BEAUTY ON A BUDGET // MY FAVORITE SKINCARE & MAKEUP PRODUCTS UNDER $12

When it comes to purchasing beauty products, it can get expensive real quick. Things add up very fast. You go to Ulta for two or three things, then before you know it, you’re at the register and the cashier is blurting out your $350 total as your husband stares into your soul. We have all been there! I am sure all of us would love to live a lavish lifestyle and have credit cards that have no limit, but in reality there is this thing called a budget. I don’t know about you, but if I can save a dollar, I most certainly will.

Over the years I have done a lot of dupe searching for all of my favorite products. I have found that cheap doesn’t always mean bad (unless it is a fake knockoff product & in that case, stay away, because fake makeup can be dangerous to your health). You don’t have to spend a fortune to be beautiful. Of course I still splurge on expensive products at times because what’s good is good, but today, I will be dedicating this blog post to those of you who are looking for high-end quality, budget-friendly products! You can purchase several of these great items below for the price of one high-end product! 

1. COTY AIRSPUN LOOSE FACE POWDER-$5.85 71le2ZYj97L._SY450_.jpg

This powder has been my go-to for many years. Some people complain about the scent, but I love it! It has a fresh scent and it is wonderful for setting makeup. It also lasts a long time. This one compares to the Laura Mercier setting powder.

2. NYX LIP LINGERIE LIPSTICK-$7.99 liplingerie_main.jpg

I wear the shade ‘Exotic’ all of the time. This formula is so smooth and it lasts all day long!

3. L’OREAL PARADISE ENCHANTED EYESHADOW PALETTE-$10.79Cos88a_1-Closed.jpg

I love the Tarte Sweet Peach eyeshadow palette and this one reminds me so much of it. I love the price, and I think it definitely compares to the high-end palette. The colors are so beautiful.

4. MAYBELLINE AGE REWIND CONCEALER-$10.799dffd6d7-9f0b-4868-99d1-ee5e88807cc7_1.199b4294b7f93c886893692b9e1e2ab5-2.jpeg

This has always been a go-to concealer of mine. It covers my dark circles like no other, plus it feels very light on the skin. It doesn’t crease at all!

5. MAYBELLINE FIT ME CONCEALER-$6.49maybelline-concealer-fit-me-medium-041554247725-c.jpg

Another fabulous concealer option. I keep this in my makeup artistry kit for my clients. It isn’t heavy, but it covers just enough without looking overdone. It photographs beautifully!

6. LA GIRL PRO HD CONCEALER $6.23GC955_prod_img_grande.jpg

I use this gem on days when I need the most coverage. It reminds me of the Tarte Shape Tape concealer. It is on the heavier side so a little goes a long way. It is creamy so it blends out well, and the color variety is excellent.

7. PHYSICIAN’S FORMULA BUTTER BRONZER-$8.8971jkJ1epnEL._SY355_.jpg

My favorite bronzer, EVER. It has a little bit of shine that makes the skin glow so beautifully. It looks very natural on the skin. I always look sun-kissed when I wear this bronzer. Plus, it smells amazing.

8. MILANI MAKE IT LAST SETTING SPRAY-$9.99MTSP-03_1024x1024.jpg

This setting spray is amazing. It truly does what it claims to do. It makes makeup last all day long! I prep most of my clients with this. It is also refreshing which is nice.

9. MAYBELLINE MATTE INK LIPSTICK-$6.79GUEST_0d93ae69-cbb0-4a46-a6b1-1fce4cd1f51b.jpeg

My ride or die lipstick! This stuff stays on my lips like no other. The formula is out of this world amazing. I can eat, drink, and still I don’t have to retouch. It feels so light on the lips, and never gets crusty like most liquid matte lipsticks. The color doesn’t fade throughout the day either. I LOVE IT! I would choose this over any high-end liquid lipsticks I have tried so far.

10. MILANI BAKED BLUSH-$7.99milanibakedblush_1_gl_1200x1200.jpg

A few years ago I had a MAC blush that had a soft shimmer to it. It always gave me a healthy glow and I loved it. When I ran out, I purchased a Milani baked blush that looked similar to the MAC one, and it did not disappoint. These blushes are gorgeous on the skin! Now I have one in every color.

11. MAYBELLINE MASTER PRECISE LIQUID EYELINER-$7.9941m76o-DfUL._SY550_.jpg

This is my go-to for winged eyeliner. The felt tip is so tiny and precise. It glides across the skin so smoothly and easily. The color is the perfect black for a beautiful wing! I have all of my friends hooked on this product now!

12. REAL TECHNIQUES FACE SPONGE-$5.99

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I thought I would add in a beauty sponge since I love this one so much. It is my favorite dupe for the Original Beauty Blender.

13. MAYBELLINE MASTER CHROME HIGHLIGHTER-$9.99

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This highlighter doesn’t play around. It gives such a smooth and dewy application. This is my favorite for when I’m looking for that intense glazed donut highlight.

14. WET N WILD MEGAGLO HIGHLIGHTER-$4.99

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I love this highlighter when I am looking for an everyday natural highlight. It is soft and gives the skin a healthy glow without drawing too much attention. Wet your brush with setting spray to get the most intense pigment from this product!

15. MAYBELLINE FIT ME DEWY+SMOOTH FOUNDATION -$7.99

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This foundation is beautiful on the skin. It works great for normal to dry skin. If you’re oily, but want that dewy look, try using a mattifying primer prior to using the foundation. It will help your skin to stay oil-free.

16. MAYBELLINE FIT ME MATTE+PORELESS FOUNDATION-$7.9941ACWEyPxIL._SY355_.jpg

The same foundation as the one above, except this one works best for oily skin! The coverage is buildable and it is mattifying! I personally use this and I love it. It keeps me shine-free!

17. WET N WILD PHOTO FOCUS FOUNDATION-$5.99porcelain1.png

I rotate foundations because I have so many. I grab this one often. The coverage is great! It stays matte on my skin for several hours without having to touch up.

18. L’OREAL PRO MATTE FOUNDATION-$10.99 900-3.jpg

Out of all of my drugstore foundations, this one is my favorite. I have oily skin, large pores, and texture. This foundation helps me with all 3 of my skin issues. It covers well and makes my skin look smooth. It lasts all day without getting oily. I usually powder once throughout the day just to freshen up.

19. MILANI 2-IN-1 FOUNDATION-$9.992930601.JPG

This foundation is a beauty secret. Not many people know about it because it isn’t talked about as much as others. Don’t let the small talk fool you, though. This product is great! The coverage is beautiful and it stays matte all day long.

20. MILANI PRIME LIGHT PRIMER-$9.99MTFP-02_grande.jpg

I love MAC strobe cream, but even the smallest bottle is pretty expensive. This primer compares to strobe cream for half the price! It is an oil-free pore minimizing primer that gives the skin a radiant glow!

21. SIMPLE MICELLAR WATER-$9.99

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I love a good cleansing water and I am very impressed at how pure this cleansing water is! It is gentle on my sensitive skin and removes makeup wonderfully.

22. WITCH HAZEL-$4.79900-4.jpg

Toning the skin after cleansing is extremely important. Toner corrects and balances the pH of your skin. When your pH gets off, your skin may breakout and not look its best. This cheap natural astringent is a great and affordable toner option! Put it on a cotton pad and rub all over your face. It helps to remove any excess makeup and dirt that your cleanser might have missed. It is also great for oily/acne prone skin.

23. NEUTROGENA ULTRA GENTLE FACE WASH-$8.22

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This is a great every day cleanser for any skin type. It is so gentle! It doesn’t have harsh ingredients that dry out the skin. I love it!

24. NEUTROGENA HYDRO BOOST MOISTURIZER-$6.996811047_00.jpg

If you have followed me for a while, you know this moisturizer is my favorite. It feels so refreshing on the skin. I love the light gel consistency and the scent. It soaks into my skin well without leaving any residue. It is the perfect day time moisturizer, especially if your skin is oily like mine. Plus it contains hyaluronic acid which is an ingredient I am a huge fan of.

25.JERGENS NATURAL GLOW-$8.99

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Self-tanners are all pretty pricey, especially the good ones. But this every day gradual tan moisturizer is perfect for a natural looking tan. The scent is nice and you can’t beat the price!

26. TREE HUT SUGAR SCRUB-$6.99Tree-Hut-Pomegranate-Acai-Shea-Sugar-Scrub.jpg

I am so obsessed with this scrub! It smells amazing!

27. CETAPHIL DAILY CLEANSER-$8.99

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Cetaphil is another cleanser that is gentle enough for every day use. I use it often during the summer when my skin type is pretty normal.

28. BIORE PORE STRIPS -$10.49

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You just can’t beat the good ole Biore strips. These work amazing for getting those pesky blackheads removed from your nose.

29. GARNIER ROSE FACIAL SPRAY-$4.99

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I think this is another beauty secret that not many people have heard about. Now you have, and you can thank me later! This rose water is so refreshing and it makes your skin glow! It soothes the skin and calms redness. It also smells amazing!

30. SEPHORA PEARL EYE MASK-$5.00

Leaving the best for last! Most of you already know how much I believe in these Sephora pearl eye masks. They are simply amazing and you’ll just have to try them yourself to believe me. They brighten my eyes SO MUCH.

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