Even though all these makeup gurus on YouTube show us their amazing makeup skills, a lot of them use high end brands that are way too expensive. However, there are some brands out there that are affordable and amazing. These brands usually range from $1.99 to $15.99, and usually have specials or sales going on.
1. NYX.
I have been in love with NYX for a few years, now. Over the years, they just get better and better, but their prices still remain low. I mainly get their lip products, but like most brands they offer a wide range of products; from lipsticks, glosses, primers to foundations and contour kits and eyeshadows there is something for every makeup lover! I've seen NYX at Target and Ulta and on their official NYX cosmetics website. There are usually promos going on at Ulta for their products and you're able to use a $3.50 off of $10 as well! The soft matte lip crèmes are my absolute favorite.
2. Essence.
I recently started to use this brand, and I'm really impressed. If you're not familiar with this brand then I recommend picking some stuff up. I found this brand at Ulta, and I haven't seen it anywhere else. The brand itself is incredibly cheap, and the overall quality is impressive. I bought a blush for $3 and lip liners for $2! The pigmentation is not out of this world, but it gets the job done when you're a beauty on a budget. Their line isn't huge, but they have a little bit of everything you might want. Their blush in “baby doll” is my favorite from this line because it leaves a nice pink sheen, but it also makes you glow.
3. Colourpop.
I recently discovered Colourpop, and I'm so happy I took the chance! YouTubers raved about this brand, and I never knew why. Colourpop is an online company that is stationed in LA. Their products are amazing and super pigmented; the best part is that the most expensive thing on their site is basically $8. Colourpop sells single eyeshadows, lip products, blushes, bronzers and now eyebrow products. They do have some collab sets with some beauty gurus, like KathleenLights and CoffeeBreakWithDanni, and they recently launched their line with Karrueche Tran. I swear by their Lippie Stix; they're amazingly pigmented and smell so sweet and they're also only $5 a stick! The matte shades are the most moisturizing matte lipstick that I have ever tried. Their eyeshadows are also very smooth and almost creamy which apply and blend smoothly.
4. Milani.
Milani is another brand that YouTubers like to talk about. I mainly see this brand at drugstores, or on their official website. The products are great quality, and they are still a good price. The packaging is really pretty, usually gold metallic. The products usually run $5.99 to $8.99. I clearly love blushes, and their blushes go on smoothly and blend nicely into the skin. They currently have rose blushes that are shaped into a rose and look so gorgeous. Milani also makes really nice lip glosses that are smooth and do not go on tacky.
5. Maybelline.
Basically, everyone at some point has owned some, or heard of something, from Maybelline. This brand has been around for years and has made its mark as one of the best drugstore affordable brands. Their mascara was the first mascara I ever owned. Lately their “Fit Me” concealer and foundation has been the talk of the town as one of the best affordable concealers and foundations. Their Soft Lips lip balm is a really moisturizing lip balm that either goes on clear or has a tint of color, depending on which one you get. Maybelline opened the door to makeup for me and a lot of girls first start with makeup using this brand.
