Shopping for cheap makeup? We're sharing all the best sales, coupons, tips, and hacks on affordable cosmetics brands like e.l.f., Wet n Wild, Maybelline, CoverGirl, Rimmel, LA Girl, Kiss, NYX, Ardell, Milani, Revlon, BH Cosmetics, and more. Looking great doesn't have to break the bank!
In addition to posting all the latest cheap cosmetics sales, here are a few of our best recommendations for affordable makeup brands and products that we love. Some of our favorites are surprisingly drugstore brands that cost under $10. Interestingly enough, those low-cost makeup essentials have become tried and true staples in our beauty bags.
Here are 9 of our favorite cheap makeup products:
I've tried almost every mascara under the sun, but I always come back to Maybelline. It's the same one I've been using since high school! I find the waterproof version holds my lash curl better. That said, water-resistant formulas can be drying to lashes, so keep that in mind if that's a concern for you.
I
love NYX concealers. I think their formulations are on par with higher-end brands, but the price can't be beaten! I used to use
this NYX concealer, but when my shade was sold out (and I was in desperate need to cover my undereye circles), I picked up this long-wear concealer option – and I couldn't be happier with the switch! It has an angled sponge tip on the wand and an even more opaque formula (meaning a little bit goes a long way).
Okay, so the pencil pictured is obviously not the Maybelline version because the one I have is from a small K-Beauty store, and all of the branding has worn off. To be honest, I have yet to land on a brow product that I'm 100% committed to, but these retractable brow pencils come pretty close.
It's a very easy application with the always-defined soft tip that makes creating hair strokes a cinch. It also has a round spoolie end to blend in the strokes for naturally fuller eyebrows. That said, if I'm ever in a pinch, brown eyeshadow applied with an angled brush works just as fine.
I am not big on eyeshadow. It's not like I don't like the look, I'm just too lazy when it comes to putting on makeup. I also find so many eyeshadow palettes are big, bulky, and expensive, and those don't really fit into my streamlined routine.
I received this tiny palette in a beauty box and thought, "Now this is more my speed!" Sure, it looks like it probably belongs in a pre-teen's makeup set, but the colors are shockingly pigmented and offer a range of both shimmer and matte neutral shades. And the best part is it's the size of a business card!
Yes, another Maybelline product—are you sensing a pattern here? I have a hard time finding products from this brand that I don't like. I was originally using Stila liquid liner, but I made the switch to this budget buy after testing it out in a beauty box.
I found my higher-end Stila pen would dry out and become difficult to apply but it's always a smooth application with the Maybelline liner. Budget is
better!
If you need a full-coverage skin-loving cream, this is it, my friends! It's a fairly thick cream, so I warm it up on my fingertips and then gently dab all over my face and neck. I actually use my hands for my foundation application, so I blend the CC cream by continually pressing (not harsh rubbing) for a flawless finish.
It's pricey, but it does have anti-aging elements and a hefty SPF. I know other Hip2Save team members are fans of this cream as well!
I'm a big fan of contouring, so I dab on some of this affordable serum foundation just underneath my cheekbones. The Ordinary is known for
their quality affordable skincare, and the foundation line holds up to the same standards. I've used their coverage foundation previously, and I loved its feel, blend-ability, and the ease of matching your shade even when buying online.
Ever try to fake eight hours of sleep even though you're running on four? Yep, we
all have! I came across this highlighter stick in my
FabFitFun box, and I've become obsessed. I use it to line my eyes to instantly brighten them up.
After that, I glide it on to add some shimmer to the tops of my cheekbones, the bridge of my nose, cupid's bow, and brow arches. It is on the pricier side for a highlighter stick, so check out this
Maybelline strobing stick as a budget-friendly option.
While this mirror technically doesn't fit in my makeup bag, I couldn't
not mention it. It's incredibly convenient whether you use it daily at home or while traveling! It works especially well when you don't have sufficient lighting to apply your makeup – and many hotels definitely lack in the lighting department.
Check out a few of our fave makeup tips and hacks:
