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![Drugstore Makeup - Favorites of the Moment! (Aug 2012)
This is a question which was asked yesterday so I thought it was time to do a detailed post about the drugstore or low-cost items that I love.
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*Disclaimer: I’m located in Asia, so I don’t necessarily have access to all the same brands that you might! If you like a particular brand that I don’t mention, it might simply be because I can’t get it here. Do reply/comment to this post and share YOUR favorites with everyone!
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Favorite BB Cream
Shall I say “CC” cream? I’ve tried so many from Maybelline, Garnier, etc but I still have to say you should stick with the real BB Creams from Asian specialty manufacturers if you want something that isn’t just tinted moisturizer.
I’m still loving my Rachel K, and I know it’s not easily available outside of Singapore, but I know the ever-fabulous Lisalisad1 on Youtube will be distributing these in the US shortly. Do drop her a message on lisalisad1.com to find out about the expected date it will be available - and let her know I sent you there! :-)
The Rachel K feels feather-light and has no visible “makeup texture” on the skin, sets to a natural matte finish, controls oil, but still manages to even out my skin tone better than other tinted moisturisers I’ve tried. Pair that with a whole load of antioxidants and an above-30 SPF, and you have a winner.
I usually apply a mineral powder over it because BB creams don’t usually match your skin tone and are better as a primer or neutralising base rather than foundation.
Note: This does have fragrance so if you’re very sensitive or don’t like scents, avoid this.
—
Foundation:
Bourjois Healthy Mix! Big rave. I’ve used it for over a year and it’s the only drugstore foundation that I will still pick over the higher-end options in my stash like Dior Nude, Make Up For Ever HD, MAC, etc.
It’s got medium coverage, a featherweight matte texture (you can tell I’m big on “featherweight”), lasts the whole day when I’m out for more than 12 hours, and looks really good upclose. I quite like Revlon Colorstay in terms of how it looks, but it feels heavier and has that horrible scent. If you don’t mind the smell and don’t mind mixing it with a touch of clear primer to sheer it out, that’s a good one as well.
The biggest problem? This comes in so few shades, which is really disappointing.
—
Concealer:
I don’t have a whole lot of options here (the options in Asian drugstores are staggeringly pitiful), but of the ones I’ve tried, I like Revlon Photoready concealer because it’s that in-between texture that is not too creamy or to dry, so it’s kinda multi-purpose. You can use it on blemishes AND under the eyes, although the shade range sucks in Asia, and I can’t say it is especially good at either purpose.
I’d love to try Hard Candy Glamouflage one of these days.
—
Eyebrow and Eye Pencils:
Brows - Maybelline Eyestudio Brow pencils are cheap, effective and come in a good dark taupe shade for those with black brows like myself.
Eyes -
I love Milani Liquif’Eye but for those outside the US, I love Bourjois pencils as well. They come in the most amazing metallic colors.
If you’re in Southeast Asia, the other one you have to check out is Silky Girl. I’ve always been a bit of a snob in terms of dismissing anything with bad branding/advertising, but their colored pencils are produced in Germany by the same manufacturers who supply other brands.
—
Shadows:
NYX or Wet n Wild - great shade range, great texture, great price. I don’t have access to Sleek or Barry M unless I ship them in (which defeats the purpose), but I’m hoping to try these someday.
Coastal Scents Hot Pots - not technically drugstore but they’re cheaper than drugstore, at $1.99 per pan. If you follow me on Instagram (@makeup_box), you’ll have seen my recent picture of the huge 28 shade palette I filled with a rainbow of hot pots. The pigmentation is fantastic on most of the new shades, and I have to say the quality of many of these would match or surpass a lot of my high-end brands. The problem is you can’t accurately tell the colors online.
If you’re in Asia and can’t access the above 2 online, then go for Kate (above), which is silky-smooth and as finely-milled as high-end shadows. The only issue is that the shades are all shimmery/glittery, and most palettes don’t have enough dark shades (which ironically many Asians need, to create depth and definition to monolids)
Liquid/Gel Liners:
Liquid - Bourjois is #1. I love the fine brush tip. I don’t have Wet n Wild here or I’d love to try thei regular liquid liner for a comparison.
Gel - Maybelline Eyestudio. It’s not the best gel liner in the world by any means, but for something that costs what it costs, and that FANTASTIC brush you get with every jar, this comes close.
Mascara
L’oreal Voluminous (yes, yes, I know many people find it clumpy but it’s not on me, which is odd.) I AM curious about the new Voluminous Full Definition but the local drugstores have not brought that in yet.
Rimmel and Bourjois get props because I like most of their mascaras as well.
If you have short stubby lashes, the get Majolica Majorca Lash Expander. I used this exclusively for about 4 years back when I was working in Taipei and not that interested in exploring makeup. (Gasp.)
Blush:
I do like baked blushes in general because they tend to go on more translucent and give a nice glow. Revlon and Bourjois are pretty good. i LIKE NYX’s as well, but you’ll need to tap your brush on the back of your hand before applying to your cheeks or you can get a lot of chalkiness and fallout.
For cheap online blushes, I highly recommend La Femme blushes (makeupmania.com) if you’re in the US. This is one of those brands that is SO pigmented that they can easily function as eye shadows, and each pan costs less than $5.
Lipsticks:
Creme: Maybelline Color Sensational, Revlon Colorburst
Matte: Revlon Matte (not all the shades have good texture; Stormy Pink is so bad I wonder how it made it past Quality Control)
Would love to try: Cover Girl
Gloss:
Revlon Super Lustrous. They’re constantly being compared to Chanel Glossimers in terms of texture and performance. Enough said.
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[Main image source: luuux.com]](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m869ob2HV71qh70jmo1_r1_400.jpg)
Drugstore Makeup - Favorites of the Moment! (Aug 2012)
This is a question which was asked yesterday so I thought it was time to do a detailed post about the drugstore or low-cost items that I love.
—
*Disclaimer: I’m located in Asia, so I don’t necessarily have access to all the same brands that you might! If you like a particular brand that I don’t mention, it might simply be because I can’t get it here. Do reply/comment to this post and share YOUR favorites with everyone!
—
Favorite BB Cream
Shall I say “CC” cream? I’ve tried so many from Maybelline, Garnier, etc but I still have to say you should stick with the real BB Creams from Asian specialty manufacturers if you want something that isn’t just tinted moisturizer.
I’m still loving my Rachel K, and I know it’s not easily available outside of Singapore, but I know the ever-fabulous Lisalisad1 on Youtube will be distributing these in the US shortly. Do drop her a message on lisalisad1.com to find out about the expected date it will be available - and let her know I sent you there! :-)
The Rachel K feels feather-light and has no visible “makeup texture” on the skin, sets to a natural matte finish, controls oil, but still manages to even out my skin tone better than other tinted moisturisers I’ve tried. Pair that with a whole load of antioxidants and an above-30 SPF, and you have a winner.
I usually apply a mineral powder over it because BB creams don’t usually match your skin tone and are better as a primer or neutralising base rather than foundation.
Note: This does have fragrance so if you’re very sensitive or don’t like scents, avoid this.
—
Foundation:
Bourjois Healthy Mix! Big rave. I’ve used it for over a year and it’s the only drugstore foundation that I will still pick over the higher-end options in my stash like Dior Nude, Make Up For Ever HD, MAC, etc.
It’s got medium coverage, a featherweight matte texture (you can tell I’m big on “featherweight”), lasts the whole day when I’m out for more than 12 hours, and looks really good upclose. I quite like Revlon Colorstay in terms of how it looks, but it feels heavier and has that horrible scent. If you don’t mind the smell and don’t mind mixing it with a touch of clear primer to sheer it out, that’s a good one as well.
The biggest problem? This comes in so few shades, which is really disappointing.
—
Concealer:
I don’t have a whole lot of options here (the options in Asian drugstores are staggeringly pitiful), but of the ones I’ve tried, I like Revlon Photoready concealer because it’s that in-between texture that is not too creamy or to dry, so it’s kinda multi-purpose. You can use it on blemishes AND under the eyes, although the shade range sucks in Asia, and I can’t say it is especially good at either purpose.
I’d love to try Hard Candy Glamouflage one of these days.
—
Eyebrow and Eye Pencils:
Brows - Maybelline Eyestudio Brow pencils are cheap, effective and come in a good dark taupe shade for those with black brows like myself.
Eyes -
- I love Milani Liquif’Eye but for those outside the US, I love Bourjois pencils as well. They come in the most amazing metallic colors.
- If you’re in Southeast Asia, the other one you have to check out is Silky Girl. I’ve always been a bit of a snob in terms of dismissing anything with bad branding/advertising, but their colored pencils are produced in Germany by the same manufacturers who supply other brands.
—
Shadows:
- NYX or Wet n Wild - great shade range, great texture, great price. I don’t have access to Sleek or Barry M unless I ship them in (which defeats the purpose), but I’m hoping to try these someday.
- Coastal Scents Hot Pots - not technically drugstore but they’re cheaper than drugstore, at $1.99 per pan. If you follow me on Instagram (@makeup_box), you’ll have seen my recent picture of the huge 28 shade palette I filled with a rainbow of hot pots. The pigmentation is fantastic on most of the new shades, and I have to say the quality of many of these would match or surpass a lot of my high-end brands. The problem is you can’t accurately tell the colors online.
- If you’re in Asia and can’t access the above 2 online, then go for Kate (above), which is silky-smooth and as finely-milled as high-end shadows. The only issue is that the shades are all shimmery/glittery, and most palettes don’t have enough dark shades (which ironically many Asians need, to create depth and definition to monolids)
Liquid/Gel Liners:
- Liquid - Bourjois is #1. I love the fine brush tip. I don’t have Wet n Wild here or I’d love to try thei regular liquid liner for a comparison.
- Gel - Maybelline Eyestudio. It’s not the best gel liner in the world by any means, but for something that costs what it costs, and that FANTASTIC brush you get with every jar, this comes close.
Mascara
- L’oreal Voluminous (yes, yes, I know many people find it clumpy but it’s not on me, which is odd.) I AM curious about the new Voluminous Full Definition but the local drugstores have not brought that in yet.
- Rimmel and Bourjois get props because I like most of their mascaras as well.
- If you have short stubby lashes, the get Majolica Majorca Lash Expander. I used this exclusively for about 4 years back when I was working in Taipei and not that interested in exploring makeup. (Gasp.)
Blush:
- I do like baked blushes in general because they tend to go on more translucent and give a nice glow. Revlon and Bourjois are pretty good. i LIKE NYX’s as well, but you’ll need to tap your brush on the back of your hand before applying to your cheeks or you can get a lot of chalkiness and fallout.
- For cheap online blushes, I highly recommend La Femme blushes (makeupmania.com) if you’re in the US. This is one of those brands that is SO pigmented that they can easily function as eye shadows, and each pan costs less than $5.
Lipsticks:
- Creme: Maybelline Color Sensational, Revlon Colorburst
- Matte: Revlon Matte (not all the shades have good texture; Stormy Pink is so bad I wonder how it made it past Quality Control)
- Would love to try: Cover Girl
Gloss:
Revlon Super Lustrous. They’re constantly being compared to Chanel Glossimers in terms of texture and performance. Enough said.
—
[Main image source: luuux.com]
