There are great high end makeup items, but there are low cost makeup products that are great too! With so many different makeup products to choose from, it can be a little stressful deciding which ones are worth buying. Here are some high- end and low cost reccomendations that will hopefully help you with your makeup shopping.
Eyeshadow
Spluge:
Possibly the best splurge that I highly reccomend is any of the Urban Decay Naked palettes. The pigmentation is so rich in all three of the palettes that you don’t have to pack on the shadow. I have had these palettes for years and the combinations of colors and looks you can achieve are endless. The palettes are known for being very versatile. The original Naked palette has bronze-hued warm tones that especially work for warm skin tones. Naked 2 is more taupe-hued and works best for cool skin tones. Naked 3 (my personal favorite) works well on any skin tone. But you can’t go wrong with whichever one you choose.
Cost: $52
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Coastal Scents is unfortunately only available online, but it’s definitely worth the wait for shipping! The shades are very similar to the ones found in the Naked palettes. The shadows have great pigmentation and are very easy to work with. My favorite thing about this palette is that the palette is slim and is perfect on-the-go. It can easily fit in a purse so you can do touch-ups if needed throughout the day. I would say this palette is very similar in quality to Urban Decay’s Naked palettes which is great because it’s more than half the cost!
Cost: $19.95
Liquid liner
Splurge:
Stila’s “Stay All Day” liquid liner does. not. budge. When I use this liner I can cry, wipe my eyes, and get rained on. No matter what you do, this eyeliner doesn’t smear. The only way this will come off is if you scrub your eyes with a good eye makeup remover. It certainly deserves the “stay all day” title. There are 14 other color options to choose from as well. The tip is very precise so it is easy to do subtle liner or a dramatic wing.
Cost: $26
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Maybelline’s “Eye Studio Lasting Drama” gel eyeliner was the first eyeliner I have ever bought. Rather than applying eyeliner with a felt tip, this gel eyeliner comes with a pointed brush. This eyeliner is perfect for beginners because gel eyeliner is easier to apply than liquid liner. You simply dip your brush into the gel pot and build your liner with the brush. The only negative thing I have to say about this product is that you have to clean the brush often or else it will get clumpy.
Cost: $9.99
Foundation
I think foundation is the hardest makeup product to choose. There are many different types of foundation to choose from. There are powder, creamy, and liquid foundations. I personally choose to go with liquid foundation because I think it looks more natural and I like more of a full coverage to conceal my pink undertones. It all depends on what feels best for you! When trying on different colors of foundations, it is important to look at how your foundation looks in natural lighting. I can’t tell you how many times I have had to return a foundation because it looked good when I tried it on the store, but it turned out to look orange or yellow on me in the daylight.
Splurge:
MAC was orignally created for professional makeup artists to use on models. They wanted makeup that would look great in photographs and could withstand the bright lights. Forunately, they made it available for everyone to purchase. My favorite thing about MAC’s “Studio Fix Fluid” liquid foundation is that your face looks flawless in photographs. During the winter my skin gets chapped and red but this product evens out my skin tone. A little bit of this product goes a long way and keeps you covered for hours.
Cost: $27
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Palladio “Herbal Foundation” blends into skin very well. The formula is oil-free and gives a matte finish. During the summer when my skin is most oily so I use this foundation with a setting powder on top to keep my face from looking shiny. I enjoy this product because it helps with oil control yet it’s moisturizing as well. It feels like you are applying a tinted moisturizer but it still gives you good coverage.
Cost: $10
Blush
Splurge:
NARS blush is perfect for giving your face some color. I use this blush to give myself a healthy looking glow. The shades range from dramatic to natural looking. The pigmentation is beautiful on all skin types and leaves behind just the right amount of shimmer on your cheeks. They also offer matte shades if shimmer isn’t your thing. This is my favorite blush to use on my cheek bones when I am contouring.
Cost: $30
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NYX powder blush has a wide selection of shades that range from shimmery to matte like NARS. This shade picture is called “Summer Peach” and it’s my favorite from this line. This shade makes my skin look silky, especially when I apply this over a liquid highlighter on my cheek bones.
Cost: $5.99
Lipstick
Splurge:
Urban Decay’s “Revolution” lipstick has 22 intensely pigmented shades to choose from. The lipstick has ingredients that actually prime your lips to make it longlasting. The shade “Venom” is my personal favorite. It is a dark purple that is very trendy right now. The lipsticks have a creamy texture that doesn’t drag or skip when you apply it.
Cost: $22
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Sometimes, wearing lipsticks too often can dry out my lips. Revlon’s “ColorBurst Lip Butter” is great because it gives my lips color and moisturizes them at the same time. When I use it, my lips actually feel softer even after the product wears off. It’s also great because the product is very buildable. You can put a quick glide on for a hint of color or you can build the color up for more drama.
Cost: $7.99
Mascara
Splurge:
Benefit’s “They’re Real” mascara is an everyday essential for me. What makes this product stand out for me is the ball-end tip on the applicatior. This helps define every lash without making my lashes clumpy. It bothers me that this product, especially for the price, dries out after only a month. Unfortunately, I’m addicted to the “fanned-out” look that this mascara gives me.
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Maybelline’s “The Falsies Volum’ Express” is also a favorite of mine. I have had my tube for two months and it still hasn’t dried out yet. This mascara is great at curling my lashes and giving me volume. When I want my eyelashes to look dramatic for a night out, this is my go-to product. A few coats of this truly does give you the look of fake eyelashes. It’s perfect for the “doe-eyed” look.