Beauty on a Budget

I love trying out new makeup and skin care products, but I've been true to a few products since before I can even remember.  After browsing Lauren Conrad's website today, I was inspired to share some beauty tricks of my own, all of which are affordable on a recent college graduate's budget.

The most important part of a makeup regime is lotion, lotion, and more lotion.  I put on Olay's Anti-Wrinkle Eye Cream (it's never too early to start preventing those bad boys!), and Aveeno's Ultra Calming Moisturiser right after I wash my face in the morning.  I always make sure to buy moisturizers with SPF...it's important, even in the winter!

 

I've found that cheap mascara is way better than anything you can buy at Sephora.  Maybelline's Define a Lash is less than $10, and has been true to me since high school.

As for eyeliner, I use a dark brown for my top liner and a light brown for my bottom liner...black is sometimes too harsh for lighter eyes, and I find that this gives me a more natural look while still providing enough definition for my eyes. For eyeliner, I stick with Revlon Colorstay in Cocoa and Brown.  It goes on really smoothly, stays on all day, and is only about $8.

Now my facemake up is a little more pricey than the rest, but it's absolutely amazing and can make anyone's skin look radiant.  Bare Minerals provides coverage while still looking natural, and has a lot of color options to fit everyone's skin tones.  I start off with Bare Minerals in Medium Beige, then use their bisque product for my under eyes or any blemishes.  Then I swipe some Bare Minerals bronzer and blush on my cheeks, and finish off my face with Bare Mineral's Mineral Veil.   A good tip: Buy these products on Amazon for much cheaper prices!

Finally, I'm completely addicted to chapstick and have to have one on me at all times.  Nivea's Hydrating Lip Care as well as Aquaphor's Healing Ointment always seem to do the trick, and I like to top it off with a tinted gloss to finish up the job.  Right now I'm loving my Lancome Juicy Tube, which was the "it" lipgloss to have in middle school...and apparently still gets the job done.

 

My last tip is to always wash your face at night before you to go to bed.  Even though it's tempting to pass out with your makeup on after a long night, it's important to wash off your make up and put on moisturizer before you let your face hit the pillow! I recommend using Olay's Anti Wrinkle Eye Cream again before bed, as well as Aveeno's Positively Ageless Night Cream.

I also swear by Proactiv's Renewing Cleanser, but you have to find a face wash that works best for your skin type! I hope some of these products help save your skin as much as they helped saved mine!