4 New Makeup Products Under $25 I'm Loving Sick Right Now
Amy Clark is Adore Beauty's former Senior Editor and co-host of Skincare School the podcast (and self-appointed beauty road-tester!). Amy's worked as a journalist, beauty editor and podcaster for several years, previously writing and talking about all things beauty at Mamamia and You Beauty. When she's not writing honest, no BS product reviews and taking selfies 'for work', you'll find Amy eating halloumi in a hair towel turban and... taking more selfies.
When it comes to how much money you want to spend on makeup, consider this a safe space.
Your money, your bloody choice. You won't get any judgement here, because sometimes, you decide to buy the luxe $100 foundation that makes you feel like a 17/10.
And other times, you find a $25 affordable dupe and tell everyone you've ever met how great it is, and that's OK too.
While my face and I enjoy using bargain and bougie makeup just the same, nothing beats finding a product that delivers on a budget.
On that note, here are four new(ish) affordable makeup buys I'm loving sick right now.
1. Designer Brands Skin Renew Ceramide Foundation, $22.99.
Fast facts:
- A hydrating liquid foundation infused with skincare ingredients like ceramides, vitamin C and vitamin A.
- Lightweight sheer to medium buildable coverage with a natural satin finish.
- Vegan and cruelty-free.
- Major con - Only comes in six shades, so not at all inclusive.
Why I'm loving it sick:
I only started wearing foundations around two years ago, simply because I hated the way they gave me a cakey finish that (I thought) looked worse than my skin on its own. I was obviously using the wrong products, because the Designer Brands Skin Renew Ceramide Foundation is brilliant.
The liquid formula is creamy but light, and gives the skin enough radiant coverage without looking dull or mask-like. The finish is natural, dewy and very hydrating - I find it works really well with my dry, thirsty skin when applied with a flat stippling brush. Oily skin types might like to powder... or pop my next bargain pick on underneath.
2. elf Poreless Putty Primer, $16.
Fast facts:
- A skin-perfecting primer that's also hydrating on the skin.
- Silky smooth velvet texture that blurs the appearance of pores - side note, you can't actually ever get rid of pores for good, because they're normal and our skin needs them to function!
- Blurring finish that's still radiant, not too matte or dull.
- Vegan and cruelty-free.
Why I'm loving it sick:
Some people reckon this affordable brand's primers are dupes for other exxy products (*cough* Tatcha The Silk Canvas Protective Primer *cough*). My thoughts? You can't go wrong with a product that'll leave you with enough change for a Negroni from a $50 note.
What I like about the elf Poreless Putty Primer is it effectively blurs the appearance of pores and smooths over fine lines for a seamless base, but it's not too matte or silicone-y. Your skin still looks like healthy skin underneath, rather than a sheet of paper. I apply only where I need it around the nose and chin.
3. Maybelline Lifter Gloss Plumping Lip Gloss, $18.95.
Fast facts:
- A high-shine, non-sticky lip gloss with a plumping effect.
- Infused with hyaluronic acid to hydrate your lips while you're wearing it.
- Comes in 16 shades!
Why I'm loving it sick:
Big call, but Maybelline Lifter Gloss - Hydrating Lip Gloss is legitimately the only neutral lip gloss I've tried that I've genuinely loved. It's shiny, but not sticky, and it doesn't taste funny. Plus, the tube comes with a massive doe foot applicator that makes it easy to swipe on without a mirror in .678 seconds.
I'd describe the shade 004 Silk as dusty rose meets a glass of Milo. It's neither too pink nor too brown, and makes my corpse-esque blue/white lips look plump, juicy and significantly less zombie-like.
4. elf Luminous Putty Primer, $16.
Fast facts:
- The glowy primer in elf's putty primer range.
- Thin, silky texture adds next-level radiance and luminosity to the skin.
- Can be worn underneath makeup or on top as a highlighter.
Why I'm loving it sick:
Be warned, the elf Luminous Putty Primer - Universal Glow has a blindingly glowy finish. The tiniest amount of this light, creamy product adds a lit from within glow, and when the subtle shimmer particles catch the light, I swear I can hear angels singing.
But my favourite way to use this primer isn't as a primer at all. If I do apply under foundation, I press into the skin only where I want glow - the cheeks, cheekbones and forehead.
I prefer it way more as a subtle, golden cream/balm highlighter applied on top of the cheekbones, down the bridge of the nose and under the brow bones. Love a multi-use product.
P.S. Check out this YouTube video below to see our in-house makeup artist Megan break down our best-selling foundations with very different price tags.
Want more tried and tested makeup product recommendations? Check out these helpful stories below!
