Luxe vs. Less: High end vs. drugstore holy grail beauty products
In this ever changing world of beauty, it seems new cosmetic companies are being released faster than it takes us to wait for our favorite matte lippie to dry.
I don't know about you, but the struggle is certainly real, whenever I visit Ulta, Sephora or even the drugstore and am faced with dozens of brands. Through trial and error, I feel like I've finally figured out what works best for me.
Here are some of my current holy grail high end and affordable products, to help make your life easier.
Primer
As we all know primer is an essential step to ensuring your makeup stays put from your morning commute to your late night meeting or party. It helps provide a perfected canvas whether you’re planning a natural, glowy or matte look.
High end: The high-end primer that I find myself always going back to is Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer ($36). This primer keeps my oily skin at bay and smoothes, blurs and perfects skin. There is a blend of vitamins A&E, grape seed extract and green tea.
Drugstore: NYX Studio Perfect Photo-Loving Primer ($12.99) is a great drugstore alternative and also helps reduce large pores and fine lines.
Foundation
From left, Smashbox Studio Skin, Dior Airflash and Mac Studio Fix foundations
Foundation varies with each skin type. What may work for my skin, may not be your cup of tea, however after several fails, I think I have finally determined my favorites.
High end: Dior Airflash Spray foundation, ($62 at Sephora and other department stores), MAC Studio Fix Fluid ($28) and Smashbox Studio Skin 15-hour Wear Hydrating Foundation ($42, at Macy’s), are my holy grails.
The Dior product provides an airbrushed finish and is my ultimate go-to for a special event/occasion. To use the product, I like to spray the foundation on my face and use a makeup brush to disperse the product. Then I like to buff the foundation in with a damp beauty blender for a flawless look.
The Smashbox foundation is great for everyday, providing medium coverage and the MAC product is full coverage.
My favorite drugstore foundation is a toss-up between L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte24-hour demi-matte finish ($12.99 at Ulta) and Maybelline Fit-Me Matte +Poreless ($7.99 at Ulta). Both products perform similarly, however I sometimes find I look too matte (if there's such thing, with my oily skin), with the L’Oreal product, depending on the season.
Concealer
Tarte Cosmetics shape tape concealer in light medium and light medium honey. In the middle is Maybelline Age Rewind concealer in brightener.
Concealers are the perfect way to hide any undereye circles and to help brighten up any look.
If you asked me years ago, what concealer I was wearing, I would most likely tell you I didn't even own one. Today a makeup look feels empty without concealer under the eyes, as the product helps highlight and brighten the face, not to mention hide any undereye dark circles.
The best method for really opening up the eye is to apply the product in an upside down triangle under the eye, down the nose and above the lip and chin. Following this step, use a damp beauty blender or a makeup brush to blend. A great tip is to look up, while blending under the eye to prevent creasing.
Without waiting too long, you will need to set the areas, to ensure the concealer stays put, and to further prevent under eye creasing. (see next step)
High end: Tarte Double Duty Beauty Shape Tape Concealer in the shade light medium honey. ($24 at Tarte Cosmetics or Ulta), is my ultimate go-to. This concealer is full coverage, blends like a dream and lasts all day. Warning however, this concealer is almost always out of stock, as it is an Ulta exclusive. If you see it available, snatch it as soon as you can.
Drugstore: Maybelline Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Treatment Concealer in the shade brightener is great for brightening. I can’t tell you how many tubes I have gone through.
Setting Powder
From left, Coty Airspun Powder and Laura Mercier translucent powder
Using a setting powder in your makeup routine, will set your concealer all day.
Tip: Apply setting powder with a damp, (yes damp) beauty blender in areas you concealed, and let it sit for a minute or more depending on the look you're going for. This is called baking. While waiting, you can work on the rest of the face, i.e. bronzer, contour, etc. Next, go back to the areas you applied setting powder and lightly brush it off.
High end: To set the concealer, my current go to is Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder ($38 at Sephora). The powder is silky, so light on the skin and will not cake up your makeup.
Drugstore: a drugstore alternative is Coty Airspun loose face translucent powder which can be found at Walmart for $5.47. This powder also works well to set concealer in place, however many have complained about the scent. I on the other hand, do not have an issue with it and the container lasts forever.
From left, NYC Bronzer in the shade "Sunny" and Benefit Hoola bronzer
Bronzer
To give your skin a sun-kissed glow even though you haven't seen much all fall and winter, bronzer is a must and can also double as a contour shade. To apply, use a kabuki brush and sweep over the cheeks, forehead and nose, (think of the areas the sun naturally hits.)
High end: Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Bronzer ($29 at Sephora), is a matte powder that provides a natural-looking bronze, that won’t give off Oompa Loompa vibes.
Drugstore: N.Y.C. New York Color Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder in the shade “Sunny” provides a sheer bronze glow without any shimmer. The product retails for $3.62 at Target.
Blush
From left, Milani Cosmetics Rose D'Oro and Urban Decay Cosmetics 'Score' blush
Blush can help provide warmth and radiance to the cheeks.
High end: Current favorite is Urban Decay Afterglow 8-hour powder blush ($26 Sephora) in the shade “Score.” The color is described as a medium pink peach with a hint of shimmer and is finely-milled and extremely blendable, for that cheeky pop of color. There are ten shades available, perfect for any skin tone.
Drugstore: Milani baked powder blushes offer incredible pigment and ultra smooth color. I can’t begin to tell you how many blushes in the shade “Luminoso” that I have gone through. My current favorite shade is Rose D’oro, ($9.99 CVS) which is a pretty peach shimmery hue. The color can be sheered out or layered on. The shimmer in the product can even be used to highlight above the cheeks.
Highlighter
From left, Becca x Jaclyn Hill Champagne Pop, Mac Extra Dimension Skinfinish in Oh Darling and The Balm Cosmetics Mary- Lou Manizer.
While we’re on the topic of highlighter, let’s just say… I’m a fan—because who doesn’t want to glow. Highlighter can really make any look pop (literally).
High end: Favorites are Becca x Jaclyn Hill Champagne Pop, ($38 Sephora), TheBalm Mary- Lou Manizer ($24, Kohl’s, TheBalm website), and MAC Extra Dimension Skinfinish in Oh Darling.
Drugstore: Wet n Wild megaglo highlight in Precious Petals ($4.99) and the highlighters in the Carli Bybel palette by BH Cosmetics ($14.50) are stunning. Note, this palette is limited edition as a deluxe edition will soon be released. (Check back for an upcoming review on that palette).
Tip: Apply highlight to the top of the cheekbones in a c-shape, on the inner corner of the eye, top of the cheekbones, tip of the nose and on the cupid’s bow (think of the where the light usually hits).
Eye Shadow
From left, Tarte Amazonian Clay eye shadow palette and the Anastasia Beverly Hills Master Palette by Mario (limited edition) palette.
Eye shadow is a great way to play up your eyes. The opportunities are endless in the looks that can be created from natural, matte, shimmery, smoky or glittery.
High end: The palettes that are my go-to’s for everyday looks, from matte to shimmer are the Anastasia Beverly Hills World Traveler Palette (which was limited edition), the Tarte Color Vibes Amazonian Clay eye shadow palette ($46 on the Tarte website) and the Anastasia Beverly Hills Master Palette by Mario, (limited edition, $45 Sephora).
Tarte’s palette has 20 full size matte and shimmer shades, which range from warm colors to plums and hints of blue. There are perfect transition shades and the shimmers are even more intensely pigmented by spraying a brush with setting spray before dipping into them.
The highly anticipated Mario palette (created with celebrity makeup artist, Mario Dedivanovic) offers warm tone neutral and jewel-toned shades perfect for the fall. There is amazing color payoff in the shadows and the shimmers range from rose gold to metallic gold to olives and champagne.
Drugstore: The Carli Bybel (BH Cosmetics) palette is a show-stopper, especially at the $14.50 price tag. (BH Cosmetics website and available at Ulta- see above). There’s a great selection of 10 matte and shimmer shadows and four face highlighters that are perfect for day to night looks.
Wet ‘n’ Wild Comfort Zone palette are highly pigmented and lasts all day ($4.79, Walgreens) The 8-color palette features earthy tones, to neutral and duo chrome hues. The shadows are even comparable, to dare I say...Urban Decay Cosmetics.
Tip: to make shadow last all day, use an eye primer or even concealer and set with powder. This will also allow shadows to blend easier and will prevent colors from looking muddy.
Mascara
Mascara can make all the world’s difference in really opening up the eye.
High end: Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes, 4-in-1 mascara ($21 on the Tarte site), provides unbelievable length and volume to lashes and separates beautifully. Another great product is Lancôme Defencils High- Definition Mascara ($27.50 at Sephora).
Drugstore: L’Oreal Paris Telescopic Mascara in carbon black is a cult favorite, and there's a reason why-- it's incredible. ($9.99 at Ulta). The wand is clump-free and lengthens lashes, providing volume.
Eyeliner
Eyeliner in general, whether in the waterline or on the lash line, has become a staple in the everyday makeup routine.
High end: The Balm Cosmetics Schwing eyeliner ($17) has a great felt tip providing for easy application. Inglot Cosmetics liner in the shade #77, ($15) has high intensity pigment which will last all day.
Drugstore: A great liquid eyeliner at the drugstore is NYC liquid eyeliner, ($2.77, Walmart) which has a matte formula and is a favorite among many.
Lipstick
Top, Tarte lip sculptor duo, right Milani Matte innocence and Milani matte lipsticks. Left, Kylie Jenner liquid lipstick in Smiley and Kat Von D liquid lipstick in Melancholia.
When it comes to lips, Tarte Cosmetics is one of my favorites.
High end: The Rainforest of the Sea color splash hydrating lipstick ($21, Tartecosmetics.com)is extremely comfortable on the lips (not to mention the blue marble container is amaze). The creamy formula comes in 24 shades, so there's something for everyone. I also really enjoy the Tarte lip sculptor and lip gloss in the shade basic, which is a white nude (see picture above). I use this almost on the daily and have an extra in my purse. The full coverage is perfect for the office or outing, and the gloss is shiny and not sticky. There are 16 colors.
Drugstore: Milani Cosmetics has great lipsticks at an affordable price. The color statementline ($4.99, Target) has a range of mattes, pearls and satin finishes which work well with any look. The color matte innocence is a great everyday go-to.
Setting Spray
Now, that we've got the full face on, you'll have to set it with a spray. Setting sprays have gotten extremely popular today more than ever.
High end: I really enjoy using Smashbox photo finish primer water ($32, Ulta) to set my makeup and remove any powder residue, etc. that may make my face look cakey. Another favorite is the coveted Mac Prep and Prime Fix +, ($24) however this does not necessarily make your makeup last all day, it acts more like a refresher.
Drugstore: A great alternative is Pixi by Petra Glow Mist ($15, Target). The spray is enriched with natural oils, aloe vera and fruit extracts.
Let me know what your holy grail items are down below and drop a line at thebeautyradar@gmail.com or on my social media sites.
