Beauty blogging is serious business. One of the reasons I decided to blog about beauty was to provide honest, comprehensive reviews of which beauty products work and which do not (the latter is not as fun). As such, I hold myself to high ethical standards when recommending or reviewing a product; I would never recommend a beauty item to you that I didn’t love. I sense that other beauty bloggers share my sentiment, which is why this week I chatted with four fellow bloggers about their favorite products. Surprisingly, all of their must-haves are under (hence the title of this post), which goes to show you don’t need to shell out a large sum of money for your beauty regimen. And rest assured, the following beauty goodies are all tried and true, so you don’t have to be your own guinea pig. Without further ado, here they are:
1. Maybelline Volum’Express The Rocket Mascara
$7.49, Available at Ulta
Mascara is one of the few makeup items I purchase exclusively from drug stores (I’ve gone back and forth between Maybelline and Rimmel). Maybelline’s Volum’Express Rocket mascara is a favorite of beauty blogger, Rose of Beauty Bar Daily. She exclaims, “I can’t seem to reach for anything else but this one at the moment. After two coats, I get amazing length and volume.” For those of you, like myself, who are worried about clumping, Rose is reassuring, “The mascara doesn’t clump and leaves my lashes separated after three coats.” I’m sold!
2. PHILOSOPHY ‘Help Me’ Retinol Night Treatment
If you’re like me, a moisturizer with anti-aging properties is an essential part of your beauty routine. Nita-Karolina, a 20-something style blogger from Helsinki agrees. Nita swears by Philosophy Help Me Retinol Night Treatment for diminishing pores and leaving skin feeling silky and smooth, “It is to die for!”
3. Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Sin
$20, Available at Sephora
Admittedly, I’ve never tried an eyeshadow primer despite being an eye makeup aficionado but Katie Weber, fashion stylist and blogger of Charming City Style, has me excited to try Urban Decay’s Eyeshadow Primer in Sin. “The primer itself is a gold/champagne color, so it adds some shimmer to any shadow. It also keeps shadows from creasing, and makes my eye make-up last all day.”
4. Julep Nail Lacquer in Blakely
$14, Available at Sephora
While the nail art trend has died down (Zooey Deschanel’s checkered nails at the Emmy’s notwithstanding), metallic shades are making a comeback this season. Crystal Gardner, fashion stylist, blogger of From Point A to Point B, and self-professed Julep maven, gushes over Julep’s latest color concoction: purple, blue, and gray – a must-have for fall.
5. Benefit “Hello Flawless!” Oxygen Wow Liquid Foundation
$36, Available at Sephora
And last, but definitely not least, a beauty must-have of my own. Though it was a little difficult to choose just one seeing as a I have myriad beauty must-haves, I chose Benefit “Hello Flawless” Liquid Foundation. This oil-free foundation was my go-to during New York Fashion Week for diminishing blemishes and brightening my complexion. Best of all, the color, Ivory, matched my skin tone and pink undertones (Benefit provides several options) in addition to providing ample coverage. Not convinced? Check out my photos from NYFW.
Have you tried any of these beauty must-haves? Leave a comment below with your review or let us know your favorite beauty must-have.
