Beauty on a Budget: Drugstore Must-Haves

Hey guys!  Today I filmed a video on my drugstore favourites.  It had been requested on my channel page, which is a great way for people to leave video requests and vote on which videos you want to see first!  I decided to do this with the possibility of making it into a series, "Beauty on a Budget" because I know all too well about being on a budget and trying to figure out how to follow trends and look good without breaking the bank!  

For me, my love affair with drugstore make-up started two years ago when I left home and moved to the UK for college.  Prior to that I was living at home and going to school, and I was lucky enough that my parents would pay for all my clothes and make-up so I never really thought about the price-tag of the high end products I would buy.  I first got into make-up when I was about 19 and started working for Estee Lauder as a part-time job.  Before that I really didn't wear make-up at all, maybe some mascara and a little concealer but that was it.  But from the time I really got into it I was a make-up brand snob...I thought drugstore products were for inexperienced pre-teens and would only ever buy Chanel, Bobbi Brown, Laura Mercier, MAC etc.  But I was so wrong!

When I moved to the UK I was suddenly thinking about paying bills and buying groceries...so expensive make-up was the last thing on my mind!  I no longer could rely on my parents so I had to give up my expensive habit and turn to places like Superdrug and Boots instead.  Luckily it was then that I started watching beauty videos on YouTube and in a small amount of time, I learned a lot about which drugstore items were good and which ones weren't.  That's something I really love about the beauty community on YouTube, you get honest and genuine reviews which help save you money and time!  So after about two years of experimenting with all kinds of drugstore make-up, I'd like to share my top affordable must-haves with you guys!

1. Bronzer: Barry M Natural Dazzle Compact

This is the perfect contouring bronzer.  It lasts all day, isn't patchy at all and is in a gorgeous brick shade.  Not the best for the fairest of skin tones, as I try to use this mostly in the summer when I'm more tanned.

2. Blush: Maybelline Dream Mousse Blush in #7 Peach Satin

I get compliments every time I wear this blush!  It gives you such a healthy, fresh-faced glow.  This is the perfect natural peach shade that gives you just a hint of colour which makes you look like you've just come back from a walk in the countryside!  It has a hint of shimmer to it (not a lot though), so beware if you don't like shimmery blush.

3. Eye-Shadow: Sleek Storm Palette

I rate Sleek eye-shadows very highly.  In my opinion they're comparable to MAC in their quality and pigmentation.  My only problem with them is that they have a lot of fall-out so be prepared to use translucent powder under your eyes before applying some of the darker shadows.  The Storm palette is the most neutral of the bunch but you can get a huge variety of different shades for an amazing price of £4.99.

4. Liquid Eye-Liner: Maybelline Line Definer

Hands-down, this is one of my holy grail products!  If I were to do another post on my favourite beauty products across the board, this would feature on that as well.  I'm the kind of girl who loves my eye-liner so finding something affordable that works is really important!  I love the felt-tip applicator as it makes it so easy to apply to the top lids.  This stays on all day without creasing, the only time it has ever budged is if I've been crying or gotten really wet (it's not waterproof).

5. Pencil Eye-Liner: Impala Waterproof Eyeliner

This is my current favourite for lining the waterline, it doesn't budge or tear, it's very pigmented and doesn't take a lot of work to apply.  Impala is a German brand and I got this as a gift but I'm pretty sure it's not available in the UK or Ireland.  The only other drugstore kohl liner I really recommend is Revlon Colorstay.  It is great for staying in place and has the same effect as the Impala one.

6. Mascara: CoverGirl LashBlastVolume

Again, this product is only available in the US unfortunately!  But I've been told its UK equivalent is MaxFactor's False Lash Effect mascara.  I don't know that from experience though, but a lot of people have commented on previous videos telling me that is the case.  I love LashBlast, it's by far the most volumizing and lengthening drugstore mascara I've used, and it doesn't transfer at all.  Plus it gives you that false lash effect without all that effort!

7. Lipstick: Rimmel Summer Angel

Since I first bought this lipstick in the summer of '09, I've been in love with it!  It's my favourite shade, with golden/warm undertones and tiny gold shimmers in it, it's the perfect neutral pink for my colouring.  Added to that, it's not drying in the slightest and is very buttery and moisturizing on my lips.  I really recommend Rimmel lipsticks in general, but this has to be my favourite shade.

8. Lipgloss: Maybelline Watershine Gloss in Crystal Rocks

I'm not a lipgloss girl, in fact there are only about two different lipglosses that I really like at the moment and this is the drugstore one.  It's very sparkly and shimmery so be prepared for some plumped up looking lips!  Everytime I wear this in videos I get asked whether I got my lips done...(the answer is NO by the way!  I was born with these lips!!)  I love this peach shade as it's very wearable and neutral and it has a large doe-foot applicator which makes it very easy to apply.

I hope this post was helpful to you guys, please let me know in the comments section what your drugstore must-haves are and maybe we can all learn about some great quality, affordable products!  

Stay Stylish!
xoxo