We all know high end makeup doesn't come cheap and if you're looking for beauty on a budget, there's so many different products to try and places to shop! Today, I'll be talking about 10 amazing beauty essentials that you can actually get at your local 99 cent store and/or your Dollar Tree! I don't mean basic beauty essentials like cotton swabs, q-tips, cotton rounds or nail polish remover (although those are great, too). I'm talking about legit beauty finds that will make you look bougie and when combined with your everyday makeup products, you won't ever be able to see a difference and on one will know it was just a buck!

Drugstore brands such as Milani, Maybelline, Revlon, NYC and Covergirl are often at these discounted chains. The products are usually discontinued, holiday collections or perhaps a product that was relaunched, rebranded or reformulated. Some of these are still sold at drugstores at retail price, just like my first item!

MAYBELLINE COLOR TATTOO BY EYE STUDIO EYE SHADOW CREAM:

So remember the Maybelline Color Tattoo eyeshadows? These came in different finishes and I picked up two from the metal line. You can get these like for $4-6 at your local drugstore but I managed to get these only for $0.99 each at the 99 cent store!

You can use these as an eyeshadow base or use them alone on the lids as shown above. You can also use them as an eyeliner (I used Electric Blue as eyeliner, above) and they dry to a powder like finish so they won't budge or move around once set! I  adore the metallic gold shade in Gold Rush which can be used in so many different ways and the metallic pop is just unreal!

L’OREAL ON THE LOOSE LUMINOUS POWDER:

Next, is the L'Oreal On The Loose Luminous Powder in the shade Sun Dust (gold) which comes in a pretty huge container at 0.25oz - this will never run out! This is a loose highlighter and oh-my it is so luminous and will give you that multi-faceted glow! I just with I would've picked up more when I had the chance.

Although this is beautiful on the face for an overall radiance, I love to use this all over the body, specifically on legs, shoulders and décolleté (in conjunction with my other glowy body products).

It comes with a sifter so I just pour and sprinkle as needed and blend it out with a normal kabuki brush. The sifter is so convenient because we all know how messy loose powders can be! Got this at Dollar Tree for just $1!

NU-PORE FACIAL TISSUE (SHEET) MASKS:

nu-pore

In one of my recent posts, I talk about how I use sheet masks the day of an important event to help prep my face before makeup application. These are one of the brands I use often! When I first saw these sheet masks by Nu-Pore  I was quite hesitant to try them as I'd never tried a skincare product from the 99 cent store! One day on a whim, I just thought, what the heck and have been re-purchasing since! These masks are highly concentrated with natural ingredients such as fresh aloe and cucumber to help moisturize and soothe the skin. They're super relaxing and they double-up to de-puff the skin when put in the fridge for 5-10 minutes before use! I love to use these when I travel and sometimes use them both morning and night and don't feel guilty about using them often because they're so affordable!

L.A. Colors Expressions Shimmering Loose Eyeshadows:

L.A. Colors / L.A. Colors

I had a serious obsession with loose eyeshadow pigments for as long as I can remember! So when I came across these L.A. Colors shimmering loose eyeshadows for just $1 at Dollar Tree, you know I bought them in every shade available!

Although the shade Radiant is beautiful for an every day subtle shimmer, the shade Sunshine is where it's at! I've loved this for so long, you can see me raving about it in this ancient facebook post.

Golden Vintage Makeup Tutorial

This shade looks expensive AF on the eyelids and I absolutely love to apply this wet for the most intense, otherworldly glow you can image! It's luminous with the most pearlescent shine and just looks so gorgeous! It's also one of those multi-purpose products because it's a loose pigment and can be used in numerous ways.  In recent times, this product has been even dubbed as a Fenty highlighter dupe! I'm so glad that people are catching on this amazing product - I've loved it for years!

L.A. COLORS PROFESSIONAL SERIES BLUSH:

L.A Colors / L.A. Colors

I just realized as I'm typing this post, that this next product is from the same brand as the eyeshadow pigment! I never pay too much attention to brands when purchasing these types of things, if the product catches my eye, I'll purchase it.

The blush in the shade Toast is perfect for that natural, just pinched, flushed kind of look. Nothing fake or over the top, just a little something-something for a quick, pick me up. I like to use this for my minimal makeup days when I'm running errands and not full glam.

L.A. Colors Blush in Bronze (wearing as a bronzer) + Cover Girl Cheekers Blush in Golden Pink

This next shade is one of my holy grails and it's probably the first inexpensive product that I've actually hit pan on - yes, I like it that much! This is a shimmering blush in the shade Bronze that immediately adds an all over warmth and glow and doesn't look overly fake. I use this as a bronzer and dust it on the outer perimeters of my face with a fluffy kabuki brush for a sun kissed healthy radiant glow.  Every time I'm wearing this product, I get asked what I'm wearing!

Both of these blushes I purchased at Dollar Tree for just $1 each!

COVER GIRL CHEEKERS BLENDABLE POWDER BLUSH:

Cover Girl

This next product will forever be my holy grail, can't live without blush! This Cover Girl Cheekers blush in 170 - Golden Pink comes in the OG, classic Cover Girl packaging. This is a peachy pink shade with subtle gold shimmers which gives the most incredible glow that I can't even describe!  I love to pair these with the L.A. Colors Bronze blush, mentioned above and the glow is unreal! Definitely my fave duo, especially in the summertime.

I hate to travel with too many high end products because you just never know - it can get lost, damaged, break, etc. so I just try to take as many drugstore, affordable products that I can. Not to mention most of my fave products come in bulky palettes or big packaging and these blush singles hardly take any room at all in my to-go makeup bag.

NU-PORE MAKEUP REMOVER TOWELETTES:

Nu-Pore

I was pleasantly surprised when I tried this next product. These makeup remover towelettes from Nu-Pore (same brand as the sheet masks, above) are a pretty large size and are very durable. You can use both sides of the towelette and they're not flimsy and don't shed or break while you're using them (as most inexpensive wipes do). They actually feel pretty nice and soft on the skin and get the job done. Would I use these alone as just a makeup remover wipe and call it a day? No, of course not! I have an intensive makeup removal routine so if I being with inexpensive wipes to get the first layer of makeup off, that's fine because I follow through with other steps, ensuring I get it all off.

STIFF BOAR BRISTLE HAIR BRUSH:

Dollar Tree

The next product is a boar bristle hair brush. These normally run $5-20+ a piece, depending on the size and style. These is great for fine and thin hair as it's gently brushes the delicate strands. What I love these brushes for is for teasing, especially when I'm trying to tease the bulk of my hair, not just the crown. It teases instantaneously without much effort and it's very gentle. I also love these for when I need to snatch my pony or high bun into place, it brushes everything back like no other brush! This is a must-have in every collection, only $1 at Dollar Tree!

NAIL POLISHES:

L.A. Colors / L.A. Colors

If you're a true nail art lover, then you can never have enough polishes in your collection. L.A. Colors is just one of the brands of polishes you can get at Dollar Tree for just $1 each and they come in bright and vivid colors which are playful for every season of the year! The Art Deco lacquers come with super thin brushes so you can hand paint any design you desire.

I hope this post gave you some ideas on how you can save a few bucks so you can save up your hard earned coins!

XOXO, Mandy