Revamping Your Model Makeup Kit on a Budget

Do you ever look at your model makeup kit and go “OMG what a disaster?!”

If you’re like me you probably have a few trays of broken periwinkle eye shadow you used back in high school that you can’t seem to part with, a bevy of dull eyeliners because they don’t fit into a standard sharpener, impulse buy blush that you refuse to throw away just because it was expensive, mountains of expired items, and cosmetics with talc in it.

And if you don’t know what harm talc can do to your body (and that includes all that J&J powder you’re slathering yourself with after you get out of the shower), I highly suggest watching the HBO Max series – Not So Pretty. It will freak you out, but knowledge is power, and you’ll be glad you know the scoop.

Anyhow, if this cosmetic nightmare sounds like you, it may be time to revamp your model makeup kit.

Throw out that stuff you don’t use, get rid of the toxic products, dump the expired stuff, and clear out the perfumes, face washes and deodorants that haven’t been used in years.

Don’t you feel better now? No? Why? Is it because you think you’re back to ground zero and have to spend a small fortune to get your kit set up again?  

Well, guess what you aren’t – thanks to makeup subscription companies like IPSY, Birchbox, and BoxyCharm.

If you’re not familiar with makeup subscriptions they offer a ton of bang for the buck, amazing products, and you get to try new things without feeling bad about throwing them away because it’s so cheap. On top of it, the companies do send some toxin-free makeup, so you don’t have to worry about growing a third head. Just make sure to review the ingredients.

Check out Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep website to research the safety of any cosmetics you use.

The cheapest monthly prices for the three companies are $13 for IPSY, $15 for Birchbox and $27.99 for BoxyCharm which is the only one of the three that offers all full-size cosmetics. The service I use is IPSY, and it’s incredible how much you get for $13 a month – the same price as one cheap eye-shadow pallet. Worth over fifty bucks, you’ll get a cute cosmetic bag filled with deluxe-size products (bigger than a sample but smaller than full) which sometimes also include items such as shaving cream and face washes.

Though you never know what you’ll get each month, IPSY is great at figuring out what you’ll like based on a quiz you take prior to signing up. Based on your answers, they’ll know what colors you look best in, skin and hair type, and what you prefer so you won’t end up with depressing black lipstick named MORGUE if you’re not a goth. So far, I haven’t had a bag yet that I didn’t like everything in it. Plus, it’s super fun to get a surprise package in the mail and I look forward to it every month.

You also get to choose one product for your bag every time and can add others for a price – but act fast when you get the email announcing you can shop for the add-ons because the items sell out. I’ve found the cheap IPSY subscription has filled out my box with super cool stuff saving me tons of money.

Has anyone tried any of the other subscriptions or use one that I haven’t listed? If so let me know in the comments below or send me an email; I’ll do a follow up article if there’s enough information!

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Alyssa Collins hails from Minnesota, where snowy days were the perfect excuse to stay warm inside and write. Over the years, she turned that joy into a career and has authored numerous articles for various publications (under pen names). Email Alyssa via alyssa@ynot.com.

Main Photo credit: iStock.com/viki2iwn
Center Photo credit: iStock.com/Liudmila Chernetska