DIVA... On a budget.

Apr 13, 2011

Desiree C.

Help! I love makeup, and love to try out new trends, but I just cannot afford high end makeup i.e: MAC, NARS. Urban Decay, etc.
What products do you suggest that won't hurt my wallet?

Apr 13, 2011

Cori B.

there is ALWAYS some amazing finds in local drug stores, however you need to watch out because there is always some terrible finds there too.. i have heard that wet and wild eyeshadows are amazing quality these days! also maybe work out a budget? i think everyone can afford high end makeup if they really want it, it just will take a long time of saving up! so maybe get some cheap finds from the drugstore to start up your collection and keep a jar for loose change and add a little at a time, make sure not to take money out for anything else (unless its for an emergency) and in time you will have enough for that blush that you're dying for or a couple eyeshadows you feel would make a great addition to your collection that you couldn't justify splurging on before!

Apr 14, 2011

Coco A.

check out Milani Luminous its a gr8 Nars orgasm dupe! Revlon dupes most MAC lippies check my vids on YT i do specifics there! hope this helps

Apr 14, 2011

Keshonta B.

NYX!!!!!! I've spent literally close to $12,000 over the past 3yrs on MAC.I'm talking addiction at its finest only to discover Monday that nyx carries some similar items. It's really cheap. I think if you just buy the high end brands piece by piece you can build your collection.

Apr 14, 2011

Soma S.

Physician's Formula gel liners - the shimmer stacks. They've got GREAT color payoff, pigmentation, and staying power. I especially love using them as eyeshadow bases for my more bolder eye looks. Their Happy Boosters blushes definitely give you a healthy glow without being shimmery at all! "Luminous" would be a better word to describe it...

Ecotools' Bronzer brush is a great foundation/powder brush for both liquid and dry formulas. Every time I go to the DS, it's sold out, so I had to order my backups from ULTA...

Revlon's colorburst/stay [can't remember!] lipsticks are fantastic. I have it in Fuschia, and it's a great dupe for NARS Schiap, and honestly, I like it even better than my Schiap because NARS lipsticks are so drying...

Apr 14, 2011

Jane A.

Hey, prior to baby number 2 and the additional expenses (babysitter, etc.) and prior to the economy going to the dumps, I pretty much shopped at Sephora... and M.A.C. waaaaaaay before that. It's weird I went to Sephora to find a higher end brand but was cheaper than M.A.C., but instead I went to Sephora to use a brand that was more $$. MUFE... loved that brand, all the tools Sephora offers... Clarsonic, T3, etc... loved those too, but I finally realized I had to start shopping drug store brands if I wanted more money in my pockets after everything.

Maybelline and L'oreal are run under the same company that runs Lancome, Estee Lauder, Shu Emura, etc. That fact right there made me realize, maybe drug store brands are not as "evil" (per se) as I thought it was.

Then finding this site, I realize NYX is a very affordable brand that is the dupe (duplicate) to some products M.A.C. and others offer.

Right now I'm using a L'oreal foundation, which I really like. I'm using a Maybelline powder to set... I'm using E.L.F. products for my liquid eyeliner and what not. You cannot go wrong with $1-3 products.

Right now my current drug store brands are L'oreal, Maybelline, and E.L.F.

Since I have a ton of eyeshadow from M.A.C. and MUFE that are still intact (it looks brand new), I'm trying to incorporate them into my makeup regimine.

Anyway, if you search for brands here, you will see a bunch have good reviews.... so it's worth a try, especially when they're 1/4 the cost of department store products.

Apr 14, 2011

Myrna P.

NYX, Inglot, Milani...Stila I think is pretty decent

Apr 14, 2011

Ana C.

I used to spend thousands of dollars on make up yearly. Seriously.

Now that I'm a mother, it is so hard for me to spend much money on myself. I'm on a DIY kick lately -- I have been making my own loose eyeshadows (see blog), statement costume-jewelry pieces and lipsticks. It is a lot of fun and I save a lot.

http://www.she-said.org

Apr 14, 2011

Linda D.

For foundation I would say Revlon Colorstay foundation. I've been using it over a year now and I absolutely love it. Also Revlon has great varieties of lipsticks from matte finishes to cream finishes.

And last NYX! Such great pigmentation on every product and extremely inexpensive. If your have a ULTA near you they are having a 40% off sale on Revlon, NYX, CoverGirl, and Almay products :) Ends this Saturday so totally check that out.

Apr 14, 2011

Breanne M.

Coastal Scents is super cheap, you can order it online and still stick to a budget. They have large palette's with a variety of colours too. www.coastalscents.com They've been my go to brand for years. But everyone's right, the drugstore has lots to offer too. It really depends what exactly your looking for. Good luck! :)

Apr 14, 2011

Tina V.

i say go for NYX. amazing quality at affordable prices. 

Apr 14, 2011

Erica J.

yes milani is awesome! I also love physicians formula, but here are some great lipstick dupes I have learned about: MAC Speed Dial= Revlon Color Burst in Carnation. MAC Angel= ELF Classy. MAC Cream Cup= Maybelline Born With It 

Apr 14, 2011

Crystal A.

I am reallyy falling in love with NYX and it's a brand that is starting to be carried in alot more drug stores etc.

Apr 14, 2011

Jane A.

Don't mistake N.Y.C. for N.Y.X.... I almost did. =)

Apr 15, 2011

Shelly T.

Definitely check out Revlon. I'll also give a thumbs-up to NYC Color, e.l.f. (mainly the Studio line), and wet'n'wild (they're really coming good these days!). For UKers, Sleek.

Apr 17, 2011

Casey S.

There are tons of great drugstore items. I just picked up Maybelline's "The Falsies" Mascara for $2.52 at my Target, it was on sale for $3.52 and I had a $1 off any Maybelline item coupon. So if you find deals like that its worth trying the products even if you aren't sure you will like them!

Apr 17, 2011

DeShelle W.

There are discounted websites also, You should definitely google some You'd be amazed at how much you can save.


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Apr 18, 2011

Breanne M.

You could also checkout http://www.retailmenot.com/ for coupon codes when you buy products online :)

Apr 20, 2011

Bp H.

I know what you mean. I've spent hundreds and hundreds on makeup and sometimes it makes me sick...lol. But I can't help it.

Here are my favorite drugstore products, I hope it helps!:
1. Neutrogena Healthy Skin liquid foundation
2. Physicians Formula Mineral Glow Pearls for added radiance to any look
3. Wet 'N Wild eyeshadow palette in Vanity
4. Maybelline Instant Rewind Eraser Makeup
5. Rimmel pressed powder

Apr 20, 2011

Qian W.

WET N' WILD EYE SHADOW PALETTES. They are gorgeous, come in sooooo many color combinations, matte and shimmer, highly pigmented, long lasting and very cheap. <3

Apr 21, 2011

Angela W.

Just like Bp H, here are some of my favs:

1. Neutrogena Healthy Skin (wow, I'm a total copycat lol- but it's true that it's good!)
2. L'Oreal Bare Naturals mineral makeup (as powder)
3. Physicians Formula Gentle Cover Concealer (I have the green color corrector)
4. Cover Girl Cheekers Blush (I have #140- super cute pink)
5. Maybelline Great Lash Washable Mascara (pink tube, green top)
6. NYC Sparkle eye dust (loose pigment- just ditch the stupid brush) or
7. LA Colors shimmering loose eyeshaddow, essentially the same thing
8. Maybelline dream mousse shimmer in golden of eden (highlighter)
9. Rimmel Jet Black Eyeliner Pencil (suuuper black- rivals my MAC for smoothness)
10. Prestige liquid eyeliner (perfect brush to create a nice clean cat's eye).
11. NYX lipsticks!

Good luck!! I always get super excited to discover an awesome bargain brand- keep us updated on your on-the-cheap finds!! : )