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What are your must-have affordable eye products?
ColourPop Super Shock Shadows, ColourPop Pressed Powder Shadows, Sephora Contour Eye Pencils.
— Christine
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WnW Reserve Your Cabana (brow highlight), Cover Girl Lash Blast Volume mascara.
Also, not a makeup product, but Opcon-A eye drops. I initially bought them for allergies, bit they work to relieve any eye irritation and redness. I always keep them in my cosmetic bag when I travel. It makes my eyes refreshed and bright white.
Opcon-A is the BEST for redness/itchy eyes!!!
Sephora contour eye pencils are on my list as well (I love them so much), as well as their single eyeshadows. GOSH eye pencils (though GOSH is no longer available so I’m glad I have back ups). Some of the original WnW eyeshadow palettes and singles (Comfort Zone, Vanity, Silent Treatment, Walking on Eggshells, Lust, Brulee and Nutty) and Maybelline Caffeine Rush eyeshadow palette (a little but really terrific palette that was discontinued some years back but which I am so glad to have) and also an old and no longer available e/s trio from NYX called Rock & Roll.
Mariella – reading your list as I scrolled back upwards, as well as Joan’s, I had my faulty memory jogged! There were a few other must-haves I forgot: WnW Comfort Zone Palette, Nyx Rock & Roll trio, and Nyx Glitter Primer. I’ve got to get R & R back into my rotation. It has probably the only deep gunmetal blue that has ever looked really good on me!
Nancy T – I have the funny feeling that for many of us, looking through the “collections” of others here would be very much like looking at our own makeup cabinets….so many of the same things! You and I have very different colouring (in MAC, I’m NW15, having “faded” from NW20 over the years) and Genevieve is a stunning red-head and yet we and quite a few others here have so many of the same “must haves”, whether “bargain” or “high end”. And that NYX Rock and Roll trio – it’s a great one and it’s a shame it is no longer available. With so many of these items, I’m so glad I grabbed them back then.
The original Wet n Wild Color Icon palettes (why did the try to fix what wasn’t broken?), ColourPop Supernova and Super Shock Shadows, NYX Jumbo Eye Pencils (Rust and Milk are my favorites), Makeup Revolution New-Trals vs. Neutrals Palette, elf Mad for Matte palettes (2 is my favorite), elf Satin Eyeliner Pencils, and Wet n Wild Photo Focus Eyeshadow Primer.
Why fix what wasn’t broken, indeed (and the same applies to Make Up For Ever’s recent “re-formulation”).
That’s what I said after the *first* reformulation…
Loreal Voluminous Carbon Black mascara
Colourpop Super Shock Shadows, NYX glitter glue and essence mascaras.
Essence Pure Nude Highlighter in Be My Highlight
Milani Eyeshadow Primer
Colourpop Ultra Satin Liquid Lip
Wet n Wild Coloricon Eyeshadow Single in Creme Brulee
Loreal Infallible Blend Artist Foundation Makeup Blender
Various eyeshadow brushes from elf, Wet n Wild & Real Techniques
Revlon Superlustrous Lipsticks
Loreal Infallible Eyeshadow in Amber Rush
NYX Glide On Lip Liner in Nude Suede Shoes
– Sephora Contour Eye Pencils (although on me they do not have the staying power of the MJ highliners and for this reason I won’t repurchase them in the future);
– Flower Beauty Eyeshadow Quad in Secret Garden. Just used the two green shades last week. Unfortunately, I don’t find this brand anymore here in Mtl (it was carried by WalMart but for some reason it’s gone);
– Essence Extreme Lasting Eye Pencil (easy glide & waterproof) in 06 Silky Nude. This is the best nude eyeliner for my lower waterline that does not irritate my eyes (like the Benefit one), stays put, looks natural and makes my eyes more awake in the morning.
– Milani Brow & Eye Highlighters.
Flower Beauty is now sold at Ulta. Maybe that will help. Also you can buy directly from the flower beauty site fyi?
I know Erica :). Just that for placing a $CAD24 order with Ulta, I pay an additional $CAD21 for shipping and duties (Ulta offers free shipping for orders of CAD100 or more).
Unfortunately, I cannot buy directly from their site as they do not ship outside USA for the moment (big sigh). It’s so unfortunate that WalMart Canada discontinued this brand and that no other retailers are considering carrying this line in Canada.
Nicole, my husband and I used to make trips to the US a few times a year (we’re near Niagara Falls and so not too far from the border) and when my son was working in the US, that was another reason for trips south and then I would always try to visit an ULTA store and some of the great US pharmacies. But since the new President came into office and with his attitude to many things, including NAFTA, I am trying to spend my vacation $$$ here at home. So weekend trips across the border are off for me for the time being. But I miss Ulta and even the great selection in the US Walmart stores.
Yes, we too travel to the US frequently. My husband travels there every few months for business, we don’t know how NAFTA is going to affect his business, so fingers crossed. I always send him with a list to Target, Walmart and Ulta when I haven’t been for a while. Even Sephora US has some items that we don’t get in Canada. I agree it does go both ways.
My husband had substantial dental work done in Montreal so we made regular trips there for awhile. The Canadian drug stores were such a treat for me. Also Indo admire your Prime Minister.
I hear you Mariella. My husband and I have not cross the border since the 2016 election (we are living on Montreal’s south shore, around 54km from the US border). Re: the new president: there are things that go on with or without you (to quote U2), and those who adapt to these changes are the most successful ones. This does not mean to give up you identity and your beliefs; it means to be open to different perspectives, ways of life and to listen to the other people’s opinions. The CETA (Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement) between Canada and the European Union just entered into force last September. Last Friday, Bombardier won in that stunning 4-0 decision delivered by the U.S. International Trade Commission (meaning that the 292.21% duties imposed by U.S. Department of Commerce won’t be applied). I’m not worried about Canada. And I’m confident that the 2016 election’s result was a wake-up call for the entire world. Democracy can never be taken for granted. Sorry for the long rant 🙂
Boo Ulta. Cross my fingers that Ulta will open in Canada! But then again you have some great brands we don’t get in the states?
I hope so! 🙂 To be fair, it might be worth placing a CAD100 order with Ulta as they carry several brands we don’t have in Canada (i.e.Makeup Revolution, Eyeko, Flower Beauty etc.) or beauty sets/combos that are a good deal.
Tons! Makeup Geek single eyeshadows, L’Oreal Infallible Silkissime pencil eyeliners, L’Oreal Voluminous Extra-Volume Collagen mascara, L’Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black mascara, L’Oreal Voluminous Miss Manga mascara, ColourPop Super Shock shadows, and the E.L.F. Beautifully Bare Sheer Tint clear brow gel.
I think the moral of the story is that I love L’Oreal’s volumizing mascaras!
Milani Eyeshadow Primer, L’oreal Continuous Cocoa (for brows), Sephora Contour Pencils, ColourPop Supershock Shadows, Nyx Faux Black and Faux White eyeliners, Essence Midnight In Paris Gel Liner, Maybelline Full & Soft Waterproof Mascara. These are my ride or die favorites!
Colourpop eyeshadows — pressed and super shock; Cover Girl Lash Blast volume mascara; Loreal Silkissime eyeliner
Nyx glitter glue,
Maybelline matte colour tattoo in crème de nude, crème de rose and creamy beige. Wonderful eyeshadow base!
L’Oréal paradise extatic.
Rimmel nude eyeliner.
Catrice waterproof glam doll mascara
I have quite a few must have affordable eye products:
Mascara – I vary my mascaras a lot so I don’t have any particular favourite
Eye brow pencils – Maybelline is the current one I am using and is pretty good.
I think Sephora’s contour eye pencils are pretty good and L’Oreal’s Infalliable eyeshadows are still holding their own.
Wet n Wild’s original Comfort Zone is still fantastic.
Urban Decays 24/7 Glide On eye pencils, I love the formula, they apply smoothly and are long lasting. I have a few of the multipacks so have quite a few colours,, but ‘Mildew’ and ‘Desperation’ are my go to colours! I find Mildew really makes my green eyes pop, and I switched from ‘Zero’ and ‘Perversion’ during the day, to ‘Desperation’ as I now find black to be too harsh for me in daytime. I also worse the ‘electric’ colour when I was younger, but I don’t really know how to incorporate bright turquoise into my daily look.
WnW Nutty and Brulee eyeshadows. Maybelline mascara…anyone, but my favorites are Great Lash and Colossal. Loreal cream eyeshadows. The lilac one is great for those days you are running late or just want something quick…one and done eye look. Also Loreal Infallible eyeshadows.
Loreal Voluminous mascara, nyx hd setting powder in banana under my eyes, essence brow pencil, sleek makeup brow kit, bourjois waterproof black eye pencil
Literally the exact same three as you, Christine.
NYX’s Control Freak brow gel—my favorite before trying Anastasia’s. It also holds very well, but it flakes if I absentmindedly touch my brows. If you can keep your hands off your face, it’s well worth the $7 lol.
Sephora’s retractable brow pencil (their version of Anastasia’s Brow Wiz) comes in the most perfect ashy shade for light, cool brows: 05 Neutral Gray Brown. It defines and fills out my sparse brows without all the warmth and darkness I don’t like.
Makeup Geek’s eyeshadows (haven’t tried the foiled shades). ColourPop’s Super Shock Shadows (again, I have yet to try their powders). So many shades and finishes between these two lines.
Fyrinnae’s Pixie Epoxy and semi-loose shadows, especially the Arcane Magics. Wowowow. My favorite non-Arcane shades are Dinosaur Plushie, Sacred, Parental Advisory, Because Cats, and of course the iconic Mephisto.
Newer discovery but can’t live without them now: Makeup Geek Matte Eyeshadows
Maybelline Total Temptation Mascara
Physician’s Formula Sexy Booster Va Va Voom Mascara, L’oreal Silkissime eyeliner pencils, Sleek palettes, Makeup Revolution New-Trals vs. Neutrals Palette, Makeup Revolution Salvation palettes, e.l.f. Mad for Matte in Nude Mood, Nyx Ultimate Shadow Palette in Brights, Nyx Prismatic Shadows, ColourPop SSS and pressed shadows. E.l.f. and Real Techniques brushes.
I would have said Wet n Wild ColorIcon palettes, but the latest reformulation changed that.
Oh, and e.l.f. Glitter Primer! I use that stuff all the time.
Sigh…I love the Wet n Wild Color Icon shadow pencils, but they are no more. As for what’s available now, the L’Oreal Voluminous lash primer. It makes any other mascara so much better. Also the Colourpop eyeshadow palettes. There are other products I like that are affordable, but to call them must-haves is a tall order. Maybe Lash Paradise?
WnW Brulee eyeshadow
Jordana Made To Last pencil eyeliner in Black Point (so good!)
My HG mascara, WnW Volume Max Waterproof
Milani eyeshadow primer
Colourpop pressed eyeshadows but in particular Save It For Later, Snake Eyes and Come & Get It
Olay Regenerist eye lifting serum
Sephora Contour eye pencil in Cappuccino (and Flirting Game, who am I kidding?!)
Tweezerman eyelash curler
Essence Lash Princess Volume Mascara, Wet n Wild Color Icon Single Eyeshadow in Creme Brulee, Essence Make Me Brow Gel, NYX Micro Brow Pencil, Maybelline Color Tattoos.