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    17 Beauty Buys That Should Be Exxy But Aren't

    Just because my bank account is looking worse for wear, doesn't mean I have to.

    Mariela Summerhays
    by Mariela Summerhays

    BuzzFeed Staff

    Look, I like to look as cute as the next person.

    NBC

    I'm just not willing to spend a tonne of cash in the pursuit of said cuteness.

    Should you, like me, want big results without pillaging your wallet, here are 17 beauty buys you'll want to add-to-cart immediately.

    1. This eyelash and brow tinting kit, which promises to last for 1000 hours — meaning no more colouring your eyebrows in every morning when you'd rather be sleeping.

    Gyan Yankovich / BuzzFeed

    Promising review: "When I used to go to the salon to have my brows done (I now shape them myself), I always looked forward to having my brows tinted more so than the actual wax/tweeze. After I started doing my own shaping, I figured there was no reason why I couldn't do my own tinting as well. I go between using the Brown Black and Black tints. My biggest tip is to leave the product on for around 20 minutes rather than the recommended 10. Although you might want to play it safe if you're hoping for a subtle look or it's your first time using the product.

    I find the tint lasts really well for around two weeks, then starts to fade. The kit is super easy to use and I highly recommend applying Vaseline on the skin around your brows and using a cotton tip to neaten up your tint and avoid staining."

    —Gyan Yankovich

    Buy for $13.29 from Amazon Australia.

    2. These Ardell Natural Wispies Lashes, which will instantly transform your face

    Julia Willing / BuzzFeed

    These come with a small tube of adhesive, so you needn't immediately go out and buy some when it comes to wearing.

    Promising review: "These lashes have some serious glam power. As someone who has never used falsies before, I found them super easy to apply and they didn't weigh down my eyelids. Not your everyday 9-5 look, but perfect for nights out or events where you want a lil' OOMPH in the eyes."

    —Julia Willing

    Buy a pair for $9.95 from Big W.

    3. These blemish patches, which protect your acne from bacteria as it heals.

    Sarah Han / BuzzFeed, Amazon

    These patches are made of hydrocolloid, a wound-healing material that protects against bacteria. Ultra-thin and complete with a matte finish, they can be worn on top of inflamed and acne-prone skin, and under foundation (!). A few hours later, your zits will have shrunk noticeably. No wonder people are buying these in bulk.

    Read all about their genius here.

    Buy a pack of 18 patches for $5.90 from Amazon Australia.

    4. This Mario Badescu lip wax that's the answer to all the prayers that have ever passed your chapped lips.

    Hameda Nafiz / BuzzFeed

    This one is enriched with jojoba oil, vitamin E and beeswax, which means your lips are going to have a healthier diet than you (probably).

    Promising Review: “I’ve tried so many different lip balms that seem to dry up my lips instead of actually making them softer. This stuff was the answer to ALL MY PRAYERS. It’s smooth as velvet going on and tastes and smells like literal buttercream. There’s also an unscented one if you prefer, but I’ll probably judge you.”

    —Hameda Nafiz

    Buy for $9 from Mecca.

    5. This The Ordinary serum that's perfect to put on your face after toning and before moisturising at night.

    Julia Wiling / BuzzFeed

    By the time you wake up, your skin will be calmer, brighter and have a gorgeous glow that will have everyone asking you for skincare tips even though you still don't quite understand what toner is.

    Promising Review: "The year is 2020 — it's time you started embracing the power of retnoid. The Ordinary's version is bloody fantastic and oh-so-affordable. I apply this bad boy after cleansing and toning my skin at night. I'm a VERY OILY GAL, so I don't top it with anything else, because the squalane is super hydrating. But you can also top with moisturiser if your skin is dry AF."

    —Julia Willing

    Buy it for $18.90 from Amazon Australia.

    6. This Frank Body Rose Gold Shimmer Scrub, which will not only exfoliate away dead skin, but leave you literally shimmering.

    @frank_bod / Via instagram.com

    Cult beauty brand Frank Body just gets me. Built from their signature sugar scrub base, this particular scrub has been blended with grapeseed and coffee seed oil for an extra hit of antioxidants — and most gloriously, with rose gold mica particles that make your skin absolutely shimmer.

    Not convinced? My boss went and wrote a whole bloody post about its wondrousness here.

    Buy a 220g bag for $19.95 from Mecca.

    7. This eyeliner stamp, because whoever invented the winged-eye look was just setting us up for failure.

    Reviewers say that this stamp makes the perfect winged eye every time — infinitely easier than trying to get even lines freehand. Each set comes with two pens — one for your left eye and one for right — and is water-resistant and smudge-proof.

    Buy for $11.57 from Amazon Australia.

    8. This Aztec Healing Clay, which deep cleanses your pores for your most glorious face yet.

    Hameda Nafiz / BuzzFeed, Amazon

    This clay basically has its own cult following of thousands, so it's no wonder it always makes our monthly bestsellers list. Just mix a bit of powder with some apple cider vinegar, lather it on and extract every last bit of gunk from your pores.

    Check out some brilliant before and after photos here.

    Buy for $23.99 from Amazon Australia.

    9. This Go-To cloth face mask to breathe life into your poor, overtired skin in just 10 minutes — which makes it ideal for getting your skin ready for makeup before a night out.

    Go-To Skincare

    Promising Review: "Go-To is one of my favourite-ever Aussie beauty brands. One product that is definitely a must for winter is the Transformazing face mask. Deeply hydrating, packed with antioxidants and vitamin C (as well of lots of other great stuff), this product makes my face feel soft, bright and rehydrated."

    —Natalia Krslovic

    Buy it for $9 from Go-To.

    10. This Sukin exfoliating mask for all skin types that uses coffee grounds and coconut shells to exfoliate the skin while simultaneously using aloe vera to soothe it.

    Zeta Morgan / BuzzFeed

    Promising Review: "I have used different products from the Sukin range for quite a while now. I love how affordable they, but the best thing is that they're all natural. This coffee mask doubles as an exfoliant — it always leaves my skin feeling rejuvenated and smooth. Plus, it doesn't irritate my sensitive skin, unlike other masks."

    —Zeta Morgan

    Buy for $15.53 from Amazon Australia.

    11. This Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lipcolor in Seduction, which proves bare-toned lips look every bit just as done up as a red pout.

    Mariela Summerhays / BuzzFeed

    Promising review: "Best, cheapest beauty buy ever. According to a woman with naturally dry lips, it won't cause them to flake after application (it me, I am woman). Unlike other brands, this one is hyper-pigmented, but velvety and moisturising. I like to pair my signature winged eye with a nude lip when in the office — red can be too much — and I'm always complimented on this colour. It comes in 16 positively delicious shades, so you're sure to find one to suit you."

    —Mariela Summerhays

    Buy for $12.47 from Amazon Australia.

    12. This Sukin Facial Moisturiser, which actually mattifies your face instead of giving it more shine.

    Ryan Paturzo / BuzzFeed

    It's ideal for normal to oily skin, so you may want to stay clear of this if you have dry skin!

    Promising Review: "This is one of the first moisturisers I've used that claims to have a mattifying effect and actually works. I use this after washing my face and find that it reduces my breakouts and makes my skin feel nice. Plus it doesn't leave a sticky residue on your face after you apply it. Given that I have combination skin, this is now my regular go-to!"

    —Ryan Paturzo

    Buy for $11.99 from Amazon Australia.

    13. This Maple Holistics Silk18 Conditioner, which literally uses ingredients derived from silk. Like, I'm not exaggerating, literal silk.

    Amazon

    I didn't even know that was thing? But you can indeed wash your hair with actual silk amino acids. Other notable ingredients include jojoba and argan oils — all of which are absolutely natural and paraban free. Curly, dry, frizzy — whatever your hair type, this beauty of a hair conditioner promises to tame static and leave you with soft-as-a-baby's-bum hair.

    Read more on the miracle conditioner here.

    Buy for $18.95 from Amazon Australia.

    14. This Shiseido eyelash curler, which is the fastest and easiest way to draw attention to your eyes.

    Shiseido / Via youtube.com

    Promising review: "I’ve been using this Shiseido Eyelash Curler since I was in high school and consider it an absolute must-have product for stunning lashes. I’ve tried other eyelash curlers and none give the same dramatic curling effect. The shape of the curler grabs all of your lashes from edge to edge and a few pumps of the curler gets your lashes nearly at 90-degree angle.

    I currently keep one in my makeup bag and one in my car console to use on the go. For no makeup days, I’ll just use this curler with no mascara to instantly look more awake. When using with mascara, I curl them before and after I apply the mascara and the end result is AMAZING. If you’re considering eyelash extensions but don’t want to throw down the $$$, definitely give this curler a try!"

    —Anna McCarter

    Buy for $19.99 from Amazon Australia.

    15. This L'Oréal Paradise Lash Mascara , because nothing says ready to take on the world more than some wide-eyed, dressed up peepers.

    Maitland Quitmeyer / BuzzFeed

    Promising review: "This is the only mascara I've tried that doesn't leave a black smudge in the bottom outer corner of my eye by the end of the day. The ONLY one! It's super customisable, so you can just swipe on a quick coat when you're running out the door to get a bagel on Saturday and don't want to wear a lot of makeup or you can really build up the coverage for a mega-lashed look (without clumping). It provides equal parts length and volume and makes lashes look dramatic but not crazy. Plus, it does NOT flake off throughout the day, yet it's really easy to remove at night (meaning you don't lose any precious hairs). It also comes in a super-pretty tube, which always helps.

    I went to the movies with friends last week and one of them said, "Your eyelashes look long!" I literally assumed she was talking to somebody else, so I didn't say anything. When she repeated herself, I said, "Who, me?" It was a delight. My first eyelash compliment. All due to this L'Oréal mascara. And at its low price, maybe I'll actually toss it and replace it like I'm supposed to after three months."

    —Maitland Quitmeyer

    Buy for $12.48 from Amazon Australia.

    16. This Thayers Witch Hazel Toner with Rose Petal, which will do everything from keeping your breakouts at bay to reducing redness.

    AnaMaria Glavan, Amazon

    It takes a lot to look dressed up when your skin isn't behaving. Rather than concern yourself with concealer, foundation, powder (unless you want to, in which case, do your thing), use this magic liquid to treat redness, breakouts and a host of other skin problems.

    Alcohol-free and made with rose petal water, Vitamin E and Witch Hazel extract, this thing is beloved by thousands on Amazon.

    Read more about this excellent product here.

    Buy for $26.95 from Amazon Australia.

    17. And finally, this Maybelline Creamy Mattes Lipstick in Divine Wine, which unlike other matte formulas, will not cause your lips to dry and flake.

    Mariela Summerhays / BuzzFeed

    Promising review: "On days when I don't feel like applying a full face of make up, I use this lipstick to give my face some instant colour. It's matte — so much more subtle than a gloss would be in this colour — but still creamy and moisturising. Matching nails optional!"

    —Mariela Summerhays

    Buy for $19.95 from Priceline.

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