We all love a bargain, especially when it comes to our beauty routines.
There’s nothing worse than all of your essential toiletries running out at the same time, especially in a month like January, when we’re all feeling the pinch and a long wait until payday.
Which is exactly why we’ve compiled a list of our tried-and-tested, much-loved beauty buys that won’t set you back more than a fiver. Yes, really.
You’d be forgiven for thinking you need to spend a small fortune to top up your skincare stash or replenish your make-up bag with top-quality products, but thanks to many brilliant brands at budget prices, you don’t have to.
Superdrug’s Vitamin E range is fabulous for budget-friendly bodycare, Boots has a huge line-up of own-brand skincare at lovely low prices, and there’s always a deal to be found on Amazon.
We’re not talking about minis either, our roundup contains only full-size products with very reasonable price tags.
Having spent almost a decade testing and reviewing beauty products, shopping contributor Louise Whitbread reveals her top picks for under a fiver.
The Best Beauty Products Under £5
17 Tinted Lip Butter
If you’ve had your eye on Clinique’s viral Pink Honey lipstick, but don’t have in excess of £20 to splurge, this is the next best thing. A bargain at only £4, it has a gorgeous creamy texture with the hydration of a balm, yet the colour payoff of a lipstick. I love the shade 010 Dusty Pink for a flattering wash of low-maintenance colour, but you can also shop it in a berry red, coffee brown and peachy nude. You don’t even need a mirror to apply it.
Buy now for £4
Nivea Soft Moisturising Cream for Face, Hand and Body
There’s no better moisturiser for dry skin than Nivea Soft. It’s creamy but lightweight, absorbs quickly and doesn’t leave you feeling sticky. It’s not overpowering, too heavy and has a delicious, subtle scent – there’s nothing not to love. You can also find it in multiple sizes, so if you love it as much as I do, you can get a supersize 500ml or a travel-friendly 25ml pot.
Buy now for £2
SHEGLAM Color Bloom Liquid Blush
You’d think this liquid blush would have a sky high price tag, but it’s less than a fiver. The domed, cushioned applicator allows you to dot precisely onto your cheeks where you want it, without ever looking clownish. It has a matte finish that stays in place for hours and blends like a dream; even the most makeup novice would find this a breeze to work with. I like to dab two dots and use a dense, fluffy brush to blend out towards my temples for a lifted look.
Buy now for £4.99
Superdrug Vitamin E Moisturising Body Lotion Spray
Let’s be honest, moisturising our body is so much more work than our face, and often the step most missed in our routine. If you don’t have the time or effort to slather on body butters and cream before heading out to work or getting into bed, this lotion spray is a must-try. It’s a lightweight mist that barely needs rubbing in, and you can apply as much or as little as you like without any faff. It doesn’t have a strong scent, and the formula is full of skin-softening vitamins that will keep dryness at bay. I can’t get enough.
Buy now for £5
Boots Berry Lip Sleep Mask
Don’t sleep on Boots’ own-brand lip line. Its glossy lip balms were one of my favourite launches in 2025, and this Lip Sleep Mask is a serious solution for dry, chapped, winter-weathered skin. It comes with a smooth applicator, so you never need to get your hands messy, and it’s a thick balm that leaves a glossy, non-sticky finish and immediately soothes sore, cracked lips in need of TLC. Keep it on your bedside table at all times.
Buy now for £4.50
Nivea 2-in-1 Refreshing Milk & Toner
I discovered this milky cleanser on holiday a few years ago. I’d forgotten to pack my usual luxury cleanser, and this was the only one available in the tiny pharmacy I stumbled across. I’ve never looked back, and this is one of my most repurchased products. It's super lightweight but removes make-up without much fuss, while keeping my skin soft and hydrated thanks to the inclusion of Vitamin E and Hydramine in the formula. For less than a fiver, it outperforms many cleansers that are five times the price.
Buy now for £2.50
essence Lash PRINCESS false lash effect mascara waterproof
An unbelievable bargain is this essence waterproof mascara. The brush bristles are designed in a conical shape that allows you to coat you whole lash line in a couple of swipes, without clumping or crumbling throughout the day. It’s easy to remove too, leaving no panda eyes in the morning nor those horrible stringy clumps in the inner corner of your eye the next day.
Buy Now for £3.99
Spacemasks Self-Heating Eye Mask
If you’re struggling to sleep in your own bed, on long car journeys or a long-haul flights, make sure you have a pack of these self-heating eye masks to hand. They have ear loops to stay secure on your face and start to heat up as soon as they are taken out of the box, delivering up to 30 minutes of warmth without ever getting too hot, and help you relax and switch off in a matter of minutes. I love using them to sort out a headache, too. Don’t travel this year without one.
Buy Now for £3.95And there you have it! But is there an item that you love under £5? Let us know in the comments, and we’ll check it out.
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