By BR Amelia
For years it felt like New Zealand was millions of miles away from the cosmetic heavens that are the United States and United Kingdom. I'd watch YouTube vloggers with a big old sad face as they showed me gorgeous and affordable products from brands we didn't have on our fair shores. Essence, NYX, BH Cosmetics, Milani, Makeup Revolution, Morphe, ELF, Real Techniques, L.A. Girl... you get the picture. But times have changed and thanks to the likes of Beauty Bliss, KMart, Farmers, Makeup Direct and Makeup.co.nz, we've seen those brands make their way into the country and into our cosmetic bags.
With the recent launch of Wet n Wild at Farmers the crew got chatting about their ride or die affordable products, and we thought it only right to showcase our faves! Check these out...
I remember seeing this in a random gift store of all places and swooping it up! L.A. Girl PRO.conceal is one of those product you tend to see popping up on the regular in beauty tutorials - and it's no surprise as it's amazing. It's quite a thick texture, but it blends out easily while hiding dark circles and highlighting areas you want to bring attention to. All for around $12. Bargain.
Milani Luminoso is one of the crew's favourite peach shades of blush. It warms the skin without turning you into an orange-cheeked clown. It buffs out beautifully. Gives a glow. Makes you look like you've been spending time in a warmer clime. And at under $20 we think it's easily comparable to blushes twice the price.
We've talked about it before and we have to talk about it again. If you're in the market for an affordable nude eyeliner you can't go past Essence Long Wear Eyeliner in Silky Nude. It goes on the waterline without dragging. The colour is pigmented but not so much that it looks obvious. It brightens your eyes like nobodies business. And it'll cost you about the same as a cup of coffee.
This was BR Kellie's first setting spray - and even though she's moved onto other setting sprays because she is, as she readily admits, a complete product tart, she still rates it as you get a lot of bang for your buck. It gives good spray, it leaves the skin with a glowy sheen and it sets your makeup. What more could you want from a product that costs around $10?
I think anyone who's familiar with the brand Makeup Revolution knows that a fair few of their products are dupes for more expensive brands. And one of their products that is obviously so, but a heck of a lot more affordable, is the I Heart Makeup I Heart Chocolate palette. Not only does it smell chocolatey but the eyeshadows are easy to work with and offer a real mix of shades so you can create easy daytime looks or smokey evening styles. And at $22 on Beauty Bliss you're getting a quality deal for a palette that goes the distance.
With BR Kellie being on a self imposed buying makeup ban (seriously, the girl is crazy - and she survived a trip to Mecca Cosmetica without buying a single cosmetic. Mad.) we had our bets on BR Tabby being the first one to race down to Farmers to haul the heck out of Wet n Wild. But BR Nat got in first and scored a bundle of products for next to nothing. She loves the Colour Icon Kohl Eyeliner, which is a whole $2.99. Found the glitter eyeshadows to be surprisingly good. But her hands down favourite? The Megaglo Highlighting Powder. She calls it BRILLIANT. And to be fair, it is! As brilliant on her face as it is to swatch. And it's $12.99. I've spent four times as much on highlighters that haven't rocked as much as that one.
I've got to get my hands on that highlighter. Love these products. Must try that setting spray.