Dorothy Gray Lip Service 1940s makeup advertisement

I'm strictly a drug store makeup kind of girl. I love high end makeup but I'm on a housewife's budget. Buying cheap makeup doesn't mean that you have to buy bad quality, though! Here are some of my favorite things that I use daily and swear by. NYX is my favorite makeup brand. With high pigments, smooth application, long-lasting wear and prices just a little more than ELF, you can't beat it! I haven't tried anything yet from NYX that I don't love.

 I don't have any "steals of the week" this time since most of these are very affordable drug store cosmetics, they're all a great buy! You can find most of these from Beauty Encounter, where you can get free shipping on orders $60 or more and receive discounts with the BE Perks program.

vintage face makeup Revlon and Coty Airspun Powder

For Face
Revlon Colorstay for Combo/Oily Skin in 150 Buff- a full coverage, oil free foundation. I compared it to a sample of MAC Matchmasters and it was identical in coverage, color and texture for much less. It is a very heavy coverage, just like MAC but if you want a quick, even application with a flawless finish, it's a great product!

Coty Airspun Powder When I was a little girl, my mom used Coty Airspun so I always used it. Coty has been around since 1935. It's a gorgeous, very fine powder with a light flowery scent that reminds me of mom.

I'll use any peachy blush but I really like NYX blush in "pinched" I want to try their stick blushes next.




best NYX makeup picks via Va-Voom Vintage


for eyes
NYX eyeshadow base in skintone I never used eyeshadow primers before but since I ordered several of their things I thought I'd try the eyeshadow base. This is a great primer, which lasts an eternity and I often wear it by itself for a classic and clean 1940s look.

NYX Eye Shadows - Being a drug store makeup girl, I was used to drug store shadows. They don't blend well, they aren't highly pigmented- they're hit or miss. I refused to spend $15 per color on MAC shadows but I read a lot of people raving about NYX shadows so I bought a 10 color palette in neutral shades to start with. They are absolutely fabulous!! They have some great trio palettes for $6 each, 9 shadow palettes for $10 and singles are $4.50
NYX The Curve Liner - I liked the funky shape of this liner when I saw it. I bought one a few months ago and it quickly became my favorite liner. The ergonomic design helps the liner fit in your hand comfortably, reducing shaky hands while you're trying to do your cat eye. This liner has a felt tip and jet black formula. ELF felt tip liner is a good alternative if you're on a very tight budget

Gel Liner - for the lower lash line, I use a super fine brush to line from the center lash to corner and out. Bunny gave me a Stila Smudge Pot when she came to visit and I love it! I've been using it daily since April and have barely made a dent in it. Stila takes a bit longer to dry than other gel liners.

maybelline full n' soft  in black, waterproof formula- since I was 14, I've been using Maybelline Full n' Soft. I've tried several others but nothing compares. When I was a teenager, I wanted lashes like Ginger from Gilligan's Island and if you don't want to use false lashes, this is the next best thing. I've recommended it to several friends and they are always blown away by the thick look but it leaves your lashes feeling soft and flexible, unlike other formulas (ahem- Lashblast!)

vintage lipstick colors from NYX Cosmetics via Va Voom Vintage


For lips

I love NYX matte and extra creamy lipsticks. The matte can be a little drying but not nearly as bad as wet n' wild or MAC mattes. I usually slick on a thin coat of moisturizer and blot it. These lipsticks range from $4- $6 each. Some of my favorites are Indie Flick  Pure Red  Electra  Snow White



Do you have any favorite drug store makeup products?




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