Drugstore makeup – Adventures in Polishland

Tag: Drugstore makeup

If All My Makeup Disappeared | Rebuilding a Vegan and Cruelty Free Makeup Collection for $100

Posted on March 10, 2018May 24, 2018 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Saturday! I recently saw a YouTube video from Jacks Lorraine where she built a makeup collection from scratch for $100. I really liked this idea, and wanted to share which products I would pick if all of my makeup disappeared, too. Some of the products I’m mentioning today are ones I’ve already tried and loved, and others are brand new to me. The idea is that if I only had $100 to spend, I could go out and purchase everything I needed to create the makeup looks I like. Of course, all of the products I am choosing are vegan. I hope this goes to show that being vegan can actually be extremely affordable!

This post includes affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

You can use the widget below to view all of the products I’m mentioning today. Simply click on a product to purchase it online!

Primer | Wet ‘n Wild Photo Focus Matte Face Primer | $4.99 [BUY]

While I haven’t yet tried this primer, I have a feeling it is very similar to the one I am currently enjoying from Milani, but at a smaller price point. I have large pores in my T-zone, and my skin gets oily throughout the day. I think this matte primer will tackle both of those concerns well!

Foundation | Wet ‘n Wild Photo Focus Foundation | $5.99 [BUY]

I currently use this foundation from Wet ‘n Wild, and really enjoy it. I find this is a medium and buildable coverage, and I believe it will work well any time of year. I do find that it can enhance dry skin, but it should work well when paired with the primer I chose.

Concealer | Wet ‘n Wild Photo Focus Concealer | $3.99 [BUY]

I decided to complete my face base routine with the Wet ‘n Wild Concealer. I currently use this concealer, and I really enjoy the formula. The lightest shade matches my skin tone exactly, so while I can’t use this for highlighting, I want this in my makeup collection for covering blemishes. I also use this alone on days where I don’t want to use foundation, but have some redness to cover.

Brows | Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo | $23.00 [BUY]

My one high end product in this list is my Holy Grail eyebrow product – the Brow Powder Duo from Anastasia. This is the only product I’ve used for my brows since I purchased it over a year ago. I find it is very natural looking, and does a great job at filling in my sparse but wide brows. While expensive, this product lasts forever! I’ve used the same one for nearly a year and a half now, and it still works beautifully with a lot of product remaining.

Brow Gel | e.l.f. Cosmetics Clear Brow and Lash Mascara | $2.00 [BUY]

The other half of my beloved eyebrow routine is the ultra-affordable brow gel from e.l.f. I use this clear mascara to set my powder in place, and it does a great job. I use each side of this product for about three months, which means this $2.00 eyebrow gel lasts me half a year!

Eyeshadow | ColourPop Double Entendre Pressed Powder Shadow Palette | $16.00 [BUY]

Believe it or not, but I have not tried any products from the cult favorite brand ColourPop! Now that it is available at Ulta, that will probably change very soon. That being said, I would be very excited to add the Double Entendre Palette to my stash. This neutral eyeshadow palette contains twelve shades – cool tones, warm tones, mattes, metallics, and a satin, too! While I don’t wear eyeshadow all that often, this will be perfect for the days I wish to do so. Plus, I can easily use my concealer as an eyeshadow primer and save myself a few dollars.

Mascara | Wet ‘n Wild MegaLength Mascara | $2.99 [BUY]

I’ve tried seven different mascaras since I’ve gone vegan, and the best by far is the MegaLength from Wet ‘n Wild. This mascara lives up to its name, and makes my lashes very long. I find that I get fuller-looking lashes without any clumps. Even though this doesn’t add too much volume, it is my go-to mascara and I would absolutely buy it again (and again!).

Blush | e.l.f. Powder Blush Palette in Light | $6.00 [BUY]

I owned this blush palette a few years ago, and absolutely loved it. I ended up decluttering it because it was very old, but I would definitely recommend this product. The blushes from e.l.f. are extremely pigmented, and they blend really well. Plus, having a blush palette means I can wear a variety of shades, and also get a custom shade by mixing them.

Highlighter | bh Cosmetics Nude Rose Highlighter Palette | $11.99 [BUY]

I decided to go the same route with highlighters, and chose this palette from bh Cosmetics. I’ve never tried highlighters from this brand before, but the shades look absolutely gorgeous! The palette also has good reviews online, so I think this would make a great addition to my makeup stash. I’m especially loving the rosy pink shade!

Setting Powder | Pacifica Neutralizing Mattifer Soft Focus Translucent Powder | $12.00 [BUY]

To set my face I am grabbing a new favorite product from Pacifica. This powder applies easily and looks beautiful on the skin. I use a fluffy blush to set my face, and so far I think it does a great job at keeping my oil in check. I also love that this comes in a cardboard compact that can be recycled better than plastic.

Lips | Pacifica Color Quench Lip Tint in Guava Berry | $5.00 [BUY]

When it comes to lip color, I typically wear a tinted lip balm or some other subtle product. I used to own a Color Quench Lip Tint from Pacifica, and used it until it expired. I would love to try another shade from this line and have it be my daily color. It’s an added bonus that this lip tint moisturizes the lips, too!

Setting Spray | The Body Shop Make-Up Setting Spray | $7.00 [BUY]

Last but not least, I will lock everything in place with this setting spray from The Body Shop. I recently started testing this, and I’m really loving it! Not only does it help keep my makeup in place, but it helps to soothe the skin with aloe vera. The mister also works very well when applying the product.

What’s not included? You may notice I don’t have an eyeliner, bronzer, or contour on this list. That’s because those are products I don’t use regularly, and could easily leave out of my daily makeup routine. I’ve made sure to pick out everything I need with my budget!

THE GRAND TOTAL: $100.95

If you’ve done the math with me, you’ll know I’m technically over my budget by $0.95. I am totally fine with that, though, because some of these products can almost always be purchased on sale or with a coupon.

Here is an example of how my prices would fall today, March 10, 2018:

Purchase Wet ‘n Wild Mascara in-store at Target – $2.99
Purchase bh Cosmetics Palette in-store at Urban Outfitters – $12.00
Purchase The Body Shop Setting Spray in-store – $7.00
Purchase everything else at Ulta online – $75.47 (using $3.50 off $15.00 coupon; free shipping at $50.00)

TOTAL: $97.46

Ta da! I’m now under budget! Today’s sales are not even that great either! Nonetheless, if all my makeup disappeared, I would be happy purchasing everything on this list for under $100.

I would love to know how you would rebuild your makeup collection!

Leave me a comment sharing your picks!

Support other Vegan and Cruelty Free YouTubers/Bloggers Who Have Done This Tag:

Jacks Lorraine: LINK
Unnatural Vegan: LINK
Too Much Tash: LINK

Shop This Blog Post with ShopStyle! Click the Photo to See all the Products Mentioned.

Back to School Week | Daily Makeup for School

Posted on August 26, 2015August 21, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today for Back to School Week I’m going to be sharing my go to makeup products for school. There are a lot of factors to consider when getting ready for school every morning. You want your makeup to last all day, feel light and comfortable, and be quick to apply in the morning. I am also a huge fan of wearing minimal and natural makeup to school. I’ll be showing you the makeup products that I use on a daily basis, whether I’m heading to school or not. They are all drugstore products, and won’t break your student budget. Let’s jump right into my favorite daily makeup!

FACE PRODUCTS

I like to stick with a three product system for my face makeup. First, I use a primer. This will ensure my makeup stays put all day. A great option from the drugstore is Maybelline Baby Skin. It measures up to other high end face primers for a fraction of the price. I then follow up with a liquid foundation. My all-time favorite is the Covergirl trueBLEND, which is under $10 at the drugstore and comes in a wide range of shades. It is a light to medium coverage, but is quite buildable. It also blends out really well. Finally, I set my foundation with the Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder. This is a cult favorite, and I’ve repurchased it what feels like a dozen times. It is beyond awesome at keeping your face matte and in place all day – take my word for it.

EYE PRODUCTS

I keep my eye makeup very simple on a daily basis, especially when I was in school. I think there are really only two must have products. First is a good eyebrow product. I love using the Milani Brow Fix Kit because it contains everything I need to fill in my brows – brow powder in two shades, a highlighter, tweezers, angled brush, and sponge applicator. I’ve tried a lot of drugstore eyebrow products, and this is by far my favorite. Next, I love a good mascara. It adds a lot to your face without being much trouble. My favorite of the moment is the Covergirl The Super Sizer. It lengthens and adds volume in one!

BLUSH & HIGHLIGHTER

While I like to keep my makeup pretty simple, blush and highlighter are quick ways to add some dimension and color. I’ve been completely obsessed with the new L’Oreal Lumi Powder Glow Illuminator in the shade Rose for highlighter. It’s so beautiful and wearable! In addition, I love the elf Studio Blush Palette in Light, which I reviewed HERE. This $6 palette includes four different blushes, so you can pick a shade based on your mood and outfit. It’s awesome!

LIP PRODUCTS

Last but not least are lip products! One of my most used lip products is the Revlon ColorBurst Balm Stain in the shade Honey. It stays on all day through eating and drinking, so it’s perfect for going to school. Another product that I love is the NYX Butter Gloss in the shade Créme Brulee. It is a great ‘my lips but better’ color, and can be worn over the Revlon stain or on its own. These are both a great way to finish your daily makeup look!

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That brings us to the end of the post! I hope you enjoyed seeing what my daily makeup is for school. Of course, you an make this your own by adding more products, or simply wearing just powder and mascara. The key is to be comfortable so you can focus on your studies and not worry about your face. Make sure to stay tuned as Back to School Week continues!

What are your go-to makeup products for school? Let me know in the comments!

Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs Review | #AirbrushPerfectLegs

Posted on August 17, 2015August 14, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I have a review of the Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs Leg Makeup. I’ve never used any type of body makeup before, so I was very curious about this product. I was lucky to receive a sample from Influenster in the shade Light, and got to testing it right away. Let me go ahead and share my thoughts on this product with you!

Airbrush Legs is a leg makeup, so it is more like a liquid foundation that a fake tan product. It is designed to work just like a foundation to cover imperfections, and be lightweight and long-wearing. Airbrush Legs is oil free, and has a slight pigmentation available in six shades.

Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs Review | #AirbrushPerfectLegs

I was sent the shade Light, which is the lightest shade available. I was very nervous when I first tested Airbrush Legs – the color is WAY too dark when it comes out of the bottle, and has that “orange fake tan” appearance. Luckily, it does blend out quite a bit to be a more wearable color, but it is still too dark for my liking. Here is a side-by-side before and after a few minutes after I applied the makeup.

As you can see, Airbrush Legs definitely added some color to my legs. However, I don’t feel like it covered any imperfections whatsoever! My legs have a lot of imperfections, which is very noticeable with my fair skin. I was hoping Airbrush Legs would really cover up my pores and redness, but all that happened was that my legs got darker in color. I also noticed that the product clings to dry patches, leaving a dark brown appearance (not cute!). It’s also difficult to blend on feet and knees, and I had a bit of streakiness going on. I think that with more practice I could get a better application of Airbrush Legs, but because the shade was still too dark for my tastes, I don’t think I’ll be using it again.

That being said, there was a lot I did really like about Airbrush Legs. First, it is odorless, unlike fake tanners, which can have a really terrible smell. In addition, Airbrush Legs dries really quickly and does not rub off on clothing or furniture. It does wash off really easily with soap and water, though. I also used a makeup wipe to touch up areas that were streaky, and that worked really well. Finally, my legs felt really soft to the touch after using this product. I really liked that there was no residue at all left behind on my legs.

All in all, I do recommend Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs for those of you who are looking to darken your skin tone without grabbing a fake tanner. This is perfect for an event where you want to show off your legs! However, I wouldn’t recommend this product if you have fair skin, dry skin, and skin with a lot of imperfections. Airbrush Legs is not a cover-all product, so just keep that in mind. You can purchase Airbrush Legs at your local drugstore or department store for around $12.00.

Have you ever used a leg makeup? Share your experience in the comments!

The product in this post was provided for my unbiased review. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

My Everyday Hair & Makeup Routine! | All Drugstore Products

Posted on August 19, 2014August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! Back to school time is right around the corner, so I thought I would share with you my everyday hair and makeup routines. I stick to the very basics on a daily basis, and I typically use all drugstore products. What else would you expect from this fabulous and affordable girl?! If you’re in a rush in the morning, this look is perfect for you. Plus, I keep everything quite natural, so if you’re new to makeup this is a great routine for you to adopt as well. Let me show you all the products I use, and then the before and after!

WHAT YOU NEED

Here are the eight products I use everyday! While sometimes the brands may change (i.e. a CoverGirl mascara or a Baby Lips lip balm), these are the basics that I always reach for to make up my face.

Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser [REVIEW] [BUY] – This primer is amazing, and you all know I love it by now! It evens out my skin and makes it feel smooth and soft.
CoverGirl TruBlend Liquid Makeup in L2 [BUY] – I recently purchased this foundation, as it was around $10 at the drugstore and I’ve loved the other CoverGirl foundation I tried in the past. The TruBlend is definitely a light to medium coverage, and applies really easily with a sponge like the BeautyBlender.
Revlon ColorStay Under Eye Concealer in Light [BUY] – I finally found my holy grail under eye concealer! Revlon nailed it with this ColorStay line. It blends out perfectly and really brightens my under eye area. It’s a bit on the “expensive” side at the drugstore at around $12, but the twist-up packaging ensures you use each and every bit of product. I think it’s 100% worth the price!
Milani Brow Fix Kit in Light [BUY] – Brows are the most important part of my makeup routine! My natural brows are uneven, with the left one being far sparser than the right. Luckily, this little kit comes with everything I need to define my face! I use both the light and dark shades to create the perfect brow color.
Maybelline Dream Matte Powder in Cream [BUY] – Powder is also a must for me, as my skin gets quite oily throughout the day. My recent favorite is the Maybelline Dream Matte, but I’m also a fan of the Rimmel Stay Matte. I dust this stuff all over my face, and it looks flawless!
NYX Cream Blush in Natural [BUY] – I was afraid to try cream blush for the longest time, but now I love it! Just a few taps of this product and I can easily bring some color to my face. It blends out easily with my fingers as well!
L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Butterfly Mascara in Blackest Black [REVIEW] [BUY] – If there’s one part of my makeup routine that I like to be a bit “dramatic,” it’s my lashes. I’m truly obsessed with this mascara from L’Oreal, and I highly recommend it. It gives my lashes length, volume, and a great curl without any clumps.
Revlon ColorBurst Balm Stain in Honey [BUY] – I love this jumbo lip crayon! It’s so easy to apply, and because it is a stain it will stay on all day even through eating and drinking. Honey is a great “my lips but better” color that is polished yet still not over the top.

My hair routine is so simple it only requires two products! I have naturally wavy and frizzy hair, so I like to let it air dry before I flat iron it. If I have second-day hair, I will use a dry shampoo before styling.

Göt2b Guardian Angel Gloss Finish Flat Iron Balm [BUY] – Heat protectant is a necessity, especially because I use a flat iron so much! I love this one because it really gives my hair a shiny yet non-greasy look. The bottle also lasts for a very long time!
Conair Ceramic 2″ Straightener [BUY] – The upside to having thin hair is that I don’t have to spend a lot of money on a fancy flat iron. This one from the drugstore works amazingly well, and costs around $20! I’ve had this model for about three years now.

BEFORE AND AFTER

Ta da! As you can see, I think my everyday makeup and hair routine polishes up my natural self just a bit. I still look like me, and I don’t look like I’m wearing too much makeup. I’m ready to show my face in the city of New York and feel great about it!

All in all, I hope seeing my everyday hair and makeup routine helped inspire you! Whether you’ve discovered some great drugstore products, or simply liked my before and after transformation, please let me know in the comments if you’d like to see more makeup posts like this one! Also, let me know what your everyday hair and makeup routines consist of because I want to know! If you’re feeling brave, post a before and after on Instagram and tag me in it! Best of luck if you’re heading back to school like I am!

This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Red Lip Colors for July 4th from NYC New York Color!

Posted on July 3, 2014August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Thursday! Yesterday I showed you a fabulous and affordable manicure for July 4th (see that post HERE), and today it’s time for some festive red lips! If you’re looking for some great lip colors that you can grab at your local drugstore, this is the post for you!

CITY PROOF TWISTABLE INTENSE LIP COLOR

Roosevelt Island Red – $2.99

The City Proof Twistable Intense Lip Color is designed to be lightweight, soft, and silky. It applies really easily thanks to the crayon-like applicator, and smells just like fruit punch! I find Roosevelt Island Red to be very glossy and moisturizing. It has a good color payoff, but is not completely opaque. If you’re going for a more natural look, I highly recommend this lip color! You can also wear it on top of a lipstick for added shine.

EXPERT LAST LIP COLOR

Traffic Jam – $1.99

I’ve tried one Expert Last Lip Color in the past, and didn’t have a great experience (see that review HERE), but I’m happy to report that I’m loving Traffic Jam! It is extremely moisturizing, and glides on with ease. The formula is creamy, and extremely pigmented. With one coat I got an opaque look! Traffic Jam is actually quite a wearable shade, especially with my fair skin tone. This lip color definitely stains your lips, though, so be careful during application!

All in all, I’m very impressed with these new lip colors from NYC New York Color! Not only are they incredibly affordable, but they are high quality as well. If you’re looking to rock a red lip this Fourth of July, stop by your local drugstore to grab one (or both!) of these. I’ll definitely be checking out more shades from these lines in the future!

The products in this post were provided for my unbiased review. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Rite Aid Beauty Hauls | How I Save Money!

Posted on December 24, 2013August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! I’ve recently scored some amazing beauty deals at Rite Aid, and they were too good not to share with all of you. Today I’ll be showing you two of my recent hauls, and sharing some tips and tricks on getting the most for your money. This post won’t contain any product reviews, but if you would like to hear more about any of these products, let me know in the comments!

HAUL #1

I took advantage of three sales in this haul. Rimmel Cosmetics were buy one get one for 50% off, plus you got back $5 in UP Rewards if you spent $15. SinfulColors polishes had an amazing deal – simply buy one at $1.99 and get back $1.99 in UP Rewards. That deal could be redeemed twice. Finally, Olay Fresh Effects products were 30% off regular price.

Here is a breakdown of all the products I purchased with the regular price listed first, and the sale price listed second:

Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick – $6.99
Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder – $5.69
Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder – $5.69 – $2.84
Rimmel Soft Kohl Eyeliner – $3.99 – $1.99
SinfulColors Nail Polish – $1.99
SinfulColors Nail Polish – $1.99
Olay Fresh Effects S’Wipe Out – $6.49 – $4.54
Olay Fresh Effects S’Wipe Out – $6.49 – $4.54

Next, it’s time to use coupons! Here is what I used:

3 $1 off Rimmel Products (they were each a bit different, so I could use them all in one transaction)
$3 off when you buy two Olay cleansers

Finally, it’s time to add up the totals!

Retail Value: $39.39
Sale Price: $30.57
What I Paid After Coupons: $27.28
UP Rewards Earned: $8.98

HAUL #2

For this haul, I was looking at two sales in particular. Maybellie Cosmetics were buy one get one half off, plus you got back $4 UP Rewards if you spent $12. NYC products were 30% off, plus you got back $2 UP Rewards if you spend $5. I also kept an eye out for special clearance stickers throughout the store!

Product Breakdown:

Maybelline Fit Me Stick Foundation – $8.99
Maybelline Dream Matte Powder – $8.39 – $4.19
NYC Cheek Glow – $2.99 – $2.09
NYC Color Wheel Mosaic Powder – $4.99 – $3.49
L’Oreal Single Eyeshadow – $4.89 – $2.44

Coupons Used:

2 $1 off Maybelline Products (again, the coupons had different terms so I could use both at once)
$1 off any L’Oreal Eye Product

Totals:

Retail Value: $30.25
Sale Price: $21.20
What I Paid After Coupons and UP Rewards: $9.22
UP Rewards Earned: $6.00

As you can see, I only spent a total of $36.50 out of pocket for $69.64 worth of beauty products, and I still have $6 rewards for next time! The reason I take advantage of these sales is to stock up on products that I love, and try out some new things at a great price. I won’t have to buy any powder or makeup remover wipes for a long time now!

If you want to save money like I do, keep these simple steps in mind:

Always shop the sales
Add on coupons – you can use 1 manufacturers coupon and 1 store coupon on the same product if you have both
To earn UP Rewards, your total must meet the minimum amount before you add on coupons – for example, my Rimmel total in haul #1 was $17.51 before coupons, so even though I only spent $14.51 after coupons, I still qualified for the $5 UP Rewards

All in all, I hope you found this post helpful! I am not an extreme couponer, but I shop consciously and on a budget. It is so easy to save big at the drugstore, especially this time of year with clearance sales popping up. If you have any great savings tips, be sure to let me know what they are in the comments!