5 Cheap Beauty Buys For Under a Fiver

Good afternoon you lovely bunch! As any regular readers of this blog will know, Lauren and I make no secret of the fact that we’re bargain hunters – in fact, we probably blabber on about being skint a bit too much and you probably think we’re desperately hinting for you to send us money in the post (note: we are).

And so today I’m bringing you another post dedicated to the cheapest but best beauty products available on the UK highstreet and online.

1. Natural Classic Henna Treatment Wax – 99p

This pot of miracle goop was first recommended to me by my hairdresser a couple of years ago. Ignore the fancy name and reference to henna that I don’t fully understand; it’s actually just an intensive conditioner – but a really good one.

A big scoop of this product on your hair every week or so is brilliant for keeping your hair smooth and in good condition. I first started using this during the height of my hair-bleaching phase, and so can confirm that it works wonders. For just 99p, you also get loads for your money (and that extra 20% that they’ve now added? You are too kind Natural Classic, too kind).

I always pick this up in my local Bodycare, but I think I’ve seen it in Savers, Home Bargains and other places of that ilk (i.e. Tramp Shops) before too.

2. Expose Summer Bronze Self Tanning Mousse – £1

Now, we’re both HUGE fans of St Moriz tan and are loyal to it and accept it as our one true tanning god. But I had to admit when compiling this list that there is one tanning product that is even more of a bargain.

This brand of tan can be picked up in various pound shops around the country. ‘POUND SHOP FAKE TAN’, I hear you cry, ‘DO YOU WANT US TO BREAK OUT IN RASHES AND SCALES?’ I can promise you that this tan is actually pretty decent quality. It goes on as a white mousse and so you can’t see exactly how much you’re putting on, which might be an issue for novices.

Those who are good with tan though shouldn’t really have any problems with this product. Applied in the evening and left overnight, you wake up a nice golden shade. It’s not the darkest tan in the world, but is great for just adding a bit of colour.

3. Collection Extreme 24 Hour Felt Tip Liner – £2.99

I know this is a makeup product rather than beauty, but I couldn’t resist including this in a bargain list. For only £2.99 and from a cheap brand like Collection, you might not be expecting much – but this is honestly one of the best eyeliners I’ve ever used. I’m a self-confessed cack-handed idiot and really struggle with traditional liquid eyeliners, so the felt tip style of this is perfect for me. The colour is a brilliant black-black (everyone knows the difference that a black-black makes compared to just plain old black, right?) and it has AMAZING lasting power.

4. eBay False Eyelashes, 10 pairs – 99p

I love wearing false eyelashes in the evening, but at a fiver a go for makes like Eylure it can become a mighty expensive beauty habit. I’m unfortunately not one of those girls that will come home after every night out and carefully remove her eyelashes and put them back in their packet. I’m the sort to fall asleep in them, wake up with one dangling off my eye, and crap myself a week later when I find the other in my bed and think it’s a spider.

When I first heard that you could buy TEN PAIRS of eyelashes for less than ONE POUND on eBay, I was extremely dubious. But this link will take you straight to the shop where you can do just that. When I first bought them, I invested in some from another seller who sold ten packs of these ten sets for a tenner. Each pack was different so you had a great selection of different sized lashes. I must have bought them about two years ago, but still have a few left in various boxes now. I’ve since re-purchased some of the larger ones on this ten for 99p deal and again, have not been disappointed.

They’re not top-quality lashes – the bands can be quite thick compared to other lashes and so they take a bit of getting used to in terms of figuring out how much glue to apply. But once you’ve cracked that, then you’ve cracked the secret to having brand new eyelashes every night out for only 10p! Which basically means you’ve cracked life, in my opinion. That link takes you to a Hong Kong seller, so you will have to wait around 2-3 weeks for delivery. There are other UK sellers on eBay who charge a couple more quid but will get them out to you much quicker.

5. Sleep In Rollers – £3.99

The official Sleep-In Rollers have become quite the cult product in the last couple of years, with every reality star and WAG worth their salt raving about these foam-filled curl creators. Prices start at around £25 for a set though, which I just find a little ludicrous. I know they come with really jazzy extras like a bag (I mean, where on earth else could you ever find one of those?) but there are lots of cheaper alternatives around.

These eBay alternatives are a fraction of the price at just £3.99. The only main differences I can spot are the lack of glitter in the foam (something that I have to confess, I would have quite liked) and the lack of Amy Childs endorsement.

Have you tried any of these products? What are your favourite beauty bargains? Let us know in the comments below!