We all have mornings where we’re strapped for time yet still need to look presentable. It’s important to be incredibly efficient while doing a full face of makeup every day in such a short time. If you are new to cosmetics, having the necessary makeup essentials is the best way to get started quickly and efficiently. Fortunately, I have come across a few products that make it easier for me to apply a full face of makeup in just ten to fifteen minutes. I have a mixture of high end and drugstore makeup products that I use depending on the occasion. I find it helpful that there are so many high-quality products under $10 to fit my student budget. There is absolutely no need to break the bank trying to live your best life.
Face
Primer:
e.l.f Poreless Face Primer
The last thing you want to realize during the day is that your makeup has smudged off after you’ve been resting your head on your hands during class. The e.l.f. Poreless Face Primer will keep your makeup on all day while blurring pores to provide a smooth canvas for long-lasting makeup application.
It retails at Target for $6.00.
NYX Professional Makeup Shine Killer
The NYX Makeup Shine Killer Primer is a classic in my VIP line up. I started using the product in middle school when I was experimenting with makeup. Early on, I could see the mattifying qualities were no joke! Back then, I used to wear the product alone or with a little BB Cream. Now, I use it as a base for every makeup look I do. This NYX’s primer creates the perfect smooth layer to apply face products!
It retails at Target for $7.39.
Foundation:
Black Radiance True Complexion BB Cream
Since some of my foundations are on the bit heavier side, so I tend to reach for my Black Radiance BB cream over the summer. This beauty balm offers light-weight coverage and pairs well with the Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Powder. Every time I wear this product, I get SO many compliments. It has such a smooth and natural finish, people believe it is my skin au naturale.
I’m the shade Brown Sugar and it retails at Target for $4.99.
Maybelline Super Stay Full Coverage Liquid Foundation Makeup
I’ve been using this foundation since Junior year of high school! I love the full coverage and the pump it offers. It’s also pretty affordable and lasts for a decent amount of time. It’s a bit on the heavier side, so I tend to reach for my BB cream over the summer, but this is perfect for all other times of the year! It pairs nicely with the concealer and powder foundation from the same line if you need a little more coverage here and there!
I’m the shade 360 – Mocha and it retails at Target for $9.99.
Fenty Beauty By Rihanna Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation
Most mornings I opt for lighter but even-looking coverage when it comes to foundation. I want my skin to have a healthy glow without going over the top. For this look I use Fenty Beauty’s Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Foundation. I’m always amazed whenever I apply the foundation because it literally melts into my skin. It dries down to a soft matte finish, which I love because my skin tends to get super oily. I also love how blendable this foundation is and the end result feels completely weightless.
I’m the shade 440 – for deep skin with warm undertones and it retails at Sephora for $34.00.
M.A.C Studio Fix Fluid
This is my HOLY GRAIL foundation! Now this foundation lacks any sort of “natural effect,” so anytime I want my skin to look like plastic (but in a good way) I turn to M.A.C for important events or mesmerizing photos. With that being said, this foundation is super heavy (I mean it feels like you are wearing a mask) but it will leave your skin looking flawless for any amount of time.
I’m the shade NW50 – for rich coffee with neutral undertone for dark skin (neutral-warm) and it retails at a M.A.C Counter for $30.00.
Concealer:
L.A. Girl HD Pro Conceal
Forget about those high-end expensive concealers that cost a fortune. The L.A. Girl Concealer offers quality for an inexpensive price. The consistency of this concealer is creamy, but it is not difficult to blend. And a little goes a long way as well! Since it isn't necessary to use a lot of product, it seems like the concealer lasts forever.
I’m the shade GC988 Dark Cocoa and it retails at Ulta for $3.74.
Powder:
Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Powder
This is my go-to finishing product. I layer this on top of my foundation, BB Cream, or just concealer daily. Or for those days where I want minimal coverage with minimal effort, I just apply this in the morning and leave.
I’m the shade 360 – Mocha and it retails at Target for $5.99.
Cover FX Perfect Setting Powder
This setting powder is comparable to Laura Mercier’s iconic Translucent Loose Setting Powder. My favorite part of this product is that it is talc free. Within the last couple of years, there has been a big controversy regarding talc being in Johnson & Johnson baby powder and leading to ovarian cancer. Despite this, the only reason why Cover FX opted for a talc-free formula was mainly that talc is too chalky and never truly disappears into the skin. Another great aspect of this setting powder is that there isn’t any flashback. Finally, its satin-like finish mattifies, set and brightens all skin types.
I’m the shade Deep Translucent and it retails at Sephora for $35.00.
Blush:
Black Radiance Artisan Color Baked Blush – Raspberry
The Black Radiance Artisan Color Baked Blush in the shade: Raspberry is my favorite fall and winter blush. It gives the perfect added hue to my face (just because sometimes my foundation works too well at giving me an even tone). This blush looks wonderful on darker skin tones. Also, the best part of this blush is the price.
I enjoy the shade Raspberry and it retails at Target for $4.79.
NARS Blush – Desire
This is another must have high end product. I have been wearing this blush since middle school. I know the color is daunting, (to say the least) but a light application of this hue delivers a natural-looking flush. Also the blush can be applied wet or dry with buildable coverage that delivers a wide range of effects, ranging from ultra-sheer to powerful pops of color. This particular shade is super natural on me and is perfect for spring and summer look!
I enjoy the shade Desire and it retails at Sephora for $30.00.
Highlight:
Sometimes I like to leave the house with a nice natural glow. So, I lightly highlight my cheekbones by applying Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder in Glow.
I enjoy the shade Medium Deep and it retails at Sephora for $39.00.
Eyes
Eye Brow:
NYX Professional Makeup Eyebrow Cake Powder
This is my go-to eyebrow sculpting tool. The wax and powder combination provides a water and sweat-proof experience. And the two powder shades make it easy to do a gradient eyebrow look.
I’m the shade Dark Brown and it retails at Target for $5.99.
e.l.f Instant Lift Brow Pencil
I use the e.l.f Instant Lift Brow Pencil to make my brows look defined and a bit fuller. I pencil in my eyebrows mimicking the natural direction of the hair and use the spooli on the other end to blend it all out.
I’m the shade Neutral Brown and it retails at Target for $2.00.
Eye Shadow Primer:
AOA Wonder Cover Concealer
Though this is a concealer, I only use it as an eye shadow primer. It has a very thick consistency and dries quickly, which makes it perfect for prevent creasing. Also, a little goes a long way with this concealer, so the product last forever. And nothing can beat the price.
I enjoy the shade Toffee and it retails at shopmissa.com for $1.00.
Eye Shadow:
Hard Candy Top Ten Eyeshadow Palette
I try to keep my eyes quick and simple, so nude and matte eyeshadows are my jam. This affordable palette offers all the possible eye colors needed to complete any professional look.
I enjoy the Birthday Suit palette and it retails at Walmart for $6.00.
Kat Von D Beauty Shade + Light Eye Contour Palette
This palette is the ultimate investment. I use the palette daily. Sometimes a combination of all three of them! It’s a great way to try out multiple colors of the richly pigmented Kat Von D shadows.
This retails at Sephora for $48.00.
Mascara:
Essence I Love Extreme Crazy Volume Mascara
I grabbed this on an impulse a long time ago when trying to find my holy grail mascara, and that is exactly what happened. This mascara provides crazy volume (like my lashes look like falsies). And somehow this mascara separates, extends and lifts each lash without clumping.
This retails at Ulta for $4.99.
Eye Liner:
e.l.f. Eyeliner Pen
I have to be honest. I do not wear eyeliner often enough to have strong feelings for any one particular product. When I need eyeliner I usually grab this eyeliner because e.l.f. is a great brand, the product is cruelty-free, and it is affordable.
This retails at Target for $2.00.
Lips
Lip Gloss:
NYX Professional Makeup Butter Gloss – Ginger Snap
The NYX Butter Gloss are some of my favorite lip glosses. The colors are true to the color of the tube itself. They are a affordable and come in plenty of different colors. I’ve had several of them, and the great thing is they are always on sale at Ulta. This shade is the perfect nude for dark skin.
I enjoy the shade Ginger Snap and it retails at Ulta for $4.99.
Lipstick:
NYX Professional Makeup Butter Gloss – Devil’s Food Cake
I seriously love these Butter Gloss glosses. When I put this gloss on it really does feel smooth and melty. NYX Butter Gloss is weightless and makes my lips softer and more pigmented.
I enjoy the shade Devil’s Food Cake and it retails at Ulta for $4.99.
NYX Professional Makeup Full Throttle – Loaded
I’m a big fan of lipstick now. I typically favor darker shades, and this shade is the perfect plum shade for fall and winter. This is the perfect matte lipstick. The lipstick does not budge! It is also pretty moisturizing.
I enjoy the shade Loaded and it retails at nyxcosmetics.com for $3.50.
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