Cheap Thrills



1. Physician's Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Eye Enhancing Shadow & Liner--$11
Why? You get 9 different shades for a variety of custom looks suited to make your specific eye color stand out and they do. Not to mention, it stays put all day & doesn't crease! There are also 5 different collections to choose from: Original, Pop, Eye Candy, Smoky and Bronze. In addition to all of those, PF has their Universal Collection, which has 4 different colors, not specific to any one eye color. Shown above is the Original in "Brown Eyes".



2. CG Lash Blast Volume--$8
Why? I love this mascara! It totally defines, seperates and thickens lashes to their "full" potential. It goes the whole nine, nothing less.

3. Maybelline The Colossal Volum' Express--$7
Why? This is yet another fantastic mascara that plumps lashes up to the extreme. However, this is different because it's a whole lot easier to layer. So pack, pack, pack it on!

4. Maybelline Great Lash Blackest Black--$4
Why? I don't know about you, but I, personally, love the wide-eyed Twiggy look. This is perfect for achieving either a wide-eyed or o' naturale look. It really does get every single lash and it's fantastic for bottom lashes, too! Cheap and versatile. Truly, a classic.

5. CG Clean Sensitive Skin Pressed Powder--$7
Why? This is the only powder that I can fall asleep with it still on and not wake up with a huge pimple the next day.



6. Neutrogena MoistureShine Lip Gloss--$9
Why? Unlike so many other glosses, this doesn't dry out my lips at all and it actually moisturizes them, like the name implies. Also, the colors are all so wonderfully beautiful, yet natural, however, they don't give you a "completely-no-makeup" look and they show up well on camera.

7. Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser, Normal to Oily Skin, 8 fl. oz.--$7
Why? Whether you're suffering from consistent acne breakouts or have skin clearer than purified water, this is an all-around fabulous face wash. It takes off all traces of makeup and doesn't dry out your skin! Did I mention that it's cheap, too?



8. ChapStick Moisturizer Lip Balm SPF15--$2
Why? It has SPF and moisturizes your lips without making them flake and peel, like what every other lip balm does to mine. Long story short, it doesn't dry them out.



9. Maybelline Great Lash Clear Mascara--$5
Why? This whips my brows into shape in seconds flat, without the expense of pricier brow gels. It's clear, yes, but since it's wet at first, it sort of darkens the brows, just a bit. If you need yours filled in, Maybelline has excellent brow pencils, however, by using this before any brow pencil, it makes it easier to glide the pencil across your brows. It also helps make the pencil darken your brows much faster.

10. Maybelline Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner--$6
Why? It's waterproof, so it lasts. The tapered tip is great for precision but if you're looking to create a natural look with a liquid eyeliner (yes, it can be done), this is not the one. This is for creating more-so dramatic looks.

My Make-Up Bag Must-Haves



1. Dior 5-Colour Eyeshadow in 'Incognito'--$59
Why? The range of colors can give you many different looks, from natural & light to bold & dramatic. $59 might seem like a lot for eyeshadow but when you consider how long it lasts, due to the extreme pigment it contains, how many different looks you get in one compact and how well it shows up on camera, $59 is a bargain. Also, with it you get: A mirrored compact, two velvety-soft double-ended eyeshadow applicators and a small velvet bag to hold it in, just in case.




2. Physician's Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Eye Enhancing Shadow & Liner in 'Brown Eyes'--$11
Why? I love these! They have good pigment and they don't crease! These, I would recommend as a cheap drugstore version of Dior's 5-Colour Eyeshadow, just not quite as good, however, for only $11, you get 9 different shades! There are also different collections: Bronze, Smoky, Pop, Eye Candy and the Original. There is also a Universal collection that isn't for any certain eye color. The only bad thing about these palettes is the brush it comes with because 1) it's kinda flimsy & I worry that the tip is gonna fall off and 2) I wish they had put more than one brush in with the palette. Other than that, I mos def recommend!




3. Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler--$19
Why? Do you really need to ask? Ever since I started curling my lashes, I can't stop and I have tried many different eyelash curlers but this one beats 'em all! It lasts, it doesn't tug on your eyelashes or pinch your eyelids, the top part that goes across your eyelid isn't too big, it gives a beautiful curl and the rubber pad stays put, no matter what! Sadly, they have stopped selling it at Sephora, so I have to order it online.




4. Chanel Inimitable--$30
Why? The very first time I tried this, I was hooked. Now, my eyelashes are very difficult to please when it comes to mascara since my eyes are uneven but with just one stroke, this evened out the lashes on my eyes and gave my lashes length, definition, volume and everything else they needed. It does everything that it promises. There, truly is no mascara better than this. It's fantastic!




5. CoverGirl Lash Blast Volume--$9
Why? It seperates and adds volume. I haven't used a drugstore mascara that worked similar to Chanel's Inimitable, except for this.



6. MAC Plush Lash in 'Plushblack'--$11
Why? This mascara gives me such thick, full lashes all the time and it's sooo cheap for not even being drugstore. I mean, $11? Does it get any better? I think not.

7. Maybelline The Colossal Volum' Express Mascara in 'Glam Black'--$7 Why? For another cheaper mascara, it works so well and gives a lotta volume. I like to think of it as "the cheap plushlash."



8. MAC Studio Finish SPF35 Concealer--$17
Why? I swear by this stuff for my under eyes. It works miracles. Also, if I have a pimple or something & put this over it, I swear it dries it right up. Like I said, works miracles.




9. Neutrogena Healthy Skin Pressed Powder SPF20--$12
Why? It's not heavy, it doesn't clog pores, it protects your skin from the sun and it doesn't make you look like you just walked out of a chalk factory. All for under twenty bucks. Not to mention, Neutrogena has an excellent range of shades, so anyone is sure to find a shade perfect for their skin tone.



10. Neutrogena MoistureShine Gloss--$8
Why? This gloss goes on so easily, yet it isn't super sticky like a ton of others and it is true to it's name because it really is moisturizing to lips. It also has a lot of pigment and comes in a variety of perfect, natural shades. 14, to be exact. I was so surprised at how well this worked for something that's only $8. 



11. MAC Plushglass in 'Ample Pink'--$19.50
Why? It's a beautiful, natural color that works fantastically with my snow white skin. Also, unlike MAC's regular lipglass, the plushglass does not cake on the inside of my lips, yet still has all the same wonderful benefits that the regular lipglass does.



12. MAC Lipliner in 'Subculture'--$14
Why? This is an all-around color and can be used with almost any color lipstick or lipgloss. It can also be used to line and fill in lips, then topped with a clear gloss or lip balm... and it lasts forever.



13. MAC Satin Lipstick in 'Faux'--$14.50
Why? Another fabulous, all-around color that goes with pretty much anything. With it being a Satin, it doesn't have too much of a finish, nor too little so it's perfect for that natural look.



14. ChapStick Moisturizer Lip Balm SPF15--$3
Why? For me, it's the only thing that works and doesn't dry out my lips, plus it has SPF.



15. MAC Liquid Eye Liner--$18.50
Why? If you're looking to create a bold, dramatic line that stays, this is the liner that does just that. It's not waterproof, yet it doesn't budge and I've fallen asleep with it on, many times.



16. Benefit Speed Brow--$19
Why? This tiny little tube comes in only one color, yet it's the perfect color for everyone. It's not too dark and it's not too light.



17. Maybelline Great Lash Clear Mascara--$5
Why? I don't always have the extra money for Benefit's Speed Brow, so when in need, I just whip my brows into shape with this and since it's wet at first, it darkens them, just slightly.



18. Maybelline Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner--$5
Why? This is what I like to call my drugstore version of MAC's Liquid Eye Liner. It has staying power due to the fact that it's waterproof.



19. MAC Eyeshadow--$15
Why? Okay, so I just had to include this. MAC's eyeshadow works so so so so so so so well! Just ask anyone and they'll tell you how phenomenal it is. It shows up extraordinarily well in pictures and would never even dare to crease. Ever. Plus, there are so many shades and finishes to choose from, you'll drive yourself insane trying to figure out which is your favorite. Trust me, I've done it. My favorites, though, would have to be: All That Glitters (above), Phloof!, Retrospeck, Woodwinked, Honey Lust, Amber Lights, Satin Taupe and Expensive Pink.



20. Dior 5-Colour Eyeshadow in 'Tropical Light'--$59
Why? The range of colors can give you many different looks, from natural & light to bold & dramatic. $59 might seem like a lot for eyeshadow but when you consider how long it lasts, due to the extreme pigment it contains, how many different looks you get in one compact and how well it shows up on camera, $59 is a bargain. Also, with it you get: A mirrored compact, two velvety-soft double-ended eyeshadow applicators and a small velvet bag to hold it in, just in case.