As a college student, I don't usually have money to blow on makeup products. I am always looking for cheaper alternatives that still are made of a good quality. Luckily, and with some recommendations from friends, I found some that work just the way I want them to. Continue reading to find 11 items you can find at drugstores, Ulta, or online.
1. e.l.f. Baked Highlighter
This highlighter has been reviewed by makeup artists and only costs $3.00 on Ulta’s website! For some people, it might be too sheer, but for me (whose current highlighter is far from glowing) it is three steps up in the shimmer aspect.
2. NYX Butter Gloss
With 34 colors to choose from, how can you go wrong? It costs about $5.00 and applies very smoothly. This lip gloss gives a medium coverage with a hint of gloss, it doesn’t go overboard. They also come in sets of three for under $10.00.
3. ColourPop Lippie Stix
Each lippie stick is $5.00 and there are endless colors to choose from! The only downside is that this is an online-only company. However, that doesn’t stop me! I have heard a lot of wonderful things about these and by the time you read this, I will have bought some!
4. Maybelline Volum' Express The Colossal Mascara
I have used this mascara for at least four years and I love it! It works very well to darken and lengthen my eyelashes. At about $7.00, it’s a great price for the quality I need. Maybe it’s my eyelashes, maybe it’s Maybelline.
5. Rue21 Nude Eyeshadow Collection
This eyeshadow palette is to die for! It’s less than $7 and is comparable to the Lorac Pro Palettes. With primer, it stands out and more often than not, I feel like it has the same consistency as the Lorac palettes. It has a lot of metallic colors too which I LOVE!
6. Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation
I like this foundation because it has a more yellowy tint instead of a pink tint, which looks so much better for me. It gives pretty good coverage at less than $8.00 and was a HUGE step up from my previous foundation which left my face oily within a few hours. However, the Fit Me foundation prevents my face from looking oily and it is such a relief!
7. Urban Decay Cosmetics Travel Size Original Eyeshadow Primer Potion
This travel sized version costs $12 and still lasts quite a long time. I have heard nothing but good things about this eye primer, and once I bought it, I could totally understand why. No regrets!
8. BH Cosmetics: Shaaanxo 18 Color Eyeshadow & Lipstick Palette
This palette is comparable to Kylie Jenner’s eyeshadow palettes with the quality and consistency of the shadows, but it costs less than $15.00! (Sometimes you can catch it when it’s about $12.00.)
9. Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade
This pomade is so worth the $18. It applies smooth without chunks and the color I bought matches very well with the natural color of my eyebrows.
10. Tarte Amazonian Butter Lipstick
This cute little guy is $17.00, but so beautiful! I don’t own any of these yet, but a few of my friends do and they adore them! Tarte has the cutest packaging and I can’t wait for the day I open this lipstick up.
11. Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick
This lipstick costs $20.00 and it brings this list to a close. I have nothing but great words for this product. I have put it on at noon and gone to work, ate Taco Bell (greasy food), and still had a hard time washing it off at night. It does come off a little bit on the inner part of my lips, but it looks great all day! I highly recommend this lipstick.
