Affordable Counterparts of My Pricey Everyday Makeup Essentials


Now the title sounded pretty much like a dissertation, eh? LOL!

Anyway! I got a letter from one of my new readers, Maggie, and she asked if I could feature-based on what I think-good counterparts of the makeups that I use on a regular basis. As you all know, I use pricey makeups most of the time and I'd recommend them any day, but I also understand that not everyone is willing to pay huge sums of money on them no matter how awesome or life- changing they are. So I think this is just a wonderful request! :)

So here's a photo showcasing the makeup stuff I use on a daily basis: Liquid Foundation, concealer, loose powder, brow powder, eyeliner, mascara, blush, and lipstick. I normally stick to these products, except that I change brands from time to time. 

Now if you click READ MORE, you'll see my recommended affordable counterparts. :)



SPEND: Bobbi Brown Concealer (Around P2,400.00+)

- I like it because it's soothing and moisturizing, and it doesn't cake during wear. The complementing sheer setting powder that comes with it is a great, great plus as well.

SAVE: Zero Kuma Concealer (P895.00) 

- Provides the same kind of moisture that I get from Bobbi Brown, it doesn't crease nor cake, and has skin care extracts to boot. 

SPEND: Benefit Cosmetics Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Liquid Foundation (P1,950.00)

- It's a watery, hydrating kind of liquid foundation that keeps my skin looking dewy and healthy, and I like using it on a daily basis because of its overall lightness, yet it covers marks well.

SAVE: L'oreal Lucent Magique Light-Infusing Foundation (P845.00)
- Has the same light, hydrating texture as Benefit's foundation, and yields a dewy look as well. It doesn't really cover much, but its overall finish is good enough to keep you looking pretty and fresh on an ordinary day.

SPEND: Bobbi Brown Retouching Powder (P3,200.00)

- Perhaps my most favorite loose powder to date. It can magically minimize marks yet it remains invisible and ultra light on the skin, and sets liquid makeups wonderfully and effortlessly. I tip my hat to its superb oil- controlling prowess too!

SAVE: Snoe Poudre Extraordinaire (P799.00)

- I find that this is one of those affordable loose powders that has great quality: Its texture is light, it sets liquid makeup quickly, and only yields a tolerable white cast, unlike other affordable loose finishers. It still is a far cry from Bobbi's, but it's quite good enough.

SPEND: Benefit Brow Zings (P1,600.00)

- One of my HG brow products. (And that means, it has a contender already. You'll know about that new favorite brow product of mine soon) It's a great all-in-one product for mapping and shaping brows, and the quality of the powder is the type that doesn't look unnatural even if you layer it on.

SAVE: Maybelline Eyestudio Brow Definist (P359.00)

- I actually like it because it's the only affordable brow product that has impressed me: The powder ain't chalky, and the wax is not too sticky, but the edge of Benefit Brow Zings is, it comes with nifty brow grooming tools.

SPEND: Majolica Majorca Mascara (P795.00)

- Majolica Majorca is the brand that could give a lot of pricey mascaras a run for their money. Whether you're looking for a mascara that will give you volume, length, curl, or all of the above, you'll find it from this brand. It's the brand's star product, I tell you.

SAVE: Colour Collection Triple Effect Mascara (P300.00+)

- One of my best finds last year-this mascara lives up to its name as it can truly curl, volumize, and lengthen lashes! For such an affordable mascara, it doesn't give me crusty, flaky, heavy, and stiff- looking lashes, and it amazingly lasts all day.

SPEND: K-Palette Real Lasting Eyeliner 24h (P895.00)

- My HG liquid eyeliner to date. This product has actually converted me to being a liquid eyeliner user again! It's so easy to use, and the precise tip helps minimize mistakes, and it's staying power is one of a kind.

SAVE: Maybelline Hypersharp Eyeliner (P399.00)

- For me, it's the affordable counterpart of K-Palette. It doesn't have that supernatural staying power of K- Palette's, but at least its packaging is similar to it.

SPEND: Bobbi Brown Powder Blush in Pale Pink (P1,300.00)

- I like using this particular blush from Bobbi on a regular basis because I find that it goes with almost anything, whether it's my outfit or lipstick. On top of that, Bobbi, for me, also makes the most flattering pink blushes in the world.

SAVE: BYS Powder Blush Duo (Around P300.00+)

- The lighter pink blush is somewhat similar to Pale Pink, except the quality. But it's quite a good dupe!

SPEND: Nars Lipstick in Funny Face (P1,350.00)

- I change my lipstick brands everyday, but this particular lipstick from Nars is what I use most of the time because it's such a prettifying color, not to mention I like wearing Fuchsia lately.

SAVE: Maybelline ColorSensational Lipstick in Fifth Ave. Fuchsia (P399.00)

- Since we're talking about Fuchsia lipstick, I definitely recommend this shade and variant from Maybelline because the color doesn't look cheap, it's non- drying, and very affordable. Needless to say, it's too good for its price!

That's it! I hope you guys have enjoyed this post. Let me know if you have any comments or questions! :D

Post a Comment

25 Comments

  1. I'm listing down the products especially the one's from maybelline because they are on sale :D

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  2. I'm buying that Maybelline lipstick the next time I hit the mall! :) I do hope you'll review the L'Oreal Lucent Magique foundation. Great blog post! :)

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  3. Thanks Maggie for requesting this feature! It's very helpful :)

    @Arya : Is the sale applicable on all Maybelline counters? Grabe I need to check this out! Thanks for mentioning this.

    Thanks Ms M for the post and for understanding that everyone dreams of makeup like yours but not everyone can afford them yet. Looks like Maybelline is a front-runner This is excellent reference for all makeup enthusiasts.

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    1. I think so, my sister just bought her eye liner and it's on 20% off sale

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  4. Wow!!! This is amazing!My favorite post from you so far!!hahha... will checkout the Maybelline products mentioned!! :)

    patrinesthoughts.blogspot.com

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  5. My favorite post so far! I will definitely checkout the Maybelline products mentioned here!!

    patrinesthoughts.blogspot.com

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  6. Wow this is indeed a great help for us who are in a tight budget. Tho I still find it expensive, the price difference is really high. I wanna try Maybelline ColorSensational Lipstick. Love the shade! I also wanna try that mascara from Tupperware. Too bad I can't find tupperware sellers/dealers here in our place. If I'll find one then I'll definitely buy that mascara. Thanks for sharing, Ms M! Hope you had a great day :)

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  7. Thank you so much for sharing :) Laki ng difference sa price and ok na ok sa gusto magpabeauty na di masakit sa bulsa :)

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  8. Still looking for THE foundation for me... What would you recommend na matte/semi-matte/satin finish an forgiving with flash photography?

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  9. Great post Ms. Martha! I'm actually saving for high end make-up because right now my money is spent on products to clear up my face of pimples and blemishes. This is a lot of help because at least I know now that there are relatively affordable brands but still can prettify me. :)

    Do you have any cheaper alternative when it comes to BB Cream? (while i wait for Pond's BB cream in the market. lol) Thanks!

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  10. Excellent post! I love discovering what the cheaper counterparts to the higher end products I've been reading about online. You can be sure I'll be putting a couple or more of these items on my buy list!

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  11. wow.. ang laki nga ng difference ms martha.. i love this post =)

    this is a big help for mom-on-budget like me =)

    i can reach out for maybelline and snoe products as an alternative =)

    thanks ms martha for this.. hmmm you can even label this for "Save" vs "Splurge"

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  12. hi ms m thank you very very very much for this post! since i saw your brows in person aba umeeffort na ko sa kilay ko. i thought elf na ang best eyebrow makeup out there, good to know yong maybelling pala meron din. i read your review and you sold me when you said that maybellline will replace browzing if you run out of it or u dont have moolah for it.

    wow! pinagiisipan ko pa naman to drop by greenbelt for their flash sale hehehe thanks for saving me those bucks! very very timely

    now for the shiseido smoothing powder, do you hae a recommended alternative???

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  13. @arya de guzman: san maybelline ang sale

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  14. Thanks for this helpful spend vs. save post, Martha! This one is very helpful. I will definitely try out those alternatives. P.S. Have a wonderful day!

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  15. Great post! Definitely helpful! thanks!

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  16. Wow! BYS, I never knew they were that good, I'm definitely trying them.. :-)

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  17. I dropped by sm makati kanina to check un eyebrow definist, unfortunately they ve already phased it out?oh my what am i to do?

    so saddd, naexcite pa naman ako don, anyway, speaking of brows, which brow mascara is the best?

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  18. I was never a fan of concealer, pero I wanna try the Bobbi Brown Concealer you just posted. I like that it is soothing and moisturizing, well it should be considering the price (and the name!)
    I have stopped using foundation cause it feels cakey (Nichido and Maybelline and Neutrogen) so I'm currently using SkinWhite Cream powder and for such a cheap price it is a heaven sent! It's good enough to cover my little pores. I think I should stop using liquid foundation because it makes my skin oilier at the end of the day.
    For my Eyebrow Ive been using Nichido 2 shade brow in black and brown. And a lot of my colleagues have noticed that it looks good on me, very natural lang ang peg.
    I wanna try your featured bluch by Bobbi Brown kaso naman diba ang mahal lang nya teh but if this would make the most flattering pink blush in the world just like you then why not :)
    For my lipstick I ve been using Nichido temptation for 3 years now it matches my skintone very well. I'm glad fuschia works for you but I don't like it on me cause it makes me look trying hard teheee.

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  19. I kip on going bacj 5o this post checking if youve replied na. Im on the prowl for the best dupe ng shiseido perfect smoothing. Parang nakakguilty kc magspend ng so much for makeup hahaha. Pero ive been lemming for it na for 2 weeks . Id like to blieve theres a drugstore product out there just waiting to b discovered! Kasi im saving my money for cure's arrival in april e

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  20. Love this post very helpful since I cannot spend on Bobby Browns pa haha

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  21. I love this post! I listed them all down and will grab some of these when I hit the mall particularly the snoe poudre extraordinaire.Thanks for this Ms. M. :)

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  22. Hi girls! Thank you! Glad you liked it! :)

    Eloise: For Shiseido smoothing, wala talaga 'cuz there's no other powder foundation for me haha! Cheapest would be MAC Studio Fix siguro, but it's still over 1k. :P Ah! There's one! Prestige powder foundation in beauty bar. Works pretty well for an affordable powder foundation-P600.00+-Coverage is good enough,but its texture is a little chalky and there aren't a lot of shades to choose from. :)

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  23. thanks Ms. Martha for this, :)and for granting my simple request, now i know where to start and oh without hurting my pocket so bad... thank you and God bless you always.

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  24. Splurge vs. Save posts are great. :) I didn't get it before, but I do now. Being a student on a tight budget, I never understood why people were so willing to spend so much on makeup. Was it just a status symbol? But I'm no snob now. I've tried some pricier items, and I understand why they're going strong in the eyes of their faithful followers. Quality. It's something you have to experience for yourself to understand. Like how some pricier foundations are more breathable and look oh-so-natural on the skin.

    The rest of the time, I'm still a huge fan of drugstore cosmetics. When I'm looking for a trendy color, I'll try something inexpensive since it may easily become dated. Glad to see you've come up with these amazing dupes, Martha.

    Splurge vs. Save magazine articles were a staple in my high school days. I'm getting nostalgic just thinking about it!

    --Matromao

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Let me know what you think of this post! :)