Want to look expensive with makeup on a budget? Here are my top 15 best-recommended products that will give you high-end results without breaking the bank.
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Makeup can be pretty expensive. And you definitely don’t need to buy all the trending makeup products that change almost every week! Here, I give you the best of the best product if I could only choose one for each category.
You’re going to learn the best makeup on a budget products, drugstore makeup brands, cheap makeup brands online, new affordable makeup brands, makeup on a budget essentials for beginners, affordable good makeup brands, affordable good quality makeup, and more.
These budget-friendly makeup products are packed with amazing pigment, longevity, shade range, and more, so you can look great and feel confident without spending a fortune. Trust me, your friends will never know how much you spend on your makeup!
This post is all about the best makeup on a budget that will give high-end results every makeup-lover should know about.
Best Makeup On A Budget
1. Primer
Primers smooth the skin, fill in lines and wrinkles, and prepare the surface for your skin for easier makeup application—the e.l.f. Power Grip Primer does just that at a low cost!
For its price, it really does a good job of gripping onto the skin and feels tacky. It holds your makeup together like your whole makeup depends on it! Plus, it has moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide!
2. Liquid Foundation
Liquid foundations can really make or break your makeup. It’s called foundation for a reason! It has to be perfect for your skin tone and skin type or else, you’d look like a hot mess. That’s why it’s super important to choose your foundation wisely.
Rimmel London’s Lasting Finish 25H with Comforting Serum has been my go-to for years. It really is what it says it is – long-lasting and comforting! Although I haven’t really worn any makeup for 25 hours, this foundation lasts longer than 12 hours. It’s also hydrating and makes my face look fresh throughout the day.
This is one of the best affordable face makeup out there. To think this is more affordable than the leading drugstore makeup brands but this one’s underrated blows my mind!
3. BB Cream
There are days when you don’t want to wear full glam but also don’t want to look like meh. For these moody days, BB creams are your best friends! It does the job of a medium-coverage foundation while giving you that lightweight and carefree makeup base.
Bourjois Paris is also an affordable makeup brand offering high-quality products. Their Healthy Mix BB Cream Anti-Fatigue is one of my favorites. This BB cream provides a healthy glow, and medium coverage, lasts throughout the day, and is great worn alone or under a powder.
Plus, it’s skincare-infused. They literally flash vitamins A, C, E, and B5 in their packaging!
4. Powder Foundation
Powder foundations are for days when you’re running late but still want to look put together. And I cannot, ever, since I discovered makeup 10+ years ago, find a decent powder foundation. Until I stumbled upon L’oreal’s Infallible 24H Fresh Wear Foundation in a Powder.
This powder foundation is a game-changer! This will make your face as smooth as a baby’s bum and I cannot fan-girl this foundation enough.
If you can only choose one base for your makeup on a budget, this one is for you. It’ll give you full coverage all day and will not let you down!
5. Concealer
If you want to step up your makeup, you might want to consider including a concealer in your routine. Concealers are generally thicker and offer higher coverage than foundations – lessening the appearance of dark circles, age spots, and blemishes.
Maybelline’s Eraser Multi-Use Concealer does just that. The first time I tried this concealer, it totally made my under-eye bags disappear!
Fair warning: a little goes a long way. So start with 3 dots and when you need more coverage, you can always build it up.
6. Brow Pencil
Okay, I’ll be the first to admit that I look like an alien without eyebrow pencils on. :’) Whether you’re like me or you’re blessed with bushy brows, you’ll need to shape your brows to achieve a put-together look.
Mayebelline’s Xpress Brow Pencil draws thin hair-like lines with every stroke. Also, this pencil glides on smoothly, is pigmented, and you won’t have to exert too much pressure on it for it to draw visible lines. You won’t have to worry about eyebrow hair fall!
7. Eyeshadow
This whole makeup line is SO underrated! Especially their eyeshadow palettes. Rude doesn’t only slay in their packaging but in their formulations too. These eyeshadows are so cheap but are high in quality.
They last all day, are super pigmented, and blendable, with zero to minimal fallouts. There are also lots of fun and sophisticated sets of palettes to choose from.
I have several of their eyeshadow palettes but my favorite is their Roaring 20’s Neon Palette with screaming colors. But for everyday natural look, The Rude Awakening is for you!
8. Eyeliner
If you want to draw a cat eye sharp enough to k*ll a man (*cough* Taylor Swift), this Maybelline HyperEasy Liquid Eyeliner is for you. Trust me, I have hooded eyes and I struggle with eyeliners.
This makes it easy for me to draw a clean line with sharp wings. It’s also super black and it stays on the whole day!
9. Mascara
If you’re looking for a mascara that will make you look alive and awake, Maybelline Sky High Lash Sensational Mascara is for you!
This mascara lifts and lengthens your lashes with just one coat (one dip). It stays all day without smudging. This mascara is so affordable and honestly, better than some of the higher-end ones!
10. Blush
These Milani Baked Blushes are SO pretty! When you’re in for makeup on a budget, you should definitely try this blush. This just makes my cheeks glow. There are fine glitters in this blush and you won’t need a highlighter. It’s a 2-in-1 affordable makeup product!
11. Bronzer
If you want sun-kissed perfection, check out this Rimmel Natural Bronzer. Rimmel is one of my favorite brands but their bronzing powder stole my heart, 2nd to their Lasting Finish Foundation.
Rimmel’s Natural Bronzer applies evenly on your skin and lasts all day. Side note, it’s packed with pigment! So don’t forget to tap your brush to lose the extra powder and build up as you go.
12. Highlighter
Okay, if the glitters in the Milani Baked Blushes aren’t enough, I present to you Maybelline’s Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter!
This highlighter will make you shine bright like a diamond! Seriously. It’s super pigmented and easy to apply. It also doesn’t feel like chalk, making it a cheaper alternative to higher-end powder highlighters.
13. Lip Liner
Lip liners define our lips and are supposed to stay longer than our lipsticks. Another Rimmel favorite of mine is their long-lasting lipliner!
These are so pretty and will glide evenly and smoothly on your lips. They have a wide range of shades to accommodate every type of skin tone too!
14. Lipstick
If I could wear only one drugstore lipstick, Bourjois Rouge Velvet The Lipstick is THE lipstick!
The color of this lipstick is intense and you actually don’t need multiple swipes upon application. It’s smooth and glides on the lips seamlessly and lasts all day, and yes, even after eating.
Plus, this is one of the few lipsticks that don’t chap my dry lips!
15. Fixing Spray
To wrap it all up, lock your look with NYX Dewy Finish Setting Spray. It’s lightweight, long-lasting, and affordable. Beats the high-end ones in the market!
Have you ever tried any one of these makeup products or brands? How was your experience? I want to know in the comments!
This post was all about the best makeup on a budget that will give you high-end results.
