When it comes to low-priced makeup brands, we are often skeptical about the quality. After all, you don’t want to end up with a cakey foundation or a runny mascara. And the truth is that most of us are willing to spend more just to achieve the perfect porcelain look.
However, today, there are several excellent options in the market that happen to feature affordable price tags. So, if you want to experiment a bit with your makeup while in college, try out the following brands that will let you have some fun without having to break a bank.
L.A.Girl
We all know about this brand. And the chances are that we all have that $3 concealer somewhere in our bunch of makeup. It also sells great formulas for your skin, eyes, lips, and even nails. And yes, L.A.Girl also has a range of affordable accessories, including brushes.
After staying up all night to finish that term paper, you can indeed trust this affordable brand to help you hide those dark circles under your eyes. And if not enough, you can always approach essay writing services with those demanding topics. This will also allow you to get some much-required rest, perhaps. And as you know, there is no makeup powerful enough to replace the benefits of a good night’s sleep.
NYX
Nyx might be a bit pricier than L.A.Girl, but you can indeed expect a higher quality makeup. The brand offers amazing palettes to play around with. Be it for lipsticks or eyeshadows, NYX has tons of options within the nude and vibrant tones, so you can choose what goes with your personal style.
Nyx also offers a wide range of affordable multipurpose skincare and makeup. So, if you can use one thing for everything, then why waste money unnecessarily? They also have a vegan line at highly affordable rates.
Maybelline
Over the years, Maybelline has become something of a staple among makeup brands, especially shining for offering budget products. However, despite how it’s priced, you can trust the product to come with decent quality. Moreover, you can also find a range of Maybelline items within your local campus drugstore itself.
That said, relying on Maybelline for all your makeup needs might be tricky. Instead, you can experiment with a bit of all these affordable brands to find items that work best for you.
L’Oréal
When we have included Maybelline in the list, there is no way that we can ignore L’Oréal. You are already very familiar with this one. And you will be able to find virtually any product from this brand.
In fact, some items like the L’Oréal Paris Unbelieva-Brow collection are a favorite of even the best makeup artists, as they last longer.
Wet’N’Wild
Before you write off Wet N Wild as yet another drugstore brand, you might want to try it out. We particularly like its powder highlighters and liquid lipsticks that can outshine what you might find at Sephora. The Photofocus foundation line is also good and gives you a smooth finish.
Wet N Wild also features seasonal collections along with its standard permanent offerings. Since these are trend-driven, you will be able to find budget items to look great for the campus party or even to just dress up for an Instagram photoshoot.
e.l.f.
E.l.f. advertises itself as a cruelty-free, paraben-free, and 100% vegan brand. If this is not enough reasons to buy e.l.f., then the affordable pricing is enough to attract you. E.l.f. offers a fantastic line of makeup and skincare solutions that comes in great packaging.
The brand resonates with elegance and sophistication at the same time while giving you access to great products at a low cost. Yes, it would work well, even for the average student budget. And, if you are to buy from the website, you will also be able to bag some cool promotional offers.
Milani
Milani is yet another brand that features cruelty-free products. It even has an exclusive line of vegan offerings that has no traces of ingredients like beeswax or carmine. And not to mention, the price tags are also friendly enough for students.
You can also find seasonal looks and even eyelashes worth taking a second look at. Everyday items such as concealer, brow pencils, eyeliners, and lipstick, are all backed by great customer reviews.
Pixi Beauty
Pixi Beauty was first launched in the U.K. and had built quite a reputation there before venturing onto the international markets. Pixi’s great pastel packaging alone is reason enough to consider buying this. But their products are not only attractive but are also cruelty-free.
Pixi has not only makeup lines but also great skincare offerings. The Pixi Glow Tonic has become somewhat iconic and will work as a great primer. And since it does not contain alcohol, your skin will be nourished instead of feeling dry.
Covergirl
Covergirl has often been brushed aside as a drugstore line, but it has gone through a recent transformation to make all its products cruelty-free. The commitment paid out to be well worth it. Now, Covergirl products are Leaping Bunny certified, which is the gold standard in the beauty world.
As with most makeup brands these days, Covergirl has started offering a great skincare line as well. When it comes to makeup, we particularly like the mascaras that give you a lash extension effect at affordable costs.
Flower Beauty
You might know of Flower Beauty as Drew Barrymore’s brand. But her main objective was to make cruelty-free makeup accessible for everyone. Although the selection might not be as long as some other brands featured here, they are of high quality and come at a great value.
In fact, you can buy brow and lip bundles through the website for as cheap as $16. Flower Beauty also features a series of skin care products such as facial masks and serums.
IMAN Cosmetics
When you look at this line as one launched in 1994, your perception is about to change drastically. This is because supermodel Iman released a shade-inclusive line back when it was not even a concept. They cater to all skin tones and also happen to be cruelty-free.
The color palettes you will find with this brand are absolutely stunning. They also come with a touch of luxury while still costing you the same as the other affordable brands listed here.
Revlon
Revlon is often placed next to the likes of Maybelline and L’Oréal and has become another beauty staple in not only America but even in the international market. We will not argue that Revlon offers great products in all categories.
But some of the standout, such as the PhotoReady Candid Glow. It gives you a natural look while leaving a healthy glow.
Conclusion
As we noted earlier, we suggest that you do not rely on a single brand for all your makeup needs. It might take you a while to figure out what works best for you. While trying out different products might not be entirely the perfect strategy to adopt on a student budget, you should be able to find a few samples on the websites or even your local drugstore.
These products may have an affordable price tag, but that doesn’t mean they lack in quality when compared to luxury brands.
