Ladies, we all know that being a woman can get pretty dang expensive. We have a lot of extra costs that guys don’t even think about…and makeup is one of those extra little necessities. When I say “necessity”, I recognize that not all women wear makeup, but most of us do, at least on occasion anyways.
My point is, for those of us who do wear makeup, the costs definitely add up. I know there are a lot of women out there looking for cheap alternatives to the luxe products that many makeup artists and consumers rave about. There are definitely some products that you can skimp on, but I’m sorry to say that Beauty is definitely one of those areas where you get what you pay for (in most cases). I’m not saying that the more expensive products are always better, but when it comes to makeup and skincare, the ingredients are what matter and better ingredients are more expensive. That’s a fact. Take simple face powder for example: cheap drugstore versions often contain talc, which is used as filler and can cause numerous problems including clogged pores, dry skin, and dullness.
Have you ever bought an eyeshadow from a drugstore because the colour was just gorgeous only to realize that it looks nothing like what’s in the pan when you put it on? Cheap eyeshadows often use filler as well and so the pigment looks faded on the skin. You end up really packing it on to get any sort of colour pay-off, but even then it’s still not true to the package. There are products out there that can make drugstore eyeshadows look better (Urban Decay Primer Potion is one of them), but I have not had a lot of success with them. Don’t get me wrong, there are some brands that you can buy at drugstores that have fabulous products, but you’re still getting what you pay for in most cases.
For those of you looking to save some dolla' bills, I have some good news for you: there is hope! I do have some great products that work really well without costing you an arm and a leg (plus, some of these are my favourite products). In no particular order:
Hourglass Ambient Mood Lighting Powder is some of the best Highlighting powder you can find on the market, but it comes with a hefty price tag. Weighing in at a whopping $52 for this bad boy, many of us (ME) just pretend it's not as gorgeous as it is so we don't feel as depressed when we don't buy it.
One of the best dupes out there is the e.l.f. baked highlighter. You don't get quite as much product and it only comes in 3 colours as opposed to the 6 that Hourglass has, but it still looks beautiful on the skin and...guess what? It's only $3! Most Canadian Drugstores don't carry a lot of e.l.f. products, but you can get it online and the shipping is often free! GET IT HERE
For those of us who prefer the cream highlighter for that really blown-out, high-cheekboned look, the Benefit High Beam Liquid Highlight is just perfectly luminous. It's a pretty big bottle though, and with a price tag of $32, it can be hard to invest in, especially if you're not sure that you will love it.
Another e.l.f product for you lovelies! This highlighter is shimmery and dewy, like the High Beam, though it's a little bit more pink and a little thicker, it is beautiful nonetheless. And with a price tag of only $1, how could you NOT buy this?!
I have to say that this is my favourite blush that I have ever used. The NARS Orgasm is the #1 selling blush in the WORLD because the colouring looks great on almost ALL skin tones (this picture does not do it justice...it is nowhere near that orange). However, the $32 price tag makes some of us a little hesitant to give it a try.
THIS little beauty is almost EXACTLY the same in colour and it even has the gold shimmer to it like the NARS Orgasm, but it only costs $7.99! The 02 Rose D'Oro blush is micro smooth and goes on way better than you would expect for such an inexpensive product. GET IT HERE
Smashbox is the self proclaimed primer authority and it's hard to debate that with such a heavy lifter like the Photo Finish Primer. This is one of the best all around primers on the market, and it definitely helps that it makes you look less shiny in photos, but ringing in at $44 makes this a pretty luxury item.
Here we have an absolutely amazing dupe! The Sephora Collection Ultra-Perfecting Smoothing Primer not only looks similar to the Smashbox primer, but it does just as good of a job! Coming in at less than half the cost ($20), this is a great option for new primer users or anyone looking to save a little cash while still having a quality product. GET IT HERE
**NOTE: Both the Smashbox and Sephora primers contain Silicone, which gives them their smoothing factor. If you have sensitive skin, please test this product on a small area before using all over your face as many people have a sensitivity to Silicone.
These two are the ULTIMATE combo if you want crazy volume and length. The Diorshow Mascara is a cult favourite for a reason; it gives INSANE volume! And when paired with the Diorshow Maximizer, you might as well be wearing fake lashes. However, the Diorshow Mascara and Maximizer come in at $31 and $35 respectively...that's $67 just for your little lashes!
Here we have Maybelline's little wonder the XXL 24HR BOLD Mascara. This 2-in-1 comes with a primer and a mascara in the same tube! At about $10, it's a great way to test out the whole lash primer dealio.
Many of us are weary of cream eyeshadows, and for good reason! They tend to crack, fade, smudge, crease, and move in a very short time period. The Makeup Forever Aqua Cream Shadows though, are just amazing! Totally waterproof and crease-proof, especially when paired with a great primer. Though these pots are deep, the $28 price tag is a bit much for most of us.
This is a fairly new product from Maybelline called Color Tattoo 24HR Cream Shadow, but they have done a GREAT job with this drugstore product. Coming in at around $7, this little guy does well for long wear, but, as with most shadows, I recommend a primer if you want it to last all day. Though it doesn't have quite the colour selection that Makeup Forever does, I'm sure it will eventually as I can see this product being very popular! GET IT HERE
We all hear amazing reviews of MAC brushes and they are the industry leader in this area. This MAC 130 Short Duo Fiber Brush is amazing for a smooth, flawless foundation application. BUT, as I'm sure is no surprise to you, the cost is over $50.
I can tell you all that this little super hero is my FAVOURITE foundation brush! The Sigma F80 Flat Kabuki feels soft on the skin and deposits product well without too much absorption. If you like to stipple your foundation for that smooth, matte, porcelain effect, this is perfect! If you like to buff it on for that dewy effect, this is perfect! Coming in at only $18, this is affordable for all you deal-savvy makeup hunters. GET IT HERE
Another specialty brush from MAC is the 109 small contour, which is great for blending and contouring powder products on the face. The domed tip allows for precision application, but the price of $42 does not allow all of us to own it.
As you can already tell, Sigma is probably one of my favourite brush lines. To be honest, I prefer the shape of this brush to the MAC 109 because the tip is more pointed, which makes it even more precise. I contour ERR DAY and this miraculous weapon called the F35 Tapered Highlighter (though I use it for bronzer and contour) gives me gravity defying cheekbones. And, again, it's only $18!
For those of you who prefer the finish you get with a sponge application, the Beauty Blender is the ULTIMATE sponge. The shape is great for getting those hard to reach places and the one-of-a-kind texture and material make this a long-lasting and durable sponge that doesn't absorb all your product. Buuuuut, as you all know, you pay for the brand name and this is no exception at $26 big ones.
Though I prefer the texture and material of the Beauty Blender, the shape of the Sephora Perfectionist Makeup Sponge is superior in my opinion because it makes it easier to apply to those spots around your nose and eyes. At only $14 this is a great option for those of you who want to try sponge-applied foundation for the first time or who are tired of disposable sponges, but not ready for the price tag of the Beauty Blender. GET IT HERE
These are some of my favourite dupes for basic, everyday products, but there are soooo many more! If there is any particular product that you guys want to know of a dupe for, please let me know! That being said, if there is a luxe product that you are just DYING to try...try it! Most of the time, you won't be disappointed. And you can always ask me, or any industry professional, if you're unsure (I can tell you that the girls at Sephora are super friendly and willing to answer any of your questions...wink, wink), plus there are tons of reviews online for a lot of popular products. Stay beautiful, lovelies!
Make-Up, not War,
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