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!!

The post Beauty On A Budget appeared first on Teach Me Style - A style, beauty and life blog..

Just had to get that out of the way.  August.  Honestly, that means my summer vacation is nearly half over.  (tear face emoticon) waaaaaa…. Okay, pity party ends here.

Another month means another edition of my Monthly Must-Haves.  The post where I dish out my latest favorite finds.

Let’s get started!

Kate Spade Day Planner: The teacher in me seriously dies over this little piece of heaven.  Gold foil polka dots, monthly and weekly spreads, laminated dividers, a contacts section and cute quotes… need I say more?! Any organize fanatic’s dream come true.

Free People Bralette: Having a small / flat / bee sting chest is something I used to hate but with age I have come to realize it’s actually the best.   Makes you look so thin, you can get away with wearing basically any top without it looking slutty, and the best part… bra’s are always optional.  For the times when I can’t stand the thought of putting on a bra but feel like I probably should, this bralette is perfect.  Cute and so comfortable.

White Denim: I have a few pairs and have come to realize that spending a lot of dough on a pair of white jeans is just not the smartest thing.  I bought a pair from Joe Fresh for $9.00 last month and have worn them easily 15 times.  They stain easy and need to be washed basically after each wear therefore spending a tonne of cash on an expensive pair is just not my idea of smart.  Anyways, what I’m trying to say is get a pair, cheap if you can find, and wear the s*it out of them because summer is coming to a close real quick!

Larsson & Jennings Watch: Okay, as of right now I do not own this watch but it may just be my back to school splurge treat.  I am due for a new watch.  I mean seriously due…. my old one is still engraved from an ex-boyfriend, eww tacky I know.  Actually,  the more I type the more I have convinced  myself I need this watch.  Keep your eyes peeled on my insta feed for this pretty little thang!

Phone Case: My girlfriend, Kim- check out her blog here, told me about Society 6 and their adorable phone cases a couple months ago and I am seriously obsessed.  Make sure you have some time though because the options are endless.  Grab a glass of wine and get scrolling… warning,  their e-mails do get annoying so make sure you give them your spam address but do give one as they have sales and promo codes…but ugh, nothing worse than spam e-mail.

Buxom Full-On Lip Cream: Typically I’m not a huge lip gloss kinda gal.  My mom actually got this little ditty in a gift set and so when I saw her putting it on I had to try it, I ended up loving it.  It’s not your typical sparkly, shimmery lip gloss.  Just soft, subtle, and oh so creamy with a little bit of tingle for that pout we all dream about.  White Russian is my color of choice, it’s just so easy to throw on to finish off that dewy glow on a summer day.

The perfect denim shirt:  The possibilities with a GOOD denim shirt are really endless.  Notice how I caps locked good… that is key.  I have had denim shirts in the past and they have been okay, but there is nothing like a denim shirt that fits perfectly, is soft, and is just the right wash.  Mine happens to be a Rails one, which are quite pricey but so worth it, see why here.  When you find your perfect denim shirt you will understand what I mean.  They transition seamlessly through all seasons, are comfortable and as mentioned before are incredibly versatile.

L’OREAL True Match Lumi Healthy Luminous Foundation (holy mouthful!!!): The story behind me discovering this foundation is actually quite hilarious.  Long story short, my boyfriend and I built our home nearly two years ago, we went traveling to Europe the first summer we were in it, and so the air conditioning wasn’t high on the priority list as we were gone.  This summer has been a whole different story, we have been home and melting!!!!  Saskatchewan summers are hot but this summer has been one of the hottest I can remember.  Anyways, on those hot summer days when I was melting I would find any excuse to escape the heat… shopping seemed to be the best option.  SO on a day that it was plus 37 degrees Celsius and I could no longer stand it I headed out to Shoppers to peruse the cosmetic section and found this foundation.  I have been a Make Up Forever HD girl forever but I haven’t had the desire to reach for it since.  The L’oreal foundation is light but has great coverage, gives that dewy glow, and lasts all day.  Having sensitive skin I was hesitant to try it but I have had zero issues.  The bottle was $12… and we now have A.C winner, winner, chicken dinner!

Well, there ya have it! Tell me about your fav little treats!

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