10 Affordable Makeup Products to Try!

For Beginners on a Budget, Try Some of My Favorite Affordable Products

So you're ready to get into makeup, but you find the inside of a makeup retailer intimidating; The bright lights, the done-up employees, and different names for products that can do the same thing. I'm here to help! Starting your makeup journey can be confusing and somewhat expensive, but rest assured, it doesn't have to be when you have guidance. So as a broke, recent college graduate, with an impressive makeup collection, here are 10 products that have allowed me to continue doing what I love without breaking the bank:

1. e.l.f. primers

The first primer I've ever used was e.l.f.'s Hydrating Face Primer because I've dry skin, but they have many different pricing options, ranging from poreless to tone adjusting. This price for these primers ranges between $6.99-$10 depending on the retailer you buy from. e.l.f's products are available in a wide variety of drugstores and general merchandise stores. The price matches the value of the product.

2. Colourpop Pretty Fresh Foundation

As a black girl, finding a foundation that matches can be the thing that empties your pockets. On July 9th Colourpop launched their Pretty Fresh Foundation, and it can be bought online or in-person at Ulta. It retails for $16.00. I was hesitant about the product at first, but the shade range is pretty good. In fact, of all the Colourpop products I've tried, I found their Pretty Fresh Foundation to be more Black and brown girl friendly. It's a small foundation, it's lightweight, but it goes a long way, so you're getting a good amount of product for your buck.

3. Maybelline Fit Me Foundation

Maybelline foundations have come a long way. There are two different types of Fit Me foundation: Matte + Poreless and Dewy + Smooth. The best thing about the Fit Me Foundation is that you can find it practically anywhere that has a beauty aisle for as low as $5.00 and no more than $8.00.I've used both, and this brand is my go-to foundation as of now. As far as the color range goes, of course, it could be better, but it's not terrible.

4. Colourpop Pretty Fresh Concealer

Along with the Pretty Fresh Foundation, Colourpop also released a corresponding line of concealers. Again, the range is surprisingly good. Like the foundation, the concealer is also lightweight and buildable. Since their range is pretty good, some of these concealers could even act as contours as well! They retail for $9.00 and can be found at Ulta or bought online from Colourpop. There are no worries when it comes to finding the right shade because Colourpop does have a shade finder on their website!

5. L.A. Girl Pro Concealer

The L.A. Girl Pro Concealer is what I like to call "Ol' reliable". Almost everyone just starting in makeup has owned several of these tubes. Like the Pretty Fresh Concealer, depending on your skin tone, some of these colors can act as a contour. As far as shade range goes, it's not great, it's not even good, but if you can find a color that works, it should get the job done. These concealers are widely available too and retail for, at most, $5.00.

6. NYX Cosmetics Fill & Fluff

Almost any and all NYX eyebrow pencils are decent for the price you pay. They aren't spectacular, but they're easy to work with, especially if you don't want to go broke learning how to do your eyebrows. I'm recommending the Fill & Fluff pencil because it's the only one I've used. They retail for about $11.00, but you may be able to find them for a lower price. Unlike most eyebrow pencils that have a spoolie blender at the other end of the pencil, this one has a brush end, similar to the Fenty Beauty Brow MVP pencil. I don't have a preference on which blending tool I think is better. I've used spoolies and brush end blenders and the results were usually pleasing.

7. Maybelline Volum' Plush Express The Mega Plush

Washable Mascara

There was a time where I could not leave my room to go to class without putting on Maybelline's Mega Plush mascara! It is still one of my favorites mascaras, and it costs $7.99 at most stores. Clumping is not a major issue with this mascara and it made my long lashes look absolutely wonderful. If this particular mascara doesn't do it for you, Maybelline has many other mascaras, some of which I also love, that are good, affordable products as well. Like other Maybelline products, this mascara and the others are very accessible and can be found in most beauty aisles.

8. Any Generic Makeup Brush Shall Do

As you become more proficient in makeup, the quality and price of the brushes you use will increase. In my experience, I've found that some cheaper brushes work better for me than a brush from a $100+ set. When I first started my makeup journey I bought my first brushes from amazon and it cost me $15.00, but now the same set only costs $9.00. I still use many of these brushes and I bought them 2 years ago. The makeup brushes I bought after this purchase was brushes found in the beauty aisle of drugstores or from beauty supply stores.

Though, I've never bought a brush set from e.l.f, I have purchased individually packaged brushes for $3.00 at drugstores. I've also seen e.l.f brush sets that range from $12.00-$50.00. While $50 for brushes may seem daunting to someone on a budget, it's surprisingly cheap and the quality is good!

9. L.A. Girl Pro Primer Eyeshadow Stick

This $3.99 product is still an important part of my makeup routine 2 years into my makeup journey. I've tried expensive eyeshadow primers, but this one is still my go-to. I use the white base to help my eyeshadow stand out more.

10. NYX Buttergloss

This is another one of my favorite makeup products. I've never been much of a lipstick girl, but I am a gloss girl and the pigmented NYX Buttergloss is a must-have! A single gloss is only $5.00, but you can buy them in sets. There are 31 amazing shades, so you have many to choose from!