Beauty on a budget? Heres my top picks

We all know that when it comes to makeup and skincare even just buying two items at a time can seriously break the bank! As much as I love buying higher end bits sometimes there are products that do just as great a job with out cleaning out the  wallet.
For me saving on beauty was especially necessary when I was in school with little to no money left over from my weekend job once I filled up my car and probably brought a few pies here and there! 

Here are my top 10 picks that won't leave you eating 2 minute noodles until your next pay...

1. Loreal Volume Million Macara $32.99 from Farmers 
Now I understand just over $30 isn't the cheapest for a mascara but this one is seriously good and I totally think it would be worth keeping an eye for when farmers do their beauty sales, which is pretty often! It Ticks all the boxes with giving length and separation to my lashes, doesn't smudge or crumble throughout the day (my absolute pet peeve!) Ive stood by the statement that mascara doesn't need to ever be high end to do a great job. Maybelline "the falsies" is also a tried an true fave too!

2. Mario Badescu rose and aloe facial spray 
I think every girl needs to try this stuff! I use it on myself and carry it in my professional kit.
Its beautiful to set makeup or to spritz onto bare skin as a refreshing hydrating spray. Without fail every time I finish a client makeup and spritz this on their face they want to know what it is because it feels and smells incredible! 
And the BEST part is, its $10 from mecca maxima! 
www.meccabeauty.co.nz

3. SkinFood Cleans all
I'll admit I haven't been using this one for as long as the other products but as soon as I tried it I was immediately impressed with how well it cleansed my skin with out foaming! Its more of a hydrating cream that melts everything away leaving the skin feeling extremely supple and refreshed! Perfect if you suffer from drier skin or just really dislike that tightened feeling some cleansers can have on the skin. 
I also love that it is 100% natural ingredients, Paraben free and made in NZ 
$9.99 from New world and Countdown 

4. NYX Brow mascara 
I have been using this stuff in the shade espresso for probably 2 years now! It even took over my love for gimme brow by benefit and the Loreal brow artist plumper. Purely because it does exactly the same thing but is as cheap as chips in comparison! $16 from NYX counters in Farmers 

5. Garner Micellar Cleansing Water 
I think you'd have to be living under a rock if you haven't seen or heard of this stuff before?! Amazing for removing makeup at the end of the day or my absolute favourite way to use this is to fix any eyeliner mistakes by dipping a cotton bud into the solution, the perfect tool to clean up any wonky wing application or mascara mess ups!
$13.99 Farmers or leading supermarkets 

6. Maybelline Fit Me Concealer 
This concealer is very compatible to the Nars radiant creamy concealer, packs the same punch in coverage while being very creamy and blend able. The only difference I would say is the Nars is slightly thicker in consistency. 
This has always been a cult favourite concealer and for good reason!
$19.99 from leading supermarkets 

7. Milani baked blush in luminoso 
A blush that I swear is universally flattering it looks great on almost everyone! The most prettiest shade of coral peachy pink with an almost undetectable fine golden shimmer running through it. I love how finely milled this blush is for a more affordable product! I would almost go as far as saying the formula is pretty much the same as the hourglass ambient blushes, the texture is so fine when applied to the skin and not at all chalky which most cheaper blushes would typically be. 
$18.50 from www.makeup.co.nz

8. Nyx Lip Lingerie in lace detail
I would say this is my dupe for the kylie cosmetics KoKo K liquid lipstick probably slightly more on the nude side than pink. Super long wearing and matte looking on the lips, the best advice I could give with this is just to apply one thin layer this will avoid it from looking cakey on the lips, I think that rule applies to most liquid lipsticks though!
$18.45 Farmers 

9. Loreal Infalible 24hr matte foundation 
This stuff is absolutely amazing at looking smooth and flawless on the skin, I've found it to be very pore blurring on myself and lasts extremely well with out creasing into smile lines or breaking up during the day. Oily gals this would be your best friend if you love full coverage! I would not suggest this if you are a dry skin type as it would really cling to dry patches and not feel so comfortable to wear. The best comparison that comes to mind would be that it wears and looks as flawless as the Estee Lauder double wear foundation its just not as heavy looking or feeling with a much thinner consistency which is amazing! 
$39.99 from farmers (or cheaper if you keep an eye out for their beauty sales!)

10. Zoeva cocoa blend palette 
I swatched this in the Melbourne sephora store and could not believe it was only $43 for the palette. Such amazing quality and you really cannot fault the shadows, amazing pigment, blends like a dream, the colour selection is super wearable with beautiful daytime and night time shades making it so versatile! 
In comparison to some of the other brands out there at the moment selling palettes at $70 plus this is such a steal and totally ticks all the boxes in my opinion! 
$43 from www.sephora.nz 

I hope you found this helpful in potentially saving you some bucks! 
Fi xx