When we finally find that one product that does exactly what we need it to or want it to, it’s a really big deal! However, when that product comes with a hefty price tag, it makes us slightly less eager to buy more of it. We have found low cost substitutes for some of our favorite high end products and we are sure you will love them just the same as their counterparts!
Original: Bobbi Brown The Basic Brush Collection ($175 at bloomingdales.com). Bobbi Brown is a powerhouse in the makeup industry, so naturally her makeup brushes are incredibly popular. Her brushes preform well, withstand the test of time and come in many different shapes and sizes.
Substitute: Sigma Beauty Brushes Make Me Classy Travel Kit ($59 at sigmabeauty.com). Sigma Beauty is quickly becoming known for their quality brushes and excellent customer care. They offer synthetic and natural bristle brushes in an array of colors and styles. The Make Me Classy Travel Kit has comparable brushes to the Bobbi Brown Basic Brush Collection, but are over $100 cheaper. I recently stocked my kit with over a dozen of these brushes and found that they stand up through the wear and tare better then some of my pricier brushes.
Original: MAC Pro Longwear Lipcolor in Lasting Lust ($22 at maccosmetics.com). These last a really long time and come in seriously saturated colors, but in total honesty, their substitute lasts longer!
Substitute: Maybelline Super Stay 24 Hour Lipcolor in Keep Up The Flame ($7.99 at CVS.com). This lip color stands by its name! I have actually had to scrub this off my lips before bed because it just holds that well. 24 hours? Yes!
Original: Make Up For Ever Pure Pigments ($20 at sephora.com). Pigments are fantastic for stand out looks, color correction or for tweaking our favorite shades. Often, pigments are too expensive for the typical consumer to feel comfortable buying multiple shades to be creative with.
Substitute: Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Pure Cosmetic Pigments ($12 at occmakeup.com). OCC has created pigments that are just as pigmented as the higher priced lines, but at a more attainable price tag. At $12, you can feel comfortable trying that bright teal liner or hot pink lip!
Original: Make Up For Ever 5 Camouflage Cream Palette ($38 at Sephora.com). These concealers/color correctors are a necessity when you have a red blemish, dark circles or your skin is a little lackluster. Apply them under foundation for any color correction.
Substitute: Mehron ProColoRing Neutralizer ($14.95 at Mehron.com). The Mehron color wheel serves the same purpose as the Make Up For Ever Concealers, but at less then half the cost. Mehron is a loved makeup line amongst Makeup Artists and their products stand the test of time.
Original: Anastasia Brow Pen- Long Wearing Brow Tint ($21 at Sephora.com). The name Anastasia and brows go hand-in-hand. The brow pen offers the application of a pencil and longevity of a liquid liner. The tip is so fine, it is possible to create the illusion of tiny hairs within your brows.
Substitute: NYX Eyebrow Marker ($9.75 at NYXcosmetics.com). This brow marker comes in two shades and gives the Anastasia Brow Pen a serious run for its money. The tip is equally as fine and the formula last just as long.
Original: NARS Eyeshadow in Etrusque Limited Edition ($24 at NARScosmetics.com). When NARS came out with their Limited Edition Etrusque Shadow, I was in love (so were many others, it is very hard to find)! It is the perfect gold for every skin tone.
Substitute: La Femme Eyeshadow in Gold ($2.99 at camerareadycosmetics.com). The La Femme Gold Shadow is the identical twin of the NARS Etrusque. The texture is just as creamy and smooth and the pigmentation is equally as intense.
Original: Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Powder ($32 at sephora.com). Finding a quality setting powder is essential for keeping your makeup in place past your lunch break and Make Up For Ever has done just that. This powder is easily the best selling HD Setting Powder on the market and with reason. When brushed over a finished face, the Make Up For Ever HD Powder will keep you without shine for hours and your products just where you place them.
Substitute: Eyes Lips Face Studio High Definition Powder ($6 at eyeslipsface.com). This powder serves the same purpose, has the same texture and applies the same way, but you can buy 5 of them for the price of 1 Make Up For Ever HD Powder.
Original: NARS Angelika Blush ($28 at bloomingdales.com). NARS blushes are cult favorites. The pigmentation and longevity make them a well stocked must-have for our makeup bags. A favorite, Angelika, offers a soft bubblegum/innocent pink that is suitable on nearly all skin tones.
Substitute: Eyes Lips Face (ELF)’s Tickled Pink ($3 at eyeslipsface.com). This blush is almost identical to the Angelika and comes with a three dollar price tag! The size is comparable and the price difference is astounding.
Quality makeup is important and often expensive, but once in a while we can find lower priced items that preform just as well! This season, save a little money on your old favorites and reward yourself with some colorful new products. Happy Spring Beauties!
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JenniferK
