During the pandemic, shopping for makeup was one of the few things I did that brought me joy. Walking to my nearest Shoppers Drug Mart (because it was the only store that was open) and getting a great deal on mascara or blush felt like the ultimate treat.
We can all agree Sephora is the capital of cosmetics but there's a time and a place for dropping $100 on literally two items. I could buy six or more products at a drugstore with that money!
If you're super mindful of your spending this summer, there's a way to get your beauty fix without making your wallet cry.
Mascara
Sephora, Shoppers Drug Mart
Price: $9.99
Details: The Too Faced Better Than Sex Volumizing Mascara is a bestseller at Sephora but it costs $36. Covergirl's Clump Crusher is only ten bucks and can give you ten times the volume without smudging or clumping. In my opinion, it's the best drugstore mascara out there right now.
$9.99 On SHOPPERS DRUG MART
Primer
Sephora, Shoppers Drug Mart
Price: $11.99
Details: The Tatcha Liquid Silk Canvas Primer costs a whopping $68 at Sephora. It's definitely an item you splurge on once in a while. To save some money this time around, you can get the E.L.F. Poreless Putty Primer that does the same job for only $11.99.
$11.99 On SHOPPERS DRUG MART
Blush
Sephora, Well Canada
Price: $7.99
Details: Most makeup enthusiasts have Nars' Orgasm Blush ($39) in their toolkit because it's one of the most well-known products that looks great on every skin tone. A more affordable option is the Milani Baked Blush in Berry Amore that's only $11.99 at Rexall or Well.ca. It'll give you the same peachy-pink shimmer that Nars offers.
$7.99 On WELL.CA
Eyebrow Pencil
Sephora, Shoppers Drug Mart
Price: $10.99 ($12.99)
Details: The Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz pencil is $28 at Sephora, which may not seem like a lot, but it can definitely add up. If you want to cut your cost in half, try the NYX Micro Brow Pencil that's currently on sale for $10.99. It comes in eight different shades including blonde, auburn and espresso.
$10.99 On SHOPPERS DRUG MART
Eyeshadow Palette
Sephora, Shoppers Drug Mart
Price: $16.99
Details: Palettes at Sephora can be ridiculously expensive. The Viseart Eyeshadow Palette is in the triple digits at $105. For a super pigmented palette that's super cheap, you can try the Revolution Foil Frenzy Eyeshadow Palette ($16.99) which includes a healthy mix of neutrals and bright colours.
$16.99 On SHOPPERS DRUG MART
Lip Gloss
Sephora, Well Canada
Price: $10.99
Details: The fan favourite Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer is $25 at Sephora but if you want silky, shiny lip gloss for half the price, there's the Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss for only $10.99. You can choose between the sheer colour or rose quartz in a light shimmery pink.
$10.99 On WELL.CAConcealer
Sephora, Shoppers Drug Mart
Price: $8.99 ($12.49)
Details: The Tarte Shape Tape Concealer, which comes in 34 different shades, costs $38. On days where zits creep up, you can still hide them without breaking the bank. The NYX Can't Stop Won't Stop Full Coverage Concealer is only $8.99. It comes in 24 different shades that's easily blendable and lasts for up to 24 hours.
$8.99 On SHOPPERS DRUG MART
Highlighter
Sephora, Shoppers Drug Mart
Price: $10.99
Details: The regular-sized BECCA Cosmetics Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter goes for $50 at Sephora (the mini version costs $29.50). Luckily, the Revolution Highlight Reloaded at Shoppers is only $10.99 and comes in four shimmering shades that are almost identical.