Best beauty buys for under $10

For a long time now many of the foundations, moisturisers and mascaras from popular mass brands have been firmly priced above the $20 and even $30 mark. But when your budget is tight or you simply want to feel thrifty and virtuous, there are still plenty of beauty bargains.

There’s also the lure of inverse snobbery: when someone comments on your lipstick and it cost only a few dollars, the real beauty, of course, emanates from you. We’ve trawled the stores for some of the most hard-working beauty products on the market that will have the compliments flowing for only a tiny outlay.

Problem solvers

1. Avon Clearskin Invisible Blemish Corrector ($9.99)
Stress, hormones and even colds and flu can cause pimples to erupt overnight. Dab them away with this “magic wand” that can also be applied over makeup.

2. Hawley Black Beauty Nail Files ($3.85)
Ensure perfectly shaped nails, and eliminate scratchy nail edges with these nail files. These emery boards have a strong and flexible wood veneer centre, which means they’re made to last. Keep them germ-free and fresh by washing them in soapy water. Then rinse quickly under a hot tap and leave them to dry standing up in a cup. They come in a pouch of two, with a cuticle stick included.

3. L’Occitane Verbena Harvest Refreshing Towelettes ($9.95)
You don’t expect a luxury product for under $10, but this handy pack of 15 cleansing towelettes is a must for your handbag, gym bag, and for long haul flights and drives. They refresh the hands, body and face and smell great, too.