My Top 3 Products in Every Makeup Category

Hello, gorgeousness! I know I don't talk a lot about makeup anymore on this blog but I still wear them and they're forever my happy place. I actually saw KathleenLights do this on her YouTube channel and she was inspired by watching Jamie Paige's video. So huge thanks to these beauty queens and Julia Adams (who started the trend first) for this brilliant idea!

Today I will be sharing my top 3 favourites (as of right now) in every makeup category that are purse-friendly (sort of) and mostly drugstore. Being a bargain girl from Malaysia, I am pretty sure some of the products I talk about won't be available elsewhere so I apologise in advance! Let's jump right in and talk about makeup.

primer

I don't have a lot of favourites when it comes to primer because I am really particular about it. I love a good pore-filling primer and they're a lot at the drugstore but mostly not my fav. But I still have to pick 3 of my faves though.

1. Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser - My all-time favourite when it comes to drugstore primer. It does what it says. It fills in pores and gives off a smooth base. Not exactly a dupe for the Benefit Porefessional but you can't complain especially about the price.
2. Rimmel Stay Matte Primer - This one, on the other hand, is amazing to keep my shine at bay. The lasting power is impressive on my oily skin. It feels lightweight on my skin and my makeup looks great after hours of wear.
3. Tarte Timeless Smoothing Primer - I have gotta say this was heavily influenced by Tati but she's not wrong though. This is really good if you have large pores. It really gives off that softer and smoother base, pores and fine lines are substantially diffused. Really great product.

foundation

In my very personal opinion, the brand that takes the cake for the best foundation at the drugstore goes to Maybelline and L'oreal. They put out great products at affordable prices but to each their own.

 

1. Maybelline Superstay 24H Full Coverage Foundation - One of the best foundations at the drugstore! It outperforms most high-end foundations. The coverage is spot on, no second layer is needed and it's giving me a good makeup day every time!
2. L'oreal Paris Infallible 24H Fresh Wear Foundation - This is actually more mid-range rather than actual drugstore prices but I don't mind. It has good coverage, is lightweight, and long-lasting and it also has this dewy and healthy-looking skin finish to it. Good for everyday wear. If I can talk bad about this foundation, it has to be the scent.
3. Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Foundation - Super weightless, comfortable on the skin, and a little goes a long way. One of the best luxe foundations with great coverage, a skin-like finish, blends seamlessly, is lightweight and has SPF.

concealer

This category is going to be hard because I tried a lot of concealers in my life to search for the best ones for me. After all, a good concealer is an essential part of my makeup game. I have had several life-changing moments with concealers alone. I will try to keep it short and sweet for this one!

1. Tarte Shape Tape Concealer - Does the Shape Tape need any introduction? This is the game-changer, right here. The formula is super iconic, it offers full coverage and doesn't accentuate fine lines that much. It does look thick in consistency but it blends like a dream and I love that airbrushed finish it gives me. Such a winner when it comes to covering blemishes and dark under-eye circles.
2. Too Faced Born This Way Concealer - I was gonna put the Nars creamy concealer but I think I love this one more as I get more product and more shade range to try with this concealer. If you're looking for full coverage, hydrating and something that will give you the illusion of 8 hours of sleep, then this is for you.
3. Maybelline Fit Me Concealer - I have been using this one constantly as of recent and I forgot how much I used to love it. It's really nice on the skin. Very skin-like finish but still offer a good amount of coverage. I really want to put her sister, which is the Age Rewind concealer but I haven't used that one since 2019! So, Fit Me it is. 

powder

Mattifying powders are a must in my makeup routine, although I must say it's nice to have all the dew and glow, my oily skin says otherwise. I need a powder that can lock and set everything that's on my face for at least 6 hours.

1. W7 Banana Dreams Loose Powder - This has been my favourite loose setting powder for over a year and it's really good. It's finely milled with a slight yellow hue to brighten up the under-eye area without making it look flat. It works amazing and it's super cheap. 
2. IN2IT Cover Smooth Loose Powder - I have repurchased this so many times because it's a really stunning powder that doesn't cake up and sets weirdly when I am baking with it. It has a very slight sheen to it which I love so I don't look overall flat.
3. Innisfree No Sebum Moisture Powder - Works just as well as the regular No Sebum powder but this one obviously has a slight tint to it. It doesn't really change the colour of my skin though. I think this formula is better for a combination/ oily skin. 

eyebrows

I think this one took me the longest to master. I have experienced quite a few embarrassing moments with my brows but let's not talk about that. It's much better now and that's what matters the most, right?

1. Maybelline Fashion Brow Eyebrow Pencil - Pencils are my forte and this is one of the easiest brow pencils to use for your brow because of how creamy it is yet the tip is still dense and will not melt off or crack. I like it a lot but the brush on the end is a no-go for me. 
2. Maybelline Brow Precise Fiber Volumizer Eyebrow Mascara - My favourite eyebrow gel that has a bunch of fibres in it to help thicken my natural brow hairs as well as set them to place. I find the spoon and tapered applicator really provides a precise and no-mess application.
3. Silkygirl Expert Brow Slim Liner - I love this one and I have repurchased this so many times as well. It's cheap, it's skinny, has a great formula and is retractable. Perfect all-around. 

bronzer/ contour

I grouped these two in one category because I don't really contour. If I do, it's mainly my nose and cupid's bow. I think with bronzers it's easy for me to not be so precise with it rather than contouring.

1. Fenty Beauty Sun Stalk'r Instant Warmth Bronzer - The best powder bronzer ever that's never patchy and blends like a dream! The formula is hard to mess up and can we talk about the shade ranges? It's phenomenal and no matter what shade you are, you will never look ashy or oompa-loompa-ish. So good!
2. Physician's Formula Butter Bronzer - For a classic cult favourite, the Physician's Formula Butter Bronzer is heaven-sent. Fun fact: I used to hate it because it breaks me out due to its heavy coconutty scent so I had to stop using it. I guess it was just a phase but I am fine with it now and it's my fave! It's buttery soft, hence the name. It's not a matte bronzer, it has a pearly and radiant finish to it. It never skips and blends seamlessly. 
3. Maybelline Fashion Brow 3D Brow and Nose Palette - I mainly use the contour powder here. It's really good for nose contouring. I find the contour shade so natural and perfect on me. It's not too ashy, not too warm. 

blush

I am a blush fanatic. I don't understand why some people don't like it. It brings back life to your face and makes you blush. Maybe some people are already blessed with rosy pink cheeks and blush seems excessive. You do you, boo. 

1. Catrice Blush Box Water + Sweatproof Blush - I think this is one of the best drugstore blushes to ever exist! I love the shade Nude Peach. It's long-lasting, the colour is so flattering, it's buttery soft and it has a slight radiance finish.  
2. Maybelline Fit Me Blush - If you like satin finish blushes, you should check out Maybelline. My favourite shade is Wine. The pigmentation is superb but it doesn't last as long as the Catrice Blush. This one wears off like nobody's business especially if you touch your face a lot. 
3. MAC Mineralize Blush - Everybody and their mother love MAC's blushes. Excuse me, what? Warm Soul? A classic! That and Dainty are my faves. Super flattering on the skin. Almost undetectable. Such a great formulation.

highlight

Highlighters are probably my huge favourite. I am all about that glowy highlight. I love it when I tilt my head back or to the side and I can see that shiny cheekbone of mine. I am obsessed!

1. TheBalm Mary Lou-Manizer - This highlighter has been around forever. It's definitely a cult favourite among many and for good reason too. This highlight is not the shy type of highlight. No, no, no. It's definitely the stand-out-in-the-crowd type of highlight. 
2. MAC Soft & Gentle - Another gorgeous highlight and another cult favourite. This one is so versatile as it is suitable for very natural makeup as well as a super glam look. Although I can kind of see tiny glitters poking through when I use it, I can't deny it's gorgeous and blinding.
3. Colourpop Wisp - If you have medium-tanned skin like yours truly, please get this highlight from Colourpop. It blends so seamlessly and it gives you that wet, juicy and blinding (how many times can I say "blinding" in this blog post?) highlight. Ugh, I am all about that life!

eyeshadow palette

When it comes to eyeshadow palettes, I don't know why I like to splurge on them. The only thing I could think of is probably their quality. Don't get me wrong, we have so many great options at the drugstore too but what I am trying to say is I keep coming back to my pricey palettes. I am more inspired by them. 

1. ABH Soft Glam Eyeshadow Palette - It's the palette I am reaching non-stop. That's it. You don't need to hear the rest. Although I must say this is a must-have in your makeup collection if you want neutrals that are smokin' hot and ideal from day to night looks. Great formulation, great pigmentation, easy to blend and stunning shades.
2. Urban Decay Naked Cherry Eyeshadow Palette - I love this one dearly. I would consider it as a gift from my sister because she bought it for me while she went to her husband's hometown. She's a blessing! Anyway, the mattes in here have such a silky smooth texture that blends easily, the glitters are definitely stunning and stay put all day. Such a gorgeous plum with cranberry tones that I can wear every day. 
3. Urban Decay Naked Heat Eyeshadow Palette - Oh my first Naked palette. This was way back when I am obsessed with warm tones and I thought this palette was everything I need. I am still obsessed with it and play with it every other day though. Great formulation, and excellent pigmentation and is long-lasting even without an eyeshadow primer. 

one and done/ topper/ liquid eyeshadow

I think it's nice to mention some of my favourite "one and done" or eyeshadow toppers as well since we're already talking about eyeshadow and stuff.

1. Pixi Liquid Fairy Lights Eyeshadow - If I need to look as if I am trying my best to look presentable, I put my trust in one of these Pixi Liquid Fairy Lights. Other than it makes me look like I put in an effort, the application saves me a lot of time. Just tap, pat and boom I am done. 
2. Stila Glitter and Glow Liquid Eyeshadow - I can't get enough of glitters because I just want to leave a bit of sparkle everywhere I go. Anyway, this purchase was also influenced by Tati on Youtube because I trust her recommendations. With this one though, it's great as a topper but not as a "one-and-done" because the formula can be a little skippy and patchy. 
3. IN2IT Sparkling Eyeshadow - This one, however, is phenomenal. It's a liquid shadow that dries down like a powder shadow. I am actually pleasantly surprised by the formula and it doesn't crease too. Definitely a hidden gem.

eyeliner 

Winged liner is still in trend, right? If I am lazy enough to do my eyeshadow, I'll always have winged liner on. And the best kind of eyeliner is definitely the hairbrush ones. I don't know why I don't have that much luck with felt-tip eyeliner. 

1. Maybelline HyperSharp Power Black Liner - I will always have a backup ready in my stockpile for this one because I just don't want to run out of my HyperSharp Liner. It's so good! I get the perfect winged liner every time with this. The tip is so super thin which allows you to create a crisp and precise liner. It's also waterproof and it doesn't bleed. My HG, obviously.
2. IN2IT Hair Brush Eyeliner Pen - Another favourite of mine and a hairbrush liner option for you. I have said before that IN2IT has made some killer eye products and their eyeliner is one of them. I love that their eyeliner is not so intensely pigmented. I can create a very soft-looking winged liner with it. There are days when I want to look effortless and have a very "soft girl" vibe and this is my best friend. 
3. Maybelline Colossal Kajal Eyeliner - A wonderful product if you love tightlining your eyes. I love to tightline because I don't like to see that gap between the lashes, y'know what I mean? The tip of this crayon-like liner is just the right size to tightline and I have never poked my eyeballs with it. 

mascara 

Mascaras can get pretty expensive be it in the drugstore or high-end store. And it's something you have to replace every 3 months, I am not spending a hundred bucks for this. But there are definitely a few that I have made an exception with. 

1. Maybelline Lash Sensational - If you have been reading my blog then you know this is my HG drugstore mascara. It does a freaking great job lifting, curling and volumising my lashes. It doesn't flake, doesn't clump my lashes, and it separates them beautifully to give them length, volume and curl. It really is bomb-ass mascara. 
2. L'oreal Lash Paradise - I used to have a love-hate relationship with this mascara. I think it's great in terms of volumizing, it makes me look like I have tons of lashes, and it's long-wearing. However, I can get all of that with my Lash Sensational. After I gave it some more try, I think I like it when I am in need of those "spidery" lashes, y'know? It makes the lashes look thick and now I can't seem to part ways with it. 
3. IN2IT Lash Define With Fibre Mascara - I can get super duper lengthy and black lashes with this. This is like my everyday at home kind of mascara. The formula is quite heavy and has the tendency to weigh my lashes down. It's alright. I love it for daily wear and it's super cheap. 

lipstick

Lipstick usually helps tie the entire look so it's such a staple in most people's collections. With this one, I have so many to talk about because my lipstick collection is quite unhealthy. Blame all the impulse buys from the past.

1. MAC Velvet Teddy Matte Lipstick - I am miserable without my Velvet Teddy. I love this so much, I keep coming back to it. It's one of the most comfortable matte lipsticks I own and the shade is very basic, I know. However, this is every girl's best friend. We all have it in our purse, right?
2. Palladio x Casey Holmes Matte Liquid Lip Colour in Rescue - I got this from my sister's collection. I did some shopping from her makeup collection earlier this year and this one speaks to me. I don't have this grey-ish taupe sort of colour in my collection. This shade is so versatile. The way I like to wear it is to apply just a little bit on the centre of my lips and even it out with my fingers and voila! A very muted pinky taupe lip. It's so interesting, it's playing with my mind! And it's super matte and long-wearing.
3. Maybelline Powder Mattes in Toasted Brown - One word: STUNNING. The shade Toasted Brown is super flattering in almost all skin tones. It's my perfect nude shade. So comfortable on the lips, not so long-wearing but it leaves a stunning tint when it wears off. 

And that's a wrap! Phew, what a long entry. If you still stick with me till the end, thank you so much! I hope you find this helpful and I would love to do this again in the future. Have a great one xx

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Would you do this on your blog? What's your favourite makeup category?