9 beauty experts share their must-have affordable buys

If you were to dig through most beauty experts' makeup bags and bathroom shelves, chances are you would find a mix of high and low-priced products — as we all know, paying more doesn't necessarily mean you're getting more. Some of the best products on the market are actually quite affordable. But, how to know which budget buys are the real gems? Start right here. We asked nine Canadian beauty and style writers and makeup artists and experts to browse their own bags and top shelves, and share their favourite affordable beauty products of the moment. Everything here is expert-approved, effective, and as-importantly, under $30. 

Nneka Elliott, beauty writer

"I picked this up by accident and now it stays permanently in my handbag. I'm always surprised that it doesn't make my skin look ashy. It's very lightweight but mattifies slick spots without much effort. I've used it sparingly, alone, for a clean look, or overtop my foundation to lock it in. In both cases I use a powder brush." 

Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder, $8.98, Walmart

Haley Bogaert, makeup pro and founder of HBFace

"An eyelash curler is essential to any makeup routine because curled lashes give the illusion of bigger and more awake eyes (even on those days when you didn't get as much shut eye as you hoped). The Kevyn Aucoin eyelash curler grabs every lash, curling them perfectly to create the wow-factor effect without pinching your lids like some lash curlers tend to do. I use it every day, whether it's prepping my lashes for a swipe of mascara or when I'm going for a natural look and just running out the door. I always recommend clamping the curler down twice to get the most dramatic look, first close to the lash line, holding for a few seconds, and then again a bit further away. Pro tip: you can also concentrate the curl at the outer corner to create the illusion of a more elongated, almond-shaped eye." 

Kevyn Aucoin The Eyelash Curler, $28, Sephora

Michelle Bilodeau, writer and editor 

"I really like the Lanolips' balm. It's a staple lip product. I love Bite Beauty too, but they're changing their agave lip balm and taking the lanolin out. I love Lano's version because I frequently have dry lips and I can also get cold sores quite easily if my lips get too dry. This one is pretty lightweight, and I can put it on just as I'm going out of the house quickly to protect myself while I'm walking my daughter to daycare. I also find it's a really good base under lipstick, so I'll put some on and blot it with a tissue and top it off with lipstick. I find my lips don't feel like they're drying out because of the lipstick." 

Lano The Original 101 Ointment Mulitpurpose Superbalm, $23, Sephora

Emily MacCulloch, beauty expert and T-Zone founder

"I'm a firm believer that blush can make or break a beauty look, and these newly launched Maybelline New York cream blushes make applying that perfect flush to the cheek completely foolproof. The lightweight formula is sheer enough that you can go for a hint of tint or build it up for a more saturated splash of colour and the six-colour range has something for every skin tone (my personal fave is Rose Flush). The drugstore aisle was in desperate need of an A+ blush, and these little tubes deliver and then some. The gel-like formula blends easily using your fingers but for a more subtle, diffused look, I recommend using a dense, flat-top brush like the M.A.C. 130 makeup brush to really buff the colour onto the apples of your cheeks."

Maybelline New York Cheek Heat Gel-Cream Blush, $8.96, Walmart

Christopher Turner, writer 

"One of the simplest parts of my often overly complicated morning skincare routine is swiping a drop of The Ordinary's Caffeine Solution around my eye area. I apply the light serum before using my eye cream and moisturizer for extra hydration, which I tend to need in the winter months. The combination of caffeine and green tea extract work together as the perfect pick-me-up for tired eyes, and the lactic acid helps brighten and smooth while reducing dark spots without irritation. Even better? The too-good-to-be-true price point."

The Ordinary's Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG, $6.70, Sephora

Mishal Cazmi, beauty writer, editor, and founder of 100 ML

"I usually don't gravitate toward makeup palettes because they're either too big and cumbersome or too compact and difficult to use. This slim blush and highlighter palette from Catrice isn't just a good size, it also holds the perfect amount of product that you can dip your brush into with ease. The colours have great pigment and just the right finish, giving you a soft, diffused glow (rather than a hard shimmer), that's ideal for daytime wear. I use a fluffy brush to buff the blush on my cheeks and dust the second highlighter shade on top if I'm looking for an extra pop."

Catrice Luminice Highlight & Blush Palette, $11.99, Shoppers Drug Mart 

Kyne Santos, makeup artist and Youtuber

"My favourite affordable beauty buy is the NYX Epic Ink Liner. It's a basic black liquid eyeliner but it's super black, the tip is precise, it never smudges on me and stays all night. I stock up on multiples because it's so affordable and I always like having back-ups. I use it to create a thick winged liner every single time I do my makeup, and sometimes I use it for fine lines in more artful looks."

Epic Ink Liner, $12, NYX Cosmetics

Renee Tse, beauty writer and on-air expert

"I've always used gels or creams when it comes to showering, so I was pleasantly surprised [with this product's] foam texture and how nourishing it felt on my skin. After walking out of the shower, not only does my skin feel hydrated and clean, I also love that the fragrance of berries lingers in the bathroom long after my bath. Shake the bottle well and squeeze the foam onto your hands. One pump is enough to lather your whole body." 

Bath Therapy Relaxing Blend Shower Foam, $22.10, Biotherm

Carly Ostroff, beauty writer and on-air expert

"I always love to test what's new and trending in skincare. These Olay serum sticks caught my attention right away because I haven't seen serums packaged like this before. In general, beauty sticks are pretty foolproof. It's almost impossible to screw up the application. I put this on after cleansing, right before moisturizer and makeup. It has B3 which is ultra-hydrating and cactus water, which gives it this refreshing cooling effect. Did I mention it's completely perfect for travel?"

Olay Cooling Hydration Pressed Serum Stick, $20.16, Amazon

Carly Ostroff is a Toronto-based fashion and beauty writer, content creator and TV expert. Follow along with her @carlyostroff.