Makeup lovers, listen up! In a world where high-end beauty products dominate, it can be overwhelming to find options that are both affordable and effective. After years of experimenting with countless brands, I’ve discovered some fantastic budget-friendly options that deliver outstanding quality without emptying your wallet. Here are five affordable makeup brands that have won my heart and that I genuinely can’t live without.

1. ioni Cosmetics

ioni Cosmetics is an affordable brand that you can purchase at Dollar Tree and on their website. When you purchase their products from Dollar Tree they are $1.25, which is some of the most affordable makeup I've ever purchased.

They sell many products including, lashes, mascara, lipstick, blush and so much more! Their main product is false lashes, they come out with different collections throughout the year and they are top quality for only $1.25. They recently came out with liquid blushes and lip oils which in my opinion are dupes for the Rare Beauty blush and Dior lip oils. If you are just getting into makeup or you are looking for affordable and good quality makeup then I highly recommend this brand.

2. Essence

Essence is a drugstore brand that sells all products from foundation, mascara, lip plumper, and more. You can find Essence in Shoppers Drug Mart and on their website. The most expensive product they sell is their eyeshadow palettes which are $9.99.

Essence is most famous for their mascaras which are affordable and of great quality. Their Lash Princess collection is the most popular collection they have. I prefer the Bye-Bye Panda($4.99) eyes mascara, it doesn't have any fallout, and as the name says it doesn't give panda eyes. Their lip plumpers are also a top product for me, they give a nice plump for a good price.

3. NYX Professional Makeup

Searching for trendy and innovative products? NYX Professional Makeup should be at the top of your list. While their prices may vary, the value they provide is well worth it. One notable gem is their Soft Matte Lip Creams. These lip products deliver a comfortable, velvety finish that lasts for hours. I often see reviews praising how users love the extensive color range, with over 30 shades available.

Personally, my favourite products include the Line Loud lip liners and the Pro Fix Stick. The Line Loud lip liners are a smooth formula that glides on the lips easily, and they are on the more affordable side of lip liners as some cost $20 and up. The Pro Fix Stick is a concealer stick, they let you do colour matching on their website so you find your perfect shade.

4. elf

ELF cosmetics has grown to be a popular brand being available online and in stores. They are continuously creating new products, a lot of them being dupes for more high-end products like the Flawless Filter and Rare Beauty blushes.

My favourite product is the Camo C.C. Cream, it's a full-coverage foundation for only $19. They also have it available in a hydrating formula which is a good option for dry skin. The power grip primer is another great product that is affordable and a dupe for a high-end product.

5. Dollar Tree

Dollar Tree is a great place to find all kinds of affordable makeup. They have all the products you need including foundation, blush, mascara, eyeliner, etc. They also sell makeup tools which is a steal. They have brushes, sponges, tweezers, face gems, etc.

My favourite products from Dollar Tree are the face gems because they elevate any look you do and add some sparkle and any makeup tools are my go to. I only buy my beauty blenders from Dollar Tree since I need to replace them so often. They also sell lashes that are good quality and blushes that are highly pigmented.

Final Thoughts

My Final thoughts on these affordable makeup brands are that they are worth the money. You can find hidden gems that won't break the bank like the ioni lashes and the essence mascaras. I will always keep looking for different affordable brands that give the same quality as high-end brands.

I hope that this post will help you find some new products to add to your everyday makeup routine!