I’m Kayla, and I’m picky with makeup. I’ve got combo skin. Oily T-zone, dry cheeks, and a small sprinkle of acne scars. I live in humid Houston, so heat tests are real. I also work long shifts, so my face has to last. And my budget? It’s not fancy.
I spent a month wearing cheap makeup only. Work days, school drop-off, date night, even a friend’s wedding. Some hits. Some duds. Here’s what I used and how it went.
For an even deeper dive into affordable finds, read about how our editors tried a bunch of inexpensive makeup brands and what actually worked.
Got a special evening coming up in Colorado? Before you zip up your makeup bag and head out, skim through Tryst Arvada for insider tips on the venue’s vibe, dress code, and how to make the most of a carefree night out.
My Face, My Rules
- Shade zone: medium with neutral-olive undertones.
- Skin talk: shiny forehead by lunch; dry around the nose by winter.
- Goal: natural skin, bright eyes, soft lips. No heavy mask.
You know what? I don’t need perfect. I just need “pulled together” by 7:30 a.m.
Brand by Brand: What Stayed, What Strayed
e.l.f. Cosmetics (my top shelf on a budget)
- Power Grip Primer: Sticky in a good way. Grips foundation like tape. I wore it on a 94° day, and my T-zone stayed calm till dinner. It does feel tacky, so give it a minute to set.
- Halo Glow Liquid Filter (Shade 4): Glow but not glitter. I mix one small dot into matte foundation. My skin looks awake. Too much can look greasy on me by 3 p.m., so go light.
- 16HR Camo Concealer (Medium Sand): Full coverage. Covers my chin spots fast. It can look dry under the eyes, so I use eye cream first.
- Putty Blush (Tahiti): Creamy, blends easy with fingers. Lasts through my office coffee run and back. Shade looks like real flush.
Beauty editors back me up: both Marie Claire and Who What Wear have hailed e.l.f. Power Grip Primer for the way it extends makeup wear while delivering a hit of hydration, all at a wallet-friendly price.
Tiny gripe: shade names jump around in store lighting. I swatch on my jaw, not my hand.
Essence (so cheap it feels fake, but it works)
- Lash Princess Mascara (Green tube): Big lashes. Like, wow. No crunch. On me, it smudges a bit by hour 8 if I skip powder under the eyes. I set with a light dusting and it’s fine.
- Pure Nude Highlighter: Soft candle glow. No glitter chunks. I wear it to work and no one says “whoa highlighter.” They just ask if I slept.
- The Blush (Befitting): Buildable, smooth, and never patchy. I keep it in my bag.
Tiny gripe: the mascara tube dries faster after 2 months. For the price, I don’t mind.
Wet n Wild (rough edges, strong payoff)
- Photo Focus Foundation (Dewy, Soft Beige): Pretty on camera. Smooth, medium coverage. Smells like paint for the first minute. I get shine by mid-day, so I set my T-zone.
- MegaGlo Highlighter (Precious Petals): This is famous for a reason. It pops. I use a fan brush and a light hand.
- Brow Pencil (Medium Brown): Easy shape. The spoolie saves me when I rush. Not sweat proof, but fine for daily stuff.
Note: the scent on the foundation can bug you if you’re sensitive. I get over it in 60 seconds.
NYX (still cheap, good for detail work)
- Epic Ink Liner (Black): Sharp wing, flexible tip. Survived a light drizzle and my sneezes. If I layer too much, it can crack. One pass is best.
- Butter Gloss (Tiramisu and Praline): Creamy. No weird taste. Looks cute with a lip liner. My sister “borrowed” Tiramisu and never returned it.
- Micro Brow Pencil (Ash Brown): Fine hair strokes. Slightly stiff formula, which I like for control.
Price is a bit higher than the others, but I catch sales at Ulta and Target. And if you're hunting specifically for birthday freebies, see how we tried free birthday makeup so you don't have to.
Milani (feels pricier than it is)
- Conceal + Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation (Shade 04 Natural): Medium-full, smooth, glass bottle with a pump. Great for events. It can oxidize a touch warmer on me, so I go half a shade lighter.
- Baked Blush (Luminoso): Peach glow that never fails. Makes me look alive on video calls.
Heads-up: the foundation has a soft scent. No breakouts for me, but if fragrance bugs you, test first.
Maybelline (drugstore legends for a reason)
- Fit Me Matte + Poreless (228 Soft Tan): Reliable and easy. Light to medium coverage. I press it on with a damp sponge for a skin look. Holds up on hot car rides.
- Instant Age Rewind Concealer (Neutralizer + Medium): Bright under eyes. I mix the two. The sponge tip looks odd but blends fast. I still set it with a tiny bit of powder.
- Sky High Mascara: Length for days, a little clump if I rush. I wipe the wand on a tissue and it’s perfect.
Not cruelty-free, if that matters to you. Just flagging it.
L.A. Girl (quiet star for base)
- Pro Conceal HD (Pure Beige for spots, Fawn to contour): Thick but workable. Covers redness well. I warm it between fingers first. It can crease if you pile it on, so thin layers.
The brush tip is handy on the go, but I still blend with a sponge.
Black Radiance (shaping made easy)
- True Complexion Contour Palette (Medium to Dark): Warm tones that don’t turn orange on me. The contour shade is chef’s kiss for cheekbones. Some powder kickback in the pan. I tap, then apply.
AOA Studio from Shop Miss A (the $1 heroes)
- Paw Paw Wonder Blender: $1.55 and soft. Swells well with water. Is it a Beautyblender dupe? Close enough for me. I buy three and rotate.
- Artista Liquid Liner: Matte black, tiny tip. Lasted through my grocery run and a windy soccer game.
They ship slower, but the value is wild.
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Wear Tests That Told the Truth
- Workday grind: e.l.f. Power Grip + Maybelline Fit Me + Essence highlighter = 9 hours with only one blotting sheet. My forehead thanked me.
- Hot yoga (I know, why): NYX Epic Ink stayed sharp. Wet n Wild foundation got a bit shiny but didn’t melt. I looked human after class, which is a win.
- Wedding guest: Milani foundation + e.l.f. Halo Glow + Milani Luminoso + Black Radiance contour. Pictures looked smooth. I danced, I cried, my face stayed.
Curious how other products stack up? Check out our full experiment where we tried a bunch of makeup so you don't have to.
What I Reach For Most
Daily staples:
- e.l.f. Power Grip Primer
- Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless
- e.l.f. Camo Concealer
- Essence Lash Princess Mascara
- NYX Butter Gloss in Tiramisu
Weekend or photos:
- Milani Conceal + Perfect
- Wet n Wild MegaGlo Highlighter
- Black Radiance Contour Palette
Shade Range and Little Notes
- e.l.f. and NYX: solid range; olive folks like me can find a match.
- Maybelline: lots of shades, but test for undertone.
- Milani: runs a hair warm; swatch if you can.
- L.A. Girl: tons of corrector shades for dark circles and redness.
If you’re very fair or very deep, I’d start with NYX and e.l.f. first.
The $50 Face That Doesn’t Look Cheap
- e.l.f. Power Grip Primer — $10
- Maybelline Fit Me