So we all know that college/university pretty much drains your bank account and leaves you selling your  possessions on Kijiji just to afford the new makeup releases and launches (joking….). But it doesn’t have to be that way! You can still be a cosmetics covetor with a budget!

Now, I may not have practiced what I preach while I was a student, but looking back it may have been better to restrict my cosmetics budget in favour of food. Yet again I’m finding myself wishing I knew then what I know now. There are so many great cosmetics brands out there that don’t break the bank but are still amazing quality!

My favourite high-quality-low-cost brand would be ELF. Order-able online, this cosmetics line can cash in at under $5 per item! Over the years I’ve fallen hard for their $3 eyeshadow primer, their $8 16-shade eyeshadow palettes, as well as their $3 eyebrow kit! And they constantly have new releases! A great budget buy! Second of the budget lines would be Wet n Wild. This drug store brand is a little harder to find, but seems to pop up in grocery store beauty sections more than drug stores. With amazing nail polish shades ringing in at $0.99 and long-lasting lip colours at $1.99, I’d say it’s a steal. And last but not least, if you’re willing to bump up your pricing just over $10 per item, I’d say the best run for your money would be Maybelline. Although I’m a big fan of other drug store brands, Maybelline kills it in all categories: eyes, lips, face, etc. Some of the best eyeshadows in the business (in my opinion), ringing in at about $12 each, as well as my #1 mascara at $13 a tube. Well worth the price.

There are many other budget brands out there, especially once you venture out past the realm of Canadian drug stores. If you know any other great “student friendly” budget buys pop them down in the comments! Which are your favourites?

Hope your first week of classes are going well my friends!