Last updated on October 26th, 2021 at 10:24 pm
For the longest time, I always thought cheap makeup brands were synonymous with being low quality. But I now know that’s totally wrong. Price doesn’t always equal quality!
Over the past year (and then some), I’ve still wanted to try out new makeup, but I didn’t want to spend a lot of money. Since I wasn’t going out much, I’ve been buying from more cheap makeup brands. Even more so than shopping at Sephora, which has always been my holy grail!
My Grandma never went out in public without wearing lipstick. And she always had a lipstick holder in her purse with a couple shades in it to compliment her outfit. I remember one of her favorite brands being Wet ‘n’ Wild, and at one point thought how could that be any good for $1? (at the time) But, boy did she have it right!
There’s so many affordable brands and products available at Ulta, Target, Walmart and other stores these days, but here are the 12 best cheap makeup brands I’ve found and used in 2021.
While I love buying and trying new makeup, I haven’t been able to get through multiple products for each brand. So in the list below, I’ll share what I’ve tried and loved, and what I want to try next based on reviews and research!
1.
E.l.f Cosmetics – This shouldn’t be a surprise with how much I post about e.l.f and their products. I don’t know if I’ve ever tried an e.l.f product I don’t like, and wouldn’t recommend to someone. One of my first memories of the brand was in teen magazines advertising products between $1 and $5, and has turned into one of my favorite and the best cheap makeup brands in my opinion!
Bite-Size Eyeshadow Palette – $3
This has to be my number one favorite! Gorgeous shades with incredible pigment and lasting power, for just $3!
This primer is amazing! It blends into my skin so seamlessly and keeps my makeup looking gorgeous all day. I highly recommend the Poreless Putty Primer brush too – it has a little scoop on the end to get the product out.
I prefer the hydrating formula because my under eyes can be dry-ish.
2.
Wet ‘n’ Wild – Wet ‘n’ Wild is one of the original best cheap makeup brands, it has been around for as long as I can remember!
PhotoFocus Liquid Foundation – $6.49
Be forewarned, the scent of this foundation is pretty strong, but the finish and coverage are amazing
MegaLast Catsuit Matte Lipstick – $2.99
The MegaLast Catsuit hasn’t been around as long, but the original MegaLast lipstick is what I remember my Grandma always wearing. Great colors, great quality and cheap!
Ultimate Brow Retractable – $4.49
I was surprised the first time I used this and how much pigment there was! Make sure you use this with a light hand the first time until you get used to it!
3.
ColourPop
Super Shock Shadow – $6
These shadows (and the highlighter too) are such a unique formula – they feel almost bouncy to the touch. Beautiful colors and so fun to use!
Easy to do a blinding highlight, or blend in for a little more subtle look. Use your fingers for the best application!
Lippie Stix – $7
I’ve accumulated a lot of Lippie Stix over the years! There’s so many beautiful colors, and they’re super affordable so why not buy a bunch? There’s multiple finishes too, so you can find what you like the best!
4.
Catrice
True Skin High-Cover Concealer – $7
I tried this out in lieu of not being able to track down the foundation, so I could try out the formula and it works great! Definitely hydrating and great coverage!
Want to Try:
True Skin Hydrating Foundation – $11
A popular YouTuber mentioned this foundation as a favorite, and it’s been sold out ever since! It’s got fantastic reviews, so I’m going to keep an eye out for it!
Power Plumping Gel Lipstick – $8
Just the name of this lipstick sounds like something I want to try!
5.
Essence
Lash Princess Mascara – $4.99
I consider myself a mascara snob, because L’Oreal Double Extend is the only mascara that works for me, but this is magical! It doesn’t smudge under my eyes, and makes my lashes look insanely long!
This is Nude Lipstick – $3.99
I recently bought a couple shades of these lipsticks and I’m in love! The packaging is beautiful and the colors all look great on me!
Pure Nude Highlighter – $4.99
This is an amazing highlighter if you’re looking for a subtle glow. This isn’t going to be a blinding highlight, so I will lightly brush this highlighter all over my cheeks for a lit-from-within glow!
6.
L.A Girl
I’ve done a post with these Pro Matte Mixing Pigments and how to create your perfect foundation shade. I use them all the time, especially now that I’ve been using self-tanner off and on!
Want to try:
HD Pro Concealer – $4.99
I’ve seen this concealer as a holy-grail favorite on YouTube videos for years. Great for under eyes, but great for contour and highlighting too.
Pro Matte Foundation – $8.99
This foundation is meant to work really well with the mixing pigments, plus it already comes in a lot of different shades!
7.
Makeup Revolution
Soap Brow – $8
Want to give the soap brow trend (brushing your brow hairs up for a fuller look) but don’t want to spend a ton of money? Give the Makeup Revolution Soap Brow a try! Spritz with some Fix+ or setting spray and brush those brows up!
Friends Grab a Cup Face Palette – $25
Admittedly, I 100% thought this was an eyeshadow palette when I bought it. Thought it was a shadow palette when I used it, and still thought it was an eyeshadow palette when I recommended it to Aunt Dianne. And then she told me it was a face palette. So you know you can get multiple uses out of this palette!
Friends Pout Bomb Lip Gloss – Rachel – $8
Anything Friends-branded is an easy sell for me, but helps that this is a good quality gloss and cute color!
8.
J.Cat
Eyelash Comb Separator – $4.99
With how much I layer on mascara lately, this eyelash comb comes in really handy with separating my lashes and getting rid of any clumps!
I love liquid lipstick, but it can be such a pain to take it off at the end of the day. This helps to get it off super easily!
Want to try:
Master Class FX Face Color Palette – $8.99
This is another instance of a beauty YouTuber mentioning this, and selling out everywhere! It’s finally back in stock, so I can use it to mix up all my custom foundation shades!
9.
NYX
Angel Veil Lightweight Primer – $14
This is a great primer that goes on smoothly, and makes your foundation look great!
Soft Matte Lip Cream – $6.50
The Soft Matte Lip Cream and the Butter Gloss are NYX staples, whether you want glossy or matte lips (that are super comfortable to wear) NYX has you covered!
Butter Gloss – $5
10.
Milani
Beautiful, shimmery shades, that are a pretty close dupe for more expensive brands!
Baked Bronzer – $8.99
This bronzer is gorgeous, but it has shimmer in it. So be forewarned if you like to use bronzer to contour!
Want to try:
Make It Last Setting Spray – $9.99
I’m always on the hunt for a good setting spray, and this one has gotten great reviews from what I’ve seen and read!
11.
Flower Beauty
Petal Pout Lip Mask – $9.99
I’m a huge fan of all-things lip balm, so I was super excited to try this one with a little color! I used it a ton while I was at home on maternity leave, and made me feel more put together
Shimmer and Strobe Highlighting Palette – $14
I was shocked at how beautiful this highlighter is, and how beaming the highlight is! I like to mix the colors and use them on the apples of my cheeks and high points!
Want to try:
Get Real Serum Foundation – $15
Since being at home for so long, I’ve been on the hunt for a lightweight foundation that sinks into the skin. This looks like it might be worth a try!
12.
BH Cosmetics – I admittedly haven’t tried anything from BH Cosmetics, but this brand gets great reviews and what you get for the price is an amazing deal!
Amore in Amalfi Shadow Palette – $17
Bellini 6-Pan Blush Palette – $18
13-Piece Brush Set – $26
What do you think is the best cheap makeup brand? Anything not on this list? Share it below!