It’s expensive to be a girl. In order to achieve that flawless complexion that is expected of us, we must purchase everything from foundation and concealer to mascara, eyeliner, eyeshadow, lipstick … the list goes on. When you’re buying all of these things on a regular basis, your bank account really feels the effects.
I know, it can be tempting to buy the expensive brands of makeup, like MAC, Dior, Clinique, Estee Lauder, and Tom Ford. After all, their advertising can be quite convincing. And magazines and television consistently tell us that in order to look as beautiful as the stars gracing the big screen, we need the expensive makeup brands. That advertising and marketing is a big part of why the makeup costs more in the first place.
But you and your wallet will be happy to know that sometimes it actually is better to opt for drugstore makeup. Here’s the best drugstore makeup to buy so you can save money, but not sacrifice your look:
Mascara
You don’t have to drop big bucks on mascara, because the stuff you’re getting at the drugstore is just as good (if not better) than what you would purchase in a department store. In fact, did you know that the mascara brands sold in drugstores are made in the same laboratories, with the same formulas as the expensive cosmetics?
It’s not worth spending lots of money on mascara because you’ll have to end up tossing it in the trash after just three months. Three months is the point in time when the formula begins to get dried out and isn’t as effective. Plus, old mascara quickly becomes a breeding ground for bacteria, and I’m pretty sure you don’t want to spread bacteria all over your lashes.
I never know what brand of mascara to get when I’m walking through the drugstore aisles. One says it will give my lashes volume, the other says it will give them length. One is black, one is dark brown– there are lots of choices.
What I didn’t know, however, is that the type of wand you select actually matters. The thicker the brush, the more voluminous your eyelashes will be. If you really want to pump up your lashes, go with a plastic bristle brush or a twisted wire brush. For length, the opposite is true. Get defined lashes with smaller plastic or rubber brushes.
Eyeliner
Just like mascara, eyeliner only has a shelf life of three months, so you’ll want to re-stock your liner every three months to prevent the spread of bacteria. Many of the designer brands use the same formulas you would find in drugstores, so you’re not doing yourself any favors by splurging here.
I feel clueless when I’m looking for eyeliner. There’s pencil, powder, liquid, black, brown, gray, thick, thin– way too many options. In the past, I’ve gone with black pencil eyeliner, but black eyeliner can actually be too harsh for the eyes and make them look smaller. Instead, it’s best to go for a softer, subtler tone, such as brown or gray. You can save the bold black shade for a dramatic look during a night out on the town.
If you want an eyeliner that produces more sharp and contoured lines, you’ll want to opt for the liquid variety (I still cannot seem to master the cat eye look, but I’m working on it).
Eyeshadow
No sense in shelling out $30 for eyeshadow when there are brands at the drugstore offering you a palette of lots of different colors for way less. You can purchase a combination of browns, beiges, and gold to warm up your eyes, or give them a cool look with a palette of silvers, greens, and blues.
Whichever hues you decide to buy, a palette is always the most inexpensive option because you’re getting the most bang for your buck.
I’m living proof that you shouldn’t splurge on eyeshadow. I bought a single container of brown eyeshadow from the MAC store (holy expensive), and my much less pricey L’Oreal palette of brown shadows wins every time. Nobody is ever going to know that I’m wearing L’Oreal and not MAC, unless they ask.
Plus, thanks to eyeshadow’s four-month lifespan, you’ll find yourself purchasing this must-have makeup pretty often.
Lipstick
If you’re smart about what lipstick you buy, you can get a great deal without sacrificing quality. You can always tell a good lipstick from a less-than-average one, because the designer brand glides on smooth with a luxurious finish and full color. Be sure to look for a lipstick at the drugstore that combines color with hydrating ingredients.
Of course, when you’re buying from the drugstore, you’re bound to come across a specific product or brand that you just don’t like. Create a list of all these brands to ensure you don’t keep buying them over and over again. I tend to lose track of which mascaras and eyeliners I’ve used in the past, so having a list to rely on helps. That way, you know you’ll be buying the best drugstore makeup while still saving cash.
Pin this post:
Photo Credit: Matt Trostle, frlls, Philippa Willitts, Pixi, Elena Schevardo, Magi Mania, kuuipo1207
The post Drugstore Makeup: Just as Good as the Expensive Brands appeared first on Apartment Living Tips - Apartment Tips from ApartmentGuide.com.