Five Below Makeup Review: Hits, Misses & Safety Concerns

Five Below Makeup: Shockingly Good Dupes vs. Dangerous Products

Searching for affordable makeup at Five Below? You might find amazing luxury dupes... or products that literally burn your skin. After testing $110 worth of Five Below cosmetics, I discovered surprising gems alongside concerning fails. The key takeaway? Not all budget makeup is created equal, and some items pose genuine safety risks. This review cuts through the hype with honest results so you can shop smarter.

The Immediate Danger: Alcohol-Based Setting Spray

Avoid the Airless Setting Spray Mist at all costs. This Charlotte Tilbury dupe contains alcohol as its primary ingredient. When sprayed, it immediately burned my skin and smelled like pure rubbing alcohol. This is especially alarming considering Five Below's teen/kid demographic. Safety should never be compromised for cost savings. For comparison, my regular NYX spray has water as its first ingredient and causes zero irritation.

The formula also caused bizarre separation in my foundation: "My face felt stiff and developed patchy, discolored areas after spraying." This product earns a 0/10 rating and should be pulled from shelves.

Unexpected Winners Worth Buying

Despite some disasters, these Five Below products outperformed expectations:

Rare Beauty Blush Dupe (Hail Haley Bieber):
This liquid blush blends beautifully with impressive pigment. The rosy shade flattered my complexion better than expected, and the doe-foot applicator provided precise control. At ~$5, it rivals blushes triple the price.
LA Colors Brow Pomade:
Perfect color match for dark brows, easy application, and lasted through workouts. Considering I use brow products daily, this affordable find saves significant cash.
Contour Wand (Charlotte Tilbury Dupe):
Though slightly orange-toned, it blended well and offered buildable coverage. The packaging felt surprisingly luxurious for the price. Pro tip: Apply with a brush instead of the built-in sponge for better control.

Total Fails to Steer Clear Of

Beauty Treats Neon Eyeshadow Palette:
Horrendous pigmentation and patchiness. The dark brown shade required excessive layering yet still appeared uneven. Not worth even $5.
Big Poppa Mascara:
Clumpy formula with a stiff wand that added zero volume or length. "My natural lashes disappeared instead of getting enhanced."
LA Girl Pro Powder:
Finely milled but caused alarming flashback. Worse, inhaling particles triggered choking during application. The formula dried out my skin unnaturally.

Mixed Results: Proceed with Caution

Wet n Wild Incognito Concealer: Good coverage and shade match, but felt heavy and emphasized dryness later in wear.
Lazy Days Skin Tint: Lightweight and cooling but strong chemical scent. Decent for light coverage days.
Matte Lipstick/Liner Combo: Creamy application and flattering cocoa shade, though it settled into lip lines over time.
Avocado Serum: Pleasant texture but contained fragrance that irritated my sensitive eye area.

Actionable Five Below Makeup Checklist

Before purchasing:

Check ingredient lists – Avoid alcohol-heavy sprays or fragranced products near eyes
Stick to cream products – Liquid blushes/contours outperformed powders
Research dupes beforehand – Some mimic high-end packaging but not formulas
Test immediately – Five Below's return policy is limited
Prioritize safety – Burning/stinging means discontinue use immediately

Final Verdict: Smart Bargain or Wasteful Risk?

Five Below's makeup is wildly inconsistent. While the Rare Beauty blush dupe and brow pomade are legitimate steals, the dangerous setting spray and unusable eyeshadows make blind buys risky. For the $110 spent, only 4 of 15 products earned repeat-use status. Your safest bets are cream complexion products and avoid anything sprayable.

"The alcohol-based setting spray was a shocking reminder that budget doesn't mean harmless."

Which Five Below makeup products have you tried? Share your hits and misses in the comments!