Bargain Beauty Favs

 e.l.f. Blush/Bronzer duo | Smith's Rosebud Salve | NYX Lipstick in 'Thalia'

Jordana BestLash Mascara | e.l.f. Jumbo Lipgloss Stick (in 'pink umbrellas')

Revlon Colorburst Balm Stains (in 'Rendezvous,' 'Lovesick' & 'Smitten')

Revlon nail colors in 'Siren' and 'Lily' | Lipsmackers Dr. Pepper chapstick

This past year, I've been experimenting more with makeup products (both high and low-end), and I've gotten so much better at doing makeup, have found products that work better for me, and I've actually started really enjoying it. While some items are definitely worth splurging on (in my case - foundation), others can be just as great at bargain prices. I relish any opportunity to save money, especially because I'm about to get married and buy a house!

I've seen rave reviews of e.l.f. products on Pinterest and beauty blogs, and finally gave a couple of them a try. This blush/bronzer duo is a whopping $3 (can you say score?) and it's great to have in your purse for touch-ups. I've been using the blush every day (the pale peach is great for my pale skin), but be warned: the bronzer is quite pigmented. It's not my everyday bronzer, but it's great for doing a little contouring at night, or for having in your purse for touch-ups. The Jumbo Lipgloss Stick was an impulse buy at Target for $2, and I love the light tint and gloss, and mint flavor.

Smith's Rosebud Salve will forever be a favorite of mine because it's super affordable, lasts forever, and most importantly - is a great product! I've seen it sold for anywhere between $3-6 at Ulta, Sephora, Anthropologie and Bath & Body Works. I've had my little tin for 4 years, and I use it every single night before bed. It's a great bit of sheen and a light tint that moisturize so well, and it can be used on dry cuticles and knuckles too.

NYX products get great reviews from makeup artists, and from what I've tried I completely agree. I absolutely love their creamy lipsticks, and I've heard that their eyeshadows are comparable to MAC (hence why they are next on my list to try). Ulta has a huge selection of NYX, but Target sells some too.

Jordana BestLash Mascara is so impressive. A friend told me she liked it better than Benefit's 'They're Real' mascara (a hefty $23), and for $3 at Walgreens I of course had to try. The volume is fabulous and clump-free, and I've used it for several months now! The one downside is that it dries out a few weeks quicker than other mascaras I've used...but at $3 a pop, I'm still saving quite a bit of money.

Revlon has always been my favorite drugstore brand. I grew up watching my mom wear their lipsticks and nail colors, and now I'm an avid wearer. Their nail colors are my favorite lower-end polishes (Siren, Lily, and Minted are some of my favs) because they go one smoothly and stay pretty well. And then their lipcolors...seriously amazing! As you can see I've got a collection of the tinted balm stains going on (they also have new matte & gloss colors this year), and I also own colors from their Super Lustrous Lipstick and Colorburst Lip Butter lines.

Okay, this one is embarrassing, but I had to include it because it's so great. I've used Lipsmackers Dr. Pepper chapstick since I was a little kid (seriously), and I can't break the habit. It smells like cherry DP, and has a great sheen and subtle red tint. I'm wearing it as I type this, and it's stayed on my lips for two hours this morning without reapplication. Oh, and did I mention it's $2?? Bam.

Thanks for reading!

What are some bargain beauty products you use and love??

xo,
Jacy