Hey guys, I’m looking for some new makeup brands. I use MAC, Urban Decay, and Too Faced, and stuff from the FACES store at the mall. I am looking for less expensive, but still highly pigmented eyeshadows. I prefer loose powders.

AND if you have anything to swap lmk :)

Also, if you own the items you may or may not recommend, please include a swatch of the colors, or even an example of it applied!

Fort Worth, Tx

I always recommend Avon. It’s really good quality stuff, one of the leading research cosmetic companies in age-defying (something you may not be thinking about now, but will when it’s really almost too late), a leading contributor to women’s causes such as domestic violence and breast cancer, and price-wise, it’s comparable to most of your typical “drug store” brands (i.e. Oil of Olay and Cover Girl). I’d be glad to send you lots of samples (I used to sell) if you want. You can find a local “Avon lady” by going to Avon.com and a lot of reps have online stores too so you never have to actually deal with the person. The only downside is no immediate rewards to your purchase, but I don’t always think that’s a bad thing. That being said, I’ve also seen several “stores” at the mall (kiosks) and there’s even an actual store here where I am.

NYX is the best “drugstore” brand as far as eyeshadows go. I believe they have loose shadow as well as pressed but I’ve only used the pressed eyeshadows. I also love Stila’s eyeshadows but they aren’t inexpensive.

also: http://www.specktra.net/forum/forum.php is a great makeup forum with a section for swatches :)

CHICAGO, IL

Here are some of my favorite eyeshadows:

Swatched with and w/o flash:

From left to right: FACES #21, FACES #27, MAC Lovely Lily, MAC (unknown), MAC (unknown, but not authentic), Urban Decay Underground, MAC Haux Satin

From left to right: Too Faced Duo Oompa Loompa, Too Faced Duo Little Black Dress, Too Faced Duo Boy Toy, Too Faced Duo Totally Toasted

Fort Worth, Tx

Yay bright makeup :D

Fort Worth, Tx

I’m in love with Bare Minerals, but I also have really bad skin (I’ll break out if I just look at skin wrong). I think it’s the only brand that doesn’t make me break out. I’ve had good luck with their eye shadows, but I’m not as brave as others and stick mostly to neutral colors.

Jefferson, Georgia

Yuhhh I hate my freckles. I would have perfect porcelain skin if it weren’t for them.

Fort Worth, Tx

I love freckles!

Burbank, CA

i highly recommend L’oreal HIP (high intensity pigments). They sell them loose and compact and I have to say they are 100% comparable to mac.

i love my coastal scents 88 color pallete. it was $20 on the website thats where i got it, pigment quality is amazing and theres 88 colors!!! i would honestly say i prefer coastal scents to MAC

lake balboa, california

Oddly enough, I recommend WetSeal’s house brand, UrbanVibe. They’re stuff is wikid cheap, wild colors, and it’s pretty much indelible – wears all day, no matter what you’re doing. I was hoping they sold it online through there site, as I was hoping to pick up more colors myself, but I don’t see it there…

D

Manchester, New Hampshire

I tried drugstore brands today, out of boredom and actually don’t mind it much.

I would never wear this out, but it was fun.

Fort Worth, Tx

Very nice Sandy!

Jefferson, Georgia

I know you were mostly talking about eyeshadows, but I highly reccommend Revlon Colorstay for foundation. I’m convinced that this is the best drugstore brand. I have 4 moles on my face and it easily covers them up, so I’m sure you could easily cover your freckles. My face is very blotchy, and has a lot of redness, but if you look at my pictures, you can’t even tell thanks to Revlon Colorstay. (: And I don’t use photoshop; just amazing makeup. As for as eyeshadow goes, I like Wet n’ Wild, which is the drugstore brand I expected to like least.

I should be in an infomercial, lol. (:

what brand is the blue? I love bright colors :)

CHICAGO, IL

It’s CoverGirl in Aqua Paradise :D

Fort Worth, Tx

try coastal scents :) im telling you theyre amazing, and theyre $20 pallettes with 88 colors cant be beat, i honestly comare it with MAC, amazing pigmentation

lake balboa, california