cheap — Blog — Tina Tom Makeup

Anyone who knows me, knows that I swear by Urban Decay's 24/7 Glide-on Pencils. They are so pigmented & creamy (so there is no tugging on the delicate eye area!) and relatively long-lasting (with the holy grail Urban Decay Primer Potion, aka UDPP, of course).

One other thing? They're kind of expensive. Say, $19/color expensive.

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Liners
Photo Credits: vampyvarnish.com

As much as I thoroughly enjoy paying $19 for an eyeliner, I was definitely on the lookout to find a cheaper but definitely comparable alternative. My findings?

1. L'Oreal HIP Color Chrome Eyeliner, $10

Photo credits: temptalia.com

The only issue with these liners is that there are only four colors to choose from. The color payoff and wearability is definitely comparable to that of Urban Decay's.

2. NYX Slide-On Pencils, $8

Photo credits: glamtrotter.com

These babies are as cheap and as close to Urban Decay's liners as I could find. There are 18 colors to choose from and are a great alternative to the 24/7 liners. They are smudgeproof and vibrant, and you can bet I'll be stocking my kit up with every single color!

As much as I enjoy higher-end products, working in the beauty industry (particularly in the product development side) has taught me that sometimes, the only difference between an $8 eyeliner and a $19 dollar eyeliner is marketing and branding. I am, by no means, saying that all products are created equal - I truly believe that some products are worth paying more for. However, whenever I can find a dupe and I can save some money, I am all for it!

What are some dupes for high end products that you buy at a much lower price?

As a makeup artist, I am constantly looking for a safe, cheap & effective way to deep clean my brushes. For my daily cleanings or for quick in-between washes, I use Japonesque's AMAZING Parian Spirit Brush Cleaner.

Japonesque Parian Spirit Brush Cleaner

I personally love this brush cleaner because it smells citrus-y and fresh, and just 1-2 sprays gets my brushes clean. At roughly $12.50 for a 4.25oz bottle (or $30 for a jumbo size 16oz), many may argue that this is a bit on the pricey side, but if you compare the sprays needed to get a brush clean using another brush cleaner (ahem, Bobbi Brown, Sephora.. I've tried them all) - this product beats the rest. I am the queen of waterproof, long-lasting makeup, so my stippling and foundation brushes are impossible to clean, but not with this baby! My absolute, go-to daily brush cleanser that requires no effort at all.

Dr. Bronner's Castille Soap in Assorted Scents

For my deep cleanings, I love to use Dr. Bronner's Castille Soap in Peppermint. One drop of this mixed with some water to foam up the soap, and my brushes are as clean as new. It keeps your brushes smelling fresh and its bristles soft. I know that many of my colleagues prefer using Johnson & Johnson body wash, but I personally find this ineffective because (as mentioned above) my makeup literally sticks to my brushes like no tomorow. Dr. Bronner's Castille Soap is the one product that I've found to effectively clean my brushes with minimal time and product. The best part about this product? It is a multi-functional, vegan product that people use as body wash, shampoo, face cleanser (I do!), multi-purpose cleaner, detergent, etc. For a bargain price of $10.50-$16 for such a large bottle, you'll find yourself reaching for this more often & for more uses than you would imagine!