The Under $10 Challenge

It's no secret that I love high-end makeup. There's something so satisfying about saving up for a luxury product you really want and finally being able to go out and purchase it. It's even better if the product is a hyped new release and you're able to snag it!


But my budget doesn't always allow me to purchase all the high-end goodies that are on my radar, so I often go for drugstore alternatives. Sometimes they end up working out better than the high-end versions! With this challenge, which I've seen on Tati's YouTube channel, it not only allows me to pick my favorites from the drugstore but also budget-friendly favorites from brands like Colourpop and Essence, which aren't available in most drugstores. With each product being under $10, it also eliminates some of the pricier items from low-end brands. These are items that I use almost every week, if not everyday, so they are tried and true favorites!

Rimmel Lasting Finish 25 Hour foundation $7.99
I love full-coverage foundations that give my skin a bit of a glow, so this is a staple for me. The shade 100 Ivory is a nearly perfect match for my complexion in the winter, better than any other foundation I've found. This feels so comfortable on the skin, not necessarily weightless but it doesn't feel drying, greasy, or heavy. It lasts all day and claims to last for 25 hours, although I've never tested out that exact claim! My only gripes with this is that it doesn't include a pump and it doesn't come in a large range of shades. Boo.

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer $4.99
This is supposedly a dupe for the NARS Radiant Creamy concealer. I disagree, but that doesn't mean it isn't good! It has nice coverage and it's easy to blend under the eyes or on blemishes.

Wet n' Wild Contouring Palette in Caramel Toffee $3.93
This incredibly affordable duo includes one of the best contour powders for fair skin I've ever tried. Unlike a lot of drugstore contour powders and bronzers, this has a cool undertone so it looks more like a shadow under the cheekbones. Both of the powders are really smooth and you get a ton of product in it. The packaging is a little cheap, but for the price and quality of the product it's a great deal! I often reach for this over my beloved Hoola bronzer, I love it so much. This can also be used to set the makeup but generally I prefer the next product for that purpose.

Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder $3.99
This is a recent purchase of mine and I'm so glad I finally picked up it! With some foundations I get a bit oily around my nose and forehead, and this prevents it from showing all day. It's a very finely milled powder with a slight tint to it, so it can brighten up the center of your face as well. If you have oily skin this is a must try, and it's less than $5!

Physicians Formula Bronze Booster  $9.99
Physicians Formula makes my favorite bronzers at the drugstore. Their Butter Bronzer is one of my fall time favorites! However, this is the only one under $10 that I've tried and I really like it. It has a bit of shimmer to it and it's a beautiful golden color that is so easy to blend. On really dark skin tones, this would even work as a highlight!

Milani Powder Blush in Tea Rose $7.99
This is a strange powder to blog about because my first impressions of it were not great. I loved the beautiful rose emboss in it, but it swatches horribly and the powder doesn't feel smooth at all. But once you dip a brush in, it magically transforms. With a brush, it applies evenly on the cheeks and it has a lot of pigment. Tea Rose is a great everyday shade and I'm so glad I picked this up!

Colourpop Super Shock Cheek Highlighter in Lunch Money $8.00
I haven't found many affordable highlighters that I like, but this one definitely takes the cake! If you've ever tried a Colourpop eyeshadow then you know what I mean when I say that this has a strange bouncy, creamy formula. It's pigmented and quick to use; I like to pat it onto my cheekbones with a finger and then blend it in with a clean finger or a brush. Lunch Money is a pretty light golden color.

Swatches from left to right: Lasting Perfect foundation (dry at the edges, wet in the center), Fit me concealer, Caramel Toffee dark and light shades, Stay Matte powder, Tea Rose (built up), Bronze Booster, Lunch Money

L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow in Amber Rush $6.99
I can't do a drugstore post without mentioning my favorite single shadow! The Infallible eyeshadows are incredible, they're so pigmented, metallic, and creamy. One swatch and you'll be hooked! Amber Rush is my favorite color, it's a stunning rose gold shade. I really like it for this time of year. Who am I kidding? I love it all days of the year!

Essence Waterproof Eyeliner Pen $2.99
This is one of my favorite liquid eyeliners! It's black, it doesn't smudge, and it costs less than a bag of chips. This is the only Essence product I've tried but if their eyeliner is anything to go by, it's a great brand!

Maybelline Colossal Mascara $4.89
No introduction here, I've talked about this mascara a hundred times on my blog. It's my absolute favorite, mainly because it's just so easy to use. The wand is a little bit fatter than a standard one, but the formula isn't clumpy or dry. It evenly coats the lashes and makes them look longer and more volumized. It doesn't smudge, flake, or clump and I can see myself repurchasing it again and again!

Maybelline Color Jolt in Stripped Down $6.99
This beautiful dark nude is one of my favorite lip colors at the moment! Now that I've had it for a while, the felt-tip applicator isn't my favorite, but I adore this shade and the finish of this liquid lipstick. It applies like a thick gloss and then it dries down to a creamy satin finish. It feels so comfortable on the lips and it lasts until your next meal!

Swatches: Amber Rush and Stripped Down

I would love to hear about any of your under $10 favorites!

Xx Katie