A professional makeup artist shares her best beauty buys under $30
IMAGE VIA @ithinksheafreak/INSTAGRAM
WORDS BY SHANNON VALENTINE
An expert on the best affordable beauty products.
Let’s be honest – makeup and skincare, unless you were blessed with the forward-thinking of trial and error as a teen, is a whole new world for some of us women in our mid-20s. Maybe you’re getting settled and thinking about it more, or you’ve only just gotten to the point of affording to invest and experiment.
Maybe you’re starting to go to events and want to be looking your best. But for the girlies with lots going on, the cost of lots of beauty products can be quite daunting.
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It can be time-consuming trying to find good products that won’t blow the budget. So if you’re looking for an affordable lash-lengthening mascara or glowy skin serum, it’s best to trust the experts. For honest product reviews, we chatted to First Nations makeup artist Kaydee Kyle-Taylor about her favourite beauty buys under $30.
Kaydee Kyle-Taylor is a professional makeup artist with seven-plus years of industry experience. Recently, she was named Melbourne Fashion Week’s Head Makeup Artist, following her involvement with Australian Fashion Week. She specialises in and caters to BIPOC clientele, and works to fill the gap in representation in the fashion and beauty industries. Here are her budget beauty picks.
NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream
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“This one is a must-have. I like NYX because they’re quite inclusive.” Kaydee says. “Bags are getting smaller and smaller, but an NYX lipstick always fits into our fun, tiny, quirky bags.” Kaydee wears the shade ‘Athens’ with a lip liner.
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Morphe Make It Big Mascara
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According to Kaydee, this is the perfect mascara for “thick, dark lashes”. As well as the regular size, this mascara comes in a more affordable travel mini.
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Fit Me Matte+ Poreless Powder
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A budget-savvy option compared to higher-end powders, the Maybelline Fit Me Matte+ Poreless Powder is a trusty fave. Offering what Kaydee describes a “soft matte finish,” this is the perfect ending to your full face of makeup.
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The Ordinary Skincare Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
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“If I had to recommend a serum, I would recommend this to everyone… the Ordinary Skincare Niacinamide + Zinc serum.” Kyle-Taylor says. “[It] sits great under makeup and it’s a great barrier between the makeup [and skin]. Everyone needs to have niacinamide in their skincare routine.”
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Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
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“One of my favourite cleansers is in the Cetaphil range.” Kaydee says. “I use Cetaphil a lot in my skincare because I have eczema, so I like the gentle cleanser, it’s great for sensitive skin.”
Get it here.
For more of Kaydee and her work, head here.
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