From an early age, my love of makeup stemmed from a love of YouTube videos as I watched tutorial after tutorial followed by some beauty hauls and monthly favorites videos. For the longest time, I dreamed of having a pay check that would support my ever present desire to buy everything in Sephora, but I slowly came to realize that overpriced beauty products just aren't necessary.
While I still give in to some pressures, like the Kylie Lip Kits, the Naked Eye Shadow Palettes and Benefit's Hoola Matte Bronzer, I have discovered many gems at the drugstore priced much more reasonably than the products at Sephora.
1. L 'Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation
The Pro-Matte Foundation has a demi-matte finish, wears up to 24 hours, is medium coverage and has an air-light feel on the skin. The packaging doesn't lie.
2. Rimmel Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation
This Rimmel foundation feels a little heavy on the skin and isn't quite the "air-light" wear it claims. However, it is a full coverage drug store foundation that wears all day, doesn't get shiny, and blends evenly into skin.
3. NYX HD Concealer CW 12
Don't freak out the first time you dab this concealer on your face. It's very pigmented and very green, but that means it does its job perfectly. Lightly blend into skin under foundation and concealor to easily hide any red pigmentations.
4. Essence Say No To Dark Circles
While I haven't tried the other two Say No products, Say No To Dark Circles is a light wear, salmon concealer that blends gently under eyes and doesn't crease.
5. L’Oreal Lift Blur Concealer
There is no point in researching or testing any other concealer. The L 'Oreal Visible Lift Blur Concealer is even better than the Urban Decay Naked Complete Coverage Canceler which was all too hyped when it was released.
This Visible Lift Blur Concealer doesn't crease, blends easily and stays on the skin throughout the entire day.
6. Sonia Kashuk Chic Luminosity Highlighter Stick (43: Persian Sunset)
Sometimes you don't want to spend $40 on a Becca highlighter and you need a cheaper options.
7. NYX Born To Glow Liquid Illuminator (LI 01: Sunbeam)
I typically prefer liquid highlighters because they blend into the skin easier, and this one is only $7.59.
8. Milani Powder Blush (01: Romantic Rose)
It's the perfect natural blush for every day wear.
9. Makeup Revolution Eyeshadow Pallets
They are often compared to the Urban Decary Naked pallettes but are usually only $15.
10. Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder
I haven't used any other powder for over a year.
11. Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara
The idea of flash lashes absolutely terrify me, but with this mascara I don't even need to consider gluing something to my eye.
12. NYX Eyebrow Pencil Crayon A Sourcils
13. Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipsticks
For the days when I don't want to go matte, these lipsticks are moisturizing and pigmented.
14. Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lipcolor
15. Real Techniques Makeup Brushes
16. Simple Micellar Cleansing Water
I've tried other micellar waters but nothign else compares.
17. Simple Moisturising Face Wash
18. Single Replenishing Rich Moisturizer
19. Pixi Skintreats Glow Tonic Exfoliating Toner
Every morning I exfoliate my skin with the Pixix Glow Tonic and ever since I started using it, I've seen a dramatic change in the quality of my skin.
20. L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Spray & Set
I will never consider buying any other setting spray until they discontinue this product.
My two best friends and I used the L 'Oreal Infallible Pro-Spray & Set to set our makeup before the One Direction concert last summer. Mind you, the concert was outside, in the 107 degree heat index, and we sat in it for nearly 4 hours before the sun set. By the end of the night, our make up was still practically perfect.
