I can't believe what I got in TK Maxx!

TK Maxx (or TJ Maxx if you're in America) is usually a hit or miss experience, but there are ample rewards for those who can stand a bit of rummaging!

Disclaimer: This is not an original idea. One of my favourite YouTube channels (Eleventh Gorgeous - check them out) has posted several blogs on their TK/TJ Maxx make-up and beauty hauls after they got the idea from another blog. However, I loved the idea and thought I'd give my local shop a chance. Luckily, the usual problem of smashed up make-up that everyone has touched doesn't seem to apply in my local store - win!

TK Maxx does its own price comparisons to product RRPs on its labels, but I don't trust these and have used my internet prowess to compile my own price comparisons.

Headline figures:

• What I paid: £31.90

• Retail value (excluding any additional delivery costs): £78.95

• Saving: £47.05

The Haul

1. Real Techniques Base Brush Set - £14.95

I don't claim to know much about make-up brushes. Actually, I hang my head in shame when I admit that sometimes I'm a 'just apply it with your fingers' type of person, which I know is sacrilege among make-up fans! Despite this, Real Techniques was one brand that I'd heard of before. The brushes feel really soft and are definitely way better quality than the random array of brushes I've accumulated over the years; they also come with a handy storage box. However, one of the best things about this brand is their YouTube channel, where they go through each of their brush sets, explaining how to use each brush - perfect for a brush-beginner like me!

This was the most expensive item that I bought, and I will admit that I found the brushes online for cheaper (not including delivery costs). However, if I was to buy the set from Boots, it would have set me back £19.99, so all-in-all, not a complete bust.

2. Too Faced Melted Liquid Lipstick in Coral - £4.95

This is a very well known and highly-regarded make-up brand, so I was surprised to see it. The coral colour of the lipstick is right up my street, wasn't too highly pigmented and wasn't as sticky or difficult to apply as previous liquid lipsticks I've tried.

After a bit of searching online, this is a colour that has been discontinued in the UK. This made a price comparison more difficult, but not impossible. It's limited, but still available to buy in America for around $19 (£13) - this was definitely a bargain!

3. Eyeko Waterproof Sport Mascara (travel sized) - £3.00

Although I really didn't need yet another mascara, I think this is shaping up to be a really good one (plus, it's waterproof and none of my other mascaras are). It doesn't have a strong smell, goes on smoothly without clumping and the applicator is perfect in size with a slight bend that makes it easier to apply. I'm not sure how waterproof the mascara is, because my Clinique make-up remover seems to remove EVERYTHING with great ease. I also haven't have any reason to cry while wearing the mascara (yet).

I only bought this because I'd seen this exact mascara in Marks & Spencer about an hour before I went to TK Maxx. It was retailing for about £11.00, so I couldn't resist it!

4. The Vintage Cosmetic Company Blending Sponge - £3.00

Not just a run-of-the-mill blending sponge, the Vintage Cosmetic Company's sponge is latex free and apparently infused with collagen to give you the Photoshop finish you've always dreamed of. I wasn't entirely sure why it's 'shaped like a gourd' (though I do love that word), but the company's website has links to their handy YouTube tutorial videos to help get the most out of the product.

I'd originally thought that this might be one of TK Maxx's own brands (I have no idea why), but it is a standalone company and the sponge is sold for £5.95 with free UK and USA delivery on all items. Considering that my ageing beauty blender is looking a bit grim and I go this one for almost half price, I definitely think it was another bargain!

5. Cargo Wanderlust Palette - £5.00

I hadn't heard anything about this brand until I watched an American YouTube blogger who mentioned that they were really good quality. The palette itself has 12 colours that feature a range of neutrals, greens and purples. The colours are conveniently and cleverly grouped into pairs, for an easier and more casual look, or three sets of four shadows for a more complex evening look, making this a really good beginners palette. The eyeshadows themselves are really buttery and easy to apply. They swatched well on my arm and the neutrals look awesome when applied (they might even compete with my Urban Decay Naked 2 palette), but the dark green and purple look very dark.

This is an American brand, with the palettes retailing for around $39.00 (approximately £28.00) online. This one is definitely a bargain, and possibly the best value for money product from this trip.

Other Awesome Stuff I didn't Buy

Although I got a few really good products, there were a few that I wanted to buy, but didn't (see, I can show some restraint). Despite this, I still think it's interesting to note the following products:

• In the clearance section, there were a number of Estee Lauder products, including some really high-quality lip pencils for really low prices (they just weren't my colours).

• There was an awesome and rare Eve Lom foundation on sale, which usually sells for over double the price TK Maxx were selling it for. If it hadn't been too dark, it would have come home with me!

• There were also a few PIXI contour and face palettes for a really good price (again, not my colours).

• There were loads of NIP+FAB products, but these were mostly eyeliner and brow products that weren't in my colours.

• Finally, TK Maxx stocks the Profusion contour palette, which (according to the internet) is a dead ringer for the Kat Von D Light and Dark contour palette, but is far cheaper.

Overall Verdict

Generally speaking, my local TK Maxx was clearly a goldmine on this occasion and I made clear savings on the products I did buy. However, would I have realistically bought these products at full price? Probably not, so you could argue that I didn't technically 'save' any money (my husband certainly would).

TK Maxx is good if you like quirky shades or are looking for something different and cheap. It definitely caters to someone who is brunette and tanned, as opposed to my blonde pallor, but there are products there if you're willing to rummage around. If you're hoping for a specific product or a specific colour etc. you're probably not going to have much success.

Either way, it's definitely a shop to consider for make-up and beauty products, which is something I never thought I'd say.

Until next time,

E.E.