Let’s face it: being a college student is rarely synonymous with being made of money, and sometimes our budgets require sizing down and cutting back even on things we love the most. Luckily, when it comes to makeup, opting for the inexpensive doesn’t always downgrade the quality of your product collection. I consider myself a serious cheapskate, but as an avid make-up user I know how important a solid set of beauty tools can be. Here’s a list of a few of my frugal yet functional picks that are essential for any college girl’s makeup bag:
Maybelline Mascara ($5-8, drugstores) : this brand’s entire Volum’ Express mascara collection is brilliant, simply put. I’ve owned and tried them all, and they’ve never let me down. From Falsies to Colossal Cat Eyes to its latest, The Rocket, there’s a Maybelline mascara to fit any lashes’ needs. For dramatic lashes with an extra boom, I recommend The Falsies Black Drama. For a clump-free, lighter look with everyday wear, I’d go with Mega Plush or The One By One. If you’re not a fan of experimenting with volume but still want a mascara that works, pick up the tried and true Great Lash mascara, a Maybelline legend that’s been getting rave reviews for decades and won’t put a dent in your wallet.
CoverGirl Invisible Liquid Concealer ($6, drugstores): this one is an amazing steal. It costs less than $10, and this small tube has lasted me nearly two months with daily use! And Invisible has decent coverage as well; it works great on dark marks or those pesky undereye circles, without feeling like you’re caking on concealer. Even if you are the type to majorly layer and go through a tube quicker than most, you might feel a little less guilty knowing you’re still saving money in the long run by avoiding more expensive brands.
Rimmel Spark It Up! Gleaming Eye Darkener Pencil (hard to find in drugstores, but it is on Amazon for $9.99): Rimmel really struck gold with this one (no pun intended). This eyeliner pencil is one of the smoothest I’ve tried, and it lasts an EXTREMELY long time (hence the reason they were hard for me to find; I bought mine years ago). If you can manage to get your hands on one, you’ll be lucky. Spark It Up is great for lining either top or bottom lids, and it truly does have a darkening effect; when you initially apply it, the color is one of its shade varieties, Ultraviolet, Tigers Eye, Peridot, Black Gold, or Lapis. As the day goes on, the color gets darker and closer to black, responding and reacting to your skin. This product is amazing, which is why I don’t know why Rimmel doesn’t make sure it’s more widely available.
Maybelline Define-A-Line Eyeliner ($5, drugstores): So I just really love Maybelline, especially for eye products. This retractable liner is a great price for the value of the product; lines go on effortlessly. You also get the best of both worlds: you don’t have to worry about having to sharpen them like you would with a pencil, and yet you don’t get the severity of a liquid liner. Define-A-Line serves as a perfect multi-purpose middle ground, and can be dressed up or down depending on the eye look you’re going for. It also comes in a variety of hues, from subtler brown to an intense blackest black. Another great bonus is that the other end of the liner has a built-in smudger/sharpener so you can add more versatility to your lines, a feature that would cost way more from a department store brand.
CoverGirl Eye Enhancers Eye Shadow ($3-$6, drugstores): I’m pretty sure every single color in the rainbow is represented in this collection of eyeshadows — literally any color or shade you can think of. Another great feature of these finds are that they come in 1-, 3-, or 4-kits, with the 3 and 4 kits combining the most compatible hues that blend into one great look. The low price is definitely an advantage in this case, because you can stock up on all the gorgeous colors without feeling buyer’s remorse!
Revlon Just Bitten LipStain/Balm ($9, drugstores): For those who want the color of lipstick without the commitment, lip stain is a solid, less intense choice, and Revlon makes a good one. Just Bitten comes in a range of shades from pinks to reds and some even come with a lip balm applicator on one end to keep lips colorful and moisturized. No matter what you’re looking for in your lip color, Revlon can deliver (and it usually makes an appearance on Allure’s Annual Beauty Awards, so you know it’s legit).