Ride or Die Tag | Affordable Makeup

 

This tag was going around this time last year and I posted a High End version. I meant to get around to an “affordable options” edition, and here it finally is.  The products here aren’t much different than on the draft I wrote last year, which shows me that they really are forever holy grail products.

Primer // Rimmel Stay Matte creates a nice matte base for foundation.  The only complaint I have for it is that is does not smooth out my pores much… I got a comment on my recent insta from a stranger that said my pores are too visible so shoutout to her for that confidence boost this weekend lol. 

 

Foundation // L’oreal True Match would have been my answer last year, but I have to go with Covergirl Clean Matte BB Cream. It has reached holy grail status for me.

 

Concealer // Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser 4 life. I like the brightener pink shade and also the lightest color for brightening under my eyes or carving out brows.

 

Face powder // Maybelline Superstay Better Skin Powder for sure. This manages to not look like a cakey powdery mess no matter how much I put on.  It mattifies super well.

 

Undereye Setting powder // RCMA No Color powder lasts me so long and is only $12. I always feel like I’m setting my face with parmesan sprinkles when I pull this out because of the packaging.

 

Blush // Milani Baked Blush Luminoso is really the only affordable blush I like unfortunately.  I used to like a Wet n’ Wild one, but I haven’t found a good color unfortunately. If you have any mauve neutral matte ones you love, please let me know. I hate having blushes in my drawer that don’t get used so I don’t take many risks on buying them.

 

Bronzer // Colourpop Topaz duo- the tone of this is what I love so much.  I really like the Neutrogena bronzer as well- it has four colors that look really nice mixed.

 

Contour //  Physician’s Formula Butter Bronzer is a cool toned one that blends out ultra easily.  I happen to love its ultra- strong fruity scent.

 

Highlight // Colourpop’s cream highlights are an amazing bouncy soft formula without glitter chunks. If you’re imagining a greasy liquid cream highlight you’re totally off. These have that cushiony bouncy feeling.   The range of colors is so beautiful but I have to pick Wisp as my favorite.  It is a creamy light gold champagne that reminds me a little of Becca Opal.

 

Lip Liner // NYX liners are great and they have a really nice range of nude shades that are my go tos on a regular basis.

 

Lipstick // Maybelline Beach Babe is a beautiful super nude matte shade. I want to also give an honorable mention to Maybelline Baby Lips Color Balm 05 Toasted Taupe. They need to come out with more shades of these ultra pigmented but creamy and hydrating lipsticks. This is pretty much the only shine formula lipstick I like.

 

Liquid Lip // Colourpop Ultra Mattes for sure. They are drying when used on their own, but use the MAC lip primer underneath and that keeps them from cracking.  As long as you have hydrated lips, you won’t notice awful dryness at all.

 

Gloss // NYX Butter Gloss– I have to keep this on my desk at work at all times!  This manages to be pigmented but still sheer, and non- sticky. It is an effortless application where I don’t need a mirror.

 

Lashes // Koko Lashes are only $8 and have the most beautiful styles. My current favorite is Stella and they last me a ton of uses.

 

Eye Primer // None- sadly I haven’t tried any that aren’t high end! I don’t go through eyeshadow primers very fast so I haven’t been in the situation where I need to go buy a new one at the drugstore.

 

Eyeshadow palette // Jaclyn Hill Morphe– so good and I was expecting it to be trash.  If you hate the packaging as much as I do, depotting them is simple.

 

Brows // There are a couple steps to brows so I have to mention a few. Colourpop pomades, L’oreal Brow Stylist Plumper Gel for color, and NYX Control Freak as a clear setting gel.

 

Mascara // Essence False Lash Effect-One coat for perfect lashes, never fails me for building it up.  To be honest I do not use this on my lower lashes because it really smudges down there.

 

Eyeliner // NYX matte liquid liner has the same packaging as the now discontinued NYC liquid liner. I get a perfect sharp wing every time with it.  Fingers crossed they never discontinue it. 

 

Setting Spray // L’oreal Infallible Pro Spray + Set Makeup Extending Spray– this is just as good as Urban Decay in my opinion, and I really love the refreshing fragrance of it. I am trying to get through a bunch of setting sprays so I haven’t repurchased this in awhile, but I’m looking forward to the day I do.

That wraps up the best of the best from drugstore and affordable makeup brands. I love finding those hidden gem super cheap products that deliver.  Going forward I really want to focus more on finding drugstore products that aren’t as commonly known about, but are absolutely amazing.

-Kim