Beauty on a Budget: Cheap Thrills

Let’s face it, makeup is expensive… and we all have a those products that we just can’t live without.  You know what I’m talking about, the makeup that requires a special trip to the mall and a hefty chunk of your paycheck.  Over the years (through many trials and tribulations, some more expensive or embarrassing than others) we have found that while some items really are worth all the hassle, some we can grab in the grocery store for less money than a gallon of milk and no one would ever be the wiser.  Some of my personal favorites include:

#1 Olay Complete All Day Moisturizer with Vitamin E & B3 UV Skin Shield SPF 15, $8.99 at CVS
Clean, fresh and non-greasy, this moisturizer is a savior for me.  I slather it on my neck and face as soon as I get out of the shower in the morning and before going to bed at night.

#2 Salma Hayek Nuance Tinted Moisturizer, $15.00 at CVS
If you haven’t checked out Salma Hayek’s new line of makeup products, run (do not walk) to the closest drugstore and check them out.  I wouldn’t be surprised if these get bumped up to a department store counter sooner than later.  Love it!

#3 Maybelline Dream Terra Sun Bronzer, $5.99 at CVS
I like my bronzer natural-looking, which means not full of neon sparkles (so I don’t look like a four-year old out of Toddlers & Tiaras when I walk into work).

#4 Nyx Stick Blush, $6.00 at Urban Outfitters
Not only is this amazing stuff cruelty-free, affordable, natural and professional – it’s multi-functional!  It’s recommended for adding a touch of color to cheeks, but I’ve been known to add it to lips as well!

#5 Get Bright Hook Up Highlighter, $6.50 at meetmark.com
I use this pearly liquid highlighter everyday as a primer for my eye-shadow, but you can use it to brighten up under eyes, emphasize cheekbones or accent brow bones.

#6 Revlon ColorStay 16 Hour Eye Shadow Quad, $7.49 at CVS
This palate has everything you need for day-to-night wear!

#7 Rimmel Soft Kohl Kajal Eye Pencil Jet Black $3.99 at CVS
Hands down, my absolute favorite eyeliner of all time.  Easy to use and always reliable, this is the one item in my bag I can’t live without.  I have three of these in my makeup drawer (just in case).

#8 Maybelline Great Lash Lots of Lashes Washable Mascara, Blackest Black, $5.99 at CVS
My mom has been using this since she was my age and even though it hasn’t changed much over the years, this is still one of my favorite mascaras to use.  There is something to be said for something that has survived the trends for 20+ years!  I like to put a coat on the top and bottom of my upper lashes for a fuller effect.

#9 Maybelline Peach Kiss Baby Lips lip balm, $2.99 at CVS
I’m a lip-gloss girl, so much so that I’ve got at least three in my purse at all times.  When I go out I will splurge for the heavy-duty gloss, but during the day I want something that looks like gloss without the sticky tar-like feeling that somehow gets into my hair, onto my chin and coats my coffee cup.  This lip balm is light and glossy with a pretty tint, good for everyday wear.

#10 Mary Kay Oil-Free Makeup Remover, $15.00 at MaryKay.com
So we’ve all gotten invited to a Mary Kay party at least once in our lives and I always struggle on what to buy that doesn’t interfere with my everyday (already efficient) makeup routine.  I’m happy to report that at the last Mary Kay party I attended I bought the makeup remover (because it’s something I always forget at the drugstore) and I have fallen in love with it!  Two quick swipes and ta-da!  No more raccoon eyes!