For all the makeup lovers out there who want to look and feel good without breaking the bank, Joanna Cunningham searches the high-street beauty shops to find quality makeup products, on a budget.
As a student, I am constantly looking for cheap makeup products which are just as good as those expensive ones raved about by beauty bloggers and YouTubers! I have to admit I am partial to the Urban Decay or Anastasia Beverly Hills eyeshadow palette, and I always thought that after using these expensive brands on my eyes for so long I could never go back. However, after receiving the Revolution “Life on the Dance Floor After Party” eyeshadow palette as a gift for my 21st birthday, I was pleasantly surprised. It just goes to show how easy it is to find top quality products, without breaking the bank and, with the right deals, you can get this full face for under £50.
BASE
Maybelline Superstay Foundation – £9.99 This foundation has been reviewed and discussed by many online influencers since it hit the shelves, and I can see why. For someone like me, who doesn’t like to have too much of a full coverage foundation, this can be applied thinly for a natural finish, but is also buildable for anyone who prefers a fuller look. It would definitely work for that transition between day and night, as a little top up after a long day would do perfectly. It also lasts very well throughout the day, and I will certainly be continuing to use this.
Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer – £4.19 This concealer is so cheap, and always remains on my face until the end of the day. It is great for both the under-eyes, as it barely creases, and any blemishes, due to its thickness. It’s a great option for that all-in-one concealer.
Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder – £3.99 This has been my go-to powder since I started wearing makeup! It’s probably one of the cheapest powders on the market and sets my under-eyes beautifully. I am personally someone who would not spend more than £5 on a powder, so this is the perfect compromise between money and quality! Not only that, but it lasts for ages – you won’t be running out of this product any time soon.
Sleek Solstice Highlighting Palette – £9.99 This is my absolute favourite high-street makeup product. There are 3 different palettes, each with cream and powder shades which work for multiple skin tones. I absolutely adore it, as you don’t have to apply much, but the colour pay-off is blinding! It is also longlasting, both on the face and in the pan—my number one for sure.
Revolution Sculpt and Contour Kit – £3.50 With a blush, contour, and highlight all in one place, this is super cheap for a three-in-one product. The colour pay-off is brilliant, so you only need a small amount to produce a defined look. Of course, with this product, you could even go without purchasing the Sleek Highlighting palette, however due to the minor expense of getting both, it’s no trouble and is so worth it.
BROWS
L’Oréal Brow Artist Pomade – £9.99 This is a product I discovered some time last year, as I was bored of using a brow pencil and wanted to try out something different. On a whim, I purchased the first pomade I saw, and I haven’t looked back. The product comes in three shades, the lightest being a perfect colour match for me! It is long-lasting, and very natural looking.
EYES
Revolution Life on the Dance Floor After Party Eyeshadow Palette £10 This particular product has blown me away. It comes in four different colour sets, including smoky eye (see pictured), multicoloured, pink, and nude, and includes a whopping 24 shades per palette – that’s under 42p per colour! Considering the size of each colour pan, and the wearability of each colour, I would say that’s a deal and a half. The packaging is also brilliant; it feels and looks expensive, and the large mirror means it’s great for on-the-go. Some of the colours are one-swipe-wonders, including the black, which is easy to apply and so pigmented. I would even go as far as to say that this is my favourite black eyeshadow of all time! Other less pigmented colours are buildable, so you can experiment with many different looks.
Maybelline Hyper Precise Liquid Eyeliner – £5.99 This is also a new one for me; I stuck by the Maybelline Master Precise liquid eyeliner as my go-to for years, but recently picked up the new Maybelline Hyper Precise and will not look back! Although it is a little more expensive, this new product is easier and smoother to apply, very black, long-lasting, and the lovely pointed applicator makes it perfect for that cat-eye flick.
Maybelline Colossal Volum’ Express Mascara – £6.99 This product was probably the first mascara I ever purchased when I first started wearing makeup. Wearing this was my way of rebelling against the school rules and, after reusing it recently, I remember why I loved it. It is easy to apply, with a thick applicator for full eyelash coverage. It’s also buildable, so you can get those natural lashes for every-day wear, or thicker lashes for a fuller makeup look.
LIPS
Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Lipstick – £8.49 Finally, the finishing touch to any makeup look – lipstick. This one is long-lasting and feels so soft and velvety on the lips. There is also a lovely array of 36 shades – perfect for everyone!
All these products range between £3 and £10, so are perfect for anyone on a budget. Many of these products, including the eyeshadow, powder, highlighter, contour and brow pomade will rarely need repurchasing due to the amount of product you receive for the money. The other products will run out quicker, for sure, but a topup every three to six months will do the trick. Certainly not too much money leaving your bank account!
You can keep up to date with Joanna’s work on her blog, itstartedwithrebecca.wordpress.com, or follow @itstartedwithrebecca on Instagram and @iswrebecca on Twitter.
