Y’all I have to admit, I’ve been wearing makeup for a long, long time. I really first got into makeup when I was in the seventh grade (age 13). I’ve always been really creative, so this is something I really dabbled in and took a lot of pride in. But it definitely hasn’t come without a lot of trial and error! My skin is combination: I have an oily t-zone with dry patches everywhere else. Because of this, it’s always been hard to find the right products that work well and continue to work well! I finally have found the products that work best for me, but it never occurred to me to add up the prices. I recently decided to add up the cost of everything in my makeup bag and I was startled.
Here’s what my makeup bag looks like and how much I pay for each item!
Disclaimer: All products with a “~” is an average price between different sellers such as Sephora, Ulta, Walmart, Target, etc.
1. Make Up For Ever Matte Velvet Skin Blurring Powder Foundation ($38)
With my skin being so sensitive and particular to certain products and their ingredients, I’ve struggled. Foundations are really bad about being too cakey, not offering enough coverage, or claim to be matte but really aren’t. On top of that, I couldn’t find a good combination of foundation and primer that worked well for my skin. I recently found this foundation through YouTube makeup guru Casey Holmes! Her skin is very sensitive to mine in the fact that we both have extremely sensitive, combination oily skin. After watching her redness disappear, I was determined to try this foundation. Sure enough, once I tried it, I loved it! It’s quick and easy to apply and I get so many compliments on it.
2. Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional Matte Rescue Invisible Finish Mattifying Gel ($32)
Primer has always been a struggle for me too. I’ve always wanted to keep my skin nice and matte, but a lot of “promising” primers haven’t allowed me anything on my checklist. I’ve noticed a few things in my mattifying primers that I’ve tried; they either feel like silicone or they don’t do anything they’re supposed to do. I had heard a lot about Benefit’s POREfessional primer from friends and decided to give it a go.
When I went in the store to grab it, I noticed there was a mattifying version of it! Once I tried it out, I couldn’t use anything else. It was the only primer I had ever tried that kept my skin fairly cool, dialed down my redness, filled in my pores and kept me matte throughout the entire day! It’s worked so well with all of my foundations and I can’t imagine what else I would be using if I didn’t have this.
3. KVD Vegan Beauty Lock-It Setting Powder ($31)
Powders have always been an interesting point for me. The ones that worked before always made me extremely oily, but the powders that did work left my skin with creases and feeling cakey. I looked like a grandma and I wish I was exaggerating. I made my way over to Sephora and got recommended the (at the time) Kat Von D setting powder. Still to this day, it’s been the only setting powder that hasn’t made me look creasy, cakey and gross. The Lock-It Setting Powder leaves my skin still being able to breathe but doesn’t leave me super oily by the end of the day. It’s seriously incredible! On the bright side, you don’t need a lot to keep you matte. I’m able to go through an entire year with one of these powders!
4. It Cosmetics CC+ Cream Oil-Free Matte with SPF 40 ($39.50)
Just like I said with the Make Up For Ever powder foundation, I’ve always struggled with foundations. This is also another recommendation that I found via Casey Holmes! I had heard so much about the original CC cream. But when I found out there was a matte version, I wanted to try it as soon as I could get ahold of it. It’s everything I expected and more! It’s just like a traditional cream foundation with buildable coverage but this had a few extra features that seemed too good to be true. Between the sunscreen made into it and the color correction properties, it’s treated my skin so well! My skin seems to like it and it seems to be better when I’m using this over other foundations!
5. Tarte Cosmetics Shape Tape Contour Concealer ($27)
I’ve never seen a makeup product with such a cult following, but now I get the hype. I’ve never seen a concealer have such great coverage and blend so easy before! This concealer could easily be used for a foundation because it gives that full of coverage. I’ve gotten so many people started on Shape Tape because of its coverage and how long one tube can last. I can make mine last six months (at the MINIMUM). Tarte really knows what they’re doing when it comes to their Shape Tape! It comes in so many different shades with multiple undertones and is perfect for all skin types! I’ve never seen a makeup product like this be so versatile to such a large group of people. But seriously, if you’re not using this, you’re missing out!
6. Physicians Formula Murumuru Butter Bronzer (~$16)
Another makeup product with a cult following. For the longest time, this was extremely difficult to find where I live because it was so popular! For someone like me with really sensitive skin, Physicians Formula has always been one of my go-to brands because of how well the formulas are put together. I’ve never had a problem with any of their products (and I’ve tried many)! When I heard they were making a new bronzer, I got really excited. Most of the high end ones I’ve tried make me look orange and the other drugstore brands don’t show up at all. It was really tough finding a good bronzer. However, this one is fantastic! It blends like a dream and seems like something you could only make up in your wildest dreams.
7. Becca Shimmering Skin Perfecter Pressed Highlighter ($38)
Highlighters have always been kind of tricky for me. Because my skin is so fair, it’s tough finding highlighters that check all the boxes. I’ve always been on the hunt for a highlighter that is insanely pretty, lasts all day, and that isn’t too dark. Most highlighters I’ve decided to test out don’t show up well on my skin. However, I had heard a lot about the Becca highlighters and decided to try them out after my next trip into Ulta. I was incredibly amazed and have been using this highlighter for almost a year now! The shade “pearl” is perfect for my fair complexion. On top of that, it checks off literally every single box and has the biggest pan possible. This pan could easily last me into next year and I’m so excited the splurge has paid off!
8. Neutrogena Nourishing Eyebrow Pencil (~$7)
This has always been the site of one of my insecurities. It’s not that I don’t have eyebrows or that you really can’t see them, it’s just that they’re really sparse. My junior year of high school I started filling in my eyebrows. I noticed that my insecurities had started to lift, but finding the right products was getting complicated. Most products melted away quickly or didn’t give off the right tone for what I was needing. Blonde brow products are known for that; they’re known for being red toned or all around too dark. I had heard about the Neutrogena eyebrow pencil from a girl in one of my classes during my first semester on campus, and just like my highlighter, checked all the boxes. It is the right color and the formula is just right to stay on all day!
9. Too Faced Sweet Peach Eye Shadow Palette ($49)
I had begged for this eyeshadow palette for the longest time. Throughout high school, I was always known for having my makeup done all the time. Most of the time, it was due to my eyeshadow! I always used eyeshadows such as the Anastasia Modern Renaissance palette and the Kat Von D Shade and Light palette and could always create the most elaborate makeup looks. While I’ve stepped away from that and go for something a little more simple, I still use eye shadow on occasion. When I do, this is the eyeshadow palette I go for! Not only is it extremely pretty and blends like a dream, it smells great too!
10. KVD Vegan Beauty Tattoo Eyeliner ($21)
Eyeliner has been nearly impossible to find. I’ve always had really watery eyes and it shows after even five minutes of wearing eye makeup. I have the wateriest eyes out of anyone I know and it’s impossible to keep my makeup looking fresh. That is until I found this eyeliner. The (used to be) Kat Von D tattoo eyeliner has been a godsend! With this eyeliner, I never had to worry about the pen being too dry or not doing anything that was advertised. It is absolutely incredible, which is why it has a cult following. This eyeliner doesn’t smudge for anything and it takes lots of scrubbing to get it off (which in my world is a good thing). It’s going to take quite the miracle eyeliner for me to ever be able to switch from this one!
11. Loreal Voluminous X Fiber Waterproof Mascara (~$10)
I’ve swore up and down for years that Loreal mascaras are the best mascaras ever made. I don’t like paying a ton for mascaras since you have to replace them so often. On top of that, I haven’t found any higher end mascaras that are actually worth their price tags. I’ve actually been able to find dupes for quite a few high end products at different drugstores like Walmart, Walgreens, and even Ulta. This one has been such a great dupe for the Benefit Cosmetics They’re Real mascara. It separates each lash a ton, lengthens each one, and makes you look like you’re wearing fake eyelashes! It’s all from the duo-ended mascara wand (a primer and the actual mascara) and you won’t regret switching!
12. Essence Make Me Brow Eyebrow Gel Mascara (~$3)
Here’s another one of my dupe finds! When I first started looking into eyebrow gels, I was looking into the Anastasia eyebrow products. I almost pulled the trigger on their clear brow gel until I realized how much it costs. It costs around 22 dollars, and when looking into Glossier’s, it wasn’t much cheaper (around 16 dollars). I decided just to look around Ulta one day when I was already going in to look around at some other things. I came across the Essence eyebrow gel. It gets the job done the exact same way that the others do, and it’s a HECK of a lot cheaper. It lasts me for somewhere around six months (possibly even more) and I only have to spend three dollars on it! Please go out and find one for yourself. They’re incredible!
13. Clinique Pop Splash Lip Gloss + Hydration ($19.50)
This is one of my most recent tests! I’ve always been a big fan of Clinique, and I was looking through their makeup the last time I was in Ulta. Since my skin is so sensitive, I have always known that Clinique is a safe brand to use for my face. This is also the same brand that I use to wash my face! I’ve used anything from their eyeliners, mascaras, eyeshadows, and face products, but I’ve only recently started getting into their lip products. I’ve always loved how their lip products aren’t sticky, and if it’s windy, that my hair doesn’t get stuck to my mouth.
I just recently started using this lip gloss and I’m obsessed with it! It’s not sticky in the slightest, doesn’t really have a taste, but is extremely pretty! There are so many colors available, but I got one that could match just about any occasion (so it’s pretty close to being clear). It’s the perfect addition to any makeup bag!
14. Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Cucumber and Green Tea ($12)
You have to have something in your makeup bag to finish off your makeup look, and this is it for me! I had been on the hunt for a setting spray but didn’t want to spend a ton of money. On top of that, a lot of the setting sprays I was finding my skin was reacting to. My skin would break out in hives and I would have to go without makeup for weeks. It was very similar to my experience with primers! I finally happened upon this one when wandering around Ulta one day. I had already heard a lot about it but had no idea where I was supposed to find it.
After figuring out that the formula with aloe, cucumber and green tea would be best for my skin, I decided to give it a go. I’ve been loving it ever since! It’s so gentle and gets the job done. Sometimes I even use this after I just got done washing my face. It makes my face feel so smooth and soft and I love that it’s so affordable!
15. Burts Bees Passionfruit Lip Oil ($5.50)
It was a long road to finding lip balm that actually worked for me, but thankfully, I’ve found two! Burts Bees has always been a really solid, natural brand for me to use. The ingredient lists are really cut, dry and to the point, and I’m able to figure out quickly if I can use something or not! Throughout the winter, I was having the worst time with chapped lips. From going to class and being in such a rush in the morning, I was forgetting lip balm. As soon as I started implementing this into my routine, my chapped lips were a thing of the past! On top of that, it’s fairly cheap and smells incredible! I’ve gone through so many tubes of this lip oil that it’s not even funny and you will soon be doing the same!
16. Smith’s Rosebud Salve in a Tube ($7)
This is my part TWO of my lip balms. When my lips get chapped, they get chapped. This last winter (aka winter of 2018), I carried this around with me everywhere… before I lost it. This was about like my Burts Bees lip oil for me! It smoothed out my lips and soothed them incredibly fast. I couldn’t believe it! I got so many of my friends started on this lip balm and it’s quickly become a staple among my friend group. I’ve got one in my backpack, my car, my purse… just about everywhere. My friends are always asking for it and I’m always reaching for it. It’s seriously incredible, and I wouldn’t have found it without my trusty friend, Ulta. It’s amazing what you find standing in line that actually works.
GRAND TOTAL – $355.50
So, obviously this is quite a lot and I realize that. I was expecting it to be a lot, but not near that much. Luckily, since most of these come in bigger pans/containers, I don’t have to buy them near as often as I would drugstore products. But obviously, there’s still some wiggle room with some drugstore products. It all just boils down to how sensitive my skin is, what I’m allergic to, and what my skin is willing to put up with. I’m more than shocked that this is how much it costs to have the makeup that I use constantly, but I’m glad it’s attainable to keep all of this in my makeup bag at the same time. I’m more than grateful that I have the capability to replace these products when I’m out, and I hope I can continue.
Are there makeup products you’re surprised I don’t use and feel like I should use? Let me know in a comment below!
Comments