Sometimes buying expensive makeup is okay.

Hi. I am self conscious about my skin. Like, a lot. I get acne and things and there is nothing I really like more than putting on a little makeup and totally faking a nice even skin tone. I've been to a dermatologist, on and off acne medication, done all the tips and tricks, etc. My skin is my skin. Moving on. 

One of my biggest issues was going through my entire makeup routine and having everything but my eye makeup melting off within an hour or two. I've developed a routine as so: moisturizer, primer, liquid foundation, powder, and blush. 

Now, I'm dirt poor and super frugal about EVERYTHING. And I never buy my makeup outside of a drugstore, because if I was ever let loose in Sephora or another makeup store, well, we all know how this would go. So naturally, I'm always hesitant to buy any product that is more expensive. (Because why buy it for $15 when I can buy it for $10?) 

However, I had some spending money burning a hole in my pocket after the holidays and decided to have a mini shopping spree at Target yesterday, and I couldn't help but to take my time in the makeup section. I actually looked into the more expensive brands that are usually in the front, and decided to buy this:

I was previously using CVS brand primer which was $10. It comes in a little jar of sorts and has a crisco-y texture. It also smells like ass. But, it smooths over your skin and gets the job done... only for your makeup to melt away in a few hours. 

But anyways, back to Set Pre-foundation primer and why it works miracles. 

It is 1:47 AM. I put on my makeup over 12 hours ago. Within those 12 hours, I took a two hour nap and my cat licked my face several times, among other things. And look. Sure, it might not look as amazing as when I first applied my makeup, but LOOK. My makeup is still intact, and I did not touch up or reapply any products. 

The sacrifice? Set Pre-Foundation Primer costs $29. But it comes in a 50ml bottle, and if you use it sparingly, it will last quite a while! 

Additionally, I purchased this:

Pixi Flawless Finishing Powder (Translucent). I brush this on after I've applied my liquid foundation (to which I still use a less expensive brand). Again, $25. But probably one of the best purchases I've made, and the results are proof. 

Now, do you have to buy expesnive cosmetics ALL THE TIME? Of course not! This is just one part of my makeup routine that was frustrating me that I decided to experiment with. If you're overwhelmed about makeup prices, sometimes it works to splurge on one thing (as I did with foundation), but not with another. For cheap makeup, I recommend e.l.f. brand cosmectics, which is all $5 or less.