This post is about when you're on a budget, and want to get a bang for your buck. In fact, these products I'm reviewing I swear by, and will be buying again and again.
Physicians Formula - Physicians Strength Concealer - 7.99
For 7 dollars at Ulta I have finally found the best concealer that I have ever tried. This product is totally worth getting your hands on even if you think that 'lower end' products are blasphemous. It blends well, it stays on all day long, and it's thick. I think that may be the key to this concealer. You don't need a lot at all (which means it'll last a long time) and for red spots and blemishes: ZAP! It's like I had perfect skin (and I tend to have problems with blemishes). It blew me away so much so that I will recommend it to the world.
Next up: Mary Kay Mineral Powder Foundation $18 (also recommended: their face primer - $15 and microdermabrasion set -$55!)
I've always had a problem finding a good foundation for my oily and slightly blemishy skin. With the Mary Kay face primer (though there's one other primer I'll talk about that I swear by now) I was so confident feeling. It covered so much more than I could have dreamed, and it went on so flawlessly for me that I didn't even think twice about getting a finishing powder. Didn't need it! It made my skin so matte perfect and stayed on even through hot sweaty summer days. It is the ONLY foundation (and one of the only beauty products) that I have ever finished. The Mary Kay microderm abrasion kit also is one product I've stuck with (used once a week) and has made a huge difference in keeping my face smooth. It was a little pricey and I wasn't sure I wanted to invest at the time, but I can honestly say when I finish the set, I will be buying another one. One perk is you don't need a lot to make it work. The Mary Kay product I'd like to try right now is their $14 'Wash and Shave'.
Iman Time Control Primer and Facial Moisturizer - About 16 dollars each
David Bowie's wife's product line! I hadn't started using her products until I was dying for a facial primer that wasn't going to be heavy or have the after feeling of a lotion. I searched far and wide and finally off of customer reviews and a reasonable price I decided I'd go out on a whim. I actually meant to buy the primer first, but I didn't look on the box, and it happened to be marked wrong by the price at Ulta. I was really depressed that I bought the wrong thing, but decided to use it anyways. I was so blown away by the smooth and light feel, the way it lasted all day and the SCENT! I've never smelled nicer skin care products in my life. I decided to use it before I put on my Mary Kay primer and foundation and I was the happiest girl in the world with my new finds. My face felt like there was nothing on it, and the combination of the three blended flawlessly. For oily skin, those are three amazing products to wear together.
Physicians formula - Happy Boost Bronzer - 13.99
It doesn't use a lot of fluffing your brush on it before applying for great color, it comes with a little blush heart (I love it and I want to get the Happy Boosting blush now) it's reasonably priced, and over other powder mineral makeup, it gives you a beautiful glow that's not unnatural and blends super well. I love it.
L'Occtaine - Rose 4 Reines Eau de Toilette 2.5 fl.oz - $45
$45 dollars may sound like a lot, and I'll admit the L'Occtaine products are a bit pricer than the rest of these I'm reviewing, but I must tell you - they last a long time. A LONG LONG time and they're fabulous. The Rose perfume smells natural, you only need one spray, and considering the prices of designer perfumes, this is a good price. Not a steal, but a good price. I sometimes get headaches from wearing certain perfumes, but this one does not do it for me, and the kicker - it's scientifically shown that men remember events more clearly when smelling the scent of roses. Great for romantic dates! If you don't want to spend $45 dollars, you can grab their roll on for $20. Often times if you go in store they will give you deals/discounts if you show interest but 'aren't sure' you want a product. At least in Chicago.
L'Occtaine Red Rice Line (Cleanser - 20 , Toner - 20 & Lotion - 26)
These products together work the best (instead of having a different moisturizer or facial lotion etc.) They're mattifying and you can almost instantly feel your pores getting smaller. If you buy the three together you're almost guaranteed a discount, but if you were to buy one of these products on its own, I would recommend the cleanser first and then the mattifying lotion. Indeed the prices are a little higher (as priory stated) but they last forever. In fact the cleanser I have I need the teensiest bit (if it were water it'd be only maybe 3 drops) to completely cover my entire face and foam it up. The lotion is what goes the quickest, but you only really need one squirt. If you have particularly dry skin you may need 2 or 3. Still, when I bought these products, used them religiously, I still have half a bottle of cleanser and toner and I finished my lotion a couple of months ago (but overall I bought these in December of 2011). It's been a good run and if you keep in mind the amount of time I've had them and amount I've used them, it's a great value. Think about the amount of money you spend on shoes and an outfit to go out. Then think about how often you'll actually wear that outfit, or maybe those shoes. You should keep that in mind when you think about the daily use of beauty products. If you have problems with acne, this is a great line as well to help out your skin without benzyl peroxide and all that other junk. They smell great too.
Lastly, Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer
The best, longest lasting, easy blending and to make your eyeshadow POP you NEED this product. Normally it's 20 dollars (as well as their mascara primer which I also have) but this product you can find in smaller sizes for 9 dollars. That's a steal. The bottle shape makes it a little hard to get ALL of the makeup out of it, but there are tutorials on youtube of some very creative people who have found a way around that. I recommend the original rather than the other newer primers as well.
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