A couple of weeks ago, Julia and I presented in Chicago’s
annual Seedcon Fast Pitch contest. One of our biggest challenges was explaining
the virtues of getting one’s makeup done to a predominantly male group of
judges. With the help of our mentors at Booth, we crafted a presentation that
was chock-full of visuals, enabling those unfamiliar (dudes) to understand the
concept of special event makeup. I used my teeny tiny makeup bag as a prop,
illustrating the point that I don’t have the tools in my arsenal (let alone the
skill) to make the magic happen.
When we were done presenting, I was filled with adrenalin
and ready for the open bar. In a rush of excitement, I dropped my prop in what
I thought was my purse… but it wasn’t. When I went to my purse the next morning
to get ready for the day, my makeup bag (and all of the makeup I own) wasn’t in
there.
So, instead of hitting the books, I hit the stores. In a
way, it was nice to have a clean slate. There are products I can’t live
without, but there are also those products that I continue to replenish out of
laziness and ignorance of alternatives. So here was a fresh start - a complete makeup overhaul. Of course, as a
student and bootstrapping entrepreneur, I was in no position to go crazy. So, I
started at my neighborhood Walgreens.
I am a firm believer that drugstore mascara brands are not
only cheaper, but often better because the cosmetic powerhouses have the resources
and competitive push to innovate. My
logic is echoed by Oprah Magazine Beauty Director Valerie Monroe who says, “there are terrific [mascara] options at the
drugstore, home of big brands with great research and development teams.
Because they're vying for your loyalty, these companies are constantly
developing cutting-edge applicator and pigment technologies.” So mascara,
check. I also picked up brushes which some of you might be thinking is dicey,
but bare with me. Big brand brushes are incredibly expensive (and I had to replace
every single brush at once). I have also come to love EcoTools brushes. They are
cheap, soft, don’t shed, keep their shape, and are available in almost all drugstores.
When I did some Googling, I found that many of
you out there also think they're an incredible alternative to the “good
stuff.”
Of course, there
are some things I will shell out for. Don’t get me started on moisturizers... let’s just continue the makeup discussion for now. Benefit bronzers (i.e. Hula)
and Nars blushes (love the cream variety), cannot be replaced by a drugstore
alternative. So, of course, I quickly picked up a new one of each after I left
Walgreens. I was also introduced to Benefit’s Hello Flawless powder compact and
liquid foundation, and I am loving both.
Well, that’s about
as girly as I get. But hey, this stuff can make a big difference to how you
look and feel. Very curious to hear what everyone thinks – what are the luxury
products that are worth your hard earned cash and where does the budget brand
more than fit the bill?
