All college girls on a budget share the same pain: what amount of money do I allocate to things I really want and things I actually need? Whether you go all natural 24/7 or love wearing art on your beautiful blank canvases every day, you need a few makeup items for those special events and circumstances. Being a huge makeup junkie, it’s usually tempting for me to buy everything I love. Through multiple trial and errors, I sadly wasted time, money, and lots of products. So, here are a few tips on what to save money on and what to splurge on!
1. Mascara & Eyeliner: Save
You’re actually supposed to change your mascara every three to four months. If you use mascara daily, you sometimes need to change it sooner to avoid clumpy buildups or bacteria. As for eyeliner, this is the most common makeup item. It is more fun to have a wide range of different colors! So whatever you do, don’t splurge on mascara or eyeliner. Save and go for a drugstore brand!
Recommended: Maybelline Falsies, Maybelline Mega Plush, Covergirl Lash Blast Volume, NYX Cosmetics eyeliner, Sephora brand eyeliner
2. Foundation & Concealer: Save OR Splurge
If your skin is not the best, sometimes you need to splurge on better quality foundation or foundation that matches your skin type and skin tone better. However, if you are not acne-prone and just need a foundation to even out your skin each day, most drugstore brands have a huge range of shades that are decent quality. The same applies to concealer. Cheaper ones tend to crinkle in your wrinkles, but not all high-end concealers are smooth and full-coverage either. These two products are completely your call!
Recommended: Maybelline Fit Me, Neutrogena, Make Up For Ever, MAC Cosmetics, Inglot Cosmetics, L’Oreal, Bare Minerals
3. Eyeshadow: Save
My favorite cosmetic is eyeshadow because I love looking at an assortment of colors. Sadly, most high-end eyeshadow palettes are above $50. Although every girl should have at least one nice quality palette she splurged on and uses frequently, overall it is better to save on eyeshadow. There are always dupes for high end shades at drugstores or sold by the Sephora brand. Also, if you’re into having a wide assortment of colors, check out Coastal Scent palettes online!
Recommended: NYX Cosmetics, Sephora brand, Coastal Scents palettes, Urban Decay, MAC Cosmetics, Inglot Cosmetics
4. Lipstick: Save
Lipsticks come in a wide range of colors and finishes. But, there are only so many shades of nude, pink, and red. Furthermore, lipsticks last a long time. There is no need to splurge on all your lipsticks!
Recommended: Revlon, Covergirl, Sephora brand.
5. Face products: Splurge
Face products include highlighter, blush, bronzer, and powder. Usually with blush and powder, you can get away with drugstore brand quality as long as you apply with a light hand. Sadly, there are very few highlighters and even fewer decent bronzers in drugstores. Highlighting and contouring can make or break your face. Therefore, you need legitimate products, not cheap orange tinted bronzers. Considering these products are also not used as much, you won’t have to constantly replace them. Splurge a little for that beautiful glow :).
Recommended: Nars, Maybelline, MAC Cosmetics, Benefit Cosmetics, Bare Minerals
6. Nail polish: Save
Whatever you do, there is absolutely no need to splurge on nail polish. So many salons and drugstores sell nice nail polish across the rainbow. You do not always need Essie, OPI, or Butter London. Most of the time you never finish the bottle before it dries up anyways. Do yourself a favor and save!
Recommended: Spoiled by Wet ‘n’ Wild, Revlon, Sally Hansen, Maybelline, L’Oreal
7. Perfumes: Splurge
Unless we’re talking the fun Victoria’s Secret or Bath & Body Works body sprays, do not buy cheap perfumes from unknown brands. These are basically chemicals that are sprayed directly on your skin and sink into your pores. Splurge on one or two decent scents that won’t wear off easily or leave a cheap lingering “after-scent.” If you can’t afford a nice bottle, don’t stress! There are always rollerballs.
Recommended: Any high-end perfume in Sephora or department stores.
Spend smart, beauty queens!