Buying on a budget?

[Anonymous]

I'm 14, I'm on a makeup budget and want to know how to find some good makeup within $0 - $20.

Thank you for reading!

[Anonymous]

Honestly, every makeup lover wishes to buy from Sephora everyday. Sad thing is, it’s so expensive! If you spend a certain amount on the Sephora app, you get free samples. I also recommend the Sephora brand lipstick, $10 great quality.

[Anonymous]

If you want to try “high priced” items I suggest getting brand gift sets or mini versions of what you want to use because it’s a good way for you to try them out. Also, the small sizes actually last a long time so you can get more bank for your buck 🙂

[emmarosee]

this is a great idea if you want to try something out, but if you look at the price to amount of product ratio, buying the full size is almost always a better deal! 🙂

[mermaid805]

I agree with a lot of the comments here, for budget beauty it's hard to go wrong with NYX, e.l.f. or Colourpop. I have a primer from e.l.f. that rivals my Hourglass primer and a really nice coverage foundation stick that I got for maybe $3. Colourpop has great shadows and highlighters, though the Super Shock formula is really soft the color payout for their products is super especially given the price point. (They also have a new collection releasing direct today!) NYX has great brushes for just a few bucks and I've heard good things about their mascara.

Biggest tip, for someone on a beauty budget, join loyalty programs and be on top of sales! Ulta is a great company to shop, they have a member program that pays back in store credit so I buy most of my everyday beauty stuff like shampoo, conditioner, body wash and lotion, deodorant and etc from them and then use my reward points for more expensive makeup items (like palettes) that I may not have felt comfortable paying so much for out of pocket. The also have what they call "point multipliers" which increase the value earned, so the other week I spent roughly $90 out of pocket on items I had needed or planned on buying anyway and was rewarded with almost $50 in cashback to spend. Check it out! Ulta's is great, but a lot of brands have equally cool loyalty programs. Also, make sure to check brand websites to help build your collection because they may GWP deals going on. Recently there was a promotion with the e.l.f. direct website where you spent $25 and got free shipping plus a free goodie worth $20 (?), given their prices that could be a huge start to a collection.

[AnnaRose9]

Personally, I’m a Maybelline fangirl because their mascaras are great and they carry a wider variety of shades & formulations of foundation than most other brands. Their brightening creamy concealer is a favorite of mine because with a bit of blending it looks pretty natural on skin for days you don’t feel like doing a full face of makeup but might have blemishes or dark circles. For makeup brushes on a budget, e.l.f. is a great brand- their prices range from $1-$6 for most of their brushes and tools. Check your local newspaper’s ad section on the weekends, you can often find coupons for most budget and/or drugstore brands there.

[leaozzie]

My fav $20 or less "cult classics" for minimalist-make-up (All avail at Ulta - great "try & then can still return" policy and free rewards program. I've tried many of high end/prestige brands & I still continue to go back to these.): 1. Essence - Extreme Lasting Eyeliner pencil (color - Jungle, dark military green with gold flecks & is softer than brown/black) $3 2. Maybelline - Full & Soft mascara (soft and light is buildabe) $6 3. Maybelline - Tinted BB Cream (sheer, natural coverage but feels like face lotion only) $7-8 4. Smith's Original Rosebud Salve tin (use on lips & eye lids for sheer, dewy look, tame baby hair & brows, heal cuticles, sunburn and heals like Aquafor) $6 5. Rimmel - Butter Bronzer or Waterproof Golen Goddess Bronzer (matte but has very light shimmer finish to use as bronzer or contour/higlight) $12 6. Maybelline - Dream Cream Illuminating Concealer Stick $8 (easy blend - covers all day w/o drying or caking with light glow)

[greeneyedgirl107]

@Anonymous I think you have some good recs here.  I would also add that NYX is a popular brand for those on a budget - and those that like good makeup in general.  Also, Maybelline is known for its mascara.  Finally, familiarize yourself with store return policies.  CVS had a pretty good one last I knew, Ulta is 60 days, and I believe Target is 90 days.  Best of luck!  🙂

[MistBerry]

@Anonymous
Hi! It's certainly doable working within a budget. 
A little list of how to make the most of your budget:

1) Decide what you want most. Do you need foundation? Eyeshadow? etc. 

2) Try to find the best sales, so a buy one get one half off. Or buy two get one free. Scour your local drugstore ads.  CVS usually has an online sale or a code for % off. Walgreens has buy 2 get 1 free this week. Walmart is usually a few dollars off than those places. 

3) If you go to a drugstore, see if your parent has a loyalty card, that way you all can earn money off of your purchase for purchases in the future. 

4) If you have an Ulta nearby, they may have testers, so you make sure you know what you're buying. Also to get color matched if you're buying foundation. You can also do this in a Sephora.

5) Never underestimate online companies like Colourpop, BH cosmetics, etc for deals.

[natslovelist]

It depends what you are looking for, I like Colourpop because they have great makeup and it is affordable. My favorite drugstore brand is Maybelline I like everything I have tried from them.