"I am not much of a girly-girl, but I have always enjoyed makeup. I even thought about being a beauty YouTuber back in college because I loved playing around with eyeshadow techniques. Thankfully, I didn’t put all my eggs in the YouTube influencer basket, but my interest in makeup has stayed.
I also love looking for a bargain on makeup, especially if I don’t have to sacrifice the quality. Some cosmetics are simply worth the investment, and I’m OK with a few of those. But when I’m looking for a new mascara or nail polish, sometimes I can’t bring myself to spend more than $10.
Enter Target’s makeup section. Over the years, Target has truly upped their makeup options, including cruelty-free and clean beauty products plus a variety of inclusive shades and palettes. Another reason I’m loving Target for beauty products is their dedication to showcasing Black-owned and Black founded businesses. Now more than ever, when a company is loud and proud about their dedication to Black people, they will always get my time, attention, and money.
There’s nothing wrong with shopping at Sephora or Ulta Beauty, but if you are on a tight budget, take a minute to browse Target’s beauty section. While some of us are still rocking our make-up free faces while working from home, you may want to dabble in a little blush, a new nail color, or something else! So, I’ve linked some of my favorite beauty items from Target below.
This clean a cruelty-free eye shadow is the perfect neutral palette to use every day.
Available in rose gold, matte, and smoky palettes too!
I can't say enough good things about this blush. The tint provides just enough color to have a rosy cheek without it being too much.
My favorite makeup item by far is eyeliner. The tip on this one makes your line precise and I've found it's perfect when I'm going for a winged-eye look.
I've never plucked, tweezed, or threaded my eyebrows—because I've always used these! They get rid of all the stray hairs painlessly (nearly).
I'm particular about my mascara. This one separates my lashes without clumping and is only $4.
Hands down the best, long-lasting matte lipstick I've ever found! I love wearing red lipstick, but I hate reapplying it after drinking coffee or eating lunch. This one stays on all day for me.
When I'm not up for a full red lip, I like to use this lip oil. It gives my lips a touch of pink and a little shine.
I have my go-to makeup brushes, but I like these sponges for applying concealer to specific scars or blemishes on my face. Plus, they're super easy to wash and reuse.
This deep red nail polish is absolute perfect color for any time of year. I used this on my toes a few weeks ago and still haven't had to touch it up.
Rather go neutral? This is my go-to. I love that it gives my nails a simple, pretty polished look during any season.
My son and I both have kinky, curly hair. On wash days, this is a life saver so that we can comb through curls with ease.
I keep styling my curls pretty simple. This coconut and hibiscus cream is great because it keeps my hair moisturized and frizz-free—plus it smells amazing!
Another one of my curly-hair go-tos, this curl control jelly is great for up-dos as it has a bit more hold. Pro tip: a little goes a long way!
This article was originally published on October 5, 2020 and has been updated for timeliness.
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