Let’s face it: makeup isn’t a necessity. However, it is an art form. It has the power to change someone’s face, improve their confidence, and hide embarrassing blemishes. But not everyone has the money to dish out to Sephora for high-end brands. These brands are available at most drugstores, and the best part is that they're all under 20 dollars!
Best Face Primer: Maybelline New York’s ‘Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser’
Cost: $4-$5
Why: It may not say ‘face primer’ on the bottle, but the point of a face primer is making sure that your foundation stays on. This does that, while erasing the look of large pores and blackheads with a clear and lightweight formula. Say goodbye to shiny skin and invest in a bottle of this. The best part? You only need a dime size amount per use, so a tube could last you at least six months!
Best Liquid Foundation: Rimmel London’s ‘Stay Matte’ Liquid Mousse Foundation
Cost: $7-$9
Why: This was a tough one to choose, because there are so many different types of great liquid foundation to be found in drug stores. However, if you’re looking for a full coverage foundation with a matte finish, look no more! Just a dime size portion of this covers your whole face, and even doubles as a concealer. It may be thick, but it saves you time, because you don’t need to set it with powder! Though thick, it does not look ‘caked on,’ which is vital when choosing a foundation. It reminds me of Tarte’s ‘Amazonian Clay’ foundation, but it's about $35 cheaper!
Best BB Cream:Covergirl’s ‘Natureluxe Liquid Silk Foundation’
Cost: $5-$9
Why: Although it’s not advertised as a BB Cream, it has all the components of one. It’s extremely lightweight, and even has SPF 10, so it’s perfect for hot days. It has a very smooth texture and is extremely blendable, so you don’t need a brush or a sponge, you can just use your fingers!
Best Concealer: Almay’s ‘Clear Complexion’ Concealer
Cost: $7-9
Why: Let’s face it: the bags are under your eyes are not designer bags. This liquid concealer blends very well to cover up under your eyes, and, because it’s so blendable, it matches your skin tone very easily. The concealer has ‘BlemisHeal’ technology that also makes it a staple in covering up those pesky pimples.
Best Bronzer: NYC’s Smooth Skin Bronzing Powder
Cost: $4-$6
Why: Not only is this bronzer extremely cheap, it’s soft texture makes it very easy to blend, so the color does not come on too strong. There’s nothing worse than looking like an Oompa-Loompa when you’re going to a club. Oh, by the way, I’ve had this bronzer for over two years and I haven’t even reached the pan yet! Long-lasting, affordable, and good quality—nothing better!
Best Blush: Milani’s Powder Blush in ‘Baked’
Cost: $5-$9
Why: Milani is an extremely underrated brand of beauty products. While I haven’t experimented with their eye makeup, their skin products are fabulous. This blush is almost an exact dupe (quick makeup vocab: a dupe is a cheaper version of a high-end product) of NARS’ blush in ‘Orgasm.’ The color is beautiful and goes well with all skin tones, and there’s even a hint of shimmer to add a natural highlight to your cheekbones!
Best Eye Shadow Palette: Wet N’ Wild’s Comfort Zone Palette
Cost: $4-$5
Why: I know what a lot of you are thinking: Wet N’ Wild was that brand of makeup that was so crappy you used to give it out in your gift-bags at birthday parties. However, this brand has done a complete turnaround. Their eye shadow palettes are highly pigmented, and you get 8 colors for barely $5. They also have tutorials all over Pinterest for these palettes, because you can pretty much wear it for any occasion.
Best Eyeliner: E.L.F. Essential Expert Liquid Liner
Cost: $1-$2
Why: Not only is this the cheapest liquid eyeliner ever, it’s actually very easy to work with. Whether or not you can do the perfect cat eye, this eyeliner brush has an extremely thin tip, making your lines precise. Messed up? No big deal. The liquid doesn’t go on too thick, so people who aren’t masterful at applying liquid eyeliner need not worry. One small tube of this can last two months! That’s $1 for every eight weeks for great eyeliner. I highly recommend this for beginners and makeup junkies.
Best Mascara: Maybelline Lash Discovery Mini-Brush Mascara
Cost: $6-$9
Why: I wish I could show you my face when I first put this mascara on. The brush, as it says on the package, is very small, but that only makes it better. Each individual lash gets the voluminous, thickening treatment it deserves. Your lashes are a mile long with this mascara. Top it off with one coat of a big-brushed mascara (Rimmel London’s Scandal-eyes Mascara) and you’re good to go.
Best Lip Stick: NYX Cosmetics Soft Matte Lip Cream
Cost: $4-$8
Why: Okay, technically this isn’t a lip STICK, but don’t worry, it’s better. This product is a combination of a lipstick, lip stain, and lip butter that leaves you with a beautiful matte finish. It’s long-lasting, so you don’t need to worry about it coming off on the straw of your drink, and it comes in dozens of different colors. A lipstick can make or break your makeup routine, so it’s best to get something blendable and beautiful, right? I’ve gotten so many compliments on these (I have it in four different colors), so I figure I would share my secret with the rest of the world. Enjoy!
