When fashion writer Melissa Magsaysay took celebrity makeup artist Craig Beaglehole shopping, they skipped the fancy department store brands and went to the local CVS.
They tried out the low-price brands in the store and tested them for a week. One mascara sent her lashes spiking in several directions. And a few eye shadows didn't glide across the eyelid.
But there were some definite keepers. Beaglehole's top picks — products he says he'd use on clients — were Maybelline Lash Stiletto and L'Oréal Extra Collagen mascaras. "When I find a great mascara, I don't care about the price point. As long as it doesn't budge and it really works." He also plans to add the L'Oréal Colour Juice lip glosses to his makeup kit to give clients (who include Toni Collette, Elle Macpherson and Lori Loughlin) a super shiny pout for the red carpet. Here's a sampling of the findings:
FOUNDATION
• Neutrogena Mineral Sheers Liquid Makeup, $14.49: Beautiful. It really lets the skin breathe because it's so sheer. Erases redness and gives a fresh, healthy glow to the skin without the look of a ton of makeup. Just be careful to not overdo. This formula is good for all ages.
• L'Oréal True Match Super-Blendable Makeup, $10.99: Gives more coverage than the others tested, with a beautiful velvety satin finish, and it really holds. It makes skin look young, because it reflects light. Especially good for more mature skin.
• Maybelline Mineral Power Natural Perfecting Foundation, $9.49: Sheer and light — it can be blended in with your moisturizer — and it feels like nothing on the skin. It's great for people who don't want to look as if they're wearing makeup.
BLUSH/HIGHLIGHTER
• Prestige Skin Loving Minerals Sunbaked Mineral Bronzing Powder, $11.99: Beautiful as a highlighter. It has a nice sheen and will give girls with lighter skin a golden glow. Use it only to highlight cheek or brow bone — it's not really a bronzer. Can also use on the collarbone and decolletage.
• Maybelline Expert Wear Blush in Gentle Rose, $5.49: This is pretty and simple and goes on beautifully. The brush actually works. Gentle Rose is a neutral color a lot of people could wear, and it's not shimmery.
• Revlon Matte Powder Blush in Perfectly Peach, $9.99: Matte blush can be great for older women or anyone who's had plastic surgery, because it doesn't highlight lines like shimmery products would. Keep it on the apples and highlight cheekbones. It's matte, but not flat. It has a nice sheen.
EYE SHADOW
• Milani Runway Eyes Fashion Shadows, $8.99: These shadows work well and are easy to use, and the pigment is strong. You can also wet an angled brush and use the darker colors as eyeliner.
• Revlon ColorStay 12 Hour Eyeshadow Quad, $6.99: Great for women who don't want major sparkle on their eyes. These palettes are easy to use and the colors are good for everyday use.
• Milani Eye Shadow Quad in Earthly Delights, $6.99: The shimmers and colors come out strong. Easy to use, and the shadow glides on smoothly.
LIP COLOR
• CoverGirl Outlast Lipstains, $8.99: Fantastic. The stain soaks in, and it doesn't bleed. The pen is easier to use than applying stain with a brush. It's nice to use when swimming.
• L'Oréal Colour Juice Sheer Juicy Lip Gloss, $8.49: Stays on forever and has some color to it. It's easy to apply because the tip fits the actual shape of the lip.
MASCARA
• L'Oréal Extra-Volume Collagen Mascara, $7.99: Put it on and your eyelashes are immediately black, thick and long. You get volume instantly without having to play around and fuss with the lashes.
• Maybelline Lash Stiletto, $8.49:This is another new favorite — I was very impressed with it. The wand literally gives you long, "stiletto-like" lashes.
• Rimmel Glam'Eyes Lash Flirt, $7.49
Adds volume and lifts without an eyelash curler, which is great if you're in a hurry or just hate the extra step.
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