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The $30 Face Makeup Challenge – Makeup Wars

The $30 Face Makeup Challenge via @AllLacqueredUp

The $30 Face Makeup Challenge

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Have you ever tried to create a complete makeup look with just $30 worth of products? Sounds easy, right? Well, that was the challenge posed to the Makeup Wars bloggers and it was much more difficult than I anticipated.

With so many mass brand products ranging from $8-12 or more, you really have to scour the sale ads and take advantage of drugstore rewards program to get quality. Keep reading to see how I did it.

$30 Face – The Products

$30 Face Challenge - Makeup Products via @AllLacqueredUp

$30 Face Challenge – Makeup Products

Eyes

Rimmel Professional Eyebrow Pencil (Drugstore.com) – With its built-in brush, I had great hope for this budget brow pencil. And considering that it’s been four weeks since my last wax (I’m going tomorrow), my brows need help. Unfortunately I wasn’t impressed. It didn’t blend well or give me the control I’m used to with my usual brow pencils.

Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal Liner (Drugstore.com) – I’ve been using the original Kohl Kajal liners from Rimmel for years, Jungle Green is my jam, so I thought I’d give the waterproof version a try. It’s just as soft and smudge-able but once it sets, it really does stay put.

Milani Bella Eyes Gel Powder Eyeshadow (Drugstore.com) – Everyone has been raving about these shadows since their recent launch so, since I was going for a simple one shade look, I thought I’d give them a go. The claim is a single stroke application but I didn’t find that to be the case with Bella Champagne. I needed to really pack it on to get any kind of coverage and even then, I wasn’t terribly wowed. I’m hoping this shade is the exception, not the rule.

L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Miss Manga Mascara (Drugstore.com) – My lashes are sparse, short and straight, generally sad, so I’ve been loving the volume and separation I get from Miss Manga. It can get a little clumpy so have an eyelash comb at the ready.

Lips & Cheeks

L’Oreal Paris Glossy Balm (Drugstore.com) – I told you how much I adore Glossy Balm last week when I shared my Top 10 Drugstore faves. It’s so creamy and pigmented! Even better, it can serve as a multi-tasker. I employed Vintage Rose to give my cheeks a natural flush.

Face

E.L.F. Under Eye Concealer & Highlighter (Drugstore.com) – I wish I didn’t need a concealer but my dark circles and acne scars tell me otherwise. As much as I wanted to use my latest drugstore obsession, it blew my budget so, a quick Target run was in order. It led me to this E.L.F. concealer. I figured the 2-in-1 was an added bonus. I’m sure this is a great product for people with less problematic or younger skin but I found it creased easily as I wore it. For $3, it was worth a try.

L’Oreal Paris Anti-Redness BB Cream (Drugstore.com) – Even at full price, this is totally worth it. I would have done anything to make sure it was on my list. This anti-redness BB instantly calms my flare-ups, smooths out my pores and gives me a nice, even glow. The “universal” shade is definitely too light for women of color so it’s not a one-size-fits-all wonder but it’s perfect for me.

The Final Look

$30 Face Challenge #FOTD - Makeup Wars

The $30 Face Makeup Challenge

7 products for $30 is pretty impressive, if you ask me. Yes, you can hit the E.L.F. display and come home with 30 for $30 but will they all work? Don’t get me wrong, the brand has some great items but they’re not all winners, especially if you don’t have flawless skin.

Now, even though some of the products were sent to me for review, I shopped as though I purchased everything. If I couldn’t score it somewhere locally to fit the budget, it was tossed, like my COVERGIRL Ready Set Gorgeous Concealer (oh how I missed you!).

To get it done, I took advantage of the L’Oreal Paris 40% off sale at Rite Aid. I also used my 25% Off CVS ExtraCare Rewards coupon plus a Rimmel BOGO 50% off. Finally, a quick Target run to make sure I wasn’t concealer-less.

$30 Face Makeup Challenge Prices via @AllLacqueredUp

$30 Face Makeup Challenge Prices

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Have you ever done a budget makeup challenge before? What are your fave budget beauty products? Any genius drugstore shopping strategies? Have you tried any of the products I used?


Disclosure: Product samples were provided by reps for L’Oreal Paris. I purchased everything else. Affiliate links appear in this post. When you purchase through an affiliate link, you help support this site. For more info view my Disclosure Policy
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There Are 17 Brilliant Comments

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  1. Gouldylox says:

    I need to try that mascara! People seem to love it!

  2. Great picks! I used quite a bit of Milani. I have a bit of an obsession lately!

  3. Phyrra says:

    Your look turned out great! I had some duds in my choices.

  4. Lisa N. says:

    You got a really great look for $30!

  5. Abbi says:

    Harmon. Face. Values. Also I make sure to have my rewards cards on hand whenever I shop.

  6. Eugenia says:

    I LOVE Miss Manga!!

  7. Bailey says:

    Those are some amazing deals! I still haven’t tried the L’Oréal Glossy Balms, but now I’m dying to!

  8. Bite Buff says:

    Pretty, friend!

  9. I totally agree on the Rimmel brow pencil, it didn’t work for me either. Like Miss Manga and Milani Bella Eyeshadow too.

  10. Brittany says:

    Haha, I agree with you when it comes to e.l.f. They do have some reallllly nice products but a lot them are hit or miss. Great picks!

  11. Lesley says:

    Thanks for the honest and thorough reviews. They always help me decide whether to try a new beauty product or not (I hate wasting money on new products only to be disappointed-as I’m sure everyone does!).

  12. Carleen says:

    I am loving the Manga Mascara. I would have used in mine, but I couldn’t quite it fit in in and be under $30.

  13. Jessica says:

    That’s a great look for $30!! Thank you for the honest review.
    I have really been loving the maybelline tattoo eye shadows (not new but new to me!). I am used to UD’s primer potion and high quality designer brands so I think that’s saying something about these maybelline products. They are very blendable and stay put on my oily skin. I feel like the color payoff is great. They aren’t as inexpensive as the milani bella eyes, but if someone is looking for a quick back to school product, perhaps the maybelline is worth a try!

  14. Molly P-H says:

    Thanks to this post I tried the Loreal BB and the Balm (one of the colors you recommended) and I’M IN LOVE!!! I’ve had a change of career to where I have, literally, five minutes for a face in the morning and both of those products are getting me there! Plus, I was won over more to drugstore brands which I hadn’t really had great luck with in the past. Thanks again!

  15. I can well imagine how hard it is to find the right products that works and stay within budget!

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