Melanie’s Nook: Beauty on a Budget

This is a guest blog by the Beauty Blog, Melanie's Nook

Who doesn’t like a good budget friendly product? When the price of living just gets more and more expensive each day its the little things we turn to. Girl you know we will find a way to make it work. In this post, Beauty on a Budget – Full Face, I will be sharing with you my beauty finds that doesn’t break the bank, but still make you look all kinds of beautiful!

If you are looking for an easy to wear foundation, something with coverage but not cakiness this foundation is for you. I have recently done a full review on this foundation ​here and​ you are welcome to check it out (intact please do!) But to break it down the Maybelline Matte & Poreless go on easy with most beauty tools, you can even use your fingertips. The foundation set into a velvety finish and feels lightweight on the skin. Coverage is around the medium mark, but can be built up to almost full coverage. This is a very natural makeup only downside is the shade range.

I really enjoy a good setting powder cause  I am always in need of a good powder down around afternoon tea time. A little trick I picked up is to use a setting powder that is a few shades darker than your normal colour as a bronzer. That is why I adore the Essence Mattifying Compact Powder is very budget friendly and you don’t even have to think twice before getting one as a setting powder and one as a bronzer. The quality is also really good for the price point.

Retail Price : R60

If you would ask me what is the one blusher that I constantly come back to, this would be the one. I am constantly trying new blushers and I always gravitate back to this Yardley one. Application is easy and I find I can never over-do this blush. It has a satin finish and what I like most about that is a tiny bit of sheen but not full on shimmer. I have done a range on my blog where I took some of the items on the “Under R250” page from the Good Housekeeping magazine and did quick fire reviews on them and I am so thankful for coming across this blusher through ​that post​.

I swear to you this is one of the best highlighters in the whole wide world. When I just purchased this highlighter it did no work for me. I was too conscious of the texture on my skin and felt it accentuated that. In the meantime, I got over myself and fell in love with this highlighter. The texture is so interesting. It look and feel like a cream shadow, but it acts like a powder. Its lightweight and natural looking but can be build up to a banging highlighter. This is a very popular shade on the Colourpop website.

The Essence Make Me Brow is another cult favourite. It imitates the look and feel of a high end brand but let me tell you it can hold that candle! On weekends when its no makeup makeup days this brow gel, with a bit of mascara and a lip oil is your best friend. Taming your brows make a world of difference and just frame your face. The Make Me Brow does not make my brows feel crunchy yet it stays in place all day. The wand makes it easy to use, whether it is shaping your brows or setting them, it’s just easy and convenient. No tutorial needed 

Now if you have read some of my previous eyeshadow review you will know that I am always complaining about how my oily lids just gobble up eyeshadow. Well this one goes nowhere. In my full review of this shadow I kept raving about how budge proof this shadow is. In actual fact, I was so impressed that after doing the review I went and bought another shade and I still have my eyes on one or two more. The formula feels almost like gel and takes a minute or two to set, but once it has set it goes nowhere. I can literally get 10 hours of wear before it starts to power down. There are 12 shades in the range and they vary from bold to more neutral. I absolutely love this eyeshadow.

Every Woman needs one of these in their lives! I find it makes a world of difference when adding a liquid liner to a beautiful eye look. The wand is easy to use and the product is amazing for the price point. It doesn’t flake and is super pigmented and VERY budget friendly. Off cause you sometimes need a liner that is just a little softer and this is when the Michellori Super Long Wear Eyeliner comes in handy. the reason why I love these liners, are that there is such a good variety of colours and finishes. They also have a smudger at the end that you can use to make shift a “cheat” smokey eye.

This is another mascara that has received a cult following, so much so that multiple versions have been created. The original still to this day will be my favourite. I enjoy the look it gives my lashes, just a tiny bit fuller than what they normally are but nothing over the top. The Lash Princess does not transfer to my lower lash line and it also doest flake. Two very important factors in a mascara for me. I have done a full review ​here​ and have repurchased this mascara quite a few times.

This is another product where I have a full review on. Now if you are looking for a lipstick that you can slap on even without looking in a mirror, this is the lipstick for you. They apply so easily and feel hydrated on the lips. The thing is just because they are hydrated you will have to re-apply on a regular basis. I love the shades and this particular one has little bit of shimmers in it.

If you are looking for something more matte than the NYX soft matte lip cream might be more up your alley. If a liquid lipstick and a matte lipstick had a baby the NYX soft matte lip cream would be born. Its soft on the lips but stay a little longer than the normal matte lipsticks. I find it lightweight on the lips, it does not clump up and the smell is delicious but its fades soon after application.

You really do not need all of these products, but they are all sooo good. But best of all, they are all budget friendly. I would love to know in the comments below what your beauty on a budget – full face products are and if you have tried any on my list?

Melanie from https://melaniesnook.co.za