5 Affordable Makeup Products I Swear By

The constant debate of drugstore vs. high-end makeup I don't think will ever end! In my humble opinion, there are some products that you want to spend some coin on and some that just don't matter in the grand scheme of things. I think having a good mix of the two gets you the perfect, not-break-the-bank kind of makeup collection!

1. NYX Born To Glow Liquid Illuminator

This illuminator from NYX is the perfect dewy skin effect. It doesn't have any micro-glitter and gives you more of that sheen. You want to apply this highlighter along your cheekbones right after foundation and before you set your face with powders. In fact, you should always use any liquid and creams before you use any type of powder, you never want to mix back and forth. You'll end up with a muddy mess and that just ain't cute. It hands down one of the best highlighters, drugstore and high-end! It retails at Target for only $3.59 and comes in two shades, one for lighter skin tones and one for darker skin tones.

2. Eco Tools Total Perfecting Blender

This sponge is basically a beauty blender but WAY cheaper. I remember about 10 years ago getting my first set of makeup brushes and they were from Eco Tools! Do you want to know what the funnier part about that is? I still have some of these brushes!!! Anyway, Eco Tools has made its way back into my own makeup collection because of this beautiful sponge. While the beauty blender is great, I just can't get used to the hefty $20 price tag. Sponges hold on to bacteria like nothing else, you should be cleaning your sponges once a week and replacing every couple months or so! I've tried lots of drug-store dupes for the beauty blender and this comes out on top. It is squishy enough to be able to use the edges for blending around the eye area yet firm enough to hold its shape to blend. I especially love the sharp corners of the one end because of the precision you can get with it. It retails at Target for only $2.99!

3. Maybelline Volum' Express The Falsies Flared Mascara

I've been using this mascara almost non-stop for YEARS! It is my absolute go-to drugstore mascara. It lengthens the lashes without making them appear too clumpy. I always feel like my lashes look separated and defined with this mascara. You can be as heavy-handed and apply as many coats as you'd like, it will still look amazing! I personally prefer the flared version as opposed to the regular. I like how the brush is a bit thicker on the end to allow for maximum volume at the outer corners of my eyes! This mascara retails at Target for $6.99.

4. L'Oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Glow Foundation

This foundation will rock your world! This came out a few years ago and had a bit of a cult following. L'Oreal makes this foundation in two different formulas, Pro-Glow and Pro-Matte. If you know me and how much I complain about my dry skin, you know I opt for the glow baby!! Often times glowy foundations can air on the side of sweaty and not dewy. The same thing happens too often with matte foundations, they can lean too far into the dry side. L'Oreal did a great job of formulating this foundation to balance out dry and oily skin types. While it claims to be a 24-hour wear foundation, I would say that it lasts for a full work day until you're about ready to take off your makeup anyway! This foundation retails at Target for $10.99.

5. Milani Rose Powder Blush

Within the past couple of years I kind of fell in love with using blush. I love how much life a good blush can bring to the skin! This blush from Milani is amazing. It's formed in the shape of a rose and is buttery soft and so easily blendable! It comes in 4 shades, covering most skin tones. I hear a lot of women say that they are afraid of blush and I think part of the problem is the application. One of these days I'll have to film a tutorial on the right blush application for your face shape! I personally really dig the color, Blossomtime Rose. This blush retails at Target for $6.99!

The drugstore has its gems

I hold a special place in my heart for a lot of drugstore products! I think the most fun part about makeup is trying and testing different things out for yourself. One woman's trash is another woman's treasure, right?!

Let me know if you purchase any of these guys and how you like them!

XOXO

Megan