Quality Beauty That Won't Break The Bank
While we’d love to just douse ourselves in the most covetable beauty products out there, maintaining an arsenal of high-end beauty goods can quickly add up to serious spending. But using the best of the best doesn’t always necessarily mean having to pay top dollar. While we definitely believe the payback that comes from investing in certain brands can be very worth it (Biossance, we’re looking at you), we also believe in balance.
So we thought it would be fun to round up our personal favorite products that are both high functioning and budget friendly. And believe it or not, there’s even one product in this lineup that our editor Tienlyn has been using since high school.
RMS Un Cover-up Concealer/Foundation
Considering it’s one of the makeup items that will come in contact with more of your skin than almost any other product, going for an organic foundation just makes sense. Not only is the Un Cover-up Concealer/Foundation from RMS Beauty organic, but it’s also cruelty free. While $36 might seem a little pricey at first glance, when you consider that this product covers well enough to be used as both a concealer or a light foundation, you’re definitely getting your money’s worth. Another thing we love about the dual purpose is that you have complete control over how you use it.
Thoughtful Misfit Tip: Dab a bit under the eye and around the nose for a natural look for day, or go heavier with the coverage and apply everywhere for evening.
Juice Beauty Phyto Pigments Last Look Cream Blush
We used to avoid cream blushes like the plague because we could never get them to sit right on top of foundation. That is until we discovered two things. A good cheek stain sits WAY better when you don’t overdo the foundation (we stand by the idea that you will always look your best when you can actually see your skin), and finding the right formula is everything. Juice Beauty’s Phyto Pigments Last Look Cream Blush fits the bill. It blends gorgeously and, unlike other products, stays put. It’s also organic, natural, and lasts forever.
Thoughtful Misfit Tip: Use this in lieu of eyeshadow by blending a little on the outer edges of your lids to open up your eyes and add dimension to your face . Skip the eyeliner, add two coats of mascara to top and bottom for a natural, bright-eyed look.
L’Oreal Double Extend Lash Extension Effect Mascara
Confession - over here at Thoughtful Misfit, we are major mascara junkies. From top dollar designer to hard-to-find indie brands, we’ve tried them all. And while we do have our favorites in each category, the first mascara our editor Tienlyn ever fell in love with (senior year in high school) is still a regular staple. L’Oreal’s Double Extend Lash Extension Effect Mascara gets major ratings in our book both for how dramatic it is (it builds incredibly well) and for how literal of a non smudge mascara it truly is. And while the Heimish Dailism Smudgestop mascara is a very close contender for being truly smudge proof, the accessibility and price of L’Oreal Double Extend (it’s in nearly any drugstore for under $10) makes it a win every time.
Thoughtful Misfit Tip: Skip the lash curler and sweep your final coat of mascara outwards for a natural cat-eye look, sans eyeliner.
E.L.F. Gotta Glow Lip Tint
While a bold red lip is always an option, our day-to-day preference is something a little more subtle. E.L.F.’s Gotta Glow Lip Tint is lightly tinted, is super pretty, and goes with everything. It’s vegan, cruelty-free, 6 bucks, and is readily available in your local drugstore. Plus, it’s super hydrating, so it’s the perfect multi-tasker.
Burt’s Bees All Aglow Lip and Cheek Stain
Not only is this Burt’s Bees lip and cheek stain clean, but it has also got a ton of staying power. Plus, it goes on beautifully, stays put all day, and has a natural finish. We personally love the Suez Sand as one of those universal colors that works on almost every skin tone.
Thoughtful Misfit Tip: While this looks great as a blush, we generally like to use it in lieu of a lipstick. And in fact, it looks fantastic under the E.L.F. Gotta Glow Lip Stain….
