Beauty Budget Essentials

I love a bit of drugstore shopping and being a student, it's vital that I'm able to watch my cash or I can risk having to live off bread and water. I know that when it's a toss up of food or that new MAC lipstick, I know which one I'd go for which is why I've compiled a brief selection of some budget buys that I wouldn't trade for a more expensive counterpart...

It should be no surprise that I'm obsessed with KIKO cosmetics and their kohl eye pencils are some of the best I've ever tried. Ever. I love this blue one which is really brilliant for brightening up your eyes and adding a pop of colour to the outfit. Plus it's less than £5.

Many bloggers hype over the Hourglass Eyebrow Pencil and it's Anastasia Beverly Hills equivalent but I'm in love with the Soap and Glory Brow Archery. For £8, it's significantly cheaper than the high end versions and honestly I can't complain. I use it in Blondshell which is an ashy brown that looks wonderfully natural and the spooly helps comb it throw giving the ultimate natural brow look. I wouldn't trade it for the world.

I'm not a massive fan of contouring but when I was wanting to try it I picked up the Sleek Contour, Highlight and Blush Palette in Light (there are other shades available). I can't remember exactly how much it cost but it was less than £10 and the highlight is beautiful. The contour shade is slightly ashy which avoids that orange glow and the blush gives a lovely natural flush but the highlight... The highlight is beautiful. It's absolutely stunning and I'm sure you can see the massive dent I've made in it! Probably my all time favourite powder highlight.

And finally, not so much a drugstore buy but a highstreet one... In the USA, they're big on roller ball perfumes but I rarely see them this side of the pond which is why I've been loving this River Island perfume. I was sent this and I've been keeping it in my gym bag as it's leak safe and helps me feel a little bit more put together. I don't know how much it costs but I can't imagine it would exceed drugstore prices.

And finally, hair. I love a bit of volume but find that even with dry shampoo, my hair is so fine that it can just fall flat. This Fudge Urban Powder Styler is brilliant. I think it was only around £5 but it really really holds. It's honestly wonderful and just brushes out at the end of the day.

What are some of your favourite drugstore essentials?