I'm only 19-years-old, so I grew up during the time where YouTube had just begun to be popular, and with that was my exposure to "beauty gurus". Now, the beauty influencers that are on YouTube now are extremely different than the ones that I watched when I was 11-years-old who DIY'ed lipstick using eyeshadow and Vaseline and only did room tours and the famous "What's in my bag?" videos. Influencers now have become millionaire businessmen and women by endorsing specific products from companies that pay them thousands of dollars to even mention their product and also get invited to enormous makeup companies' events, even fully paid trips overseas. These influencers' makeup collections put those of the beauty gurus I watched to shame, and I frankly can't keep up with some of the luxury products that they are using. So, here are the best affordable makeup products that I have turned to in wake of the beauty influencer take over. I promise you won't be spending a whole paycheck on a single concealer.
1. Makeup Revolution Fast Base Stick Foundation and Conceal and Define Full Coverage Concealer.
In wake of the Tarte Shape Tape concealer bonanza that has happened within the past year, I have found a concealer that I think would give it a run for its money. Makeup Revolution is sold in Ulta and carries a variety of products, from eyeshadow to lip gloss. The foundation stick can be a daunting concept but this one made my skin look flawless for my senior prom, and lasted the whole night. It's not cakey, but it sure is buildable. Pair it with the concealer to make your skin look absolutely perfect.
2. Revlon Color-Stay Pressed Powder
I'm not too picky about pressed powder, and this one does the job just fine. I've been using it for years, and it sets my concealer and foundation seamlessly and does not leave a powdery look on the face, giving me a dewy look that I love.
3. ColourPop Eyeshadow Pallets
ColourPop has only recently been starting to sell in major stores like Sephora and Ulta, as it is a small company that usually relies on cyber retail for most of its sales. I love this company so much and have never tried a bad product from them. Their eyeshadow pallets especially have their own, unique color stories, and I don't feel like I'm getting the same colors with every different palette that I buy. My personal favorite is an orange-toned one called "Yes, Please!". I feel like it makes the green flecks in my eyes pop, and is all around flattering for my complexion. For a more neutral look, I would recommend the eyeshadow pallet that was a collaboration with actress, model, and internet influencer Karrueche called "She".
4. Colourpop Super Shock Highlighter
Another ColourPop must-have is their highlighters. ColourPop sells two different formulas for their highlighters, regular pressed highlighters and their "Super Shock" highlighters. I prefer the Super Shock formula, as it has a putty-like consistency and applies like it's wet. My favorite shade is called "Flexitarian", and although very blinding at full application, the Super Shock formula is quite buildable, so you can control the intensity.
5. Essence Sun Club Matt Bronzing Powder
I'm usually pretty pale and like to fake tan during the colder months, or when I have a special event coming up. With that being said, I don't usually tan my body as much as my face, so I balance that out by adding bronzing to my makeup routine. This bronzer smells like coconut and adds the warmth to my face that I need. It's very cheap, as is the whole makeup brand to which this bronzer belongs to. They have great products, some of which are $1 or less.
6. ColourPop Lip Glosses
ColourPop strikes, yet again. I'm not a big lipstick person, and I've only dabbled in the liquid lipstick trend. However, I'd like to think of myself as a lip gloss connoisseur of sorts. I'm big into neutral, "your lips but better" color for lips, and my heart was broken when I found out that my holy grail lip gloss, "Weho", is no longer sold by ColourPop. So, in light of that, I found a dupe that is very similar to my past love, called "New Day". One thing I love about ColourPop is that some of their collaborations benefit specific charities, and "New Day" was a collaboration with a young girl suffering from cancer who loves makeup, and all proceeds go to the Make a Wish Foundation. If you ask me, it's pretty awesome to buy makeup and simultaneously help someone in need.
7. Mario Bedescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Cucumber, and Green Tea
This spray is a staple in my life, in my skincare routine and my makeup routine. Even though my powder products don't leave me looking so powdery, I still like to enhance the dewiness of my makeup by finishing my face off with a quick spray. It makes my makeup "mesh" together and look even more natural, which I love.
Hopefully, this helps someone like me who loves makeup and following YouTube beauty influencers but doesn't want to pay $40 for a lipstick or $70 for a foundation. There are affordable options out there, and they may just be better than the luxury products that are pushed by our favorite beauty influencers.
