A woman exemplified as having tremendously clear skin.
Ironically enough, taking care of oneself can be pretty expensive. And not just in beauty but also mentally, physically, emotionally, etc. However, that’s a whole different story, so let’s just focus on the value of money on beauty here. It’s always fun to splurge a little and try the hot, newest product from a collection. Every once in awhile, if you can afford it, treat yourself to a reward. If you’re trying to stick to a new years resolution or simply study rigorously for a test, this could be a perfect finish line gift. However, splurging isn’t easy, and it’s probably not always the smartest idea if done too often anyway. The more time I’ve spent trying and reviewing products, the more I realize that some of the true gems are sitting in your local drugstore for a fraction of the price. My goal is to familiarize readers with as many cheap finds as I can, so the first part to my drugstore series is all about the face!
Starting with foundation, I am always skeptical of trying drugstore brands. I don’t have acne-prone skin, but I still worry about the formulas causing breakouts or looking cake-y on my skin. I always say if there’s one makeup item to spend more on, it’s foundation. It is the base of your makeup and the determinant of how even and flawless your face makeup will look. In my experience, I’ve tried the less-than-ideal-type drugstore foundation, where the product would oxidize on my face halfway through the day, and the rest of the color on my face would just look blotchy and uneven. Not a pretty look, but we’ve all made the classic first-time makeup faux pas. I am proud to say that recently, I finally found a cheap foundation that actually holds throughout the day without looking too thick. Cover Girl’s Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation is medium to full coverage with a satin finish and retails for just under $10. It claims to be a primer, foundation and concealer all in one. Unreal, right? For those that don’t know, high-end foundations can range anywhere from $35 to $70. Cover Girl has created the ultimate steal. If you don’t believe me, read the reviews. It’s a great way to find someone with similar skin concerns advocate or oppose the product. The only claim I don’t agree with is the concealer part; I have bad dark circles, and this formulation was a little too light for my liking.
Going on with the concealer topic, the drugstore is actually the only place I have found my all-time favorites. I am grateful for my clear skin, so I’m usually not searching the market for cover-up for my face. However, I am always looking for the next best thing to combat dark circles. Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Dark Circle Eye Roller for $12 has been in my collection for the past two years and has never failed me. It comes in one shade because the second it hits your skin, the shade conforms to your skin tone. It’s a perfect solution for the no-fuss beauty girls. For something with a little more coverage, try Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer for $8. This stuff seriously takes away any signs of fatigue, and I rarely notice problems with creasing. To note, I’ve never found a concealer that perfectly covers the barely noticeable lines under my eyes, so slight creasing will always occur with any cover-up.
Moving onto powders, the drugstore has a few miracle workers. I’m not one with very oily skin; in fact, I’m more on the normal-to-dry side, but I still had to give some finishing powders a try. I really enjoyed Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder in translucent for $5. It has no color and just minimizes shine throughout the day. By applying this to the T-zone, it prevents any oil from becoming too visible. I’d imagine this to be a lifesaver for those dealing with oil-build up throughout the day.
In the past, I’ve been swayed by the price tag and have fallen victim to the whole “you get what you pay for” idea, but that’s not always the outcome. Just because a product retails for a higher amount doesn’t always mean it’s going to work better for you. In terms of concealer, my cheapest buy turned out to be my most-loved over any high-end concealer I’ve tried. Funny enough, a lot of drugstore brands are owned by high-end companies, so the formulations may be closer than you think. The only thing separating them: the price tag.
Stay tuned for the next part of my series to find out more about inexpensive miracle workers for the eyes next week!