As a makeup enthusiast myself, I always love trying out new brands, and walking around makeup stores in awe of all the beautiful makeup that I probably can't afford to spend money on. Over the past two years, I’ve accumulated a pretty good amount of makeup, and these are the brands that have become my favorite.
1. Elf Cosmetics
This is a super cheap, drugstore makeup brand that is not only affordable, but also great quality. Though they do have some products that aren’t that great, they have really been stepping up their game, and competing with the other drugstore brands on the market. My favorite products from Elf are their Flawless Finish foundation, blush, and under eye setting powder. Also, their brushes are amazing, as well, and are practically all under $10!
2. Too Faced Cosmetics
This makeup brand is more high-end than Elf, but their products are totally worth the money. Most of their products are made with real cocoa powder, making them smell like chocolate. My all-time favorite eyeshadow palettes are by Too Faced; their Chocolate Bar palette, and the Semi-Sweet Chocolate Bar palette. All of their products are so smooth and easy to blend, and what’s even better is that everything they produce is cruelty-free!
3. Anastasia Beverly Hills
My eyebrows have never been better since using Anastasia Beverly Hills eyebrow pomade to fill them in. This brand is known mostly for their eyebrow products, which is all that I use by them, but reviews on their eyeshadows, contour powders and creams, and liquid lipsticks are incredible. This brand is also another pricey one, but if you have the extra cash to splurge on makeup, I would definitely recommend them.
4. Urban Decay Cosmetics
This brand is one of the most popular brands out there, and is most known for their Naked Palettes that suit all different eye colors and skin tones. All their eyeshadow palettes, along with their individual shadows that you can buy separately, are extremely high quality, and are recommended by dozens of beauty gurus on YouTube. Other products that deserve mention are their Naked concealers, powder blushes, eyeliners, and mascara.
5. Nyx Cosmetics
This is another drugstore brand that is very affordable, and creates great products. The products that I particularly love by Nyx are their soft matte lip creams, which go on your lips as a liquid and dry to a matte. Another popular product by Nyx is their ‘Wonder Pencil” is a flesh toned eyeliner that you can put on your waterline to make your eyes appear bigger. Many beauty gurus also use their blushes and eyeliners, as well, that have great reviews. This brand is amazing, and I highly recommend it to anyone who is on a budget.
6. Smith’s Rosebud Perfume Company
This one may be a bit random, but their lip balms are my favorite ones to use. My favorite lip balms by Smith’s are their Minted Rose, Strawberry, and Menthol and Eucalyptus balms. They are all extremely moisturizing for your lips and do not dry them out in the long run like many other lip balms do (i.e. Eos and Maybelline Baby Lips). The tin or tubes that they come in are all around $5 for a lot of product that lasts you a long time. Places that I have seen that sell this brand are Sephora, Ulta, and Urban Outfitters.
I hope my suggestions have been helpful to those of you looking to expand your makeup collection!
