Beauty On A Budget
It’s no secret I love Sephora. In fact, I love it so much I black out and lose all self control… okay, not really but you get the point. I will say I love most of the things I buy however, my credit card statement is something I don’t love after visiting… you feel me?
I’m SO excited for summer vacation, but I am not so excited about not earning a pay check for the next three months. In my division, we are payed over 10 months and there is no option to have it spread over 12 months. Even though I save accordingly, I like to tighten up my spending in the summer months… The bad news: my trips to Sephora are few and far between. The good news: I have done the grunt work and found drugstore beauty products that I love just as much, if not more!
Weather you’re on a budget or not these products are worth the try!
L’oreal True Match Lumi Cushion Foundation– This is is hands down my favourite foundation right now. I currently have NARS, Cover FX, and Make-Up Forever bottles in my drawer and I continually find myself reaching for this one. I love the application process. Dabbing my foundation brush into the cushion allows for absolutely no waste. It has buildable coverage, it feels light, and is applies beautifully leaving your skin looking naturally dewy and fresh! I cannot say enough good things about this foundation! I will be using this even after returning to teaching and my regular spending habits.
L’oreal Magic Lumi Light Infusing Primer– I must admit I am on again, off again when it comes to primers. I’m really not sure if they actually help my makeup stay on all day like they claim so I won’t go out and say this one does that. It does however, give your skin that “glowing from within” look that I love. I love using it as a primer, mixing it with my foundation or simply applying it with my daytime moisturizer when I’m not wearing foundation for a natural radiant look, perfect for summer! It also works as a highlighter…another banger by L’oreal, nice work guys!
Maybelline Fit Me Concealer– great coverage, doesn’t crease, and stays put all day. What more do you need? This is very comparable to Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer but is a tenth of the price!
Cover Girl Lashblast Volume– This mascara came highly recommended by my beautiful friend and fellow blogger, Chia Habte from Just Peachy! I’m not going to lie I didn’t love this mascara at first but the more I used it I realized how awesome it really is. It needs work though, as most do. It’s super buildable, it does not clump or flake off which is rare. So don’t judge it after one coat like I did! Thanks, Chia… check out her blog here! I also really love the Maybelline Lash Sensational, I like to flip flop between the two!
NYX Makeup Setting Spray Dewey Finish– If you haven’t already realized I am fully on board with the dewey skin trend, if you are too this product is for you! I was a big MAC fix plus girl forever, and I still do enjoy it (the smell is amazing) but I have been favouring this setting spray lately. I find it helps my makeup last all day and it really does give you a dewey finish… in fact, it is quite intense so don’t get carried away. One spray is all you need. I have gotten carried away and it looked like I took a can of Pam to my face, so be mindful of that!
NYX High Voltage Lipstick – The formula of these lipsticks are not typical of drugstore lipsticks. I am quite particular when it comes to lip products and I have nothing but great things to say. The color payoff is amazing, one swipe is all you need. It doesn’t dry my lips out, and the color selection is amazing… the only downfall is it doesn’t last as long as I would like but for under $5.00 you can’t complain!
Annabelle Big Show Lip Shine– This product has a tonne of negative reviews floating around saying it tastes and smells awful. I personally can’t complain about either as I didn’t notice the smell at all and I try not to eat my lipgloss so no complaints on that front. I love the formula!! It’s not sticky, has great color payoff and the I found the color I have actually stains my lips so even once the glossy shine wears off there is still a bit of color! I love this lipgloss for teaching as it is easy to apply and like I said once the gloss wears off I still have a nice natural looking pink tinge to my lips!
Any other drugstore beauty products I should try?! Summer is coming quick so this girl is on a budget!!
Danielle
This was awesome! I love getting my must-have basics from Sephora but I find I can’t commit to mascara or lip gloss/sticks from there because I like to play around with a bunch! My favourite mascara of all time right now is Maybelline Lash Sensational, it’s in a light purple tube. Definitely definitely try it the next time you’re browsing, it fans and builds really well without clumping, also doesn’t flake. Beautiful length and shape. I do have to use a little bit of makeup remover at the end of the day to get it off, which I typically don’t like as much just because I hate scrubbing my lashes, but it holds really well all day!
Holly
Hi Danielle!!
Thanks so much for the comment- I’m so glad you like the post! I also LOVE Lash Sensational from Maybelline! I love flip flopping between the two! Thanks for the recommendation! Take care!
Holly
Thanks so much for your kind comment!! I also LOVE the Lash Sensational from Maybelline! Thanks for the recommendation! XOXO
Kathryn
What a great roundup! I’ll have to give some of these a try.
xx Kathryn
http://www.chicandshimmer.com
Holly
Thanks, Kathryn! I highly suggest the NYX setting spray!
Jules
I love posts like these! I am also a huge fan of the L’oreal Lumi products so it was nice to see them on this list. I’ll have to give the others a try as well. Thanks for sharing!
Holly
You’re so welcome! I would suggest trying the NYX products- they are fabulous!
Holly
Thanks, Jules! You HAVE to try the NYX setting spray… I love it!
Priscilla Sinclair
Thank you for the recommendation!!
http://gucci.appanageinvestments.com
Holly
You’re welcome, Priscilla! Thanks for the kind words!
Clarissa
Thanks for the round-up — I am BEYOND stoked to try that foundation! I use Makeup Forever HD and although I love it, it gets SO expensive.
-Clarissa @ The View From Here
Jessica
I was always afraid of the Korean lumi foundation as I have pretty oily skin but I decided to give it a try regardless and I LOvE it! As long as I set my t zone with a bit of powder it seems to stay put. I also reccomend the maybeline gel liner..beautiful dark matte black and lasts all day ????
Holly
Thanks for the feedback, Jessica! I am so sad I forgot to include the Maybelline Gel liner in my post because it is seriously one of my favourites! I haven’t used anything else since trying it a year ago! I will have to do an updated post and let everyone know about this! Thanks, girl!
Emma Thomson
http://www.lvoutletonline.co.uk
You have so many pretty outfits!
Erica
Great post!! Do you have any tips on how to select drugstore foundation/concealer? I always go to Shoppers with the intention of buying, and then get so stuck on which shade to pick! T hanks!
Holly
This is a great idea for a post… stay tuned!!