Plaid Lattes

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The Best Drugstore Makeup On A Budget

Foundations

  • L'Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte 24HR Foundation [$12.99] -- A great medium coverage foundation that looks amazing on the skin once you figure out your shade. I'm the lightest one they make. I have gone through four of these since the first release of this foundation, so I'm definitely a fan. 
  • L'Oreal True Match Cushion Foundation [$16.99] -- For those days I just want a natural glowing look, I will opt for this foundation. It is on the pricy side, but you aren't just using this foundation it is totally worth the money. 
  • Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation [$7.99] -- I haven't tried their regular formula yet, but I love this matte foundation when I want a somewhat lighter coverage than the L'Oreal foundation. I also purchased this foundation on the recommendation of one of my friends a couple of years ago.
  • Maybelline Dream Fresh BB 8-in-1 Beauty Balm Skin Perfector [$8.99] -- My go-to BB Cream for years, that has the perfect amount of sunscreen that keeps me from becoming Bob the Tomato whenever I'm out in the sun.

Concealers

Powders/Primers/Setting Sprays

Blushes/Bronzers/Highlighters

Eyeshadows

Eyeliner/Mascara

  • e.l.f Cream Eyeliner [$3] -- I haven't really tried out any other gel liners besides this one, as it works great! I have it in black, brown, and plum.
  • e.l.f Expert Liquid Liner [$2] -- A nice little liquid liner that has a good nub for getting that winged eyeliner. The liner does last pretty long, depending on how much you sweat when wearing it.
  • L'Oreal Voluminous Volume Building Mascara [$7.99] -- After hearing rave reviews for this mascara since first discovering makeup, I finally tried it out. It is a fairly good substitute for my ultimate favorite mascara: Too Faced Better Than Sex.
  • L'Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise [$9.99] -- This is the best drugstore substitute for the Too Faced one, I just find it on the little bit wetter side. Let it dry out for a bit before using, and it will be grand. 
  • CoverGirl Clump Crusher Mascara [$7.99] -- If you are looking for a subtle mascara this a good choice.
  • Maybelline Great Lash Mascara [$5.99] -- I love the fat wand on this mascara, and before trying Too Face's mascara this was my favorite.
  • Maybelline Volum' Express The Rocket Mascara [$7.49] -- Another good subtle mascara. This was my favorite when I liked a subtle mascara look. Now I prefer a bold, almost false lashes look for my mascara.
  • Revlon Liquid Eyeliner [$8.99] -- Lasts longer than the e.l.f one, but can sometimes rub off when layered too many times when creating the perfect wing.
  • ULTA Gel Eye Liner Pencil [$8] -- For the longest time I never tested out Ulta's makeup, but there are some good gems amongst their line -- like their eye liner pencils. Just don't purchase the ones with glitter or the beauty gems ones that are a part of their Five for $10 deals, etc...those are not as good. 

Brow Products

  • e.l.f Eyebrow Kit [$3] -- My go-to when doing vintage brows.
  • e.l.f Instant Lift Brow Pencil [$2] -- Typically drugstore pencils run too red toned for me, at least the ones I've tried, so I was excited to discover this product, as it works just as well as my Anastasia brow wiz, it is just a softer and thicker pencil than the ABH pencil.
  • Maybelline Great Lash Clear Mascara [$5.99] -- My favorite clear mascara for keeping my brow hairs in place.

Lip Products

Tools

  • e.l.f Ultimate Blending Brush [$6] -- I used to never be a fan of applying foundation or a BB Cream with a brush, as I was always a beauty blender/face sponge kinda gal, but this brush changed all that! Perfect for buffing in your foundation and under-eye concealer together into your skin.
  • e.l.f Small Stipple Brush [$3] -- My go-to brush to applying cream blush, or heavy pigmented powder blushes.
  • e.l.f Blush Brush [$3] -- I love using this brush to set my under-eye area.
  • e.l.f Slant Tweezer [$1] -- I have purchased so many of these tweezers over the years, as I have a habit of loosing them -- part of the reason why I don't invest in a more expansive pair is because I know I will loose them.
  • Real Techniques Brushes [$5.99+] -- My go-to favorite brand of makeup brushes.
  • Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge [$6.99] -- An excellent dupe for the Beauty Blender sponge.
  • EcoTools Buffing Brush [$7.99] -- I love using this brush to apply powder foundation.
  • Morphe Highlight & Contour Beauty Sponge [$7] -- I've kinda been opting for this Morphe sponge over my RT one, which says a lot since I have been a fan of the RT one since it first came out.