The $5 Makeup Kit Challenge: How a Chicago Student Looks Like a Professional Model on a Budget
Let me tell you about the day I realized I could look like a million bucks for the price of a sandwich.
I was scrolling through Instagram, watching a makeup artist transform a model into a glowing, airbrushed masterpiece. The product list in the caption was a mile long. Chanel foundation. Pat McGrath eyeshadow. Charlotte Tilbury setting spray. The total cost of the products? Over $500.
I looked at my own makeup bag. A few drugstore items I’d picked up on sale. A total value of maybe $40. I felt like I could never achieve that “professional” look with what I had.
Then I found a tutorial from a Chicago student. She was recreating the exact same model look. With products that cost less than $5 each. She used a Wet n Wild palette ($5), an Essence highlighter ($5), a Maybelline mascara ($7), and a NYX lip gloss ($5). The total cost of her entire kit was under $30.
She looked incredible. Professional. Polished. Like she had just stepped off a photoshoot.
I followed her tutorial. I used the same products. I looked in the mirror. I looked good. Not “good for drugstore” good. Just good.
That was two years ago. I’ve been using the “$5 makeup kit” philosophy ever since. I’ve tried dozens of drugstore products. I’ve learned which ones are worth it and which ones aren’t. And I’ve proven to myself that you don’t need expensive makeup to look like a professional model.
Today, I’m sharing the exact $5 makeup kit that a Chicago student used to look like a model. The products. The techniques. And the secrets to making cheap makeup look expensive.
Let’s get into it.
Jump Links
- The Chicago Student Who Changed How I Think About Makeup
- The $5 Makeup Kit: 7 Products Under $7 Each
- The Step-by-Step Routine (10 Minutes, 7 Products)
- How a Pro Makeup Artist Uses Drugstore Products on Real Models
- The Science of Making Cheap Makeup Look Expensive
- The Best Drugstore Dupes for High-End Favorites
- What to Splurge On (And What to Save On)
- The Math: What I Saved in One Year
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Final Thoughts: Your Makeup Bag Doesn’t Need a Designer Label
The Chicago Student Who Changed How I Think About Makeup
I need to describe that moment of realization.
I was watching a TikTok video. The creator was a student at a Chicago makeup school. She had access to professional-grade products, but she chose to use drugstore. She wanted to prove a point.
She said: “You don’t need expensive makeup to look good. You need good technique and the right cheap products.”
Then she did her makeup. She used a Wet n Wild eyeshadow palette ($5), an Essence highlighter ($5), a Maybelline mascara ($7), and a NYX lip gloss ($5). She finished with a $6 setting powder from Essence.
The final result was stunning. Her skin looked smooth. Her eyes looked defined. Her lips looked plump. She looked like a professional model.
I was shocked. I had been spending $30-50 on single products, thinking I needed high-end to look good. She had spent $30 on her entire kit. And she looked better than I ever did.
I decided to try it. I bought the exact products she recommended. The total cost was $33. I followed her tutorial step by step. My makeup looked better than it ever had with my expensive products.
That was the day I became a drugstore makeup convert. I’ve been using budget products ever since. I’ve saved hundreds of dollars. And I’ve never looked back.
The $5 Makeup Kit: 7 Products Under $7 Each
Here’s the exact kit the Chicago student used. Every product is under $7. Most are under $5.
The Base Products:
| Product | Price | What It Does | Why It’s Great |
|---|---|---|---|
| L’Oréal True Match Foundation | $10-12 | Evens skin tone | Blends like butter, lets skin peek through |
| Maybelline Fit Me Concealer | $6-8 | Brightens under-eyes, covers blemishes | Lightweight, buildable, doesn’t crease |
| Essence FLAWLESS SKIN Loose Setting Powder | $6 | Sets makeup, controls shine | Uses three color-correcting powders, melds to skin |
The Color Products:
| Product | Price | What It Does | Why It’s Great |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milani Baked Bronzer in Soleil | $8-10 | Adds warmth and dimension | Soft, buildable, natural-looking |
| Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso | $8-10 | Adds a peachy glow | Gives that soft, healthy flush |
| Wet n Wild Walking on Eggshells Palette | $5 | Neutral eye shadows | Versatile, easy to blend, long-lasting |
The Finish Products:
| Product | Price | What It Does | Why It’s Great |
|---|---|---|---|
| NYX Suede Liner in Tea and Cookies | $5-7 | Lines and defines lips | Creamy, long-wearing, comfortable |
| L’Oreal Paris Plump Ambition Hyaluron Lip Oil | $8-10 | Adds glossy, juicy color | Non-sticky, hydrating, beautiful shine |
Total cost of the kit: $48-58
That’s less than one high-end foundation. And it creates a full, professional-looking makeup look.
The student’s philosophy:
“Nothing makes me happier than finding really good products that are dirt cheap,” the student wrote. Her secret? “I’ve put all my years of experience into finding good beauty products for good prices”.
Where to find these products:
- Target, CVS, Walgreens, Ulta, and Dollar General
- Some of these products are also available at Dollar Tree
- The Wet n Wild palette and Essence products are widely available at drugstores
The Step-by-Step Routine (10 Minutes, 7 Products)
Here’s the exact routine the Chicago student used. It takes about 10 minutes.
Step 1: Create the perfect base (2 minutes)
Apply the L’Oréal True Match foundation. Use a damp sponge. Start in the center of your face and blend outward. The goal is a thin, even layer that lets your skin peek through.
Follow with the Maybelline Fit Me Concealer under your eyes and around your nose. Use a small amount. Blend upward toward your temples.
Step 2: Set the T-zone (1 minute)
Lightly dust the Essence setting powder on your T-zone (forehead, nose, chin). Don’t over-powder. You want to control shine, not flatten your skin.
Step 3: Add warmth and dimension (2 minutes)
Use the Milani Baked Bronzer in Soleil. Buff it around the perimeter of your face: temples, jawline, and under cheekbones. Keep it soft, not harsh.
Apply the Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso to the apples of your cheeks. Blend upward toward your temples.
Step 4: Create the eye look (3 minutes)
This is the most important step. Use the Wet n Wild Walking on Eggshells palette.
- Apply the light beige shade all over your lid.
- Use the warm brown shade in your crease. Blend thoroughly.
- Use the deeper brown shade on the outer corner of your eye.
The key is blending. Blend until there are no harsh lines.
Step 5: Define your eyes (1 minute)
Apply two coats of your favorite mascara. The Maybelline Lash Sensational is a great affordable option.
Step 6: Finish with lips (1 minute)
Use the NYX Suede Liner in Tea and Cookies to line and fill in your lips. Apply the L’Oreal Lip Oil on top for a glossy, juicy finish.
Total time: 10 minutes
Pro tip from a makeup artist:
“Spend time on skin prep” – moisturizing and priming makes all the difference. Also, “apply thin layers and build gradually. Blend edges thoroughly. This makes the biggest difference in making drugstore makeup look elevated”.
How a Pro Makeup Artist Uses Drugstore Products on Real Models
If you think drugstore makeup is only for beginners, think again. Professional makeup artists use drugstore products on their celebrity clients.
Celebrity makeup artist Kelli Anne Sewell:
Sewell uses drugstore products almost as often as luxury ones. Her philosophy: “I honestly think this is better than some high-end formulas”.
Her drugstore favorites:
- Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara: “I always say don’t waste your money on high-end mascara when the drugstore is better. It lengthens and volumizes and is never flaky or crusty. I use it on every single one of my clients”.
- Maybelline Lifter Liner: “Insane… one of the best formulas, period. It glides on with a very smooth application. Give it 30 seconds to dry down and then it’s waterproof, transfer-proof, and so long-wearing”.
- NYX Micro Brow Pencil: “A staple in my professional kit. I haven’t used another brow pencil in over two years. The perfect balance of dry and waxy. It gives you hair-like strokes, blends easier, and never breaks”.
Bethenny Frankel’s drugstore discovery:
Bethenny Frankel, the reality star and businesswoman, swears by the Essence FLAWLESS SKIN trio loose setting powder ($6). She called it a hidden luxury beauty product and said it gives a “bright and intimidating” look.
What this proves:
If professional makeup artists use drugstore products on their famous clients, you can definitely use them on yourself. Price doesn’t determine quality. Skill and product selection do.
The Science of Making Cheap Makeup Look Expensive
Here’s what separates a “drugstore” look from a “professional” look. It’s not the products. It’s the technique.
Secret #1: Thin layers
“Apply thin layers and build gradually”. Most people use too much product. A thin, even layer always looks more expensive than thick, heavy coverage.
Secret #2: Blend, blend, blend
The difference between average and polished often comes down to blending. Take an extra 30 seconds to blend your eyeshadow, blush, and contour. It makes a world of difference.
Secret #3: Skin prep is non-negotiable
“Spend time on skin prep”. Moisturizing and priming creates a smooth canvas. Makeup applies better. It lasts longer.
Secret #4: Set strategically
“Press powder into the skin instead of sweeping”. Pressing sets the makeup without disturbing it. Sweeping can move it around.
Secret #5: Focus on balance
“If eyes are bold, keep lips softer. If lips are bold, keep eyes simpler”. Balance creates polish. Too much everywhere looks chaotic.
The Best Drugstore Dupes for High-End Favorites
You don’t need to buy the expensive version. Here are the best dupes.
| High-End Product | Price | Drugstore Dupe | Price | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pat McGrath Eyeshadow Palette | $125 | Wet n Wild Walking on Eggshells Palette | $5 | $120 |
| Charlotte Tilbury Setting Powder | $45 | Essence FLAWLESS SKIN Powder | $6 | $39 |
| Benefit Precisely My Brow Pencil | $26 | NYX Micro Brow Pencil | $10 | $16 |
| Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara | $28 | Maybelline Lash Sensational | $8 | $20 |
| NARS Orgasm Blush | $30 | Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso | $9 | $21 |
What the beauty editor said:
Pro makeup artist Kelli Anne Sewell’s five favorite drugstore products cost $58 total. “That’s not bad, considering one luxury beauty product can cost that (if not much, much more). It’s proof that pro-level results are possible for a small price”.
The lesson:
You can get 90% of the performance for 20% of the price. The difference is packaging and marketing, not the formula.
What to Splurge On (And What to Save On)
Not everything needs to be drugstore. Here’s what’s worth spending on and what you can save on.
Save (drugstore is fine):
| Category | Why It’s Fine | Best Budget Brand |
|---|---|---|
| Mascara | “Don’t waste your money on high-end mascara when the drugstore is better” | Maybelline Lash Sensational |
| Brow pencil | “I haven’t used another brow pencil in over two years” | NYX Micro Brow Pencil |
| Setting powder | “This is better than some high-end formulas” | Essence FLAWLESS SKIN |
| Lip liner | “One of the best formulas, period” | NYX Suede Liners |
| Eyeshadow | “I’m shocked at how much use I’ve gotten out of it” | Wet n Wild palettes |
Splurge (worth spending more):
| Category | Why It’s Worth It | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation | Matching your exact skin tone is easier with more shade options | L’Oréal True Match (still drugstore, but choose shade carefully) |
| Concealer | Higher-end concealers have better staying power and fewer creases | NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer |
| Primer | Good primer makes all makeup last longer | Milk Makeup Hydro Grip or Smashbox Photo Finish |
My rule of thumb:
- Skincare: spend (quality moisturizer and sunscreen matter)
- Foundation: spend a little (shade match is worth it)
- Everything else: save (you won’t notice the difference)
The Math: What I Saved in One Year
Let me break down the actual dollars.
Before (using high-end makeup):
| Product | Price | How Often | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation | $45 | Every 3 months | $180 |
| Concealer | $30 | Every 4 months | $90 |
| Setting powder | $35 | Every 6 months | $70 |
| Bronzer | $35 | Every 8 months | $52 |
| Blush | $30 | Every year | $30 |
| Eyeshadow palette | $55 | Every year | $55 |
| Mascara | $25 | Every 3 months | $100 |
| Lip liner | $20 | Every 6 months | $40 |
| Lip gloss | $25 | Every 4 months | $75 |
| Total | $692 |
After (using drugstore makeup):
| Product | Price | How Often | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation | $12 | Every 3 months | $48 |
| Concealer | $8 | Every 4 months | $24 |
| Setting powder | $6 | Every 6 months | $12 |
| Bronzer | $9 | Every 8 months | $13.50 |
| Blush | $9 | Every year | $9 |
| Eyeshadow palette | $5 | Every year | $5 |
| Mascara | $8 | Every 3 months | $32 |
| Lip liner | $6 | Every 6 months | $12 |
| Lip gloss | $8 | Every 4 months | $24 |
| Total | $179.50 |
Annual savings: $512.50
Over 5 years: $2,562.50
What I did with the savings:
- Bought a nice set of makeup brushes (good tools matter)
- Invested in a skincare routine (makes makeup look better)
- Put the rest into savings
The best part: My makeup looks better now than it did with expensive products. Because I learned to apply it properly.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can drugstore makeup really look as good as high-end?
Yes. Celebrity makeup artists use drugstore products on their clients. The difference is technique, not price. “Price does not determine quality. Skill and product selection do”. With proper application, drugstore makeup can look just as polished as high-end.
2. What are the best drugstore makeup brands?
Wet n Wild, e.l.f., Essence, NYX, Maybelline, and Milani are consistently good. Essence in particular is known for setting powder. NYX has excellent brow pencils and lip liners. Wet n Wild eyeshadows are surprisingly pigmented.
3. How do I make my cheap makeup last all day?
Prep your skin with moisturizer and primer. Apply thin layers. Set with a powder. Use a setting spray. A makeup artist recommends: “Press powder into your skin instead of sweeping it. This makes it last longer”.
4. What drugstore products do professional makeup artists use?
Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara, NYX Micro Brow Pencil, and Maybelline Lifter Liners are used by pro makeup artist Kelli Anne Sewell. Essence setting powder is used by Bethenny Frankel. Wet n Wild palettes are used by beauty creators.
5. Is it worth buying expensive mascara?
No. “Don’t waste your money on high-end mascara when the drugstore is better”. Drugstore mascaras (like Maybelline Lash Sensational) perform as well or better than luxury mascaras. And they’re $8 vs $25+.
6. What should I spend money on vs. save on?
Spend on skincare, foundation (for shade matching), and primer. Save on mascara, brow pencils, setting powder, lip liners, and eyeshadow. Good drugstore options exist for all of these.
Final Thoughts: Your Makeup Bag Doesn’t Need a Designer Label
Here’s what I want you to take away.
The $30 makeup kit that student used changed how I think about beauty. I used to think expensive products were better. I used to think I needed high-end brands to look polished.
I was wrong.
The Wet n Wild palette is $5. The Essence highlighter is $5. The Maybelline mascara is $8. They work. They work really well. Professional makeup artists use them on celebrity clients.
The difference between a cheap makeup look and an expensive makeup look isn’t the price tag. It’s the technique. It’s the thin layers. It’s the blending. It’s the skin prep.
So next time you’re tempted to spend $45 on a foundation or $35 on an eyeshadow palette, pause. Go to the drugstore. Pick up a Wet n Wild palette for $5. A NYX lip liner for $6. A Maybelline mascara for $8.
Learn to apply them. Practice your technique. Watch tutorials. Get better.
You’ll save hundreds of dollars. And you’ll look just as good.
That’s the frugal glow. And it’s waiting for you at the drugstore. 💄💛
For more affordable beauty tips, product reviews, and money-saving makeup strategies, visit The Frugal Glow.
