If you're in the market for makeup like I always am, but don't always have the funds for a $48 foundation and the $22 brush to apply it with, like I don't, look no further. Here are just six of the many brands stepping up their game and saving us money, yet are keeping us looking like we just dropped half a paycheck in Sephora.
Morphe Brushes
Morphe has quickly taken the makeup world by storm. While their brushes have been a cult favorite from the start, their eyeshadow, contour and concealer palettes are quickly rising to the tip-top of the favorites lists for makeup artists and beauty gurus. Their professional, high-quality brushes start below $10, and their pigmented, blendable palettes start under $20. Morphe is a true necessity for everyone in the makeup community, from novice to professional.
Colourpop Cosmetics
Our wallets can now breathe a sigh of relief: Colourpop is here to save our bank accounts. These insanely high-quality shadows, lipsticks and liners have made a huge impact in the makeup community. Their shadows are super buttery and pigmented, smooth and ultra-blendable, and *drumroll please* cost a mere $5 each. Their creamy lipsticks, liquid lipsticks and eye and lip liners begin at $6 each (!!!). These products are 100 percent worth the small investment!
Milani Cosmetics
Forget the drug store makeup we remember from years ago - chalky, low-pigmented colors and less-than-perfect formulas. Milani has left the past in the past, recently unveiling many new formulas among their products. Their blushes and eyeshadows, specifically, have received rave reviews, but their liquid lipsticks have recently stolen the show. However, Milani is approaching the higher end of the drugstore cosmetic price scale (beginning around $5 for single potted eyeshadows), but is entirely worth the slightly high price when compared to high-end cosmetics.
NYX Cosmetics
NYX has been a longtime favorite of most, and is a brand that will never stop making quality products for cheap. This company has a cult following and always releases reliable and trustworthy makeup. There is no single item from NYX that is better than the other, and their prices start low, between $2-3.
eyes lips face Cosmetics
e.l.f. has also been a longstanding favorite among the makeup community. Their products are easily accessible through Target and other drug stores and products start as low as $1! Their quality can sometimes be hit or miss, but you are not shelling out too much money on these products, so if a product turned out to be less than perfect for you, you didn't lose too much money on it! However, that's not to say that their price depicts their quality at all - e.l.f. is a trustworthy brand and should definitely be included your makeup collection!
Real Techniques, right alongside Morphe, are some of the most high-quality and least expensive brushes on the market right now. They apply and blend with absolute ease, and are some of the best professional grade brushes at a drugstore level. These are also very easily accessible and are an absolute staple for everyone who applies makeup. Their Miracle Complexion Sponge is a massive hit among beauty gurus and is an absolute necessity. Even better, it's $6 and a perfect dupe for the $20 beautyblender. RT brushes are on the higher end of the drugstore scale, beginning around $6, but are worth every penny.
