For fellow addicts like myself, makeup means a lot more than brushes and minerals. From the countless hours spent at Ulta to the late nights watching beauty gurus demonstrating new trends, beauty is a huge part of my life. Being in college has taken its toll on my bank account, so finding ways to cut the corners on facial art necessities has become essential. Here is my personal collection of essentials, highlighting my favorite low and high-end products.

Foundation

Low-End: Maybelline FIT ME! collection; $6

Okay, so I’ve probably tried at least 30 different drugstore foundations in my lifetime, and this one has easily become my favorite. I especially like that it works on a variety of skin types, ranging from dry and patchy to oily with visible pores. My skin is extremely temperamental, and I would have considered it very dry before I moved to college, but hormonal breakouts and stress since I moved have given me horrible breakouts and more oil than I’m used to. This foundation has helped immensely to conceal my breakouts and “mattify” without adding too much weight. It comes in the Matte + Poreless line for oily/porous skin, and the Dewy + Smooth line for rough/dry skin.

High-end: Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation; $62

I know you’re thinking, “Over $60 for foundation… really?!” and I’ve been there. I generally consider any product over the $30 mark high-end, and this one is double that. I was so skeptical about this product before I first tried it. But it’s worth it. I read review after review raving about the texture and effects of the serum, and didn’t decide to try it until a few months ago. It uses this magic “micro-fil” technology to give a large impact without the added weight. If I had to use one word to describe the overall finish, it would be “silk,” as it literally looks as smooth as silk. Definitely not a product I can justify using every day, but worth a shot if you want a high-quality foundation.

Verdict: I would choose the Maybelline foundation. I don’t have any serious issues with my skin so I can usually get away with the lower-end product (and this one is fantastic). That being said, if you’re self-conscious about your skin and are looking for a high quality product regardless of price, Lumi-Silk is worth the splurge.

Blush

Low-end: NYX Baked Blush; $7

I wanted to throw a NYX product in the mix here, because if you haven’t heard about these guys, they are arguably the best drugstore makeup brand on the market. They make great dupes for higher-end lipsticks by NARS and MAC. My only real stipulation for a blush is that it must be highly pigmented, and these bad boys are nothing if not highly pigmented. I especially like them because they come in several different colors, and work to highlight as well as deposit color.

High-end: NARS Blushes; $30

Much like MAC products, I am in love with the pigments used by NARS. They range from wild, statement shades to subtler, daily-wear hues. I’ve tried many different blushers at this price point (among them Clinique, Lancôme, Mac, Chanel, etc), and I’ve found that NARS packs in the most pigment and is generally more wearable on a day-to-day basis than some of the others. My favorite is their iconic “Orgasm” because it looks good on absolutely everyone.

Verdict: It’s a tie. I like both of these products so much, and use them so regularly I couldn’t choose.

Eyeshadow

Low-end: e.l.f. Baked Eyeshadow Palettes; $10

Another brand I couldn’t stand not to throw in: e.l.f. This brand probably having the best value you can ever purchase at a drugstore. I can totally justify spending $3 on a decently well-made brush when competitors have theirs marked at upwards of $30. As you can probably tell, I love baked products, as they are usually creamier and more pigmented. I didn’t mind spending $10 on this palette because of its wearable colors. It has ten different shades that are perfect for day-time looks. I am a little disappointed by the pigmentation, as the colors go on a little more sheer than I’d like them to. However, if primer is applied, the shadows will stay on longer and appear darker.

High-end: Urban Decay Naked Palettes; $54

I remember buying my first Naked palette years ago... and the romance has never faded. I’m absolutely in love with these palettes. If anyone knows eyeshadow, it’s Urban Decay. All of the Naked palettes are great for daytime and evening wear. The colors are rich and pigmented, and really last forever. I bought Naked over three years ago and have yet to hit pan. Urban Decay’s primers also score a 10/10; Primer Potion is forever my favorite priming serum, and it also lasts forever.

Verdict: This one goes to the Naked collection. The colors are beautiful, wearable, and pigmented. The e.l.f. palettes are still worth the buy at only $10 and provide some dupe colors to the Naked line.

Lipstick

Low-end: NYX Matte Lipstick & NYX Matte Lip Cream, both $6

I had to do a review of both of these products because I’ve worn them ever since I could apply lipstick in a semi-responsible manner and couldn’t just pick one. These guys are the bomb. At this price point, there’s really no excuse not to try at least one shade. I like matte lipsticks because, to me, they have a more mature look and are normally more easily worn. NYX offers dupes for a variety of MAC shades which aren’t always easily affordable. The lipsticks have a creamy finish, but appear matte. They also have a light vanilla flavor, so you won’t be grossed out when you lick your lips. The Lip Cream lies somewhere between a lipstick and a lip gloss, but can’t really be categorized as either. These are even more matte than the lipsticks, and are similar to a lipstain, as they stay on for hours. I wear these several times a week, and I couldn’t rave about them more.

High-end: MAC Matte Lipsticks and Retro Matte Liquid Lipsticks; $20

MAC basically owns part of the color spectrum with all of their shades. Pick an occasion, pick a dress, and they’ve got a lipstick to match. Their matte lipsticks are also creamy and feel nice on the lips. They aren’t as drying as NYX, and don’t highlight chapped lips as much. Recently I ran out of my beloved retro-matte Ruby Woo, and went online to purchase more. I was initially mortified to find that they had replaced their retro-matte collection with a liquid lipstick line. I ended up buying “Dance with Me” and fell in love. Their liquid lipsticks are comparable to NYX lip creams as they aren’t exactly a lipstick but they aren’t a gloss either. These are matte liquid polishes that stay on through whatever.

Verdict: MAC mattes. NYX offers great dupes for MAC colors, and if you’re not sure about a shade I would definitely recommend trying it out in the NYX collection first. MAC lipsticks are a little higher quality and tend to be less drying and longer-lasting.

Mascara

Low-end: L’Oreal Miss Manga Rock; $8

I have always been a big fan of the Falsies collection from Maybelline, but I recently switched to the Manga Rock collection after borrowing some from a friend. I love the volume it gives while lengthening. My only complaint with this line is that it can dry out fast and be clumpy when adding layers.

High-end: Benefit They’re Real $24

This was the first high end mascara I tried, and I instantly was captivated. Without clumping or being too runny, this product lengthened and gave the volume I needed. Even though $25 can be a little much to spend on a mascara, since they run out so quickly, I would definitely purchase and save it for special occasions if nothing else.

Verdict: Why not both? One secret I’ve learned throughout my makeup wearing years is to save the brushes of my higher-end mascaras and use the serums from similar lower-end products. I especially do this when I buy my They’re Real!

I hope you enjoyed my little list of essentials and can maybe find some new products along the way! Happy makeup shopping!

Note: I was not sponsored by any makeup brand. These are a list of my personal favorite items.