budget beauty buys

You might be familiar with the Australian beauty brand Models Prefer. It's Priceline's very own "luxe for less" range that offers makeup, hair tools and fragrances. Now, Models Prefer also offers a comprehensive skincare line (Hydrate, Rejuvenate and Purify) that rivals some of the bigger, more high-end brands on the market. You see, it has been developed in conjunction with one of Italy's leading laboratories, and contains similar ingredients to like-minded products sold for at least double the price.

The buzz word in the Models Prefer skincare range is Aqua Flex — an active ingredient derived from purified pomegranate extract. And as we know, pomegranate has super healing powers, but is also good for acne and anti-ageing. We've included a breakdown of our favourite products from the range, so click through.

Models Prefer stockists: Priceline

So we've covered the boy, the beach babe, gifts packs and even very amazing eyeshadow palettes — now onto some cute budget buys. If you've got a $20 limit, there's still plenty of beauty prods to choose from to suit even your most difficult present people. You know the type, they're so fussy! From makeup bags to luxe hand cream and brush sets, click through. 

Let's be honest with each other, woman to woman. We all shave our legs. Even Miranda Kerr shaves her legs. We all have great intentions of booking those laser treatments through Winter so we're all shiny and hairless for Summer, but it almost never happens. Then we find ourselves staring at the disposal razors in Coles wondering where it all went so horribly wrong. Well, let us be the first to say, it isn't wrong at all. There's some great razor options under $25, as well as some other very effective at-home hair removal products, and they all do a great job of keeping our pins smooth and nourished, rather than prickly and itchy. The trick with at-home hair removal is exfoliate before, and try to leave it as long as you can before reaching for the blades, wax or cream again — as this will promote slow hair growth. And remember to moisturise after, a lot!

Where would we be without concealer? We use it to hide angry blemishes, dark circles under our eyes, pigmentation, and sometimes — when we're feeling really daring — as a matte, nude-look lipstick. The little pots imperfection-hiding goodness can be costly, though, so we thought it was high time some love went the budget concealer stars. We've tried and loved all of these, and we know you will too.

We've been having a very intimate love affair with body oils of late — there's something so luxe about them. Using a rich oil after a bath or shower has that relaxing day spa vibe, not to mention the hydration qualities packed into each bottle. But the best reason to try one on for size? Financial. Body oil is so dense and thick that just a tiny bit goes a very long way, so you won't need to buy it as often as a body moisturiser. But be warned, body oil is best used at night or when your skin is mostly covered by clothes — we don't want you burning in the sun! Here's five budget body oils we've tried and loved, and we think you will, too. 

So, how are you going on the Spring cleaning front? Started yet? If not, that changes today! Your makeup brushes, product bottles and styling tools all need to be cleaned regularly, but Spring is a great time to really give them a once over. After everything is looking shiny and new, you might like to consider housing your everyday products in a new makeup bag. Not quite that Mimco clutch you've been eyeing but just as fun and even more useful. We've got 10 for you to pick from, each coming in at under $20.

Our fashion editor Ali has spent her week preparing for a friend's wedding. And when we say prepare, we mean facials, lash and brow tinting, a spray tan — you name the beauty treatment, she's had it! But when it comes to a big event, the most important beauty stuff happens the night before. We're talking skin prep, hydrating and relaxing the body so it can look its best. Now, what better way to end the week than with a budget buys gallery dedicated to the night before the big day? So whether you've got a wedding — perhaps your own?! — a special birthday party or you just want to look amazing for no reason at all (you go gurl), click through to find out your beauty to-do list and the corresponding products.