Sometimes it is true that you get what you pay for, and the more high-end make-up brands serve as a better quality product. Nonetheless there are excellent drugstore products available that are ideal for young students like me who can't always splurge on expensive products. Granted, a lot of cheaper products out there tend to be a little disappointing, so make sure you take full advantage of the testers before you buy so you know what you are getting. Here are my all time favourite drugstore products to create a total make-up look which I use frequently and I would most definitely repurchase!
1. Moisturiser
Before applying make-up, it is really important to hydrate your skin with a good moisturiser, this will also help your make up glide on smoothly and last longer. Wait a good 5-10 minutes before applying make up after moisturiser. This moisturiser I have been using ever since I started to wear make up and take good care of my skin. I switch to the rich formula in the winter months to hydrate my skin as it is naturally a lot drier. This product also smells great and is not too greasy so it absorbs quickly. It helps keep skin replenished and nourished all day long, and at £3.89 from Boots it really is a bargain.
For concealer, I always use Rimmel's 'Hide the blemish' concealer in soft honey. I love the texture of this concealer as it is so creamy and easy to use, the stick formula also makes it a great 'on the go' product. Glides onto the skin beautifully, concealing any dark under eye circles or blemishes, which we all have at some point i'm sure! It is also important to mention that you buy the correct shade of concealer, as if it is too dark it will only emphasise the areas you are trying to cover- who wants that! It is better to go one shade lighter if you aren't sure as this will only blend into the skin, rather than a dark shade drawing attention to your blemishes. If you do want to darken your complexion, it is better to use a darker toned bronzer rather than alter the shade of your concealer/foundation system. Keep your skin looking fresh and natural to enhance your existing beauty, rather than masking it in heavy darker make up, which will only look unnatural. £4.49, another great value product.
3. Foundation
For foundation, lately I have been loving Rimmel's lasting finish 25 hour (yes, 25 hour!!!) foundation. This is a great value foundation and it has lasted me for ages without having to repurchase yet as you only need a very small amount. Rimmel claims that sweat and humidity will not budge this foundation, and it does not disappoint. It is transfer-proof and really does last all day. Speaking on behalf of someone who has oily/combination skin, this foundation is great at mattifying the skin yet still looking subtly dewy and refreshed. It also goes in hand with the Rimmel concealer as both products compliment each other to create a perfectly flawless make up base, providing high coverage which is great if your prone to breakouts and blemishes. I always recommend applying foundation with a foundation brush, particularly if it is liquid formula like this one. I dot a small amount on each segment of my face and apply gently with my fingers first, as the heat helps to blend into the skin easily. Then it is important to use a brush to smooth out the skin and blend seamlessly to make it look like you have been gifted with perfect skin, not that you have stumbled upon this excellent foundation... £6.99.
4. Powder
Seen as the previous products have been from the Rimmel collection, I have included their fabulous 'Stay Matte' powder as well as it provides a great base with their other products; however I also highly recommend No7's translucent powder as this also provides a great finish. Powder is essential to not only set your foundation into place, securing it firmly so that it doesn't budge all day, but also keep your skin looking matte, not oily which can easily happen if, like me you have oily/combination skin. This powder really does keep your skin looking matte all throughout the day no matter what activity, controlling shine for up to 12 hours, and minimising the appearance of pores. Push this onto the skin with a large bristled brush to secure your base into place all throughout the day, paying close attention to the crease underneath the eyes and the eyelids as they can be quite oily. This also provides a good base for shadow. £3.99
5. Blusher
There are so many blushers that I love, particularly those from Benefit, Rimmel (again) and Sleek, especially the one I featured in my winter favourites in the shade pomegranate which is absolutely delightful for this time of year. This one featured is by 2true, true colour 1 pink blush, and it is such a bargain being only £1.99 from Superdrug. It brings a flush of colour to the apples of your cheeks, adding to a youthful and radiant complexion.
6. Highlighter
So if I had to pick a favourite make up product ever- which is unbelievably hard!- this shimmer brick from Sue Moxley, Famous range has the edge. I love it so much because it is just like Bobbi Brown's shimmer brick collection, yet unbelievably cheaper! It can be used as solely a blush, but its reflective shimmery particularly make the most beautiful highlighter. Dust this at the top of the cheekbones, above the apple of your cheeks for a youthful and glamorous look. What's more, the single brick colours can be used alone for eye shadows!
7. Eyebrows
Eyebrows can totally make or break a look. Leave them completely and if your not blessed with thick, natural brows, they can look sparse and unrefined; fill them in too much and you can verge on looking too 'made-up' and unnatural, neither a particularly good look! The trick is to fill them in gently using an angled eye brush, in a soft motion following the natural shape of your brow, starting at the arch and following downwards to create a natural curve. I naturally have really dark eyebrows, so I use this eye shadow from MUA, on shade 19-Matt, yet they also have a variation of lighter shades. I use this as a dark shadow in the crease of my eye to widen it, and double it up as an eyebrow filler. I find that using a powder rather than a pencil creates a softer, more natural finish, and besides, it stays on much longer. Did I mention this is only £1?! Amazing value from MUA, such a great quality range with crazy cheap prices.
8. Eye shadow primer (optional)
If you find that like me, your eye shadow doesn't stay put and often creases, you need a primer. This one is from front cover cosmetics-link above as it is no longer sold in boots-and it is such a good shadow base that will keep your shadow in one place! It also has a shimmery effect which serves as a simple eye colour if you don't want to add shadow. Just layer all over the eyelid with a finger and then apply shadow. £8.
9. Eye shadow
For every day neutral colours, this pro pallette from MUA called 'undressed' is a perfect must have for day to day wear, including all the natural, essential go-to shades for any occasion. It encompasses a great combination of shimmery and matte colours to create a clean and natural look. These eye shadows also have great staying power, and at £4 for a pallette it truly is an incredible bargain which is essential for any make up kit; these are the colours you can not be without.
10. Liquid eye liner
Liquid eye liner is my essential item for transforming a somewhat plain look into something eye-catching and enthralling. Liquid eye liner is perhaps the most difficult to use, however once you get it right it can transform the entire face, opening the eyes and making them look much bigger. The key to getting that desired, perfect, feline eye liner is to pull the outer corner of your eye out to stretch the lid, then you will find you have much more control. Start in the middle of the eye, and wing out to the side, following the natural upwards curve of the bottom lash. Then fill in very finely into the inner corner to open up the eye. You can achieve many different styles of line with a liquid formula, the key is symmetry on both eyes. I find this 'Fast Stroke' eye liner from Collection 2000 to be the easiest, budget eye liner to use as it has a built in, thin brush to create a controlled look. This eye liner stays put all throughout the day, and does not flake. I have been using this eye liner most days for years, I always repurchase it because it never fails to impress me, moreover at £2.99 its a real gem of a product.
11. Mascara
After applying liner, curl lashes and apply lashings of volumizing mascara. At the moment, I love Maybelline's Falsies mascara as it really creates that desired false lash effect in a tube, without the hassle of putting eye lashes on! I also recommend L'oreal's volumizing mascara, however it is a little more expensive. This one is only £7.99, and for an ultra black pigmented mascara with unique staying power and unique spoon brush for ultra thick lashes with no gaps, this is worth it!
12. Lipstick
Personally I prefer lipstick rather than gloss, especially for this time of year when a matte look is preferable. This is my favourite lipstick of all time, and I have around 50. I wear this shade everyday because it is the ideal colour to compliment any make up look. This is from no7, in shade sugar plum, and it is an almost purple, plum tone. It looks great as a soft stain for everyday, or apply it heavily for a dark, rich tone; a great transit for night time. It is a nourishing formula to keep lips smooth, soft and hydrated.
Combine all these products for an everyday make up look, extremely wearable and timeless, and for an excellent price!
This is just to show the comparison between an eye with simple and conventional liquid eye liner, mascara and base eye shadow, contrasting against the bare eye that has only base on. As you can see, the difference in size is notable- the left eye looks a lot bigger due to the eye liner which seems to open your eyes entirely, and mascara which completely alerts your eye making it appear more wide-eyed and more awake.
