20 Best Makeup Products From 20 Affordable Brands

I’ve seen this Youtube video floating around picking the top product from 20 different brands. I thought it would be a fun idea to turn into a blog post! Basically, you choose 20 different brands and then pick your must-have product from that brand if you could only pick one. Of course, I picked 20 affordable brands because duh! As I was compiling this list, I found that sometimes picking my favorite was super easy and sometimes I was stuck between a few products. But I have no ties or honorable mentions. I took one for the team and picked just ONE favorite for each to complete my 20 best makeup products from 20 affordable brands list.

So my thought process as I was picking my favorites went like this – I really tried to pick my ride or die product. One that was unique and that I couldn’t get the same look with something similar.  Most of my picks are face products which I think is interesting. After I looked through my list, I realized that I’m definitely more picky and particular with face products than I am with eye or lip products. I jump around to different lines and brands all the time when it comes to eyes and lips. But I have my holy grail face products and I know what works well for me.

Let’s get into my picks for the 20 best makeup products from 20 affordable brands challenge.

1 // L’Oreal – Lash Paradise Mascara
I use the waterproof formula because it helps to keep my lashes curled all day. I would choose the waterproof formula for any mascara I use as a general rule. However, this mascara is truly so voluminous and makes my lashes big and full. Not sure if any other mascara can top it.

2 // Maybelline – Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter (Molten Rose Gold)
I kind of shocked myself with this one because I’m not a blinding highlighter type of person. Howeverrrrr, this master chrome highlighter formula was ground-breaking for affordable products when it first came out. And it’s still so amazing. I personally love the rose gold shade for my light skin tone. Even though the formula is intense, I can still achieve a subtle glow if I use a light hand. I can also build the intensity if I feel like it to easily get a blinding highlight.

3 // Covergirl – LashBlast Volume Mascara
Covergirl has been a brand that’s kind of fallen off the radar for me. A few years ago, I was using several of their products but lately, and especially since they rebranded, I’m not using any. However, their LashBlast Volume Mascara in the orange tube is a tride and true favorite! I remember it was the first wand I used that had plastic bristles and I really liked it. It’s still a great mascara and truly gives me volume and separation. And I’m determined to try more from Covergirl soon because there are definitely some things I’ve yet to test but want to.

4 // NYX – Micro Brow Pencil
I’ve tried my fair share of drugstore brow pencils and NYX makes one of my absolute favorites! The formula is really good – not too harsh or pigmented and easy to build. I have light blonde hair and I love when brands have more than one “blonde” shade option for brow pencils. Some brands have taupe and blonde shades and I appreciate that because not all blondes have the same brow color. NYX is one of those brands that splits it up and I go for the taupe shade which is a great match for me!

5 // Revlon – Ultra HD Matte Lip Color
Probably one brand I’ve tried very little from so I can’t speak to a lot of products in their line. However, I know their lipsticks are best-sellers and I happen to love them! They have a really rich and creamy formula. The colors are pigmented and go on so easily. They’re just an all-around classic lipstick. And the shade range is massive!

6 // Physicians Formula – Butter Bronzer
Ok this one was sooo easy! Hands down my absolute favorite bronzer ever. As I mentioned earlier, I have light blonde hair and light skin with a neutral/pink undertone so finding a flattering bronzer that isn’t orange, too dark or too expensive is tough y’all. This bronzer is the closest I’ve found to perfection for me. I use the light bronze shade and it’s so beautiful!

7 // e.l.f – Brushes
Ok this may be cheating a little bit but I honestly love their brushes more than any makeup product I’ve tried from them. I use e.l.f brushes every time I do my makeup – specifically the concealer brush that I use as a big fluffy eyeshadow brush for transition colors. It is so good! They make some of the best affordable makeup brushes.

8 // L.A Girl – Just Blushing Powder
I feel like L.A. Girl is known for their concealers but I’ve tried them and they just aren’t my favorite. But their blushes….girl their blushes are awesome! I live for the Just Playful shade. It’s seriously my everyday blush color that goes with any look.

9 // Essence – Pure Nude Highlighter
The most stunning subtle highlighter there is! I first heard about this highlighter in one of Kathleen Lights Youtube videos. I bought it, tried it and never looked back! It totally lives up to the hype and is just the perfect subtle highlighter for someone like me who doesn’t prefer a blinding glow.

10 // Makeup Revolution – Conceal & Define Full Coverage Concealer
I remember when these first came out and I was dying to try them. I heard they were dupes for Tarte Shape Tape and only $7! Could it get any better?! And I’m pleased to say these are totally amazing. The shade range is unlike any other at 50 shades to choose from. The formula is so easy to blend out and pairs with a variety of foundations extremely well. I ran out of this a while ago and have kind of forgotten about it as I’m trying to use up other products. So this is my friendly reminder to buy a new one because I forgot how much I loved it!

11 // Flower Beauty – Flower Pot Powder Blush
Another great blush product that is effortless and great for everyday! I love these shades – especially warm hibiscus.

12 // Ulta Beauty – Gel Eyeliner Pencil
I’m a kohl liner gal when it comes to eyeliner. If you don’t know what kohl liner is, it’s basically the format the eyeliner comes in – a pencil liner – as opposed to a gel liner in a pot or liquid liner. These pencils are a hybrid pencil liner / gel liner combo with the format of a pencil but the formula of a gel liner. It makes them super easy and creamy to apply. Plus I really love the color selection which includes your staple dark colors but a great mix of fun and colorful liners too.

13 // ColourPop – No Filter Concealer
This was tougher than I thought because ColourPop has several standout products for me. But their concealer is the best in my opinion. It’s crazy affordable and has amazing coverage. I love that they take undertones into consideration with the shade range. It’s matte but not too dry for my under eyes.

14 // Catrice – Liquid Camouflage Concealer
Another concealer but equally wonderful. I think this formula is a little more hydrating than the ColourPop one and isn’t as matte. Also I think the ColourPop has a little more coverage. However, Catrice is a fantastic option if you don’t need full coverage but want a more natural-looking finish.

15 // Milani – Make It Last Setting Spray
This is an amazing multi-tasking spray that can be used several different ways. I’m all about a multi-tasking product. This spray is great no matter how you use it. What makes it amazing is how fine the mist is. The mist gives it the ultimate application.

16 // Wet n Wild – PhotoFocus Liquid Foundation
You really can’t beat this $6 foundation! It’s one of my ultimate favorites and rivals any high-end foundation. It’s the perfect middle of the road option – not too matte or dewy, not too full coverage but also not to light.

17 // Rimmel – Stay Matte Pressed Powder
This is a fabulous powder that is another one of those middle-of-the-road products. It’s not too cakey or heavy but sets my makeup flawlessly. I don’t need it to keep me matte all day so I can’t speak to that. I think it melds together the liquid products on my face so that they all blend as one giving me an even base. Other powder products blend very well on top.

18 // Morphe – 35F Fall Into Frost Palette
Yes this is a specific palette and the only one I own from Morphe but I absolutely love it. And I think Morphe takes the cake as far as eyeshadows go so you can’t go wrong no matter what palette you choose. Their prices can’t be beat for the eyeshadow quality you are getting. Please please please try Morphe eyeshadows if you haven’t yet.

19 // Neutrogena – Hydro Boost Hydrating Tint
If you have normal or dry skin, you will love this! It’s a hybrid of a BB cream and tinted moisturizer. The formula has a bunch of skin benefiting properties plus some added coverage to even out your skin tone. I love this all year round and on no-makeup makeup days.

20 // Pixi – Liquid Fairy Lights
Like Stila Glitter & Glow Liquid Eyeshadows but more affordable! These pack a huge punch with intense glitter and shimmer that is easy to apply, has a flexible formula and takes any eye look up a notch. These really give you the wow factor.

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Do we have any similar picks?! It was even challenging narrowing down which 20 affordable brands I would talk about because there are still so many more affordable brands I didn’t mention. Let me know your favorites and if we had any similarities! Also, what brands did I skip that you want to see? Maybe I’ll do a part 2 post with different brands. Leave me a comment below 🙂

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