In my last column, I talked about my favorite places for getting affordable, happening clothes. Now let’s move on to make up (YAY!). If there’s anything I learned at a short stint at a fashion & beauty trade, it’s that make up need not be expensive to be good. If you don’t have very sensitive / allergenic skin, or need make up just for everyday use, most drugstore brands will work for you. Don’t get taken by the marketing hype and choose according to your need. (For a more in-depth look at marketing language vs. what the make up actually does for you, check out Cosmetics Cop.)

There are a couple of make up tutorials in The Thrifty Mom’s Guide to Style, and here are the brands I frequently use:

Etude House



I’ve sung the praises of BB cream before, and the best I’ve ever tried is Etude House’s BB Magic Cream. I’m not too concerned about “mineral” finish or whatever, so this basic day moisturizer + SPF 30 + coverage is perfect for me, and at Php598 it’s easy on the pocket. I use it every day and it really makes me glow!

Clinique


I know Clinique’s not exactly cheap, which is why I use it for daily use make up near my eyes – concealer and mascara. (Tips on choosing which make up to splurge and scrimp on is in the Thrifty Mom ebook too.) They’re good buys because I don’t like mascara that pulls off my eyelashes when I take it out; and the liquid concealer’s gentle on my under-eye areas too – less chance of getting wrinkles from pulling and tugging!



Avon



Avon’s for my beauty bag essentials: stuff you absolutely need to create a variety of looks, but don’t necessarily use every day, such as eyebrow pencil, different lipstick shades (I love their Celebrity Red!), and lip liner. My favorite Avon buy of all time is their Extralasting Eyeliner, which has the best liquid eyeliner applicator I’ve ever tried – as goof proof as it comes!

Maybelline


Maybe she’s born with it? No – it’s just my trusty Maybelline Unstoppable Eyeliner pencil (for a smudgier, smoky eye as opposed to precision liquid liner) and this Maybelline Water Shine Pure Naturals nude lipstick. Seriously, if you’re looking for the perfect lipstick shade, look no further than Maybelline’s stacks to find one that’s just right for you. 

These are my favorite brands – the rest of my make up buys are one-offs and gifts, but these are the ones that have my loyalty. Check my blog’s make up posts for more tutorials and shopping suggestions.

Katrina Atienza, writer, wife, mom of two and fashion devotee, blogs at Plus Size Fasyon Mudra. Follow her on Twitter (@iggyatienza).