What’s In My Makeup Bag? | Affordable Makeup

affordable makeup

I’ve been debating on writing this post for a whileeee. If you didn’t know, I stink at makeup. In the past two years I learned how to put on eye shadow properly. Not even joking. I am an absolute beginner at makeup and I barely know what I’m doing. But that’s okay! We all have to start somewhere. I really only use affordable makeup (except for my foundation and foundation brush but we’ll get to that later). Like I said, I’m not obsessed with makeup but I like doing my own and I think I’ve amassed a good collection of products that didn’t break the bank.

I want to make a video of EVERYTHING that’s in my makeup bag (yes, even the weird stuff that ends up there) sometime soon, but this post has been at the front of my mind all week so I wanted to write it! Here’s what I use:

Face primer: NYX Studio Perfect Photo Loving Primer

NXY face primer

I’ve used the $36 Smashbox face primer and this stuff is just as good. Trust.

Foundation: Lancome Ultra 24H Long Wear

lancome foundation

I was suckered into buying this. I went to Ulta wanting to purchase a specific foundation but realized that none of the colors matched my skin tone. I’m super pale with cool undertones, lots of redness, and oily skin. I wanted something with good coverage that wouldn’t get all slimy as the day wore on. I still have yet to find “the one” when it comes to foundation, but I like this stuff. It’s REALLY pricey and I definitely would not have bought this if it weren’t for the Lancome sales lady at Ulta putting it all over my face and then making me feel like I needed to buy it lol. But I do like it. You don’t really need to set it with powder because it’s pretty powdery as it is (but it’s liquid, does that even make sense?)

Foundation brush: Bare Minerals Smoothing Face Brush

bare minerals face brush

I’m SO glad I splurged on this brush. At $22, it’s the most pricey brush I own BUT I think having a good brush for your foundation is important. I used my fingers for YEARS and then graduated to a Beauty Blender, but I just didn’t get the coverage I wanted with the sponges. This brush is awesome. I use my finger and dab foundation around my face and then swirl it in with this little lady. It’s awesome!

Eye primer: Urban Decay Primer Potion

urban decay primer potion

I haven’t tried any other eye shadow primers because this one does the job well and it lasts forever! I just refreshed my bottle because it was a few years old and the color/consistency was looking sad.

Brows: CoverGirl TRUnaked Nudes Palette

cover girl true naked palette

My brows don’t really get crazy so all I do is fill them in. Miraculously, the third color from the right in this palette is a perfect match for my brows. I use that color and the pointy end of the applicator that comes with the palette to fill them in. I didn’t buy this palette for my brows but once I hit pan I’ll definitely need another if only just for this shade!

Eye shadow: Makeup Revolution 32 Piece Eye Shadow Palette

makeup revolution eye shadow palette

I love this palette! I’m not super picky about eye shadows and this palette has 32 gorgeous colors for a really great price.

Eye shadow brushes: e.l.f. shadow brush, e.l.f. crease brush, e.l.f. blending brush

elf eye shadow brushes

I use these three together to get the right look! If I’m only using 1 color I’ll typically just use the “shadow brush”. e.l.f. makes really affordable brushes that I think get the job done well! I’ve gotten almost all of mine at Target for a good price

Eyeliner: Revlon colorstay

I’m not really devoted to one eyeliner but I’ve been using this one for a few weeks and I like it! I typically go with the self-sharpening eyeliners in a black-brown color. This one is a favorite of mine as well (since I have green eyes)!

Mascara: CoverGirl LashBlast Volume

eye liner and mascara

This is my ALL TIME FAVORITE MASCARA! I’ve tried others, but I keep coming back to this! It doesn’t clump on me and it makes my eyes look amazing. I already have pretty long eyelashes so I can’t say much about its lengthening capabilities but it definitely makes my lashes look fuller and better.

Bronzer: NYX matte bronzer

NYX matte bronzer

I only just bought this over the weekend and have used it once so I can’t really say if I love/hate this yet but it’s in my makeup bag so I had to include it!

Blush/Bronzer brush: e.l.f. blush brush

elf blush brush

I’m using the same brush for bronzer and blush. I’m thinking of getting a different blush brush but this one works for now!

Blush: Makeup Revolution Golden Sugar 2 Rose Gold Ultra Professional Blush Palette

makeup revolution rose gold palette

So that’s a mouthful but I love this palette too! I use the top left pan for my blush and it’s the perfect shade for me! Some of these other shades make awesome highlighters.

Lip exfoliator: e.l.f. cosmetics lip exfoliator

This stuff is AWESOME. Past me would have looked at future me and laughed if she saw I was buying lip exfoliator but TRUST ME this stuff is so great. You never really notice how rough your lips get even if they’re not dry. Rub this on before doing your makeup and then rinse it off. Bonus factor is the “clear” shade tastes and smells like vanilla.

Lips: ColourPop

I’m obsessed with ColourPop! They’re super affordable and are always coming out with new shades and products. I have so many awesome lip colors from them but here are my favorites: lippie primer (smells and tastes like vanilla… can you tell I like vanilla?), ice cube blotted lip, slide ultra blotted lip, over brunch lippie kit

Setting spray: ColourPop Aventurine Spray

colourpop aventurine setting spray

I’ve actually only been using setting spray for like, 2 weeks but I really like this one I bought on a whim from ColourPop! It’s out of stock right now, but when it comes back I highly recommend you try it out. It works well for the price!

What are your makeup must haves? Have you tried any of these products? Let me know in the comments!

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22 Comments

  1. August 2, 2017 / 10:23 am

    Personally I’m obsessed when any blogger posts their fav makeup products or their daily makeup routine because I’ve been set on the same five products since high school, and I thoroughly enjoy seeing what other people use! Love how affordable all this is! Kinda want to try the Makeup Revolution products because they look gorgeous. Okay so also on a side note, I’ve been working on a post like this all week as well so when it comes out in a few weeks, please do not think I am copying you haha.

  2. August 2, 2017 / 10:42 am

    This post couldn’t have come at a better time Kayla! I have been researching affordable makeup for beginners, and I definitely hit the jackpot! Thanks so much for sharing, also really want to check out that lip exfoliator now!!!
    xo, Syd
    anchoredinthesouth.com

  3. Nicole DaRosa
    August 2, 2017 / 11:16 am

    I love the e.l.f. blending brush for eyeshadow! I have had mine forever and I always reach for it. I have been loving the Pacifica Hydrating Spray lately. It is the perfect prep for makeup 🙂

  4. August 2, 2017 / 11:24 am

    I really need a setting spray so I will definitely be checking this out!

  5. August 2, 2017 / 11:27 am

    That blush palette looks so gorgeous!! I need to try that primer!

    – Danielle | dragongirlblog.com

  6. August 2, 2017 / 12:43 pm

    Have you tried the e.l.f. primer potion? I’ve used that one before and it works great! And I’ve heard people compare it to the Urban Decay one, too!

  7. Adriana
    August 2, 2017 / 3:16 pm

    I’ve been eyeing that Bare Minerals brush!! SO glad to hear it’s worth it!

  8. Amanda Faber
    August 2, 2017 / 6:42 pm

    You should try Dior Airflash foundation! It’s pricey but SO worth it and it will last you. It feels like you are wearing nothing on your skin. It’s my fav!

  9. August 2, 2017 / 8:37 pm

    I’ve actually never tried any of these products before. I’ll have to give them a try.

  10. Sydney Power
    August 2, 2017 / 9:40 pm

    Nothing like a great mineral bare brush!

  11. Carly Ned
    August 2, 2017 / 10:00 pm

    I love that Bare Minerals foundation brush, I use it everyday!

  12. August 2, 2017 / 11:55 pm

    While I don’t have that particular Bare Minerals brush, I do have another and it is amazing – especially for foundation! I always love seeing what makeup products other people use haha!

  13. August 3, 2017 / 5:23 pm

    I LOVE the covergirl mascara–have been using it for years! Nothing I try compares! I want to try that Bare Minerals brush–I just use my fingers but then I realize that half of my makeup is wasted on my hands. Thanks for the tip! 🙂

  14. August 3, 2017 / 9:57 pm

    I’m obsessed with that bareMinerals brush!! I think it came with a kit I bought years ago, and I rediscovered it a few months ago and wouldn’t use anything else. I used to use my fingers too, and tried the beauty blender but felt like I was just wasting a ton of product?? Oh and I’m definitely picking up that NYX primer on my next shopping trip!!

  15. August 10, 2017 / 1:59 pm

    That NYX Bronzer is everything! I also love anything Colorpop!

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