5 Affordable Beauty Buys I’ve Been Enjoying During Lockdown

Goes without saying that I’m REALLY missing doing other people’s makeup, but like most of us during lockdown there’s definitely been more no makeup days than days with. Nowhere to go and no one to see (apart from Nic and Gwen obvs) but for me it’s more than that. I enjoy being makeup free, I really do but there’s times when makeup’s a creative outlet, relaxation/ self care time, a confidence boost and just a welcome bit of normality. I’ve had a play here and there with new products and with doing more creative looks but even having all this extra time on my hands, my go to when I’ve been in a makeup mood during lockdown has just been a simple, everyday signature look. Something to make you look and feel pretty and a bit more alive that doesn’t take forever to do.

I noticed that quite a lot of my everyday signature look face ingredients at the moment were affordable/ drugstore and thought now’s as good a time as any to share a few especially if you’re on a self imposed no/ low buy/ buying more consciously (like I am) or are just interested in some affordable products that are great and well worth picking up.

➕ BPerfect Perfect Prime Eyeshadow Base

I always like to have a few eye primer options on the go, depending what kind of look I want to go for. You can use concealer, but there’s few concealers (even if perfect under my eyes and everywhere else!) that don’t crease on my own greaseball eyelids. I’m a big fan of Anastasia Beverly Hills’ Eye Primer which is a really light bright tone, more smooth matte finish (it’s only available in one universal shade at the moment which I’d normally find a bit hard to believe that ever works, however I can vouch for it being great on all skin tones, it’s actually the main one I use in my pro kit) and great for if I want a true colour payoff of the shadow I’m using. I like to use something a bit tackier (eg. P Louise bases) if I want more intensity and depth, but also like one that is a natural enough skin tone and keeps shadow in place without looking too done…this is that! Think of if ABH and P Louise eye primers had a bébé (I’m hoping you read this as Moira Rose would)…the BPerfect one is exactly that!

The BPerfect Perfect Prime Eyeshadow Base* is another ‘universal shade’ product (insert eye roll here) and although I’ve only used this on myself so far, I can definitely see it working for fair (moi) to maybe medium/ tan/ medium dark skin tones however, without trying it first I really wouldn’t want to guess if it’d work as well for even fairer than me or on deeper skin tones like the ABH does. It’s a light neutral peachy tone and has anywhere from a light to full coverage depending how much you apply. I usual buff on a small amount and it naturally evens out the uneven tone in my lids and blends seamlessly in to my skin. It’s a perfect long lasting base for shadow and doesn’t crease at all, even if I wear it alone just to even out/ make myself look more awake without the going in with shadow. You can also use to to carve/ tidy up brows. You don’t have to set it, it’s cruelty free, inexpensive (£11/ €12) for 20ml of product which is good and I like the tube/ doe foot applicator packaging. It reminds me a bit of UD Primer Potion in Eden actually (another fave, Eden is more yellow toned) but is half the price.

➕ NYX Born To Glow Naturally Radiant Foundation

NYX Born To Glow Naturally Radiant Foundation* is hands down one of the best foundation formulas (drugstore or high end) I’ve tried and there’s been hundreds! It’s cruelty free and vegan, available in 45 inclusive shades/ tones and is a standard 30ml foundation size but only comes in at £10! It promises and delivers medium buildable coverage with a flattering naturally radiant finish that lasts…even on my combo skin. Seriously impressed with this one. It’s very similar to (maybe even better than, I’ve worn this solidly since picking it up) the ABH Luminous Foundation which costs 4 x the price of this! Would you be interested in a dedicated blog post on this one?? I like to go in depth with foundation reviews/ include swatches etc too, so if you’d find that helpful, let me know here or find me on Instagram!

➕ Milani Conceal & Perfect Shine Proof Powder

As well as a blurring setting powder for my under eye etc, I always like to have a powder compact with coverage just to throw in my bag for touch ups, use as setting powder when I need a bit more coverage or just to use by itself for a fast base with a bit of concealer. KVD Vegan Beauty do a great one as do NYX, but I’ve recently found this Milani one* and it’s bloody good! There’s only 10 shades of this but there is something to cover everyone which is great (I use the shade fair but lighter or bit darker than me could use it not a problem, they’re universally flattering shades rather than being super specific which in this case works perfectly) and it’s light weight with a silky non drying feel on the skin. It offers medium buildable coverage, makes your skin look naturally smooth, controls oils and lasts! Handy, portable, nice formula and packaging…love this powder! It’s cruelty free and vegan too. I also like using this powder to tidy up contour and eye shadow, multi use always scores extra for me.

➕ Morphe Continuous Setting Mist

Was reluctant to pick this up for the longest time mainly with it being an aerosol, I thought it would probably last for about a week and was also worried about it being super scented (maybe it subconsciously reminded me of the Huda Beauty one…strong!). Anyway, I kept seeing it, hearing nothing but great things and needed a new one so here we are. It also comes in mattifying, luminous and set and refresh, but I’m obsessed with the OG cult favourite formula*. It’s almost a fusion on mattifying and luminous and sets/ makes your makeup last all day, but also gives a beautiful real skin radiance without looking oil slick. It’s refreshing, not too scented as per my fears (it’s a very light, almost cucumber scent quite close to the KVD one) and has a continuous (as the name suggests) very fine spray meaning controlled application and even coverage…you get everywhere without even trying. The bottle/ can has already lasted me way longer than I thought it would and is still going strong. As well as giving my face serious staying power and a refreshed feel, it just melts everything together and makes your skin/ everything on it look really good…what more would you want?! I like to use it to set my face and before applying highlight to make the highlight melt on give it extra glow.

   

➕ BH Cosmetics Studio Pro Brush 3 Small Contour

Last but definitely not least. Less than a tenner, cruelty free/ vegan and perfect for precise but effortless contouring. Really good quality brush, especially for the price and it definitely helps contour the way I want in half the time. The Pro Brush 3 Small Contour* is the perfect size to precisely place down your product (great for liquids, creams and powders) while still having control and blending as you go. I’ll be picking up more of these!

 

Have you been wearing makeup during lockdown? What have been your go to products?

Lyd x 

 

PLEASE NOTE:

Due to the current Covid 19 situation,  exact dates are TBC however as of August 2020, I’m excited to be based back in Flintshire, North Wales. Currently taking 2020/2021 makeup bookings for North Wales/ Chester/ Cheshire/ Wirral area, UK.    

As an experienced and in demand bridal makeup specialist I do get booked up well in advance so if you’re looking for makeup for your wedding day, please contact me asap to check availability/ secure your date (deposit required) to avoid any disappointment.

Also available for makeup for any occasion/ event, lessons and master class…find more information and a full list of services here.

Contact us for enquiries/ bookings and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

 

            

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