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First Impressions and Shopping Experience
I had never really considered shopping for makeup at Dollar General. It's not because I'm some kind of makeup snob or anything - it's just that as a beauty editor, products tend to just kind of fall into my lap. I haven't shopped for makeup anywhere in a while out of a sheer lack of necessity. But I love a beauty bargain. I went straight to the nearest location less than three miles from my home to purchase products that could make up an entire look.
Most of the YouTubers that have been challenging themselves to do a full face of Believe Beauty makeup - like Juicy Jas, Emily Noel, and Kelly Strack - have gone full-throttle with extra-bold looks that are a little outside my comfort zone. I wanted to do a full face, but more like my usual style - low-key with a teensy hint of glam. After all, the best thing about every product being $5 or less is that you're able to use it every day without dreading the inevitable moment you have to repurchase it.
Face Products: Primer, Foundation, and Concealer
I'll admit, when I started with the green-tinted Pretty and Primed Color Correcting Primer, I was a bit skeptical. Although it feels light and silky, it was a bit too thin to actually counteract any of my skin's redness. However, it served as an excellent base for the next step, Skin Finish Foundation, in the shade Soft Beige, which truly impressed me. I applied it conservatively with my fingers - the truest test of a foundation's blendability, in my opinion - and the not-too-light, not-too-full coverage was effortlessly even, seeming to float above my lines and pores without caking on the blemish scab I had on my chin.
Because I was able to build a little more coverage right where I needed it, I almost felt like I didn't need an additional concealer, but I couldn't not test the You're Covered Liquid Concealer. The shade Fair was ideal for my skin tone, but I'm not sure the formula is ideal for me. It seemed a little too sheer and liquidy to truly conceal the spots I wanted covered when I applied it with the doe-foot applicator. That sheerness, however, made it perfect on top of the Brightening Color Correcting Concealer, a peachy cream that counteracts the grayness of dark undereye circles.
Regarding the primer, another reviewer noted: "This primer is beautiful! It smooths nicely onto the skin and gives your face a beautifully, healthy glow. Use on its own or under foundation. You won’t be disappointed!"
The Skin Finish Foundation received high praise: "This foundation is gorgeous on the face. It provides great coverage without feeling or looking cakey on the skin. In my experience, this works best applied with a sponge in conjunction with the primer. Using this combination the foundation adheres to the skin and becomes one with it. The staying power is great. It’s not transfer resistant by any means but it does last through the day. For a $5 price tag, this is a fabulous find! Also, did I mention how beautiful this packaging is?!?!"
The Believe Beauty concealer was described as "just meh." The coverage is fine, although the product offers no brightening effect. If brightening is not a priority, this concealer might be suitable.
Cheeks: Blush and Highlighter
Next, I applied Born to Blush in High Tea, a sheer, shimmery powder that builds beautifully, to complete my skin routine. And even though I know it's practically a sin to pair powder blush with a non-powder highlighter, I wanted to try the Perfect Glow Highlighting Stick - and I'm glad I did. The chubby solid is the perfect width for applying exactly where it will glow the most and the Champagne Kiss shade is pigmented enough to not totally disappear on my skin.
Eyebrows and Eyeshadow
Moving on to my eyebrows, I opted for Brow Defining Pencil in Ash Brown and was surprised to find it was warmer and darker than the usual "ash" shade. And the formula is much creamier than I'm used to getting from an eyebrow pencil, which made it a little challenging to get the precision and realistic-looking fill-in I was hoping for. Luckily, the spoolie attached to the end helped diffuse everything for a more natural finish.
As gorgeous as Believe Beauty's eye shadow palettes are, I was drawn to the Glimmer Pots Gel to Powder Eyeshadow, largely because I love a shadow you can easily apply with your finger and call it a day after a single color. I went with the shade Girl Talk, a shimmering copper with mauve undertones that bounces when you tap it. It glides on so easily and lets you leave a sheer wash of color on your lids or build a more intense look - but either way, it's luminous.
Eyeliners and Mascara
To play up the plummy hints in Girl Talk, I went with two eyeliners: Metallic Liquid Eyeliner in Midnight in Paris and a gel-like pencil called Long Lasting Eyeliner in Queen Mauve. The liquid liner was a darker, cooler purple than I was anticipating, but I really liked the almost-smoky shade. And speaking of smoky, that's how I'd describe its finish. When I was creating a wing I found this felt-tip pen didn't lend itself to a sharp look. It appeared almost sheer and blurry and not what I was going for. But now that I know what to expect, I think it can be used for some really pretty effects. As for the pencil, its soft, smudgeable texture was perfect for the visible but not blatant lower-lash-line look I was going for.
I finished off my eyes with Extended Lash Lengthening Mascara, the option that appealed to me most out of Believe Beauty's three mascaras. Although I'm not a huge fan of more narrow, rubbery applicators, it didn't take away from the formula, which more-than-sufficiently lengthened, as promised. In fact, the applicator made it perfect for my lower lashes too, adding a little oomph without clumps.
However, another reviewer had a different experience with a mascara: "I so wanted to love this mascara. It gives the lashes a beautiful, lengthening effect that’s just so pretty. By mid-day, though, I’m left looking like a mama raccoon. That is not a cute look on anyone!"
Lips
Although Believe Beauty has a fantastic array of traditional and liquid lipsticks, I've been feeling glosses lately so I went with Lustrous Shine Lip Gloss in Up Town Girl, a muted berry that I hoped would pick up on the mauve tones on my eyes. However, although it's super comfortable I found that it had less pigment than I was hoping for despite layering it on.
Overall Verdict
I genuinely wasn't sure what to expect from products ranging from $2.50 to $5. And while I didn't get exactly what I'd hoped for from some of the products, others - like the foundation, blush, and eye shadow pot - went way above and beyond what I'd thought possible from such affordable items.
A summary of one reviewer's experience highlighted: "1 meh, 1 hard pass and 5 must trys! It’s safe to say that Believe Beauty is a brand to check out!"