Who has a ton of money to spend at upscale makeup stores? Not me. And when I’m totally out of my favorite eyeliner, without the ability of heading to MAC? That’s when I hit Ulta and Sephora. Or, if time is truly of the essence, Walgreens and CVS.
Some of my favorite buys come from my local makeup stores and drugstores. I’ve also included recommendations from the Monet team. Read on for some of our favorite steals!
Wet n Wild Photo Focus Eyeshadow Primer
Our Senior Editor, Trish, says: “Best primer I’ve tried — and I’ve tried a few mid-price to higher end ones like the Urban Decay one. This primer has held up the best. Super affordable, no creasing, and holds the pigment for hours even after a night of partying. My tip is to let it sit for a few minutes after you apply it to your lids. If you apply eyeshadow immediately after you put this on, it blends out a little patchy.”
L’Oreal Paris Infallible Flash Waterproof Brush Tip Liquid Eyeliner
I’ve tried about, I don’t know, three thousand different eyeliners, and this one holds up the best. This liquid eyeliner is so beginner friendly and makes a professional looking cat eye easily achievable. It’s precise and lasts all day. Give it eight hours through work and a workout, and my line is still fierce by the end of it. You cannot convince me to find a different favorite.
Maybelline Brow Ultra Slim Defining Eyebrow Pencil
Trish says, “This eyebrow pencil is a great dupe for the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Pencil. I used to use the ABH one, but it was double or triple the price. I did my brows almost everyday pre-Covid, so I would have to purchase it fairly often — which was a lot of money. So, I switched to this, and it’s pretty much the same. I like the spooly, too.”
Covergirl Total Tease Mascara
This spooly for the Total Tease Mascara is designed to tease even your tiniest inner lashes. Scoop them up and coat them with this mascara, and experience that bright-eyed look you dream of. The dark color amps up the drama, and it lasts all day!
“I’ve used this for at least three years, and it’s an absolute must in my bag. It’s the only mascara for no eyeliner days because of the definition it gives. A brand finally did something different with mascara, and it was practically a miracle.”
Wet n Wild Liquid Catsuit Lipstick
Super silky, long-lasting, affordable, and gorgeous? Yeah, this lipstick has it all. Glide it on, and watch the gloss turn into a sleek, matte look.
“Beautiful matte shade, my favorite by far. Applies very nicely and doesn’t smear obnoxiously, thank god. Isn’t chunky at all and it’s very long lasting! Will last me multiple hours before having to reapply and I only need to use a tiny bit!”
Milani Color Statement Lipstick
I’ve said it before: I’m a MAC girl. But sometimes it’s not available, and a lot of the time, it’s not affordable. I used to wear lipstick every day, and I’d have to reapply it on a regular basis — so tubes disappeared like *that.* Milani Color Statement packs the same punch of color while also being affordable. On days when I was hoping to save another application of my purple MAC lipstick, this was the standout feature of my entire look. Their dark berry color? *chef’s kiss*
What are your favorite affordable finds? Sound off in the comments!
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