Makeup is expensive and college students who want to up their makeup game often end up frantically searching stores for the best prices within their budget. It’s not always easy. But don’t let the pricey brand names fool you. Drugstore brands offer comparable quality with affordable prices. Here are the makeup items that you can add to your collection without taking out another student loan.
1. Primer: Nivea Men Sensitive Post Shave Balm
Okay so this first one might sound weird, but trust me! The best primer you can get at the drugstore is actually a man’s shaving balm. Nivea Men Sensitive Post Shave Balm is the best primer I have ever used. A Dutch makeup guru from YouTube, Nikkie de Jager, is credited with discovering this hack. Apply the balm just as you would any other primer and let it sit for about 20 seconds until it feels tacky on the skin. Apply your foundation right on top and have it last all day long! The best part is, you can get this product for less than $5.00 at Target.
2. Foundation: L’Oreal
I believe L’Oreal has the best foundations at the drugstore. For someone with dry skin or someone who just wants a dewy finish, TRUE MATCH™ Lumi Healthy Luminous Makeup is amazing. If your skin type is oilier or you like a matte finish, you’ll love the INFALLIBLE® Pro-Matte Foundation. The best assets are their prices! Both are under $13.00 and can be found at Walgreens, Target or Walmart.
3. Concealer: Maybelline’s Fit Me® Concealer
This brand is a winner. It’s a dupe for Yves Saint Laurent TouchĂ© Éclat Radiance Perfecting Pen, which costs a whopping $42.00 compared to the Maybelline’s concealer priced at $6.49.
4. Contouring: Nyx Wonder Stick
Nyx has a few products that have dual purposes. If you prefer a cream application grab the Nyx Wonder Stick. For powder you can’t go wrong with their Highlight & Contour Pro Palette. Both of these affordable at $25.00 for the palette and $12.00 for the stick.
5. Highlighter: Colourpop Super Shock Highlighters
To get a blinding highlight, head to Colourpop and grab one of their Super Shock Highlighters. As of right now, Colourpop is only available online. However their products are super affordable and worth the wait for them to ship to you. This highlight is only $8.00!
6. Blush: Milani Cosmetics
One of Sephora’s best sellers for blush is NARS blush in Orgasm, and for good reason. It’s a beautiful and flattering shade for almost anyone. However, it’s priced at $30.00. If you’re striving for the same beautiful, shimmery, peachy-pink shade then head to your local drugstore instead. Milani Cosmetics makes a beautiful dupe called Luminoso. It applies flawlessly and is only $8.00.
7. Eye shadow: Morphe
I suggest investing in a versatile palette that will last a long time. Morphe has many 35 shadow palettes. All palettes are priced at $23.00. That’s just over a dollar per shadow! The infamous Urban Decay Naked palettes, are priced at a steep $54 per palette which equates to $4.50 per shadow. Morphe palettes are great quality and are easy to blend.
8. Lip liner: Jordana Retractable Pencil
This is the cheapest item on the entire list. Jordana Easyliner for Lips Retractable Pencil are great liners. They’re long lasting and come in eight different colors. They’re only $2.49 a piece so you can own the whole line for $15.00, that’s less than one Kat Von D Everlasting Lip Liner. Â
9. Matte Lip stick: Colourpop Ultra Matte Lips
Another product that Colourpop makes that is amazing and affordable is their Ultra Matte Lips. They’re long lasting and comfortable on the lips.
10. Makeup Brushes: Real Techniques and Morphe
Having a good set of makeup brushes is more important than you think. If the brush isn’t any good then the product, good or not, will apply poorly. I have two options for affordable brushes. The first ones are the Real Techniques kits. They have different face and eye kits as well as their own beauty sponges. Prices range from $5.99 to $19.99.
The second option is probably my favorite. Morphe cosmetics has collaborated with Liveglam and created their own subscription box. For $20.00 a month, you’ll get three to eight brushes, worth at least $30.00. It’s an effortless way to build your collection.