Affordable Makeup Essentials
Don’t sleep on mass-market beauty products. You can score loads of effective items at a fraction of the price of luxury makeup brands. What to pick up the next time you’ve popped into the drugstore? D’FYNE’s resident makeup artist, Janine Holmes, shares the top affordable beauty buys she swears by.
Avène XeraCalm A.D Soothing Concentrate
With sudden weather changes and other environmental factors, facial skin can certainly take a beating which leads to itchiness and dryness. Avène has recently introduced XeraCalm A.D Soothing Concentrate, which is my skin-saving secret to combat dry patches. It is also formulated with plant-based oils, which banish those flaky spots and make my skin supple and smooth.
PRO TIP
Store this in the fridge for an added soothing and cooling effect.
Annabelle Classifeyed Eyes & Face Palette
This all-in-one compact palette will allow you to achieve sun-kissed skin, illuminated cheekbones, and intensified eyes. The six eyeshadows allow you to mix and match the different shades and finishes to create your desired eye look. I love how compact this palette is; I can easily throw it in my makeup bag or purse and that’s all I need to do an entire face.
PRO TIP
Blend, blend, blend! You don’t want the bronzer, highlighter, and eye shadow to have any harsh lines so when you think you are done blending, blend some more!
Covergirl The Super Sizer Mascara
I feel most women are always on the hunt for that holy grail mascara formula. Even as a makeup artist, I feel I’ve tried them all and I always seem to go back to Covergirl’s mascara lineup. For the last few years, I have been devoted to Covergirl’s The Super Sizer. The unique wand will help define the eyes and can even reach the tiny lashes on the inner corners that are often too hard to get.
PRO TIP
Twirl the wand as you apply it for maximum “go big or go home” lashes.
Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink
This liquid lipstick is my absolute favourite long-wear lipstick (and I have honestly tried it all). The liquid formula gives a flawless matte finish and is available in a great variety of colors. I can eat an entire steak dinner with all the fixings and the color will still be on my lips!
PRO TIP
Using the unique arrow-tipped applicator, the first outlines your lips to create your desired shape. Then fill in the rest with the flat side of the applicator and lightly press your lips together to create a polished finish that won’t budge for 16 hours.
Milani Baked Blush In Rose D’oro
This blush is my favorite color to pop on the apples of the cheeks. It gives that natural flush to the face and a welcoming glow. It’s a silky-smooth powder and you have the option of doing a soft wash of colour or you can layer it for a radiant pop of pink. It also comes with a convenient dome-shaped brush to precisely sweep it across your cheeks.
PRO TIP
In a time crunch, dust the blush across your lips and apply a clear gloss over top for a matching pout.
Revlon Colorstay Foundation & Concealer
Who doesn’t want flawless-looking skin? I’ve found a foundation and concealer combo that is a heavenly match for creating a picture-perfect complexion. Revlon Colorstay Foundation and Revlon Colorstay Full Coverage Concealer have been staples in my makeup bag since I was a teenager. I apply the oil-free foundation all over my face as a base and then I’ll use the newly reformulated concealer under my eyes and to erase my blemishes. With 24 hours of wear, this combo will get you through any day.
PRO TIP
Normally I would say it’s a crime not to prime but I find this foundation and concealer’s staying power are so good that no primer is required...
