Five Below Glam

Why I keep checking the beauty aisle 👀

Five Below gets sooo much hype for the cute home stuff, but the beauty aisle is honestly where I lose track of time. Every time I go in “just to look,” I end up finding something that gives the same vibe as the products everyone talks about online… but in a way that feels way more low-pressure to try. And that’s the whole point for me: I love testing new makeup without feeling like I have to commit to one expensive item.

Today’s theme is basically: makeup at Five Below that actually makes sense—especially if you like travel-friendly sizes, quick everyday makeup, or you’re building a kit on a budget. I’m also sharing what I’d personally grab first, what I’d use it for, and what I’d love to hear other people’s opinions on (because some of these are “I need someone to confirm” products 😅).

My “full face” game plan (what I look for first)

When I’m shopping budget makeup, I’m not expecting everything to be perfect. What I am looking for is: does it apply easily, does it look cute in real life lighting, and is it convenient enough that I’ll actually use it? So I usually build a quick mental checklist:

1) Something to prep (primer or a hydrating stick)
2) Something to even out (skin tint / light base)
3) Something to add shape (bronzer/contour + highlight)
4) Something fun (blush, gloss, lip balm, lashes)
5) Something to lock it in (setting spray)

And Five Below has options for literally every step, which is why it’s so easy to do a full face from there.

Setting sprays that feel like a “real” find

One of the most surprising things I keep seeing is multi-finish setting spray sets. Like… not just one random mist, but a little set with different vibes. I’ve spotted versions that are infused with ingredients like green tea, coconut oil, and elderflower. Whether or not those ingredients change your whole life, I still like the idea because you can pick based on how your skin feels that day.

If I’m doing a long day, I want something that feels more “locked.” If I’m doing a casual look, I want something that melts powders together so the makeup looks less dry. And if you’re someone who gets bored easily (me), having different finishes is just more fun.

Also: setting spray is one of those products where I don’t mind experimenting, because you can usually tell pretty quickly if it’s working for you. If you’ve tried any of the setting sprays from Five Below, I seriously need to know what the wear was like on you.

Primers: the “dupe energy” is strong

Okay, primers at Five Below are giving “I’ve seen this concept before” in the best way. I’ve seen face primers that claim to help smooth skin, extend makeup wear, and fill in the look of fine lines and pores. That’s basically what everyone wants from a primer, right?

There are also those cooling, hydrating primer sticks that feel perfect for quick mornings. I love anything in stick form for travel or throwing in a bag, because it’s less messy and it’s easy to reapply. Some of them are marketed for eye + face and mention ingredients like caffeine, vitamin E, green tea, and hyaluronic acid. Again, I’m not treating it like skincare miracles, but I do like the cooling feel for “I didn’t sleep enough” days.

If you’re building a simple routine, I’d say a primer stick + a skin tint is such an easy combo for that clean, low-effort base.

Skin tint / tinted hydrator: I need opinions 🤔

This is the one I keep side-eyeing (in a curious way): the tinted hydrator / tinted skin veil style base. I’ve seen one that’s described as sheer-to-medium with a non-greasy finish, and it mentions hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and squalane.

Here’s why I’m interested: a lot of people don’t want heavy foundation anymore. They want something that evens out redness, blurs a little, and still looks like skin. If a budget skin tint can do that without separating or clinging to dry patches, that’s a win.

But I’m also realistic—skin tints can be tricky. The shade range might be limited in-store, and the finish can look different depending on your skincare underneath. So if you’ve tried a Five Below skin tint situation, tell me: did it stay cute? Did it break apart? Did it emphasize texture? I need the tea.

Bronzer + powder: the easiest way to look “alive”

I always look for bronzer at Five Below because bronzer is one of those products where you don’t need a million fancy steps. A lightweight bronzing powder can instantly make the face look warmer and more put together, especially if you’re doing minimal eye makeup.

I’ve also seen matte face powders that look like they’re meant for setting the T-zone or smoothing the base. For quick everyday makeup, that’s all I need: set where I get shiny, leave the rest more natural.

My tip when buying bronzer or powder in-store: open it (if there’s a tester or a clear window), look at the undertone, and imagine it on your neck/chest area too. If it looks too orange or too gray just sitting there, it’s probably not going to magically change once it’s on your face.

The dual-ended contour + highlight stick (travel perfection)

Dual-ended products are my weakness because they’re just convenient. I’ve seen a dual-ended contour stick that has highlight on one side and contour on the other. For travel, for beginners, for “I’m doing my makeup in the car” (not driving lol), it’s such a practical format.

What I like about this type of product is you can keep it soft and natural: a little contour under cheekbones, a little on the jawline, then a touch of highlight on the high points. Blend with fingers, sponge, whatever you have. It’s fast.

Also, if you’re building a budget makeup bag, combo products help you get more steps done without buying a million separate items.

Eyeshadow palettes: small but surprisingly pigmented

The mini eyeshadow palettes are another thing I keep noticing. They’re usually compact, easy to store, and honestly perfect for travel. I’ve seen palettes that people say are really pigmented with a nice color payoff, and that’s exactly what I want from a small palette: a few shades that actually show up.

For everyday looks, I don’t need 30 shades. I need a couple neutrals, maybe one shimmer, maybe one deeper shade to smoke out the outer corner. If you’re someone who likes quick eye looks, these small palettes can be a “throw it in your bag” type of product.

And if you’re experimenting with color, mini palettes are less intimidating. If you end up not loving it, you didn’t over-invest.

Lashes + clusters: cute, customizable, and beginner-friendly

Let’s talk lashes because Five Below has been stepping it up. I’ve seen cluster lashes that are meant to be customizable, and that’s such a good option if full strip lashes feel scary. Clusters let you build the look: natural on the outer corner, or full glam across the lash line.

For me, clusters are also easier to wear for daytime because you can keep them light. And for travel? Amazing. They don’t take up space, and they can completely change the vibe of your makeup.

If you’re new to lashes, my personal approach is: start with just 2–3 clusters on the outer corner. It gives that lifted look without feeling like “hello, lashes!” the first time you try them.

Lip finds: glossy, tinted, and “pocket-friendly”

The lip section is where the “dupe era” energy really shows up. I’ve seen glossy lip products that give that high-shine look people love, plus lip protectors and tinted balms in flavors/scents like strawberry and vanilla mocha. Those are the kind of items I actually finish, because they live in every bag I own.

There are also lip glosses that remind me of that juicy, comfortable finish—more like a lip oil vibe than a sticky gloss. If you’re into that soft, hydrated look, this is the area to browse slowly because the packaging can look similar but the formulas can feel totally different.

My favorite way to use tinted balm + gloss is: balm first for comfort, dab a little gloss just in the center for that plump look. It’s simple but looks so good in natural light.

Blush + glow: the “one dot is enough” situation

I’ve also noticed more liquid blush-style products showing up, and some of them look like they’re going for that dewy flush effect. If you love blush, you already know: some liquid blushes are no joke. You tap the tiniest amount and suddenly you’re a cartoon strawberry (been there 😭).

So if you grab a liquid blush from Five Below, I’d treat it the same way you’d treat any super pigmented blush: start small, blend out, then add more if you need it. The goal is that natural “I just went outside” flush, not “I fell into paint.”

For glow, I’ve seen highlighter options too, and I love using those on the cheekbones and inner corner for a quick brightening moment.

Skincare-adjacent makeup removers (because removing makeup matters)

Something I appreciate is seeing more makeup-removing products too, like cleansing oils or milky oil cleansers that are meant to break down makeup gently. If you’re testing new products, you also need something that helps you take it off without scrubbing your face like you’re sanding a wall.

I always look for removers that feel gentle and don’t leave my skin feeling tight. Especially if you’re wearing lashes, mascara, or long-wear base products, a cleanser that melts makeup down makes the whole routine easier.

How I’d build a Five Below makeup bag for real life

If I had to pick a realistic “use it all the time” setup from the Five Below beauty aisle, I’d go for:

• A smoothing primer or cooling primer stick for quick prep
• A tinted hydrator for everyday base (if the shade match works)
• A bronzing powder to warm up the face
• A dual-ended contour/highlight stick for fast definition
• A mini eyeshadow palette for simple looks and travel
• Cluster lashes for customizable glam
• A tinted lip balm + a glossy lip for that effortless finish
• A setting spray to pull it all together

That’s basically a full face that can go from “errands” to “dinner” without needing 20 steps.

What I’m still curious about (tell me what you’ve tried)

I’m genuinely nosy about a few things because I keep seeing them and I want real opinions:

• The skin tint/tinted hydrator: does it separate or stay smooth?
• The setting sprays: do they actually help makeup last, or just feel refreshing?
• The lash clusters: are they easy to apply and comfortable for a few hours?
• The mini palettes: do they blend nicely or get patchy?

I love finding affordable makeup that’s actually usable, not just cute packaging. And Five Below has been dropping enough beauty finds that it’s worth checking the aisle even if you went in for something totally unrelated.

Would you try any of these? Or have you already tested something that surprised you? I need to know what’s worth grabbing next time I’m there 😅