Women can spend hours trying on makeup in stores, but spending hundreds of dollars on designer cosmetics simply isn’t an expense most of us can afford. But beauty doesn’t have to come at such a steep price. One of Yahoo’s very own makeup artists, Maria Ortega, says there are plenty of high-quality products you can get right at your local drugstore.
Here are her top 5 drugstore swaps for designer cosmetics.
1. Simple Nourishing 24hr Day/Night Cream = $10
This moisturizer is the perfect base for your makeup and lasts all day. It keeps skin hydrated and allows makeup to remain intact for 24 hours. Ortega says something comparable at a department store would cost at least $40.
2. Fit Me! Matte + Poreless Foundation, normal to oily, by Maybelline = $6
This foundation is a top choice for Ortega because it glides on for a natural finish and stays put. Ortega recommends the matte finish because it requires little to no touching up throughout the day. A similar, designer foundation would cost up to $60, says Ortega.
3. Powder blush by Milani = $8
Putting on a little blush can make anyone look younger with a healthy glow. Ortega’s drugstore favorite is Milani because it has great color pay-off for all skin tones—with one swipe of the brush, you see a pop of color. Many drugstore brands require more applications because they tend to have more powder and less color. For this particular makeover, we used the color “Tea Rose #08.” Ortega says a similar product at a department store would cost $45.
4. Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara by L’Oréal Paris = $6
This mascara is a kit essential for Ortega. The wand’s tapered brush is comparable to those of designer brands that go for $34. “Carbon black” is Ortega’s go-to because it makes eyes pop more. And the consistency of the mascara does not dry out lashes or flake during the day.
5. “The Nudes” Eyeshadow Palette by Maybelline = $10
For a great day-to-night look, this palette offers a variety of 12 colors. They all have great pigment and go on easily to achieve whatever look you desire. Per Ortega, palettes at a high-end cosmetic counter can easily cost $40.
6. Super Lustrous Lip Gloss by Revlon = $6
If you like the look of gloss, but hate the sticky feel, this one’s for you. Ortega says Super Lustrous gloss is less sticky than others and doesn’t create that unattractive film around your lips. Another plus is that you don’t need to use lipstick in addition because the color-payoff is good enough without it. Ortega says this item compares to a department store brand that costs $29—almost 5 times more.
For a full list of all the drugstore makeup products Maria used for this makeover, see below:
Moisturizer: Simple Nourishing 24hr Day/Night Cream
Brushes: Real Techniques 2-in-1 case and stand
Foundation: Fit Me! Matte + Poreless Foundation, normal to oily, by Maybelline
Concealer: Face Studio Master Concealer by Maybelline
Finishing powder: Revlon PhotoReady
Bronzer: Ultra-Nourishing Argan Oil Bronzer by Physicians Formula
Powder blush: color: tea rose #08, by Milani
Eyeshadow: “The Nudes” palette by Maybelline
Eyebrow powder: Brow this Way by Rimmel London
Lip liner: Precision Lips, color: soft blush, by Boots No7
Lip gloss: Super Lustrous, color: super natural, by Revlon
Eyeliner: Waterproof Ultra Liner, color: black, by Maybelline
Mascara: Voluminous Carbon Black by L’Oréal Paris
What are some of your favorite drugstore makeup products? Tweet me your favorites @jeanie531.
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