The Beauty Review Crew's Top Five Under Five!

Compiled by BR Kellie

What's more thrilling than finding a holy grail beauty item? Finding one that not only works wonderfully but is a bargain price too! The Beauty Crew are avid bargain hunters. What do we want? Products that are amazing and leave us work for a latte or after-work wine. When do we want them? Always! A trip to the supermarket or Farmers isn't complete without a wander down the beauty aisles (I swear the security is alerted the moment I step foot into my local Countdown, I must look so strange staring at the beauty aisle three or four times a week...) And because we can't help but buy and try we've founds some of the best beauty bargains out... 

Kellie loves...Essence Extreme Lasting Eye Pencil in Silky Nude. 

RRP $4.50, available at selected Farmers.

This is the perfect nude and is ideal for popping in the waterline to keep your eyes looking bright and sparkly - perfect if you've had a late night out and have to look fresh as a daisy for work, or if like me you have a little person/people who enjoy having middle of the night parties... It glides on and the colour is opaque, so you don't have to work hard to get the colour looking even. Best of all, it sticks around and doesn't dribble down towards your cheeks. How much do I love this? I bought one, then it went missing, and so I promptly went out and bought a replacement. Wouldn't be without it.

Natalie loves... Original Source Body Wash in Vanilla & Raspberry.  

RRP:  $3.49. Available Countdown, New World and Pak n Save.

I don't think anyone who's tried Original Source can say they don't like it - if they do, don't trust their judgement on anything else in life.  This lathers beautifully, and for a relatively small bottle it lasts agesssss.  It's cruelty free and feels like a really luxurious product.  I'd pay more for it.  The worst thing about it?  I'm running out of room in my shower as I have seven open ones because I can't help but pick up a new flavour every week.

Amelia Loves... the Ecostore Lip Balm Stick

To be fair I cheated a little here... at the time of writing it was on special on the ecostore site for $5. But I love it so much I couldn't not include it in this article.  It's light but super moisturising.  It's not one of those 'bitty' or really thick balms that end up leaving chunks of product on your lips, its almost like solid oil, it just glides.  I don't use anything else!

Tabatha loves... Swisspers 80 Make-up Pads.

$3 from Countdown - available at Farmers, grocery stores and selected pharmacies.

I've tried a tonne of makeup pads in my time and these stand out head and should above the rest. They're so resilient! You can douse them in makeup remover and they won't disintegrate, they hold their form right til the bitter end of swiping and smushing my eyes or skin or nails. Wouldn't be without them.

(Kellie note - and neither would I! Best makeup pads ever.)

Merilyn Loves... Only Good Natural Hand Wash in Mint, Lime & Sage.  

(RRP is just over $5, but I've seen it on special for below $5. And to be fair at the Countdown price of $5.99 not on special it's still worth it.)

What's not to love about this product? First of all it's New Zealand made. And it's natural. And cruelty free. It contains no parabens, no palm oil, no sls or sles, no synthetic fragrances, no... well, I could go on, but the important thing is that it's kinder to the environment and your skin. Every bit as important? It does the job of cleaning your hands and it leaves them smelling absolutely divine. Seriously, the scent on this is so fresh and fragrant. Definitely worth throwing in your grocery basket the next time you're at the shops.

Yay for bargain beauty products! Now tell us... what are your favourites under $5? Get chatting!