e.l.f. Beauty Buys That Cost Less Than Your Latte And Are Better Than The Expensive Versions

I definitely don’t have a pompous attitude and think that expensive, prestigious beauty brands are the best. I love inexpensive beauty products, as much as I love the wallet-emptying stuff. e.l.f. is one of my favorite beauty brands because they have drugstore cheap prices but don’t compromise on quality. They have a huge variety of colors and some great beauty innovations (see the mascara shield). In addition to their Essential and Studio ranges, they also offer a Mineral range, where all of the products are natural and mineral-based (duh). If all of my blabbing hasn’t convinced you to try something, maybe this will: $1 LIPSTICKS!

Check out these great e.l.f. products, that cost less than a cup of coffee:

1. Mineral Lip Gloss in Trendsetter, $3

This shiny lip gloss is part of e.l.f.‘s mineral makeup range. It contains no parabens, preservatives, and chemical dyes. The gloss is also infused with Vitamins A and E, and the hero beauty ingredient, coconut oil, to keep your lips moisturized but it isn’t sticky, so you don’t have to worry about your hair getting stuck in your lip gloss.

2. Essential Nail Polish in Gina Girl, $2

Sometimes I am so distracted by the cheap lipsticks, that I forget that e.l.f. makes nail polish. It is probably a good thing considering $2 polish is a very tempting offer. The nail lacquers come in a variety of shades from wear-everyday neutrals, to trendy neons. I recommend you buy one of the glitter polishes, like this purple one–it is worth the extra effort to remove it.

3. Mineral Blemish Kit, $8

If you have a massive zit, and want to get rid of it ASAP, this kit hides and heals pesky blemishes. The mineral-based powder contains tea tree and willow bark which treat the spot and help prevent future ones. The makeup brush is included, so you don’t have to worry about finding the right one.

4. Studio HD Blush in Diva, $3

If you hate powder blush because all of the hacks in the world won’t stop it from looking streaky, e.l.f. has this richly-pigmented liquid alternative. Just press down on the pump, smile, and tap the color on your cheeks for a rosy glow that lasts all day.

5. Studio Mascara & Shadow Shield, $3

This tool might sound like a strange beauty invention, but this little brush stops shadow from getting all over your cheek. It is designed to be used on the top and bottom lash lines, so it is perfect for acting as a barrier between your freshly applied eyeshadow and your mascara. There is nothing more aggravating than ruining your smokey eye you spent forever getting symmetrical with one dot of mascara.

6. Makeup Remover Pen, $3

I swear by nail polish remover pens to correct my polish mistakes. e.l.f. has a makeup version that allows you to easily fix smudged liner and uneven lipstick, without having to wash your face and restart (because who really has time or effort for that). The pen will even remove waterproof mascara.

7. Studio 144-Piece Ultimate Eyeshadow Palette, $15

If you’re looking to splurge–and for a reason to never have to buy eyeshadow again–this behemoth set contains 144 shades. It has every color in the rainbow, plus a few extras. The set is currently on sale for 50% off its original $30 price, so I suggest you buy it now and put the money you saved towards other products on the list.

8. Studio Makeup Lock & Seal, $3

This is a unique, liquid primer that increases the intensity of your makeup. Mix it with your powder blushes and eyeshadows to increase their staying power. You can also apply it to your brows and lips to help seal in the product and prevent makeup meltdowns. Having a smudged eyebrow doesn’t look good on anyone.

9. Essential Lipstick in Flirtatious, $1

I know e.l.f. prices are cheap but I still have a hard time believing that this lipstick is only a dollar. I don’t even think lipsticks were that cheap in our grandparents’ day. This hydrating lipstick comes in 11 shades that range from vibrant pink, like this Flirtatious shade, to deep plums and browns, which are perfect for when you’re wanting to try a dark and mysterious Lorde look.

10. Mineral Waterproof Shadow Liner in Purple, $3

This chubby pencil combines the best features of shadow and eyeliner. The pencil applicator makes it easy to apply, but you still get the bold color of an eyeshadow. Plus, it is waterproof, making it a summer makeup bag essential.