By Brittany Ray

When is it worth it? As a college student, there’s a running list of items to be purchased, but when budgeting is an issue, beauty products tend to take a hit. For makeup-lovers on a budget, sometimes it’s best to hit up the drugstore for products normally bought at Sephora or Ulta.

Too Faced “Better Than Sex” Mascara ($23) vs. Covergirl Professional All-in-One Mascara ($5.24)

“Better Than Sex” by Two-Faced provides both volume and length, and as an added bonus it can be reapplied during the day without worry of lashes hardening. It’s smooth and is perfect for making eyes seem more open after endless all-nighters. It’s a great mascara, but at $23, “Better Than Sex” is a little steep for everyday use. So when the funds are running a little low, instead try Covergirl’s Professional All-in-One Mascara for a comparable alternative to Better Than Sex’s at a much more digestible price of $5.24 . The only distinguishable factor is that Covergirl’s mascara hardens over time, but the price difference makes the slight variation worthwhile.

MAC Lipstick ($17) vs. Milani Color Statement Lipstick ($5.99)

Milani’s matte lipstick has a velvet finish that doesn’t dry lips out or require constant reapplication. Plus, it smells like a candy store and features multiple color options for every occasion. The plum and berry pigments are some of the best out there. On the splurge side, MAC Lipstick comes in several fun colors that indulge your need to experiment. While they are high quality and go on smoothly, they are prone to clumping, especially after long wear. Both lipsticks rank high in quality and color variation, but for the best pick without clump-worry, try Milani.

Naked Smoky Palette ($54) vs. Maybelline The Nudes Palette ($9.99)

When it comes to eyeshadow, it’s hard not to splurge on the newest Naked Smoky Palette. Not only is the palette great for a smoky eye night look, but it also contains all the right colors for a flawless natural day look. Don’t want the $54 price tag? Maybelline The Nudes Palette contains similar colors to the Naked’s with a comparable, long-lasting quality. Plus, there is no need for an eye primer because neither product clumps together after a long day.