Have you ever walked into a store looking for the perfect product, whether it be a mascara or even just shampoo, and gotten lost in all of the options? I know I have. In fact, I’ve struggled for years to find the perfect products and brands, ones that really work and are worth the money. Beauty products can be expensive, so it is especially disappointing when the product you choose just isn’t living up to your expectations. Through trial and error (and killing my checking account), I’ve managed to come across a few brands that have never failed me; they’re my soulmate brands. Not only have I found some brands I love at Sephora, but I’ve also found some great, cheaper, alternatives that work just as well. I want to share my findings with you; and I’m positive that you’ll love these brands just as much as I do!
1. Lorac
As far as the beauty world goes, Lorac is extremely underrated. I have been using their products for a couple years now, and there hasn’t been a single one of their products I haven’t absolutely loved. No matter what day it is, I am always using at least one Lorac product in my make-up routine. From simple looks to a more dramatic make-up look, Lorac has products for anything!
A few of my favorite things from Lorac include the lash pomade mascara, the matte lipsticks, and the cobra mascara. And my all-time favorite product; the pro palette. These products are, in my opinion, high-end, so the price is a little bit higher than some of the other brands featured in drugstores. However, I find it to be an investment well made. Lorac’s eyeshadows are extremely pigmented and stay in place all day long. They’re easy to blend and there are a variety of beautiful colors that can be used to create a variety of looks.
Lorac’s lipsticks are also amazing. I’ve struggled with finding lipsticks forever. They always smudge and never last. But when I found Lorac, my prayers were answered. Not only do they last all day, but the matte lipsticks are neat because they’re shaped at angle. Which means you can line your lines with the actual lipstick and then fill them in. It saves you money, because you don’t have to buy a lip liner; it’s a two in one product! I am extremely picky in regards to the make-up I use, and I have never been disappointed when I purchase anything from Lorac. I highly suggest checking out their products and integrating them into your makeup routine They’re reliable and stand the test of time.
2. Elf
My fixation with Elf lies solely with their make-up brushes. I have always been told that Sephora brand brushes are the way to go, but I disagree. I’ve invested in some pretty expensive brushes, but nothing beats my Elf brushes. The best part about Elf is that their brushes are affordable. No one wants to spend fifty dollars on one brush when you can spend thirty dollars on an entire set of brushes! The quality is great and in contrast to my Sephora brushes, my Elf brushes don’t shed their bristles nearly as often. There’s nothing more annoying than having to pick bristles out of your foundation as you are applying your makeup. Love yourself, love your bank account, and shop Elf!
3. Mirabella
This is a brand I stumbled across at my salon. I was absolutely desperate for a new foundation. I have really dry skin and despite investing in “specialized foundations,” my foundation still looked busted up, cracked, and flaky. Mirabella’s CC cream changed my life. No, seriously. It has great coverage, keeps my skin moisturized, and it’s still matte! Surprisingly, I never wear powder with this CC cream…ever! My skin can get so dry, especially in the winter, so when I use powder, it just cracks off of my face. All of my skin issues just melted away after I started using Mirabella’s CC cream consistently. I know what you’re thinking: does my face get oily if I’m not using a powder? The answer is no! This product has been a miracle for me.
4. Tarte
This beauty brand has me head over heels in love. I’ve tried almost every Tarte product under the sun, but right now, my go-to product is the Rainforest Of The Sea setting spray. This product has truly been a lifesaver. I have extremely dry skin, as I mentioned earlier, and this product helps protect my skin from cracking off all of my foundation. Not only do I use the setting spray to set my face before I apply my makeup, but I also use it after my makeup is applied. It gives my skin a boost of hydration. I enjoy the way it works with my skin and it smells fantastic. I highly recommend giving any of Tarte’s products a try, but I especially recommend the Rainforest Of The Sea setting spray.
5. Colour Pop
If you are guilty of staring at the wall of beautiful lipsticks in Sephora that you’d love to own, but can’t quite afford, join the club. What if I told you that you could have a huge collection of beautiful lipsticks and lip-glosses without spiraling into debt? I’m not kidding! Colour Pop has been a savior for me. I’ve bought some of the best lipsticks I’ve ever owned for six dollars each! SIX DOLLARS! If you haven’t looked into Colour Pop yet…check out their website ASAP! I promise you won’t be disappointed.
6. Coastal Scents
Coastal Scents is the brand that turned my interest in make-up into a love for make-up. From the packaging to the actual product, I fell head over heels in love. I started using Coastal Scents products when I was a sophomore in high-school. At the time, this brand appealed to me because it wasn’t nearly as expensive as some of the brands in Sephora. I bought one of their eyeshadow palettes and hoped for the best. Now, I have two of the Revealed eyeshadow palettes and they’re amazing. The colors are extremely pigmented and unlike many other palettes, they come with a ton of colors; twenty per palette to be exact. Coastal Scents has sales on their products all the time, so it gives you the perfect opportunity to try some of their products out! I guarantee that you will love this brand!
These are the six beauty brands, I cannot live without! I hope this has given you some insight, and shown you why these six underrated beauty brands deserve some love. I’m confident that you will not regret putting yourself out there and trying some of the exceptional products these brands have to offer.