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Original poster

Budget makeup that's as good as high end....

55 replies

JinglingHellsBells · 28/10/2019 13:32

Okay I'm a high-end buyer of some stuff- mainly Bobbi Brown, Lancome mascara, and a bit of Nars.

I'm not prepared to give up my high end foundation/ concealer as I'm pale and find best match colours and textures in B Brown and it lasts me months.

But eye shadows and lippy. I adored a Dior 5-eye shadow palette some years ago but cannot bring myself to spend £40 on eye shadow, and I'm even re-thinking B Brown £20 eye shadow.

Is there really any difference between a £1.99 Collection eye shadow and one for £20?

OP posts:
Ithinkwerealonenowtiffany · 29/10/2019 07:10

I love Avon stuff. Glimmersticks brow definers and eyeliners are fab and are £6 but often half price. I bought a 4 colour highlighter set from Primark months ago and i use it as eyeshadow. It was £1! And I also have a highlighter set i use on my cheeks. That was £3.

OhTheRoses · 29/10/2019 07:10

No 7 for foundation, concealer, highlighter. Blusher is L'Oreal I think but only because it's a dirable container and the powder doesn't break up. Can't find better mascaara or lippy than Lancome. That's pretty much all I wear unless we go to a "do" in which case I raid dd's supplies for eyeshadow and eyeliner. Benefit of having a 21 year old dd - they come free with a fucktonne of make-up and stationery

TigerCameForTea · 29/10/2019 07:39

I do like the Morphe pallets too. They're usually about £23 on Beauty Bay but occasionally on offer at £15. Fab range of colours and really pigmented.

Branleuse · 29/10/2019 07:42

I am seriously impressed by primark makeup. I really love their matte lipsticks.

As for foundation I like boots 07 so more mid range rather than cheap

AliciaQuays · 29/10/2019 07:43

Has anyone trotted our bourjois made by Chanel yet?

Never scrimp on foundations. It always shows

AliciaQuays · 29/10/2019 07:45

I’d not bother with mascara. Get eyelash extensions instead

BelindasGleeTeam · 29/10/2019 07:46

The Primark stuff is sold as a brand in eastern Europe, saw it in Prague.
Collection concealer is used by top MUAs as it's as good as anything out there.
Echo the eyeshadow palettes too.

What's worth spending on is any sparkly face powders. Hourglass is £££ but so much better than cheap versions as the money goes into the milling process.

Mascara wise, MaxFactor 2000 calorie is hard to beat. Or the Maybelline one in the pink and white tube.

Elllllle · 29/10/2019 07:48

I used to read this type of thread and go out and try/buy everything. I've reached the stage where nothing cheaper is better than my clinique blush, nars powders, ysl mascara, thisworks primer, stila eyeshadow, physicians formula liner. For every day I will substitute (only because its cheaper) maybelline mascara, revlon foundation, nyx fixing spray. But it's not as good. Neither is much of the cheap stuff listed here ime.

Sammi38 · 29/10/2019 07:50

I know you’ve said you wouldn’t give up high end foundation, I use high end, Chanel velvet Lumiere is my perfect foundation, but I went on that foundation matching website, ‘findation’, and it matched me with a L’Oréal infallible 24 hr matte foundation. Honestly, it is brilliant, such good coverage without looking caked on or thick, you can still see actual skin under it but it covers any blemish and really evens skin tone. Think it was like £7.99 or something.

I do think there’s a difference between a £2 and £20 eyeshadow, colour pay off, longevity, application and fall down when you apply. I think no7 make up is ok, but for eyeshadows I use tarte, Nars, Chanel, too faced, only for the reason that I’m getting older and cheaper eyeshadows sit in my creases and look bad, especially shimmery ones, that’s why I stick to mattes.

Lipsticks and blusher I use all sorts, ranging from rimmel to no7 to Clinique, I don’t find there’s much difference between brands for these sorts of things, and also mascara, I swear by maxfactor.

melmos · 29/10/2019 09:45

Another vote for Primark here - plus it's cruelty free

From Primark I use glow primer, glow foundation, glow setting spray, 3D curl mascara (in a gold tube). I know you said you wouldn't give up your foundation but I was amazed - i am extremely pale and have to use the second shade up in foundation which was a first for me.

Rimmel - glamorise (SP?) liquid eyeliner.

Collection - lasting finish concealer and eye brow palette

Honeybee85 · 29/10/2019 10:12

I forgot to mention how impressed I was with L’Oreal True Match foundation. There is a rumor that the L’Oreal stuff is actually the same as Lancome products. I do know they had a great dupe for my beloved Lancome Erika F eyeshadow that was practically the same!

Same rumor is going round about Bourjois and Chanel being was the same content in different packaging. I love Bourjois’ Healthy Mix foundation and oddly enough their blush has the same lovely finish as Chanel blush and nearly the same distinct rose smell.

Sakura7 · 29/10/2019 10:22

Nyx are great for eyeshadow (as good as Urban Decay imo) and lipstick.

Catrice concealer in the little black pot is fab, it looks like a Mac dupe and does a great job. I have dark undereye circles and this is the best I've found to cover them.

Rimmel for eyeliner and mascara. L'Oreal Brow Genius for eyebrows.

Primark make up brushes are amazing, and their lip liners are great too.

Sakura7 · 29/10/2019 10:27

Never scrimp on foundations. It always shows

Maybe on you. Clearly others have a different experience.

My cheapie Catrice concealer is honestly the best I've used, better than the Mac one it copies.

fishonabicycle · 29/10/2019 11:31

I recently got a Collection waterproof mascara - it's bloody brilliant!

Sammi38 · 29/10/2019 11:32

I never got on with Mac make up at all, it just all seems very heavy and overpriced.

Honeybee85 · 29/10/2019 11:37

@Sammi38 that’s because MAC has always been a brand for MUA, it’s ‘stage makeup’ actually.

Sammi38 · 29/10/2019 11:56

That makes sense. It reminds me of drag make up.

Branleuse · 29/10/2019 13:38

my favourite mascara btw is a waterproof one i got from lidl in france for about 2 euros. No smudging, loads of volume

timshelthechoice · 29/10/2019 13:43

Revolution, MUA and Elf all the way. I use a Collection mascara that Bryony on ITV recommended, it's ace. I don't use foundation at all as it breaks out my skin.

MikeUniformMike · 29/10/2019 15:55

I use budget and mid-range.
Boots cyo, Rimmel, Collection and Body Shop, Bourjois and Boots No 7.
Have started using Primark too.
It's a bit hit and miss with some things but generally I'm happy.
The pricy stuff looks nicer but I don't think it is worth it.

BillywigSting · 29/10/2019 16:02

Hourglass foundation is the only one I've ever got on with but eyelure eye pencil with the brush on the other end, max factor masterpiece mascara (in the golden tube) and no7 blush are all products I swear by.

I also quite like the boujours healthy glow pressed powder to set with.

I find brushes make a bigger difference than make up brand in general tbh. Buy good quality brushes and look after them and there's not an enormous difference between most of it

AnuvvaMuvva · 29/10/2019 16:07

I got a Smashbox palette from Boots last year, full of non-sparkly nude colours and I love it. I think it was £20ish and has 6 colours in it. Love it.

NormaBean · 29/10/2019 16:25

Interesting. If bourjois and Chanel are the same products surely it’s easily identifiable by the ingredients?

OhTheRoses · 29/10/2019 18:41

You all put me to shame. My make-up consists of:

Foundation -cream and powder combined
Concealer
Highlighter
Blusher
Mascara
Lipstick

And that's it. And I use every scrap and then replace!

partysong · 29/10/2019 21:58

Mabeline lip inks are incredible