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..

I have decided to start doing “Monthly Must-Haves.”  These are items my gf’s and I can’t get enough of.   You know, those group chats that get out of control? Well, turns out there is some good that come from mine.  My babes are seriously amazing at sharing their favorite products and latest obsessions… soooo here they are!

Make Up Case – This little beauty caught my eye as I was leaving Sephora the other day.  Seriously the cutest.  Not too big, not too small… perfect travel size.  Also ironic because the mascara I rave about below is not designer…

Cross Ring– Last week while watching the Bachelorette with my girlfriends, I could hardly pay attention to the show I was too busy ooing and awing over Kaitlyn’s ring! My babe Nicole was sooo sweet and went to Le Chateau, bought me a look alike and gave it to me tonight right before we started watching!  The original is like $800.00 but I love the replica she got me even more… so thoughtful! xoxo

Too Faced Sun Bunny Bronzer – I have tried what feels like billions of bronzers and this is by far my favorite.  It has two sides; one has a little sheen but is NOT sparkly. There are slight pink undertones which gives you that natural looking tan.  Simply put, it’s the bomb.

Smashbox O-GLOSS –  I have tried many of these intuitive lip glosses and this is by far my favorite.  It isn’t sticky, goes on smooth, and turns to a really pretty pink.  I love lipstick as much as anyone, but as a teacher I just don’t have time to reapply and fuss with it.  This lip gloss is great to keep in your purse and reapply whenever you have a spare second… I know, they are few and far between.

GLAMGLOW Supermud Clearing Treatment:  I don’t know if it’s the change in season or what but my skin has been a little crazy lately.  I was desperate to find a deep cleaning mask so I turned to my friend Dawna, who told me about GLAMGLOW and I am hooked!! I have only used it a few times and I have already noticed a difference.  It helps with blemishes, redness, black & white heads, and discoloration.  The best part is it doesn’t dry your skin out!  It is on the pricy side but worth the splurge!

Maybelline Lash Sensation: Okay… If I was stranded on an island and I could only have one piece of make up, mascara would be it.  I LOVE long, voluminous, thick, curled, lashes.  I have tried all sorts of fancy mascara’s and this is by far my absolute favorite.  It is layer-able, doesn’t flake or clump, separates, and elongates the lashes…  $4.99 and it is perfection.

Sigma Essential Kit – Make Me: There are so many different brush sets on this website, many of which I found overwhelming. The Make Me kit has the basics with just a few extras.  The brushes are a super soft synthetic material.  My favorite is for sure the long handled Kabuki brush.  Bonus… they come in super cute colors!

Peonies:  There is nothing as beautiful as a huge bouquet of fresh peonies on the table in the Spring.  They are not in season long my friends, so enjoy them while you can!

Tell me your beauty secrets… what are your must haves!?

Xoxo,

-H

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