Make-up on a budget
14.6.2021
30 francs for a lipstick? The prices of expensive high-end brands hurt not only your wallet. Here are three affordable drugstore alternatives that give brands such as «Charlotte Tilbury» or «Huda Beauty» a run for their money.
An expensive price doesn’t equate to good make-up. Drugstores sell phenomenal products, too. You just have to find them. Here are three inexpensive alternatives that aren’t only as good as their expensive counterparts, but in some cases even better.
«Demi-Matte Lipsticks» by Catrice
Have you ever been tempted to buy the hyped up high-end «Power Bullet Matte» lipsticks by «Huda Beauty»? I know I ‘ve been. But it didn’t stop at the temptation. I bought it and immediately regretted doing so. Not because they’re bad, but because a few days later, I discovered something better at a fraction of the price: the Demi-Matte Lipsticks by Catrice. Visually, they’re reminiscent of Huda’s bestseller, but they feel better when worn.
Catrice’s lipsticks smell more subtle, don’t dry out the lips, feel light and last at least as long on the lips as their expensive counterpart. In addition, the opacity is fantastic. The lipstick itself is slightly more angular than Huda’s, which allows applying it particularly precisely, especially at the beginning. In my opinion, the Demi-Matte lipsticks are not only a superior alternative to Huda, but also to highly drying liquid lipsticks.
«Glow, Glow Go! Instant Highlighter» by Essence
With her «Hollywood Flawless Filter», make-up artist Charlotte Tilbury created a completely new product category for her eponymous brand: a hybrid of highlighter, primer and tinted day cream. The brand «Auric» followed suit with the «Glow Lust Radiant Luminizer». Both products are on the luxury side and cost between 40 and 45 Swiss francs per bottle. Essence’s «Glow, Glow Go! Instant Highlighter» concealer is an affordable dupe – unfortunately available in only one shade. The non-existent colour selection remains the only drawback.
This instant highlighter can be used in many ways. For example, use it as a glowy base under your make-up or mix it into your foundation for more radiance. Alternatively, apply it over your make-up on cheekbones and tip of the nose. So anywhere you would apply a powder highlighter. No matter how you use the tinted liquid highlighter: it gives your complexion a subtle glow and provides an airbrushed effect.
«The Galaxy Eyeshadow & Liner» by L.O.V
Eyeshadow toppers are like eyeglass necklaces. They’re not necessary, but will elevate your look. Think of them as a kind of fine-tuning for your eye make-up. The difference between a topper and an ordinary eyeshadow is that a topper has no colour base. So it’s not opaque and works best when applied over a regular eyeshadow. Dab it onto your lid with your finger and it will give your eye make-up more shimmer, glitter or even a duo chrome effect, depending on the product. Nowadays, more and more high-end brands are launching toppers. That’s a lot of money for such a bit of detail work.
There are also eyeshadows that aren’t toppers by definition, but are excellent as such. For example, the «The Galaxy Eyeshadow & Liner» by L.O.V. According to the manufacturer, it’s an ordinary, glittery eyeshadow that works on its own and you turn it into an eyeliner with a wet brush. As a liner and «one and done» eyeshadow, it only moderately convinced me. As a topper, for example over a smokey eye look, it adds a shimmer of glitter to your eye look.
You know more drugstore alternatives? Let me know in the comments!
Natalie Hemengül
Senior Editor
Natalie.Hemenguel@digitecgalaxus.chAs a massive Disney fan, I see the world through rose-tinted glasses. I worship series from the 90s and consider mermaids a religion. When I’m not dancing in glitter rain, I’m either hanging out at pyjama parties or sitting at my make-up table. P.S. I love you, bacon, garlic and onions.
Beauty
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