If you know me, you know I have a makeup addiction. I love MAC Cosmetics, but God knows I can't afford to shop for more than a couple items every few months. So in order to fulfill my addiction, I have had to find bargain cosmetics and tools for half [or even more!] the price of high end makeup.
The past few months, I've constantly watched makeup gurus on YouTube, and that alone has taught me to expand my horizons when it comes to makeup. I know that not everybody has free time to just sit in front of a computer and just watch videos, lol, so I wanted to save any readers and fellow make-up lovers, to some things I have discovered and now use in my daily makeup routine.
Enjoy!
Price: $24 [I paid another $10 for shipping]. Rating: 4/5 stars.
If you love eyeshadows, I suggest picking up a makeup palette from
Coastal Scents. I own the 88 Eyeshadow Shimmer Palette, which has a variety of colors, from neutrals to rainbow colors, and everything in between. If you don't like shimmer, I'd suggest getting the matte version [but what the hay, just get both! hehe]. Anyways, I love using this palette if I want to use various colors at once. The shadows have pretty good color pay off. Each eyeshadow pan is about the size of a dime and maybe about 3mm deep. Pretty small, but for 88 shadows, it's such a good bargain.
Price: ~$2. Rating: 5/5 stars.
I do not own any high end/professional brushes. Everything I buy is usually from Walgreens or Walmart and usually less than $5. But I've also learned that you can use something you can find at an arts and craft store: PAINT BRUSHES! A lot of makeup artists online have suggested using the Loew Cornell brand paint brushes. The one I use for eyeshadows is a Loew Cornell brush called 270 Maxine's Mop. I have a few others but this one is my favorite for standard eyeshadow application. It was pretty cheap too, and I found it at Michaels. You may have to rummage through brushes and feel if the brushes are good enough to hold product and apply on the skin. Think about it, paint brushes are great for creating art. Think of it as using makeup to create art. :]
Price: ~$6. Rating: 4/5
I used to not like liquid eyeliner very much, because the ones I used to use never applied well, dark, or sleek enough, but ever since I've tried Revlon ColorStay liquid liner, I've used it in replace of pencil liner. It's easy to apply. The color goes on great. And the tip allows for a very clean line. I don't even really know of much high end eye liners, but for a drugstore product, I'd definitely recommend it! TIP: Check ULTA for sales. I recently bought 2 for $8, instead of the regular 1 for $6!
Price: $~4. Rating: 4/5
Using a mixing medium has recently been added to my daily makeup routine. A mixing medium is great for turning powders into creams. I know MAC sells a mixing medium, but since watching videos online, I have learned what it is used for and how to make my own by using something you can find at your nearest drugstore [although, I'd suggest walmart]. What you need is:
- Pure Glycerin
- Water [I use bottled drinking water]
- Small bottle for storing
Mix 1 part Pure Glycerin and 3 parts water. Mix, and voila! You have a mixing medium. What I do is put about a drop of the liquid on my brush, and then dab the brush into my eyeshadow [obviously, one that's not a cream]. When you apply the product on your skin, it goes on creamy and makes my shadows easy to blend and makes the color pop.
On the left is eyeshadow with a mixing medium, and the one on the left is the eyeshadow applied dry. Can you see the difference?
Make it and try it for yourself!
I guess that's all I really have to share. If you have questions about anything, let me know!