2020 is the year when you should spend your money wisely and save as much as you can. If you are a new bride who is wanting to put together a basic makeup kit, or a professional who wants some basic makeup to look put together for your video calls then this blog post is meant for you. I bring to you my list of the best makeup in India under 500 bucks – 2020 edition! Keep on reading!
1. Foundation/CC Cream
When it comes to affordable foundations under 500, there are very few good options unless you consider discounted products. I will recommend picking the Lakme CC Cream, if you can find your shade in it, for a light to medium buildable coverage. Another decent option is the Maybelline Fit Me Foundation which has a wider shade selection and provides light coverage. With the right concealer and powder on top, you can make either of these products work really well for you.
2. Concealer
My absolute favourite concealer that is priced at just under 500 bucks is the PAC Take Cover Concealer. This concealer is available in a huge shade range and has a beautiful medium coverage and blendable consistency. You can use it under your eyes and on blemishes too. It provides non-cakey coverage that lasts all day long.
3. Powder
To set your base makeup in place, you can either use the Maybelline Fit Me Powder or the Wet n Wild Photo Focus Powder. Both these powders are finely milled and offer a non-chalky, natural finish on the skin.
4. Lipstick
I could name a 100 different lipsticks under 500 that work really well for me but that would only confuse you. I’m keeping it simple and boiling down my list to two options, both of which are comfortable to wear and come in a wide range of shades to suit everybody’s needs. These are the Nykaa So Creme Lipsticks in the classic bullet format and the Miss Clair’s Soft Matte Lip Cream in the velvet liquid lipstick formula.
5. Kajal
I will name only one Kajal, and it is the absolute best Kajal under 500 bucks in India in my opinion. It is none other than the Nykaa EyemBlack Kajal Pencil. You can use it on your waterline as well as your lashline. It is jet black and lasts all day long in my watery eyes with minimal smudging. Go get this guys!
6. Liner
You can always use your kajal as a liner but if you do have the budget to invest in a liquid liner then I will recommend getting a matte black formula because it looks so much more flattering that glossy liners IMO. I will recommend the Nykaa Get Inked Sketch Eyeliner Pen because it is easy to use and offers decent pigmentation.
7. Mascara
A good mascara is that secret makup item that will instantly make you look more awake and put together even when you have minimal makeup on your face. I will recommend the Maybelline Colossal Volum Express Mascara (Waterproof variant) and the Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascare for both volume and length.
8. Eyeshadow
All my lovely brides to be, please do not waste your money on huge, cheap eyeshadow palettes that are full of chalky eyeshadows that give close to zero pigmentation, or the same dull grey colour on the lids. It is better to invest in fewer eyshadows in browney tones that have a rich and blendable formula. I will recommend the Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Palette in the shade Rose is in the Air because it is a good mix of nudes and colours that will look good on all Indian skin tones.
9. Eyebrow Product
If you practice it a bit, you can fill in your eyebrows using a matte brown eyeshadow. But if you lack the patience for that, I will recommend picking up the Nykaa Take A Brow Eyebrow Filling Powder which is perfect for both a natural and dramatic look and is fairly beginner friendly.
10. Blush
Again, you can be clever and use your lipstick as a blush, but if you prefer powder blushes then the ones from Sugar Cosmetics won’t disappoint! The Sugar Contour de Force Mini Blush comes in 5 different shades that will suit a spectrum of Indian skin tones. My favourite is Coral Climax.
11. Highlighter
If you want to glow like nobody’s business then pick up the Wet n Wild Precious Petals Highlighter without thinking twice. It provides the most beautiful golden-wet glow to the face without being gliterry or chunky. I like to bathe in this highlighter on most days so you can trust that I love it! No list of best makeup in India under 500 bucks can be complete without this product!
12. Contour
You don’t necessarily need a contouring product unless you wear a full coverage foundation, but I will still recommend picking one up to look more chiselled in photographs. The Sugar Contour de Force Mini Bronzers and the Wet n Wild Mega Glo Contouring Palette are my picks for easy and effortless contouring under 500 bucks.
13. Brushes
If you do not have the budget to invest in a full brush kit, I will recommend picking up at least one foundation brush, because either you should have well-blended base makeup or no base makeup at all. I will recommend the PAC Foundation Brush which is priced at just under 500 bucks. If you are buying eyeshadows as well, I will recommend at least one PAC Eyeshadow Blending brush so that you can use two shades on your lids to create a beautiful transition.
If you have reached this far, you now have some great recommendations of the best makeup in India under 500 bucks to build your makeup kit. Do let me know if you purchase any of these products in the comments below!