My favorite drugstore/inexpensive products

Although I am known to spend an extremely large sum of money on mid to high end beauty products fairly consistently, I do have some favorites in the $1 - $10 range that are truly impressive. I have various products from NYX (which can be purchased at ULTA), ELF, Maybelline, and Revlon that are at least equal, and potentially superior to their high-end counterparts.

NYX products:

Soft Matte Lip Creams: Like the company claims, these go on soft and velvety, but dry like a worn lipstick or stain.  They last for hours and do leave a stain on the lips.  I own this product in Tokyo and Addis Ababa. These are cruelty free and hypoallergenic. 

Lipliner Pencil: I own it in 813 Plush Red.  It goes on evenly, somewhat stains the lips, and isn't too dry.  It isn't quiet as creamy as Makeup Forever or Urban Decay's lip liners, but it's a great alternative at only $3.50.

Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk: I always grab this product when I want an eyeshadow to really pop!  I think this creamy white color is the perfect first step to achieving a bold eye look.  It is easy to blend, too.

Elf Products:

Mineral Eyeshadow Primer: I absolutely love this and use it everyday.  It is literally ONE DOLLAR, and I can find no fault with it.  I know many people worship the Urban Decay Primer Potion and the Too Faced primer, but this, in my opinion is better, and exceedingly less expensive.  My eyes and my wallet love this primer.  

(Left Urban Decay Primer Potion, Right Elf Mineral Eyeshadow Primer)

The Urban Decay primer looks watery next to the Elf primer.   

Shimmering Facial Whip: I have this in the white color and love it as a highlighter.  Although I'm not wearing a highlighter everyday anymore, this is the one I go to when I want one.  It smells a bit like  lemon, which I think is nice and fresh, although some people might mind.  It is $1.

Maybelline Products:

Color Tattoo By Eyestudio 24 hour eyeshadow: Although I haven't tested to see if these truly last 24 hours, they definitely lasted at least 8, with and without a powder shadow on top.  I have it in Edgy Emerald and Bold Gold.  They both perform amazingly and glide on smoothly, without any patchiness, which is really great, considering they're around $7.  I have no interest in purchasing similar products from Smashbox or MAC, because I am completely content with these as a base or alone.  

As you can see in my swatches, the Gold shade is shimmery while the green only has a slight sheen.  When swatched here, the green looks like there is a little to be desired, but these swatches were done without a primer, and keep in mind, my eyelid is less crease ridden than the skin near my wrist.  

Also, the pots look almost brand new, like maybe they've only been used for swatching purposes.  I've actually used both of these products three times, so a little goes a long way, and a pot will last a long while.  

The Falsies Mascara: This mascara has amazing lengthening power.  If you are really looking for added volume, this might not be the best route, but this mascara paired with another that adds major thickening is stunning.  I never used to get compliments on my eyelashes, but since I started wearing this along with Tarte's Lights, Cameras, Lashes, I've been getting compliments left and right.  

The Falsies is definitely worth a try.  

Revlon products:

Colorburst Lip Butters:  I literally cannot contain my love for these!  They are just as moisturizing as a lip balm, with almost opaque color.  I usually use them over a lipstick, but they are just fine on their own.  I've purchased 5 shades, but lost one of my favorites, Creme Brule, a nice nude shade.  As of right now, I have Peach Parfait, a shimmery color, Creamsicle, a pale peach without shimmer, Lollipop, which is a plum-y color, and Strawberry Shortcake, a blue-based pink.  

I love them all, and cannot wait to re-purchase Creme Brule even though I'm sad I lost it.  I literally take these with me everywhere now.  Before I was able to buy any, I saw every beauty blogger raving, and I was uncertain of how amazing they were, but I was totally convinced after I tried one for the first time.  I keep seeing similar high-end products, but I have no interest in them, because these are just so wonderful!  

Since I only own four, here's a photo of another bloggers swatches of some of my favorite shades:

I haven't tried any other Revlon products recently, but I'm definitely interested in giving other products in the Colorburst line a chance.