As a former Managing Editor for Chicago Collection magazine and a contributing editor for Brit + Co, I’ve been privy to a LOT of makeup samples in my day from PR reps pushing their beauty clients for print. In a word? I’ve been a guinea pig for eyeshadows, lip stains, bronzers, eyeliners, foundation, blush and just about any other product you can name.
Some of it has been totally worth the hype (Essence Lash Princess False Lash Mascara is no joke!), while others have fallen a bit… flat.
Now, I’m spilling the dirt on which products are worth paying for, which you can compromise to save big on, and which ones to skip altogether. (You’re welcome.)
Read on for all the best, worst and in-between products I’ve encountered in the beauty realm.
Please note: This post may contain affiliate links.
Mascara
Splurge — Stila HUGE Extreme Lash Mascara ($23): This has been the only mascara to ever knock my beloved Clinique Lash Doubling Mascara out of the top spot, so you KNOW it’s gotta be good. My lashes get separated, lifted and darkened with this formula, and the results are instant and undeniable.
Compromise — Clinique Lash Doubling Mascara ($18): This mascara was my go-to for YEARS before I discovered my splurge, and for good reason – true to its word, it really does nearly double the size of your lashes.
Save — Essence Lash Princess False Lash Mascara ($5): I was compelled to try this guy after reading some glowing reviews on POPSUGAR, and while I wouldn’t call it miraculous, it’s pretty close. I honestly can’t decide if I I like this or Stila better, but at $5, this definitely gets the edge.
Skip — Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara (12): There’s a reason this brand name buy is just $12. Sadly, it didn’t do much for my length OR volume, making it a big fat meh.
Lip Kits
Splurge — Kylie Jenner Lip Kit in Kristen ($29): When it comes to color selection, Kylie’s lip kits are hit or miss, but this particular shade never lets me down. It’s perfect for everyday wear, since it’s versatile enough to go with just about anything, yet still has enough color to give your lip an extra pop. Plus, this sucker stays put — once it’s on, it’s on!
Compromise — Victoria’s Secret Angel Lip Kit in Drama ($25): Currently on sale for $15, this little bad boy includes a “velvet matte” cream lipstick, a lipliner, AND a gloss, all of which smell delightful. While the lipstick is admittedly quite messy and the applicator a bit much to be desired, the color is gorgeous and stays on quite well.
Save — Colour Pop Ultra Matte Lip in More Better ($7) and Lippie Pencil in I Heart This Pencil ($5): Make you own lip kit over on Colour Pop for less than half the price of one of Kylie’s. The color selection is great, but do note — this won’t stay on for nearly as long. In fact, it comes off on just about anything you touch your lips to. You’ve been warned!
Skip — Kylie Jenner Lip Kits in Koko ($29) and Candy K ($29): While the formula is the same long-wear, matte that Kylie’s Kristen is born from, comparing the three hues is like night and day. For me, both of these nudes were super unflattering, making my lips look far LESS pigmented than their natural hue. They also don’t wear as well as darker shades from the line, since there’s no color to hide it when they dry your lips out (which they inevitably will).
Foundation
Splurge — Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation with Broad Spectrum SPF ($44): Of all the designer foundations I’ve tried, this was the only one to leave me feeling impressed. It matched my skin-tone to a tee and gave good coverage while remaining lightweight, plus, it’s packed with SPF! While I usually (read — always) often go with Clinique when I’m being thrifty, this would be my top pick on an unlimited budget.
Compromise — Clinique Acne Solutions Makeup ($29): Though I don’t actually *have* acne, I wound up trying this stuff somewhere down the line, and I’ve never looked back. It outperforms many far pricier brands, giving me a good moderate to heavy base without FEELING heavy. I also tend to go one shade darker than I am with this to give myself a little color, since I’m basically white as a ghost. It stays on all day, and lasts forever — I think I go through about four to six per year.
Save: I don’t. Since foundation acts as the base of your makeup, it’s the one thing I never, ever skimp on. *Shrugs*
Skip — Too Faced Born This Way Foundation ($39): Listen, for $40, I want a miracle in a bottle, and despite the many articles and reviews I’ve found singing this foundation’s praises, this left me cold. In fact, about halfway through, I found myself longing for my old Clinique standby. My main beef was the tone (you’ll be hard-pressed to find a shade without a super yellow base — not exactly ideal for someone like me, who has super pink undertones), but the coverage, while beautiful, didn’t exactly knock my socks off either (I like a heavier formula). Next!
Eyeliner
Splurge — Benefit Cosmetics Magic Ink Liquid Liner in Jet Black (discontinued): Listen, there’s a REASON this stuff is listed at $131 on Amazon right now despite its original price tag of like, $30. It is LITERALLY the Holy Grail of eyeliner. Unfortunately, just when I swore to never use another, the company did the unthinkable and (gasp!) discontinued it. (I’m totally not bitter or anything. *Scoffs*). If you can get your hands on baby in any way, shape or form, DO SO, and do it immediately.
Runner-Up — MAC Liquid Last Eyeliner ($21): After much experimentation, I begrudgingly settled on MAC for my replacement eyeliner, since it’s the same one Adele uses, and girl definitely knows her way around a cat eye. It’s not QUITE the same as my beloved Benefit, but it’s not totally terrible either – it doesn’t pull, has a thin, easy-to-maneuver tip, and stays on even after a shower. I *guess* you could say it’s grown on me. *Sniff*
Compromise — Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eyeliner ($22): This goes on nice and smooth (catching is my biggest pet peeve when it comes to liner!), but it doesn’t have enough fluidity to do a proper cat eye. I do, however, use it on my lower lids to avoid the runny mess that inevitably occurs with liquid.
Save — Rimmel Scandal Eyes Waterproof Gel Eyeliner ($5): If I can’t make it to the department store for some reason and need a quick fix, this will do in a jiff. It’s surprisingly easy to work with (though not *quite* as easy as a liquid liner, once you’ve mastered it), practically glides on, and stays on decently well.
Skip — Benefit Cosmetics They’re Real Push-Up Gel Eyeliner Pen ($24): This was Benefit’s half-assed answer to nixing Magic Ink, and honestly, I’ve never been so disappointed in a product in my life. It’s super hard to use, pulls at your eyelid skin (Magic Ink would NEVER), and isn’t nearly dark enough. Basically, it’s like using a fat, dried-out marker on your eyelid, and Crayola makes those far cheaper. No thanks, Benefit — you can discontinue this and bring back Magic Ink ANY TIME.
Blush
Splurge — Nars Blush in Orgasm and Super Orgasm ($30): This one needs no introduction, and what can I say? It lives up to the hype. It’s got just a *hint* of sparkle, plenty of pigment, and stays where you put it, making it worth its high price tag, IMO.
Compromise — Clinique Blushing Blush Powder Brush ($23): This goes on well and gives nice color, but tends to harden over before too long as the oil from your cheeks mixes with the powder. At that point, you can still use it, but you may need to scrape off a layer or two first.
Save — CoverGirl Classic Color Blush ($7): This is your average, no-frills blush, and while it’ll get the job done, it does tend to break in the case quite easily. Luckily, it’s only $7, so it’s not the end of the world if it does.
Skip — Colour Pop Super Shock Blush ($8): This blush has the weirdest texture I’ve ever encountered. It was almost… spongey? My blush brush didn’t pick up much pigment from this, and more or less did little more than squish it around in the case. It’s a no from me!
Eyeshadow
Splurge — Stila Magnificent Metals Foil Finish Eye Shadow ($32): I’ve never encountered a creamier formula in an eyeshadow than that which these afford. They come with a primer and a mixing tray for the perfect cream-to-powder finish, and they also just so happen to be on sale right now for $10 a pop. What are you waiting for?
Tie — Make Up For Ever Waterproof Aqua Cream Eye Shadow ($23): Designed for underwater synchronized swimmers, this stuff has some serious staying power. It’s also got a great, creamy texture that goes on uber-smoothly, making it your one-stop shop for the perfect smoky eye.
Compromise — Revlon Photo-Ready Eye Art Lid Lash Line ($10): This stuff is so highly pigmented, I actually only bust it out for nights on the town or special occasions, as it’s a bit much for day. Still, it’s creamy, has an easy-to-apply brush, and at $10, it’s a total steal.
Save — Colour Pop Super Shock Shadows ($5): Unlike the blushes of the same name, these little gems are absolutely GORGEOUS. They pack so much punch in the color (my fave thus far is Sequin), go on like a dream, and, oh, did I mention they’re only $5?
Skip — Urban Decay Eyeshadow Palettes: This was my first experience with an Urban palette, and after all the buzz, I had high hopes. I loved their (now discontinued — ugh!) Revolution Lipstick in Catfight ($15), so I had no reason to doubt that I would also love the shadows. While I can’t say whether the Ammo Palette I picked up is typical of their formulas, it was a serious bummer. The colors didn’t offer nearly enough pigment as I would’ve liked, and were far from luxe-feeling. At $50+ per palette for most of the brand’s offerings, I won’t risk buying another.
Lipstick
Splurge — Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Luminous Matte Lip Color in L’Exuberante ($37): This was hands down the best lipstick purchase I have ever made (and I buy a LOT of lipstick). It was the perfect shade of hot pink, stayed on all day, and seeing the little Chanel logo imprinted on the stick admittedly gave me a little thrill every time I put it on. I used it right down to the nub!
Compromise — Bite Beauty Matte Crème Lip Crayon ($24): Since $37 is a wee bit steep for me when it comes to lipstick buys, this is my compromise, and current favorite. The color is gorgeous, it’s creamy without being too shiny, and can be used as a lip liner prior to application. It really is like coloring your pout with a crayon, and TBH, I kind of love that. It’s also got a distinctive smell that I rather enjoy.
Tie — Kat Von D Studded Kiss Crème Lipstick in Outlaw ($19): This true red is a favorite, and I love the studded case. It stays in place and requires little to no application — my only complaint is that it dries out in the tube after a while, so you may need to replace before it’s actually gone!
Save — CoverGirl Katy Kat Matte in All Shades ($9): These are cute, give good, moist coverage, and at $9 a pop, you can afford to collect one in every color!
Skip — Tarte Glamazon Pure Performance 12-Hour Lipstick in Bold ($40): I bought this lipstick in an attempt to recreate Zooey Deschanel’s infamous pout, and it was a fail, to say the least. This shade was jarringly orange, and I don’t think I wore it more than once. I also have some serious doubts about that whole “12 hour” bit. No wonder this got discontinued!
Splurge — Fusion Beauty Lipfusion Color Shine Sheer Plumping Gloss ($38): While I’m admittedly not much of a gloss girl, these give your lips enough of a tingle to make me actually believe they’re adding some plumpness to my pout. They’re less sticky than your average gloss, and tend to stay put a little longer than most, plus, they offer up a nice hint of color. 
Compromise — Lancôme Juicy Tubes Lipgloss ($19): If it’s merely shine you’re after, this high school classic is still your best bet for getting high-shine.
Tie — Benefit Cosmetics Sugarbomb ($6): This stuff smells delicious (though the taste is a bit much to be desired!) and makes for the perfect topper to a nude lip.
Save — Express Lip Gloss ($13): I picked this up as a thoughtless add-on and was pleasantly surprised — the Just Peachy hue is gorgeous, and reminds me of the shiny pink shade in Selena Gomez’s “Fetish” video.
Skip — Eos Lip Balm Sphere ($1 to $4): Don’t let the cute little round egg shape fool you — this stuff is hard as a rock. Every time I’ve attempted to use it, I have had to press so hard, it hurts! Hard (pun intended!) pass.
Brow Gel
Splurge — Lune + Aster One-Step Brow ($22): This tames unruly brows, sweeping hairs perfectly in place, as well as colors and fills in, and there’s no sticky feel when you’re done.
Compromise: I haven’t quite found one yet, but when I get there, I’ll let you know!
Save — Rimmel Brow This Way Gel ($4): Believe it or not, this is actually a bit darker/better color-wise than the pricey stuff, though it doesn’t give your brows quite the same shape. Still, for $4? It’s all the help I need.
Skip — Glossier Boy Brow ($16): This was my first (and probably last) experience with this cult brand. Despite the rave reviews, I didn’t find it did much for my brows… at all. It seemed like a bit of a waste.
Bronzer
Splurge — St. Tropez Self-Tan Classic Bronzing Lotion ($32 to $42): This stuff has been around since I was in high school, and though the packaging may be different, the formula is still worth every penny. I slathered this on from head to toe back in the day to hide my ghostly skin. It’s a bit time consuming and messy on the hands, but the finished result saved me from any added years of tanning bed horrors, and that, my friends, is priceless.
Compromise — Clinique True Bronze Pressed Powder Bronzer ($29): This bronzer is comparable to the brand’s blush — it gives off a decent color, but hardens up fast.
Skip— Nars Laguna Liquid Bronzer ($40): This is messy, streaky, and extremely overpriced — let’s just say they need to stick to blush!
What amazing products did I miss? Sound off in the comments section below!
Xo, Nicole
