31st Mar 10
Bargain Makeup
by Gemma Tomlinson
It started with the Ancient Egyptians, and its still happening today: women worldwide are using cosmetics to enhance their appearance, conceal imperfections and display their creative side. Whether you’re a budding make up artist or just wanting to enhance your looks, one thing is certain: you don’t have to spend a fortune to look good. Nowadays there are several companies offering great cosmetics that don’t break the bank, so sit back and learn how to make your life more beautiful without spending a fortune.
There are plenty of well known brands in the makeup world, a lot of them having earned their status by turning out great quality items, but with the prestige comes a price tag. These companies have their ‘hero products’ that have rave reviews and deliver great results, but don’t be fooled into thinking that they are the only way to look good. More and more companies are offering beauty for those on a budget, without compromising on quality. A great example of this is ELF, which stands for Eyes, Lips, Face. Developed by the team behind the internationally renowned makeup brand Hard Candy, ELF was designed to give the best quality product for the lowest possible price, with an emphasis on the contents, not flashy packaging. Its already a hit stateside with bargain hunting makeup lovers and its products have graced the pages of countless UK publications. It retails exclusively online in the UK and with the exception of the mineral makeup, every makeup item in the main collection costs just £1.50 (even the brushes).
Don’t, however, be fooled into thinking this is cheap tat – these are excellent quality products, for those who are willing to forsake an intricately designed case for their makeup. In the case of ELF, it really is whats inside that counts. Limited edition designer collaborations can be beautiful, but most of the time you are paying for impressive (and costly) packaging. For items you are going to use up quickly – powder, foundation, concealer and mascara – is it worth it? Always wanted to try a red lip but not sure if you can pull it off? For £1.50 you can afford to experiment! The company also has a ‘studio’ line of higher end products that retail at – wait for it – £3.50. The packaging is sleeker, and the products are add-ons to the main collection, with a wider range of better quality brushes and a variety of accessories like brush holders that you can also put your mascaras and eyeliners in to keep your dressing table looking pretty and brush cleaner, to help you care for your bargain brushes and keep them clean. Speaking from personal experience, their delivery is super-speedy (sometimes even appearing to defy the laws of physics! – I once ordered at 8pm and the next morning my package had arrived) and at a flat rate £3.50 it’s not as expensive as some other online makeup retailers that charge based on weight. Delivery is free over £30 so it can be a good idea to do what I did and order with friends or family to take advantage of the free shipping. When you want to re-order, keep an eye on their facebook page as they regularly post special offers/free shipping codes online exclusively for their fans.
So you might have tried ELF, but you still crave a high-end luxury makeup treat every now and then. I understand. There is nothing like opening a YSL lipstick in its opulent packaging when you’re having a bad day, and sometimes nothing will quite live up to a Mac pigment. Don’t worry, there are also plenty of websites selling famous brands at a hefty discount. Please, however, exercise some caution when you search for a bargain online, like any industry the makeup market is rife with counterfeit products, and unlike a fake handbag, these products are being put on your face, being absorbed by the skin and with the case of lipsticks, often ingested throughout the day. You really don’t want to use a product in this way when you have no idea what it contains, so try to steer clear of eBay and either use the sites below or do a little research. Forums like Specktra and Makeup Alley are great places to ask others if you doubt the calibre of a company or product. Remember, if something seems to good to be true, it usually is. There are amazing bargains to be had but these are usually on discontinued lines. With other products, the markdown won’t be as dramatic, but the prices can still be great. I’m going to leave you with some of my favourite discount sites, happy shopping and stay beautiful!
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