New makeup can make you feel like a whole new girl: a new tube of mascara can make you feel flirty and fun, a new bottle of nail polish can be the perfect pick-me-up when you’re feeling low. But frequent trips to Sephora can quickly wear on your wallet. Here at Her Campus, we believe you can be fabulous and frugal. Here are our eight favorite beauty products under $10 that earn the collegiette stamp of approval:
1. Maybelline Volum’Express Falsies Mascara, $7.99
We’ve all seen the ads – gorgeous models with plump lashes that look too good to be true. But you probably just chalked that up to a full makeup team and some heavy Photoshop action, right? That’s what I thought, until I read Chrissy’s review of this mascara on the Beauty Blog last summer. I had to try it for myself; ever since then, I’ve been totally hooked! The mascara adds drama, fullness, and length to even the finest of lashes. It’s the best $7.99 you’ll spend all year. Click here to buy.
2. Essie nail polish, $7.99
A fresh manicure (even a DIY mani) makes me feel put together. Essie makes my favorite nail polish. In addition to their classics collection, the brand releases six new shades every season, which means they have pretty much every color you could ever want. (I’m currently wearing Lapis of Luxury, a pretty cornflower blue, and Nice is Nice, the pale lilac shown above, is next on my list!) The polish goes on smoothly, doesn’t chip easily, and gives salon-perfect results. Shop on Essie’s website or find Essie polishes marked down to as little as $4.00 on Paris Beauty Supplies.
3. Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm, $2.99
Most beauty junkies swear by this lip balm – and for good reason! It’s never greasy, it stays put for hours, and doesn’t have a drying after-effect like some lip balms. For less than the cost of your morning coffee, do yourself a favor and pick up this little yellow tube of joy at your nearest drugstore. Click here to buy.
4 and 5. Maybelline Dream Mousse Concealer and Blush, $8.00 and $6.00
Maybelline’s concealer and blush both come in a light, fluffy mousse formula. The concealer makes blemishes virtually invisible, while the blush adds a pretty pink flush. Together, they create a gorgeous glow. If you’re sick of powders that don’t last or liquids that feel too heavy, Maybelline’s mousse formula will feel just right. Find the concealer here and the blush here.
6. ULTA Eye Crayon, $8.00
It’s tricky to find the perfect eyeliner: some drag, some are impossible to apply in a straight line, and most smudge or melt after just a few hours. ULTA’s eye crayon solves all those problems. It glides on easily and has a smudging tool on the opposite end of the crayon to blend the lines. The crayon comes in nineteen cool shades, ranging from your basic “Black Tie” (black) to an edgy “Rich” (forest green) to a chic “Cocoa Puff” (light shimmery brown), so there’s a shade (or two, or three) for everyone. Find it at ULTA.
7. Revlon Colorstay Just Bitten Lip Stain + Lip Balm, $8.99
Swipe on this Revlon lip marker and feel your mood lift! A little color can instantly brighten your face, not to mention your mood. This two-in-one product has a lip stain on one end and a moisturizing, shiny balm on the other. It’s long-lasting and stays in place, so there’s no need to re-apply it. “Passion”, the punchy shade of pink on the far left, is the perfect color to brighten up your spring beauty routine. It’s available in most drugstores and online.
8. Maybelline Expert Eyes 100% Oil-Free Eye Make-Up Remover, $4.00
After trying out all your new beauty products, you’re going to need to take them off before bed! (According to top dermatologists, it’s possible to get pink eye from sleeping in your eye makeup. I’ve used this makeup remover for years and have always loved it’s non-oily texture and effective results. At just $4.00, there’s no reason to try any other product! Find it here.