Top 5 makeup products under $10

Hello lovelies! This week I've decided to share some of my favorite quality beauty product that won't break the bank. Now, there are some pricier products that I am unwaivering on (i.e. my Subversion/Perversion primer and mascara duo), but I still like to save money when I can, and there are several products that I've found that do just as good (if not better) of a job as the more expensive brands. So, here are my top five beauty products under $10:

1. Rimmel Exaggerate Eye Definer ($4.49)

For daily wear this is my #1 go-to eyeliner. With respects to ease of application and appearance, it can hold it's own against Urban Decay's 24-7 Glide On Eye Pencil ($20) and IT Cosmetics No-Tug Waterproof Gel Eyeliner ($22), though as it is not a waterproof gel, it is subject to a little smudging and wear throughout the day. So, if you need a tougher (dare I say, "sex-proof") eyeliner, I would recommend the IT Cosmetics No-Tug eyeliner, but for just everyday use, Rimmel's Exaggerate is always my choice.

*Rimmel does also make a waterproof gel eyeliner (Exaggerate Smoke N'Shine Eyeliner - $6.99), but for some reason the formula irritates my eyes, so I splurge for the IT Cosmetics gel eyeliner when I need something a little more durable. But it may work for you - at $6.99 it's worth trying :)

2. Rimmel Stay Matte Powder ($3.97) 

I have ridiculously oily skin. Like, take whatever your assumption of what oily skin is and multiply it by ten. So, finding something...anything...to control the shine can be a pain. Which is why I may have cheered aloud when I discovered this powder. I've tried more expensive powder's before (Estee Lauder's Double Wear Stay-in-Place Powder ($42) and Clinique's Stay Matte Sheer Pressed Powder ($26)) and honestly, I've found that this works just as well in helping to maintain a nice matte(ish) finish.

Now, I will add the caveat that I do put apply it over more expensive primer and foundation (and I'll be sharing those in a future post covering what products are worth paying more for), but why shell out for the expensive powder too if you don't have to?

3. Maybelline Color Sensational Lip Color ($5.59)

If you know me very well, you know that I LOVE a good, bold lip color. Because of this I tend to buy a lot of it (possibly more than I should :/) so finding an inexpensive brand that will allow me to try various colors to my heart's content is probably the best for my bank account. Luckily, thanks to a recommendation from a dear friend, I tried Maybelline Color Sensational. It is heavily pigmented and comes in a wide array of colors (both matte and glossy), and I can buy three tubes for what I would pay for one Urban Decay Vice (my other lipstick of choice). The staying power and pigmentation of this lipstick is comparable to Urbay Decay's Vice ($17) or Smashbox Be Legendary ($21), however it's one drawback is that it is a little more harsh on your lips than either of these brands. It's still definitely worth it, but if you're wearing it daily, I would recommend investing in a good lip exfoliant. Which brings me to.....

4. E.l.f. Lip Exfoliator ($2.99 - Target)

Really, there's not a lot to say about a lip exfoliant - does it exfoliate your lips? Yes. Does it taste bad? No. That's pretty much it. And if you're a particularly crafty person, you can probably make your own just as easily as buying one, however, I'm lazy and didn't really feel like making the effort, so I found this delightful item. It does the job, and does it well. As an added bonus for those lazy makeup junkies like myself, it also comes shaped like lipstick, so literally all you need to do is swipe it across your lips a couple of times and rinse it off. Leaving no excuse not to add this to your nightly routine :)

5. Rimmel Natural Bronzer ($4.29)

And we're back to Rimmel - this is seriously one of the best brands for inexpensive makeup. I haven't really tried a lot of bronzers out there - once I discovered this, I pretty much stopped shopping for any others. I've used Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Powder Bronzer ($40) in the past, but circumstances required me to rethink my makeup spending habits and I had to find another option. Fortunately, I discovered this, and it offers a comparable range of shades and looks just as good as the more expensive option - I will probably never switch to anything else unless they discontinue it. 

XO Beauty Lovers! <3