Ever since I started wearing makeup in middle school, I've bought the good stuff: the brand name, highest quality, overly expensive good stuff. While other girls would be coating their eyes with $2 bright blue shimmer and a foam applicator from Rite Aid, I'd be at the mall with my mom, trying every shade of MAC Studiofix foundation to find the perfect match. A trip to Sephora would always turn out longer and more pricey than expected, but I've been OK paying a little extra for higher quality. I never tried drugstore makeup because I assumed it would irritate my skin. I have super sensitive skin and rosacea on my face, so I feared that cheap makeup would not only exacerbate my skin issues, but also not cover what needed to be hidden.

It goes to say that I have expensive taste in makeup, but not the wallet to support it. Sure, lots of cosmetics can last a long time, but since I wear makeup every day, I run out of product a lot faster. Some products, like foundation and eyeliner, I use most every day, while others, like blush and lipstick, I don't use as often. It's the things that I don't use often that I really feel like I get my money's worth out of, since they last a lot longer and when I do wear them, it looks and feels extra special.

It's the products that I wear everyday, though, that just go by too quickly. Especially for those who need fairly heavy coverage like me, foundation and concealer is gone before you know it! Buying expensive makeup all the time takes a noticeable toll on my bank account. A few years ago, I decided on a whim to give some drugstore products a shot. If they worked out I'd be saving a ton, and if they didn't...well, there's nothing to lose!

I often mix and match my makeup since there isn't much of a difference in look and it's all about finding what products you like and which you don't. Honestly, there will be times when I find that a drugstore brand looks or feels better than something expensive, and other times when paying the extra money for quality is a really good idea.

I find that splurging on lipstick, concealer, and a heavy foundation is what I usually do. Some days I really do need the extra coverage on my face, and higher quality makeup will do the trick. When my skin is clear, however, I do have a few BB creams and tinted moisturizers from the drugstore that don't provide such heavy coverage but will even out my skin tone and feel much lighter. It's the foundations that are expensive and can run out quickly, which is why I keep cheaper products on hand for the days when I don't need maximum coverage. The hardest thing about buying skin products from a drugstore is that it's much harder to find the right shade for every skin tone. The best tip I have gotten is to compare the color to your wrist. If you can sample the product, test it on the inside of your arm rather than on the back of your hand. When there's no one there to help you test makeup like in Sephora, just use your best judgement and don't be afraid of a little trial and error.

Try something new! I have found many of my favorite makeup products from samples at the drugstore. I buy Covergirl mascara from the grocery store on a regular basis, and haven't been disappointed. Products vary within the brand as well, so don't rule out a whole line because one product wasn't what you expected. Makeup that is sold in stores is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States and is safe to use. I have found that no matter where I bought my makeup, it will look great if I apply it right. The tools of the trade are just as important as what you are putting on your face. Brushes last a long time and only require regular cleaning to keep any makeup looking great. If there's one thing to spend the extra money on, it's brushes. The makeup won't make a big difference if you've got the right tools.

Of course, it is still okay to buy those brand name products that the beauty industry knows and loves. Sometimes, the quality just is better. For big events like prom and first dates, I splurged and wore the expensive stuff. For everyday looks, however, it doesn't make a difference to me whether I bought my makeup at a department store or a grocery store. As long as I can draw my winged eyeliner, the product has passed the test. It's a personal choice, but no matter what brands you shop from, having a variety in your makeup collection is never a bad idea.