Okay, so we’re college students and DO NOT have time for $250 Natasha Denona eyeshadow palettes. Sephora is great and all, but a student who needs to be conscious of what they spend can’t just run through Sephora waving a credit card. Drugstore makeup used to be very subpar and not as high quality as products like MAC and Clinique, but now they’ve really stepped up their game and proven that good makeup doesn’t require a hefty budget. Without further ado, here are some of the best budget-friendly makeup products!
Moisturizer
So you’re thinking: “What about primer?” Well, PRIMER IS A SCAM. Forget about primer because you absolutely don’t need it. All you need is a good moisturizer to prep your skin and help your makeup last all day. As long as it is oil free and has at least SPF 15, you can purchase from any brand.
Foundation
L’Oréal Paris’ Infallible Pro Foundation has a nice medium/full coverage finish while looking and feeling natural and light. For those of you with oily skin, use the Infallible Pro-Matte foundation, and for the dry-skin lovelies the Infallible Pro-Glo.
Concealer
If you don’t need or want to wear foundation, you can just use a concealer to target the problem areas or areas you want to cover up. Concealer can be used over foundation to highlight the high points of your face if you use a shade lighter than your foundation shade. For concealer, use the Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer. It’s medium/full coverage, blends seamlessly and looks amazing. Tarte Shape Tape who?
Powder
Setting powders can reach up to $95 (we’re looking at you, La Mer). Thankfully, you don’t need to spend that much to set your makeup flawlessly. Use the Coty Airspun Loose Powder, which glides over skin smoothly and makes your face feel soft and velvety. This powder retails for $6 at Target.
Bronzer/Blush
Bronzer can be really tough with drugstore makeup because you don’t want anything too orange. Finding Physician’s Formula Butter Bronzer was a life-saver. It’s warm enough to make you look sun-kissed without being too orange.
For blush, the Wet n’ Wild Color Icon Blush is the way to go. It has a little shimmer and is very pigmented.
Highlighter
If you want a beautiful, blinding highlight, then look no further. The Wet n’ Wild Megaglo Highlighter is BLINDING and it comes in a variety of pretty colors, from a classic champagne to a colorful rainbow!
Eyebrows
Move over Anastasia Beverly Hills, because the NYX Brow Pencil has got you beat. For half the price, you can sculpt perfect brows without dropping loads of cash.
Eyeshadow
Okay, so this isn’t technically drugstore, but it’s still cheap. Morphe eyeshadow palettes are so popular right now because they’re affordable and very high-quality.
Eyeliner and Mascara
As far as eyeliner and mascara go, L’Oréal kills it. The Lash Paradise mascara makes your eyelashes look so long and full and the Super Slim eyeliner allows you to craft sharp wings with ease.
Setting Spray
With your beautiful budget-friendly look completed, set it so it lasts all day! Finish off your look with the NYX Finishing Spray that comes in both matte and dewy finishes!