Building a Beauty Budget! Plan and Prosper

Let's re-visit the essentials! Afterwards, let's talk about your budget and find the products that you absolutely must have, and can reasonably invest in. The following suggestions are my faves, but you can achieve similar results with other products that are more affordable. Let's chat about it!

* = Recommendations

Cleanser: Wash it all away. Just wash it, chile. The stress, the worry, the uncertainty, the grime of life.... Watch it swirl down the drain. Clear out those pores and allow room for healthy skin cell turnover.

*Estee Lauder Perfectly Clean (Oily/Normal/Combination) or Soft Clean (Dry Skin) - $20




Exfoliator: Scrub away those dead skin cells milling around the surface of your skin. 1 - 2 times a week. The difference will be undeniably visible in less than one month.

*Murad AHA/BHA Cleansing Exfoliator ($35) or St. Ives Apricot Scrub w/ AHA (Alpha-Hydroxy Acids) - ($4)

Toner: Balance out your pH level, why don't you?! Too oily? Too dry? Combination areas? Even out your acidity levels with this quick and effective step in your routine. Apply to a cotton ball and wipe your entire face. Skip excessive alcohol content in your toner's ingredients. Read the labels!

*Murad Essential-C (oily/normal/combination skin) OR Clarifying Toner (for acne) - $26
*Estee Lauder Perfectly Clean Toner - $21.50

Serum & Moisturizer (w/ SPF!!): A serum can be optional, depending on your list of skin care concerns & priorities. I strongly suggest one, depending on your specific skin concerns. A serum worth anything will target your issue and simultaneously change your life.

*Estee Lauder Idealist Even Skin Tone Iluminator - $60

A moisturizer is not an option!!! Hydration is a must and if you are oily or acne prone, you must know, there are moisturizers that are built to specifically combat your issues.

*I honestly prefer to give individual recommendations when it comes to the moisturizer that will be right for YOU! Let's discuss your skin type.
*If your skin type is normal/combination, I can easily recommend the Miracle Skin Transformer. Continue reading to learn WHY....

Primer: Sarah McNamara's 5-in-1 Miracle Skin Transformer! ($48) Have your Moisturizer, Primer, Color, Oil Mattifier and SPF protection in ONE product. That alone is going to save you a grip of money, at $48 for a 3 month supply. That breaks down to $16 a month for 5 essential benefits. I challenge you to find TWO of those products (of quality) for $16!

Your primer smoothes and reduces the appearance of creases, fine lines, wrinkles, and pores on the face, and is most vital prior to applying any foundation or powder, for a clean finish. Your makeup application should be free of any product settling into your creases, lines, wrinkles and pores. A proper primer assures this.

-Alternatives to the 5-in-1:
*Estee Lauder: Spotlight (Illuminating), or Matte Perfecting Primer (Great for Oil Control) - $32


*Smashbox: This line has a variety of primers, including these benefit specific products: Oil-free, Luminosity (great for dull skin), Hydrating (skin-quencher..for dry skin),  Balancing (for oily skin), Blending (for darker discoloration), and Adjusting (primarily for redness). Get you some! - $36





Foundation/Powder: They can be one and the same, or two different products. This is all depending on the amount of coverage and the finish desired. A Pressed Powder Foundation and Liquid Foundation going to offer more full coverage in comparison to a Tinted Moisturizer or BB Creme. There is a poignant difference between the first two and latter two as it pertains to coverage and benefits, so learn them!!!  can offer lightweight, medium OR full coverage. Depending on what your desired coverage is, there are a myriad of options.

A lightweight Pressed Powder or Loose Powder can be used by themselves to mattify oil, even out the complexion, and/or SET a liquid foundation so that it stays in place for the duration of your day. Usually up to 8 hours before a touch up is required.

Be sure to find a stay-in-place Finishing Powder that will set your makeup and advocate keeping your makeup from transferring onto your clothes....or anyone else's clothes! Hugs and Smooches should not leave an unpleasant reminder!

*Tarte's 'Smooth Operator' ($28) and Smashbox's 'Photo Set' ($28) are the BEST translucent Finishing Powders that I've come across, thus far.

Beyond the above mentioned staples are going to be Eye, Cheek, and Lip Colors, which can be purchased at a lower cost. If you want to amp up the pigmentation of any eye color use an eyeshadow primer, and to enhance any lip color, use a concealer on the lip first. There's plenty to add here, but these are my personal must haves.

I can tailor your absolute must haves into an individual plan. There are several products to choose from that will provide you with each of these benefits and at comfortable prices, so let's have a beauty budget consultation! Hit me up at thirdeyecreativity7@gmail.com and tell me about your current routine.

TTYSoon!!!

~Carmen~