Everyday Affordable Make Up Routine

I have received several emails asking about my every day make up regimen.  As a teacher, money was usually tight, and over the years, I tried to find the best “bang for my buck” with drugstore make-up and other non-essentials. I watched tutorials, read blogs, and did my own trial and error at home. There are constantly new formulas being advertised, but I’ve found some great tried and true products that I am consistently repurchasing. The best part, is that my face takes less than 5 minutes from start to finish.

 

I start with either this NYC Primer or this NYC BB Cream as a base. When I feel like my skin is behaving, I only use the primer, however, if I want extra coverage, but don’t want to use too much foundation, I use the BB cream. I suppose you could even use both, it’s solely personal preference. 

This Maybelline Fit Me foundation stays all day and doesn’t feel caked onto my face. CoverGirl offers a ton of great concealers, and I have found that this one is light, doesn't crease, and does wonders for tired under-eyes. 

I stumbled upon these NYX matte eye shadows a couple months ago, and have been using them daily since. I use the shade "Lap Dance," as a base and then cover my lid with "Blame it On Midnight." These shades, and several others can be found at ULTA, as well as Bed, Bath, and Beyond. For both of these steps, I am using the e.l.f eyeshadow brushes, pictured below. I got mine at Target.  I use the blending side of the MODA EZGlam brush, to add more of "Blame it On Midnight" into my crease.

I am a big fan of NYC make-up products, including this translucent face powder. I use a nice fluffy kabuki brush like this one, and apply the powder.  

When it comes to eyelashes, I have thought for years what it would be like to get falsies; who am I kidding? I don't have the money for that upkeep! A good ol' fashioned eye lash curler, and some great mascara like these Maybelline ones are all you need! The eye lash curler is super affordable (less than $5.00)  and has lasted me years. Maybelline mascara has had my heart since high school. This one, I tried on a whim, and really love it! 

Another beauty luxury I wish I had money for is microblading; it is the newest technique for filling in over plucked and/or under grown brows. There is an article written by Elle Magazine, here.  Since I don't have the money for this procedure, I searched high and low for a brow powder or gel that would do my brows justice without making them look drawn on. The Ardell Brow Pomade in Blonde is by far my favorite. 

The last thing I do to finish my face, is use this Lancome Subtil Oil Free Blush, in the color 128 Blushing Tresor. It is the most expensive of my makeup products, but I've had it for months and haven't hit pan yet. I was given a sample of this in Nordstrom a couple of years ago, and loved it so much that I keep repurchasing it. My skin tone changes during the colder months, as I am not getting any sun. This is a shade that I love in the winter because it compliments my rather pale complexion. 

What are some of your favorite money saving make-up brands?

xoxo

-E