Beaut.ienomics: Fresh, Affordable Makeup Look for Back to College and Beyond

'Tis the season when people return to college. Whether you're heading off for the first time, heading back for another year, or heading back as a mature student after twenty years, you're probably broke. And being broke isn't limited to students. Here's a super affordable everyday makeup look created using only products from budget brands essence and Catrice. I've chosen my favourite products from their newest Autumn collections to create this really easy look.

It's not really even a makeup look - it's so straightforward that anyone can do it. Here are the seven products I used; I'm really wowed by their quality!

Step One

• A simple makeup should always have great skin as its focus, so I evened out my complexion with Catrice's new Nude Illusion Makeup. I'm incredibly impressed with this. It's semi-matte with just the right amount of dewiness.

Step Two

• essence's Soo Blush! in Sweet As a Peach is a lovely and incredibly affordable cream to powder blush which wakes the face right up. The corally shade is also nicely autumnal, which is just right for the season. Just dab it onto the apple of your cheek with clean fingers.
• Next to add a highlight, I'm applying essence's Soo Glow! in Bright Up Your Life along the cheekbones, browbones, cupid's bow and along the bridge of the nose. This is by far my favourite product of all - it immediately creates really glowy, non-sparkly skin and just leaves an expensive looking finish!

Step Three

• Next, to eyes. I've applied some essence Effect liquid eyeshadow in Stonehenge on the eyelid. It's beautifully light reflective, but not too much for every day. I love it.
• To contour the eye, I've applied some of Catrice's Velvet Matte eyeshadow in burgundy to the crease of the eye and blended it with a clean fluffy brush. I've then dabbed the same shadow in Vanillaty Fair to the inner corner of my eye and my browbone. I just whacked that on with my ring finger.
• I've skipped mascara altogether because I recently had a lash lift so I don't really need it, stick around for a review on that next week!

Step Four

• Bang on a slick of lip gloss before you head off to start a new academic year - I'm wearing essence Effect Lip Gloss in Jewels in a Bottle (pictured at the top of the page). The shade mimics the blush and it's not sticky.

There you go! Fresh, pretty and fuss-free, this makeup is suitable for everyone. It's especially suitable for a student budget!

Do you like a simple, fresh look like this for every day? Are there any of these products you'd like us to review some more? And do we have anyone heading back to college after a break? To the comments!