Sometimes the cheaper brands really give you what you pay for, but I found a few hidden gems that I thought I would share. This is just my experience, may not work for everyone. For context, I have a light / dry and sensitive combination skin, a neutral / slightly cool tone. Add some in the comments if you have any! # 1 the regular serum foundation, $ 6 – decent range of shades, not a ton of options, they can be mixed, and even if you’ve bought two, it’s still cheaper than a single bottle of many other brands – light weight, not cake – blends well – feels super smooth – no oxidation issues – applies best with a wet imo sponge – put on straight away or be sure to melt again with a damp sponge just before setting, otherwise it might settle in the creases – exaggerates the appearance of dry or textured skin, but usually not too noticeable when attached – does not stay well under a mask but it doesn’t matter what you wear a mask lol – overall a good product. Not my favorite foundation but for $ 6 I think it works great. # 2) Makeup Revolution free-setting powder (the one that comes in a box and has a round container, not the loose baking powder in the small jar.) $ 11 – seems to go pretty white but looks good a once any excess is brushed off – sets makeup well and blends evenly – same main ingredients as Urban Decay Velvet, provides a similar smooth finish. it’s not exactly that velvety but hey, it’s about half the price. # 3 inexpensive yet pigmented eyeshadows with a nice variety of shades. – juvia’s place: palettes of $ 14 – $ 30 – makeup revolution: palettes generally around $ 12 – $ 20 – morph: palettes generally in the range $ 15 – $ 25 – bh cosmetics: palettes around $ 15 – $ 25 # 4 nyx total control drops $ 14 – comparable to the cover The custom fx cover decreases in use and application, but the packaging is actually nicer because the cap is better resulting in less oxidation in the bottle and less wasted product stuck around the cap. – can be applied on its own as a foundation – provides decent but relatively light coverage – nice range of shades – I think I remember this makeup oxidizing a bit throughout the day but I don’t remember how 100% to be honest – easily mixable with other products – can settle into creases, be careful not to use too much and mix the mixture with a damp sponge – again not my favorite, but does a good job for the price imo # 5 milani matte bronzer – not super pigmented, may have to use a little more than you expect – blends easily – offered in relatively clear and cool shades, great for people who have a hard time finding a contour powder for light or cool skin tones # 6 Star Studios Highlighting / Blush and Face Gloss: ~ $ 6 – beautiful dewy finish – smooth, not smudged like some products of b shine for the face imo – a little goes a long way! – Face shine can be added to foundation to create a dewy ime finish – use BEFORE imo powder, otherwise it is too sticky and may wipe off other products, still gives a nice glow even under matte powder. I sometimes superimpose a powder reflection for a really nice pop. # 7 Nk Makeup Perfection Highlighter ~ $ 4 – decently pigmented, no wonder but better than some more expensive imo options. – shimmer finish – pretty undertones, offers a variety of warm and cool tones, even comes in almost white undertones light enough for very fair skin which is sometimes hard to find. – nice size, long lasting # 8 cala lashes $ 6 + $ 20 depends on package size – cute styles, nice variety – band a bit flexible, takes a bit of work to break but when broken applies well – not the easiest strip to hide, it takes getting used to – fluffy, light lashes that don’t have an overly plastic look like some other synthetic lashes – stay good, limited peeling or popping issues, make sure simply use a little extra glue on the corners and bring it up to the top of the cluster, almost touching the lashes (when curled with your lashes this extra glue will be hidden) # 9 TJ maxx makeup or Marshall in general – while these stores offer brand names on the cheap, sometimes it is due to a serious flaw. For example, I bought a foundation that had faulty packaging by mistake and was never sealed when closed. They do accept returns so ultimately it was fine, just be sure to check the reviews online or see if the product has been discontinued, changed form for some reason, or has some other flaw that prompts them. other retailers wanting to get rid of it. Sometimes the product itself is fine, but another retailer may just have excess stock and need to get rid of it, so you may find something good for a steal, just be careful!
My ride or die foundation at the moment is the Maybelline Dream Urban Cover SPF 50, I have dry, sensitive skin and I’m on the pale olive spectrum and I find it works really well with my moisturiser and spf. It’s on the lighter coverage side and it’s very glowy and natural!
PS. If you’re looking to buy cosmetics or skincare from Tk Maxx/Tj Maxx then please look for the batch code of the product and search for it online. [This blog better explains the why and how,](https://www.google.com/amp/s/rachellynncarr.wordpress.com/2015/03/22/lets-talk-about-batch-codes/amp/) it’s especially important for skincare as the active ingredients will likely stop performing after expiration.
L’oreal Lash Paradise Mascara ($10.00) works amazing on lashes, is clump free, and found at almost any local drugstore and Walmart
Elf eyeshadows which are quite budget friendly as they’re no more then a max of $ 15.00 for the largest pallettes are beautiful, pigmented, and blend like any high end product
Elf liquid eyeliner ($ 3.00) is long lasting, smooth, and easy to apply
L’oreal infallible concealer ($10.00) super high coverage, goes on smooth and blendable, doesn’t cake and lasts all day
Revolution Cosmetics Roxi contour palette ($15.00) contains 4 bronzers and 4 highlighters which blend so smoothly and just melt into the skin I honestly was amazed by them. Definitely recommend
Elf poreless putty primer ($ 8.00). While it doesn’t completely do the poreless part it’s still a wonderful primer that’s super moisturizing and works wonders for matte and dewy foundations
Profusion cosmetics lip trios ($ 5.00) which come with a glossy liquid lipstick, a regular matte lipstick and a lip liner are honestly one of the best affordable lipsticks I’ve ever tried. They’re buttery, moisturizing, softening to the lips and overall just look amazing not to mention they smell really good too
I love threads like this! SO helpful when looking for new products 🙂 Here are some of my affordable favourites:
* ELF Poreless Putty Primer
* NYX Born to Glow Foundation (this is slept on)
* Maybelline Fit Me Concealer
* Rimmel Stay Matte Powder
* NYX Precision Brow Pencil (better than the micro one!)
* Milani blushes and highlighters (you can’t go wrong with any of them tbh)
* ELF/Real Techniques brushes
* Essence Volume Stylist Lash Extension Mascara (purple tube)
* Milani Soft & Sultry palette (amazing cool tones in this one)
* Catrice Dewy Glow Fixing Spray
As great as makeup from Tj Maxx and Marshall’s seems I’d really not recommend buying just any product from there they tend to be repackaged and or expired. I myself have purchased several products that were 100% cut with some type of liquid. I also have friends who’ve for TJ’s and they often discover fake labels on Chinese rip offs of other products
***Thank you for contributing to MUA! If this is your first post, please be sure to check out our rules in the subreddit sidebar. If you are on mobile, they can be viewed by tapping the*** ⓘ ***symbol***
**A few quick highlights:**
• If you are posting a look, haul, or flatlay, please be sure to include a [product list, complete with shade names within 20 minutes of posting.](https://www.reddit.com/r/MakeupAddiction/wiki/productlist)
• Also, please ensure your pictures are not [edited or filtered. This includes automatic beauty modes found on many phones and newer cameras.](https://www.reddit.com/r/MakeupAddiction/wiki/photoediting)
• Lastly, our [Helpful Guides for Navigating MUA](https://www.reddit.com/r/MakeupAddiction/wiki/helpfulguides) in the sidebar explains some of the basics of the community as well as commonly misinterpreted rules.
**Is your post just a search away?**
Before you make a post, search with Reddit’s search feature or use this handy [customised Google search.](https://cse.google.com/cse?cx=008480394191906358284:aflieg73nqm)
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/MakeupAddiction) if you have any questions or concerns.*