To splurge or to save? 5 best products under $10
BEST Products
under $10
There's something satisfying about saving some money on the small things. But, we’ve all had a negative experience with cheap makeup. Like that one time you attempted to save some money on your ride-or-die mascara. And you wasted your $10 on mascara that clumped your lashes together and left black flecks all over your cheeks. No doubt, you went back to your $30 mascara and are now out $40 for your trouble. Annoying at the time (you will never make that mistake again!!). But when you describe the situation to some friends, it's funny how many suggest at least 5 other cheap mascaras for you to try. And you're left to wonder, "Is it worth the risk?"
That is the precise reason why I love to watch/read reviews of beauty products. They help me decrease how much I spend and get great new things to try. Also, because the sheer number of cosmetic brands is enough to make anyone want to do an about-face right out the door at Ulta. And the average price of lipstick at Sephora is about $25- a tube of Tom Ford lipstick is a whopping $54! So, if you're trying to save some coin or want to try a new concealer that isn’t $40, check out this list of products. These are products that I researched, tried (more than 10 times), and are now some of my favorites.
1) Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circle Treatment Concealer-$8.99
If you get 8 hours of sleep a night or are running on 90% coffee, the under-eye is an area most people want to conceal. We want to disguise dark circles and diminish wrinkles. And, this product does both! It is available in 6 different shades. I love the shade "Brightener." The pink tone helps combat the blue hue of your dark circles.
This product is a dupe for: MAC Prep + Prime Highlighter- $27.00
2) e.l.f. Cosmetics HD Undereye Setting Powder- $2.99
I have tried MANY different powders to set my concealer. And this e.l.f powder takes the cake- but it’s not “cakey.” When you set the under-eye area, you prolong the life of your concealer and highlight that area. Highlighting the under-eye is what gives you that alert and awake look. This powder is, hands-down, the best one I’ve ever tried. And, did I mention it’s less than $3? Done.
This product is a dupe for: Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder- $26, Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Finishing Powder- $33.
I know this one is pushing the $10 limit, but this mascara is worth every penny. It has been compared to the Two-Faced Better Than Sex Mascara- even the pink packaging looks suspiciously similar... hmm. The shape of the brush and the volume and length it creates cannot be beat by any other drugstore mascara. And it is comparable to much pricier brands.
This product is a dupe for: Two-Faced Better Than Sex Mascara- $23.
4) NYX Professional Makeup Micro Brow Pencil- $9.99
One of the most asked questions I get is, “How do I fill in my eyebrows?” Full, shaped eyebrows are in- and I don’t see that trend ending anytime soon. But, the old-school brow pencil is difficult to use and usually ends up looking ridiculous. Then the Anastasia Beverly Hills Eyebrow Wiz came along and changed the eyebrow game. This goof-proof pencil makes the process much easier- but one pencil is $21. Enter in the NYX Micro Brow Pencil. It's an amazing option to stay on trend for half the price.
This product is a dupe for: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz- $21
Last, but not least, is a blush that I wore almost every day this summer. Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso is a beautiful peach color. It is sheer, natural, and looks good on many different skin-tones.
This product is a dupe for: MAC Mineralized Blush, Warm Soul- $28
These are a few of the wallet-friendly beauty products that I swear by. Do you have any others to add? Let me know in the comments.
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