When I face a Sephora, Mac, or Holt Renfrew cosmetics counter my imagination runs wild with every Urban Decay palette, Bobbi Brown brush, and Make up Forever foundation. Every time I walk to any of these stores lined with beautiful colorful ads of girls who make bright orange lipstick look so easy I tell myself that I only need foundation. What ends up being a quick budgeted purchase becomes a $100+ dent with one free sample I will never use. Now if you’re a regular makeup shopper/connoisseur like myself you probably feel the same way I do after a good haul, which is a temporary high and a hope that you too will look like Jenifer Lopez with your new Nars Orgasm blush. My addiction to Sephora and other designer cosmetics had escalated to the point where I would risk being in the negatives for $30 facial cloths and to walk out with a nice little sleek, shiny bag. It took a photographic memory of an insufficient funds transaction for me to finally realize this has to stop. So I sought out ways to keep my “makeup high” going without breaking my budget.
Here are some of my not so secret makeup secrets:
1. $30 facial cloths are definitely not worth the money burn, especially if it’s only for 40 pieces and for everyday usage. The alternative: Baby Wipes! Yes, baby wipes. Not only can you find them in any drugstore but they get the job done, you get twice as many, they smell baby fresh and are sensitive enough to not irritate your skin. If they’re good enough for a baby’s bum then they’re safe enough for your face.
2. I’m always on the look out for new lip colors but spending $25 on lipstick is just unethical when I would likely only wear it three times within half a year. So I invested in Lip Liners instead. Not only are they cheaper than lipstick but they also last longer and don’t take up as much space in your makeup bag. All you need is a good lip balm, which you would apply first and then fill in the lips with the liner. For a glossy effect just use a clear gloss as a top coat.
3. I think we’ve all experienced the “Crap my mascara is dry. I just bought this and there’s still a lot in the bottom but my wand can’t get it” feeling. Although you should replace your mascara every 3-6 months for sanitary purposes, there are also ways to make it “brand new” again. If you wear contact lenses your lens solution is the answer to clumpy dry mascara. I learned this tip from a good friend who is also a makeup junkie and swears by this quick fix. Scouts honour.
Being on a budget shouldn’t have to be a burden especially when it comes to daily beauty necessities. If you’ve tried any of these quick fixes let us know your results and what you think! And let us know if you have any quick make up fixes that you want to share.
About Gerasil Coria
Gerasil Coria is a local Toronto blogger, Don Draper fangirl and a social media coordinator at Pretty Freedom.
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Love this!! I use all those tricks and they work well. Better than making myself go broke. As much as I love Sephora (I could probably spend my entire life there), the alternatives work just as well.
I’d never heard of the contact lens solution trick! I’m definitely going to try this when my next tube inevitably runs dry. Thanks!
Beauty and the Budget…oo sounds like a show that should be on Cosmo, w/ u as the host! LOL! Good write up! =) =)
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