There’s something sacred about the ritual of makeup. My morning routine? It’s less about getting ready and more about getting grounded. Each brushstroke is a little meditation—a mood board on my face, curated to reflect how I feel and how I want to move through the world. It’s therapy with a contour stick.
Back in high school (hello, early-2000s!), my signature look was simple: a jet-black smokey eye paired with a concealer-nude lip. Peak Pamela Anderson inspo. She was my ultimate muse—the volume, the lashes, the bombshell energy. That eye makeup was my way of channeling her siren strength, even if I was just walking the halls in my Demonia boots and all black fit.
I truly discovered the transformative magic of makeup the day I learned to contour my nose. Suddenly, my reflection changed. I carved out a silhouette so snatched I could barely breathe. Nose job? Please. All I needed was a contour stick, a fluffy brush, and a dream.
If you were born post-2000s, you probably can’t imagine a world without YouTube tutorials or RuPaul’s Drag Race. But I came up in an era where the blueprint was Kevyn Aucoin’s Making Faces—a literal bible for the early makeup girlies. My mom bought it for me at a Mandee’s near the checkout line. I was 16. It cracked open a portal into the world of transformation, glam, and self-invention. If you know, you know. Kevyn was that artist, and we lost him way too soon.
Making Faces by Kevyn Aucoin
Thank you mami for getting me THE classic bestseller from one of the most influential makeup artist in history.
Kevin Aucoin shares his secrets, explaining not only the basics of makeup application and technique but also how to use the fundamentals to create a wide range of different looks.
Today, makeup inspo is everywhere: TikTok transformations, GRWM reels, bridal glam, passport photo beats, and even breakup makeup (because yes, we cry—but we also contour). And speaking of moments… remember when Jeffree Star used his boyfriend Nate’s balls to blend foundation? Iconic. Unhinged. Perfect.
Growing up in NYC, drag queens weren’t just icons—they were my neighbors, mentors, and early beauty teachers. I went to the High School of Fashion Industries and then FIT, where queerness wasn’t just present—it was the culture. My chosen family started in those halls. We’d skip class and head down to the Village, to St. Marks—back when it was gritty, not glossy. We had Trash and Vaudeville, the old Vice magazine, and LIPS, the legendary drag show. That was my beauty school.
Pamela Anderson was my north star. I collected her Playboys and Maxims like sacred texts. That teased blonde hair, that pouty lip, the sultry gaze—she was the embodiment of sex kitten glam. And guess what? Pam has always said she’s a drag queen at heart. No surprise then that her iconic look was created by another legend: Alexis Vogel, the makeup mastermind behind the bombshell glow of every Playboy Bunny from that era (RIP, queen).
My everyday makeup look? It’s a cocktail of drag technique, Kevyn Aucoin’s sculpting wisdom, and Pammy’s soft-core seduction. Think Raven from Drag Race meets 90s It-Girl with a modern twist. Raven, by the way, deserves her own Mount Rushmore of makeup. Her beat walked so “Instagram glam” could run.
And yes, while the clean girl aesthetic is adorable for errands or running to Trader Joe’s, I like a little oomph in my daily beat. A little more dark femme meets bombshell babe. But glam doesn’t have to be expensive. Thanks to the golden age of YouTube beauty gurus—bless their over-highlighted hearts—drugstore brands seriously stepped up their game. And thank god, because have you seen the economy? We’ve got a recession looming, rent is giving trauma, and iced coffee now qualifies as a luxury item. But fear not—no one’s asking you to give up life’s little joys, like a sharp contour or a lipstick that makes you feel like you own the room (even if you’re just going to Trader Joe’s). These dupes? They’re recession-proof and fabulous. Glam on a budget is not only possible—it’s a survival skill.
So, let’s talk makeup dupes. Because your mug shouldn’t depend on your budget.
Shop My Favorite Everyday Makeup Dupes Below:
PRIMER
This e.l.f. Power Grip Primer is the ultimate Milk Hydro Grip dupe—smooths, hydrates with hyaluronic acid & locks in makeup all day at a budget-friendly price
SPLURGE
$69
MILK MAKEUP Hydro Grip Hydrating Makeup Primer
SAVE
$10
e.l.f. Power Grip Smoothing & Hydrating Primer
EYEBROW GEL
Honestly, ABH Freeze Brow flaked on me—this clear eyebrow soap holds better, gives fluffy brows all day, and costs less than half the price
SPLURGE
$23
Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze
SAVE
$7.88
2 Pack 4D Brows Gel Long Lasting Eyebrow Setting Gel Waterproof
FOUNDATION
I love Armani Luminous Silk, but L’Oréal Infallible gives me the same flawless, radiant finish—and for a fraction of the price. It’s my go-to dupe!
SPLURGE
$69
Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Natural Glow Foundation
SAVE
$13.88
L’Oreal Paris Makeup Infallible Up to 32 Hour Fresh Wear Foundation
COLOR CORRECTOR
LA Girl color correctors had their moment back in the 2010’s, to me it’s still THAT girl. A legit dupe for Huda Beauty—creamy, blendable, and way easier on the wallet.
SPLURGE
$31
Huda Beauty #FauxFilter Brightening Under Eye Color Corrector
SAVE
$4.99
L.A. Girl HD Pro.Conceal, Peach Corrector GC994
CONCEALOR
Tarte Shape Tape walked so e.l.f. Hydrating Camo could run—full coverage, creamy, hydrating, and a fraction of the price. My favorite drugstore concealer dupe!
SPLURGE
$32
tarte shape tape full-coverage concealer
SAVE
$7
e.l.f. Hydrating Camo Concealer Lightweight, Full Coverage
CONTOUR
The price gap is wild—this e.l.f. contour wand is a viral dupe for Charlotte Tilbury’s, blends beautifully, and saves me nearly 40 bucks.
SPLURGE
$42
Charolette Tilbury Hollywood Contour Wand
SAVE
$4.99
e.l.f. Halo Glow Beauty Wand Contour
CREAM + POWDER BLUSH
e.l.f. Putty Blush hits just like Fenty’s—super pigmented, blends seamlessly, and lasts all day. It gives me that same juicy flush without fading.
SPLURGE
$28
Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush 04 Crush On Cupid
SAVE
$7
e.l.f. Putty Blush, Creamy & High-Pigment Formula in Bora Bora
SETTING SPRAY
As a die-hard All Nighter fan, I was shocked—e.l.f.’s Stay All Night mist keeps my makeup locked just as well, if not better. Total dupe, zero regrets.
SPLURGE
$36
Urban Decay All Nighter Waterproof Makeup Setting Spray for Face
SAVE
$10
e.l.f. Stay All Night Micro-Fine Setting Mist For 16HR Wear-time
SETTING POWDER
I’m a Huda Beauty setting powder stan, but KimChi’s Puff Puff Pass is a viral fave for a reason—blurs like a dream and saves you $20. You’ll love it too
SPLURGE
$39
Huda Beauty Easy Bake Blurring Loose Baking & Setting Powder
SAVE
$19
Kimchi Chic Beauty Puff Puff Pass Set and Bake Setting Powder for Makeup
EYESHADOW PALETTE
If you’re an OG makeup lover, you know Morphe had her era—this cool-toned palette brings her back. Same vibe as Master Mattes, with 6 extra shades.
SPLURGE
$52
Make Up By Mario Master Mattes® Eyeshadow Palette: The Neutrals
SAVE
$20
Morphe 18CT Cool-Toned Matte Makeup Palette
CONTOUR PRESSED POWDER
I use contour for sculpting and eyeshadow—double duty! HALEYS delivers rich pigment, blends beautifully, and performs like Make Up For Ever for half the price
SPLURGE
$32
Make Up For Ever Artist Longwear Skin-fusing Contour Powder
SAVE
$16.50
HALEYS Re-sculpt Smoothing Contour Powder (Medium) Lightweight
HIGHLIGHTER
The ABH Amrezy highlighter was iconic—RIP to a legend. But Wet n Wild Megaglo brings that same blinding glow we loved. Trust me, it shines.
SPLURGE
$60
Anastasia Beverly Hills Amrezy Highlighter (discontinued)
SAVE
$5.47
wet n wild MegaGlo Highlighting Powder, Highlighter Makeup
LIQUID EYELINER
Trooper was iconic, but NYX really said “Hold my beer.” This liner is ultra-precise, super-pigmented, and doesn’t dry out. A bold eye essential
SPLURGE
$25
KVD Beauty Tattoo Liner Vegan Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
SAVE
$9.99
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Epic Ink Liner
MASCARA
Used to swear by Better Than Sex, but Lash Paradise holds its own. Same rich black, buildable formula, and that lift? Chef’s kiss.
SPLURGE
$29
Too Faced Better Than Sex Volumizing Mascara
SAVE
$9.97
L’Oreal Paris Makeup Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara
FOUNDATION PRESSED POWDER
Flawless touch-ups? Both ONE/SIZE and Maybelline Fit Me press in perfectly without caking. Matte, smooth, and clean all day.
SPLURGE
$38
One Size Patrick Starrr Turn Up The Base Versatile Powder Foundation
SAVE
$7.99
Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Pressed Face Powder Makeup
👄 LIP COMBO IS ALL DRUG STORE
There is something about a dark liner with a pinky neutral color that just always hit. This is one of my fave everyday lip combos.
$5.37
Rimmel Lasting Finish 8HR Soft Lip Liner Pencil – 705 Cappuccino
$9.99
ColourPop So Juicy Plumping Lip Gloss Balm – Doe
Whether you’re contouring for confidence or crafting your own signature look, remember: makeup is more than pigment. It’s power, play, and personal transformation. So grab that brush and get into character—your canvas is waiting.
Hope this list got your beauty wheels turning—because glam can be budget-friendly. Makeup is personal, but we all had that one inspo. Who was yours?
Let’s swap stories in the comments and celebrate the glam that shaped us. 💄✨
