Glam on a Budget: Makeup Essentials at Ulta Under $20

Last Updated on July 23, 2024 by Kourtney Anderson Reviewed By: Lennie Guzman

The beauty industry is constantly changing and growing. With so many different products on the market, it can seem a tad overwhelming. Luckily, we have a one-stop beauty shop in Ulta with a range of affordable products and makeup essentials!

With its supply of both high-end products and more affordable (but still excellent!) options, Ulta caters to both beauty fanatics and beginners. There’s a little something for everyone. Over the years, Ulta has really evolved to keep up with the ever-changing beauty industry. But there’s still one thing you can count on: Ulta will have products you love and constantly reach for.

Today I want to share with you some makeup essentials from Ulta that I think every beauty lover should try. These are products that I’m constantly reaching for and always recommending. 

NYX Butter Gloss in the shade Tiramisu 

Looking for the perfect nude lip shade? Look no further! This gloss makes you look put together with minimal effort. Also, it wears just beautifully and feels great on your lips. Best of all, it’s super affordable! 

NYX lip pencil in the shade Citrine

You can’t go wrong with NYX lip products! This lip liner in the shade “Citrine” looks great on a wide range of different skin tones and pairs perfectly with the butter gloss. This lip liner can be worn all over the lips with a little gloss over top or to line the lips. 

Revlon One-Step Volumizer Hair Dryer

If there is one hair tool you need in your life, this is the one! Anyone that has thicker hair will benefit from this tremendously, as it cuts your hair-blowing time by more than half! It’s super easy to use; there’s no fussing around with this tool. Plus, you end up with salon-styled hair. What’s not to love? 

OGX thermal spray 

If you’re heat-styling your hair, you need a good heat protectant! This is my go-to thermal spray when blow-drying my hair since it not only protects against heat damage but also speeds up the drying process. 

CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion

Any skincare-obsessed lover will tell you that CeraVe has some of the most amazing products. The moisturizing lotion is definitely a holy grail product. It does its job plus has some amazing skin benefits, as it’s packed with ceramides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid. And let’s not forget that it has an SPF of 30! 

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum

Another CeraVe must-have! Everyone needs a good retinol product in their skincare lineup, and this one’s a winner. This product is great for evening skin tone, which is a must for anyone trying to fade acne scars. Retinols can be harsh, but this one helps to restore your protective skin barrier. 

The Ordinary Rosehip Seed Oil

You simply can’t go wrong with most products from The Ordinary. They have so many amazing skin care products that will help you achieve your skin goals. But if there is one product I’d tell you to try out, it would have to be this Rosehip Seed Oil. I think everyone needs good oil in their routine, and this one is king. This oil is lightweight, which makes it suitable for many skin types, and it’s just loaded with vitamins. 

Urban Decay All-Nighter Spray

Makeup lovers know you need a good makeup spray. Urban Decay’s All-Nighter Setting Spray is a cult favorite for a reason. As someone with oily skin, I can’t live without this product! 

Mascaras: L’Oréal & Covergirl

If you want to have envy-worthy eyelashes, this mascara from L’Oréal is for you! As someone who was not blessed with long, luscious eyelashes, I make sure my makeup bag always has this product. 

Covergirl has been my go-to mascara since I was in middle school for a good reason! It gives your lashes volume and length without looking clumpy. I find that a lot of volumizing mascaras can weigh your lashes down, but this one doesn’t do that. Instead, your lashes come out looking naturally long and thick. 

Face Primers: NYX and e.l.f

For a flawless-looking, long-wear foundation, a primer is a must. The one from NYX evens out your skin to make for a perfect canvas. It’s lightweight and doesn’t feel heavy or greasy on your face. As someone who has acne-prone skin, I find this product does not break me out either. 

If you’re looking for a more affordable primer, e.l.f has several really great options. This Poreless Putty Primer is one of the best ones though. It has a cult following because it’s a dupe for a more expensive primer from Tatcha. This one is also lightweight and does not feel heavy or greasy. 

ColourPop Highlighter

ColourPop is one of our favorite affordable brands. This highlighter is a must if you are looking for that luminous glow look, with an incredible long-wearing, buildable, and weightless formula… what’s not to love? You can also use it as an eyeshadow if you’re in a hurry. 

ColourPop Palette

There are TONS of eyeshadow palettes out there. However, if there’s one neutral palette with a twist of bright colors I could recommend, it would be the ‘You’re Golden Pressed Powder Palette‘. It has a beautiful variety of very wearable neutral shades that look good on anyone. I find that a lot of palettes have a few colors I would never use, but that’s not the case with this one. Every color is wearable and easy to incorporate into a look.

ColourPop Tinted Moisturizer

If you’re looking to take a break from more heavy-wearing foundations, a tinted moisturizer is a good choice. This one from ColourPop gives a light coverage that still hides redness and evens out your skin tone. 

e.l.f Hydrating Concealer

This concealer is long-wearing without being heavy or cakey. A lot of times concealers settle into fine lines, but this one won’t. It’s not drying at all, making it an excellent under-eye concealer.

L’oreal Fresh Wear 24HR Foundation 

L’oreal Fresh Wear 24HR Foundation is a truly standout beauty product! A must-have you absolutely need to pick up! In my opinion, it goes head to head with any high-end foundation. It works for almost any skin type and still works well for acne-prone skin. In addition, this foundation has buildable coverage that applies smoothly. You just can’t go wrong with this choice!

Conclusion

That’s it for my latest makeup essentials recommendations from Ulta! As you can see from this variety of beauty and skincare products, Ulta basically has everything you need without making you empty your wallet. As I see it, this store is the flagship for guilt-free and on-trend glamour.

But what’s your opinion? Do you have any additional suggestions that I left out? Leave your comments below, as we’d love to hear from all of our aspiring beauty mavens! Remember, as long as you look and feel great, there’s no wrong way to be glamorous!

Apply coupon code 221017 to receive $3.50 off your $15 purchase. Valid till 3/4/2023.

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