Are you sick of using mascara that constantly clumps, or looking for a new shade of lipstick to try? HCBU has put together a few of their “must-have” makeup products, and want to share them with you! From eyeliner to foundation to lip stain, we’ve listed our favorite brands and products for you to try!
Eyes
L’Oreal® Paris Voluminous Smoldering Liner
“Eyeliner can be a subtle or dramatic way to draw attention to your eyes, but it will always make your eye color stand out! My eyes are blue and using this bold brown liner makes them pop more. It’s easy to blend, and goes on smoothly!” – Shannon Stocks
Source: Target
Maybelline® Volum’ Express® The Falsies™ Mascara
“Unfortunately, my eyelashes are really small. Fortunately, this mascara helps define and elongate my lashes. Out of all the mascaras I’ve tried, this one definitely works the best! Plus, it stays on for long periods of time!” – Shannon Stocks
Source: Target
BH Cosmetics Fabulous Brow Trio
“The full brow look is obviously hot right now, and this “Fabulous Brow Trio” is my best friend. The kit includes a tinted wax to shape the brows and two brow powders to fill in and define them. It’s easy to use, and it doesn’t make my brows look heavy, dark, or overdrawn! It’s both effective and inexpensive, perfect for a college student on a budget or someone just beginning to test the makeup waters for the first time. I always receive compliments on my brows as if I used some overpriced professional brow product, but NOPE! I didn’t!” – Summer Ford
Source: Amazon
Eyeko London Skinny Brush Mascara
“I swear by this mascara! Seriously, I’ve been through every type of mascara from Chanel to Revlon. It comes in a tube, so you can squeeze every last bit of it out! What I like most about this product is that it will stay on your lashes no matter what. It isn’t labeled as waterproof, but even after crying your eyes out, your lashes won’t move. This makes my lashes look natural and long, without clumping or crumbling. Even though I have long lashes, I’ve never gotten as many compliments as with this mascara!” – Roxanne Rittmann
Source: BirchBox
Lips
Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics (OCC) Stained Gloss
“This is a highly pigmented gloss that definitely packs a bold punch, sold in just about every color known to man! Their stained gloss collection was created as a translucent version of their popular lip tars. “Little Black Dress”is perfection! When I want to spice up an otherwise dull lip color, I apply LBD. The glossy finish makes any lip color shine, while also adding dimension and the coolest effect! You can try pairing LBD with your favorite lipstick for a reinvention of an old look. The best feature is that one drop is literally all you need, so you definitely get your money’s worth. Did I mention they are 100% vegan and cruelty-free?!” – Summer Ford
Source: Sephora
NYX Round Lipstick
“I’m always sipping on coffee or water throughout the day, so lipstick and gloss are kind of silly because they come off easily. They’re still good to have on you just in case! I like something subtle during the day, like a light pink, and bright red for a night out!” – Shannon Stocks
Source: Target
Lime Crime Velvetines
“This is one of my go-to’s for deep hues. What sets the line apart from most that I’ve tried is the difference between the product application and it’s finish. The lipstick is applied as a liquid, similar to lip gloss, but it dries 100% matte! When I know I’ll be out for several hours and I want my lipstick to stay put without smudging, I turn to Lime Crime! I’ve gone from shopping, to eating dinner, to going out for the night, and have only touched up this lipstick once! It’s definitely a must have for long nights. My favorites are “Salem” and “Wicked“. The only downside, you’ll definitely need makeup remover wipes or solution to remove it, but that’s a good thing right?!” – Summer Ford
Source: Lime Crime
Bite Beauty Luminous Crème Lipstick
“My favorite lip products are Bite’s Crème lipsticks. The colors are vibrant, and there’s a ton to choose from. It is a super creamy formula, so unlike with most lipsticks, your lips stay moisturized. My personal faves are their nudes and plums!” – Amy Alexander
Source: Sephora
Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm
“I use this lip balm every day. It keeps my lips from chapping in the Boston cold, and contains SPF to protect my lips from the sun. It’s made with peppermint, so it has a great scent. It’s 100% natural, and they don’t test on animals!” – Danielle Focarile
Source: Burt’s Bees
Kat Von D Studded Kiss Lipstick
“I never leave home without this lipstick! I’d say she’s the queen of deep, rich hues of reds and purples and bright, statement oranges and pinks, total rockstar status! The line was recently reformulated to the Studded Kiss collection and I’d say its much smoother, long-lasting, and less “smellier” than its predecessor. Overall, I love the improvement and Kat’s lipstick is always my go-to for deep, dark lipstick, perfect for the fall! My favorites are “Homegirl” and “Vampira“, both of which are “cult” favorites of Von D’s collection.” – Summer Ford
Source: Sephora
Face
Origins Silk Screen™
“I swear by Origins Silk Screen compact powder. I have been using it for years and I would never dream of switching. Not only does it provide great coverage for your skin, it’s SPF 15, and the perfect setting power. I love putting it on top of my concealer because it makes my liquid makeup last twice as long without making your skin look or feel cake-y. Also, Origins is a fantastic company. I have never had an issue with their products as they’re all natural and non-animal tested.” – Meredith Hauser
Source: Origins
Benefit Cosmetics Benetint
“This stain is perfect to give you a splash of color! It’s a dual product that helps give your cheeks a rosy glow and your lips a brighter shade! It’s compact, and takes up little space in your makeup bag! Plus, it’s easy to apply!” – Allison Penn
Source: Sephora
Bare Minerals Get Started® Kit
“I have some small acne scars on my face (thanks puberty), so the foundation powder make my face one color. The warmer powder adds color to my cheeks, and the mineral vale helps hide under-eye circles from late night studying. I wear this everyday!” – Cristina Estupiñán
Source: Ulta