Building a makeup collection can be very expensive but it doesn’t have to be. Some of my favorite products are from the drugstore and they work just as well as the high end brands. If you are just starting out your collection or trying to build up your essentials on a budget here are some inexpensive products that you can find at the drugstore. I’ve included items for a basic everyday face and you can build from there. Let’s start with the brows.
Wet n’ Wild Ultimate Brow Kit
The Ultimate Brow Kit includes a brow wax and two powders to shape and fill in brows along with a mini tweezer to clean up stray hairs and a brush that works pretty well. I’ve used this on and off for years and it helps to create the perfect brow. Comes in two shades. $3.99.
Wet n’ Wild Megaeyes Creme Eyeliner
The Megaeyes Creme Eyeliner glides on smooth and is extremely pigmented. It makes it easy to create a bold cat eye. The liner comes with a little brush but I find it to be a bit too thick for creating a precise line, but it’s so cheap that I don’t mind the extra cost of an eyeliner brush. Comes in two shades Black and Eggplant. $3.99
Maybelline Great Lash LOL Mascara
Great Lash has been a favorite for many over the years and has become a cult classic. My favorite formula is the Lots of Lashes as the brush makes it easy to catch every little lash. Best of all it doesn’t clump or flake. Comes in a washable and waterproof formula. $4-$6
Black Radiance Complexion Perfection Shine Control Primer
I like to venture out and try different primers but I always come back to Complexion Perfection as hands down, it’s my favorite! A godsend for the oily girls, my makeup glides on smooth and stays put, and it keeps me shine free all day. $5.99
Revlon ColorStay Foundation
ColorStay will always be one of my faves. I don’t use it as much because I am in between shades and too lazy to mix but the formula is basically bulletproof. Stays put all day without fading, doesn’t rub off on clothes and controls shine. Gives a flawless finish. Comes in about 16 different shades $12-$15
L.A. Girl Pro Conceal HD Concealer
A lightweight creamy concealer with opaque coverage. Can be used all over the face but is popular for highlighting and contouring. My current fave for under eye highlighting. Comes in 18 very brown girl friendly shades $1.99-$2.99
e.l.f Studio High Definition Powder
This HD setting powder gives makeup a flawless finish and looks great on film. The secret is to use a tiny bit and blend well to avoid a white cast to the skin. It’s extremely finely milled and a bit messy to work with. I transfer some into a small sifter jar and sprinkle it in the top to use, or you can just sprinkle a little in the top of the jar it came in. Tip: do not use the included puff unless you want to look like Casper The Friendly Ghost, use a powder brush instead. Comes in Sheer (Translucent), Shimmer and Corrective Yellow. $6
Jordana Powder Blush
Extremely pigmented and buildable, blends well and stays put all day. Does exactly what it’s supposed to do. Comes in about 30 shades. $2.49
e.l.f. Studio Lip Lock Pencil
Only lip liner you’ll need. The clear wax keeps lip color from bleeding and fading. Works well with lipstick as well as gloss. You only need a tiny bit so one stick lasts forever! $3
Milani Color Statement Lipstick
Currently the best lipstick at the drugstore. Creamy, pigmented, smells great, long-lasting, comes in 30 different shades in four different finishes. Doesn’t get any better than that! $5.49
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What are some of your favorite budget beauty products?
14 Responses
Super informative post. I bought the ELF lip lock because of a post you did on the product a while back. I’m pretty pleased with its performance. Now I gotta get my hands on the Black Radiance primer. I’m a fellow “oily-skin” beauty. Haha ☺️
Lol glad you’re enjoying the Lip Lock Pencil, you will love the primer 🙂
great picks! at first i was hesitant of the jordana blushes but i now i have a collection of them that i’m afraid to disclose. lol another budget beauty item would be the maybelline baby lips, i love it for my lips!
I can’t believe I still haven’t tried baby lips and the Jordana blushes are quite addictive, I’ve been wearing them all week straight! lol
Great post Erica!
Thanks, Sha! 🙂
I have yet to find a primer to control the oil well that is my face so I’m going to try the Black Radiant and hope for the best lol
It should work great, still my fave!
This list is great, thanks Erica! To add to this great list, milk of magnesia is excellent as a primer for oily skin gals. It’s cheap and lasts long too. No oil for the entire day.
Thank you so much and thanks for your input!
Erica,
I was looking for 4C TWA styling tips and really liked your make-up. I rarely wear make up sincee I always end up with raccoon eyes and a shiney face, but would love to start wearing it more frequently. Can you help me out with some basic foundation and eye make up product recommendations?
Hi Myra. You’ll find lots of products under the foundation tag and Eyes Category.