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Little-known fact – as recently as a few years ago, my makeup routine almost exclusively consisted of MAC products. As you can imagine, this also meant that my makeup routine was fairly expensive to maintain. However, as I’ve branched out to other brands, I’ve discovered many drugstore-level products that are affordable without sacrificing quality. If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to tame your beauty budget, check out some of my favorite makeup bargains:
Maybelline Dream Matte Powder (price varies from $7-12) and Sonia Kashiuk Hidden Agenda Concealer Palette ($10): I mentioned both of these products in my wedding guest makeup post here, but I’ve never actually reviewed either one in-depth. I initially learned about the Dream Matte powder after one of my favorite YouTubers, missglamorazzi, raved about it in several videos. I use this every single day as a setting powder over either BB cream or foundation. It’s great to throw in your bag for touch-ups throughout the day, especially because there is a mirror that swivels out from underneath the product. For me, powder is one of those products that I go through very quickly, so it’s great to have an affordable alternative to a high-end product (like the MAC StudioFix that I used for years).
The Hidden Agenda palette includes 2 shades of concealer, a corrector, and a setting powder. I use the lighter shade every day under my eyes, and the darker color to cover up blemishes. The corrector is fairly good for balancing out any redness. Frankly, I never use the setting powder, because I apply the concealer right before dusting the Dream Matte powder all-over, so it’s a little unnecessary in my opinion.
Hard Candy Fox in a Box in Smooth Talker ($6), available exclusively at Wal-Mart: Hands down, this is my new favorite blush for winter – when you blend the four shades together, it’s a cool-toned, pinky shade that’s not too shimmery and just leaves you with a nice flush. It’s been touted as a dupe for Benefit’s Sugarbomb, and although I’ve never tried that particular blush, I’ve seen comparisons online from other bloggers and it seems pretty darn close. The one con to this product – the packaging is HORRIBLE (actually, there are two cons, because it comes with a terribly useless little brush, but I just tossed that in that trash immediately). The product is housed in a cardboardy box with a flip-top lid that doesn’t close all the way (at least on the one I own). Even if the cover did close all the way, there isn’t a way to secure it shut – which basically means that if I want to take it with me, I’m going to have to use a rubber band to keep the product from spilling all over the place. But for $22 less than the Benefit counterpart, I can put up with a packaging flaw.
Revlon GrowLuscious Waterproof Plumping Mascara (price varies from $7-10): This mascara is a recent purchase – I’ve been a fan of the original GrowLuscious formula since trying it out in early 2011. The brush on the Plumping formula is more tapered than the original formula, which I find makes it easier to reach the tiny corner eyelashes. For me, waterproof mascara is a must, especially now that I’ve become much better about curling my stubby, stick straight, downward-pointing eyelashes every day – waterproof mascaras generally hold a curl better than non-waterproof formulas.
Revlon Colorburst Lip Butters ($7.50): Since they were released a few months ago, YouTubers and beauty bloggers have gone completely bonkers over these lipsticks – and I have to admit that I am no exception. The lip butters are extremely pigmented, moisturizing lipsticks that are just really easy to wear. The staying power isn’t amazing, but in general that doesn’t really bother me when it comes to lip products. So far, I’ve purchased 6 of the shades: Creme Brulee, Sugar Plum, Pink Truffle, Berry Smoothie, Cherry Tart, and Candy Apple, and I’ve been wearing all of them religiously with the exception of Candy Apple, which was just a tad too orange-toned for me (and thus was gifted to a friend). In fact, I’ve rarely worn any other lip products over the last month or so because I’m so impressed with these lipsticks. Because they are so coveted, they are still hard to come by – I found all of mine at either Target or Harmon Face Values. However, Ulta recently began carrying the lip butters online, so head over there if you’re having trouble finding them in a store near you. I’m waiting for Red Velvet to come back in stock as I type…
NYX Slide On Eye Pencils ($8) and Milani Liquid Eye (formerly Liquif’eye) Liner Pencils ($8): These long-wearing, waterproof eyeliner pencils have been compared to the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-on Eye Pencils and the Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes Pencils, both which retail at nearly three times the price of these drugstore pencils. I actually prefer the NYX pencils to the Urban Decay pencils in my collection. The Slide On Eye Pencils are currently available in 18 different shades, which is a pretty decent range (although it would be even better if there was a solid, dark navy color…why is it so hard to find a true navy eyeliner?!). I own Brown Perfection and Gunmetal, the latter of which has replaced MAC’s Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Industry as my go-to dark gray liner. You can purchase NYX cosmetics online at nyxcosmetics.com, cherryculture.com, or ulta.com, or check out your local Ulta or Harmon Face Values.
The Milani Liquid Eye Liner Pencils are also amazing as far as quality is concerned – in fact, I probably reach for this Brown pencil more often than any other eyeliner. The staying power and pigmentation is really great, and I love that the Brown shade is so dark – it’s the perfect everyday alternative to harsh black liner. Milani is available in drugstores or online at milanicosmetics.com.
Revlon Colorstay Makeup for Combination/Oily Skin (price varies from $8-14): Check out my previous post on my fall favorites here where I talk about why this drugstore foundation is a must-have!
Don’t forget to follow Krista (@hellopanda57) and Carolann (@cadematos) on Twitter for the latest in beauty discounts, giveaways, and tips!
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