Makeup tutorials and reviews are like ASMR to me, and I’m always watching them on TikTok or Youtube for hours on end. Unfortunately, there’s a good amount of products that I’ve seen several content creators use that are absolutely not in my price range. And while I’d love to be able to buy $60 setting powder and $70 foundation, it’s just not feasible sometimes (or most of the time). I know a lot of people can relate to this struggle, so here are some of my favorite products that aren’t above $30!
- Colourpop Pretty Fresh Tinted Moisturizer
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I just recently started using this last year, and I’m obsessed with it. Tinted moisturizers are perfect for when you want some coverage, but nothing too heavy. It’s buildable and feels like you’re not wearing anything at all. If you like a dewy makeup look, you can leave the moisturizer as is after you put it on, but if you’re like me and don’t want much shine, you can go over it using your favorite powder to mattify it.
Price: $15
Get it here!
- NYX Butter Gloss
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My holy grail of lip products. They have so many colors to choose from, and the application is so smooth and easy. The gloss isn’t sticky or runny, and looks amazing, especially paired with your favorite lip liner. These are also buildable, and you can layer as much as you need to in order to get the color as intense as you want it to be.
Price: $5
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- Maybelline Fit ME foundation + Powder
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This is a two-for-one, and it’s so worth it. They have a liquid foundation, which comes in “Dewy + Smooth” and “Matte + Poreless”. The powder foundation comes in “Set + Smooth” and “Matte + Poreless”. You can mix and match each of these to your liking, or use one of them (I like using the Matte + Poreless liquid foundation and then going on top with the Matte + Poreless powder!). They have a great color range for a drugstore brand, and it’ll last you a while. These products give you the same — if not, better — results than a lot of high-end brands.
Price: The liquid foundation is $8.99, and the powder is $8.49.
Get the liquid foundation here, and the powder foundation here!
- ELF HYDRATING CAMO CONCEALER
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One of the best concealers ever. The applicator is easy to control and lets you put as much or as little as you want. It’s creamy and blends seamlessly with the rest of your makeup. The applicator holds a lot of product and feels really nice on your skin when you swipe it on.
Price: $7
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- Morphe 35C Everyday Chic Eyeshadow Palette
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This palette really lives up to its name. It’s the perfect mix of mattes, shimmers, and glitters so you can create a look that goes with virtually anything. It’s perfect for your day-to-day activities, like going to class or going to work, and even for going out! Morphe has always been great at creating fun palettes that are super pigmented and very buildable and easy to blend.
Price: $27
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- Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara
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This is my go-to mascara. It’s volumizing and makes a noticeable difference with my eyelashes, which is really hard to get from some mascaras. It keeps my lashes clump-free and doesn’t get flaky.
Price: $11.99
Get it here!
- ELF Power Grip Primer
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The ELF Power Grip Primer helps your makeup stick like glue. I’ve been using it since a friend recommended it to me, and I believe that everyone should give it a try. My makeup lasts way longer when I use this, and even though it feels a bit sticky and tacky, it doesn’t dry out your skin or make your makeup look cakey.
Price: $10
Get it here!
- Wet n Wild h2o proOF lIQUID eYELINER
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I bought this on a whim once in high school, and it was the best decision ever. It really is “H2O Proof” and this eyeliner will not come off until you use makeup remover. I love how easy it is to glide on, and it makes my wings perfect every time.
Price: $2.39
Get it here!
- Urban Decay ALL Nighter setting spray (travel size)
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Urban Decay is quite an expensive brand but their setting spray is literally heaven sent, my makeup does not move an inch when I use it. I purchased a travel-size bottle my first time trying it. It lasted me a good while despite being a smaller bottle, so I think it’s absolutely worth it if you’re afraid to commit to the more giant bottle or can’t afford it. A spritz or two keeps your makeup in place all day.
Price: $15
Get it here!
- Milani cheek kiss liquid blush
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I’m not usually a fan of liquid blushes (I’m trying to get into them!) but I like this one. A little goes a long way, and they’re already very pigmented. These are also buildable, so you can use them as much as you want to get the shade you like.
Price: $10.99
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- Ardell Naked Lashes + Duo lash glue
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If you’re a beginning lash user, or like lashes and don’t want anything that’s super long or flashy, these are for you. These are thin enough that they blend perfectly with my natural lashes, and at the same time, they’re still noticeable that they accentuate my makeup look. They’re the perfect in-between. To stick them on, I use the Duo lash glue in clear, but if you’d prefer black lash glue, they have that too!
Price: The lashes are $4.99, and the glue is $6.99!
- Garnier Micellar Water
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Honestly one of the best makeup removers ever. Works much faster than wipes, and it’s better for your skin (and the environment too! Less waste is going to the landfills because you’re not using several wipes at a time). Dampen a washcloth or cotton pad and get to work. The process is smooth and easy and you don’t have to scrub as hard as you would with wipes.
Price: $10.49
Get it here!
- colourpop Super Shock Shadows
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These eyeshadows are very pigmented and very shiny. They also double as highlighter if you want them to. There’re so many fun colors that you don’t have to work too hard to build them up. They feel nice and smooth and are definitely good if you want to elevate your look with some shimmer.
Price: $6
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- Revlon colorstay lipliner
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I absolutely can’t use lipgloss or lipstick if I don’t have a little lipliner on to give it some dynamic. I love this one because it’s retractable and goes on much smoother than a lip pencil. It lasts a long time and I don’t have to reapply!
Price: $9.69
Get it here!
- LA GIRL HD PRO CONCEALER
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The squeezy tube makes application so easy, and it’s so cheap you can grab multiple in one run to the store if you want. You only need a little with this product too, and it still gives the same results as one of the more expensive concealers out there.
Price: $4.99
Get it here!
- NYX shine loud liquid lipstick
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Yes, another NYX lip product (it’s an addiction!), but this is another great one. It’s double-sided, which is super cool. One side is a matte lipstick, and the other is a high-shine, clear gloss that you can put on top of the matte once it dries. It’s convenient because you don’t have to carry around two separate products in your purse, and you have the option of just using the lipstick or just using the gloss.
Price: $12
Get it here!
- Maybelline tattoostudio gel pencil eyeliner
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If liquid liner isn’t your speed, you’ll love this liner. It glides on easily, and it’s retractable so you don’t have to worry about trying to sharpen it. I find that it works best when I want to line my under eyes!
Price: $9.99
Get it here!
- Morphe Bake & set soft focus setting powder
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This is one of the best-setting powders ever. I love how it sets and evens out my foundation. It doesn’t take much to do the job, either, so you’ll have this with you for a while!
Price: $14
Get it here!
There’re also a lot of other great products by these brands that are worth checking out! Be on the lookout for sales too, there’re always deals to get them for lower prices, and a lot of buy one, get one free, or some percentage off. I hope you come to love these products as much as I do, and you find a new favorite!