There isn't a much sadder mall trip than your heart screaming out "SEPHORA!" but your bank account snickering in your ear like "lol nah girl". Being a broke college student, I've personally struggled with trying to achieve a flawless, Insta-worthy look while trying to also be able to afford grocieries for the week. So, naturally I've improvised and got creative in my everyday makeup routine. Here are some tricks and hacks that I swear by!

1. Using Nivea Men Post Shave Balm as a primer

Step aside, MAC Prep and Prime Skin and Too Faced's Primed and Poreless. There's a new sheriff of beauty preperation in town. Not only does this product help provide a clear and clean base for my makeup, but it's also only about 5 dollars at most grocery stores. Yes, folks: It's cheaper than a Footlong sandwich at Subway. Talk about a steal! It also leaves your face smelling as what I imagine Zac Efron's natural scent to be, so that's also a fun plus.

2. Eyeshadow as Highligter

There's nothing more that I love more than killing two birds with one stone, and boy does this really do the trick! When questioned about my highlight, people like to assume I'm using a higher end product like the Mary-Lou Manizer or the BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector. But, in reality, I'm actually using a 3 dollar eyeshadow pallette I bought at Ocean State Job Lot. Although my personal holygrails are the baked eyeshadows by E.L.F. cosmetics, I'd suggest everyone experiment with their own shades and products first as skin tones differ and certain complexions can breakout from this tip. Knowing what's best for your skin is key to achieving the glazed donut goddess look!

3. Cotton Balls to Achieve a False Eyelash Look

This is a new trick I've discovered, and it's something I'm going to reccomend until I'm blue in the face! This beauty secret requires only three products: a spoolie (eyebrow shaping tool that looks similiar to a mascara wand, minus the mascara of course), your favorite mascara (I'm currently obsessed with Maybelline's Lash Sensational mascara), and cotton balls. First, you apply a quick few coats of mascara to your lashes. Then, you take your spoolie and swirl it around the inside of your cotton ball until the brush is covered with loose cotton particles. Next, apply the cotton filled spoolie to your eyelashes as if you were putting on mascara. Finally, apply a few more generous coats of mascara to finish off the look. This trick is not only welcoming to your wallet, but it will leave you with lashes even Kim Kardashian would be jealous of!

4. ColourPop matte lipsticks as a dupe for Kylie Jenner's lip kits

In the makeup world, all the buzz lately has been around Kylie Jenner and her now infamous lip kits. Although these lippies are insanely beautiful and highly pigmented, they've come under fire for being too expensive and for selling out within minutes. But, have no fear. ColourPop Ultra Matte Lips are here to save the day! Not only are these lipsticks practically identical to Kylie's lip kits, they're also significantly cheper as well. How cheap you may ask? Drumroll, please. SIX DOLLARS. YES FOLKS, SIX FREAKING DOLLARS!! Do you know how much leftover money you'll have to buy snacks with? A whole heck of a lot, I'll tell ya. All of ColourPop products are only available online, and they have other beauty products too like eyeshadows and highlighters! But, be sure to moitsturize your smoochies before applying ColourPop as some matte lipsticks can become dry and rough overtime.

These are just a few of my favorite tips and tricks, and I hope they help all my fellow makeup lovers who are also eating ramen every night for dinner. In the words of our lord and savior Beyoncé, "We gon' slay".