Yves Saint Laurent said it best… “The most beautiful makeup of a woman is passion. But cosmetics are easier to buy.” With or without makeup, you should all be looking in the mirror telling yourself that you are beautiful. However, makeup can give you all the confidence to feel like you can conquer the world. Our wallets though, need a break. Don’t feel like you need to bust into Sephora and waste that paycheck you got last week. There is plenty of makeup you can buy without breaking the bank. Here are a few of my top picks that may work for some of you, but others make you look like a train wreck. The beauty of makeup is trying different products and finding “the one”.  In my opinion that literally nobody asked for, give these a shot. <3

Starting off with face makeup, drugstore foundations and concealers are becoming quite popular. While I haven’t found a foundation that I absolutely love from the drugstore, concealer is a different story. L’oreal Infallible True Match Concealer ($13.49) and Maybelline Fitme Concealer ($5.39) are two of my favorites. They beautifully cover up those raccoon eyes from three hours of sleep and make those pimples practically disappear. To set my makeup, I will never be able to part with Maybelline Fitme Matte + Poreless Powder ($5.39). I have been using this since I was probably 14 years old, and it is by far one of my favorites. Now, everyone needs a little bit of blush in their life. elf Cosmetics Powder Blush Palette ($8.00) is a fairly new find of mine. With four blush shades to choose from, it gives you those beautiful rosy cheeks you’ve been waiting for… nobody needs to know it’s not real. As for highlighter, I won’t lie to you. On a daily basis, I use the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter ($38.00), which clearly doesn’t fit the criteria here. However, I have tried the Maybelline Master Chrome ($7.99) highlighter and boy does it make you look like a glowing goddess.  

Brow time. I must say, I hopped on the “fluffy brow” trend so quick as soon as it became popular. On my face, super carved out NikkiTutorials brows look so beyond stupid on me… I just can’t. Glossier Boy Brow ($16.00) has been a game changer for me. Being a natural blonde with very light eyebrows, a few strokes of this product gives me that natural brow look I have always dreamed of having. Looking for something a little cheaper? elf Wow Brow Gel ($4.00) is an almost perfect dupe for the Glossier product. 

As for eyeshadow, NYX and L’oreal are two of my favorite brands to pick from. Both have so many variations of eyeshadows in any color you can dream of. NYX Hot Singles EyeShadows ($4.99) are amazing to pick from in my opinion. If you’re looking for a palette, Morphe has 9-shade palettes for $12.00 ranging from neutral tones, to all of the colors of the rainbow.  

Drugstore mascara is by far superior to any luxury one you could buy. I need to be stocked up for life on the Covergirl LashBlast Volume Mascara ($7.99) because if they ever dare to discontinue it, I might pass out. L’oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise ($10.99) mascara is another one that I would highly recommend to everyone. Side note, as much as a pain it is to wash off, waterproof mascara is the way to go. Always. I just find that it lasts longer throughout the day, plus you can go swimming, walk through a thunderstorm, or even cry without it looking like Beyonce in her “Why Don’t You Love Me” music video. Don’t worry, we’re close to being done.. Almost any brand of makeup has various lip products to choose from. I’m a chapstick or tinted lip gloss kind of girl, and quite honestly, I don’t care what brand it comes from. With too many to go through, Rimmel London, NYX, and Morphe, are three of my go-to brands.

Finally, to set my makeup, I actually use the Mario Badescu Facial Spray ($7.00). Now, while it’s not technically meant to be used as a setting spray, and honestly probably does absolutely nothing to set your makeup, this just gives me a nice, refreshing moment to end my makeup on. If you want a product that actually does something, lol, the NYX Matte Finishing Spray ($8.50) is a great one to try. 

Ahh, makeup. We all love it. So complicated, yet so simple. On a budget or not, you’re all beauty queens to me. Hopefully, some of these products find a way into your life, and make you feel confident and beautiful, like they do myself 🙂