If I had to buy an entirely new makeup collection from Target

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Reader Questions: the “no poo” method.

Is the title of this blog post long enough for you?


I’ve been thinking about doing something like this for awhile. I thought it could possibly answer some questions that I get about drugstore brands versus professional/high end brands. So let me set up the scenario for you.

Let’s say my entire makeup bag went missing. Perhaps I was flying back from my vacation in Figi with my husband and somehow the airline lost my bag that contained my makeup bag. This airline would not be Southwest Airlines because they are the best and would never loose my bag ::cough-delta-cough:: .

Let’s also say I had a very important event to attend the night I realize my makeup is gone. Maybe it’s a party, or something where I’d like to look “my best”. 

After shedding a single tear (or thirty), I would compose myself and drive over to Target. And here is how I would furnish my new makeup collection if Target was the only store I could get to. 



First, I’d hit up Revlon for my foundation. I’d grab the Nearly Naked liquid foundation. I would be tempted by the Loreal Magic Nude Liquid Powder Foundation, but I haven’t heard anything about it yet so I would hold off.

I’d toss the Loreal Visible Lift Color Blush in Peach Gold into my basket, I mean cart.

I’d pick up this e.l.f. High Definition Translucent Powder to set my makeup. It’s kind of messy, but it does the job.

For under-eye concealer, I’d grab the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer. It looks creamy and nice for the under-eye area.

For eyeshadow, I’d pick the e.l.f. Eyelid Primer, and this really pretty quad from Maybelline. I’d finish the eye makeup shopping with an eyeliner from Revlon in Black, and my favorite CoverGirl Mascara. Oh, and I’d curl my lashes with Revlon’s Eyelash curler.

The CoverGirl Brow and Eye Makers Pencil in Blonde would finish off my eyebrows.

And finally, for lips, I’d grab Revlon’s Super Lustrous Lipstick in Love That Pink.

As far as brushes go, I’d work with this set

And that’s about it. If you were ever wondering what drugstore brands I would lean towards, here is a great example!

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eatgreatbegreat says · 08.07.13

I don’t always like to spend a ton of money on cosmetics, so this is great! Thanks for putting this post together!

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Lindsey218 says · 08.07.13

I’m so happy you mentioned some drug store brands Kate! For a family on a budget that is where I get all my make up, thanks for the recommendations!!

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Victoria Clemons says · 08.07.13

Thank you for posting this! My nearest Macy’s or Sephora is about an hour away so I go to Target. Next time I go I will be taking this post with me!

~Victoria

simplyanchoredblog.com

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Jessica Anderson says · 08.07.13

I have that brush set and it is one of the best I’ve owned. The “hairs” don’t fall out and they stay super soft. And the clutch is one of my go-to’s now for a summer night out.

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Renate says · 08.07.13

Apart from being very helpful, I found it amusing to read also 🙂 Well written and full with good ideas

http://thecuriousklutz.blogspot.com

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Steph says · 08.07.13

Thanks! I love reading your makeup suggestions but don’t have the budget for high end stuff. Drug store has to be good enough! Will be checking some of these out when I’m in the US in a couple weeks.

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NeuroNerd says · 08.07.13

Revlon makes a great eye primer/under eye concealer combo. Super long lasting, and the fairest shade suits my pale, pink undertone skin.

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Emily says · 08.07.13

Thanks for this! I’d love to know what’s in your makeup bag now. =)

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Carroll says · 08.07.13

Such a great post! Thanks for the tips. 🙂

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Lauren | My Polished Side Blog says · 08.07.13

First thing I thought of is how J.D. refers to Delta in a few scenarios for his sermons…they always give me a good laugh. Second, great post! Sometimes you just can’t afford the high end products and it’s great to have someone like yourself give back up options at the greatest place in the world, Target. =)

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jahorn12820 says · 08.07.13

Oh no! I love E.L.F! And Southwest 🙂

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Lins - Domesticated Working Woman says · 08.07.13

This is so helpful to me! I’ve been considering trying another cream foundation for a while and I may just check this one out. Also, I’m loving the undereye concealer. I’ve been using the same Neutrogena one for years and think I will try this one next.

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Sophia (with help from Mom) says · 08.07.13

Great post! I saved it for the next time I’m at Target, feeling like I want to buy something for myself.

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LorieR says · 08.07.13

Always nice to see drugstore cosmetic suggestions. Which Maybelline color quad do you suggest? There were several colors in the link. I totally agree with the concealer. It is so smooth, doesn’t settle into fine lines, make you look like a racoon or look cakey. great post!

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Jaclyn @ Love And Bellinis says · 08.07.13

Everyone I know is obsessed with that mascara, but I have yet to try it out! I’m pretty loyal to my loreal voluminous mascara.

xxx
Jaclyn
http://www.loveandbellinis.com

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Susanne says · 08.15.13

I’ve tried so many & I still go back to loreal voluminous. In my opinion, it’s the best!!

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Emily Carnes says · 08.07.13

Oh, this is so helpful! I’m really just starting to “experiment” with make up, and can’t justify spending a ton. Thanks so much for sharing!

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Melissa says · 08.07.13

e.l.f.’s eyebrow kit is my favorite thing I’ve found at Target ever. It does a fantastic job filling in my brows and is only three bucks! Comparable to Benefit’s brow gel/powder duo, which is thirty bucks. No contest!

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Cassie Mock says · 08.07.13

Can we see photos of your look with these products?

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Maria says · 08.07.13

I am so glad you created this post!!!

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Amanda Joy says · 08.07.13 Reply
Maria says · 08.07.13

I am so glad you created this post!!!

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Amanda Aubé says · 08.07.13

May I ask what color Nearly Naked you find yourself drawn to? I have similar coloring to you and picked up “Vanilla” but find it far, far too yellow on the skin!

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Sisterino says · 08.07.13

I am so glad you posted this! I live on a tight, tight makeup budget, so all of my stuff comes from Walmart/CVS.

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Michelle Hypki says · 08.07.13

Thank you for doing this post! Very helpful!

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LiSa says · 08.07.13

What about the total spent? Out of curiosity…

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Katie says · 08.07.13

This a great beginners make up collection as well. I did a review of the loreal liquid powder foundation over on my blog if you’d like to check it out.

katespitz.blogspot.com

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A Musician, Plain and Tall says · 08.07.13

I LOVED this post. This is very helpful for women like me who live in the middle of nowhere. I have to drive an hour just to get to a Target!

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Holly @ The Grass is Always Greener says · 08.07.13

I love the instant age rewind. I’ve been wearing it for a year now.

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Lauren Flake says · 08.07.13

The link for the brushes isn’t working. Is it Sonia Kashuk?

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Filiz @ Light and Sweet says · 08.07.13

Love this post concept. Sometimes I just get sick of buying expensive makeup!

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Our Great Adventure says · 08.07.13

This comment has been removed by the author.

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Our Great Adventure says · 08.07.13

I know you’ve been saying you love the Bobbi Brown corrector, but is there a Target find for corrector that you’d recommend? Also, would using foundation as a corrector have the same effect as a corrector? Thanks for sharing this post!

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Bethany Pounders says · 08.07.13

In the same Age Rewind concealer line, there is a ‘neutralizer’ which has more of a yellow tone to it (to counterbalance dark circles). It’s suggested to use it under the concealer Kate mentioned above. Not sure if that’s what you’re looking for, but it works quite well.

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Jessica Cline says · 08.07.13

Melissa is right! The eyebrow kit from e.l.f. is fantastic and if you set it with the clear mascara from Great Lash, it’s great.

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keltie@f*ck yeah, france! says · 08.07.13

Great suggestions! I’m definitely trying that mascara out when my current Dior splurge runs out. I just can’t justify $30 mascara every few months, no way! That’s what sephora gift cards are for 🙂

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Meredith ~ La Simple Bliss says · 08.07.13

Love this idea! Thank you for doing this.

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thewomaninthedress.com says · 08.07.13

I actually use the ELF primer and high def powder and I think they both work very well. Love your other picks!

http://thewomaninthedress.com

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Jacquelyn Wheeler says · 08.07.13

Love this! I am a huge fan of that mascara and I’ve been looking to replace my brushes but didn’t want to spend a lot. and I need a new blush… and a bronzer… hmmm target?

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tattooedteacherintexas says · 08.07.13

thanks for doing a post on drugstore makeup. of course, i want to buy the high end stuff all the time, but it’s just not possible. and i’ve been wanting to try a new foundation. i think i’ll try the one you suggested!

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Former Fat Bride says · 08.07.13

Loved this post!

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Erin Martinez says · 08.07.13

Have you tried the elf eyelid primer? I found it to be very cakey and ineffective.

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Suzanne S. says · 08.07.13

Oh great post! I love these post about building a make-up collection.
Such a great idea 🙂
xoxo
Suzanne from written by suzanne

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wearyourvitamins.com says · 08.07.13

This is such a fun post idea! I am going to keep the concept tucked away in my files (or something similar). You know if I had to do that it would include a lot more Sonia Kashuk, but the foundation ideas and stuff would be ideas I would pull from yours (in real life) since I have no clue about Target foundation. Great post!

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RompinAround says · 08.07.13

Love this post! Maybe you can continue a series like this based on stores, brands, etc? Great picks!

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Ashley says · 08.07.13

Great picks! I love and swear by the Maybelline Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser..

xo,
Sincerely Miss Ash

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Carly says · 08.07.13

Those brushes are perfection!!!!

Carly
http://www.lipglossandcrayons.com

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mama in the making.... says · 08.07.13

i love the Loreal Magic Nude Liquid Powder Foundation!

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Gwen says · 08.07.13

All good pics except for the mascara. I found that mascara want to be junk, made my lashes clumpy and a mess. I’m forever searching for a good mascara.

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Heather says · 08.07.13

Thank you SO much for doing this post! I emailed you recently about drugstore brand foundations, but after considering your post about Revlon’s Nearly Naked, I made the purchase and I have loved it! It has a higher SPF in it which is good. I also use the same Covergirl mascara, E.L.F. primer, and Loreal cream blush in my daily makeup routine and I love all of these products.

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Jennifer says · 08.07.13

Thank you so much for this post! Our finances are pretty tight right now, and beauty products is one area I definitely have to cut back! I know you typically favor salon products, but I would love to see some recommendations for drugstore hair products.

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Susan Cardoza says · 08.07.13

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ishouldprobablytellyou says · 08.07.13

Love this! I’m finding myself drawn more to drugstore brands right now because there’s less disappointment if I don’t love it. Although I did just spend too much money on lip balm from Fresh, but I’ve never been happier with a product!

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Allie @ Everyday Adventures says · 08.07.13

I’m always trying to find good mascaras to try, but I am always so disappointed by CoverGirl’s choices! I’ve tried almost all of them and have problems with each one. I’d pick L’oreal’s Double Xtend instead, it makes your lashes big big big!

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Kelly Bunster says · 08.07.13

Love this post for us girls on a modest budget….or those of us who like to change our looks…maybe too often 🙂 I can’t wait to give that mascara a try! Thanks again Kate!

Kelly
Sweet Pea’s Party

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Blondie says · 08.07.13

I just saw a video that Tiffany (the YouTube makeup guru) posted on drugstore makeup and it’s very similar! I went out and bought her recommendations and I’m telling you … that Maybelline Instant Age Rewind undereye Eraser is MAGICAL STUFF. I grabbed the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Primer and it’s awesome too!

I also love the Loreal Healthy Luminous makeup (says LUMI on it) but it’s different from the one you mentioned – now I want to try that too.

I like a liquid eye liner so I got Loreal’s Intense Liner in Carbon Black and it’s got a great applicator tip.

For cream blush, I went with the Maybelline Dream Bouncy blush in Coffee Cake (really more peachy than brown) but since I use a blush brush to apply it, I find that it “moves” too much in the compact and ends up getting smushed on the sides when I snap it closed. Gross. I might need to try the one you recommended.

Since I carry my makeup in my purse, I went with Cover Girl TruBlend pressed powder in Translucent Light because it’s less messy than a loose powder.

Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter lip stick tubes are awesome – I use Pink Truffle mostly but also got a nice nude called Creme Brulee. SO soft! Like buttah!

I’ve tried different mascaras (currently using the Loreal Voluminous Million Lashes in the gold tube) but I always wind up going back to my Maybelline Volume Xpress Falsies in Waterproof black. More bang for my buck.

Looks like I’m going shopping soon! 🙂

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Leann says · 08.07.13

I recently tried Loreals Magic Nude Liquid Powder Foundation. Though I don’t absolutely love it, it is quite magically. It seems to go on smooth and feels silky, but over time and by the end of the day though the coverage is still there, it gets slimmy and greasy feeling. Still one of the best drugstore foundations I’ve ever tired.

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Kimberly says · 08.07.13

southwest airlines is the best, isn’t it?

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Missmacbeauty says · 08.07.13

Cute post! I love the elf setting powder <3

xx- missmacbeauty.blogspot.com

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Jessica Weinreich says · 08.07.13

This is perfect! We don’t have any Sephora’s around here, so Target is the only place to really go. Quick question, does anyone know what Targets return policy on make-up is? Foundation makes my face itch usually, but I really need to wear some, and I am just not in the place to try something and it not work and just be out the cost. Thanks everyone.

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Kerri Muffin says · 08.07.13

This is such a great post!

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Mandy K. says · 08.07.13

Thank you so much Kate! Keep ’em coming 🙂 I love all you makeup tips!!

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Mandy K. says · 08.07.13

*your

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kristinwithani says · 08.08.13

Basket.

You are officially Southern.

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Andrea says · 08.08.13

I am on my upteenth tube of the concealer – love it to pieces!

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Christy Nicholson says · 08.08.13

Awesome! I’ve been using cheaper brands since I had kids, and this post is super-helpful!

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Gail says · 08.08.13

This happened to me in June!!! Everything BUT my eye shadow was stranded in a different airport. I ended up stumbling upon a couple new products that I love.

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Lexie says · 08.08.13

I just bought that brand of lipstick in Fuchsia Shock. I’m OBSESSED. Thank you for giving me a drugstore lipstick that isn’t downright awful.

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Thagnas says · 08.08.13

This is very helpful – thanks for posting!

Wanted to add that the “Pixi” brand at Target has a great eye liner – it’s a silky liner that goes on so nicely. More expensive than what you have listed but I’m in love with it.

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Christine says · 08.08.13

I would LOVE to see your makeup done with drugstore makeup and higher end makeup. Kind of like the splurge or steal looks magazines do.

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Blurbs by Brenda says · 08.08.13

Thanks for sharing this….I will definitely be taking this list with me when I go back to Target. I just bought the No7 eye shadow from Target (hypo-allergenic), and I like it!

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Ana Velikonja says · 08.08.13 Reply
Heidi says · 08.08.13

This is a fun post 🙂 I’ve been wanting to try that Revlon concealer, people on the internet freak about it!

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Robin Verity says · 08.08.13

Fiji air has the best price value, such a great place to visit and the people are beyond friendly. The cab driver we had was really awesome and took us sight seeing for no extra charge then brought us to his house for some coffee and to meet his wife.

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Lindsay @ Hello Hue says · 08.08.13

LOVE this post! I was just in Target yesterday wondering which makeup products you would recommend. Thanks for sharing!

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Tashies Wurld says · 08.08.13

I wish we had Target n the UK :'(

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William says · 08.09.13

This comment has been removed by the author.

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Kate says · 08.09.13

I greatly appreciate this post! 🙂 Could you please tell me which specific Maybelline eye shadow quad you recommended? Thank you!!

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Mrs. LC says · 08.10.13

This comment has been removed by the author.

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| Mrs. L | says · 08.10.13

Ran out and picked up some new shadows and the Age Rewind stick after reading this…I’m a Merle Normans girl for the most part but don’t always want to shell out at lot of $ when I’m looking to just change up my eye shadows a bit. I already use that mascara that you recommended, but I found the Age Rewind stick to be AWESOME! I’m in my early 20s and needed something better for occasional blemishes/under eye tiredness that could last all day at work…this did the trick! THANKS so much for the tip!!

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Arthur Colsky says · 08.11.13

Do you recommend any makeup products that complement the use of acne treatment products?

http://advancedacneinstitute.com/blog

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Arthur Colsky says · 08.11.13

Do you recommend any makeup products that complement the use of acne treatment products?

http://advancedacneinstitute.com/blog

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Tess N says · 08.11.13

I love Lashblast!

xx Tess
http://colourmetess.blogspot.com.au

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Katie Anderson says · 08.16.13

Thanks, Kate! I put together an emergency/weekend bag with all of your suggested products. Target has an adorable (polka dot, of course) travel bag that’s a perfect fit for these items plus facewash and moisturizer. It even has brush holders:

http://tinyurl.com/polkadotcase

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Emily says · 08.26.13

Thank you for the recommendation of the Maybelline Age Rewind concealer! Definitley a great find! 🙂

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Noemi Smolorz says · 08.30.13

Thank you for this post, off to the shop I go 🙂

http://emkasbeautybubble.blogspot.ie

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Jena Morgan says · 09.01.13

This is awesome, because I just went to Target before I saw this and got 1/2 of these things! Thanks for the recommendations for the future! 😀 Love your blog

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Jena Morgan says · 09.01.13

This is awesome, because I just went to Target before I saw this and got 1/2 of these things! Thanks for the recommendations for the future! 😀 Love your blog

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sexy lingerie says · 09.25.13

This comment has been removed by the author.

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kelliann416 says · 09.26.13

This was perfect timing since I just ran out of everything in my makeup bag! I went out and got the nearly make foundation and thege rewind eraser. I just can’t figure out which one to put on first. Which one do you do first?

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chefuy says · 12.11.13

awesome listing, thanks! I love target! As a poor medical student, I can’t afford the fancy stuff (yet)

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steph_in_sc says · 03.20.14

My financial situation changed and I needed to replenish my make-up bag on the cheap. Thanks for making the experience less daunting. It isn’t a small thing.

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sanam arzoo says · 03.27.14

I really agree with you that people do not visit blogs for design but for the content. Content plays a great role in attracting visitors to any website or blog and starting a blog with some interesting topic top cosmetics brands

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Fragrances for Everyone says · 05.28.14

Fragrances for Everyone . Fragrances such as Pineapple, Vetiver, Red Fruits, Apple, Lemon, Peony, Freesia, Musk, Cedar, Tiare Flower, Sandalwood, Patchouli, Bergamot, Lilac, Vanilla
http://www.uhsupply.com/category-s/11224.htm

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Kristal says · 09.17.14

I think this is among the most important info for me. And i am glad reading your article.
But want to remark on some general things,
The site style is ideal,the articles is really great : D.
Good job, cheers

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Julie @ Run Away Freckles says · 11.19.14

This is perfect. I recently dumped almost my entire makeup bag into the toilette in one horrible morning accident 🙁 I am slowly replacing everything.

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Katy Kirwan says · 04.22.15

You do know that DELTA stands for Don’t Expect Luggage To Arrive, right?

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Tara says · 04.02.16

what do you suggest now that Loreal visible lift blush is no longer available?

thanks so much for your advice!!

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Millie says · 07.01.16

Thanks for your great post. I really enjoyed reading it. unfortunately for me, i don’t live near a target. 🙁 my neighbor sells Mary Kay products and I read about them from http://www.pinqueblog.com/stylereviews/ but I was wondering what you thought about them, I haven’t used them before and I’m due for a change of makeup. thoughts?

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