B101.7 Beauty Report: The Best Bargain Cosmetics Brand You Probably Don’t Know About [PHOTOS]

When it comes to makeup, I want a product that delivers in a major way--but without the major price tag. It seems impossible to find quality cosmetics that perform as well as their high-end competition. What if I told you there's a cosmetics brand that does just that? And what if I told you it's probably at your local drugstore right now? 

I love my makeup. Y'all know I do. I enjoy splurging from time to time on high-end products, but those are my rare "TREAT YO SELF" kind of purchases. I needed something that would work well without taking up 75% of my paycheck. I've tried pretty much every cosmetics brand that you can find in the drugstore: L'Oreal, Maybelline, Revlon, Almay, Wet-N-Wild, Milani, Cover Girl--they're all rad in their own ways. Each company has a few products I love, but I'd never found a company whose product offerings activated that Pokémon portion of my brain and made me  like GOTTA CATCH 'EM ALL!

...Until I found NYX Cosmetics. I love NYX. My NYX Cosmetics collection is growing at an alarming rate. I've heard a lot of makeup artists say that NYX products are a great "dupe" for MAC. MAC is fabulous, no doubt, but you can buy FOUR NYX lipsticks for the price of ONE MAC lipstick.

That's four times the AWESOME. One of the reasons I am so crazy about NYX Cosmetics is its price point. I'm able to play more, to try more things than I would if I were buying a high-end brand. I can go crazy with a dark purple lipstick, and I can also buy the everyday staples I need to round out my makeup collection.

NYX has AH-MAZE-ING lipsticks and glosses. Their Matte Lipsticks are a great bargain ($6); they're long-wearing, and they come in a variety of shades. This next bit is essential for all my Bama girls: NYX CARRIES A CRIMSON LIPSTICK CALLED "ALABAMA." I am serious; it's a deep matte crimson, and it is beautiful. Every girl in Tuscaloosa needs a tube of "Alabama" in her purse.

I've also bought their Matte Lipstick in "Shy," which is a really light nude. It's gorgeous on its own, but I also love layering it over a darker color for a 3D effect--just apply it to the fullest part of your lips for an Angelina Jolie-esque look. NYX's Butter Lipsticks are so smooth and pigmented--I've bought a deep red ("Mary Janes") and a light pink ("Cotton Candy"); I've also purchased their Butter Gloss in "Vanilla Creme Pie," which is a light pink and cushy, long-wearing gloss.

I can't go in to Ulta without buying a new NYX lippie. I NEED HELP. I'm also using several NYX products as the backbone of my makeup collection. Here's a list of my faves:

• Studio Perfect Primer--Get your skin flawless and ready for seamless foundation application with this primer--you can get it in clear, green (to correct redness), and purple (to correct yellow or sallow undertones).
• Jumbo Eye Pencil in "Milk"--use this white eye pencil over your entire lid. It seems crazy at first, but trust me--the white base will make the colors of your eye shadows stand out so much more. NYX carries a white eye shadow base which works just as well--I find it easier to apply the eye pencil.
• Wonder Pencil--It's a skin-toned pencil. Use it as a concealer or use it to line your waterline for bigger, brighter eyes.
• Matte Makeup Setting Spray-- I finish my look with this spray every day. It's like hairspray for your makeup. A little spritz will prevent wear and meltdown ALL DAY--through workouts, chasing toddlers, and the humidity of a West Alabama summer.
• Mosaic Powder Blush--Use one color or swirl them all together. It's like five blushes in one.
• Eyebrow Cake Powder--This little set will help tame, line, and define your brows.
• The Curve Liquid Liner--OMG. Just look at the shape of this eyeliner. It's ergonomic and guarantees perfect, even liquid liner application.

I'm crazy about NYX Cosmetics. I'm not the only one: the brand has won awards from Stylesight, Self Magazine, and O Magazine--just to name a few. It's a quality line that's affordable for just about everyone. Where can you find this awesome stuff?

• Ulta
• CVS (some stores, not all)
• Target (some stores, not all)
• NYX Cosmetics' Website

If you're looking for beauty goods that won't break the bank, NYX is a perfect fit. Their blog is a wonderful resource--you can learn a lot of tips and tricks.

Be warned, though--as people start to learn more about this rad brand, its products are flying off the shelves. Check it out for yourself and see why NYX is one of the hottest cosmetics brands right now! How about some Instagrams of mine that feature my NYX stuff?

@nyxcosmetics' butter lipstick in cotton candy. I never thought a pink would look so pretty on me. #prettyinpink #makeupaddiction

@nyxcosmetics lippies swatched Butter Lipstick in 'Cotton Candy' & 'Mary Janes;' Matte Lipstick in 'Shy' #swatches #makeupaddiction #nyx

practicing blending with gold and amber @lorealparisusa eyeshadows; practicing my contour, and trying a nude matte lip. Constructive criticism welcome; I appreciate the advice. #makeup #mua #makeupaddiction #eyeshadow #contour #mattelip #nudelip

my nyx lippies: I'm in love with the Matte and Butter lipsticks, and the butter gloss is so lush!