Kmart is one place I’ve never gone to for beauty products.
It’s not because I don’t like the discount store, in fact I’m a loud and proud fan of it. I’ve lost count of the amount of friends I’ve convinced to buy the brand’s flattering “sculpting” $25 jeans (I have them in no less than six colours) and have a couch littered with Kmart cushions, including the Insta-famous $8 knot everyone clambered over each other to nab back in 2018.
But as far as my beauty stash was concerned, I didn’t have a thing from Kmart.
All that changed when I was scrolling through TikTok and stumbled across a video from a woman raving about a bubblegum pink silicone mat designed to clean dirty make-up brushes.
“My favourite purchase ever,” she wrote alongside a video of the $6 item in her sink.
When the same item popped up again on my Facebook feed a few days later, this time in the Kmart Mums group, I knew I had to go to my local store and check out the beauty aisles for myself – and boy, was I pleasantly surprised.
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Sure, there’s a lot of naff stuff and make-up items suitable only for a kids fancy dress box – but there was some gold among the sea of stick on nails and scented lip balms.
So here are the Kmart items that are not only cheap but also bloody brilliant.
OXX STUDIO COSMETIC BRUSH CLEANING MAT
Price: $6
The infamous item that’s blowing up on social media – a fluro pink rubber pad covered with different textures to help loosen stubborn liquids like foundation and gently clean dirty make-up brushes. But does it live up to the TikTok hype? Abso-bloody-lutely.
Just like Sydney TikTok user Kelsee said in her video declaring it her best purchase in Kmart, I was able to bring life back into brushes that have been long overdue a good clean. It’s so easy to use too, you simply slip it into your sink where the silicone grips to the bowl so it doesn’t move around, add a splash of water and your soap of choice and away you go. To get the best results, I’d choose the ribbed area on the pad that matches the brush best, for example small brushes I would move backwards and forwards over the smaller bumps on the mat while bigger ones can use the large bumps that kinda look like ice cream sprinkles. Also, did I mention this is just $6? Make-up brushes are so expensive and this is an easy, fun, and cost-effective way to keep them clean and fluffy. The only drawback is that it’s so popular, it’s sold out in a bunch of Kmart stores, so finding one is like finding a needle in a haystack.
OXX STUDIO FLAWLESS EYELASH CURLER
Price: $7
It has been so long since I remember having an eyelash curler, but as soon as I saw it I was like – YES. It has been too long my friend. Even though it was only seven bucks, I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how well it works. It doesn’t tug out my eyelashes, has a soft bouncy spring and doesn’t give lashes an OTT curl like others I’ve used in the past and no one likes lashes that bend over on themselves. The cushioned pads that clasp the hairs are gentle and come with a spare set for when they need to be changed and the item itself doesn’t dig into your hands when using either. Plus, there is a cute pink and rose gold colour as well as a standard black. What’s not to love?
OXX STUDIO LIQUID LINER
Price: $4
If I was to look at this hanging up in the store without any prior knowledge of it, I honestly wouldn’t buy it. The drab packaging does little to inspire me and my eyes quickly dart past it. But after reading good things about it on a few blogs, I decided to give it a go. The ultra fine tip and its “you can’t get me off if you tried” formula are what make this product good because I have hooded lids and if liner goes on too thick or doesn’t dry fast enough, I end up with that annoying half moon transferred onto my upper lid. This dries way quicker than I expected for such a budget product and it also stays on a long time. In fact, you probably could argue it’s too stubborn to get off – but as I’ve tried so many liners that move around too easily, I’m into it. Don’t buy this if you have high expectations on formula quality – it’s $4 after all. But if you need a cheap liner to get you by until payday or a spare for your handbag, this is a good option.
This column is not advertorial content. Every review is independent, honest and ad free.
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