beauty

Just 23 chemist beauty products under $30 that are worth more than their price tags.

 

There are two types of people in this world:

Those who go to the chemist when they need something, and those who go to the chemist… for fun. I’m one of the latter.

For years, I’ve loved ducking into my nearest Priceline and Chemist Warehouse for a quick gander, testing everything (hygienically) in the makeup aisle and scouring bargain bins for a good purchase.

Side note – here’s how you can use leftover coffee grinds as skincare for your face! Post continues after video.

Video via Mamamia

The result is often an hour of my time lost and money I don’t have spent, as well as an intimate knowledge of which chemist beauty products are winners.

From $10 lipsticks and $15 foundations to affordable skincare that actually works, there are so many really great skincare, makeup, hair care and body care products hiding on the shelves at your local chemist

So, next time you’re stocking up on boring but essential stuff like nappies and your prescriptions, chuck these 23 chemist beauty products under $30 in your basket.

READ MORE: Just 12 supermarket beauty products under $20 that are actual game-changers.

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1. Revlon SkinLights Face Glow Illuminator $24.95.

Revlon SkinLights Face Glow Illuminator
Image: Supplied/Amy Clark.

This product is so new, it's not even online yet, but you'll find it popping up in pharmacies this week. You might remember the original SkinLights product that was discontinued, but now it's back and would love to hang out on your face. It's a bronzey, shimmery liquid highlighter you can wear on its own on a 'no-makeup' day, under or mixed in with your tinted moisturiser or foundation, and as a highlighter on your cheekbones etc.

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2. VASELINE Intensive Care Body Lotion Aloe Soothe 400ml, $8.49.

VASELINE Intensive Care Body Lotion Aloe Soothe
Image: Supplied/Amy Clark.

Recently, I interviewed Jules Von Hep, famous celebrity spray tanner and founder of Isle of Paradise tanning products stocked at Mecca. He said he's tried every single moisturiser on earth and this one is the best for A) prepping any dry bits like knees and elbows prior to tanning and B) hydrating the skin afterwards. Genius.

3. Carmex Moisture Plus Hydrating Lip Tint Coral-Me Cool, $8.99.

Carmex Moisture Plus Hydrating Lip Tint Coral-Me Cool
Image: Supplied/Amy Clark.
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This tiny tube of tinted lip balm is a winner. It's very creamy, glides on easily and keeps your lips hydrated. The colour is also sheer enough to not have to worry about maintaining it throughout the day, but pigmented enough to feel like you've got a lip on.

4. CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser 473ml, $14.99.

CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser
Image: Supplied/Amy Clark.
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This gentle cleanser is so good for anyone who has sensitive skin or dry skin, or wears a lot of makeup and needs to double cleanse (cleanse twice). It comes in big tubs you can whack in the shower and is gentle but effective for a light cleanse. It's also dermatologist-approved.

5. Flower Beauty Petal Pout Lipstick, $9.99.

flower lipstick
Image: Supplied/Amy Clark.
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The Petal Pout lipsticks might not look like much, but wear them and you'll realise they feel more luxurious than their $10 price tag. They've got a creamy, conditioning finish, and the shade Spiced Petal is a dupe for Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk lipstick.

6. Ponds Cold Cream Cleanser, $7.99.

ponds
Image: Supplied/Amy Clark.
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Here's a great cleanser recommendation from the You Beauty Facebook group. To quote one member, she's "never ever had a cleaner face in less time" then after using this good old-fashioned chemist buy.

7. Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs Light Lotion, $26.95 (normally on sale for under $20).

Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs Light Lotion
Image: Supplied/Amy Clark.
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This is basically a lotion version of the cult Sally Hansen spray-on body makeup. I prefer using the lotion because I can have more control over the amount of product and colour. It dries down mostly matte but with a hint of shimmer.

8. Maybelline Master Strobing Illuminating Highlighter Stick in Light, $15.95.

Maybelline Master Strobing Illuminating Highlighter Stick in Light
Image: Supplied/Amy Clark.

I prefer cream highlighters because I love how they melt into the skin. I dab this on my cheekbones, down the bridge of my nose, over my cupid's bow and on my eyelids when I'm feeling spesh.

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9. Cancer Council SPF 50+ Moisturising Sunscreen, $14.50.

Cancer Council SPF 50+ Moisturising Sunscreen
Image: Supplied/Amy Clark.

I can't stop talking about this sunscreen. It's nice. It's CHEAP. It smells like aloe and is lovely and thin. It takes a while to rub in, but once it sinks in, it's not greasy or sticky. RATE.

10. L'Oreal Infallible More Than Concealer, $29.95 (normally on sale for under $20).

L'Oreal Infallible More Than Concealer
Image: Supplied/Amy Clark.
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This delivers on its marketing promise of being 'more' than a concealer. It's a thick, cover-all product that can do under eyes, pimples and redness. It also has a big, fat brush for maximum swipe-age.

11. Phisohex Antibacterial Face Wash 500ml, $22.99.

Phisohex Antibacterial Face Wash 500ml
Image: Supplied/Amy Clark.
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I heard about this face wash after Zoe Marshall recommended it on her episode of In Her Bag and cross my heart, it's clearing up my butt acne. This fragrance-free antibacterial wash is designed for acne-prone skin, but it does wonders for killing the bacteria causing pesky bum pimples (yum) and getting rid of stinky pits. Not the sexiest of recommendations, but it's a winner.

12. Maybelline Dream Urban Cover Liquid Foundation, $25.95 (but you’ll always find it cheaper).

Maybelline Dream Urban Cover Liquid Foundation
Image: Supplied/Amy Clark.
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This product ticks all the boxes. Full coverage. Lightweight. Luminous. SPF. It applies more like a lovely tinted sunscreen than a foundation and is the easiest thing to blend in with your fingers. Plus, you can’t beat the price AND I got a nice amount of compliments while wearing it.

13. MUD Makeup Bronzer, $9.

MUD Makeup Bronzer
Image: Supplied/Amy Clark.
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OK, yes this is technically a supermarket beauty product. But it's very good and very cheap. It's mostly matte but has a touch of shimmer. Disclaimer: the shade isn't universal and won't be suitable for either really fair or olive to darker skin tones.

14. 1000 Hour Eyelash & Brow Dye Kit, $18.99.

1000 Hour Eyelash & Brow Dye Kit
Image: Supplied/Amy Clark.
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These dye kits are so great for tinting your eyelashes and, if you're brave, eyebrows. It's easier than you think to use at home and comes in lots of different shades depending on your own colouring. Sounds a bit scary but once you tint your own lashes, you won't go back. I'm too terrified to do my own eyebrows, though.

15. Revolution Skincare 5% Glycolic Acid Tonic 200mL, $20.

Revolution Skincare 5% Glycolic Acid Tonic
Image: Supplied/Amy Clark.

Drench a cotton round in this chemical exfoliant and swipe it all over your face after cleansing at night, avoiding any sensitive areas for slightly brighter skin in the morning. Regular users of chemical exfoliants might not find this product hectic enough, but it's perfect for someone who wants to try putting an acid on their face but doesn't want to spend big.

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16. Palmolive Micellar Rose Body Wash 400ml, $7.

Palmolive Micellar Rose Body Wash 400ml
Image: Supplied/Amy Clark.

Another supermarket one, but this body wash smells a lot more luxe than its price tag. If you're not into rose fragrances - or any fragrance - this isn't for you. The rest of you, give it a crack.

17. Bioderma Sensibio H20 Micellar Water, $29.99.

Bioderma Sensibio H20 Micellar Water
Image: Supplied/Amy Clark.
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Bioderma is a cult beauty editor product for removing makeup. Never buy it full price though. Wait until you find it on sale.

18. BOURJOIS Always Fabulous Concealer, $23.

BOURJOIS Always Fabulous Concealer
Image: Supplied/Amy Clark.
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This concealer only comes in four shades, but the formula is excellent. It's thin and brightening, but still offers coverage without creasing or caking.

19. The Jojoba Company Australian Jojoba Oil 30ml, $19.99.

The Jojoba Company Australian Jojoba Oil
Image: Supplied/Amy Clark.
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Another cult product, jojoba oil does everything. It's great at removing makeup and nourishing the skin, and is helpful for oily or acne-prone skin types because it has anti-inflammatory properties.

20. Revolution Bake & Blot Powder, $10.

Revolution Bake & Blot Powder in Translucent
Image: Supplied/Amy Clark.
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Big call, this is the best savey translucent pressed powder I’ve used. So luminous and brightening, and your makeup will last ALL DAY. It even comes in a large range of shades if you want to use it for coverage. My under eyes have never been happier.

21. Australis Fresh and Flawless Foundation, $19.95.

Australis Fresh and Flawless Foundation,
Image: Supplied/Amy Clark.

People in the You Beauty Facebook group think this foundation is a dupe for a MAC foundation that costs double the price. It’s full coverage with a soft, airbrushed finish that makes me look like an angel. Absolute bargain.

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22. Mascara Wands, $12.29.

Mascara Wands
Image: Supplied/Amy Clark.

If you listen to Mamamia's You Beauty podcast, you would've heard Leigh Campbell and I bang on about spoolies over and over again. Makeup artists use these brushes on clients to keep mascaras hygienic, but I use one to brush my eyebrows every single morning because it's the quickest way to make them look 'done' and open up your eye area. I also use them after filling in any gaps in my brows to brush the product through for a natural, seamless finish.

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23. Amolin Baby Nappy Rash Cream, $6.99.

Amolin
Image: Supplied/Amy Clark.

Last but not least, nappy rash cream. You can slather this thick, oil-based nappy rash cream everywhere. Think: chapped lips, crusty nose, bug bites, cuticles, thigh chafe and other chafes down there. Trust me, it's good.

Feature image: Supplied/Amy Clark.

Do you have a great chemist beauty buy? Tell us your recommendations in the comments below!