You all know I love to try new makeup products, so I’ve compiled my “Best Of” series stating my favorite makeup products of all time!  My top picks are completely unbiased- I simply want to help you spend your money on only the products I know are amazing.  Trust me, I have tested, swatched, and worn just about every makeup product out there

Enough blabbing…. On to the best eye primers!

xoxo,
Marlena

Stila Prime Pot

These come in two shades, a lighter and darker depending on your skintone. Since they are nude in color, they can double as a concealer and eyeshadow base.  These are super creamy and blend easily into the skin, and are great for hiding any imperfections on your lids.

Price:  $20

Where to Buy:   Amazon  .   eBay   .   Sephora

Urban Decay Primer Potion

The holy grail of primer potions, this has definitley lived up to the hype. This remarkable formula comes in 4 different shades:  Original,  Eden (a matte tawny color), Sin (a shimmery champagne), and Greed (gold). These melt into the skin and leave a flawless finish that extends the wear of your eyeshadows for hours.

Price:  $20

Where to Buy:  Amazon. Ebay. Sephora

MAC Paint Pot

These little pots of magnificent colors come in 16 different shades. What makes these so great is they can be worn alone for a soft wash of color onto the lids as well as a primer underneath your eyeshadows. Used as a base these allow the shadow and pigments to adhere to the eye with little fallout. They blend smoothly into the skin and leave a flawless finish.

Price:  $18.50

Where to Buy:  Amazon. Ebay

Palladio Eye Primer

This remarkable product has the same texture and quality as the Urban Decay Primer Potion and is rumored to made by the same company. This  blends easily and goes on evenly and smoothly to prevent creasing. The best part of this primer is the price! It is definitely budget friendly without sacrificing quality.

Price:  $7.89

Where to Buy:  Makeup Geek Store

Too Faced Shadow Insurance

This primer prevents fading, creasing,  fallout and fading. Since this is a silicone based primer, it creates a barrier between the oil in your skin and your makeup, making this ideal for oily eyelids. This allows the color to blend smoothly and evenly and gives your eyeshadow better color payoff.

Price:  $18

Where to Buy: Amazon. Ebay. Sephora

Hi Makeup Geeks!

You all know I love to try new makeup products, so I’ve compiled my “Best Of” series stating my favorite makeup products of all time!  My top picks are completely unbiased- I simply want to help you spend your money on only the products I know are amazing.  Trust me, I have tested, swatched, and worn just about every makeup product out there.

Enough blabbing…. On to the best blushes ever!

xoxo,
Marlena

1.  Illamasqua Powder Blusher – Naked Rose

My favorite products by Illamasqua are their blushes as they’re super pigmented, creamy, and last a long time.  I especially love the color “Naked Rose” as it’s a muted pink color that is easy to apply without looking too bright or clownish.

Price:  $26.00

Where to Buy:   Sephora  .  Amazon

2.  NARS Powder Blush – Amour

NARS is known for having the best high end blushes. Their color “Orgasm” has won an award every year for several years now. BUT, I chose the color Amour as it is a beautiful matte finish warm pink that is flattering on every skin color.

Price:  $28.00

Where to Buy:   Sephora  .  Amazon  .  eBay .  Nordstrom

3.  Inglot Powder Blush – #20

Inglot is also known for having smooth, creamy, and pigmented blushes but without the high price tag that other makeup companies charge.  This color #20 is the perfect matte pink that brightens your cheeks without being overpowering.

Price:  $12.00

Where to Buy:   Inglot

4.  MAC Powder Blush – Melba

To warm up the skin, this color Melba is perfect as it’s a muted peach color.  It doesn’t look too orange, and the matte finish doesn’t emphasize acne scars or pores like some shimmery ones do.

Price:  $12.99 – $20.00

Where to Buy:   Amazon  .  eBay  .  Nordstrom

5.  Milani Mineral Blush – Luminous

This Milani blush is the perfect dupe for the popular NARS “Orgasm”- a slightly shimmery peachy pink color.  It adds a beautiful glow to the skin without coming across glittery or too shiny. Plus the cheap pricetag will save you some money.

Price:  $5.00

Where to Buy:   Most Drugstores  .  Amazon

6.  NYX Powder Blush – Peach

Yes, yes, I know I have a lot of matte finish blushes on this list.  But shimmery blushes can sometimes accentuate things you don’t want anyone seeing! This matte pink blush (not sure why NYX named it “peach”?) is a great way to brighten your cheeks and add just the right amount of color.  Price is great too…

Price:  $6.99

Where to Buy:   Makeup Geek Store

7.  Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush – Tipsy

I own almost every single one of Tarte’s blushes. Why? Because many of them are matte finish, they come in lots of colors, and the formula is very pigmented and smooth.  This color Tipsy looks amazing on medium to dark skin as the coral color adds lots of warmth to your cheeks.

Price:  $25.00

Where to Buy:   Sephora  .  Amazon  .  eBay

8.  Illamasqua Cream Blusher – Rude

I am currently in love with cream blushes.  I’ve noticed that the older I get, the drier my skin gets (yay). So I have to add back in the dewiness to my skin by using cream blushes and cheek highlighters.  This Illamasqua one is very creamy, yet not oily looking.  And this color “Rude” is the perfect true peach color that warms up my complexion beautifully!

Price:  $26.00

Where to Buy:   Sephora   .   Amazon

9.  NYX Cream Blush – Rose Petal

NYX also makes some amazing cream blushes, but without the hefty price tags of other makeup lines.  I love this color “Rose Petal” as it’s a muted warm pink color.  It looks great on every skin color- from fair to dark.

Price:  $6.50

Where to Buy:  Amazon  .  eBay

10.  Stila Convertible Color – Petunia

I’m not sure why I didn’t discover these cream blushes sooner as they’re amazing!  I just wish Stila made more colors of them.  This color “Petunia” is a brighter warm pink that looks great on medium to dark skin. It adds a youthful glow to the cheeks and doesn’t look oily or feel sticky.  The best part:  you can use this on your lips too for a lipgloss.

Price:  $19

Where to Buy:   Sephora  .  Amazon  .  eBay  .  Nordstrom

Because so many blushes are aimed at medium skin, I wanted to share a few of my favorites for both fair skin and dark skin.

Fair Skin:

• Benefit Powder Blush in Georgia
• Illamasqua Powder Blusher in Tremble
• Stila Convertible Color in Peony

No one wants to spend a ton of money on makeup if there’s less expensive options out there.   So…. I’ve gone through a massive, heaping pile of drugstore makeup to pick out the best products of all time.  Now you can save some money and buy some extra shoes

Face

Revlon Colorstay Foundation
This full coverage foundation gives an amazing finish to the skin.  The matte formula is great for oily skin, but work quickly in applying as it dries fast.  The best part of this foundation is there’s tons of shades to choose from!

Price: $9.98
Where to Buy:   Most Drugstores  (Amazon) (eBay)

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Foundation
For a dewy finish to the skin, this Neutrogena foundation works amazing!  It covers really well while still looking fresh and doesn’t cake up like some foundations do.  The only downside is the limited range of colors.

Price: $11.37
Where to Buy:   Most Drugstores (Amazon) (eBay)

Maybelline Fit Concealer
I have been using this concealer for months now and absolutely love it!  I apply it under my eyes to hide my dark circles- it doesn’t cake up, but still covers really well.  Here’s my full review on it:  The Best Drugstore Concealer Ever

Price: $4.99
Where to Buy:   Most Drugstores  (Amazon) (eBay)

Milani Minerals Blush 
If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to the NARS blushes, these Milani ones are almost identical but less than 1/3 the price!  The color “Luminous” is a beautiful shimmery peachy pink color that adds a nice glow to the cheeks.

Price: $8.99
Where to Buy:   Most Drugstores  (Amazon) (eBay)

NYX Powder Blush
I’ve been using NYX blushes for years as they’re the best inexpensive ones I’ve found.  The color “Peach” looks great on everyone, and the matte finish adds color to the cheeks without the extra shimmer.

Price: $6.99
Where to Buy:   (Makeup Geek Store)

NYX Rouge Cream Blush
If you want dewy cheeks, using cream blushes adds the perfect shine without looking oily.  Not many drugstore makeup companies make cream blushes, but these NYX ones are really great quality!

Price: $6.50
Where to Buy:   (Makeup Geek Store)  (Amazon) (eBay)

Eyes

Maybelline Gel Liner

These amazing gel liners are great quality and glide on smoothly and evenly. The are water resistant and have great color payoff and don’t flake or smudge. They work great in the waterline as well. They are very high quality at a very low price! See my Smackdown between the Bobbi Brown and the Maybelline Gel Liner here. http://www.makeupgeek.com/reviews/product-smackdown-bobbi-brown-gel-eyeliner-vs-maybelline-eye-studio-gel-eyeliner/

• Price: $9.00
• Where to Buy: (Amazon) (eBay)

Rimmel London Eyebrow Pencil

This eyebrow pencil is great for filling in and enhancing your brows. It glides on smoothly and blends effortlessly to keep your brows looking great all day.

• Price: $10.00
• Where to Buy: (Amazon) (eBay)

Maybelline Color Tattoo Cream Eyeshadow

The color Tattoo’s have changed the way many people view cream eyeshadows. These are very reminiscent of MAC’s paint pots. They don’t feel sticky, apply easily and come in a variety of highly pigmented shades. See my full review for the Maybelline Color Tattoos here: http://www.makeupgeek.com/reviews/review-maybelline-color-tattoo-cream-eyeshadows/

• Price: $6.99
• Where to Buy: (Amazon) (eBay)

Loreal Infallible Eye Shadow

These unique eyeshadows are exact duplicates for the Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill. They are intensely pigmented and come in 17 shades to choose from. They glide on smooth, have a velvety texture and last all day! See my smackdown of these two products here: http://www.makeupgeek.com/reviews/product-smackdown-giorgio-armani-eyeshadow-vs-loreal-infallible-eye-shadow/

• Price: $7.00
• Where to Buy: (Amazon) (eBay)

Loreal Hip Eyeliner

These highly pigmented liners glide on smoothly and evenly for a great finish that last all day. They are a great inexpensive alternative to the Urban Decay 24/7 liners.

• Price: $3.99
• Where to Buy: (Amazon) (eBay)

Loreal Voluminous Mascara

This mascara is very highly pigmented and makes your lashes look thicker and fuller while adding length as well. The wand is the ideal size for reaching all your lashes, especially the shorter ones in the inner corner.

• Price: $5.84
• Where to Buy:  (Amazon) (eBay)

Ardell Invisiband False Lashes

Quite possibly the best false lashes on the market, these are lightweight and easy to apply and come in a huge variety of styles and shapes. The Invisiband gives a especially natural look to the eyes.

• Price: $3.99
• Where to Buy: (Makeup Geek Store)

Lips

Revlon Just Bitten Lipstain

These are by far the best lipstains you can find at the drugstore today. The only downside is they can be quite drying even with the lip balm provided. They are highly pigmented and come in a good variety of shades to choose from. See a full review of these Lipstains here: http://www.makeupgeek.com/reviews/revlon-just-bitten-lipstain-review/

• Price: $7.43
• Where to Buy: (Amazon) (eBay)

NYX Mega Shine Lip Gloss

This has been my favorite lipgloss for years and still is. These are richly pigmented and are glossy without being sticky. They have a creamy texture to them and come in a wide variety of colors.

• Price: $5.59
• Where to Buy: (Makeup Geek Store)

Palladio Herbal Tinted Lip Balm

These slightly tinted lip balms are ideal for a no makeup kind of day or when your lips just need hydration. This is moisturizing enough to be considered a true balm and give a great tint to the lips. They wear a long time and leave a slight stain to the lips.

• Price : $3.89
• Where to Buy:  (Makeup Geek Store)

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick

Revlon has some of the best lipsticks on the market. These are highly pigmented and glide on with ease. They are creamy and smooth and feel great on the lips. These have several matte shades that won’t leave your lips feeling dried out.

• Price: $6.69
• Where to Buy: (Amazon) (eBay)

And there you have it, my list of the best drugstore makeup of all time! Be sure to check out some of these great finds and let me know what you think of them.

Hi Makeup Geeks!

You all know I love to try new makeup products, so I’ve compiled my “Best Of” series stating my favorite makeup products of all time!  My top picks are completely unbiased- I simply want to help you spend your money on only the products I know are amazing.  Trust me, I have tested, swatched, and worn just about every makeup product out there 

Enough blabbing…. On to the best foundations ever!

xoxo,
Marlena

Revlon Colorstay

As everyone knows this is one of my favorite foundations and for good reason. The full coverage foundations glides on smoothly and evenly and creates a flawless finish. This comes in 2 different formulas, one for combination/oily skin and one for normal/dry skin. The lightweight formula doesn’t cake or fade and last through the day. This also comes in a huge variety of colors so it’s easy to find a shade that’s right for you.

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Estee Lauder Double Wear

This is one of the best selling foundations on the market. These are broke down into 3 different groups C (cool), N (neutral), W (warm), to help you find the perfect shade. With 30 shades to choose from you are sure to find one that matches you perfectly. The foundation glides on smoothly but dries quickly so you have to work somewhat fast to get this on. Once dried it stays in place all day long and doesn’t budge. It’s heat-proof, water-resistant and gives your skin a amazing finish.

Cover FX Natural Finish

This is a water-based liquid foundation with a medium coverage that can easily be built up into full coverage and leaves a soft, dewy finish to the skin. This is extremely water-resistant which makes it great for summer and warmer more humid climates. This contains vitamins E and C which sooth inflammation and reduce redness. What I really love about this is that it is considered vegan and contains no parabens, sulphates, and phthalates. It’s also gluten, mineral-oil, and talc free.

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Make Up For Ever HD

An oil-free foundation that will make you look your best in even the harshest light. This is a medium coverage foundation that gives a “soft focus” effect to the skin and can be built up into a full coverage in wanted. This feels light on the skin and last all day without budging and doesn’t feel heavy when wearing it. It doesn’t appear oily through the day and is great for on a day when you are going to be in photos. I also love that this foundation has a pump, it makes the product easier to access and apply. Take note makeup companies, we LOVE pumps on our foundations.

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Laura Mercier Silk Creme

This full coverage foundation has a mouse/gel like consistency and evens out skin tones and adds luminosity to the skin. This includes silk proteins and tea extracts that leaves your skin looking smoother and softer. Because this contains silicones it will actually help minimize the appearance of large pores. However, because of the silicones this would probably be best for those of you with normal/dry skin as it may make oily skin appear shiny after a while. The other draw back is the limit on colors, this only comes in 8 shades so not everyone will find a shade that will work for them.

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Burberry Velvet

The light, gel-like texture of this foundation leaves a stunning, flawless finish to the skin. It blends easily and can be built up to a more full coverage if you desire. The foundation uses wild rose extracts to hydrate the skin and look is looking and feeling great. The only bad thing is the shade range. There are 8 shades and seem to be geared toward those with pink undertones which means those of you with yellow undertones probably won’t find a color that will work for you. This will work best for more mature skin or those of you with dry or combination skin.

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DiorSkin Airflash Spray Foundation

For an airbrushed effect without the airbrush machine this is definitely the foundation for you. Hold the bottle about 8 inches from your face and spray until you achieve the desired amount of coverage. This gives a flawless finish to the skin without looking and feeling cakey. There are a couple of downsides to this however. It comes in a limited number of colors to choose from and has one of the more expensive price tags. However, the finish is so amazing it is worth it. I suggest saving it for special occasions. (Keep your hair wrapped in a towel while applying this and don’t stand close to a wall. Remember, you are spraying this.

Neutrogena Healthy Skin

This is one of my other favorite drugstore foundations. This is ideal for those of you with dry skin or in the cooler months when our skin dries out. This glides on smoothly and evenly and can be built up into more full coverage if you like. It gives a dewy appearance to the skin leaving a stunning and healthy finish to the skin. This is very similar to the NARS foundation and has an SPF of 20.

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NARS Sheer Glow

This is a light-weight foundation that can be built up to no more than a medium coverage. This glides on smoothly and gives the most amazing dewy finish to the skin. It doesn’t feel heavy or get cakey feeling. If you have sensitive skin however this can cause breakouts though. This will work best on those of you with dry skin or those with more mature skin, as it gives our skin a dewy fresh finish. For the price I do wish it had a pump on the bottle.

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Lancome Teint Idole Ultra

This velvety smooth foundation feels amazing on the skin and glides on smoothly and evenly. It blends effortless and leaves a flawless finish. This is broke down into three categories, C (cool), W (warm), N (neutral) which makes it easy for anyone to find a shade that’s perfect for them. This comes with a convenient pump which makes it perfect to get the exact amount you need. The only downside to this is the price,  but because of the price and the packaging it’s definitely worth it.

Hello my beautiful Makeup Geeks! All of us have been faced with the dilemma of buying a rather expensive product and wondering if it lives up to the price tag that comes along with it. Since I have already shared with you my top 10 list of products under $10.00, today I wanted to share with you my top 10 products worth spending your money on.

It’s important to know what to spend your money on. Most products have an inexpensive dupe, but there are certain products that are worth spending your money on that have no equal. This list will help you decide where to spend your money and which products live up to their claim of “high end”.

Blow is our list of top 10 high end products that are worth spending your extra bucks.

Diorskin Airflash Spray Foundation

Price – $62.00
Where to Buy: Sephora, Amazon, and eBay

Foundation makes all the difference in the way your skin appears. Although I don’t recommend wearing this every day because it’s too much, it’s perfect for weddings, proms, or any special occasions. This gives you the perfect airbrushed skin without all the expensive airbrush equipment normally used.

Other recommendations are the Makeup Forever HD Foundation which sells for $42.00 USD at Sephora and on EBay and Amazon and Lancome Teint Idole which retails for $44.00 USD at Sephora, EBay and Amazon.

Diorskin Forever Compact Powder

Price- $49.00
Where to Buy: Sephora, eBay, and Amazon

This creamy powder can be used in a couple of ways. It can be used as a pressed powder or if you get a darker shade you can apply this as a bronzer. The powder has a remarkable buttery texture to it which makes it feel supple when applying. I love the convenience of having this in a compact which makes it wonderful for taking with you on the go. The color I have here is #060 in Light Mocha which I use as a bronzer.

YSL (Yves Saint Laurent) Touché Éclat  Highlighting Pen

Price – $40.00
Where to Buy: Sephora, Amazon

This multi-action pen does a couple of things. It helps brighten up problem areas like the under eye area but it also works as a concealer to help hide blemishes and dark circles. The lightweight, creamy formula is perfect for the under eye area as it won’t settle into fine lines or wrinkles.

Eve Pearl Salmon Concealer

Price – $31.99 – $35.00
Where to Buy: Makeup Geek, Amazon, and eBay

This is a great concealer for those people with severe under eye circles. It contains 2 different shades of concealer that can be mixed and matched for the perfect shade. The formula is very creamy and easily blended for perfect coverage. It is also extremely pigmented which is great for those of us with blue tinted dark circles as this helps to cancel out any blueness.

Armani Fluidsheer Highlighter

Price – $59.00
Where to Buy: giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com, Amazon, eBay

Some highlighters try too hard by adding an excessive amount of glitter or shimmer in their highlighters.  Not so with this weightless, velvety highlighter from Armani. The lightweight formula won’t pull off your foundation or blush color when applied to your cheeks and adds a stunning glow to your skin. It’s perfect for the tops of the cheeks as well as the bridge of the nose and chin. A little goes a long way so this bottle will last a very long time.

Tarte Blushes

Price – $25.00
Where to Buy: Sephora, Amazon, and eBay

These highly pigmented blushes are perfect for every skin type and come in a good assortment of colors. Tarte blushes have no harmful ingredients and are made from all natural ingredients. They are creamy and smooth and glide on the skin effortlessly.

MAC Fix Plus Spray

Price – $10.00
Where to Buy: MAC, Amazon, eBay

This is a perfect way to add a dewy finish to your skin and get rid of the cakey look. This works best for people who have dry to combination skin. This helps to calm the skin and give an overall finished look to your makeup. Check out the review “Mac Fix Plus vs. Model in a Bottle

Clinique “Take the Day Off” Makeup Remover

Price – $18.00
Where to Buy: Sephora, Amazon, and eBay

This makeup remover quickly takes off makeup without tugging or pulling the skin. It removes long lasting makeup in one swipe so you don’t have to rub the skin to get your makeup removed. It is ophthalmologist tested and is safe for sensitive eyes as well as contact wearers and all skin types.

Makeup Forever Star Powder

Price – $20.00
Where to Buy: Sephora, Amazon, and eBay

These come in 26 amazing colors to try. They are very finely milled and can be used for a variety of things. Use on the lids, on the cheekbones as a highlight or on the lips to add a touch of glimmer. Either way these are a must have for any makeup lover.

Beauty Blender

Price – $18.99 – $19.95  (Save Money on the Double Pack)
Where to Buy: Makeup Geek, Sephora, Amazon, and eBay

This little egg shaped sponge is remarkable. It gives your foundation a flawless, airbrushed finish. It can be used not only for foundation but to blend out the color from your blush or to help smooth on cream blushes.

And there you have it, my top 10 list of “high end” products. I highly recommend all of these and have been using them for quite a while myself. I hope this list helps and can assist you when it comes to making a more pricey investment. I hope you all are staying happy and healthy!

Walking up and down the aisles of a makeup store, looking at all the brightly colored eyeshadows, lipsticks and blushes can make a girl feel like a kid in a candy store…until you look the prices.

Trying to find quality makeup at reasonable prices can be quite an intimidating task at best. Inevitably, you can begin to feel somewhat disheartened at the thought of never finding a good product at a reasonable price!

However, finding a quality product for a sensible price isn’t that difficult if you know what you are looking for. We know you don’t want to spend a lot of money on quality makeup, so to help you out we have put together a list of the top 10 things you will want to have in your makeup collection all under $10 USD.

Milani Liquify Eyeliner

Price: $5 – $7
Where to Buy: Amazon , eBay

These remarkable eyeliners are very highly pigmented and very smooth. These are comparable to Urban Decay’s 24/7 Glide on Pencils. They have remarkable staying power but glide on smoothly without budging. They are highly pigmented so a little goes a long way.

They work wonderfully in the waterline of the eye as well.  These range in prices from $5.99 USD to $7.99 USD. Another great alternative is the L’Oreal Hip Eyeliners which retail for approximately the same amount.

ELF Bronzer/Blush Duo

Price: $3
Where to Buy: Target, Drugstore, Amazon

The quality of ELF’s inexpensive products can be hit or miss.  However, If you are looking for a good bronzer and blush duo that will complement each other perfectly for a reasonable price than look no further.

This is a nice duplicate of the Nars Blush & Bronzer Duo. The blusher in the Elf duo leans toward the peachy-coral tone and is reminiscent of NARS Orgasm blush which complements the bronzer beautifully. These are perfect for those of your with fair to medium skin tones.

Both the bronzer and the blush are highly pigmented and have a slight shimmer to them, perfect for summer! This retails for approximately $3.00 USD at Target.

Coastal Scents Camo Quad Concealer

Price: $7.89
Where to Buy:  Makeup Geek Store

These amazing little quads come in four shades, light, medium, and dark. The concealer quads come with a white for highlighting and three shades that can be mixed to achieve your perfect shade. All the shades are very creamy and smooth.

The velvety hues are medium to full coverage and will hide even the most problem areas. They will work well under the eyes because they aren’t so thick they will become cakey and perfect for blemishes because it’s does not have a liquid texture.

These are perfect for dropping in a makeup bag and taking with you on the go for quick touch ups. All of these can be purchased in the Makeup Geek store for $7.89 USD.

Palladio Rice Powder

Price: $4.89
Where to Buy: Ulta,  Makeup Geek Store

This face powder comes in a loose powder form and is triple milled for an easier application and a silky finish. It helps to control the oils produced by your skin throughout the day without becoming cakey which is especially great since we are now in the hot summer months.

The powder doesn’t leave a chalky appearance on your skin, but instead settles into it giving you flawless appearing skin. It works just as well as other high end powders without breaking the bank. It comes in 3 shades; natural, translucent, and warm beige. You can purchase this for $4.89 USD at Ulta and the Makeup Geek store as well.

Ardell False Lashes

Price: $3.99
Where to Buy: Drugstores,  Makeup Geek Store

Used by everyone from makeup pros to beginners, these are without question the best lashes on the market. What’s great about these specific lashes are the base is completely invisible which gives them the appearance of looking more natural. They are lightweight and easy to apply.

They come in a variety of styles such as natural, glamour, dramatic, individual, and even ones with rhinestones. Regardless of which type you choose, the ability of these lashes to look and feel real is amazing. The only thing better than the quality of these eye-catching lashes is their amazing price.  Ardell lashes retail for $3.99 USD in drugstores and our very own Makeup Geek store.

L’Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara

Price: $6 – $8
Where to Buy:  Drugstores, Amazon, eBay

Possibly one of the best mascaras on the market today, this one has been around for a while and for good reason. This mascara is perfect for everyone, even those with sensitive eyes.

L’Oreal’s Voluminous mascara makes your lashes look fuller and thicker while adding dramatic length as well. The carbon black color is a true blacker than black shade which helps to define your lashes without them appearing overdone or giving you the dreaded spider lashes.

The wand is the perfect size for reaching the bottom lashes as well as those lashes toward the inner corner of your eye. This sells for $6 to $8 USD depending on where it is purchased.

Maybelline Color Tattoo Cream Eyeshadow

Price: $6.99
Where to Buy: Ulta, Drugstores, Amazon , eBay

These highly pigmented cream eyeshadows have been on the market for a while now and received rave reviews. The gel/cream eyeshadows have intense color payoff without creasing or fading, have incredible staying power and are completely waterproof.

They also have a creamy, smooth texture that allows them to glide on easily. These can be used alone for a soft wash of color on your lids, as a base for other eyeshadow, or as an eyeliner.  With ten colors to choose from you are sure to find more than one to fall in love with.

The Color Tattoos retail for approximately $6.99 USD at Ulta and other drug stores. But keep your eyes open, these often go on sale for BOGO. You can check out my review of these here “Review: Maybelline Color Tattoo Cream Eyeshadows”

Makeup Geek Eyeshadows

Price: $5.99 for Pans, $7.99 for Compacts (and discounts with bundles)
Where to Buy: Makeup Geek Store (Pan Version) (Compact Version)

Yes, we may be a bit biased, but we guarantee you will have a very hard time finding a better shadow for a lower price.  These highly pigmented, smooth and creamy eyeshadows are the same quality as high end eyeshadows like MAC, Urban Decay or Makeup Forever, just without the expensive price tag. Made here in the USA and with a range of about 60 colors to choose from you are sure to find exactly what you are looking for. These stunning eyeshadows come in both pan and compact form.

The pans are perfect to drop into a palette like the Z-Palette or the MAC Pro Palette which allows you to custom design your very own palette. These also come in handy compact forms as well for those of you who want a few to carry in your makeup bag or just prefer individual compacts over palettes. So whether your prefer pans or palettes, these striking eyeshadows are a definite must have.

The Makeup Geek pans retail for $5.99 USD and the compacts sell for $7.99 USD at The Makeup Geek Store. Make sure to watch for the bundle packs that help you save money as well.

Makeup Geek Lipsticks

Price: $7.99
Where to Buy:  Makeup Geek Store

With the same high quality as other high end lipsticks, the newest addition to our own makeup line makes these a must have. The only thing you won’t find here is the high price tag to go along with them. These highly pigmented lipsticks are creamy, smooth and non-drying so they glide on for flawless application. With 16 lush shades to choose from you can find a shade that is perfect for you (check out Marlena’s favorites and see swatches). And the low price allows you to be able to purchase 2 for what you would pay for other notable lipsticks. These astonishing lipsticks retail for $7.99 USD in our very own Makeup Geek store.

NYX Lip Liners

Price: $3.59
Where to Buy: ULTA, Makeup Geek Store

These are a must have for lip lovers everywhere. These come in 60 astonishing shades and are known for their creamy texture. These glide on smooth and easily with no pulling or tugging and aren’t overly drying. The smooth texture makes these perfect for not only lining your lips, but filling them in to help create the ideal lip. These amazing lip liners won’t bleed like some other lip liners will and wear for long periods of time. And with so many shades to choose from it’s easy to find one to match your favorite lipstick. Try pairing these with our new Makeup Geek lipstick to create the perfect luscious lip!  These retail for $3.59 USD at Ulta and the Makeup Geek store as well.

There you have it: 10 incredible products all under $10.00. Looking good and having good makeup doesn’t have to cost a fortune. With so many brands on the market these days, finding good affordable makeup doesn’t have to be as intimidating as it seems. These 10 inexpensive makeup finds are sure to help you achieve that flawless looking face everyone desires. As always, stay happy and be safe!

L’Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara

This mascara has been my favorite for years!  I love how intensely pigmented and thick the formula is.  It makes my lashes look super thick and dark with just one coat.  A tip to applying:  scrape off the excess on the edge of the tube so it doesn’t clump.

Price:  $6.00

Where to Buy:   Amazon,  eBay , Most drugstores

NYX Mega Shine Lipgloss – “Beige”

If you want glossy lips without the sticky feeling, these NYX ones are amazing!  I’ve been using for years now, and love the wide range of colors they sell.  My favorite color is “Beige” (not sure why they call it that as it’s a medium pink color- weird. )  These are the only lipglosses I’ve found that don’t cost a fortune and don’t feel tacky.

Price:  $5.59

Where to Buy:   Makeup Geek Store

Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner

This is another product I’ve been using for years as I love how creamy these eyeliners are!  Plus Urban Decay put out a wide range of colors- everything from pink  to teal to intense black.  The only rival brand for this creamy formula is the Milani Liquif’eye, but there’s just 5 colors.  I use this 24/7 one almost everyday…

Price:  $19

Where to Buy:   Sephora  .  Amazon .  eBay

Neutrogena Healthy Skin and Revlon ColorStay Foundation

Yes, yes, I know I brag about these foundations all the time.  But if I love them, why not share with everyone else?   If you want a matte finish formula with full coverage, then try the Revlon Colorstay.  If you want a medium coverage but dewy finish, try the Neutrogena Healthy Skin.   Most of the time I mix these two for the perfect satin finish.

Price:  $8-12

Where to Buy Neutrogena Healthy Skin:   Amazon , eBay ,  Most Drugstores

Where to Buy Revlon ColorStay Foundation:   Amazon , eBay , Most Drugstores

Beauty Blender

This by far is the best makeup invention in years.   I know it seems like a simple product, but the size, shape, and texture of it  makes for a perfect foundation application every time!  The soft sponge expands when wet to provide a soft almost airbrushed look to the skin, while the pointed tip allows you to blend under the eyes and around the nose.   I honestly have about 7 of these as I use them everyday for my foundation as well as blending my blush.

Price:  $18

Where to Buy:   Makeup Geek Store

Primers are something that has gained popularity over the last year.  Still, not everyone uses one and the benefits from using a good one are too many to count!  Primers can help by reducing the look of large pores, filling in fine lines, and preventing foundation from looking cakey.  They also help with evening out the skin tone and making your makeup last much longer throughout the day!

I told you primers were good to use

How to Use Face Primers

• Use them after you apply your moisturizer, allowing at least 5 minutes for the moisturizer to settle into the skin.
• Using a pea size amount of the primer and apply gently to the skin, paying attention to the under eye area.  This will allow any under eye concealer to glide on smoothly.
• Then apply your concealer, foundation, or face powder as you normally would

 Benefit the POREfessional Face Primer

Proving that there is a primer for every person, here’s one perfect for camouflaging large pores and fine lines.  Suitable for any skin type, this seems to provide the effect of having a soft focus lens over your skin. Slightly pigmented and very smooth, this primer does have a slight odor, but helps fill in large pores, keeping foundation from settling into them. This translucent balm won’t make pores disappear completely, but this will help in minimizing the appearance of them.  Benefit POREfessional retails for $29.99 USD for .75 ounces

Best for:  Combination skin

Price:  $29   (.75 oz)

Where to Buy:   Sephora  .  Amazon  .  eBay

Clinique Pore Minimizer Instant Perfector

Minimizing pores can be tricky. This primer can help solve that dilemma. This primer is soft and dries to a matte finish. Its lightweight formula is odorless and will disappear into your skin. As with most primers, a little goes a long way. This doesn’t seem to be as smooth as some of the other primers, however there is no odor. Clinique’s primer will best suit people with combination to oily skin and sells for $18.00 USD for .5 ounces.

Best for:  Combination to oily skin;   Those with large pores

Price:  $18  (.5 oz)

Where to Buy:    Amazon  .  eBay .  Some department stores

MAC Mattifying Gel

Most gel consistency primers have a tendency to slide, but this is the exception to the rule.  This gel absolutely stays put and therefore is great for people with oily and combination skin. It glides on smooth and dries to a smooth matte finish helping to reduce and control the amount of oil on the face.   This remarkable serum transforms your skin into a perfect canvas for your foundation. MAC Mattifying Gel sells for $19.00 USD for .75 ounces.

Best for:  Any skin type looking for matte finish

Price:  $19  (.75 oz)

Where to Buy:   MAC

Palladio Herbal Face Primer

Palladio primer comes in a gel form, and not only prepares the skin for foundation but helps moisturize it as well.  It has a velvety feel that helps treat the skin, fills in fine lines and reduces the look of pores.  One of the best selling points of this product is its price.  It retails for $11.99 USD at both Sally’s Beauty Supply and ULTA for .68 ounces.  Since this is a gel formula it can glide on slick so it is probably best for those with dry or combination skin.

Best for:  Combination to Dry Skin;  Mature Skin

Price:  $12  (.68 oz)

Where to Buy:   Makeup Geek Store

Too Faced Primed and Poreless Skin Smoothing Face Primer

OK, so that’s a long name for a primer, but its well worth it!  If I had to choose just one primer to wear daily, it would be this one. This primer has been revamped and no longer comes in the flesh color that the original did, it is now a clear color. It has a powdery, velvet finish and glides on smoothly. It is silicon based which is perfect for people with more sensitive skin. It creates an even layer for foundation to adhere to causing your foundation to last longer and wear better. This retails for $30.00 USD.

Best for:  All skin types

Price:  $30  (1 oz)

Where to Buy:    Amazon  .  Sephora . eBay

The Makeup Geek Eyeshadows are shipping worldwide!   If you want to see some video reviews from other YouTubers, check out our review roundup.

Glamorous

This bronzey gold color can we worn at day or night.  Apply a light wash all over the lid for a perfect daytime look, or pair with a dark purple or black to create a dramatic night time look.  I love this one as it’s so versatile!

Where to Buy:   Makeup Geek Store

Razzleberry

This color is so unique!  It’s a deep raspberry pink with flecks of gold- such a fun color for the weekend.  I pair this up with Cocoa Bear to tone down the bright color.

Where to Buy:   Makeup Geek Store

Unicorn

It’s not quite purple or blue- it’s the best of both   I would pair this up with Glamorous or Gold Digger for a glamorous weekend look.

Where to Buy:   Makeup Geek Store

Envy

This is an exact dupe for NARS Night Porter, but 1/4 the price.  It’s a deep shimmery emerald green that is amazing for a night out!

Where to Buy:   Makeup Geek Store

Sensuous

This muted violet purple can be worn during the day as it’s a sophisticated purple- not too bright but still a fun color.  It has tiny specks of gold, so I would put Glamorous on the lid with Sensuous on the outer part of the eye.  So pretty!

Where to Buy:   Makeup Geek Store

Chickadee

This is another crossover color- not quite yellow, not quite orange.  It’s a fun color that actually looks great in the crease with a dark brown on the lid.

Where to Buy:   Makeup Geek Store

Cocoa Bear

A rich, warm reddish brown that is perfect for day or night! This color is unique in that it’s not a traditional flat brown.  I wear this in the crease with Corrupt on the lid for a classic black smoky eye.

Where to Buy:   Makeup Geek Store

Shimmermint

For some reason, no makeup companies seem to have a nice minty green.  I’m predicting this to be the best color for Spring 2012 as it’s very flattering on all skin and eye colors!

Where to Buy:   Makeup Geek Store

Moondust

Similar to MAC’s “Satin Taupe”, this shimmery taupe gray looks amazing for day or night.  I love putting all over the lid with “Preppy” in the crease for a gorgeous neutral smoky eye.

Where to Buy:   Makeup Geek Store

Poolside

This color is not for the shy!  It’s a bright teal with flecks of gold glitter.  The intense color is perfect for summer looks or for smudging along the lashline for a pop of color.

Where to Buy:   Makeup Geek Store

You all know I love to try new makeup products, so I’ve compiled my “Best Of” series stating my favorite makeup products of all time!  My top picks are completely unbiased- I simply want to help you spend your money on only the products I know are amazing.  Trust me, I have tested, swatched, and worn just about every makeup product out there 

Enough blabbing…. On to the best lipglosses!

xoxo,
Marlena

NYX Mega Shine

Not only are these lipglosses inexpensive, but they come in a ton of colors, are richly pigmented, and aren’t overly sticky like so many other “cheap” lipglosses.  I love how creamy these feel and how I don’t even need to wear lipstick underneath as the colors come out so vibrant.

My favorite colors:  Beige   (it’s actually a pink color- weird, I know…) and Lollipop

Price:   $5.59

Where to buy:   Makeup Geek Store

Lancome La Laque Fever

These lipglosses are also very creamy and rich in color- my favorite part though is the diamond shaped wand to apply the lipgloss.  Some of the lipglosses are more sheer than others, but I found the color “Lucent Nude” to be a gorgeous pink-nude color that is flattering on everyone!  My only drawback on these is the price and the small selection of colors…

My Favorite Color:   Lucent Nude

Price:   $26.50

Where to buy:     Sephora  .  Amazon  .  E-Bay

Bare Escentuals Buxom Lips

I have loved these plumping lipglosses for quite awhile now as they really do make my lips look bigger!  They come in  TONS of different colors and are free of parabens and other harmful ingredients.  I chose Melanie as my favorite color as it is a warm bright pink that looks great on everyone.

My Favorite Colors:   Melanie  and Margarita

Price: $18

Where to buy:   Sephora  .  Amazon  .  E-Bay

NARS Lipgloss

These lipglosses are super pigmented, creamy, and come in several different gorgeous shades!  Kim Kardashian made the color “Turkish Delight” popular- it’s a very pale light pink color that goes great with a dark smoky eye.   I would splurge the $24 and get this color as I haven’t found any cheaper dupes for it yet, but in all honesty, I would get the NYX ones instead as they aren’t that much different.  BUT, I still have these on my top 10 as they are great quality

My Favorite Colors:   Turkish Delight and Angelika

Price: $24

Where to buy:   Amazon  .  E-Bay

MAC Cremesheen Glass

Back in the day when these were limited edition, I bought as many as I could as I love these so much!  They’re uber creamy and pigmented- almost like liquid lipstick.   I like these so much better than the MAC lipglasses as they don’t seem as sticky (MAC should just replace their lipglasses with these as they’re SO much better)

My Favorite Colors:   Petite Indulgence and Loud and Lovely

Price:   $18

Where to buy:    MAC  . eBay

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Make Up Designory Lip Glaze 

The MUD lip glazes are very pigmented, creamy, and aren’t overly sticky.  They remind me of MAC lipglosses but in a squeeze tube.  My favorite color is Canteloupe- a rich peach lipgloss that looks great on everyone.

My Favorite Color:  Cantelope

Price: $9.99

Where to buy: Makeup Geek Store

Dior Creme de Gloss

These lipglosses are like the Ferrari of lipglosses- super slick, luxurious, and…. expensive.   If you want to splurge on a lipgloss, I would get the one in #856- a gorgeous red color.   I like these because they aren’t sticky, have a slight shimmer to them, and are very rich in color.

My Favorite Colors:  #856 and #441 “Creamy Rose”

Price: $27

Where to buy:   Amazon  .  E-Bay

Lip Fusion Color Shine

Here’s another Kim Kardashian sponsored product (I’ve lost track of all her products by now…) but I have to say I like these plumping lipglosses as they really do make your lips look full and glossy.  I probably wouldn’t choose these over my Bare Escentual ones, but they still are a great lipgloss.  I like the color “24K’ as its a pale golden color that warms up any lipstick underneath.  The price is a bit steep though…

Price: $38

Where to buy:  .  Sephora  .  Amazon  .  E-Bay

Revlon Color Stay Mineral Lipglaze

These babies are by far my favorite drugstore lipglosses!  I’ve been very impressed lately with Revlon’s products, and you can’t beat the price.  These lipglosses are very creamy and rich and come in TONS of colors.  I love “Continuous Coral” as it’s a gorgeous coral color perfect for summer.

My Favorite Colors:  Continuous Coral and Eternal Blossom

Price:   $6.29

Where to buy:  .  Amazon  .  eBay  .  Most Drugstores

Sally Hansen Lip Inflation

Out of my top 10, this one is probably my least favorite.  BUT, these do feel smooth and most importantly- they’re cheap.  I like the color “Sheer Mocha” as it’s a nice nude color.

Price:   $6.59

Where to buy:  E-Bay  .  Must Drugstores