Hi! I’m one of those people who grew up not allowed to do makeup, found one look that (sort of) worked for me in my 20s, and now want to figure out different techniques and products in my 30s. I’ve mostly stuck with lower end products in the past, largely because I can’t justify $$$$ for something I’m not great at. My skill level has improved somewhat since the pandemic, so now I’m curious about exploring higher-end products without spending unnecessarily.

Current collection favors NYX, Revolution, Colourpop. Probably the fanciest thing I own is Urban Decay setting spray 😆 are there brands or preferably specific brands and products you’d recommend to someone wanting to level up from here without spending just on the name brand? Any budget products you particularly love? Basically, what do you think is really worth spending on and what is just as serviceable on the low to middle end of price?

  • Notactuallyashark@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    11 months ago

    This is a very large ranging question and you’re going to get a wide variety of answers. Nobody can tell you what high end products are worth it to you personally. I’d start where you think there are gaps in your current arsenal that you’d like to fill.

    To me personally, I have just as much success in the drugstore section with lip products, eyeliners, eyeshadow, and sometimes blush.

    To me, my base is all high end and so is my fixing/setting. I have tried to find equivalent in drugstore because in general I spend too much on makeup anyways but can’t find anything comparable. I also spend on luxury skincare.

    My favorite drugstore products:

    NYX: -butter glosses: Amazing feel and pigment on the lips and they are CHEAP! HG for lipgloss.

    • Lip Liners: smooth and creamy baby.

    Maybelline:

    • Sky High Mascara: love the thin brush and they have a true brown
    • Lifter Gloss: also love the feel of these though the pigment is not quite as good as NYX
    • Matte Ink Liquid Lip: literally my HG of lip products. The staying power is insane.

    L’Oreal Paris: -Voluminous Million Lashes: great mascara, I love the waterproof version. I use Sky High now but this when I want WP.

    Milani:

    • Eyeshadow Primer: for me, literally works better than UD.
    • Baked Blushes: the ONLY powder blushes I use. They are incredible.

    Colourpop:

    • Eyeshadow everything: I’m talking palettes, super shock singles, jelly singles. You cannot go wrong with colourpop shadows.
    • various cream/powder highlighters: also love these.

    Essence:

    • Extreme Lasting Eye Pencil: also my HG of eyeliner. Stays put after smudging.

    HIGH END “WORTH IT”s TO ME PERSONALLY:

    Charlotte Tilburry:

    • Setting Spray: this is a HG. My skin is amazing with this.

    Hourglass:

    • Veil Translucent Setting Powder: also HG. If I had to choose a single product that has changed my makeup for the better this would probably be it.

    Armani:

    • Luminous Silk Foundation: also HG. You hear about how amazing it is, it is. I have dry skin.

    NARS:

    • Concealer Pot: this is HG for spot concealing. It is so perfect for that. Not so much for under eyes.
    • Tinted Moisturizer: I like the texture a lot.

    Tarte:

    • Shape Tape Extra Creamy: I use this currently for under eyes and I mostly like it (def better than any drugstore I’ve tried) but I’m looking for something even better.

    Have so much fun! EDIT: can’t believe I forgot Colourpop. Added.