Getting value for money has never been as important as it is right now.
As we battle through a cost of living crisis, many of us are being mindful of what we spend.
Luckily, beauty brands have been offering affordable options of staples for a while, with pharmacy and supermarket shelves stacked with a wealth of budget skincare and make-up products.
Chemist Warehouse has mastered this particularly well, giving customers access to a stream of effective items that won’t sting at the checkout.
With rising rent prices, expensive grocery bills and a steep increase in what I pay for utilities, I’ve been heading into the pharmacy more than ever in a bid to keep my costs down.
If you’ve never been inside a Chemist Warehouse before, the first time you step inside can be a little overwhelming. Shelves go from floor to ceiling and they’re covered in neon yellow price tags that compete for your attention.
But here are four cheap but brilliant items I’ve purchased from the yellow and blue store found all over Australia that I know you’ll love – and including a magic find that is almost always sold out. But if you see it in stock, trust me, you’re going to want to grab it.
Schwarzkopf got2b Farewell Flyaways
Price: $17.99
I’ve always battled with baby hairs, but as my hair continues to grow back after having Covid (which can cause your body to temporarily accelerate the natural shedding process) I have more annoying flyaways than ever. But this stick is brilliant. It slicks my regrowth back down to give me a smooth finish and it holds the hair in place all day. I use it most whenever I wear my locks in a high ponytail and it never fails me – best of all, it’s $7 cheaper than the previous brand I was buying. Winning!
CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser
Price: $17.39
You can easily spend upwards of $80 on a bougie cleanser, but skin experts have been saying since the end of time it’s the one place you can cut back your spending in your skincare. I love this product as the formula is super gentle, making it suitable for just about everyone, yet it’s also hydrating and doesn’t dry you out. I find the oil helps remove my make-up easily and I love that it is unscented too. No wonder so many dermatologists recommend CeraVe.
MineTan Violet Self Tan Foam
Price: $22.99
I’m super fussy with fake tan, and have struggled to find an “express” version that actually works in the time frame it claims. However, this stuff is super effective. In just an hour it gives a lovely natural glow – while sleeping in it and washing it off the next day gives you a deep tan that lasts all week. Fair warning though, it does transfer onto your sheets, but it did wash out when I chucked my linen on a 30 degree spin.
Booby Tape Stas Bronzer
Price: $19.99
It might be a celebrity beauty collaboration (which we all know usually aren’t great), but this product is so good you won’t even realise it has Kylie Jenner’s best mate attached to it. It’s essentially a body bronzer in a much bigger pan than the versions we all have already in our beauty drawers. As it’s larger – you can also buy a XL brush for $22.99 which is super soft – it can be applied more easily to your legs, chest and arms than the normal stuff. It has been a godsend during events season when I haven’t had a chance to tan properly in advance, as I can just brush it all over my bare legs and get a gorgeous glow. I also I love the subtle shimmer it has to it – so lovely.
This column is not advertorial content. Every review is independent, honest and ad-free. If you have a question about a beauty product or an item you’d like to see road-tested in The Beauty Diary, jump into our official Facebook group where you can join like-minded beauty junkies. You can also catch me on Instagram or tweet me – don’t forget to hashtag #TheBeautyDiary.