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By Justine Chavez

@vivalaajustine

As it is, college is already a stressful time for students. Staying on top of school, working, trying to balance a social life and keeping up with the latest trends is by no means easy. So don’t get played by big brand makeup companies. Luckily, I have some vital beauty dupes that everyone on a budget needs to know.

The backbone to a flawless complexion is foundation. I love all the high end brands as much as the next girl but sometimes it’s hard to justify spending $40 on foundation when I can get a drugstore one that is just as good. Cover FX Power Play foundation is perfect for giving you that smooth, full coverage airbrushed look and it isn’t super cakey either. It retails at $44 and it comes with 1.18 fluid ounces. L’oreal Infallible matte foundation is the solution. Found at any drugstore and retailing at only $13 you’re still getting the same flawless finish for less than half the price. Medium, buildable coverage and it comes with one fluid ounce.

You can’t achieve a flawless face without a good primer, so let’s get into it. I know all my Rihanna fans hopped on that Fenty Beauty line as soon as it dropped, myself included, and let me tell you, she slayed the whole line. The Fenty Primer has been one of the most reviewed items from her line and has people with all skin types loving it. When trying to find the perfect primer, the key to find one that suits your skin type, which is a challenge in itself. The Fenty PRO FILT’R primer diminishes pores and smoothes out your face to give you that flawless foundation look. It comes with 1.08 ounces which is actually a good amount of product and it retails for $32. If you’re on the fence about spending that kind of money without really knowing how it’ll work for you, I have a solution. A hidden gem that more people need to know about is Touch In Sol’s No Problem Primer. Perfect for all skin types, this primer also smoothes all fine lines and pores and comes with 1.01 ounces. Retailing at only $18 this product is a must try.

To hide those ugly under eye bags that I know everyone hates, concealer is every makeup users best friend. Great for getting rid of dark spots, blemishes/imperfections and helping us look alive. I’m sure you can guess which one I’m going to talk about and yes, it’s everyone’s favorite Tarte Shape Tape. You can’t watch a makeup tutorial without seeing the Shape Tape concealer. If you ask me, its overpriced and overplayed, containing .33 ounces and retail at $27. But of course, I have an amazing dupe that is just as good. Colorpop’s No Filter concealer is just as bomb. No matter how bad your dark circles are or how red that stubborn pimple is, this concealer covers everything. It Contains .14 ounces and sells for only $6.

Let me just start by saying if you use concealer and walk out of the house without setting your eyes, you need to find a new hobby because I know nobody likes walking around with creased under eyes that make you look 10 years older. So, a popular choice for setting powder is the Laura Mercier translucent setting powder. It sells for $38 at Sephora and it comes with 1 ounce of powder. But, Airspun has an alternative that you need to know about. Sold at CVS and Walgreen’s, this setting powder is essential to not only keep your concealer intact, but it also brightens your under eyes to keep you looking fresh and awake. It sells for only $6 and comes with 2.3 ounces.

Almost every beauty guru’s holy grail is Two Faced Better Than Sex mascara. Retailing at $23 it is pretty expensive for a mascara. Luckily for you I have an alternative that won’t hurt your pockets. L’oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise is the answer. If you’re looking for a voluminous, cat eye effect this is a must try. It can be found at any drug store for only $10 and no one would ever know the difference.

To ensure that we’re blinding all the haters, we need a good highlight. Becca Moonstone Highlight gives you a very nice iridescent shimmer that sometimes gleams pink, blue or even green. But for $38? Yeah right. Colorpop’s Lunch Money highlight is the perfect dupe retailing at only $8 and will have you walking around looking like the baddest little glazed doughnut on campus.

Is your lipgloss poppin’? Because, if not, you’ve come to the right place. If you’re like me, a nude lip is your signature staple. I probably have about 40 lipsticks/lip glosses that are all within the same three shades of pink. A personal favorite is Kat Von D’s Bow N Arrow liquid lipstick. A nice mauve matte that pairs perfectly with any makeup look. This one retails for $20 and you have to go to Sephora to get it, although NYX has a dupe that is pretty similar in color and for less than half the price. Sold at any local drugstore, NYX Sandstorm suede liquid lipstick is only $7.

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