Being a broke college kid doesn’t have to stop you from looking fierce, here are some affordable beauty products that every girl needs in her arsenal that won’t break the bank.
Skincare:
1. Mario Badescu facial spray:
At only $7 per bottle, this stuff is magic. Aloe, cucumber and green tea combats redness and inflammation, or aloe, hers and rosewater soothes and brightens dehydrated skin. Both options can be used as a setting spray also, so win win.
2. Aveeno skin relief moisture repair cream:
This product works especially well with dry and sensitive skin, for just $13 you get 11oz of the best moisturizer ever (I might be a little biased). This works especially well after a face mask or before bed for radiating skin in the morning.
3. Freeman Feeling Beautiful avocado and clay oatmeal facial clay mask:
This product will make your skin baby-soft and remove impurities like a charm! One tube for only around $4 is enough to last for weeks, making this the best bang for your buck.
4. Yes To tomatoes detoxifying charcoal paper mask:
This product clears your pores and leaves your face feeling silky and amazing. Each single use mask is $3, making this a great sheet mask to try out.
Face:
1. Rimmel London stay matte foundation:
Weighing in at under $5, this is one of the most full coverage drugstore foundations I’ve tried. A hydrating primer underneath helps to avoid caking, but overall this foundation is definitely worth your money to try out.
2. E.L.F. Aqua Beauty Primer Mist:
E.l.f. cosmetics is probably one of the most underrated makeup brands out there. This primer
Will help your makeup stay on all day without caking and hydrate without getting too oily. At only $8, this primer is perfect for anyone who doesn’t want to spend an arm and a leg for expensive primer.
3. Makeup Revolution Vivid Baked Highlighter:
Looking for a glow but don’t want to hop onto the Champagne Pop bandwagon? Then this highlight is for you. It’s got just the perfect amount of shimmer and is very buildable to create that highlight you can see from space. At only $6, you get a large pan with a lot of product, making it the best deal.
4. L.A. Girl HD Pro Concealer:
At only $4.99, this concealer is considered a dupe for Mac concealer. Who wouldn’t want the high end look at an affordable price? This concealer is offered in 20 (!!!) different colors, including color correcting shades, so everyone can find their match.
Eyes:
1. Morphe palette:
Morphe is one of the few brands that offer amazing quality for a very reasonable price. Their palettes come in at $23, but the site offers many discounts which usually bring them under $20. The 35O palette offers an array of warm tones from brown to maroon to pale champagne colors. If neutrals aren’t your thing, they have many other palettes of 35 shadows for the same price.
2. E.L.F. Timeless Luxe Lash Kit:
For only $4 you get a pair of gorgeous lashes that are natural enough to wear with an everyday look. These are perfect if going long and full with your falsies isn’t your thing, and with the proper care they will last more than a few wears.
3. L’ORÉAL Voluminous Superstar Waterproof Mascara:
What makes this mascara so special is that for under $11 you get a two in one mascara that will blow your mind. On one end is primer, and on the other is a fluffy mascara brush, and when used together will make your lashes full and curled and looking like falsies.
4. Essense Make Me Brow:
Back up Anastacia, make room for Make Me Brow. At only $2.99 this product will fill in and darken your sparse hairs and leave you looking framed and fleaky.
Lips:
1. EOS Lip Balm:
Want your lips to be soft and smooth, even in the dead of winter? Try the EOS lip balms. The unique shape of the container draws customers in, and the result of the product keeps them there. For under $4 you’ll have the most kissable lips, and the product lasts months!
2. NYX Cosmetics Lip Lingerie Liquid Lipstick:
If you want a liquid lipstick that will stay put through eating, drinking, and all the selfies you can take, this is the one. At just under $7 you get a large tube of matte liquid lipstick in any of 24 shades.
3. Ulta Lip Primer:
Before you apply any long-wear lipstick, you need a primer. This primer allows your lipstick to go on smoothly without cracking or smudging, because nothing is worse than rouge lipstick on your teeth or nose.
4. E.L.F. Kiss It Goodbye Lip Color Remover:
After a long day, nothing feels better than taking off your makeup. Sometimes, lipstick can be stubborn and not want to come off. Here is where this product comes in, it will wash even your most stubborn lipstick away with ease.