Your makeup bag should be like your wardrobe: a carefully edited mix of investment pieces and budget-friendly basics. With tips from the pros, you can recreate three of fall’s fabulous beauty looks without wasting a hard-earned penny. Plus, discover department and drug store essentials.

The look: Artfully winged eyeliner

Splurge on: Cream eye shadow.

“Choose one with staying power and it won’t move around,” says DeNobrega. Put it in place with an angled brush, tracing the lash line in short streaks rather than attempting one continuous row. “Use only a bit of product to connect the lines.”

Her pick: MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Cream in Anthracite, $25.

Save on: Loaded lashes. “With a mascara that amplifies length, curl and volume, it will look like you’re wearing false lashes — without the hassle,” says Stewart.

Her pick: Maybelline Lash Stiletto Ultimate Length Mascara in Very Black, $12.

Essentials the experts save on:

1) Eye and lip liner pencils
“In the past few years, the inexpensive brands have upgraded their formulas and now offer better quality products that are softer and easy on the skin,” says DeNobrega. Both she and Stewart are partial to the Annabelle collection, $8 each.  “Their lip liners aren’t too dry or too creamy,” says Stewart, “and they don’t have a tendency to break when you sharpen them.”

2) Lip gloss
“I like Joe Fresh Style’s range of colours,” says DeNobrega, “and the packaging makes it look expensive when it really only costs $8.” In Stewart’s bag, you’ll find Rimmel London Vinyl Bronze Lip Gloss, $9. “It has a nice lustre and texture, not too thick or tacky like other inexpensive glosses,” she says.

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Makeup trend: Bold blackberry lips

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Essentials the experts splurge on:

1) Flawless concealer
“With a good concealer, you can get away with not wearing foundation,” says makeup artist Roxanne DeNobrega, who opts for MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Invisible Cover Concealer, $32.

Elesia Stewart, a creative beauty consultant, likes Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer, $32, because it doesn’t make skin look ashy.

2) High-quality makeup brushes
“The Giorgio Armani Cosmetics Blender Brush, $52, is made of real hair and feels super soft on your skin,” says Stewart, “and it doesn’t streak the way others do.” DeNobrega is loyal to M.A.C brushes. Some have lasted her 10 to 15 years!

3) Luxury mascara
For Stewart, it’s all about Chanel Inimitable Intense Mascara, $36. “It brings drama and intensity to the eyes,” she says. “Every lash has a purpose!” To extend the look of short lashes, DeNobrega loves the magic wand of Dior DiorShow Mascara, $31.

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