Beauty on a Budget

Makeup dupes are a crucial part of maintaining a high-end makeup look while surviving on a college budget. The most important portion of my makeup routine is my mascara because I know that when I have a good eyelash day, I will have a good day. Applying Telescopic mascara by L’Oréal is the most necessary part of my makeup routine. Telescopic mascara only costs $9 and can be found at almost any local drug store. This product serves as a dupe for the Glossier Lash Slick Mascara, which costs almost double at $16.50.

Photo by Audrey Wagner

This mascara is a staple and, once I tried it, I never thought twice about trying any other product. It has a long plastic wand, rather than a wand with bristles, that works as a lengthener. The formula is produced without any fibers, meaning it will not flake off on your face, but instead stay put the whole day. This mascara also acts as a volumizer depending on the number of layers added. All in all, there is no better mascara on the market, whether it’s high-end or from the drugstore.

The next product I swear by is the Rimmel London Exaggerate Liquid Eyeliner in black. This product serves as a dupe for the Haus Liquid Eyeliner and is another staple in any going out routine. Eyeliner is not an everyday necessity, but it helps to emphasize any makeup look.

Photo by Audrey Wagner

This Rimmel eyeliner has so many qualities that match the high-end product and it is only $6.00, which is one third of the cost of the Haus eyeliner. The felt pen allows for maximum control and lets you create the design, so you do not end up with the dreaded bumpy eyeliner. Additionally, this product is not too watery or gooey, but instead the perfect consistency.

The final product that I implore everyone to invest in is the $8.00 NYX White Eyeliner Pencil. It serves as the optimal dupe for Lancome Le Crayon Khol White Eye Liner which is $26.00! This NYX product is one of the most underrated gems that took me a while to discover. Applying white to the inner line of the bottom eyelid will open up the look and give an illusion of a larger eye. If you are going to a prom, formal, or any photo-heavy event this product is a must-have.

Photo by Audrey Wagner

The status and brand presence of high-end products will always be enticing, but don’t give up on the drugstore just yet. There are many undiscovered products that can do the job just as well at a fraction of the price!