Is there anything better than discovering a bargain beauty item that REALLY works? It’s one of the best feelings ever, and I think a lot of you can relate to me on this! I’ve compiled a list of my very favorite beauty buys. Everything is under $15!! Each of them are an absolute staple for me.
10 Best Bargain Beauty Buys You’ll Love
NYX Micro Brow Pencil in Taupe – $9.99 at Ulta
I used the Anastasia Brow Wiz in Taupe for years. But I recently discovered that the NYX Micro Brow Pencil in Taupe is an EXACT duper for it…The color, how it applies, etc. The only difference is that it is less than half the price! Seriously, if you are a Brow Wiz fan, give the NYX one a try.
NYX Photo Loving Primer – $12.99 at Ulta
This is such an excellent all-around makeup primer. I’ve been using this under my foundation or bb cream and it helps keep my makeup from shifting around on these hot summer days. Definitely a good staple product to have in your collection.
NYX Dewy Finish Makeup Setting Spray – $7.99 at Ulta
Okay I am legitimately addicted to this stuff. I give my finished makeup about 5 good sprays and it makes my entire face look like it’s glowing. My skin tends to get oily/shiny on my T-zone by the end of the day, so I was afraid this spray would make this worse. I was excited to find that not only did it work beautifully with the NYX primer to keep my makeup from shifting, but it also kept me from getting super oily! The glow it provided lasted all day and stayed consistent across my whole face.
Life’s Entropy Contour Stick in Neutrino – $8 at Life’s Entropy
I am obsessed with contouring these days. I cannot go a day without it. Unfortunately, my skin is so pale and neutral that there are almost no contouring products on the market that suit my coloring. In fact, Sephora only carries one cream product that is cool-toned enough (Lancome Le Duo Contour & Highlighting Stick) unless I want to use a powder taupey grey eyeshadow. I do like that Lancome one a lot, but it is $36 and I don’t like the highlighter so I’m wasting half of the product. Life’s Entropy contour sticks have a great formula and Neutrino is an excellent shade for fair skin. Unfortunately the packaging sucks (it literally comes in a Chapstick-style tube) so you have to wipe a makeup brush across the top in order to apply product in any kind of precise manner. This kind of defeats the purpose of it being in a convenient stick, and the Lancome one is much better than it in this area. However, at less than a quarter the price, I’ll suck up this minor inconvenience and stick with the Life’s Entropy.
Hardcandy Glamoflauge Heavy Duty Concealer in Ultra Light – $6 at Walmart
I have been a die hard NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Chantilly fan for years–and I still absolutely adore it–but this Walmart exclusive is really close to as good. The coverage is amazing it’s just the slightest bit more liquidy in consistency than the NARS. But at a fifth the cost, I’m very happy to replace my NARS with it for a while.
Wet N Wild Silk Finish Lipstick – 99 cents at Walgreens
Yes this lipstick is actually 99 cents, and it’s actually amazing! Sure there are long-lasting, fancier formulas out there, but this one is still REALLY good. The pigmentation on all of the ones I’ve tried has been excellent, plus it is comfortable on the lips and wears well. My favorite color is Pink Ice. It is the perfect 90s metallic light pink. Pink Ice is actually the first lipstick I ever bought in my life when I was in 6th grade, and I still love it!
Creme of Nature Ultra Moisturizing Shampoo – $14.15 on Amazon
Since I have bleached AND curly hair, my locks are all kinds of dry and damaged. I have always used ultra expensive moisturizing shampoo like Phyto and Ojon because that’s what I thought would be the most healing for my hair. Then a fellow pastel-haired gal recommended I try Creme of Nature. It’s ridiculous how cheap this stuff is and yet how insanely rich and moisturizing. I have never used such a gentle shampoo…You hardly even feel like you need conditioner after you use it! Brian even likes to use it 🙂
Freeman Feeling Beautiful Sweet Tea & Lemon Peel Away Clay Mask – $4.29 at Ulta
This mask is so great. I’ve tried so many peel-off masks that don’t actually peel off easily. This one is so so satisfying! It peels off super easily in one of two pieces and leaves your pores completely empty. My favorite thing about this mask is that, although it deep cleans your pores, it is not drying at all. It leaves your skin feeling so toned, refreshed, and comfortable.
Acure Organics Cell Stimulating Facial Mask – $9.99 at Target
I can’t decide if I love this mask or the Freeman one more! This one does not peel away, but does a great job toning and evening out your skin. I find it to be really gentle and healing; I like to use it when I’m having a little break out or my skin is feeling irritated.
Acure Organics Facial Cleansing Creme – $9.45 on Amazon
This is my favorite face wash ever. I don’t know how it can be so deeply cleansing while simultaneously being moisturizing, but it is. Plus it smells so minty and amazing! I genuinely look forward to washing my face with this stuff.
Acure Organics Night Cream – $14.53 on Amazon
Such a good all-around night cream. For the longest time I didn’t even use night cream because they tend to be so ridiculously expensive. But then I discovered this one, which is just as restorative and luxurious as the fancy ones at Sephora but a fraction of the price. It is ultra hydrating and yummy but does not feel heavy or greasy.
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So there you have it! I hope you’ll give some of these a try and let me know if you love them as much as I do. Do you have any bargain beauty staples?
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OUTFIT
Dress: BeBop Clothing
Watch: Jord Wood Watches
Shoes: Christian Louboutin
xoxox
Emily
