Homecoming makeup on a budget

With Homecoming right around the corner, planning a makeup look can be challenging and expensive. However, with these recommendations, you can create an affordable, full-face makeup look and look runway ready. Here are some tips and makeup products to help with your homecoming preparations, all of which can be found at your local drugstore.

Skin Prep

Although you are balling on a budget, you want to make sure your skin stays glowing before and after you dance the night away. Before applying any makeup, wash your face and moisturize. This will clean any remaining dirt in your pores and will keep your skin from looking flaky under your foundation. After you moisturize, the next important step is to prime. Primer adds a layer of protection so that your pores won’t get clogged with makeup even when you take it off. There are primers for every skin type, so make sure you get one that is compatible with your skin. The primer I recommend is the e.l.f. Mineral Infused Primer, which has a formula that is suitable for all skin types. It goes on smooth and provides a great base for foundation application.

e.l.f. Mineral Infused Primer: $6

Foundation
Choosing the right foundation can be tricky, especially for nights like Homecoming. Since a lot of pictures are going to be taken, it’s important you look camera ready. The biggest thing to avoid is flashback, which is when light reflects off of your makeup when the flash goes off. As long as you choose the right foundation, this is an easy problem to avoid. The L’Oréal True Match is a perfect fix for this problem. It goes with a smooth finish and blends easily, so you don’t need to be a makeup guru to make it work. It’s great for events, it has a great shade range for all skin tones!

L’Oréal True Match: $5.99

Eyes
The eyelook is probably the most important part of your makeup. There are also an infinite amount of eye looks you can do. Try matching your eye makeup to your dress to really complete the full look. Doing just eyeliner may seem simple, but it adds a dramatic flair to your makeup, so you don’t necessarily need to do eyeshadow if you do eyeliner. It is important, however, that your eyeliner doesn’t smudge and stays the whole night, so make sure you get a waterproof one. Getting a felt tip eyeliner is also better since it is easier to use than a liquid liner, which can get runny upon application. We recommend NYX Professional Makeup Epic Ink Liner. This product has a clean application and stay through the night.

NYX Professional Makeup Epic Ink Liner: $8.99

If you want to go for a more colorful route, you can also use eyeshadow. With eyeshadow, eyeliner is optional and you can be just as dramatic by using more shimmery colors or, scale back and use softer colors. To get the best look, look for eyeshadows that are more pigmented and long lasting. You want to have the best payoff. Using eyeshadow trios or quads is very efficient because you have all the colors you need for the night in one product. Usually, they’re less expensive than buying single shadows. I recommend the Maybelline EyeStudio Color Plush Silk Eyeshadow Quad Palette. These come in six different color schemes, all a wide range of color that will be sure to amplify your look.

Maybelline Eyestudio Color Plush Silk Eyeshadow Quad Palette: $9.99

To finish your eye look, you need the perfect mascara. It’s important that your mascara is waterproof, just like your eyeliner, to ensure it won’t run. A good mascara also adds volume to your lashes to really make your look formal. The L’Oréal Voluminous Lash Paradise Waterproof Mascara is a great product to use for Homecoming night.

L’Oréal Voluminous Lash Paradise Waterproof Mascara: $9.99

Lips
To complete your look, the proper lipstick is key. Before the dance, you may be going out for dinner and during the dance, you may take breaks to hydrate. Your lipstick should be long-lasting to survive to the long night and to appear in the numerous pictures you will be taking. The best lipstick to choose is a matte lipstick. This means the lipstick won’t smudge and will look camera ready at any point of homecoming night. Sometimes matte lipstick can dry your lips, so make sure to apply chapstick before you apply the lipstick. I recommend the Wet N’ Wild MegaLast Liquid Catsuit Matte Lipstick.

Wet N’ Wild MegaLast Liquid Catsuit Matte Lipstick: $4.99

Equipped with these inexpensive products, you’ll be sure to look amazing for the night. You will feel great, and your wallet will too.

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