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Look Alive on a Student Budget: 14 Holy Grail Products Under $12
14
items This is basically my step-by-step makeup routine as a student. Here’s what I use and what I usually buy that I could recommend for students like me who have a very limited budget but still want to look put together.
Sections
5
Base
Brows
Eyes
Blush & Colors
Lips & Setting
Base
$10
If you need your makeup to last through an entire day of back-to-back classes, this is the ultimate glue. It has a sticky texture at first, but it locks down whatever foundation or skin tint you put on top.
Power Grip Primer - e.l.f. Cosmetics
$6
This is incredibly cheap but looks better than expensive foundations. It’s a skin tint with hyaluronic acid, so it gives you a healthy, semi-dewy finish with just enough coverage to hide redness.
Bare Focus Tinted Hydrator Tinted Skin Veil | Porcelain - Wet n Wild
$12
A bit on the higher end of the budget scale, but worth it. It’s super lightweight, acts like skincare, and gives a very natural "no-makeup makeup" look for early mornings.
L'Oreal True Match Nude Hyaluronic Serum
$8
A classic for a reason. It’s a lightweight, hydrating formula that doesn't crease under the eyes but still has enough coverage to hide a breakout or dark circles from studying late.
Fit Me® Oil-Free Concealer Face Makeup - Maybelline
Brows
$3
If $11 is too much, this is literally three bucks. The tip is a bit thicker, but the formula is creamy, easy to blend with the spoolie on the other end, and gets the job done in 30 seconds.
Best Eyebrow Pencil - Instant Lift Brow Pencil | e.l.f. Cosmetics
$11
This has a super fine tip that makes it incredibly easy to draw realistic hair strokes without accidentally giving yourself blocky, harsh brows when you’re rushing.
Micro Brow Eyebrow Pencil | NYX Professional Makeup
Eyes
$10
If your lashes refuse to stay curled during the day, this holds them up like crazy. It doesn't smudge, it lengthens, and it won't give you raccoon eyes by your afternoon lecture.
Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara
$5
Tubing mascaras are great because they wrap around your lashes and wash off easily with just warm water, no scrubbing needed. At five dollars, it's a massive bargain.
essence | Lash Without Limits Tubing Extreme ...
$4
The "Walking on Eggshells" palette is basically all you need for an easy, everyday eye look. The shadows are pigmented and blend out effortlessly with your fingers.
Color Icon Eyeshadow Quad - Walmart.com
Blush & Colors
$10
“Luminoso" is the famous shade here. It’s a blush and a subtle highlight in one, so you can skip a step in the morning and still look alive and glowing.
Baked Blush - Milani Cosmetics
$4
If you prefer a completely matte look that just gives a healthy flush without any shimmer, these are incredibly soft, easy to blend, and cost less than a coffee.
Affordable Beauty Solutions – Tagged "blush" - essence makeup
Lips & Setting
$10
This is formulated with hyaluronic acid, so it makes your lips look super plump and hydrated without that gross, sticky feeling where your hair gets stuck to your mouth.
Hydrating Lifter Lip Gloss with Hyaluronic Acid - Maybelline
$6
Literally everyone has one of these. They smell like vanilla, give a soft sheer wash of color, and are cheap enough that it doesn't hurt your soul if you lose one in the library.
Butter Gloss Non-Sticky Lip Gloss | NYX Professional Makeup
$9
If you get oily throughout the day, a quick dust of this in your T-zone locks everything in and blurs your pores completely without making your face look dry or cakey.
Fit Me® Loose Finishing Powder Face Makeup - Maybelline