The Best 10 Budget Friendly Makeup Products In My Collection

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Everyone likes finding quality items that cost less, right? Well today, I’m sharing my top budget-friendly makeup items. All of these items I use and currently have in my makeup collection.

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Budget Friendly Foundations

I actually have 3 budget friendly foundations to talk about. They are all from different brands, and I did hear about all of them through watching Tati’s videos on YouTube. Especially as my skin has changed over the past few years, I find that the face makeup items she prefers usually work well for me too.

First, we have the Milani Conceal & Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation and Concealer. I find this product easy to work with and doesn’t get patchy as I blend. Sometimes if I’m blending foundations will move concealer or color correcting products on my face. This, thankfully, doesn’t do that.

Next, we have the L’Oreal Infallible Fresh Wear 24HR Foundation. This is not the one in the squeeze tube, I’ve never tried that one. For some reason I’ve always been apprehensive to try any of the Infallible line, mainly because I thought they’d be too heavy or cakey on my skin. But, Tati talked about this all the time before she went on her break, so of course I had to try it. And, I wasn’t disappointed.

And, the final foundation I want to share with you, and probably my favorite of the three, is the Catrice HD Liquid Coverage Foundation. Considering this is a very thin formula, it’s shocking how much coverage it gives you. The foundation comes out of a dropper, which is a bit strange at first, but I’ve grown to love it. Depending on how my skin is, I can use 2-3 drops and my entire face has great coverage. The formula is really easy to blend, and has great staying powder without being heavy. It’s easy to work with so I can blend it quickly, even as I rush out the door in the morning (when I worked in retail).

Setting Products

This first product isn’t technically a setting powder, but I use it as one sometimes. It’s the J.Cat Aquasurance Compact Foundation. I’ve never really used a powder foundation like this before. Or if I had one, I only used it as setting powder. Because of this, I can’t provide much insight into the quality of the foundation, other than it met my expectations. However, as a setting powder, it is great. It has good coverage, without looking cakey. It’s as if it melts into your other products and works with them instead of everything sitting on your face in layers.

But, this product’s price does change frequently on Amazon, and is different for each shade. So, if you are interested in it, I would purchase it from Ulta. I know some people find it easier to use Amazon for everything, but I wanted to put that thought out there, because I personally purchase it from Ulta.

Next up, I want to tell you all that Taylor Wynn was right- the Catrice Prime and Fine Dewy Setting Spray is amazing. Out of all the budget setting sprays I’ve used, this is by far my favorite. This gives a natural looking glow to your skin, and has incredible staying power. When you first spray it, it does feel quite wet, but it dries down quickly, and you won’t feel it on your skin.

Mascaras

I really don’t think it is possible for someone to convince me that a high-end mascara is worth the cost. Drugstore brands have always had amazing choices that do just as well of a job. And, when you’re buying a mascara, it’s important to remember that you’re really paying for the wand. And by now, there’s dupes for just about everything.

The most “current” mascara that I love is the L’Oreal Lash Paradise mascara. For me, I don’t notice much difference in mascaras when I use them, but this one actually helps hold the curls in my lashes after I curl them. I have never had that before.

Prior to Lash Paradise, I was primarily using the Covergirl Clump Crusher. This is an oldie but a goodie. Years ago, when this first came out, everyone on YouTube raved about it. As CoverGirl released more mascara options, this wasn’t as popular. But, I loved the brush on this, and none of the other releases interested me.

Highlight

My absolute favorite budget highlight is the Maybelline FaceStudio Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter in Molten Rose Gold. There are other shades of this, but I have not tried them. One thing to keep in mind when handling this product, is that the formula is very soft/fragile. If you drop it it will most likely break. (This is my experience with it after I had a minor drop. If you have this product and have a different thought on the formula, please leave a comment below! It is very possible that different batches of products are made slightly differently or one is defective.

Either way, the highlight is gorgeous. It’s not as intense as you’d think it would be based on the image or even how it looks in person. If you use a brush and go in lightly you will get a beautiful glow. I highly recommend going in with a light hand because you can always add more, but if you add too much you don’t have many options other than taking your face makeup off altogether.

And, Some Other Budget Friendly Makeup

This concealer is a classic product. If you watch beauty gurus on YouTube, then you know about this product. It’s the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Multi-Use Concealer. This is one of those products that I always come back to, no matter what other products I try in its’ place. Personally, I use the brightener shade for under my eyes.

I absolutely love the Bioderma Lipstick (lip balm). I did mention this in my Amazon Favorites post, but I wanted to bring it up again because it is just that good. Since discovering this product, I haven’t purchased another lip balm. It’s lightweight but very moisturizing- what more could you ask for?

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