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7 of My Favorite Affordable European Makeup Products

June 29th, 2016 by Carolina Braina 24 Comments

Best Affordable European Makeup
Some of my favorite (affordable) European makeup

Europe definitely has a lot to offer the international traveler. I mean, so many different countries and cultures concentrated in a relatively small area…

But visiting a dozen countries in a month can get extremely expensive, so what’s a beauty lover to do? Pass on the makeup shopping??

Of course not!

On the good ol’ continent, you can find lots of top quality products that cost less than a latte.

Here are my top recommendations!

Best Affordable European Makeup
These are my favorite affordable European (but non-Italian) makeup products; for recommendations on Italian makeup, check out my series, “Best in Beauty From the Boot”

1. Catrice Defining Blush in 040 Think Pink (€3.99)

Matrice Defining Blush 040 Think Pink

If someone made me try the Catrice Defining Blush in 040 Think Pink after having depotted it, I’d for sure think it was a high-end blush.

I swear, I’d bet my entire makeup collection on it! It’s that good.

Creamy and not in the least bit powdery, nicely pigmented but easy to blend, and long-lasting, too.

Oh, and here’s the best part: it’s only €3.99!

2. Catrice Camouflage Cream in 010 Ivory & 020 Light Beige (€3.49)

Catrice Camouflage Cream

If you’re blessed with oily skin and occasional hormonal spots like this mama, then you’ll know that liquid concealers just don’t last.

To cover up those angry red zits and the marks they usually leave behind, I think it’s much better to use a dry-texture concealer.

In my opinion, the Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage ($35) is the best in this category, but Catrice’s Camouflage Cream comes in a close second, and it’s just a fraction of the price.

Should you ever spot a Catrice stand during your European adventures, make sure you put your paws on this fantastic concealer.

3. Essence Long-Lasting Eye Pencils in 01 Black Fever & 02 Hot Chocolate ($2.49/€1.99)

Essence Long-Lasting Eye Pencil 01 Black Fever 02 Hot Chocolate

Ok, I know that you can get Essence at Ulta these days, but wouldn’t it be cooler to pick up something from this affordable German brand after admiring the majestic Cologne Cathedral or visiting the breathtaking Neuschwanstein Castle?

My first recommendation would be the Long-Lasting Eye Pencils in 01 Black Fever and 02 Hot Chocolate, because I mean, who doesn’t need black or brown eyeliner?

These glide on super easily and last amazingly well both on the waterlines and lashlines.

4. Essence Sun Club Matte Bronzing Powder in 01 Natural – Blondes/Lighter Skin ($4.99/€4.99)

Essence Sun Club Matte Bronzing Powder 01 Natural Blondes

Essence Sun Club Matte Bronzing Powder in 01 Natural is one of those bronzers that’s impossible to go overboard with, and that’s my favorite kind.

No patchiness, no Oompa-Loompa-ness. Just a healthy-looking complexion.

Plus, if you like coconut-scented products, you’ll find yourself opening the compact just to give it a sniff more often than you’d like to admit…

5. Essence The Gel Nail Polish Top Coat ($3.99/€3.19)

Essence The Gel Nail Polish Top Coat

I wonder if Cosnova (the German company that makes Essence and Catrice) keeps the exact formula of the Essence The Gel Nail Polish Top Coat in a vault like Coca-Cola does with their secret recipe…

This stuff is magical!

I’m sure there’s a secret ingredient that makes their nail polish shine brighter than a Swarovski store and last longer than finals week.

6. Max Factor Crème Puff Blush in 10 Nude Mauve (£8.99)

Max Factor Crème Puff Blush 10 Nude Mauve

Despite what the name suggests, the Max Factor Crème Puff Blushes are actually powder blushes (although, the non-powdery kind), and are said to be dupes for the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blushes ($38).

My favorite thing about Nude Mauve is that it gives me a nice definition and very subtle luminosity without interfering with the color scheme of the rest of my makeup.

Best Affordable European Makeup Swatches
L-R: Essence Long-Lasting Eye Pencils in 02 Hot Chocolate and 01 Black Fever, Essence Sun Club Matte Bronzing Powder in 01 Natural, Catrice Camouflage Cream in 010 Ivory and 020 Light Beige, Catrice Defining Blush in 040 Think Pink, Max Factor Crème Puff Blush in 10 Nude Mauve

7. Zoeva Cocoa Blend Eyeshadow Palette (€21.80)

Zoeva Cocoa Blend Eyeshadow Palette

Zoeva Cocoa Blend Eyeshadow Palette Look
On my eyes I’m wearing Bitter Start, Substitute For Love, Pure Ganache, and Subtle Blend from the Zoeva Cocoa Blend Eyeshadow Palette

Aaaand… I saved the best for last. This palette is UH-MAZE-BALLS!

Compared to the products I’ve mentioned so far, the Zoeva Cocoa Blend Eyeshadow Palette might almost seem pricey, but €21.80 for 10 top quality eyeshadows is still pretty good in my opinion.

From the buttery texture, to the high pigmentation and blendability, there’s nothing I don’t love about these shadows.

The color selection is perfect for my taste (lots of warm goodness!), and there’s a good balance between shimmers and mattes (6-4).

If you want to have your mind blown by how well the Cocoa Blend shadows swatch, click on this Portkey (#harrypottergeek) to go straight to my blog! 😉

Best Affordable European Makeup

All the makeup I’ve used today is European, and here’s a breakdown of what I’m wearing:

  • Face primer: puroBIO Smoothing Mattifying Primer (Italy)
  • Foundation: La Roche-Posay Effacer BB Blur in Fair/Light (France)
  • Under-eye concealer: Sisley Phyto Cernes Éclat Eye Concealer in 02 (France)
  • Face concealer: Catrice Camouflage Cream in 010 Ivory (Germany)
  • Powder: puroBIO Indissoluble Compact Powder in 01 (Italy)
  • Bronzer: Essence Sun Club Matte Bronzing Powder in 01 Natural (Germany)
  • Blush: Catrice Defining Blush in 040 Think Pink (Germany)
  • Eye Primer: KIKO Pearly Eye Base (Italy)
  • Eyeshadows: Bitter Start, Substitute For Love, Pure Ganache, and Subtle Blend from the Zoeva Cocoa Blend Eyeshadow Palette (Germany)
  • Eyeliner: Essence Long-Lasting Eye Pencil in 02 Hot Chocolate (Germany)
  • Brows: NABLA Brow Divine in Uranus (Italy)
  • Mascara: PUPA Vamp! in 100 Extra Black (Italy)
  • Lipstick: WYCON Long-Lasting Liquid Lipstick in 20 Fragola (Italy)

Anyone coming to Europe this summer?

Carolina Braina


Hey, ladies (and gents), it’s Carolina here, reporting live from Bologna, Italy, to bring you the latest and greatest in beauty from the good ol’ continent! For an extra dose of that timeless Italian glam with a touch of humor and self-irony (because, you know, laughter is the best makeup), come say hi at carolinapage.eu and Instagram.

7 of My Favorite Affordable European Makeup Products / Originally published June 29th, 2016

There are 24 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Essence, Guest Post, Makeup, Travel, ZOEVA

The products in this entry were provided by the manufacturer for consideration. For information about my posting policy, please see my Disclaimer.

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Comments

  1. Laure says

    June 29th, 2016 at 5:31 pm

    Loving the love for European make-up brands! ♥
    I’ve also really been enjoying Beauty from the Boot. 😀

    In Belgium we sadly don’t have much of a make-up market (some foreign high end and a few foreign low budget brands but not a lot of exciting stuff), but thankfully we do get Essence and Catrice. Some of my first make-up was from these brands and I still love it.
    I recently got a Zoeva palette for my birthday: SO GOOOOOOD. ♥♥

    Reply
    • Carolina Braina says

      June 30th, 2016 at 1:44 am

      Hi Laure,
      I’m glad you’ve been enjoying my series on Italian makeup. 🙂
      Essence and Catrice have some real gems and they’re literally cheap as chips! If you wear nail polish, give that Essence top coat a go, it makes any polish last much longer.
      Carolina Braina recently posted … How I’m Fighting Post-Blemish Pigmentation

      Reply
      • Laure says

        July 4th, 2016 at 3:11 pm

        Thanks, I’ll definitely give that topcoat a try. Since Essence discontinued my favourite topcoat, I’ve been on the lookout for a new one so it’s good to know the other topcoat also holds up. 😀

        Reply
  2. Leah Rose says

    June 29th, 2016 at 5:56 pm

    That palette looks gorgeous, Bourjois has to be my favourite european brand at the moment.

    Reply
    • Carolina Braina says

      June 30th, 2016 at 1:46 am

      I’ve only ever tried one liquid lipstick from Bourjois and it’s great! I definitely should’ve included it in the post, but forgot about it. #toomanylipsticks
      Carolina Braina recently posted … How I’m Fighting Post-Blemish Pigmentation

      Reply
  3. LindaLibraLoca says

    June 30th, 2016 at 1:38 am

    I couldn’t agree more, Essence, Catrice and MaxFactor are amazing and affordable makeup brands. Buying makeup when traveling is one of my favorite pass-times.
    LindaLibraLoca recently posted … June 2016 Favorites

    Reply
    • Carolina Braina says

      June 30th, 2016 at 1:56 am

      Haha, same here!
      Carolina Braina recently posted … How I’m Fighting Post-Blemish Pigmentation

      Reply
  4. Kiss & Make-up says

    June 30th, 2016 at 3:11 am

    Okay, it’s settled then, gonna get that Essence top coat!
    Kiss & Make-up recently posted … Best of June | ColourPop, Starbucks, Dr. Hauschka & More

    Reply
    • Carolina Braina says

      July 1st, 2016 at 9:55 am

      Wise decision! 😉
      Carolina Braina recently posted … How I’m Fighting Post-Blemish Pigmentation

      Reply
  5. Prettiful Blog says

    June 30th, 2016 at 5:23 am

    I love Essence and Catrice, especially their limited edition products! And they are coming out with more and more on trend items every season. I am loving their lip oils, blush palettes as well as the Catrice highlighter!
    Prettiful Blog recently posted … Colour Pop Cosmetics Haul and Postbox Courier

    Reply
  6. Erin says

    June 30th, 2016 at 8:37 am

    I wish I could get my hands on the blush!
    Erin recently posted … Josefina 2014 Rosé

    Reply
    • Carolina Braina says

      July 1st, 2016 at 9:56 am

      I wish you could, too, it’s really nice!
      Carolina Braina recently posted … How I’m Fighting Post-Blemish Pigmentation

      Reply
  7. Lulle says

    June 30th, 2016 at 9:39 am

    Very nice selection! I wish Zoeva had been a thing before I left France. My favorite affordable brand from Europe is definitely Kiko (Italy), but Bourjois has to be a very close second (France), and I also love the little bottles of Mavala nail polish (Switzerland)!
    Lulle recently posted … My experience with hair loss & RevivHair Stimulating Serum Review (Sponsored)

    Reply
    • Carolina Braina says

      July 1st, 2016 at 9:57 am

      I love the quick-dry top coat from Mavala, have you ever tried it?
      Carolina Braina recently posted … How I’m Fighting Post-Blemish Pigmentation

      Reply
  8. anusha says

    June 30th, 2016 at 10:49 am

    That lipstick looks sooo good on u!

    Reply
    • Carolina Braina says

      July 1st, 2016 at 9:57 am

      Thank you, Anusha!
      Carolina Braina recently posted … How I’m Fighting Post-Blemish Pigmentation

      Reply
  9. denise S says

    June 30th, 2016 at 11:28 am

    Pretty look!Love gold eyes with a red lip. I like how the eyeshadow palette looks but won’t be in Europe anything time soon to buy it. When I was in Paris I spent my money on perfumes. Didn’t buy any makeup, next trip I will!

    Reply
    • Carolina Braina says

      July 1st, 2016 at 9:59 am

      Hi Denise! The eyeshadow palette is probably my favorite ever, I use it year-round.
      Carolina Braina recently posted … How I’m Fighting Post-Blemish Pigmentation

      Reply
  10. Marina (Makeup4all) says

    June 30th, 2016 at 1:29 pm

    Those Max Factor blushers are my favourite! Love them more than my Chanel and YSL etc.
    Marina (Makeup4all) recently posted … June 2016 Beauty Favourites

    Reply
    • Carolina Braina says

      July 1st, 2016 at 10:00 am

      Aren’t they great? I really like the way the shade Seductive Pink looks, too.
      Carolina Braina recently posted … How I’m Fighting Post-Blemish Pigmentation

      Reply
  11. Chris25 says

    June 30th, 2016 at 2:58 pm

    That palette is amazing. Loving that eye look on you!
    Chris25 recently posted … Review: L’Oreal Paris Wear Infinite Studio Secrets Eyeshadows in Deep Mocha & Smooth Latte

    Reply
    • Carolina Braina says

      July 1st, 2016 at 10:01 am

      Thank you, Chris. Have a great weekend! 🙂
      Carolina Braina recently posted … How I’m Fighting Post-Blemish Pigmentation

      Reply
  12. Lauren says

    July 1st, 2016 at 12:23 am

    Love the palette. Might have to grab that today

    Reply
    • Carolina Braina says

      July 1st, 2016 at 10:01 am

      You won’t regret it! 😉
      Carolina Braina recently posted … How I’m Fighting Post-Blemish Pigmentation

      Reply

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Hi there! I’m Karen, your friendly neighborhood beauty addict, and I’m a Bay Area girl who hoards brown eyeshadow and covets coral lipstick. Every morning, I wake up and say, “I’m going to do something other than a smoky eye today.” Then…I end up doing a smoky eye anyway (most days). When I’m not putting on makeup, taking pictures of makeup or writing about makeup, which I’ve been doing daily since 2007 (!), you’ll find me hanging out with my hubby (“El Hub”), my four-year-old daughter (Connor Claire) and my torbie girl cat (Pretty Girl Rosie, a.k.a. PGR).

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