Cutting Cost, But Not the Beauty

Cutting Cost, But Not the Beauty

    Let’s face it, we spend way too much money on makeup, I know when I walk around with my makeup bag all I’m thinking is “Oh, Lord, I am carrying over $200 here!”  So why is it that we are attracted to expensive makeup? It could be as simple as it is marketed better, by more celebrity’s – see the new FENTY line by Rihanna, or Kylie cosmetics – having this desire to purchase makeup that is all over social media is anticipated, but sometimes as students, we cannot afford it! It is for that reason that I have created a list of products where we are able to cut the cost by buying pharmacy labels, without cutting the benefits.

Primer

Primer is the first step in your makeup routine, you can add a tonal colour correction, or a texture for different skin types to prep your skin for the foundation by creating a uniform smoothness upon application. Primer is mainly a Silicone based product and, as it is the first thing you apply onto your skin in order to be sure that the rest of your makeup stays on all day. Premium labels will charge upwards of $40 for a small bottled product that is only supposed to even out your skin and correct its colour: THAT’S IT! As this is such an essential part of your makeup routine – using up a lot per application – you can find the same benefits from purchasing Angel Veil Perfecting Primer by NYX for $16.00.

Foundation

When shopping for the foundation you should look for a lightweight, long-lasting formula that is made for your skin type. When shopping the more expensive labels foundations can be heavier, as most people believe heavier foundation means more coverage. Although this is true, heavier also leads to a lot of other problems that come with caked on makeup – like acne. If you tend to have dry skin, pick a liquid one as its creamier formula will help moisturise your skin properly. With oily skin pick a powder foundation to absorb and aid your skin by leaving it a nice matte finish. Or if you do not want full total coverage to pick a light coverage foundation or a tinted moisturizer. Next, you want to find the best coverage for your skin colour; with many tonal colour variations for all you cannot always know which colour works best for you, test it out on your wrist. After all this information you must be worried that if a foundation does all this, how an inexpensive brand can cover all these bases. Maybelline Fit Me, comes in a liquid and a finishing powder, Maybelline is known for its wide variety of shades and like more expensive brands refines your face all for less than $15.00. Not breaking the bank or breaking out your face.

Mascara

There once was a time when buying more expensive mascara was needed for allergy reasons: I know that`s why my mother still buys Lancôme mascara at $34.50 – and this isn’t even one of the more expensive ones. A good mascara is a marriage of both wand and formula; and so long as the formula works for you why spend more than $9.99 at the drugstore for most of their mascara products.

Final thoughts

The money spent on cosmetics should not be a lot, if and when you can help it, primarily as no one can tell the price of your makeup once it`s on your skin.