Cheap Tricks to Try Out at the Drug Store Makeup Counter

The idea behind this feature is not to discredit luxury items. But tough times call for tough choices. However, that doesn't mean bad choices.

Today's topic is the makeup and cosmetics counter. Our expert -- Jessica Dana of jessicadana.com is a hairstylist, body art and makeup artist. She's worked with professional grade and bargain products, and she has some smart tips about going cheap. One of her best tips was that people should start with proper skin care. Three of the biggest skin offenses are using drying cleanser, not exfoliating and not applying sunblock.

CANDICE M. SMITH, 29, SOUTH CITY, MO.
Problem -- Loves the vivid M.A.C eyeshadow colors and cream eyeliners, but says they slide off her face or settle into creases, and she's eager to find another foundation and concealer that won't pinch her wallet quite so much.

Cheap trick -- First, Dana suggested that Candice start her makeup regime with oil-free eye-makeup remover. Heavy eye creams, face creams or natural oils from the skin create a slippery surface on the face if you don't start the day with a clean slate. A swipe of oil-free eye-makeup remover remedies that.

Secondly, Dana said that Candice's problem is not in the products, but in her application. Candice was using cream types of product on her face, but she wasn't setting them with a powder.

Then, Dana recommended the L'Oreal Paris True Match super-blendable powder in cocoa ($10.49) paired with the L'Oreal Paris True Match super-blendable compact makeup with SPF sunscreen in soft sable ($12.99) and L'Oreal Bare Naturale, gentle mineral blush, in bare honey ($14.99). The powders can each be applied alone for lighter coverage, but for blemishes and uneven skin the products can be combined for full coverage.

Dana suggested the L'Oreal line because she said it had the best range of colors for Candice's darker skin tone. She noted that darker skin is harder to match with drugstore products, so don't be shy about returning a product that doesn't suit your complexion. (It's hard to judge a product without trying the shade on your skin.)

Candice's verdict -- The compact didn't seem to blend as well initially, "but as I put on the powder and finished the look it seems just fine. It seems to streak a little bit when I put it on, but it could just be my technique."

"The blush is wonderful! I asked her about using a bronzer, and she came up with this blush that seems pretty good applied as a bronzer. It has light coverage and I choose not to layer it too much so the glow is just right for my taste. People have noticed the 'glow' and commented that it looks nice.

The powder seems to set the foundation well. I told her I had a problem with oil and eye shadow collecting in the crease of my eyelids and the powder seemed to mitigate that fairly well. I put on my eye color after using the powder and it even makes the color pop a bit more.

I'm satisfied with the products. It takes a bit longer than my normal routine, but I can deal with that."