Introduction
This is such an easy makeup look, so I wanted to show you that you can achieve it with both affordable and high-end makeup. It’s very fresh, very glowy, just perfect for spring. These are my everyday makeup must-haves and I love both the drugstore and high-end options. Let’s compare them side by side.
Brows
I always say brows are a personal preference. Fill them in how you like. For me, I use my Dominique brow pencil in the shade soft black brown and the rare Beauty brow gel. It’s the best and I have backups because it’s that good.
Skin Prep
After letting your skincare settle in for at least 30 minutes to an hour, start with your favorite setting spray. I usually prefer something hydrating. I like to use a combination of hydrating and matte products for my skin prep.
Foundation
For foundation, you can choose between drugstore and high-end options. Both can give you a flawless base for your glowy makeup look. Blend it well for a natural finish.
Highlighter
Highlighter is key for achieving that glowy look. Whether you go for a drugstore or high-end option, make sure to apply it to the high points of your face for a radiant effect.
Blush
Add a touch of blush to your cheeks for a healthy flush. Drugstore and high-end blushes both work well for this step. Choose a shade that complements your skin tone.
Eyes
Keep the eye makeup simple yet elegant. A neutral eyeshadow palette works perfectly for an everyday glowy look. Blend well and add a coat of mascara to finish off the eyes.
Priming the Canvas
For my combo skin, I start my everyday glowy makeup routine with Rare Beauty’s 4-in-1 Always an Optimist Mist. This setting spray is light, fresh, and airy, providing just the right amount of hydration and glow. I let it settle and fully absorb into the skin before moving on to the next step.
On the drugstore side, I reach for Flower Beauty’s Seal the Deal Luminizing Setting Spray. This underrated gem offers a similar effect to Rare Beauty’s mist, with a fine mist that evenly coats the skin. It even has a similar scent, making it a budget-friendly alternative that can be found at your local CVS.
Creating a Gripping Base
For a high end option, I opt for Milk Makeup’s Hydro Grip Primer. This gripping primer not only helps my makeup last longer but also provides a smooth base for the rest of my products to adhere to. The tacky texture ensures that my foundation sticks in place throughout the day, giving me a flawless finish.
On the drugstore side, I use Maybelline’s Master Prime Blur + Illuminate Primer. This affordable option blurs imperfections and adds a subtle glow to the skin, creating a radiant base for my makeup look. Despite its low price point, this primer performs just as well as its high-end counterpart, making it a must-have in my everyday routine.
Foundation for Flawless Coverage
When it comes to foundation, I reach for the NARS Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation on the high end side. This cult-favorite foundation provides buildable coverage with a radiant finish, perfect for achieving a glowy look. Its long-wearing formula ensures that my makeup stays put throughout the day, without feeling heavy or cakey.
On the drugstore side, I use the L’Oreal True Match Lumi Foundation. This foundation offers a luminous finish with medium coverage, perfect for creating a natural glow. Despite its affordable price tag, this foundation blends seamlessly into the skin, providing a flawless complexion that rivals higher-end options.
Setting the Glow
To lock in my makeup and add an extra dose of glow, I reach for the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder on the high end side. This finely-milled powder blurs imperfections and sets my makeup in place, leaving a soft-focus finish that lasts all day.
On the drugstore side, I use the Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder. This cult-favorite powder is affordable yet effective, setting my makeup without caking or creasing. Its lightweight formula mattifies the skin while still allowing the natural glow to shine through, making it a staple in my makeup routine.
Drugstore vs High End Primers
For a glowing everyday makeup look, starting with a good primer is essential. The text recommended the NYX Honey Dew Me Up primer for the drugstore option. It is described as hydrating with a tacky base that helps makeup adhere well. The reviewer expressed surprise at how good this underrated primer was, mentioning its skincare and makeup benefits in one product. On the high end side, the text hinted at the Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer, known for its hydrating and long-lasting qualities.
Foundation Choices
When it comes to choosing the right foundation for a glowy makeup routine, both drugstore and high end options have their pros and cons. Drugstore foundations often offer good coverage at a more affordable price point. Products like the L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Glow Foundation are popular for their dewy finish and long-lasting formula. On the other hand, high-end foundations like the NARS Sheer Glow Foundation provide a luxurious feel and high-quality coverage that can last all day.
Highlighter Showdown
To achieve a radiant glow in your everyday makeup routine, highlighter is a must-have product. Drugstore brands like Maybelline and Essence offer affordable options with shimmer and glow that can rival high-end brands like Becca and Fenty Beauty. Finding the right shade and formula for your skin tone is key to creating a luminous look that lasts throughout the day.
Setting Spray Finale
To lock in your glowy makeup look and ensure it lasts all day, using a setting spray is essential. Drugstore brands like NYX and e.l.f. offer affordable options that can keep your makeup in place without breaking the bank. High-end setting sprays like Urban Decay’s All Nighter Setting Spray are known for their long-lasting hold and ability to keep makeup looking fresh for hours.
Moisturize and Prime
Be scared of hydration still use a good moisturizer beforehand. Also, the Nyx primer isn’t too heavy and it’s very fast absorbing as well, which I love so now that we are all prepped and glowy let’s move into Foundation I’m actually going to use for the high-end side.
High-End Foundation: IT Cosmetics CC Cream
The IT Cosmetics CC Plus Natural Matte I’ve been loving. This product – I think this is one of the most perfect CC creams for everyday and especially for spring. It’s very fresh, full coverage, long-wearing, but still really lightweight. I’m going to use the shade medium today. When I have a tan, by the way, neutral medium is really good and then when I am completely light and have no tan to me, I’m usually light medium.
I love to apply this with my fingers first and then blend it in with a brush. This just kind of prevents me from using an excess amount of product, and then I can kind of just distribute it exactly where I want the most coverage. I’m using the foundation brush from IT Cosmetics. This is the star brush and I’m going to just press that into the skin. I also love that this has SPF in it, so it’s really good for every day, but still use your SPF in your skincare routine because from what I’ve heard, apparently it’s just not enough in makeup. Plus, you have to reapply it, but I just love this. For the coverage and just how smooth and pretty it looks on the skin, it’s literally like your skin but better – so seamless.
Drugstore Foundation: About Face Skin Focused Foundation
On the other side, I’m going to use the About Face Skin Focused Foundation.
Foundation
I know technically, this is not drugstore; it’s on the affordable side at Ulta, priced at $22. However, it comes in 45 different shades and has skincare benefits mixed in with makeup. Perfect for everyday use, this foundation is a great alternative to higher-end brands like IT Cosmetics. The LM1 neutral shade is perfect for me, but I like to mix in a bit of M1 neutral for when I have a tan. This foundation is fresh, lightweight, and makes your skin look better the longer you wear it. It has good lasting power and gives a natural, smooth finish.
Concealer
For concealer, I like to use a drugstore option that provides good coverage and lasts all day. This helps to brighten my under eyes and cover any blemishes. It’s important to find a shade that matches your foundation to ensure a seamless finish.
Blush
When it comes to blush, you can find great options at both drugstores and high-end makeup stores. Look for a blush that complements your skin tone and adds a healthy flush to your cheeks. A peachy or rosy shade works well for an everyday glowy look.
Highlighter
Highlighter is essential for achieving a radiant, glowy makeup look. Drugstore highlighters can be just as good as high-end ones, so don’t be afraid to mix and match. Apply highlighter to the high points of your face, such as the cheekbones, brow bone, and the tip of your nose, for a luminous finish.
Setting Powder
To set your makeup and ensure it lasts all day, use a setting powder. Drugstore setting powders are effective at mattifying the skin and preventing makeup from creasing. Apply a light dusting of powder to areas where you tend to get oily, such as the T-zone.
Foundation: Drugstore vs. High End
I just love everything about the foundation and the way that it lasts. I think it is just the cherry on top to see how pretty it gives a little bit of a glowy finish without being too much. Both drugstore and high end foundations offer a similar glowy finish, but the high end one on the drugstore side is a bit more pricey. However, investing in a good foundation is key to achieving a flawless base for your makeup routine. It’s worth splurging a little more on a high end foundation because a good base makes everything else look seamless.
Concealer: Fenty vs. Flower Beauty
Over top of the foundation, I have been obsessed with the Fenty Beauty hydrating concealer. This concealer is truly amazing – it is thin, yet offers medium to full coverage without looking cakey. The formula enhances the under eyes beautifully, giving just the right amount of coverage without looking overly natural. The shade 240n is perfect for me and I highly recommend this concealer if you’re looking to splurge on a high end product.
One of my other favorite concealers at the drugstore is the Flower Beauty Get Real Serum Concealer. It offers a similar level of coverage as the Fenty concealer, but at a more affordable price point. This drugstore option is a great alternative for those looking for a budget-friendly option without compromising on quality.
Setting Powder: Maybelline vs. Laura Mercier
To set my makeup, I like to use either the Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder or the Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder. The Maybelline powder does a great job of setting my makeup and controlling shine throughout the day. It’s a great affordable option for everyday use.
On the high end side, the Laura Mercier powder is a cult favorite for a reason. It blurs imperfections and gives a smooth, radiant finish to the skin. While it is pricier than the drugstore option, the quality and performance of this setting powder make it worth the investment.
Concealer: Drugstore vs High End
This is not a dupe for Fenty, but I do think its a really pretty glowy hydrating concealer, as well with really good coverage. The Nyx be with me Concealer Serum is a great option as well, but always talking about that one. So I wanted to switch it up and do Flower Beauty cuz I do think this ones very underrated and its very pretty on the under eyes as well. I do think the one from Fenty is just a little bit more seamless on the under eyes, but the one from Flower Beauty is really nice as well.
Bronzer: Drugstore vs High End
So this is the case where, honestly, I feel like you do not need to splurge on a high end bronzer, unless maybe you can’t find your specific shade. But I was looking through my cream bronzers at our high end, and as much as I love my drugstore ones, I do like this one from Fenty. It’s the Fenty freestyle cream bronzer and this one’s in the shade Macchiato. I like this formula, if you’re going to splurge on something, this is nice. It’ll last you a while, it’s very creamy, buildable, and it just gives you a really nice chisel without looking muddy, which is always a plus.
So I’m going to apply a little bit of this with my It Cosmetics brush. I’m just going to stipple this in starting right at the top of my cheekbone ring, bringing it into my hairline.
Bronzer: Drugstore vs High End
When it comes to bronzer for your everyday glowy makeup routine, the choice between drugstore and high end options can be a tough decision. The Fenty bronzer is a beautiful, creamy blendable product that exudes luxury vibes. However, the Milani cheek kiss cream bronzer in the shade ‘hey honey’ offers a similar high-end feel at a fraction of the cost. Its creamy, blendable texture rivals that of many high-end bronzers, making it a fantastic dupe for the pricier alternatives.
Setting Powder: Matifying with a Touch of Luxury
To set your makeup and achieve a smooth, matte finish, the Charlotte Tilbury airbrush Flawless powder is a go-to option. Its smoothing, blurring effect ensures a flawless look without any cakey appearance. The luxurious feel of this high-end powder is unmatched, providing a perfect finishing touch to the glowy makeup routine.
Application Tools: Affordable Dupes
Investing in quality makeup brushes can enhance the application process, but finding affordable dupes can save you money without compromising on results. The e.l.f. complexion Duo brush serves as a great alternative to pricier options, offering a seamless blend for cream products like bronzers. Similarly, the Powder Puff from Rose and Ben Beauty helps in applying setting powder with precision, ensuring a flawless finish without creasing.
Setting the Base
I like this because it is a matte powder. So since I used a ton of glowy hydr in products, I just want to assure that everything is going to get set down and look nice and matte, but you’re still going to have a very like kind of fresh base. Cuz you’re going to have a little bit of that glow kind of peeking through, since we have just a nice very hydrated base. But the powder is just nice to assure that. Nothing moves throughout the day and I like to apply this with a powder puff, because then you can assure that the product is really getting pressed in and set down really nicely. So satisfying doing this, it’s my favorite part, I mean look at how blurred that looks.
Drugstore Powder
I mean look at that difference, it’s actually insane. So what I’m going to do? Taking the other side of the powder puff I’m just going to put the little loophole through it, and then we have another fresh puff and on the other side, NYX cant stop W stop press powder. This is one of the best Alternatives that I have found to Charlotte Tilbury. I still think the one from Charlotte Tilbury is a little bit more just like airbrushed on the skin, but the one from Nyx comes pretty darn close and it’s like 10 bucks love this powder, it’s just the best. I’m using the shade light medium. It’s beautiful both of these are really nice touch up powders as well cuz.
The Base: Drugstore vs High End
When it comes to creating a glowy makeup routine, the base is crucial. Starting with a good foundation is key. Personally, I find that using a drugstore foundation can yield the same results as a high-end one. The important thing is to find the right shade and finish that works best for your skin.
Setting the Base: Powder Power
After applying foundation, setting it with a powder is essential to ensure it stays in place throughout the day. I’ve noticed that both drugstore and high-end powders can do the job effectively. The key is to gently press the powder into the skin using a dense brush to avoid disturbing the base underneath.
The Finishing Touch: Glow On
My favorite part of any makeup routine is adding a touch of glow with a blush. Whether it’s drugstore or high-end, a glowy blush can really bring the look together. For a spring and summer look, I prefer to use a combination of peach and pink blush to give my cheeks a radiant flush.
RMS vs Milani Baked Blushes
Starting off with the RMS, my taii red Dimension blush. This is glowy and beautiful, giving you some pigment while also providing a stunning glow from within. The House Labs by radiant gel powdered highlighter in the shade rose quartz is also a favorite. While the tones may differ, the formulas are almost identical. The House Labs one gives a bit more glow, though. Technically a highlighter, I use it as a blush topper. Using a glowy blush like this eliminates the need for a separate highlighter, making it perfect for everyday use. I like to combine both of these products for a pigmented and radiant look.
On the drugstore side, Milani baked blushes are a must-have. The shade luminoso, a classic peachy color, complements any makeup look. Dolce pink, a shimmery pink, is equally gorgeous. Mixing the two shades creates a stunning effect, but they can also be worn individually. These blushes are highly pigmented and give a beautiful baked blush effect. They are more buildable compared to the high-end options, allowing for better control over the level of glow desired.
Eye Makeup with Essence Mascara
I love the way this makeup looks with little to no eye makeup. Sometimes, I leave my eyes bare for a natural look. Other times, I add a touch of mascara. Lash Without Limits from Essence has been a recent favorite for adding volume and length to my lashes.
Drugstore vs High End Mascara
This one is the Brown version. Honestly, I don’t have a high-end mascara, I think there are so many good ones at the drugstore and this being one of them. It’s so good, so affordable, and I love a good Brown mascara too for everyday. It’s a little bit less harsh than black, but it still just adds a little something. I’m going to just do a dash of this, and I don’t even have amazing eyelashes anyway, so that’s why sometimes I just skip the step altogether. This gives length and separation. I really, really like it.
Drugstore vs High End Lip Combo
Now let’s do the lip combo. I just put a little foundation over my lips to kind of mute them out and for the high-end side, I’m going to use Charlotte Tilbury – Iconic Nude. I love this shade because it looks good with a ton of my favorite lip colors. It’s just a really nice neutral color. Just for a little lip contour, I love it. It’s perfect, it’s not too cool-toned, it’s not too warm.
For the drugstore side, I love the Color Statement lip liners from Milani. They’re not as long-wearing as Charlotte Tilbury, but still a very creamy, beautiful formula. This one’s in the shade All Natural. Every time I do this look, lip liner and lip oil is just the go-to, or just a regular lip gloss. I’m going to fill in my lips just a little bit with the lip liner.
Milani vs High End Lip Oils
The shades are a little bit different, but the Milani one is fabulous. The formula is just incredible. Speaking of Milani, I love the Milani fruit fetish lip oils, their new colors are my favorite. I prefer them over their original Shades, but they are stunning. They smell delicious, and this one is in the color 160. It is such a nice color. It gives the perfect amount of color and glossy shine theyre, not sticky. They almost have like a smooth glossy jelly like texture Im, very much kind of like your lips, but better, which I love, and then my favorite lip oil gloss hybrid, is from milk makeup. In the shade work trip, they have tons of really great Shades. This is just one of the many that I love also smells so good. Its like a nice muted pinky Rose its stunning. How gorgeous are both of these absolutely stunning 10 out of 10?
Setting Spray Showdown: Drugstore vs High End
Now this is the time to lock everything into place set your makeup. I love to use a mattifying spray at this time, since I used so many glowy hydrating products. The best in the game honestly is the one siiz on until dawn waterproof setting spray. I dont think there is a dupe for this honestly. I think theres some nice Alternatives, but nothing comes close to be as intense as this spray, its literally hairspray for your face its intense, but it really works for the drugstore side. I have quite a few favorite matte setting sprays, but I really like this infinite setting spray from makeup Revolution.
Makeup Setting Spray
I feel like this is so underrated. I love the M on it and it does a nice job at melting in my makeup, while ALS also like when it dries. It gives me a nice matte finish, so I really like this. One just gives you a nice little refresh at the end of your makeup. If you have dry skin, you can still use your glowy setting spray of choice to really enhance the glow and again just melt your products in. But if you have more combo or oily skin use something matte just so that you really just seal everything in without adding too much extra glowy shine.
Makeup Look
I told you guys this is so easy. Very fresh and just very skin focused, which I love versus more eye. Focused but try this out use your favorite products. I wanted to show you a very simple look that you can achieve with both affordable and high end makeup, and I really love both sides theres, a few things that I think are definitely Splurge worthy. But regardless I love the affordable side, just as much as the highend side, I think theyre both theyre, both really good.
Final Touch
I can go out right now in public and nobody would know that Im wearing different sets of products on each side of my face. So I hope you guys enjoyed if you have any favorites for everyday makeup.
