Disclaimer: The prices mentioned in the list are accurate at the time of publishing.
If you’ve ever bought makeup, you know the gaping hole in your pocket is here to stay till your next salary pops up. They say good things come in small packages; we say pricey lipsticks come in smaller packages.
Hate it, love it, whine about it – you can’t live without it. If you’ve jumped the whole debate on what makeup means to women (and men), welcome to the other side. We love makeup here!
Whether you like following a proper primer to a setting spray type of makeup routine, or just a basic BB cream and lipstick one, you need to load up your makeup vanity. From M.A.C and Maybelline to Colorbar and Ciate, there’s a litany of brands flooding the makeup market. The range of formulas, textures, colours, and prices have us vexed – what to buy and what not to try. Since we understand the plight of all our makeup lovers out there, we rounded up the best makeup products we could find for you.
Affordable makeup products under Rs.1000
1.Maybelline New York Fit Me Matte + Poreless Liquid Foundation
Priced at: Rs. 549
Whether you have a combination or oily skin type, Maybelline New York Fit Me is the right foundation for you. Available in 18 shades that suit every skin tone, this formula nearly hugs your skin for a natural finish. Since the foundation is highly buildable, it can be used for everything from office wear to partywear. Unlike regular cakey liquid foundations that clog your pores, it gives a smooth, matte finish to your skin. Check it out here.
2. L.A. Girl Pro Conceal HD
Priced at: Rs. 695
From influencers to beauty gurus, if there’s a makeup product that has been hailed as the holy grail for years, it’s this one. Talk about a versatile shade range, and you can’t miss L.A. Girl Pro Conceal HD out of the picture. The smooth liquid formula is available in correctors as well as concealers. If your skin doesn’t need too much correction, the concealer will do just fine. The formula is lightweight, crease-resistant, and gives maximum coverage. No, you wouldn’t have to spend hours blending this one out. Like Kourtney Kardashian said, “Who has the time to blend?” Check it out here.
3. Lakme Absolute Blur Perfect Makeup Primer
Priced at: Rs. 750
Tired of watching your pores peek through your perfect base? It’s time to prime! If you’re not going moisturiser> primer> foundation, you’re doing it all wrong. A primer not only smoothens your skin by filling up the pores, it also gives the following makeup a better adhesion to your face. Lakme Absolute Blur Perfect Makeup Primer is a great waterproof option if you’re searching for one. The pigmented formula ensures that you get a natural finish, while the mattifying components give you a flawless base. The 2-in-1 primer can be used as a tinted moisturiser to even out your skin on no-makeup days as well. Check it out here.
4. SUGAR Contour De Force Mini Blush
Priced at: Rs. 349
Gone are the days when flushed cheeks meant wearing tonnes of blush that was visible from the moon. Natural is the new look, and we’re here for it. The SUGAR Contour De Force Mini Blush is a go-to blush for many women, thanks to its silky finish, smooth formula, and long-lasting glow. The paraben-free blush is dermatologically tested to be skin-safe, and is available in five colours that suit every Indian skin tone. It’s lightweight, so you can go in with multiple applications for a more prominent blush without worrying about it looking cakey. Check it out here.
5. Swiss Beauty Pearl Illuminator Makeup Base
Priced at: Rs. 249
Stepping out for an afternoon date but wary of using foundation? The Swiss Beauty Pearl Illuminator Makeup Base will save the day for you. The lightweight formula works as a foundation as well as highlighter to give you seamless coverage. The creamy texture prevents creasing, and the illuminating pigments give you a natural sheen. Apply it on the high points of your face before the BB cream, or just dab it on lightly, and your natural base is all set. The water-resistant formula is also good for oily skin, so the only thing that shines through is you. Check it out here.
6. Wet n Wild MegaGlo Highlighting Powder
Priced at: Rs. 599
Looking for makeup dupes can be quite a task; if the colour matches, the finish doesn’t, if the formula matches, the texture doesn’t. But what if we told you we found the perfect dupe for highlighter brands like Becca and Anastasia Beverly Hills? Wet n Wild MegaGlo Highlighting Powder is one of the best highlighters you will find on the market. Unlike the chunky, glittery pieces that reign over the internet, this one gives you a natural, sun-kissed sheen, very akin to what makeup artists might call the ‘wet look’. The fragrance-free formula is highly pigmented, so all you need is a stroke and you’re good to go. Check it out here.
7. L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara
Priced at: Rs. 799
Whether you’re team liner or team kajal, we’re all team mascara. And if you’re running out of your recent one, it’s time to stock up on the L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara. Enriched with castor oil, rose oil, and cornflower extract, this ultra-creamy formula gives you a buttery-soft finish. The unique hourglass-shaped wand prevents clumping, and the wavy bristles give you dramatic lashes. Meant to lift your eyes, this mascara eliminates the need for false lashes by giving you unbelievable volume and length. Check it out here.
8. Nykaa Black Magic Liquid Eyeliner
Priced at: Rs. 299
Still can’t perfect the fierce cat eye? Well, your eyeliner might be to blame (or maybe you are). While all of us have a love-hate relationship with our eyeliners, we know we definitely need one in our makeup bag. If you’re on the lookout for an intense black formula, Nykaa Black Magic Liquid Eyeliner might be the one for you. The liner comes with a thin brush applicator for smooth application, and the smudge-proof liquid does not melt or crack even upon long wear. Check it out here.
9. Kay Beauty Waterproof 24 Hour Kajal
Priced at: Rs. 249
Does your kajal disappear by lunchtime, just like your motivation to work? Kay Beauty Waterproof 24 Hour Kajal is what you need. The 100% waterproof and smudge-proof formula does not feather even upon 24 hours of wear. Enriched with chamomile and ceramide, this smooth kajal is the darkest black so you can flaunt your kohl-rimmed eyes with style. The twist-up pencil does not need to be sharpened, so you can avoid wastage and prevent breakage. Check it out here.
10. Swiss Beauty Ultimate Shadow Palette
Priced at: Rs. 269
Smokey palette, pastel palette, nude palette, and shimmer palette – we cannot have enough eyeshadow palettes ever. But who has the capacity to buy thousands of rupees worth of palettes? Not us! Swiss Beauty Ultimate Shadow Palette is the solution all of us need. Each nine-pan palette features intensely pigmented colours to give you an easy, single-stroke application. Easy to blend, these colours have a long-lasting finish. The compact size makes it travel-friendly, and the affordable price allows you to own as many as you want. Check it out here.
11. Maybelline New York Super Stay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick
Priced at: Rs. 699
Dreading the tired mess your lipstick will be at the end of your oily meal? Make a switch to Maybelline’s Superstay Matte Ink and let go of all your lipstick woes. The Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick range has a splendid variety of colours with the perfect nudes, pinks, browns, and reds for every Indian skin tone. The liquid matte formula stays on for as long as 16 hours and does not budge even with water. Unlike the usual liquid lipsticks, it does not dry your lips or crack after a few hours, so it becomes the perfect way to ace your pout everywhere from luncheons to meetings. Check it out here.
12. Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water
Priced at: Rs. 199
Stop trying to wash away your waterproof makeup with your face wash. Micellar waters to the rescue! Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water is the perfect solution to get rid of stubborn lipstick marks and foundation residue after a tired day at work. Free from parabens, alcohols, and sulphates, it does not dry your skin and leaves you hydrated and refreshed. The vegan formula is safe for sensitive skin. Say goodbye to harsh rubbing and rashes, and say hi to fresh, healthy skin. Check it out here.
13. NYX Professional Long Lasting Makeup Setting Spray
Priced at: Rs. 875
Heading out for a night out with friends? Don’t forget to set your makeup in place with the NYX Professional Long Lasting Makeup Setting Spray. Available in matte-finish and dewy-finish variants, the setting spray helps keep your makeup fresh, comfortable, and long-lasting. Unlike popular belief, a setting spray does not only set your makeup in place, it also helps the various components like foundation, concealer, and powder blend along better. It reduces cakey appearance and prevents feathering, so you can slay all day long. Check it out here.
Makeup is all about experimenting. What might be the go-to product for you might be the oh-no product for your best friend. We hope our round-up of the most affordable makeup products helps you reinvent your vanity without burning a hole in your pocket!
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