Thursday, July 26, 2012

5 Best Budget Beauty Products under $30

I am so thrilled that my friend Kim-Marie has agreed to write a guest post for us. Kim-Marie has a blog Kimba Likes. She is a beauty product junkie and she has kindly agree to share some of her knowledge with us. Take it away Kimba....


I used to subscribe to the theory that more expensive must be better when it comes to beauty products. Fancy packaging and glamorous advertising must equal better quality products, right? Wrong!

Here are my 5 best budget beauty products under $30, personally tried and tested.

1. Australis Ready Set Go Finishing Powder - $12.95
Want your makeup to last all day? This finely milled translucent powder sets your foundation so it lasts and lasts.  The formulation is talc free and has oil absorbing properties which leaves your makeup feeling weightless and looking flawless. The white colour is a bit off-putting at first, but it disappears into the skin when applied with a big fluffy brush or a mineral makeup buffing brush. It's powder but not as we know it, Jim. I used to buy a similar product from a very well known makeup company for about three times the price of this product.  Guess which one I've never bought again?
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2. Australis Paparazzi Perfect HD Foundation - $19.95
This is the perfect foundation for those days when you need a bit more oomph, with its medium to full coverage. It's an even better choice for days when you know you're going to be photographed a lot, because the very clever formulation doesn't white out under camera flashes. No more moon faces getting tagged on Facebook. The formula contains goodies like Vitamin E and calendula oil to soothe skin, and I still can't believe you can buy it for under $20!
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3. Trilogy Rosehip Oil Antioxidant+ - $29.95
Liquid gold in a bottle. I love this stuff! It soothes, smooths, softens and nourishes skin like nothing else. I have been a big fan of rosehip oil for years, but this new edition is even better.  It's packed full of antioxidants from red berries and sinks into your skin, leaving it plumped and moisturised, and not remotely oily. It's also extremely versatile. I've used the original rosehip oil as an emergency makeup remover - just smooth onto your face, emulsify with water and rinse off with a muslin cloth. I've pressed it into service as a cuticle oil. I've even rubbed a drop into my palms and smoothed over my flyaway hair. I apply it every day in the morning before I put on my moisturiser all over, and I pat a little extra under my eyes to help plump out those fine lines.  Did you know skincare stops at your boobs, not your chin? As we get older, it's even more important to keep the skin on our necks and décolletage moisturised and treated. May I recommend rosehip oil for the job?
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4. Face of Australia Eye Primer - $7.95
We all want to look younger and fresher. That's all about keeping the eye area light and bright and illuminated to reflect light. But don't forget your eyelids! Patting on a little of this magic cream on your eyelids lightens and brightens and creates a uniform colour across your eyelid. The obvious benefit is that using a primer helps your eye makeup last by creating a stay put and crease proof base, but wearing it on its own is a great idea too. This product comes in a matte or shimmer formula. I prefer the matte under eyeshadow, and the shimmer on its own. You need the tiniest amount patted on your eyelid, using your ring finger for light and bright eyes. I also pat it into the dark corners where my nose meets my eye.  This is cheaper than a takeaway kebab and much better for your skin!
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5. Face of Australia Lip Quench Moisturising Lipstick SPF30+ - $9.45
This is good old fashioned lipstick with a modern twist. The SPF30+ helps to protect your lips from the elements and the formulation is smoothing and moisturising with its jojoba oil, shea butter and Vitamin E. I love that it has that old fashioned lipstick scent too. My picks are Malibu Barbie for an amazing pink punch and Lychee Crush, which is the perfect peachy-pinky-nude. Unbelievable quality for the price.

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All of these products are available from stores like Priceline, Kmart, Target and Big W, as well as selected pharmacies and online. Trilogy is also available at Myer. All prices are RRP but are frequently on offer if you're after even more of a bargain. All images sourced from company websites.

KimbaLikes.com features the deeply shallow musings of Kimba about the things Kimba Likes - family : fashion : frivolity.  Kimba is a dedicated follower of fashion, beauty junkie, stylist to the Gorgeous Girls and an op shopper extraordinaire.  Kimba never leaves the house without lipgloss, and loves cocktail hats as much as cocktails.  Nice to tweet you! 
You can also find her on Facebook at facebook.com/kimbalikes and twitter on @kimbalikes  

20 comments:

  1. Oh, I love the look of Lychee Crush ... gorgeous. And totally agree with all 5 products - Australis and Face of Australia do incredible products for the price. And Trilogy ... I haven't met anything that they make that I don't like!

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    1. It does look gorgeous, I am going to hunt it down today. Kim-Marie has made an excellent list of great products.

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    2. I'm a huge fan of the Age Proof range by Trilogy too. Lychee Crush is literally the perfect nude. Not too pink, not too brown, not too peachy - just right!

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  2. Thank you for all the tips for ways to use Rosehip oil. I just purhased a bottle and had no idea what to do with it!

    I love that you have included Australis and Face of Australia products. I think it is great to support Australian brands and I think Face of Australia's products are amazing considering their budget price.

    x

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    Replies
    1. Rosehip is an amazing product. Thanks for commenting. Rx

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    2. It is one of those cult products that everyone knows about but many people aren't quite sure what to do with it! There is a reason I call it liquid gold! x

      I'm very impressed with Australis and Face of Australia for the price.

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  3. I will be investing in some Rosehip oil immediately!

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    1. It's a great product. I think you will love it. Rx

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    2. Oh, it's really good stuff. The original is great but the new one with antioxidants is even better. It lasts forever too.

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  4. I've just realised that all the brands are Antipodean - Trilogy is from New Zealand and Australis and Face of Australia are, um, Australian!

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  5. This is great! Love!

    Also very cool to be promoting Australian products.

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  6. How did I miss this post?! Thanks to B for re-posting. I'm hopeless with beauty products so really appreciate the tips x

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    1. Hope you find something there you like, Catherine! :)

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    2. I am thankful to B for re-posting too. I am a little crazy with beauty products so it's great to know we don't have to spend a packet to find some good ones. Rx

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