The biggest struggle of every college student is staying on a budget. But the most important thing, your makeup, doesn’t have to suffer. Not every product has to be expensive, but some are worth the price. My favorite makeup products are a mixture of high-end and drugstore buys that are a must for every college woman.
Splurge: Beauty Blender $20
I thought it was all talk until I started using one and now I can’t go back. I promise the Beauty Blender is worth every cent. With its 7th place “Allure Best of Beauty award,” the Beauty Blender has a huge fan base from professional makeup artists to beauty bloggers. The proper way to use the sponge is to run it under water and squeeze out the excess so the makeup sits on top of the sponge. It can be used with cream or powder foundations. Don’t waste your money on the special soaps, just use a gentle hand soap and the plastic case as a drying stand.
Splurge: Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer $49
Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer is easily the best primer I’ve ever used. It works on every skin type. It doesn’t break you out or leave your skin with an oily finish. Makeup starts with primer and its useless buying expensive foundation without a good one. Your makeup will last from your 9am class to the 2am walk home from the bars. I recommend getting their biggest size 1.7 oz. for the best value.
Splurge: Urban Decay Eyeshadow Palette $54
Urban Decay Eyeshadow Palette in Naked 3 is the best eyeshadow palette and worth the price. It lasts for years and will be the only eyeshadows you need. Countless daytime to nighttime looks can be made with one palette. The shades can also be used as a highlighter, bronzer, blush, eyeliner and even lipstick. There are cheaper knockoffs but the shades don’t have the same pigments and lasting color. It also comes with a great dual-ended brush. Tip: wet the brush with the metallic shades to blend for an easy smoky eye.
Splurge: Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner $22
If I was going to be stuck on a deserted island and could only bring one thing, this would be it. Stila’s liquid liner is better than any liner I’ve tried out of high-end and drugstore brands. It stays put and dries fast. The precision tip is perfect for a cat-eye wing. It can be used over a smoky eye and the felt tip won’t dry out.
Save: L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara $8
Many beauty bloggers compare L’Oreal’s mascara to the iconic Diorshow mascara that’s $20 more. As a previous user of Diorshow I am now a fan of the voluminous carbon black mascara. It’s great for layering and building volume that doesn’t flake off. It also doesn’t leave you with raccoon eyes half way through the day. A formula that’s safe for sensitive eyes and contact wearers.
Save: Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circle Treatment Concealer $9
It’s a fan favorite at Ulta Beauty stores for best concealer. The concealer fixes dark circles and puffiness for even the worst of hangovers. The sponge application is great for a quick application before class. It also comes in different colors for skin tones and a neutralizer and brightener shade. It will last just as long as any high-end $50 concealer without sacrificing your budget.
Save: NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream $6
Everyone seems to be obsessed with lips lately but you don’t need Kylie’s $30 lip kit to get the look. NYX has a great matte lipstick that is long lasting and available in many colors. My favorites are Milan, Ibiza and Budapest. Check out their other lip liners, matte lipsticks and glosses
Photo Sources:
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/96264510762138339/
http://www.sephora.com/beautyblender-P228913?skuId=1151869&icid2=search_search_p228913_image
http://www.urbandecay.com/naked-3-palette-by-urban-decay/409.html
https://www.stilacosmetics.com/products/stay-all-day-waterproof-liquid-eye-liner
http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod560090
http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod3490149
http://www.nyxcosmetics.com/soft-matte-lip-cream/800897829971.html