top of page

Fave Budget Beauty Products

Something I'm famous for saying to my clients is: "never buy your beauty products where you buy your groceries" and for the most part, I do stand by this rule. Your skin is the largest organ on your body and if you're serious about looking after it and presenting your best exterior to the world, then treat your skin the same way you would treat anything you care for. Consult a professional.

That said, I'm going to contradict myself and give you my top 5 budget beauty products that can seriously save you a lot of money when you need to. Lord knows, we are always tightening our belts for one thing or the other and over the years, especially when I was a stay-at-home mum, there was no way you'd find the makeup or skin care in my bathroom that you do now. So, if you need to "cut your cloth", so to speak, you won't be disappointed with these items.

No. 1 COCONUT OIL

(Extra Virgin & Preferably Organic)

Where do I start with this gift from nature? The uses for this are endless and if you're like me, the icing on the cake is the fragrance.

We have two jars of this at all times in our home. One in the kitchen for cooking and the other in the bathroom and although, being Queensland, it spends the majority of its life in liquid and not solid form, that doesn't affect its versatility. Such as:

  • Body moisturiser (it can prevent stretch marks and reduce spider veins)

Rubbing this into your skin will make you feel like your skin has had a drink of coconut water and like you're on a tropical holiday all at the same time. I love using this during summer when I shave my legs (I wax during winter) because it seeps into the pores and helps calm down my skin when it can get a little angry.

  • Hair mask or de-frizzer

A small amount on the ends of your hair can help with the frizz of split ends between trims and for a deep hair treatment, drench your hair in it and cover with a shower cap. *** You will need to shampoo several times to remove all the oil from your scalp, but the end result is definitely worth it.

  • Moisturising Body Scrub

Mixing an equal quantity of sugar & coconut oil together, not only makes you feel like you're rubbing a Bounty Bar all over your body which probably isn't good if you're having chocolate cravings at that time of the month, but it also has the additional benefit of sloughing away dead skin cells. Concentrate on heels, knees and elbows and you'll be hydrating deep into the epidermis whilst you exfoliate.

  • Face mask & moisturiser

Going to bed with your skin drenched in coconut oil will be one of the best things you can do for your skin during the day and this is a godsend during winter or if you sleep in air conditioning in summer. Loaded with antioxidants, it will draw the toxins from your skin and help reduce and fade age spots while you sleep. (You will definitely need to change your pillow case the following morning).

Wearing it as a moisturiser during the day, Coconut Oil has a natural SPF and the antioxidants protect against free radical damage which will have an anti-aging effect. If you suffer from acne, the capric & lauric acids kill the acne causing bacteria in your skin, while the antimicrobial properties shrink pimples leaving vitamins K & E to promote healing to minimise scarring.

  • Makeup Remover/Pre-cleanse

My favourite pre-cleanse makeup remover is Dermalogica's Pre-Cleanse and I still definitely recommend it, but since I started using Coconut Oil as a pre-cleanse, I only use the Dermalogica product when I've left my coconut oil in another bathroom. Even just the process of massaging the oil deep into your skin and gently through your eyelashes to remove mascara and eyeliner is a delight to the senses. It loosens all your makeup ready for cleansing and leaves your skin beautifully soft and not stripped of its natural oils.

  • Mouthwash

Coconut Oil Pulling has been a part or Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years and is now a very popular method for oral hygiene. Although it feels super weird (and a little gross) the first time you do it, swishing one to two teaspoons of coconut oil around in your mouth for anywhere between 5 to 20 minutes draws toxins from your gums and helps remove staining from your teeth. Whilst this should never be used as a replacement for brushing or flossing, this compliments other oral hygiene practices.

It's very important to not do this for longer than 20 minutes as the bacteria you've removed will return back to the body after that time in a more concentrated form. After you're done, be sure to spit the oil into a bin (not adding oil to our waterways) and then brush thoroughly. There are peppermint flavoured coconut oil sachets available for those who prefer a traditional mouthwash flavour. Cocopull.

No 2. REVLON ULTRA HD MATT LIP COLOUR

As I never look twice at the cosmetics in a pharmacy or at the supermarket, I wouldn't have known about these little stars if it weren't for one of my clients who brought one along for a makeover. I was so impressed that I've now bought two of them for myself and always receive compliments when I wear them. Being matt, they're very on trend and the pigment is amazing. Not to mention, being available for as little as $12 on eBay ($24.95 at Target), you'll be hard pressed to find a long-wearing liquid lipstick of this quality for less.

No. 3 PAPAW OINTMENT

I cannot remember a time in my life without this cream. As a child, my mum would produce a massive tub of Lucas' Papaw Ointment for all manner of things and just the smell of it takes me back to a life in tropical north Queensland without a care in the world. But that's enough reminiscing.

As a beauty obsessive, not only do I reach for the Papaw Ointment for it's medicinal purposes and as a lip balm, but there are so many other uses for this wonder product.

  • Lip & Eyelid Primer

If I'm working on a client with dry lips, I'll always apply a layer of Papaw ointment to the lips while I'm prepping the skin. By the time I reach the final stage of the makeup and do the lips, they are moist and ready to go with the added benefit of longevity of the lipstick.

With glossy lids being very on trend at the moment, papaw ointment can be used either before applying eyeshadow as a primer (in a very small amount) or over the shadow as a gloss. If using as a gloss, be sure to prep with a mattifying primer to minimise creasing.

  • Dry Skin Moisturiser

Although I'm including this as a budget beauty buy, to use this as an all-over body moisturiser would be incredibly decadent. But for those dry areas such as elbows, knees and heals, this is amazing.

  • Cuticle Cream

Again, potentially a little pricey to use as a regular hand-cream, but a little bit rubbed into your cuticles twice a day will keep them soft and away from the nail bed.

  • For Hair Styling

If you have flyaway frizzes or just unruly hair, a ten cent piece worth of papaw cream rubbed through your hair will help tame your mane and add extra shine as well. Avoid getting it too close to the roots if your hair tends to get oily as you may end up going from frizz to flat.

  • An Overnight Skin Treatment

After cleansing and toning, massage a not too generous layer to your face and neck and when you wake in the morning, your skin will be so incredibly hydrated, you'll definitely notice the difference.

No. 4 MAYBELLINE FULL 'N' SOFT MASCARA

Honestly, I can't even remember how this ended up in my bathroom, but I'm assuming with all the various toing and froing of product borrowing and lending between myself and my daughters it got mixed in with everything else. So, I thought I'd give it a try.

Mind blown. Whilst I would not use this on my clients as they are paying for high end products when they engage my services, I wouldn't hesitate to use this on myself when any of my three or four go-to mascaras are either packed in my kit or have made their regular journey through to one of my daughters bedrooms.

A little research reveals that this mascara is only about $13! On my goodness! With results that rival some of my $60 + mascaras, this is definitely an exception to my 'where-to-buy your products' rule.

No. 5 AVENE THERMAL SPRING WATER

As usual, I've saved the best until last. If there is one budget beauty item you should have whether you're on a beer or a champagne budget, this is it.

A 300ml spray will only set you back about $20 or so at Priceline (the price may vary at other pharmacies), but I've been using this product on and off for over twenty years now and I love it.

You can use it as a hydrating mist whenever your skin feels dry and even over your moisturiser and under makeup if you wait a few minutes between your skin care routine and makeup routine. Keep a can beside your bed to give your face a hit of hydration before sleeping and carry a small one around in your handbag for hydration during the day, especially if you work in air conditioning or live in a dry climate.

For a beautiful dewy finish to your foundation, you can spray a fine mist over your finished face from about 10 to 15cm away and can then continue to spray throughout the day. Provided you don't spray too close to your face, you won't damage the integrity of your foundation.

This is so pure and gentle it can be used on all skin types and has absolutely no fragrance whatsoever. Love love love.

So, there you go! Although I still recommend getting professional advice when it comes to investing in your skin care and perfecting your makeup design, there are exceptions to the rule and these are it.

Please be sure to keep emailing me with requests for what you'd like to read about each week and until then, remember ...

We are all beautiful. Makeup is just the

frame to the masterpiece.

Danielle xxx

bottom of page