I tried to find under £20 products in my make-up stash, but there were too few to fill a blog. However, with a budget of £25, I can fill many blogs! Without further ado, here is my list of make-up staples that I’ve repeatedly bought and used over the past few years.
Maybelline Colossal Kajal and Mascaras
(From L to R: Colossal Kajal, Maybelline’s Lash Sensational Mascara, Maybelline’s the falsies lash lift mascara and Givenchy’s Phenomen eyes mascara)
I don’t think I’ve met a metro-dwelling Indian woman who doesn’t have Colossal Kajal in their make-up kit. Despite spreading after a few hours, its appeal is its blacker than black colour. Also, its just formidably better than anything else you can buy in the market at this price point. Maybelline’s mascaras are the best – I’ll admit I don’t wear them often – but when I do its usually for an event requiring a full-face of make-up. The mascaras have serious staying power, which is also its Achilles Heel, because they are a nightmare to get out.
I have hooded eyes and on a daily basis I use Givenchy’s Phenomen Eyes Renewal Waterproof (retails at £25.50). I love this brush – it requires more patience to build-up thickness and length – but the pay-off is excellent. If the brush looks a bit like Huda Beauty’s legit eyelashes mascara, remember that Givenchy’s mascara was here first..
Available everywhere. Colossal Kajal retails under INR 200 (or under US$3). Maybelline mascaras average under US$10.
Haven’t used but dying (metaphorically speaking) to try….
I am always looking for new mascaras/liners and Push-Up Eye Secrets (mascara and kohl) from Charlotte Tilbury appear to be just what the doctor ordered…Currently, available for £25 on cultbeauty, as part of a Christmas promotion.
Urban Decay staples and eyelash curlers
(From left to right (clockwise): Urban Decay eye primer (Eden), Urban Decay all night setting spray, Suqqu eyelash curler, Shiseido eyelash curler, Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Definer (Granite))
The world is divided into those who love Brow Wiz and the rest like me, who are on the side of angels, and prefer the Brow Definer! I am kidding. Both are double-sided eyebrow pencil things and justifiably so, have a cult following. My personal preference is the Brow Definer in Granite (Available for US$23 (USA), cultbeauty UK for under £25 and in the UAE (AED 111).
Urban decay is a strange brand. Everyone uses it, but somehow I think its less popular than (e.g.) Charlotte Tilbury or Huda Beauty. This is despite their eyeshadows being excellent. The eye primer has transformed my make-up routine: having hooded eyes is a nightmare if you love eyeshadow. But this product saves the day by not letting eyeshadow budge an inch. Available in the USA (US$24), UK (£20 ), UAE (AED105 ).
There is only setting spray that you need to buy and that’s by Urban Decay. Enough said. The 30ml bottle is available in the USA (US$15 ), UK (£12 ), UAE (AED67)
Eyelash curlers are all similarly priced: the best ones are from Japan. You cannot go wrong with Shu Uemura (only available on Shu Uemura USA), Shiseido(US$ 22 on Sephora USA) and Suqqu (£19 on cultbeauty).
Estee Lauder, MAC, NARS and Huda Beauty lipsticks
(From top to bottom: MAC Mehr, NARS satin lip pencil (Rikugien) and Huda Power Bullet (Interview)
MAC: MAC lipsticks are cheap as chips and encourage me to experiment. If you have olive skin tone (as I do), then the standard shades to use are, Mehr and Taupe. MAC lipsticks cost INR 1,650 (India), US$ 21 (USA), £19 (UK) and AED 95 (UAE).
NARS: I completely appreciate that lip pencils are wasteful. But this big stylo thing is hydrating and allows you to control precisely how you want to shape your lips. This is advantageous to people like me, who have asymmetrical lips. The shade shown is Rikugien and I prefer the satin to matte finish for NARS lipsticks. NARS lip big stylo pencil things cost US$27 (USA), £25 (UK) and AED 115 (UAE).
Huda Beauty: When the history of beauty for our time is written, I hope someone has the good sense to write that the Power Bullet Matte lipstick marked the shift of lipsticks for and entire generation to matte. Rendezous and Interview are my favourite shade. Matte lipsticks are not hydrating and this is no exception. Huda Beauty Lipstick cost ₹1995 (India), US$ 25 (USA), £22 (UK) and AED 115 (UAE).
Illamasqua, NARS (again), Milk and Clinique
(From top to bottom: Illamasqua’s hussy blusher, NARS liquid blush (orgasm), Milk lips & cheek (dusty rose) and Clinique powder blush (precious posy)
Illamasqua is an under-rated brand. I love their eyeshadows but I wouldn’t say no to this blusher. Available in the UK for £23
NARS blushers have been a staple in my make-up bag for the past 10 -15 years at least. I preferred their cream blushers (discontinued), but the powder blushes are not too shabby either. Naturally, orgasm is the blusher of choice for any stylish diva. Less is more with this blusher. Available in the USA (US$30 ), UK (£25 ), UAE (AED170 )
MILK lip and cheek balm: I like this product because of the delivery mechanism. But it also means that the product is more frequently exposed to bacteria, so remember to chuck it once it goes past its use by date. Its ideal for Zoom calls – there is a hint of colour but is very subtle. Available in the USA (US$28 ), UK (£23 ), UAE (AED 160)
Clinique: One of my most used blushers is by Clinique. It applies without a fuss, has buildable colour and doesn’t budge. In addition it lacks the glamour that you’d expect of an every day blusher. Available in the USA (US$26 ), UK (£20 ), UAE (AED 179 )