Affordable and cheap makeup has come a long way since the $2 shop days - nowadays there are so many different and trusted brands to chose from that stock a wide variety of beauty and makeup products that don't break the bank. Australian owned, ulta3 is one of those brands, originally launching with lipsticks and nail polishes (for under $5!), they have recently been expanding into more skincare and tanning products and also adding more into their makeup line. Here are some of the recent releases from ulta3... p.s. there's a rainbow highlighter that shouldn't be missed!

Postie+ is a classic NZ store, for as long as I can remember it has been around but in recent years they have really stepped up their game, selling lots of various beauty items and makeup goodies, alongside their clothing. I have been doing Postie+ hauls since the early days of my blog (3 years ago now... wow) and you can see them all here. They recently got in touch with me to see if I wanted to see what brands they were currently stocking, all of which you can buy for under $20 - how good is that?! Of course, I was definitely keen as an avid Postie+ shopper from way back, plus I am all about trying more affordable options. 

I realise it hasn't even been a whole month since the last Lust Have It arrived (see it here), but I've already had the November Women's Beauty Box* arrive and wanted to share the contents ASAP because it's a pretty good one this month! If you're a new reader, or curious about LHI, it is a monthly beauty subscription service that ships to Australia and NZ, where you are sent at least 5 sample products (although a lot are full sized) for AUD $19.95 plus $2.95 for shipping. This month's bag came with 5 products, plus two bonus items, three of which are full sized.

Spring and Summer are always the best months to pull out the bright and pastel nail polishes you had tucked away over Winter. The very affordable brand, ulta3 have recently bought out a whole swag of new shades, in candy pastels and brights perfect for the warmer months.

Last month I was super lucky to attend a Bourjois launch party, and I came home with a very generous goodie bag packed with Bourjois products as well as some products from brands that the PR company look after. Inside were a few lipsticks from the very affordable brand, ulta3*. I already own one shade in my stash, so I thought I would do a little swatch and review and share the four other shades I got.

The Lust Have It Women's Beauty Box* for August has arrived, and it's even better than usual because it's their birthday box! This months box includes five products, some skincare and the rest makeup, all of which are full sized. If you're unfamiliar with Lust Have It, basically they are a monthly subscription service where you get sent at least 5 products, ranging from full sized to sample sizes to try out for AUD $19.95 a month. They ship to NZ and Australia and they are a service I've been getting for over a year now.

Well it looks as though Lust Have It are finally getting their act together. with the February Women's Beauty Box* finally arriving late last week. If you read my combined mega post with my End of Month Review for December and Unboxing for January (see it here if not), you would have realised my frustration with the delays that LHI were having sending out the monthly boxes. But sure enough a week later this particular box turned up, so here is my thoughts on the items inside with the theme 'All About Makeup'.