Obviously, if you’re loyal to these products it may be hard to stray on the cheaper side of things if you’re a die-hard fan. BUT, if you are on a budget, some drugstore/cheaper brands could do you some favors in the long run during your beauty routine (and for your bank account)!
You want: Jeffree Star Cosmetics Velour Liquid Lipsticks$18.00
I will admit that I do think the quality strays a little on this comparison. Straight up, this product does take an extra coat of application, as well as the fact that is isn’t as hold-proof as Jeffree’s formula. Other than that, the colors Wet n’ Wild offers for this collection are lovely, and the packaging is similar to the high-end dupe, even down to the doe-foot applicator. If you aren’t willing to make the investment for the expensive version, this is definitely the next best thing. I am currently wearing the shade “Berry Recognize,” as I type this!
You want: Too Faced’s Better than Sex Mascara$23.00
I feel like mascara is the most frequently replaced item in my beauty bag. So why would I spend extra if you had something just as good? Honestly the packaging on these two are even similar. The big ticket item you are purchasing anyways is the brush (the applicators are very similar), and if you don’t mind the fact that L’Oreal isn’t cruelty free this could be a good switch on products.
Instead, buy: Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge$5.99
I understand that there are people out there that refuse to use anything but the $20 sponge that is the BeautyBlender. I bought it once and never will again though, mainly because I have found just as good or better alternatives for less money. I could buy 5 of these and use an Ulta 20% off coupon for the same price as ONE, one BeautyBlender. Just let that sink in.
Two shimmery red colors, the MAC is on the left and the NYX is on the right.
I normally am not a “single” eyeshadow type of girl. I buy palettes, and go from there. I first encountered the NYX eyeshadows after receiving a few of them in Ipsy bags. Surprisingly, I really liked them! The shadows are buttery-feeling and are pigemented. If there is just one shade you like in a palette somewhere, then you might be able to find a similar one in this brand.
Get ready for a lengthy article, you guys. I tried to organize this into categories so you can get tips for places you might frequently shop or things that may be easily obtained. Also if I’m wrong or missing anything great, feel free to let me know! I’m always up for new information and tips. How do you all save money on beauty? Let me know down in the comments!
Sephora
Sephora is expensive, plain and simple. So I know it is hard to want to spend money when you aren’t sure you’re really getting very much out of it, well, here is how to get the most out of your money at Sephora.
Become a Beauty Insider: Sephora doesn’t really offer many discounts to beauty insiders unless you’re VIB; but definitely sign up to be a beauty insider if you aren’t already—you’ll get a free gift on your birthday, even if you don’t spend any money! Also, for every dollar you spend you earn points. Points 100+ (not hard to spend that kind of money if you love makeup), you can begin to redeem for mini sized items to try. I have received mascara, face masks, and lotions that I have all adored because I redeemed points.
Order Online: Get the most out of your Sephora purchase by ordering your merchandise online. You can get free goodies with your order, and let me tell you, I didn’t have to pay for mascara for about 6 months because I had so many free ones at one point. Every order you get the option to get 3 free samples, take them up on this! Also, if you spend a certain amount of money ($25 usually, which is not hard to do) most of the time you can enter a code in for a deluxe size sample!
Free Sample Page on Sephora.com
Free Samples in Store: Whenever you go into Sephora, you are allowed to ask for samples! Sephora has different “worlds” so get yourself a sample made from each world, if you so wish! I like to try out foundations before buying them, so I always make sure I get one made if I’m looking to try something new. I’m also a HUGE skincare junkie, so I usually ask for an expensive face mask sample that I wouldn’t usually be able to afford (I know, I’m bad). Also, when you check out in store, I usually ask for them to throw in some free samples behind the counter, because I just love that they can do that, and 98% of the time, they do! It never hurts to ask, guys! Here are some of the craziest, most expensive samples you can get, via The Krazy Coupon Lady.
CVS Pharmacy
You might be thinking “CVS, what the heck is she talking about?”
ExtraCare Bucks!- Most Pharmacies have rewards programs, but my favorite is the ExtraCare Rewards by CVS. Like most rewards programs, you earn money whenever you spend money. For example, you can get $5 for every 10 perceptions you fill, $3 every year on your birthday, $5 for every $50 spent, and 2% back in rewards! Also, CVS tracks your spending patterns, so check the bottom of your receipts for some pretty awesome coupons. Want more coupons? Check your email! CVS might be offering some coupons to add to your card (like $5 off a purchase, etc) so you might just be a few clicks away from saving some dough!
Sales + Couponing= Happy Wallet. The other day I got two sticks of Dove Deoderant and a lipstick for $5! Not too bad if you ask me. All because I layer on coupons, points, and extra care savings into a purchase. The best sales are BOGO 50%, so if you can find something like that, it’ll save you even more money.
Pinch Me! Box
This one is pretty easy, you sign up on the website (no gimmicks, no credit card info–whatever) and you tell them things like your interests, shopping habits, and then they’ll tell you what you what samples are avaible to you. Pick about two-three samples a month (it took forever for the samples to get to me…) and then review them online to get more. You won’t always get beauty related items, but my mom usually gets some travel sized body washes and random assortments of snacks here and there. Not too terrible when it is FREE!
PinchMe.com
Shop in an Unconventional Location
Gabe’s, Marshall’s, TJ Maxx, even the Dollar Tree…all of these places I have scored amazing beauty finds (all name brand) for less. I recently scored a palette from TheBalm Cosmetics that was originally $36, for $12 at Gabe’s! If a product has a small imperfection, sometimes you can even ask the store to give you a bigger discount than the asking price.
Try a Subscription Box
You’ll have to pay about $10 a month for one of these, but typically each box/bag is worth about $50 in products. My favorite right now is Play! By Sephora, because I get 5 high-end products plus a perfume sample each month, but there are also other great ones like Ipsy, Birchbox, etc. My mom for instance is a fan of birchbox, because they cater to what she enjoys. My sister likes Ipsy because she gets a colorful bag every month and 5 new products to try! If you’re interested in one, do some research on what might work the best for you before you shell out the $10. Try a website like My Subscription Addiction to understand more about these types of services. Want to see a review on boxes I have received? Let me know down in the comments!
Anyways, those are my tips! Maybe some of these were things you knew, and maybe you learned something! If you have any more that you would like to share, let me know.
Sorry I haven’t posted in awhile, I haven’t really been trying a ton of new things and between school and constant travel these past few weeks…I’ve been exhausted. Before everything I am a student, so sometimes if my content is short and I am not posting as frequently, it is probably because I am overwhelmed at the moment. Butttt anyways, enough of the serious stuff, let’s talk about makeup!!
Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Aquacealer Concealer “Fair”
I used this last spring and it took me until December to finally use it all up. Now that is is spring again I decided to give it another chance, and boy was it a mistake to ever not re-purchase this. The only complaint that I have about it, is that the smell is paint-like and it is unpleasant if I have to put it under my nose.
This concealer is water-based and it blends out very easily. It will crease if you do not set it with powder, but that is okay with me because I usually “bake” under my eyes anyways.
This stuff is pretty great. I’ve been using it as my every day foundation, and it gives me a very light, natural coverage that will not break me out. It is also true to my skin, which if you have problems with being “too” dark/light you’ll understand the struggle to find fitting foundation.
I got this in the smaller container just to try it. When I have a little extra money or get a gift card, I will definitely be purchasing the larger size, this stuff is great! If you’re a fan of HD powders, this is a little less intense when it comes to flashbacks on the camera, and it is perfect for natural makeup (especially long-wearing).
If you are someone who is looking for a new eyeshadow palette, but you are not experienced very well with makeup, then this is the one for you! With nine matte shades, and three shimmer shades this palette is easy to use and beautiful for any season! Not to mention, the eyeshadows are easy to blend and smell like vanilla…so that’s a plus! My favorite shades are “rebel,” and “funny girl.” This was my first experience with Tarte eyeshadows, and I was very impressed.
I love, love budget beauty items. I’m a gal who just likes quality, and why not get that quality without spending a fortune on it? I know how expensive makeup can get, so here I have created a look where every product I used is under $10! Though I should warn you that many of the brushes I am using are not under $10, because I am a firm believer in investing in a good set of brushes if you’re really invested in applying your makeup. That isn’t to say that there aren’t good inexpensive makeup brushes that I enjoy; Real Techniques has an affordable line that I enjoy, as well as e.l.f., and Morphe.
Basic glam ft. products listed below. Also I dyed my hair red. Hi, mom.
Base:
Wet n’ Wild Photo Focus Foundation “Porcelain”// $5.99
Essence Beauty Make Me Brow “Soft Browny Brows” //$2.99
*Small disclaimer, I just found out that Wet n’ Wild Pigment (a dupe for MAC loose pigment), was actually a limited edition item by this brand. At $2.99 I hope they bring it back soon though. If anyone has a recommendation for an item that is at a similar price point and quality, I would love to know!
The Wet n’ Wild foundation was a first time use for me when I started with it, and it wore fine…but the smell was bad. Not like just regular chemicals, but it actually smelled like a fresh can of paint on your face.
I liked that the brand has a wide enough variety on their shade selection that I could find a shade that was actually a true “Porcelain,” but I honestly couldn’t get over the smell. And maybe it was the primer I used, but all of my pores were extremely visible. But, then again, at $5.99 it did last a long time. Also, it came out pretty smooth in photos, so I’m not complaining.
There’s a spatula applicator on the foundation, it was awkward to put it on my face.
After my foundation I added my eyeshadow, (bad seed in the crease) and everything else blended on the lid from the crease. All of the eyeshadows I used were extremely pigmented, and I think they do a fantastic job, especially over the primer.
Then I added my Wet n’ Wild concealer, which was also a first for me, on all the placed my acne resides, as well as the dark spots on my face. The smell definitely was not as strong with this fella, though the shade range was limited.
I then covered my face in my ELF powder, because I did not need this cheap stuff creasing on my oily skin. Then I added my bronzer, blush, and highlight. Easy-peasy. Then came the brows…which as you can see I did not do a TON to, and I kept that very simple with the essence product. To finish I put on my liner/lipstick and sprayed my face with setting spray. Voila! Cheap/simple glam.
Before + After. What do you all think? Comment below if you have any questions about the products!
I created this look using the Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette and a couple other things, so I hope you all enjoy! I’m getting the itch for it to be spring soon, so I thought it would be fun to create a look that is Spring-inspired. This will be a soft rose-gold, luminous foundation look without any harsh colors or eyeliner.
P.S. I know I usually link all of the products, but I got kind of lazy this time. All of these are pretty easy to find though, with the exception of the loose pigment! But there are plenty of substitutes for this.
Pre-Makeup
Base:
MAC Fix + w/Coconut // Get it here (Limited Edition Item)
Makeup Forever “Step 1” Primer
MAC Mineralize Moisture SPF 15 in “NW15”
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural “Light”
Prep is key!
The Balm Betty Lou Manizer
Pacifica Blush “Wild Rose”
Makeup Revolution Vivid Baked Highlight in “Radiant Lights”
NYX Cosmetics Born To Glow Liquid Illuminator “Sunbeam” // Get it here
Wet n’ Wild Color Icon Loose Pigments “Heart of Rose Gold” // From W&W’s holiday collection.
MAC Lingering Brow Pencil for Brows
Benefit Cosmetics ka-BROW! in “03” for Brows
Too Faced Better Than Sex, for lashes.
Loose pigment, Pacifica Blush, and Illuminator.
I began with placing a small amount of primer on my eyes, then going in with the shade “Tempera” from my ABH palette, I took that shade all the way up to the brow bone. Using a blending brush, I took the shades “Buon Fresco” and “Cyprus Umber” and lightly began to blend those into my crease. After that I blended in some Pacifica “Wild Rose” blush all over the lid (go ahead and be liberal with this). Now comes the fun part! I took my NYX Illuminator and squeezed a pea-sized amount on the back of my hand. I slowly went in with a concealer brush, like I was going to create a cut-crease look, but you do not have to be precise since it is not.
Next, I took just a regular rounded eyeshadow brush and sprayed some MAC Fix+ on the back of my hand, and sprinkled some loose pigment on the drops of spray and mixed it with my brush. You’ll then pat that into your lid and wait for it to dry.
Awkward close-up of my eyeballs…
Lastly, I went back into my ABH palette with a blending brush with the shades “Venetian Red” and “Love letter” mixed together. I blended those into my crease to make my loose pigment mixture look more neat. I also took the shades “Love Letter” and put that under my eyes, and “Vemeer” in the middle of my lids for extra shine!
My ABH Modern Renaissance Palette. It has definitely seen some wear in its time!
Lips:
NYX Slim Lip Pencil “Rose”
The Balm Meet Matte Hughes “Charming”
Lime Crime Metallic Velvetines “Blondie”
I first applied the lip pencil, then the matte color, and a small amount of “blondie” to the middle of my lips, which blended out for a lovely shine!
Hey all! February has been a long month for me (ironic since it is the shortest month of the year). Between work, school, and life I’ve been trying to set time aside for myself to do what I love…makeup and blogging! Though life has been a little hectic this month, I still have had some time to try new products and review them for you guys. This month is about an even mix between high-end and cheap beauty products. So, if you’re looking to try something new without the high price tag, or looking to splurge and treat yo self, here are some of the products I have been loving this month:
1.Benefit Cosmetics ka-BROW! Cream-Gel Eyebrow Color with Brush -This pomade is my new favorite brow product! I even enjoy it more than the ABH (Anastasia Beverly Hills) eyebrow products, which was surprising for me because this was a little cheaper than ABH’s pomade+brush. I have really thin brows that are hard to shape, and this has definitely improved the look of them.
2. Lil’ Scrubbies Facial Cleaning Pads – WOW, that’s all I can say. This has replaced my Clinique brush (an $89 brush with $26 replacement heads…yikes!). These little cleansing pads gently wash your face, but are more effective than just using your hands. I would also go further to say that they are more hygienic than the bristle-based face tools. Just put a dap of cleanser on to your cleaning pad, and apply the pad to your face in circular motions and voila! Clean Face! And at $2.48 for two pads, it is hard to say no. Especially when Sephora has just ONE for $6.00 (highway robbery if you ask me). Basically, if you’re super lazy like I am when it comes to skin care, this might be for you. It makes it easy to cleanse your face without charging products, and there’s also a little suction cup on the back that allows you to store it in your shower without fuss.
3. Philosophy’s Purity Made Simple -I just bought this a few weeks ago to replace my Cetaphil cleanser, as it was recommended to me by the manager at Sephora (yes…I’m there so often they know me and recommend products to me). Since I have only been using it for about 3 weeks I’ll need a little more time to see how it actually effects my face long-term…but short term, it does a fantastic job at removing leftover makeup without stopping your skin of its necessary oils. It is a bit steep at $24.00 for 8oz, but at 3 weeks I’ve barely put a dent in the bottle (you do not need much product per use), so for me it is worth it.
Get it at here, but they also sell it at most other retailers that carry Philosophy //$24.00
4. Makeup Revolution Vivid Baked Highlighters- I have a highlighter addiction, you guys. If my face doesn’t resemble that of a Christmas tree or a disco ball, I’m just not feeling like myself. This highlighter does that job for me without the high price tag. At only $6, it does glow almost as well as my Mary-Lou Manizer highlighter from The Balm (an amazing highlighter if you have the $24 to blow). The only reason that I say it doesn’t do the same job as my everyday highlight, is because this gives off more of a natural glow than the blinding highlight that I’m used to. But the smooth application, pretty packing (I’m a sucker), and amazing pigmentation make up for that downfall. I’ve been using it for a couple weeks now though and for the price it is currently the best affordable highlight I have used to date!
I’m not sure if this brand is sold anywhere else, but you can get it here at Ulta, or in the store //$6.00
5. Wet n Wild Megalast Liquid Catsuit Matte Lipstick- I bought a couple of these while couponing at CVS (should I do a post about how to do that? Leave a comment!), one for me, and one for my friend Haley. I was so impressed at how pigmented this lipstick was! I have this in the shade “Give Me Mocha” and it was flattering both on myself and my blonde pal. They’re a tad drying on the lips but that’s not uncommon for most matte lipsticks, and what they are drying they make up for in pigmentation. As a lipstick junkie, this was definitely a 4/5 for me.
Wearing Liquid Catsuit Lipstick in “Give Me Mocha.”
6. Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional Face Primer- I know this primer has been around for a long time, but I finally decided to try it out this month. I was wearing ELF primer for a long time when I finally began to see the makeup on my face showcase the pores on my face. NOT a pretty sight. This primer goes on so smoothly and makes my makeup last. I was having an issue with getting oily around my nose as well, and with this stuff, that doesn’t happen anymore. The only downside I see is how expensive this stuff is. I bought the mini and it was $12.00 for 0.25oz, which is pretty damn expensive if you ask me. Though if you’re willing to spend the cash you definitely will get the quality that you pay for. It is mattefying, but I mix mine with some L’Oreal light-infusing primer, so I can still keep that dewy makeup look I love so much.
7. Pixi Cosmetics Glow Tonic- I have seen beauty bloggers rave about this for about over a year now, and I just gave in this month. What this product is, is a toner that claims to exfoliate the face (very lightly) while giving the skin a healthy glow. Honestly, I really really enjoyed this. This is the third time I have allowed a toner into my skincare routine, and this time I think it might stick. It is rather pricey for a drugstore toner, but for me to keep clear skin it was worth the price. I’m going to give this toner a few more trial months, but so far, so good.
Is this going to be fab or a fail? Well, let’s get to it:
This winter my lips have been terrible. Between the cold winds and matte lipstick season my poor lil pout has been somewhat abused. In an effort to try to be savvy I am going to show you guys how to make your own lip balm, sans all of the chemicals that you find in most drugstore products
…plus, it is vegan (ish) so that sounds like some good ol’ hippie fun, right? (The only reason it isn’t completely vegan, is because of the chai powder we’ll be using).
This recipe will feature ingredients that all will be easily obtainable on Amazon, or at your local craft store:
Heat shea, wax, and oil until a liquid forms. Then add chai powder and cinnamon. Stir until you see the powder dissolve, and pour mixture into container to cool. Last step, use your yummy lip balm and enjoy!
My finished product! Chai lip balm.
-Orange Hibiscus Lip Balm
1 tsp Shea Butter
1 tsp Wax
8-10 drops Essential Orange Oil (or however much you want)
0.5 tsp Hibiscus Flower Powder
1 tsp Sweet Almond Oil
Complete the recipe just like the first one. Add the orange oil, then the powder. Stir mixture. Hibiscus is kind of tricky to incorporate into lip balm so the finished dried product may look a little funny, but the balm is still good to use.
Hey all! As a college student, I totally understand what it is like to have to budget yourself with certain things. And makeup, lord do I know, can get extremely expensive. These are products that I turn to when I can’t always buy high-end things, that I know will do the job just as well or even better.
So, here are my top ten favorite budget beauty buys:
L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Glow Foundation
-You can’t really beat the quality of this foundation for the price it is marked at. This foundation has a shade light enough to match my pale skin, and enough heavy-duty coverage to handle my redness and acne scars. Not to mention that it was tough enough to last me all day (I think about 15 hours before it got funky on me without any touching up). If you have oily skin I might suggest the Pro-Matte version of this, but since I enjoy a luminous finish Pro-Glow was an easy choice for me! Also, if you’re thinking about purchasing it, it is available at just about any drugstore, Walmart, or Ulta. This foundation has become a great alternative for me when I can’t always afford my $50 Tarte foundation.
-I actually received a small sample of this in my Ipsy bag about a year ago, and fell in love with the quality. As a die-hard Urban Decay Eyeshadow primer fan, this does just as good of a job without the high price tag that comes with the UD name. My eyeshadow does not crease while wearing this, and it yields about the same results of last just about as long as any primer you’d pick up at Sephora (15 hours+). I used to only think you could buy this online, but I recently found that most RiteAid stores carry this brand, so if you get the chance, try this one out!
-I honestly wasn’t expecting much when I first bought this. I was just getting into gaining the confidence of trying newer and bolder lip colors and for $3, it was just meant for trying something new before buying a higher quality lippie. To my surprise, this lippie lasted me all through a date night, and I received multiple compliments on how lovely it looked! My favorite shade is berry sorbet, so if you’re looking for a good lip color with a small price tag, this might be a good option.
-This is a bit on the pricey side for being a “budget” beauty buy, but compared to the prices of high end primers (this is a dupe for Becca), this one is dirt cheap! I actually love using this year-round. It looks amazing by itself, or underneath a luminous foundation; sometimes I even mix it in with my foundation. This primer blends easily, is meant for all skin types, and is light enough to give you a healthy glow without making you look too much like a Barbie butterfly princess (not that I wouldn’t be LIVING for a look like that…new blog post idea you guys??). I have pretty sensitive skin, so finding drugstore products that I enjoy slathering all over it has been rather difficult for me, and this one has caused me no breakouts for far. I have also used it for about 6 months now and I have yet to buy another bottle, so it is worth a try if you’re a fan of a luminous look.
Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herb, and Rosewater
-I cannot rave about this facial spray enough! Urban Decay’s facial sprays range from $15-30, and this one is $7 for 4oz! I’m currently on my second bottle and use it every day. I use this over moisturizer to give my skin a refreshing look that keeps me glowing on the outside (when I’m not so glowy on the inside), and it is also great to set makeup. I’ll use it to set Bare Minerals makeup and it gives it a flawless finish, so this has been worth it for me and more, especially at the price point.
-I bought this on a whim one time, just to try a shade…and I am obsessed with these. For years I have always been a “high end” eyeshadow or nothing type of gal, but these singles have changed my mind. There is no fall out on these, and they blend so easily. The only complaint I have is that if you use a primer that isn’t too great, these are going to crease on you super easily. But all is made up for with its amazing pigmentation and cute packaging. Also, Ulta usually does buy one, get one 50% with this brand so the more the merrier!
-I’ve been a diehard fan of the Rosebud Perfume Co. since high school. A product that has been around since 1892, you know it has to be good! I use my $6 tin of this salve for mainly lip balm, bit it can be used for other things like dry cuticles, makeup remover, frizzy hair, and dry/patchy skin. I even used it to heal my sunburned lips one summer. Also if you hate the smell of roses they have a wide variety of smells and flavors to keep everyone happy! Get it at http://www.rosebudperfume.com or try Sephora if you want to earn those extra Beauty Insider points!
-This $4 gem did not come into my life until I saw how magical it was when Jeffree Star used it in one of his highlighter videos. The trick with this one is to use a rough brush or a coin to take off the top layer of makeup to reach the true pigment. This highlighter gives off a natural sheen and with an extra layer (or just use it wet) you’ll be glowing like a Christmas tree in no time! I recommend the shade, “moonlight pearls.”
Get it here, or anywhere else that sells E.L.F. //$4.00
NYX Cosmetics Slim Lip Pencil
-I have like ten of these suckers. They’re cheap, easy to use, and they come in a wide range of colors. Honestly they work just as well as Kylie’s lip pencils but they’re only $3.49. Besides, nobody knows what you’re using once it is on your face!
-I’ve been using this product for almost a decade now, and I’ve seen my mom use it in her makeup bag for even longer than that. Ranging from $3-6 this mascara is an oldie but a goodie in my book. It’s simple enough to wear alone but also can be layered on for a more dramatic look. I do recommend this type of mascara for people looking for a more natural look though, as that is what I believe it can be best suited for. Another great thing about this product? You can find it just about anywhere!
Stella + Style 