You may go online and watch YouTube tutorials and notice that a lot of the products used are super pricey. Being a broke college student, I know I cannot afford half of these products. So over time, I've found some of the best dupes for your every day makeup! I've tried all these products myself, and these are just my honest opinion!

Primer:

I’m quite new to the primer bandwagon myself. When I first started getting into makeup I never saw the need for it. But as I’ve gotten better with makeup, I noticed the need for something to keep my foundation and concealer on for longer.

Splurge: Smashbox Photo Finish Primer, $36.

This primer is the best I've ever used from Sephora. It helps hide my pores and keeps my foundation on all day. It applies very smooth with a serum-like texture. All you need is a little product to make it go a long way.

Save: Maybelline Master Prime Blur + Smooth Primer, $7.99.

Wow. This primer was life changing for me. There is a little bit of a sparkly hue to this primer, I don't really mind. It helps my foundation stay on all day and all night. I even took a nap and woke up with my foundation still intact!

Splurge or Save?

I would definitely go with the save. The smash box product is still great if it's in your budget but the Maybelline is more realistically priced. The product goes above and beyond for the price!

Foundation:

Splurge: Dior Skin Nude Air, $53.

I have really been a huge fan of this foundation since I got my hands on it. It's a very liquid-y foundation almost the consistency of skim milk. It's applies flawlessly, and its a medium coverage. As I was looking online at the product, I noticed there isn't a wide variety of shades, so it may be tough to find your shade.

Save: Maybelline Fit Me Foundation, $14.95.

This foundation has got to be one of the best drugstore foundations I've used. It is a thicker liquid foundation that also applies very smooth. I found this foundation doesn't stay on my skin that long, and it dries out my T- zone. Still an amazing product for the price. Fit Me comes in so many shades I bet they have a shade for everyone!

Splurge or Save?

In this case, I would have to go with the splurge. I may be a little bias as I've used the Dior one for quite some time but if your are on a budget, the Fit Me is an amazing runner-up.

Concealer:

Splurge: Make up For Ever Full Cover Concealer, $34.

This product is a super full cover concealer. I had first heard about this when I had my makeup professionally done for a formal. I loved the way it looked so I went out and bought it. This is definitely meant for all day all night makeup. It is really worth the money because a little bit of product goes a long way. But on the flip side, if you use too much it can look really cakey, and unnatural.

Save: Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser, $7.94.

I'll admit now, I'm a little bit bias about this one. I've been using this concealer since it came out and it's always been one of my favorites. It's a small tube with a sponge at the top, and you twist and the product goes into the sponge. I love how easy it is to use, but I also love the price. It's about medium coverage and lasts all day. It's for dark, under-eye circles but I also use it around my nose and chin. It works really well and applies easily.

Splurge or Save?

I have to say save! Why spend so much extra money on a product when there's a dupe just as good! The collection has lots of shades and is extremely affordable.

Setting Powder:

Splurge: Bobby Brown Sheer Finish Pressed Powder, $38.

This powder is amazing, helped me set my foundation and concealer while also allowing it to stay on all day!

Save: Rimmel London Stay Matte Pressed Powder, $3.97.

This powder is such a “bang for your buck.” With the incredibly low price, and the amount of product you really get a great value! It helped my product stay on all day but did give me a slightly powder-y look, which is easily solved by taking a brush and brushing off excess product.

Splurge or Save?

SAVE! Rimmel London makes great dupes, such as this setting powder. A great amount of product, and great quality for the price.

Setting Spray:

Splurge: Mac Fix + Primer, $22.

I’m pretty obsessed with this product! I never used to see the need for setting sprays until I used this one! It really gets rid of any powder-y excess and really allows me to sweat and go about my day without worrying if my makeup will come off.

Save: E.L.F Makeup mist, $3.

Another great E.L.F product, but you get what you pay for. ELF may be a cheap alternative but isn't the highest quality. It does the job, though. Not as well as the MAC fix+ but is a good dupe.

Splurge or Save?

I would have to go with the splurge product. It isn't too expensive and really does wonders for your makeup

Eyeshadow Primer:

Splurge: Urban Decay Primer Potion, $12.

Eyeshadow primer wasn't one of those products I thought I needed. You don't realize how life changing it is until you use it. This Urban Decay eyeshadow primer works wonders. You may not think you need it, but it will amplify your eyeshadow game. It makes your shadow pigments so much stronger, and so much bolder. For your foiled shadows (AKA sparkly, metallic ones), it sticks so much better and will make your eyelids look super glittery.

Save: E.L.F Eyeshadow Primer, $3.25.

This dupe is a really cheap alternative. It is not as powerful and contains a lot of glitter. But if you want to join the eyeshadow primer bandwagon on a budget, this is the one for you.

Splurge or Save?

I highly recommend the splurge product. It does wonders for your eye makeup. As the ELF product is a super cheap alternative, it simply does not work as well as Urban Decay’s.

Blush:

Splurge: Nars Blushes, $30.

Nars blushes are super pigmented and super shimmery. I seem to only use them for going out or formal events. The shimmer is pretty powerful but, if you use a little too much it's not pretty.

Save: Milani Blushes, $7.95.

Milani brand blushes were the first blushes I ever purchased. They are a great starter blush for your beginner makeup artists. They are not as strongly pigmented, which can be nice for my heavy handed beauties, but it also can create a sheer glow.

Splurge or Save?

This is kind of a 50/50 for me. Nars blushes are amazing for going out but Milani is better for everyday looks. Since this article is about everyday dupes, I will go with the Milani blushes.

Bronzer:

Splurge: Hoola by Benefit, $29.

This is my favorite bronzer. Since I am very fair skinned, this bronzer leaves me glowing instead of looking orange. It's a medium pigment and doesn't have any shimmer, which is definitely a pro for bronzer.

Save: Rimmel London Natural Bronzer, $4.99.

This is a great runner up. Although I would recommend this for someone who has tanner or more olive tone skin. For me fellow fair beauties, this gives a little bit of an orange look. Not too cute. But, on my warmer toned friends, it looks great. It is very shimmery but gives you a summery glow.

Splurge or Save?

For my skin tone, I will say the Hoola bronzer. But for anyone who has olive or a darker skin tone, I would say the Rimmel London one. So this splurge or save depends on your tone.

Highlight:

Splurge: Too Faced Candlelight Glow, $30.

I recently purchase this and I love love love it. I find a lot of highlighter contain a lot of glitter and that's too much for everyday use. I want a shimmer, not to look like a disco ball. This is the best! It's got a nice, natural shimmer. You do have to layer it to get a more evening look but for everyday this is great!

Save: Sephora Micro Smooth Bake Luminizer, $14.

This product is about half the price of the Too Faced highlighter which is saving a pretty penny. This is a great dupe. It does have glitter so go a little lighter for daytime, but its perfect for night time.

Splurge or Save?

I would have to say save. It's extremely similar to the Too Faced product.

Eyeshadow:

Splurge: Urban Decay Naked 2, $54.

Okay, so anyone who knows about makeup knows all about the Naked Palettes. Yes, it's an amazing product, but it's quite pricey for not a lot of product. They are extremely high quality. Great variety, highly pigmented, and a good blend of foiled and matte shadows. And it comes with a really nice brush, which I use daily for my eye makeup.

Save: Morphe 35K Palette, $22.

THIS!! I recently was browsing some Youtube makeup tutorials and came across this palette. It has 35 different shadows and is a good mix of foiled and matte shadows. They are extremely pigmented and has little fallout.

Splurge or Save?

SAVE. I do love the Naked 2 palette, but if I had discovered the Morphe 35K palette, I wouldn't own any of the Naked palettes. It comes with so many shadows and more of each shadow. High quality, low price; the two things I look for in products.

Eye Liner:

Splurge: Stila Stay all Day liquid liner, $20.

This felt-tipped liner its great for people who suck at liquid liner (AKA me). It applies very smoothly, and its easy for beginners. The tip does get little hair-like fibers that come off it, just pull them off before applying.

Save: Elf Liquid Liner, $2.

This liquid liner isn't as powerful as the Stila one. It is in your standard brush/bottle duo, so it is harder to apply. It also applies a little watery, so do two layers. Also, it's not waterproof, so keep that in mind.

Splurge or Save?

I would say splurge. Eyeliner is such an essential to makeup it seems smart to have a great product. But if you're in a pinch, the ELF liner works pretty well.

Mascara:

Splurge: Benefit Better Than Sex, $23.

I love this. I have tried so many mascaras in my lifetime. This one is new the go to. It works great with volume and builds length. Every time I use this, people ask if I'm wearing false lashes! The name is clearly appropriate.

Save: Maybelline Volum’ Express The Falsies, $6.99.

This dupe is great for anyone who wants to save. The name is clearly indicative of the product. It doesn't build as much volume but really builds one length.

Splurge or Save?

Well, I would say either works. If you have the money, spend on the Benefit one. But if you're in a pinch and want a great follow up go with Falsies.

False Lashes:

Splurge: Velour Lashes, $20 - $50.

So pretty but so pricey. These lashes are great but you have to spend an arm and a leg. If you have the money these are amazing, but if you're a broke college student like me, it's not possible.

Save: Elf lashes, $0.89.

These are great for the price. They are usually under a dollar per set!! Which is amazing. They come with a glue in the set, if you like false lashes, and wear them a lot, I recommend buying a different glue. But if it's a one time occasion, the glue will work for you.

Splurge or Save?

Save, unless you have the money. ELF has amazing dupes for such a good price. I wear these lashes every time I go out and they have not failed me yet.

Happy spending! :)