Like a majority of people out there, I love make up. I love the way I can express myself through it. I can feel like a rocker with a great smoky eye or just throw on some mascara and go when I want a more natural look. However, despite having a background in cosmetology, I am a student in college with a traditional broke student budget. This means, that while I would love to drop my paycheck at the nearest Sephora, I also enjoy having a roof over my head. This means my options can be limited in my makeup. Another factor is that I love animals, therefore, the idea of my killer shade of lipstick being tested on a cute little bunny breaks my heart. This limits how many choices of makeup I can afford at the nearest drugstore. While, I would love to be able drop my money on Kat Von D’s line of animal friendly make up, I will have to settle for going to the nearest Target and finding something there. I stumbled upon a line of cosmetics that fit my criteria: affordable, long-lasting, and animal-friendly!

The line is called: e.l.f. which stands for eyes, lips, face. This line has been around for a while, but I stumbled across it last year on my quest to find a good black liner for my make up for my Halloween costume. I have tried a handful of their products and have compiled a list of some of my favorite products.

1) e.l.f. Flawless Finish Foundation

I tried this on a whim when I was out of foundation. I prefer buildable coverage foundation that does not leave my face cakey or left with an excessive amount of oil at the end of the day. I love this foundation for a number of reasons. First, it was extremely smooth to apply. While some foundations seem to go on my face uneven, this foundation went smoother than butter! My skin looked and felt amazing. Plus, it has an SPF of 15 in it, so it helps protect skin from the sun. You can find this gem for around 6 dollars.

2) HD Lifting Concealer

I am extremely picky when it comes to concealer. I have dark circles and cannot stand concealer that makes me look like raccoon eyes. This concealer has been a miracle worker and it only costs around 3 dollars. It is rich with vitamin c and green tea, making it soothing on skin. I also have found this the perfect staple when filling in my eye brows as it is a great highlighter underneath them, leaving a more natural, softer brow.

3) Cream Eyeliner

This was what launched my obsession with e.l.f.! I had originally purchased this looking for an intense black for my make up to the Joker last year for Halloween. I wanted something that was not shimmery and could last through a night of festivities without breaking the bank. I picked up this gem for only 3 dollars. This was amazing! After that, I decided to try it for my every day liner. I was not disappointed. This product goes on smooth and the angle brush it comes with is perfect for a cat eye! The eyeliner is smudge and water proof, making it one of my obsessions.

4) Matte Lip Color

I love a rich lip color. What I do not love, is lipstick that bleeds or leaves lips feeling dry. The matte lip color offers a variety of beautiful colors and is rich with nutrients leaving your lips nourished. Another plus with this is that not only does it not bleed, but it stays on for hours! This is perfect as a coffee drinker who cannot stand to have to reapply over and over. With the cost around 3 dollars, I can stock up on all my favorite shades.

5) Volumizing and Defining Mascara

I am not a fake eyelash girl. I do not have the time to put them on, but I love how rich and full they can make eyes look. I always love trying new mascara in hopes I can find something that makes my eye lashes look stunning. This mascara does the trick. At only 2 dollars, this is a must have staple for any one on a budget. It not only lengthens mascara, but makes it look like each eye lash well defined-not clumpy!

Overall, e.l.f. provides a fantastic range of beauty products that not only fit my tight budget, but leaves my skin feeling great. Plus, since they are animal friendly, I can wear a cosmetic line that does not mess with my conscience.