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Honesty is the Best Policy: How Much We Really Spend on Stuff Make-Up Edition

In this post we introduced you to our individual skincare routines. It was one of our most highly viewed posts which makes us think you liked it. We said in that post that we would make a series on how much we really spend on stuff. Up next: make-up. Note: We consider moisturizing as part of our skincare routine, not make-up. You can find what we use in our previous post. [Editors Note: Blogspot really hates our links and sometimes they don't show up. We have linked to every product we use, so just hover and you can find what we're talking about.]

Katie 2:
I really have no idea what I'm doing. I try something and use it until it's gone, then replace it with whatever Elizabeth or the people at Sephora recommend. There are a few items that I use "all the time", so those I've marked with a **.
  • Sunblock: I use it every day, but I'm not loyal to any brand. I subscribed to Birch Box a while back, and because I said I didn't want any scents or nail polish, I got samples of sunscreen in every box. I have been using those for a while and still have some left.
  • Primer: I have not found the perfect primer. I have tried many (pretty much every time I need to restock I pick something new). I haven't found the right one that keeps my make-up set all day and doesn't cost an arm and a leg. This time, I bought the Smashbox Iconic Photo Finish Foundation Primer at $36 for 1oz. The stuff is OK, I won't buy it again for a few months until I'm looking for a new one to try and forgot what I thought about it.
  • Foundation: I actually have two foundations that I use. On a daily basis, I go with Make-Up Forever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation. It came highly recommended from beauty bloggers and magazines. I probably won't be buying it again. Everyone says it's super buildable- I disagree. I find it provides decent lightweight coverage, but any time I want to build, I feel like it just moves around my face. For no perfect results, I don't think it's worth the money. $43 for 1.01oz. BUT When I want more coverage (usually for evenings), I use **Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation stick** $46 for .25oz I think it's a bit too heavy for everyday wear, but great for when I want extra coverage or when I'm going "glam" (as in Katie 2 glam, not Elizabeth glam).
  • **Concealer: I needed to try a bit of concealer to brighten up my dark circles (they aren't bad, just a little in the corners). The NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer worked with just a little dab. $30
  • Cheeks: Like just about every basic bitch out there, I use the NARS Orgasm Blush at $30 for .16oz. The color just works for me. I'm not at all creative.
  • After applying all the above, I set my make-up. In the summer, I use Make-Up Forever Ultra HD Microfinishing Loose Powder ($36 for .29oz). I like the way it sets, eliminates shine, and gives me a bit of an airbrushed look. I hear e.l.f. makes a good dupe? I'm open to trying it next time. When I'm not sweating balls, I use the **Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray** (is this the stuff I use? My bottle looks different, but this is the only setting spray I can find from Urban Decay... it must be it). I'm a fan. I buy more whenever I run out.
  • **Eyeliner: Hourglass 1.5MM Mechanical Gel Eye Liner $48.00 for a set of 3. This stuff. Buy it. I have been a longtime fan of liquid liner because of the super clean line I get without having to remember to sharpen. This stuff goes on as easily as liquid but is easy to blur to give you a different look. No need to ever sharpen, because every time you put the lid on, it comes out looking like new again. Seriously. Buy this now. Get the 3 pack. You will use them all.**
  • **Mascara: Check this post to read about my mascara choice.
  • **Lips: Daily, I use cherry Chapstick (I'm not going to bother linking to it. You can find it on your own.) I get some every year in my stocking at Christmas, so I haven't bought any in YEARS. I like that there's a slight tint and makes my lips super soft. I have lipsticks for evenings out, but I don't have one in particular. 
  • Eye shadow: Yeah. I don't wear eye shadow on a daily basis. I have it for special occasions or an evening out. I have a collection bin of stuff I've accumulated over the years and just sort of grab something and go.
  • Tools: I replaced my Beauty Blender recently and bought the e.l.f. Blending Sponge. It is way denser than the Beauty Blender, and I don't think it does a great job. I won't buy it again. I use a kabuki brush for my blush. It's something I've had for years and don't know the brand, but this looks a lot like the one I have. The only other brush I use I got a long time ago (I don't remember when, I don't remember where), but it looks something like this and I use it to apply the finishing powder. 
As time goes on, I'm getting more annoyed with having to spend money on makeup. If you have any products that you absolutely love that are a good deal, I'm open to suggestions! (Katie 1's thoughts on this: check out my section!)

Katie 1: My makeup routine is intentionally minimal- I really like the no makeup makeup look and it works for my lifestyle and skin (I've got freckles which I like so I don't like full coverage makeup). Confession: I stick to the application method I learned when I was in 5th grade when as a fun day out my favorite aunt took me to the Clinique counter to get my makeup done and to learn how to apply it. I also don't like to spend a ton of money on makeup, but I will for a few products that I really love. I also have sensitive eyes so I have to be careful when choosing eye makeup (especially mascara and eye liner) and tend to stick with brands that I know won't bother me.

So here's a breakdown of my daily routine (all prices from Target or Sephora unless otherwise noted):

Base layer and Finishing layer: Total cost $34.96 excluding tax
Eyes (disclaimer: this is my most expensive make up due to the aforementioned sensitive eye issue): Total cost (including the total cost of all products I own): $172.00 excluding tax
Cheeks: I alternate between the following (Total Cheek Cost, including both products: $68.00 excluding tax)
Lips: Confession, I don't own a true lipstick. However, I do love a good tinted lip balm or almost lipstick. Below are the 2 that are in constant rotation. Total Lip Cost: $41.00 excluding tax
Make-Up Tools: Total cost: $37.65
Total Make-up and Tool Cost: $353.61 excluding tax. Wow, that's a lot more than I anticipated.

Elizabeth: How much do I spend on make-up? HAHAHAHAHAHA! This will remain one of life's great mysteries, mainly because I am afraid to try and add it all up. And we would be here a long time. Once upon a time I would buy one quad of shadows and do the same look until I was out of shadow, but no make-up is more a hobby than a means to an end. I like doing different looks depending on my outfit or mood. Bronzy eye, peachy blush, mid-tone nude lip... cool-tone matte eye, rosy blush, purple lip... green smoky eye, neutral blush, light nude lip... light neutral eye, soft peachy pink blush, bright neon pink lip... and on and on. There are some repeat products I use every day and then there are a myriad of pretty colors and finishes that I play with. The Katies have suggested that I just choose a couple looks and list the products I use for each; however, I just went with some favorites in each category of product I use. This will be a long list, so here it goes:
Note: Products were accumulated over time, not all at once. Please don't try to add it up...
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