When it comes to fashion and beauty, we wholeheartedly embrace the high-low philosophy: spend money on statement-making pieces and quality basics, and save everywhere else. When it comes to our makeup kit, you’ll find drugstore mascaras mingling with luxury foundation, cheapie eyeshadow palettes applied with high-end makeup brushes. But the truth is, there are so many amazing budget beauty options that the splurge products aren’t always necessary. To prove our point, we put together everything you need for a full-face look using only drugstore products. Read on for our favorite budget picks.
(Now, what will you do with all that money you saved?)
[ Next: Beauty Splurge vs. Steal: 10 Ways to Save Money on Your Makeup ]
A Face Full of Drugstore Makeup
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Maybelline
Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Treatment Concealer, $9.99 at Ulta Beauty
This concealer doesn't only cover up your dark circles, it also helps you get rid of them for good. Available in 12 shades, it's infused with goji berry and haloxyl to help eyes look brighter and more hydrated. Aside from ease of application, the product is buildable and lasts all day. Plus, it doesn't crease and won't emphasize wrinkles or texture.
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L'Oréal Paris
True Match Super-Blendable Makeup, $10.99 at Ulta Beauty
This foundation matches your skin tone and undertone perfectly and is available in a wide range of shades. It's pigmented and lightweight, giving your skin a very natural look — not too dewy, not too matte. It lives up to its name since the foundation's formula is smooth, creamy and easy to blend out. It offers SPF 17 for select shades, but is long-lasting and has good coverage.
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Essence
Satin Touch Blush, $2.99 at Ulta Beauty
This pigmented blush is easy to apply and blend, giving you a natural, youthful-looking hue that lasts all day. And it costs less than a cup of coffee.
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NYX Professional Makeup
Love You So Mochi Highlighting Palette, $19 at NYX Cosmetics
This highlighting palette delivers incredible color in two combinations: Lit Life (warm) and Arcade Glam (cool). The formula is lightweight and very pigmented and gives an amazing glow that will last for the rest of the day.
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Maybelline
Total Temptation Eyebrow Definer Pencil, $7.99 at Maybelline
This is Maybelline's first teardrop-shaped pencil, a design that makes it easier to shape and fill in brows. Available in four shades for a natural (or dramatic) look.
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CoverGirl
TruNaked Eyeshadow Palette, $7.79 at Target
If you’re looking for pigmented eyeshadows for an affordable price, this palette is for you. Available in nine color combinations, it offers a mix of matte and shimmer shades that are easy to blend and apply, and the colors look very smooth and saturated. The shadow is also crease-proof and lasts the whole day.
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Maybelline
Lash Sensational Washable Mascara, $8.99 at Maybelline
Maybelline's mascara promises volume and length with a specially designed brush that gets between every lash. The formula won't clump, flake or smudge and stays put all day long.
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ColourPop
Ultra Matte Lip, $6.50 at ColourPop
ColourPop's matte lippies are richly pigmented and come in a wide range of shades. They offer good color coverage, smooth consistency and long-lasting wear. Plus, the brand improved the formula so it dries relatively quickly but won't dry out your lips.
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Maybelline
Curvitude Liner, $5.59 at Target
Curvitude is Maybelline’s first curved tip eyeliner pen. Its angled shape helps you apply thick or thin lines, making straight and winged eyeliner a breeze. It's long-lasting and pigmented but easily comes off with makeup remover.
