I had to go to CVS today and happened to have a 25% off coupon so I grabbed some lashes, brow razors, gum, and a new Chapstick. I found this Just Hatched baby lotion at the supermarket and since I already have a love for baby lotion I thought I would give it a shot. It smells so good and has a bunch of natural ingredients like coconut oil. I finally picked up the Ardell individual lash kit (lasts a few weeks) to try out. I figured it would be worth a shot with a coupon plus it's a cool thing to try out for Halloween tutorials.

This is going to be a new series of posts! I know everyone looks for budget friendly makeup whether it be dupes for high end products or just an affordable favorites. When you are able to find a mascara or lipstick that is just as good as the high end brands it is worth sharing! So here I will share with you good quality, affordable makeup finds.
Hard Candy has been around a while and their brand has grown to include a huge line of products, everything from lip gloss to body illuminators. You can find their products at your local Walmart in the beauty department.

The following eyeshadow palettes retail for $6 a piece and contain 10 eyeshadows. These palettes are great starter products for younger girls as well as nice collection additions for my fellow makeup addicts. I picked up Guilty Pleasure, a palette of neutral sparkle shades and Birthday Suit, a palette full of neutral mattes. I would recommend a primer with both palettes to get the full pigmentation and staying power of the shades. Although all swatches below are done on bare skin.

I really love the mattes shades in Birthday Suit. They have great pigmentation and the colors included are just really pretty. Guilty Pleasure is a nice collection of sparkle. There is definitely fallout here but with a good primer I think it will be awesome for a night out or when you need a little glitter in your workday. And who wouldn't love this adorable packaging?

swatched on bare skin

all swatched on bare skin

Maybelline has come out with a collection of creamy matte lipsticks for Fall. I love matte lipstick so when I saw these I knew I had to test them out. I ended up purchasing Nude Embrace a pale caramel nude and Darling Nude a Rosy Nude. They both have a creamy texture which gives your lips the much needed moisture they crave when wearing a matte lip. They retail for $7.99 and can be found at your local drugstore or Harmon's Discount. Ulta also has them available here.

I've been trying to test out some new products lately so I can share with you guys, whether they are good or bad. Plus I know it is always good to find drugstore products that work just as well if not better than those high end brands! :) Hope this helps...

BB Creams and/or tinted moisturizers are a great for summer (or anytime) and when you are in a rush and want to give your skin that extra oomph.

BB creams or "beauty balms" are very popular in Asia and slowly made their way to America. Now every brand possible has their own version although some are definitely better than others. Beauty balms have many benefits. Yes they have nice coverage but also skin benefits. Each one has their own specifics but most of them claim to even skin tone, clear and prevent breakouts, moisturize, and much more including the great SPF.

MISSHA M Perfect Cover BB Cream No.23 Natural Beige SPF42 PA++ - a classic BB cream and a fantastic one at that. This is the epitome of tinted moisturizers. It has a rich thick texture but does not look pasty or mask my skin. I do see benefits such as clearer and softer skin when I use this. I feel my skin looks fresher too. This also makes a nice prep for foundation! If you are looking for a product that is everything a BB cream should be then this is it, hands down!



Neutrogena Healthy Skin Glow Sheers, SPF 30 - I use this in the summer for something quick to even out my skin and moisturize. It is also great before the beach. I like the color it gives my skin and I do find that it benefits the look of my skin over time just maybe not as well as the above creams.


These are both worth checking out but if I wear to pick one it would be the MISSHA M brand.

I have yet to try out any CC Creams (color correcting). I plan on trying out the Smashbox brand because I have heard great things about their CC and their BB creams but they are pricey at close to $40 a bottle.

Besides oil I do use face lotion or cream preferably with an SPF in the morning. If my skin is very dry then I will put argan oil on first and follow with one of these lotions before my makeup. It helps keep my skin comfortable and fresh throughout the day.

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Radiance Cream SPF 15 - This is a really great moisturizer. I see a difference in my skin tone and a definite radiance when I use this regularly. I can tell the difference within a few days. It is light but makes my skin feel nice. You could use this year round if you are looking for a light moisture lotion.



Neutrogena Visibly Even Daily Moisturizer, SPF 30 - This is great for summertime I would say. It is lighter a light fluid like texture. I like that it evens my skin tone, especially when used with the Visibly Even facial cleanser.

Jergens Glow Face Daily Moisturizer Sunscreen SPF 20 - I use this all year on and off. I like to give my face some color throughout the seasons to look healthy. This isn't something I would pick up on my dryer days but for the average day, yes.

MAC Cosmetics Strobe Cream - Mac did a great thing coming out with this. It gives your skin an irridescent quality and wakes everything up. This cream is not sparkly... think pearl.

Josie Maran Argan Glow Whipped Gradual Tanning Lotion - I can't find this anywhere right now but I had to share it anyway. I have a backup thank god. This stuff is so awesome! It gives nice color on my fair skin gradually and doesn't smell funky like some self tanners. It does have radiance or fine glimmer to it. If you put this on your face it will sparkle. I know not everyone likes that but if you use a powder or foundation (or bb cream) on top you can't tell. I love that it has argan oil included in its ingredients plus it is gentle enough for your entire body including your face. It is vanilla scented and I'm obsessed with it. Keep your eyes open for when this (hopefully) comes back! It is thick enough for comfort but not overbearing or greasy with or without makeup on top. One of the best things about this too is it has a pump! Yay!

Matte eyeshadow is something that should be in everyone's collection. They are staples and so useful for blending out shimmery shades, a soft bridal look (matte is great for photography!), or just for an everyday work/errands look.

classic nudes, quartz quartet, and canyon classics

I was so excited when I found these Physicians Formula palettes at Ulta. I had been searching for them everywhere after reading some great reviews on them. They used to carry them at CVS (they still might in some stores) but mine did not have any. After starting to think they were being discontinued, Ulta had them in stock! I know Amazon.com has them. I will post a link below each photo just in case they are MIA in your drugstores or Ulta store too.

This texture is what I have been picking over shimmer lately. They create a nice quick and soft look that is always classic in my opinion. They can be built up to a dramatic night smoke or use a single cream shade all over the lid to brighten those tired eyes.

These palettes did have fallout when I used my brush but it's nothing that bothers me so much that I won't use it or wouldn't buy it again. These have a very light silky texture. I swatched them on my hand, no primer or anything. I think a primer would work wonders with these since there are lighter colors. I suggest a white primer to get the truest color payoff. I think they would all work on most skin tones but I think the darker your complexion the more chalky some of these lighter shades will look.

Overall I think they are really wonderful affordable matte palettes.

classic nudes

quartz quartet

canyon classics

Complementing Products:
NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil Shadow Liner 604 Milk - as an eyeshadow primer (This is the best white primer I have found, and you can use it as a highlight too!)
stila Color Outside The Lines Smudgestick Set
stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner

Bewitched & Hocus Pocus

The drugstore is full of beauty steals and yes some not so great things but the gems you can find are so worth the testing you must do. I have been asked to do some posts on drugstore makeup. Below are some of my favorite drugstore items. This list is always growing so when I discover more great products u will post about them.

Foundation:

L'Oreal True Match Lumi Foundation - has to be one of my favorite foundations ever made! It has the most beautiful glow finish, moisturizing, and makes my skin look better when I don't have anything on my face. I feel like it is skincare and foundation in one which I love.

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Foundation - has similar skincare benefits to L'Oreal's True Match Lumi

Revlon Photoready Airbrush Foundation - this is a favorite when I get a spray tan. It has great coverage and has some sparkle too which I love.


Eyeshadow:

L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow - amber rush, bronzed taupe, smoldering plum 

Maybelline Color Tattoo - pomegranate punk, tough as taupe, bad to the bronze, bold gold

Wet n Wild Palettes - comfort zone (as in my previous post), greed,  and they come out with limited edition palettes too that are all usually just as pigmented.


Mascara:

Covergirl Clump Crusher Extensions Mascara - very black

Covergirl Lashperfection Mascara - very black

Maybelline Falsies Drama Mascara - black drama

L'Oreal Shocking Extensions Mascara - carbon black (this is even more fabulous paired with Dior lash primer!)

L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara - carbon black


Lipstick / Gloss:

Revlon Lipstick - mink, siren, cherries in the snow, matte nude attitude, fire & ice, black cherry

Bonnebell Lipgloss - cappuccino (a great neutral brown nude gloss)





Some special offers from Elf below! Elf is also a very affordable cosmetic brand that has some great products. They can be found at Target, Harmon's Discount, and of course their website...