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Do you often ask yourself if there are any beauty products that ACTUALLY work? There are tons of beauty products out there that all claim to do miraculous things for your face, and the majority of them seem to have amazing reviews online and are super affordable. Sure, sometimes they live up to their online reputation, but it is hard to trust which reviews & descriptions are actually being honest. So when you see a commercial with your favorite celebrity raving about some granny-slappin’ good mascara – you go out and buy it ends up being nothing like you expected. Bummer.
When Makeup Doesn’t Work
When it comes to buying makeup – especially the one’s available at drug stores, they tend to fail us with the inconvenience of one of the following beauty product flaws:
- Mascara Fails – You know, those moments when you look in the mirror mid-day & notice your lashes left mascara marks on your eyelids? It even happens with waterproof mascara and really irks me – especially when I have to scrub my eyes in the shower for an hour to get it off. (Thank God for Neutrogena’s Makeup Remover Wipes!).
- Smearing Eyeliner – It is exciting when you find a smooth, easily applicable eyeliner that doesn’t feel like it is tearing the lining of your eyes open. But then, you notice that even though you didn’t touch your eyes at all, somehow the damn liner smeared at the corner of your eye, making you look like a drunken raccoon that just got dumped.
- Cakey Foundation – You know what I’m talking about – foundation that gets cakey looking & makes you look worse than you would without makeup. Especially when that flaky residue that you can see in a well lit room shows it’s ugly face.
The Best Beauty Products that Do what they Claim! ⭐
That is just to name a few! I have finally come to realize that exclusively buying your makeup at your local retail or drug store is just one big, fat, mistake. Rest assured though – that does not mean that you have to break the bank! Here are some of the best beauty products that actually work and do what they promise! I will also share some great ways to save on tons of high-quality brands, so you can make your face look fresh, fun, flattering and flawless- without letting you down mid-day! 😍
1. Power Up Dual-Phase Setting Mist
Not all setting sprays are created equal! Not only is this a setting spray to keep your makeup looking fresh, but it also:
– Tones Skin: Reduces appearance of redness & blemishes.
– Is Sensitive-skin Friendly: Apply under or over makeup with zero side effects or irritation!
– Glows: Gives your face a perfect, subtle, yet energizing glow! 💚
– Is Honest: Actually works by keeping your makeup in tact all day while also soothing your skin & toning those pesky, little imperfections.
The brand, “iNNBeauty” says it’s like “Gatorade for your skin“, due to 2 layers of ingredients activating when you shake the bottle. These ingredients include Moringa Seed, Ginger Root. eggplant, Witch Hazel, Aloe and electrolytes! This is the best setting spray I have ever tried. Why? Because it keeps my mascara & eyeliner in it’s place all day AND still looked decent when I woke up the next morning. (Yes, I know I need to stop sleeping in my fake face!)
2. Too Faced – Better than Sex Mascara
Although the brand of this mascara is “Too Faced“, the positive claims about this mascara are definitely not “two faced” – Ha! This mascara is easy to apply with it’s soft, bristled brush and leaves ZERO marks on your eyelids, even after a long busy day.
If you want a great quality mascara that volumizes, extends and actually stays on only your lashes without being waterproof & hard to remove, look no further! 🖤
I am so thrilled that this isn’t the story of my life anymore:
3. Artist Couture Diamond Glow Powder
If you have a shimmer obsession like I do, then you may often struggle to find the perfect highlighting powder. It used to piss me off when I’d buy a powder that claims to be shimmery just to find that it has microscopic “shimmer” that you need a damn magnifying glass to see. HA!
It also sucks when a powder is TOO shimmery – which doesn’t happen often, but you don’t want your entire face to sparkle in a dim-lit room either.
The perfect find for this has been the diamond glow powder by “Artist Couture“. It comes in 6 different shades, has a stunning shimmer effect, does not irritate sensitive skin, and is versatile by allowing you to “start with a subtle, luminous sheen or build this powder up for an intense, amplified look. Also, it lasts all day long and doesn’t cake up or flake up.
4. Starlit Glow Highlighting Moisturizer
Another truth-telling superstar beauty product out there is the Starlit Glow Highlighting Moisturizer! Although it is super affordable, it doesn’t feel cheap and has everything you could ever want in a moisturizer. And don’t worry – it doesn’t highlight your entire face like a highlighting stick or powder would. Instead, it gives your face a subtle, healthy, & moisturizing glow!
My favorite features about this product:
- Contains Collagen & Antioxidants (Yes, Please!)
- Super easy to distribute throughout your entire face
- Lightweight & doesn’t clog pores
- no sulfates, no alcohol, no fragrance, and no harsh chemicals.
Peach Slices Starlit Glow Highlighting Moisturizer is a lightweight moisturizer that leaves skin deeply hydrated and highlighted in the most luminous, natural way – a dewy, radiant shimmer that looks natural, healthy and beaming.
Ulta – Starlit Glow
5. Neutrogena Nourishing Eyeliner
If you love mascara that glides on smoothly but get sick of the smudging – this one is highly recommended. I was using Maybelline’s “Define-A-Line” eyeliner for the longest time because of how much I loved the easy application but I just got sick of the smudging!
I did my research online and decided to try this one. All I can say is that it glides on smoothly, lasts all day and did not smudge! It is my new go-to. I am so glad we found each other. 🤣💚
6. UpCircle Coffee Face Scrub
The only thing better than coffee itself is this coffee face scrub for sensitive skin! Made from repurposed coffee grounds, this miracle in a tube tackles two things I deal with – redness, sensitivity and dryness!
- Contains anti-inflammatory properties, including chamomile to sooth redness & irritation – perfect for those with rosacea, acne & more.
- Vitamin packed with Vitamin A, B and Jojoba oil to moisturize dry skin.
Plus, it obviously gives your face a refreshed, energizing feeling! I am addicted. 😬
7. IT Cosmetics CC Foundation
Are you a mega fan of beauty products that SLAY in terms of “multi-tasking”? Because this foundation does it ALL. I have been using this foundation for nearly 2 years now and have only been through less than 2 tubes! You get the biggest bang for your buck and then some:
- Anti-Aging – Helps reduce the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles
- HYDRATES – Honestly, you could get away with skipping moisturizer.
- Amazing coverage – No need to cake it on – 1 layer does the trick!
- Color Correction – perfect for sensitive & redness prone skin.
- Great for sensitive skin – no irritation & doesn’t cause break outs
- Easy Application – incredibly smooth & easy to spread.
- SPF 50+ – Because the sun is terrible for your skin when unprotected!
I could rant and rave over this foundation forever. Once you try this, you never touch another drug store foundation again. 😂
8. Touch in SOL = No Pore Blem Primer
If you got big pores or uneven skin texture, this stuff is going to be your new BFF for life. Sadly, you can’t get rid of pores or permanently shrink them, but this soft & smooth primer makes hiding them “no POREblem” at all! Apply your moisturizer first, then this primer, and watch how flawlessly your makeup looks after applied! 😍
Also – I highly recommend this article on common myths about pores – my mind is blown. 😮
9. Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer
Concealer is probably the beauty product that I am most picky about. I find that some of them are just way too thick, causing that cakey look in random spots of your face. Ick! This one is surprisingly exceptional at doing the job without making it look like you tried to cover up something on your face with a glob of flesh colored mud.
I love how it comes in around 18 different shades and has a convenient on-the-go friendly applicator. Maybe I’m born with it, but maybe it’s Maybelline. 😂
So those 10 little nuggets of cosmetic gold are my favorite beauty products that actually work! As you may have noticed, great quality make-up doesn’t always have to be outrageously priced. If it works, it works! I am however a huge advocate for “trying before you buy” or exploring the internet for good deals before paying full price.
Try before you Buy or Save Big
My hesitance to overspend on beauty products led me to the online marketplace of money-saving wonder – “Mercari“. For example, if you want to try a highly rated foundation that has a retail price of 48 dollars but don’t want to commit to paying that much before you have tried it, buy a used product. Often times I will see things like a Christian Dior foundation and it will be only a third of the product left but you can buy it for just 5 bucks. That way, if it isn’t the product for you, you didn’t waste your money or need to try to re-sell it.
Also – there are TONS of new stuff and “like new” stuff on there that are at great discounts. Go ahead and try it now by searching for your favorite beauty product and sett he search results to “For Sale” (you likely don’t want to see the sold stuff), and any other filters you’d like. You’d be amazed at the deals you can find!
Anyways – let me know what your all time favorite beauty products are in the comments below. The ones that practice what they preach, keep their word, do what they say they will and SLAY your look. I want t know! 💛
Now – go on with yo bad self and buy some legend ass makeup online – but be sure to place in it your cart with attitude and zest like this:
