The Spread

By Indira Midha

 

 

As somebody who goes through a lot of phases with makeup (sometimes I love doing full looks every day, and other times I love going bare faced), I have a pretty definitive list of essentials that I will always gravitate towards. I have also accumulated a short list of brands that are cruelty-free, meaning that they do not test their products on animals and they firmly stand against it. This is quite important to me, so that makes these products even better! If I could only use 5 makeup products for the rest of my life, these are the ones I would choose.

 

NYX Epic Ink Eyeliner

 

Color I Use: Black

Price: $8.00

Link to Purchase

 

This felt-tip liner gives you a great amount of precision in the application process, and the product is quite light and thin, making it pretty mess-free. It is waterproof, so it doesn’t smudge even a bit. This is one of the only liners that gives me the desired effect despite my oily eyelids and watery eyes.

 

Wet n Wild Lash Renegade Mascara

 

Color I Use: Jet Black

Price: $5.99

Link to Purchase

 

The ball at the end of the applicator helps give you that voluminous but separated look, making your lashes look full in a classy way. If you want length, volume, separation, darkness, and no smudging, this one’s for you.

 

Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette

 

Price: $29.00

Link to Purchase

 

This one’s a bit on the pricier side for the college student budget, but it’s a good one to ask for as a gift (I got it for Christmas my sophomore year in high school). The original Naked Basics is better for lighter skin-tones, and the Naked 2 Basics is better for medium skin-tones. I love this palette for everyday and travel because it has truly the basics – a shimmery highlight, 2 good matte skin-tone shades (which make great lid colors), 2 crease color options, and a black for a smoky liner. This palette has been around the world with me and it’s done the job every time.

 

e.l.f. Instant Lift Brow Pencil

 

Color I Use: Deep Brown

Price: $2.00

Link to Purchase

 

This one’s perfect for natural brows. As somebody with fair skin and very dark hair/eyebrows, I struggle with finding brow products that blend in with my brow hair but do not make my brows look fake. This pencil isn’t too pigmented, so it’s perfect to fill in little gaps. After filling in, there is a very convenient spooly brush on the other end, so you can comb out your brows and (almost magically) the color seems to perfectly blend itself in once you’re done.

 

Burt’s Bees Lip Balm

 

Color I Use: Pomegranate

Price: $3.30

Link to Purchase

 

This is my favorite lip product of all time. I’m not really a fan of lip products because I always seem to make a mess with them, and they just kinda bug me. I love the way they look, but I only wear them on special occasions. This one is simply a lip balm with the sheerest bit of a reddish sheen. This (for my skin-tone) is the ultimate “your lips but better” color. It goes on so smoothly, keeps your lips moisturized, and provides the perfect bit of color.

 

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Featured image is from Secret Style File