Makeup has been apart of my life for a very short period of time but I would like think it also influences me heavily in the lifestyle I choose as of late.
I don’t beat my face every day or even every week, but the media I consume and even my aspiring career choice both are seemingly attributed to my liking of the topic. I’m constantly looking and scrolling on beauty brands’ sites, watching influencers on social media, detailing which companies I see myself working for and so on.
It’s a pretty cool yet expensive hobby so here I am giving you the tea on some products actually worth your money hunny.
I know I love a bargain, but things like quality and inclusively still play a big role in brands I give my coins to! The beauty community discourse of equality is progressive, but still has its handful of misinformed or careless brands who just don’t supply what really works. If you’re looking for some products to add to your collection from brands who try to cater to all your diversity needs and you want to learn how I find them useful, keep reading.
Primers:
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Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Face Primer
Its moisturizing and can be used as a daily skincare product as well. I love the proactive properties and overall benefits. It isn’t that cheap but it’s worth it hunny! Btw, the travel size is always an option too. I bought the full size for $34.
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Mario Badescu Facial Spray
I’ve used two of the three mists that they offer and both have done me pretty well. The one I use the most would have to be the aloe, herbs and rosewater spray and it’s a simple step yet provides hydration when it seems you need it most. I buy the full size spray bottle for $12.
Foundations:
I honestly hadn’t swayed much from the typical ‘starter foundation’, Maybelline Fit Me Liquid Foundation, most people told me to try getting into makeup until this summer. I’d switched my daily go to from Fit Me to the Superstay line still within the Maybelline brand and now I interchange between almost five foundations but here are some of my true favorites.
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Maybelline Superstay Liquid Foundation
It’s marketed as a full coverage and 24-hour foundation. I love the matte finish and can attest to the breathability of the formula. It’s also a drug store purchase which makes it easier to continue reaching for. I pay under $10 for this foundation.
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Maybelline Superstay Stick Foundation
The stick has all the same properties of the liquid. I only switch between the two for easier application. I also pay under $10 for this foundation.
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Too Faced Born This Way Liquid Foundation
Let me start by saying, this foundation isn’t all that cheap but it’s AMAZING. It is marketed as a medium-to-full coverage, buildable foundation. It is also a skin-like demi-matte formula that was made with skincare properties. I’m a fan of this brand’s effort for inclusivity with this product as they let a well known African American beauty influencer, Jackie Aina, create a new formula and add new underrepresented shades to their line. I pay $39 for this foundation.
Eyebrows:
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NYX Brow Pomade
Pomades can be a little tricky to work with but this formula is so creamy and easy to apply that I don’t mind the extra time it takes to use it over a pencil. I sometimes use it in addition to my pencils’ for precise tails. It is a cheap pomade option and you definitely get your money’s worth. I pay around $7 for this product.
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Benefit Precisely my Brow Pencil
Pencil’s with shapes like this product are always favorable to me because they allow me to make more precise strokes. I try out new brow pencils all the time but I think this is the best I’ve used so far. Note that it is not the cheapest pencil out there though. I pay $24 for this pencil.
Concealers:
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La Girl Pro-Conceal
This concealer can be used for correcting and highlighting, but I typically just stick to highlighting with the product and it’s not full coverage but provides nice pigment for my looks. I pay under $5 for this concealer.
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Makeup Revolution Concealer
Makeup Revolution must have a thing for coverage cause they got it girl! This concealer is so thick and rich to me but works for most advantageously for me as an eyeshadow base. I pay $7 for this product.
Setting powder:
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Sacha Buttercup Loose Powder
The loose fined texture makes for a smooth finish on any foundation you’re using and I appreciate the yellow/golden color designed for medium to darker-toned skin. It’s pretty affordable and is sure to keep your foundation in place! I pay $20 for this powder.
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Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder
This powder has a impressive range to be drug store and does a good job too. I pay around $8 for this powder and typically use their deep shade as an all over finishing powder.
Blush
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NYX Ombre Blush
This blush is the only that I have but it shows up very subtle or vibrant and I love the buildability. It is a peachy pink tone that does a good job not flushing out my naturally warm face. I buy this blush for under $8.
Bronzer
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Anastasia Beverly Hills Powder Bronzer
I don’t wholehearted believe the ABH bronzers have an extremely extensive ranges but I do think the shade I use in particular is compatible with medium deep to deep skin tones. I use mahogany and I pay $28 for it.
Now I know this was a rather long list but I really did try to condense some of the things I wanted to say and even took off some items I used a little more infrequently than others. I truly have a growing passion for makeup products and the beauty industry as a whole and I’d like to think sharing opinions like these matter. If you’d like to know what products I may have left out or want tips on using a certain product just reach out!
Body photos by Jazmyn Johnson