If you're a lady who is ballin' on a budget (hello, recession!) then you know the importance of a HOLY GRAIL drugstore makeup find. If you can find something at the drugstore that works as good (if not better) than that Dior highlighter you've been lusting over, you should be all over it. I am no stranger to the drugstore makeup aisles, you name it... I've probably tried it. Therefore I'm here to tell you the products that you should NOT be living without!
These are in no particular order, and are all equally awesome!
E.L.F. Brushes:
If you haven't heard of Eyes Lips Face (you probably don't frequent Target) OR you don't do a lot of online shopping, that's okay! I'm here to tell you that their brushes, especially in the studio line are AMAZING and are 3 dollars EACH, that's right.... THREE BUCKS.
Pro's: they work as well as something more high end, they don't shed, they hold up well from use and washing, they're aesthetically pleasing: very sleek.
I highly recommend the following:
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| L to R: Small stippling brush, powder brush, pointed foundation brush, stippling brush & small tapered brush |
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Small stippling brush: great for cream blush or cream bronzer, makes it a flawless application
Powder brush: I use this brush EVERYDAY to apply my powder its dense, yet soft. It works amazing, the one pictured above I've had for over a year and it's still in great shape.
Pointed Foundation brush: This is great for applying concealer under the eyes, also around the eyebrows or nose. I think it would be a little too small for applying foundation (as the name states) but I may be bias because the next brush is my HOLY GRAIL foundation brush...
Stippling brush: I used this everyday to apply my liquid/cream/whipped foundation, it gives me such a flawless finish, I get compliments on my skin on a regular basis, which is because of this brush and my foundation,
not my skin haha It's this simple: apply your foundation to a sponge or on back of your hand, tap product on brush and blend out on face in small, circular motions.
Small tapered brush: this brush is great for contouring with bronzer (which I will have a future post up about soon!) it gets into the hollows of your cheeks awesomely. It can also be used for applying powder under the eyes.
Edit: see my favorite e.l.f.
eyeshadow brushes in
this post!
NYC Sunny Bronzer:
This is the
best bronzer I've ever used! Before this I was never truly happy with any other bronzers I was using. It's completely matte so it WON'T overpower your face with shimmer or glitter. I've heard its comparable to Benefit's Hoola bronzer but I haven't tried it to 100% know.
Uses: Sunny is great to contour all over your face (where ever you like to use bronzer) especially in cheekbones, down the sides of your nose, etc. Also I use it everyday to bronze my neck a bit to make sure my foundation blends with my neck and chest.
Cost: 3 to 4 dollars... I mean c'mon really? It's a no brainer. I have 2 back ups and just hit pan on my 1st one after a year or more of using it.
Wet N' Wild Eyeshadows:
Please tell me your already have heard how amazing these are!? If not, you need to run out to your nearest Walgreens/Rite Aid/Walmart and stock up! I'm so glad bloggers/youtubers are finally giving Wet n Wild the attention they deserve because almost everything they make is fantastic, especially their eyeshadow palettes and trio's.
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| Wet n' Wild: Comfort Zone Palette, photo credit: here. |
Their eye shadows are so incredibly pigmented, creamy, velvety, [insert a million more positive adjectives]. Not to mention that they have a TON of supposed MAC dupes in their collections. The have a full shade range from great neutrals to crazy, vibrant pinks and blues.
Cost: 1.99 to 8 dollars (depending on if you get a single eyeshadow vs. a 8 pan palette)
You can't go wrong with any of their eyeshadows...
seriously.
I also recommend Wet n' Wild's: lipsticks, blushes, gel eye liner, Fergie eyeshadow primer, nail polish.
Revlon Lipsticks:
If you know me then you know I'm a lipstick junkie, like seriously... my name is Leah and I have a problem. I am ashamed (and quite proud) to say I have 50+ lipsticks, I just think they're so pretty and girly, what's not to love? Anyway, Revlon has ALWAYS been a stand by for me, their shade range and selection is great. They have different finishes like frost, satin and matte and are super affordable! (
Hint: I HIGHLY recommend getting them from Wal-mart, drugstores tend to charge 8 or 9 dollars per lipstick, where as at Wal-mart they are less than 5 dollars)
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| L to R: Pink in the afternoon, Rosewine, Pink Pout, Pink about it |
My current favorites are pictured above, Pink in the Afternoon: is a great wearable pink, still adds a bit of pop without being too much or too dramatic. Rosewine: sort of a brick red/berry color, gorgeous on. This color is a staple for me in the Fall/Winter, it would look great all year round maybe for a night out. Pink Pout: Matte light cool toned pink (also suppose to be a dupe for Mac's snob) great color very "lady gaga" to me. Pink about it: Vibrant, bright pink that's alittle lighter than a hot pink. Reminds me of of Mac's viva glam Nicki but a little darker.
Rimmel's Lasting Finish Foundation:
I got this
Foundation on a whim at Walgreens one day when they had all of Rimmel 40 or 50 % off. So it was around 2 dollars and it's a GREAT foundation. If you're truly on a strict budget I definitely recommend this because it is around 4-5 dollars. I can't speak for everyone I have dry to normal skin and this works great for me. It really does last a long time, just make sure you blend it semi-quickly into your skin because it tends to dry a little fast, that's the only con I've noticed.
My other favorite drugstore foundations include: Revlon colorstay and CoverGirl 3 in 1 outlast stay fabulous
last but definitely NOT least...
Wet n' Wild Blushes:
Again, Wet n' Wild has done it again ... these blushes are some of the first I ever bought 4 or 5 years ago, before that I wasn't really into blush. Now, blush and lipstick are my favorite makeup products, ever.
Wet n Wild blushes are 2.99 and I would pay 3x as much because the quality and pigmentation are absolutely out. of. this. world.
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| All 4 pictured here. Photo Credit: here. |
Like I said, I've had some of these for years and have yet to hit pan on any of them, a little goes a loooong way, make sure to tap off your brush before applying so you don't over do it. FYI: the shade Pearlescent Pink (the most left shade in the picture above) is a dupe for Nars Orgasm, the most worn blush in the world, literally.
The only bad thing about these blushes, you ask? ...is that their is only 4 shades, hopefully Wn'W will get the hint to make more soon!
Well, that wraps up my list my beauties! There are a lot more things I could talk about, maybe I'll make a part 2 soon. Thank you so much for reading! Until next time, stay thrifty and fabulous!
xo Leah
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