>>Makeup On A Budget<<
Hello and Happy September!
Welcome to my beauty blog! This is my little corner of the internet where I can talk about my passion for makeup and skincare. This is a hobby blog. I do not blog full time and I do not make any significant money from my blog. I write to share my experience with beauty products and give product recommendations.
From 2012-2018 I made VIB Rouge at Sephora every year. I purchased a nice mix of makeup and skincare every month, and I spent a ton of money during the semi-annual sales.
After spending thousands of dollars at Sephora and being treated like crap, I finally decided to give Ulta a try. They have a fantastic rewards program, and they actually sell both high end and drugstore brands.
Don't get me wrong, I love luxury makeup. I just really can't afford to keep up with all the current releases anymore. Thankfully, drugstore makeup quality has gone up significantly since I was in high school, and I can now use their products without ruining my skin!
Now, if you are on a budget like me, but you want to update your makeup routine for the Fall, Ulta has some great options right now. All of the products that I recommend in this post can be found on Ulta's website.
Don't forget that I am running a giveaway on my
IG right now where you can win an amazing eyeshadow palette, so don't forget to
enter!
>>Eyes<<
We will begin with eye products because that is what I start with when applying makeup. I will be going through my makeup routine in order, so feel free to skip around this post.
~Eye Shadow Primer
I always use an eyeshadow primer. It helps prevent eyeshadow creasing, and it helps with shadow application. If you have been struggling with getting the color of your shadows from showing up on your skin, try an eyeshadow primer.
I personally don't like using concealer as a primer. It just doesn't do the same job in my experience. If you enjoy priming your lids with concealer, you can skip ahead to the eyeshadow recommendations.
Milani Eyeshadow Primer ($6.99)- If you are searching for an affordable eyeshadow primer that will do a great job, Milani has got your back. I find this primer comparable to the higher end primers but at a fraction of the price. I always start with primer to keep my shadow from creasing.
~Eye Shadow Palettes
For eyeshadow palettes, I have three options that are affordable and fit the Fall trend. Depending on your budget and color story preferences, you can pick up one or more palettes to get you through the season. If you need eyeshadow brush recommendations, keep reading until the end.
Wet n Wild Coffee Cat Shadow Palette ($8.99)- I am so obsessed with this palette. Wet N Wild has really stepped up the game with their shadow quality. Their new Coffee Cat palette is affordable and on-trend. These are all the shades you need for a Fall look, especially with that beautiful orange shade. You can create both subtle and darker eye looks with this palette, and the shimmers are stunning! I highly recommend this one for the Fall.
Juvia's Place Nubian 3 Eyeshadow Palette ($20)- This palette is not a Fall release, but the color story is perfect for this season. You get a nice mix of cool and warm toned shades that will apply effortlessly. Juvia's Place shadows are very pigmented and they blend really well. If you can afford to splurge a little, I highly recommend this palette.
ColourPop She's Got Solstice Eyeshadow Palette ($14)- This isn't a new palette, but it is stunning! All the shades are warmed toned, but they are perfect for the Fall. I love the mix of copper and peach for pumpkin season. If you know that you love the ColourPop formula, you may want to pick this one up. It will be great all the way through Thanksgiving.
~Eyeliner
No matter which formula of eyeliner you prefer, black eyeliner is always seasonally appropriate. You can get a colored liner, or even a brown liner if you prefer, but I recommend picking up some black liner too!
Maybelline Eye Studio Master Precise Liquid Eyeliner ($8.99)- I am a huge fan of the KVD Tatoo Liner, so I knew that I had to find a drugstore dupe. This liquid liner is as close as I was able to get to the KVD formula. It is pigmented, effortless to apply, and you can make a sharp wing with the fine tip. If you love to have a winged liner, this one is a must. I recommend getting this one in black only for the Fall.
NYX Professional Makeup Retractable Eyeliner ($5.50)- This is where you can get a little creative. These eyeliners are very affordable and they work really well to line the waterline. If you want to add colored liner, or just brown liner, get this one. It lasts all day in my waterline, but I don't have overly watery eyes so keep that in mind.
Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner ($9.99)- If you prefer a gel formula, or you have overly watery eyes, this liner is fantastic. It comes with a brush and I find that it performs just as well as the Clinique potted eyeliner (discontinued but it was amazing). Make sure to keep the jar closed tightly or the product will dry out quickly.
~Mascara
I have three drugstores mascara to recommend. Get any of these only in the blackest black available. Colored mascara is just not a thing for Fall 2020. So remember, black only!
L'Oréal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara ($10.99)- This is the closest dupe that I found to my favorite Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara. I honestly need to go to Ulta and stockpile these because I love them so much! If you are looking for volume and length, this is the mascara for you. Just a warning, this mascara is pretty wet, so don't sneeze or blink too fast right after applying. Pro tip: if you get mascara on your face, let it dry and then remove it using an eyebrow spooli.
Maybelline Volum' Express The Falsies Mascara ($7.99)- If you are looking for the false lashes look without gluing on lashes, this is the mascara for you! I love Maybelline mascaras, and this one is definitely in my top 3 drugstore options. I 100% recommend this one!
Essence Lash Princess Volume Mascara ($4.99)- If you are really in a pinch and need a very low budget option, I recommend getting the Lash Princess mascaras from Essence. You can get the Volume one (shown) or the false lash one, depending on your needs. These are pretty good, and they get the job done. I just wouldn't get these unless I was really low on cash.
~False Lashes
If you love false lashes, you need ones from Ardell. Honestly, I get Ardell lashes even when I have a ton of money to spend on makeup. They are absolutely amazing!
Ardell Lash Demi Wispies 5 Pair Multipack ($11.99)- The Demi Wispies are hands down my favorite style of lashes. They are great for everyday use and glam eye looks. I am only linking the 5 pack because you need to have more than one pair of these in your makeup bag.
Duo Quick-Set Lash Adhesive Clear ($6.49)- You can't get lashes without getting some more Duo glue. This is hands down the best lash glue at the drugstore. Only get the white/clear version, the black version should only be used by pros.
>>Face<<
When it comes to Fall 2020, cake face is not okay. Stick to more natural makeup looks, don't contour, and don't throw crazy looking highlighters on your cheekbones. Seriously, stop trying to do your makeup like an Instagram influencer. It does not look cute in real life, it only looks good with a ring light (even that's debatable).
~Primer
I love to prepare my skin for a full day of foundation with a hydrating primer. If you have oily skin, you can use a mattifying moisturizer instead. Everyone else should definitely use a primer to help protect the skin from drying out under foundation.
ColourPop Pretty Fresh Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Primer ($12)- One of my favorite hydrating primers at the drugstore price is this one from ColourPop. It is formulated with hyaluronic acid, so it's great for dry to normal skin types. It is a very hydrating product, so please avoid this step if you have oily skin. Instead, use a mattifying moisturizer to keep your oils from breaking down the makeup throughout the day.
~Foundation
When it comes to foundation, less is more this Fall. If you don't need heavy coverage, look for sheer to light coverage instead. This will help even out your skin without it looking cakey. If you do need full coverage, apply the foundation in light layers, and use a concealer to cover any problem areas.
Physicians Formula Silk Foundation Elixir ($15.99)- If you can get away with a very light coverage foundation, this is the one for you. The Silk Foundation Elixir feels more like a serum, and it kind of reminds me of the Kosas Tinted Oil Foundation that I love. However, unlike the Kosas foundation, I don't recommend this if you need a full-coverage though, so keep that in mind.
Maybelline Super Stay Full Coverage Foundation ($11.99)- If you need full coverage, this is your choice right here. This foundation lasts all day and covers every blemish! I highly recommend applying this foundation with a light hand and then using concealer to cover any problem areas. You will get a flawless finish with this method. I also recommend applying this first with a brush and then going back over your face with a damp sponge. My favorite brushes and sponges from Ulta are listed in the Tools section of this post.
~Concealer
As I mentioned in the Foundation section above, concealer should be used to cover problem areas. Do not use this to highlight! It does not look cute in real life, and it will definitely look like you are caking on the makeup. Don't do this unless you plan on being photographed at an event.
e.l.f. Cosmetics Hydrating Camo Concealer ($6)- In my opinion, this is the best concealer available at the drugstore right now. It goes on effortlessly and doesn't dry out the skin. It comes in a wide range of shades, so match yourself perfectly. Do not go lighter or darker than your foundation shade when concealing problem areas around your face. Even if you are covering dark circles, only use a little and do not use a very light shade.
~Powder
If you have issues with your makeup breaking down or moving throughout the day, you need to use a powder to set your foundation. Not everyone will need one, so only use one when necessary.
Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Talc-Free Mineral Airbrushing Pressed Powder SPF 30 ($14.99)- This powder is translucent and is great for setting foundation that moves throughout the day. This is not a matte finish, so if you need a mattifying powder, use the next recommendation instead of this one. Only use a very light dusting of this powder to set a foundation. Do not go heavy with powders, especially under the eyes. Less is more when it comes to setting makeup!
Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Powder ($7.99)- This is my favorite mattifying powder. You can get it to match your foundation to give you extra coverage. When using this powder, dust it VERY lightly all over your face, or in the areas you need a matte finish. Do not overdo this powder. You will end up looking like a powdery mess.
~Bronzer
Please please please stop contouring your face. Stop applying that horrid looking stripe of brown down the sides of your face, around your forehead, and down your nose. Everyone can see it, and it looks ridiculous. Instead, use a bronzer to lightly bronze the perimeter of the face. This will give you a more natural-looking glow.
Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer Murumuru Butter Bronzer ($15.99)- This is my all-time favorite bronzer from the drugstore. It smells amazing and gives the skin an absolutely perfect glow. You will look healthy, not dirty. Again, do not contour your face! It honestly does not look good when you turn your head to the side.
~Blush
This Fall, you will want to use a rose-colored blush. It will give your skin a natural flush, and it will look great with the brown-toned eyeshadows you will be wearing all season long. Trust me, you want to stick to this color. Do not use pinks or peaches. It won't look great.
Milani Rose Powder Blush ($9.49)- This is my all-time favorite blush from Ulta. They have the most gorgeous Rose shade that looks so flattering on most skin tones. I also really love the flower detail, and the color lasts a very long time on my skin when I use a setting spray.
Milani Baked Blush ($9.49)- This is my second favorite blush from Ulta. It's the baked version of the Milani blush, and the formula is fantastic. I loved baked blushes, and this reminds me of the Laura Geller blushes. I love that they include a little gold in the Rose one. It looks stunning!
L'Oréal True Match Super Blendable Blush ($11.99)- If you can't find a blush that you like from Milani, you can always find a blush that matches your skin tone from L'Oreal. These blushes will be the perfect shade for you if you go by their matching system. These are a favorite for so many people for a reason!
~Highlighter
What we don't want to do this Fall is overdo the highlighter. No one looks great with a stipe of frost across their cheekbones. We want a beautiful glow that is subtle, but not blinding. Stop falling for the YouTube highlighter technique. It looks really weird in person.
Revolution PRO Lustre Highlighter ($15)- If you need a perfect glow highlighter, this is the one you want. Do not apply this with a heavy hand, it will just start looking like frost. Do not apply this to the tip of your nose either. I'm not sure where that weird trend started, but it really does not look good. Apply the highlighter lightly to spots that the light naturally hits. Go to a window and rotate your face slowly in front of a mirror. The places that the light hits are the places you want to highlight. It's that simple. No nose highlight, please! Also, can we take a moment to appreciate the flower design of this product too? I really love this look!
Makeup Revolution Soph x Revolution Highlighter Palette ($12)- If you like to play with highlight colors, you are going to want this palette. I personally love colored highlighters. I think it's a fun way to add a pop of color. For this Fall, I would pair the Coffee Cat shadows with the gold, bronze, or bronze highlighters from this palette. Then you will be able to use some of the other colors in the winter (I'm looking at you purple shade!).
~Eyebrows
In my experience, everyone needs to do something with their brows to look put together. This could be simply combing them, brushing in some tinted gel, or filling them in lightly. Whatever method you choose, doing something will dramatically improve your makeup look.
Revlon ColorStay Brow Pencil ($8.99)- If you prefer to fill in your brows, this pencil from Revlon is fantastic. I use this pretty regularly (check out my latest makeup pick post here), and I love that it includes a spooli at the end. The formula is on the waxy side, and the pencil tip is perfect for filling in the brows quickly. Do not box off your brows. Just go along with the natural curve very lightly. Overfilled brows are not in right now at all. I never ended up following that trend anyway, it looked too dramatic for my taste.
Maybelline Tattoo Brow Waterproof Eyebrow Gel ($12.99)- If you have nice thick brows, you may benefit from this amazing brow gel. You simply brush this through your brows and it gives it some color while holding down a nice shape. It stays put all day which is great for everyday use.
~Setting Spray
I honestly cannot get through the day while wearing foundation without a setting spray. Even if you use a primer and setting powder, adding a setting spray to your makeup routine will change your life!
Milani Make It Last Setting Spray Prime + Correct + Set ($9.99)- This is the best setting spray at the drugstore. It helps my makeup last all day, and the results are very similar to the Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray at a third of the price. You really can't go wrong with adding this to your makeup routine.
>>Lips<<
This Fall, you are going to want to wear red or nude/pink lips with that brown smokey eye. Wear a nude/pink lip if you use any orange/copper shades, wear a red lip if you keep things simple with brown/champagne/grey.
~Lip Liner
If you haven't been wearing a lip liner until now, you are going to need one this Fall. Since liquid lipsticks are out and lipsticks are in, you must line your lips for a perfectly filled in pout.
NYX Professional Makeup Slim Lip Pencil ($4)- Pick this lip pencil up in red, and pink, and nude. You will want one for each of the lipsticks you are about to purchase. Trust me, that's why I chose a very affordable lip liner!
~Lipstick
As I mentioned, you are not going to be purchasing liquid lipsticks this Fall. I know that they still sell them, but they are the worst. You want a nice lipstick that will keep your lips looking healthy, not dehydrated. You may think that you don't need lipstick now that we wear face masks, but you are wrong. You must put something on your lips when attending Zoom meetings! I chose three L'Oreal lipsticks for you, they have the best formula for a drugstore brand. You are going to want to pick up one of each of the following:
L'Oréal Colour Riche Collection Exclusive Red Lipcolour ($10.99)- You must get this perfect red lipstick for your Fall collection. Red is such a powerful color for lips, and this exclusive collection has two amazing options.
L'Oréal Age Perfect Luminous Hydrating Lipstick ($10.99)- You are going to find a nice mauve pink shade for this hydrating lipstick. It will look so cute with the eyeshadow palettes I recommended earlier.
L'Oréal Colour Riche Ultra Matte Nude Lipstick ($10.99)- Finally, you will want to pick a nude shade that is a few shades darker than your skin tone. You can also pick up an even darker shade to get some variety. These mattes can be drying, so I recommend topping these with some gloss.
~Lip Gloss
I love the look of lipgloss on top of lipstick. My favorite at the moment is from Kosas, so I had to find an affordable dupe. Lucky for you, I found one!
Maybelline Lifter Gloss With Hyaluronic Acid ($8.99)- These glosses are an amazing dupe for the Kosas lipgloss. I recommend picking all of these up when you get a chance. They are constantly selling out because they are so fantastic. These look amazing on top of lipstick, especially matte lipstick.
~Lip Balm
If you have been wearing a mask daily, you may notice that your lips are feeling dryer than normal. If this describes your situation right now, you need a good lip balm for days that you can't wear lipstick.
Sun Bum Tinted Lip Balm SPF 15 ($5.99)- When I want to wear lip balm outdoors, I always choose one that is tinted and has an SPF. This one from Sun Bum is fantastic and affordable. It hydrates my lips, protects them from the sun, and provides a wash of color.
>>Makeup Tools<<
If you are wondering how to get a flawless makeup application, the secret will now be revealed. Makeup brushes and sponges are the keys to getting your makeup looking professionally applied. Stop using the brushes that come with your makeup, and enter the world of Real Techniques. This brand makes extremely high-quality makeup tools that will last for years. I own so many of their brushes from 5 years ago, and my sponge is over a year old now!
~Eye Brushes
To get the perfect eyeshadow application, you need a crease brush, blending brush, flat brush, definer brush, and a fluffy brush. These can get pretty expensive from the high-end brands, but Real Techniques has an amazing set with everything included!
Real Techniques Everyday Eye Essentials Kit ($19.99)- This set has everything you need and it's only $20! I actually own this set and can easily create any eye look with just these brushes. If you need eye brushes, do yourself a favor and get this set.
~Face Brushes
I honestly have the same thing to say about face brushes. You need a blush brush, powder brush, and flat foundation brush. Everything else is just extra.
Real Techniques Flawless Base Set ($19.99)- This set has everything you need for a flawless face. Use the small fluffy brush for blush and highlighter. Use the bigger brush for setting powder and bronzer. Use the flat brush for foundation, and use the tiny brush for spot concealing. I have this set too, and it's perfect.
~Face Sponge
Do yourself a favor and don't get a $20 Beauty Blender. This sponge is amazing, and it is so affordable!
Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge ($5.99)- I love the flat side for getting under my eyes and around my nose. I like to use this damp. I simply press my foundation (that I already applied with a brush) into my skin. This soaks up the extra foundation on my face and it gives me an airbrushed finish.
Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge - Two Pack ($9.99)- If you are getting this sponge, you might as well save money and get the duo. You will need an extra one anyway when the first one gets dirty.
>>Final Thoughts<<
I hope you enjoyed this post! I tried to find the most affordable makeup products that you will need for your Fall makeup bag.
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>>Before You Go<<
If you have any questions or concerns, please leave them in the comments section. I would also love to hear from you if you have tried any of these products!
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