Being able to afford anything from Sephora or Ulta may be tough when you are a broke college student. But don’t let that stop you or get in the way of splurging on makeup this holiday season. Here are a few cheap alternatives to well-known, high-end makeup brands:
1. Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Whiz vs. NYX Micro Brow
The ABH Brow Whiz hype is real, but not too real when it’s $21. The NYX Micro Brow is comparable at $9.99. It blends as smoothly and looks as natural as the infamous ABH Brow Whiz for almost half its price.
2. Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector (Pressed) vs. Wet n Wild ‘To Reflect’ Shimmer Palette
Nowadays, it’s all about the glow. The Becca highlighters radiate a beautiful glow that no one can beat. Unfortunately, not everyone has $38 lying around. But you can still achieve that desirable glow with only $5.99. The Wet n Wild ‘To Reflect’ Shimmer Palette comes in various shades and saves you almost $30!
3. Kylie Lip Kits Vs. ColourPop
Kylie Lip Kits were all the rage this past year. With $30, you receive a lip liner and a great smelling, long lasting liquid lipstick. But did you know that ColourPop and Kylie Lip Kits are produced by the same company? And ColourPop liquid lipsticks are only $6.99! Unbelievable.
4. Benefit Roller Lash vs. Maybelline Lash Sensational
At $24, the Benefit Roller Lash is praised for the length and curl it gives your lashes. But, for less than half the price and the same results, you can add the Maybelline Lash Sensational to your Christmas list. The Maybelline Lash Sensational blows my mind for only being $5.99. This drugstore mascara holds a curl for the entire day while making your eyelashes look bomb.
5. Beauty Blender vs. Real Techniques Sponge
The Beauty Blender blends like a dream and it’s worth the $20. The flawless airbrushed finish is totally worth the investment. A close second is the Real Techniques Sponge for only $5.99. Though this sponge doesn’t blend as quickly as the Beauty Blender, it still gets the job done!
6. Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation vs. L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation
The Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation is no joke. This foundation priced at $39.50 is a high coverage foundation that will no doubt last you 24 hours. A cheap alternative to this amazing foundation is the L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte foundation priced at $9.89. This is the perfect product for a college student who has long days and minimal time for touch-ups.
7. Benefit Porefessional Primer vs. Maybelline Baby Skin Pore Eraser Primer
Everyone dreams of perfect, poreless skin and you can get it with the Porefessional face primer priced at $31. However, you can achieve that same look with only $5.99 with Maybelline’s Baby Skin primer. This primer literally makes your skin feel and look as smooth as a baby’s bottom. I can’t even describe how nicely your foundation applies on top of it.
8. Nars Luminous Weightless Foundation vs. L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Glow Foundation
At $48, the Nars Luminous Weightless foundation gives you that healthy J-Lo glow every girl wants. At $12.99, L’Oreal’s Pro-Glow gives you a similar look for 24 hours. For a drugstore foundation, this product will not get greasy or melt off your face either. It’s a must have!
9. Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer vs. Maybelline Fit Me Concealer
Do you have dark, purple under-eye bags from adulting? Do you also have $29? The Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer may hide the look of a sleep deprieved college student, but the Maybelline Fit Me concealer does the same for only $4.99. Plus, it doesn’t feel as thick and heavy as the Nars one…
10. Rimmel London Stay Matte Pressed Powder
I can’t even compare this Rimmel London Stay Matte powder to any high-end face powder because at only $3.97 it keeps your face oil-free for hours! I have been wearing this powder for six years and I still can’t find any other product that can replace my love for it. This is a powder that everyone needs in their makeup bag.
Makeup can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. There will always be a cheaper alternative to a high-end makeup product that probably works just as well. Keep your eyes open and look out for those deals!