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I’ve noticed that a lot of girls around campus have trouble choosing the right makeup products to suit their needs. The process of finding new products can be frustrating and a big waste of money (believe me, I know). Especially when buying more high-end makeup, you want to know that you’re going to get what you need. Since I’ve been wearing makeup for six years now, and have inevitably gone through dozens of bottles of every product out there, I’m going to share my recommendations on both the best and worst beauty product investments you can make. This will include my personal preference — high-end — with more affordable choices as well.
1. Foundation
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I believe that if you’re going to allow yourself to spend a lot on one thing, it should be foundation. It’s what the word implies: the basis for everything to come. If you don’t have a solid base, then it’s hard to get good results. From Beauty.com, I would recommend the Nars Sheer Matte foundation for a light-to-medium coverage (although this is buildable) or the Becca Ultimate Coverage Cream from Sephora if you have a lot to conceal. The latter does an especially good job of covering hyperpigmentation. From the drugstore I’d option the Revlon Colorstay foundation. It offers great medium-to-high coverage, it’s long lasting, and comes in a range of colors. I don’t find that the Rimmel Stay Matte line of products do what they’re supposed to. That may just be because I have oily skin but when I wear their foundations and powders, I find my face is already shiny after two hours, despite their claim to help you stay shine-free for five hours.
2. Lips
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If you prefer matte shades, Anastasia Beverley Hills recently launched a line of liquid lipsticks exclusive to Macy’s. They come in 32 beautiful shades and are highly pigmented. I would check out the “Milkshake” or “Pure Hollywood” shades from the Anastasia Beverley Hills line if you’re in the market for nude colors. Maybelline Color Sensational lipsticks are only $8 but they are super moisturizing and offer nice color pay-off as well. I’d stay away from the Covergirl Outlast Lip Colors. They seem like a good deal (the lipstick lasts all day, doesn’t budge, and is very rich) but I found that it starts to crumble and peel off during the day. On top of that, these lipsticks feel uncomfortably dry and if you’re going to eat with them, be ready for all the color to rub off and leave your mouth in unsightly patches.
3. Eye shadows
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Eye shadows sound like something you don’t need to invest too much in, but if you buy cheap eye shadows they can end up creasing or just plain disappearing as you go from class to class. NYX Cosmetics offers versatile palettes for about $16 (compared to Urban Decay’s $40 palettes) and are a good investment for beautiful pigment without the price. If you can afford to spend more money, I personally use the Too Faced Chocolate Bar which, on top of looking gorgeous on the lids, smells like real chocolate. Most other eye shadows that you can find for cheap will end up being disappointing if you aren’t careful. Be sure you’re also using the right brushes to blend these out and pack them on properly.
What are your favorite (or least favorite) beauty products? Feel free to share your recommendations in the comment section below.