To start, Boots No7 has been making me pretty happy lately. I bought the eye cream because it got great online reviews and Lisa Eldridge (who Marianne is obsessed with) likes it so that's good enough for me. I can't really tell if it's doing anything, but I'm hoping it will at least hold back the decay.
When I saw Marianne back in February we went to Target and she made me buy the Boots No7 Radiant Concealer which I have to admit is pretty good stuff. I have serious dark circles so I layer it under my usual concealer, but I also like to dab it anywhere there's a shadow on my face. (HA HA OBSESSIVE MUCH.) It is nice and brightens and doesn't cost a billion dollars like some highlighting concealers (that I admit I'd like to try.)
NYX cream blush is my newest favorite thing. It's inexpensive, super-pigmented and looks really natural if you're careful and don't keep layering it on like a goon. (Which, yes, I did.) I bought "Glow" and I also want to try a few other colors but unfortunately they seem to be perpetually sold out at my local Ulta store. Jerks. For those who can't get to an Ulta, there's always eBay! Not a bad deal. Here's another good deal if you want two colors. (Full disclosure: I haven't tried this seller but I will if my store continues to suck.)
This is me wearing the blush (in Glow, which is not the color pictured above):
Now, there is no mascara in the world that's going to give me Marianne's lashes but I keep on trying. My current favorite is by Prestige. I use this one for day:
I love the weird rubbery brush, it helps to really catch and lengthen every one of my sad, weak, tiny lashes. I like this one for a more dramatic evening look:
It's not super fancy but it's good stuff, generally stays put, and is under $10. That's all I really ask of my mascara.
So, do tell. What's your favorite inexpensive beauty item? Please don't say Maybelline Great Lash because I will quit you.
(PS. Have you checked out our Tumblr yet? Have you? Have you? Have you? Do it! For science!)
I really like Revlon's Luxurious Color Eyeliner. It's more greasy than waxy, so it goes on easy and smudges really well. You're not doing any cat eyes with this, but its perfect for a smokier, smudgier eye. It's also super pigmented--the purple is really purple, not muddy brown or gray like so many purple liquid liners.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Deirdre! I do want a good non-muddy purple eyeliner.
DeleteI love NYX products! Haven't tried the blush yet. Their lipstick is terrible, gloss is great but their eyebrow marker pen is my fave! Oh! And I live by their eyeshadow primer!
ReplyDeleteMilani Infinite liquid eyeliner is my jam! Doesn't budge. It's a teeny bristle brush though. Most people like felt tip better.
Try the blush! It's amazing.
DeleteThe NYX shadow primer is the BOMB DIGGITY. Like for reals. I also like their Jumbo Eye Pencils as a base for a smokey eye. NYX Primer, Black Bean or Slate jumbo smudged on lashline and lids, smudge a little grey/black shadow, blend a little shimmer on the browbone and DONE. :-)
DeleteI like the New York Color liquid liner but need to re-try the Milani one!!!
Thanks for the Boots review - I'm going to give those two products a go.
ReplyDeleteI love Joe Fresh makeup products. Their Fuschia matte lipstick is a fantastic shade of hot pink and costs only $6 (Canadian). Cheap n'chic. I also like their cream blushes in Rose and Apricot.
The packaging is so CUTE. I wish it was available here.
DeleteI am loving a dual lipgloss from Elf. It cost A DOLLAR and stayed on my lips like a mutha. Totally worth four quarters, I tell you.
ReplyDeleteSnap! I also LOVE Lisa Eldridge - how awesome is she?!
ReplyDeleteBecause I live in a land of 'generally-expensive-things', cheap cosmetics are pretty much unheard of. However, I do love to use StrawberryNet.com and get myself a bargain sometimes. I just got some discontinued Laura Mercier camoflage and concealer for about $20NZ, sweeeet.
This makes me so sad for you - cheap cosmetics are such an easy thrill.
DeleteI really, really like Covergirl lipstains, particularly Flirty Nude, which is not nude, at least not on me. It comes off as a matte red that's not too crazy dramatic, and you can layer glosses over it, but I usually just swipe it on and go, because it gives me just enough color with the stickiness of gloss or the waxiness of lipstick.
ReplyDeleteAdded to my list, thanks!
DeleteOK, I'm an idiot. I bought the Boots No7 Radiant Concealer on your recommendation, but...I can't figure out how to use it. It appears to have a white brush on one end and a clicky thing on the other end. I don't see any makeup (liquid? powder?) in it, and I've never had a concealer that used a long brush for application. I expected it to be a pen-style applicator, but it's obviously something very different. Weird! Please explain.
ReplyDeleteClick the button on the end...a lot. Eventually it'll push the concealer onto the brush. Once it's primed you'll only need to click it once each time you use it.
DeleteI am totally picky about mascara and don't like most of how it makes my lashes look like I'M WEARING MASCARA or HELLO TARANTULA. I need a rec something bad. I have decently long dark eyelashes but they can look so much better and more done up with mascara. I will not use a curler (why does this torture device exist? I notice no real difference and don't have that kind of time). I generally think I like them to look "long" and not "thick" but I think a good one should be able to do a little of both. I read Marianne's post and was not thrilled with her results. I don't like to spend more than $9 but would spend more if I knew it would work well (something I'm finding in general with spending a little more # on makeup products). HELP MEEE.
ReplyDeleteTry the Prestige "Longest Lashes" I posted about above. It's under $10 and I use it every day. It's natural and lengthening without giving you crazy obvious MASCARA EYES. However, I am going to tell you that I think curling lashes first makes a huge difference. It really opens up my eyes and makes my (stick straight) lashes more...lashy.
Delete