYX eyeshadow that came in an Ipsy exclusive palette for this for a long time now) and use it to line the top/bottom of my eyes!
Often times I will start off doing a very thin liquid eyeliner on my top waterline (I stay pretty well stocked on liquid eyeliner through my Ipsy subscription…more on that later), and then I lightly pack a bit of eyeshadow on top and finish off the bottom of my eyes with the black eye shadow using this brush.
Honestly I love ALL of the e.l.f. brushes, but I would be lost without this e.l.f. Smudge Brush!
Where to find it:
Amazon, Target, e.l.f cosmetics, Walmart and your local drugstores!
How I use it:
This is probably the item I have been using the longest on this whole list! This razor changed my life. I have VERY sensitive skin. Typical razors/shaving creams give me razor burn EVERY SINGLE TIME. Ever since I found this razor? No more razor burn…EVER. NO more cuts…EVER. I have not cut myself with a razor since I was in my early 20’s (when I first found out about this razor).
Where to find it:
You can find this razor anywhere. I typically buy one once a year at HEB and then purchase the refills via Subscribe & Save on Amazon (they are MUCH cheaper using subscribe & save on Amazon).
I hope you enjoyed reading about my beauty on a budget must haves! I had fun writing it. I love to gush about products I am loyal to.
For the most part though, I am NOT very brand loyal. Because of this, I enjoy trying different brands often. Most of the time, the trial size is enough for me to get my fill and that is why I love my Ipsy subscription! It’s a little mom gift I get in the mail every month.
You can set your preferences so you get to try the kind of makeup you WANT to try. Sign up here using my referral link and I’ll get a small bonus 😉
What are some of your favorite beauty budget must haves? Comment below! Maybe I’ll find my next beauty budget must have from your comments!
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