I want to share some of my favorite beauty products with you, along with how I use them and ways to save! It’s important to invest in higher-end products when they really work for you but to also use drugstore brands when you can. Also, many stores such as Bed Bath and Beyond and Ulta frequently have sales and coupons that can give you additional savings on products that you already use. Here are some of my top picks and how to save!

1. Eyeliner

Photo: Ulta Beauty

For eyeliner, I don’t endorse either pencil or liquid; I always go for a liquid pencil. With a liquid pencil, you get the same fluid stream of product that you would have with a liquid liner but with the added control of a pencil. Top-lid eyeliner is a must in my book. I always try to make it super thin around the inner corner of the eye and gradually thicken towards the outside corner. Most liquid-pens have a pointed tip which means that all you have to do to create this effect is apply a little pressure around the inner corner and apply gradual pressure as you progress to the outside corner. The benefit of this effect is that it really accentuates the length of the lash-line; honestly, you need to try it. That’s why I think it is such a crucial part of your eye look. Even if I do minimal makeup, I always just swoop on some top-lid eyeliner and brush on some mascara. I tried this UD eyeliner pen, and it worked well. However, I did not feel that it was worth the extra money so I switched back to L'Oreal Paris' Voluminous Superstar Liner in black which you can buy at Ulta or any drug store. At Ulta, they usually have BOGO sales on L'Oreal products, so treat-yo-self or a friend!

I personally do not apply lower liner unless I have an event at night where I’ll need the extra definition or a smoky look- here’s why. When you apply eyeliner to the lower lash-line, not only does it run off of the waterline quickly, but it also makes your eyes look smaller. To amplify this effect, you could always apply a white or lightly colored eyeliner to your waterline as well. For bottom liner, I would recommend pencil so that there is a greater resistance to run-off from the waterline. I have used these products in the past and would recommend Benefit's Eye Bright Pencil.

2. Mascara

Photo: YouTube

In my opinion, your mascara either makes or breaks your look. Lengthy lashes widen the look of your eyes and give a very flirty, wow effect. I have tried various drugstore and upper-end brands of mascara and finally settled on my favorite a few years ago. Benefit’s roller lash works best for me because it not only curls the lashes with a curved brush but it also really lengthens my lashes with zero clumping. Benefit tends to promote their “They’re Real” mascara, however, most of these are waterproof which isn’t healthy for the lashes if you intend to use it every day. I did purchase UD’s Perversion in waterproof for pool days and what-not, but I find that though the brush is really plush and the formula is smooth, it does not provide the same great lengthening that Roller Lash does.

I am on my fourth tube of roller lash and I absolutely love this product. Try it for yourself by asking for a sample at your local Benefit counter or by purchasing it here!

3. Whitening Strips

Photo: Target

Your smile deserves just as much attention in your beauty routine as your skin or hair! Depending on which white strips you buy, you may need to whiten every 2-6 months. Dentists I have spoken to all recommend safe at-home whitening brands like Crest. I have tried a few different brands and Crest 3D White is my favorite whitening line. I usually go for the Glamorous White kind, but any kind of Crest Whiting product will do the trick as they all use that same, enamel-safe whitening ingredient, hydrogen peroxide, just in different concentrations. Look in your mail or email for a Bed Bath and Beyond 20% off coupon because you can really save a lot of money purchasing white strips if you have one- I never buy white strips for full price! I also like to use Crest 3D White toothpaste to maintain the whitening and prevent against coffee and tea stains. Another plus of this toothpaste is that it’s sparkly, so it will make you feel super glamorous! You can also use a Bed Bath and Beyond coupon on this toothpaste.

Check out these products at your local Bed Bath and Beyond or online.

4. Self-Tanners

Photo: Refinery29

I naturally have very fair skin and have had trouble tanning in the past, so I have been purchasing (and throwing away) self-tanners for years. Formulas have really come a long way since I first tried them. I remember seeing slight results years ago but was absolutely repulsed by the lingering unpleasant smell (yeah, not cute). However, I revisited some of these brands recently as they advertised revised, better smelling formulas. Now, I’m a fan. If you go to Ulta or even look around online, there are lots of high-end self-tanners that have great reviews but will cost an arm and a leg. I am the first to justify spending extra on an exceptional beauty product (like with roller lash) but there is no need to spend more with self-tanners. I am a recent fan of the Jergens line of tanning products. I started out using their Instant Sun Mousse just before one of my dance concerts and I was really impressed. The product develops into a nice, natural bronze over 24 hours after application and takes only a minute or two to dry. I got so many compliments on my tan and most of my friends thought I had gotten a professional spray tan! I didn’t have any splotches or streaks and there was no orangey color or nasty smell. I am a huge fan! This product really comes in handy during the semesters when you can’t really get a good natural tan on your legs either due to lack of time or lack of a place to sunbathe.

Now that it’s summertime and I have more time to take better care of myself, I moisturize with Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer. The product smells a lot better than I remember and it gives a subtle and gradual tan. I recently went to the beach and got some great natural color, but this product has really helped me to extend the life of my natural tan as well but nourishing the skin and matching the natural pigmentation.

Another product that I just discovered and have totally fallen in love with is the Jergens daily glow facial moisturizer! I already use Benefit's Triple Performing Moisturizer, but I mix a little of these two products together on the tips of my fingers and moisturize twice a day after washing. The facial tanner provides subtle color that maintains color through all of those face washes and exfoliating treatments. It’s also oil free, so it won’t clog your pores or make acne or blemishes worse. This is the first thing I look for in any facial product because oil-based products always make me break out. I am so satisfied with this product and I love that it pairs well with what I already use. This is a must!

You can find all of these items practically anywhere from Walmart to Ulta, even at drugstores and Bed Bath and Beyond. Find a coupon to one of these stores and you’ll be sure to get a little more bang for your buck. You can also order them online.

5. Face Wash

Photo: Put A Little Umbrella In Your Drink

I started using Biore Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser wash back in high school and I have figured out the best ways to use it. The salicylic acid helps to clear acne, but sometimes it can be really harsh on my skin. My face gets super dry in the winter, and when my face gets too dry, it gets unusually red and breakout-prone. I was using this face wash with a Clarisonic and it was just too much, no matter how much I used toner and moisturizer. I found that this product works best if you lather it up with your hands and gently rub it in circles in the up and out direction of your face. Make sure your rinse it off well by just rubbing your face with watered hands. In the winter I would follow washing with benefits moisture prep toner and then apply benefits moisturizer. Now that it’s summer, I skip the toner and just moisturize with a mix of the benefit product and Jergens facial tanner.

Again you can find Biore products just about anywhere! Use a coupon to save at Ulta or Bed Bath and Beyond.

6. Dry Shampoo

Photo: Beautybyfrieda

People always ask me how often I wash my hair; I wash it every 2-4 days depending on how it looks. Washing your hair can be very damaging, especially when you use heat on your hair frequently like I do. I love to maintain that freshly washed look and volume by using Batiste dry shampoo. I always buy the Batiste with a Hint of Blonde because it not only eliminates oil and gives extra body and volume, but it also adds a little extra color and is great for blending grown out roots that aren’t quite as blonde, especially in the winter! They also make a brunette colored version and lots of other clear versions as well. I have a hard time finding colored versions anywhere other than Ulta or Bed Bath and Beyond, so again, find a coupon and get some extra beauty for your buck!

7. Eye Shadow Primer

Photo: SugarSocial

I use UD’s eyeshadow primers for multiple purposes. I used to use the shade “enigma,” as a primer and concealer as it really matched my skin tone. Unfortunately, they discontinued that shade and added a bunch of new ones instead- oh well. I now use “Eden” which is a little lighter than my natural skin tone. I mainly use it as an eyeshadow primer now because it provides a slightly lighter and single toned canvas to apply eyeshadow. I can sometimes get away with using it as a concealer as long as I cover it with a little powder to blend. Overall, UD’s eyeshadow primers do a great job of keeping your eyeshadow in place while eliminating creasing or smudging. To find a shade that is right for you, go to your local UD counter and ask a make-up artist for help deciding! You can purchase primers at any beauty store and even at a few department stores or online here!

Please try these products and share with your friends! I hope that you all have as much success with these beauty-musts as I did. Comment and share if you enjoyed this article and let me know if you try these products!