Affordable Makeup Products in Bangkok For Medium Skin Tones

Recently I have been experimenting with makeup that doesn’t break the bank. And being based in Bangkok I find that most brands have limited availability with products shades and shades compared to other countries. I was quite skeptical about finding anything that would work on my medium skin tone but I’m happy to say I have discovered some amazing products for 500 baht or less that work as well as their high end counterparts. Some prices may vary depending on the store. Check out my loot below:

Foundation 

L’Oreal Infallible Pro Matte Foundation
Shade: 106 Sun Beige
Price: 480 Baht
Stores: Boots, Watsons, Big C and other supermarkets with L’Oreal counter.

This has quickly become my foundation for daily use. It’s affordable, has a lightweight feel and offers amazing coverage. Especially in Bangkok’s humid weather, I think it wears well and doesn’t make my skin look oily (you do have to set it with a powder though). If you have light to medium skin tones, you should be able to find a shade match.

Loose Powder

Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder
Shade: 20 Light Medium
Price: 400 Baht
Stores: Watsons, Supermarkets with Maybelline counter

After hearing a lot about it online and reading reviews, I decided to give it a try and I really like it for setting my foundation and concealer every day, especially the under eye area. It’s very light and gives a flawless finish to the face — reducing the appearance of texture, pores and fine lines. It’s also a nice powder to use straight on the face for light coverage. What I like most about this powder is that I can refresh my makeup without having to apply more foundation or concealer; I will dust some powder in the areas where my makeup is fading and it looks neat and fresh and then I can go on top with anything else I need.

Eyebrows
Daiso Eyebrow Pencil
Shade: Dark Brown
Price: 60 Baht
Stores: Daiso

The most reasonably priced makeup product I own! At 60 baht, it’s hard to find a flaw with the Daiso Eyebrow Pencil. The pencil tip is quite thick and the formula is more waxy so filling up brows is a quick and done deal. I will say it’s not ideal for precise application, so for those with thinner or sparser eyebrows it might not be ideal. There is a spoolie at the other end of the pencil to brush out brow hairs, which I find very helpful and for the price point it’s just a great added bonus.

Another hack for this pencil is to use it as an eyeliner. The shade is a natural brown so it’s great for daytime and for use on-the-go.

L’Oreal Brow Stylist Definer
Shade: Dark Brunette
Price: 400 Baht
Stores: Boots, Watsons, Supermarkets with L’Oreal counter.

The L’Oreal Brow Stylist Definer has a thin pencil tip for precise and fine application; it is ideal for those with thin or sparse eyebrows. The formula is more on the dry side so drawing in brow hairs and filling up the brow may take longer but the finished look is very natural and full. There is also a spoolie at the other end of the pencil to brush out brow hairs.

Mascara
L’Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara
Shade: Blackest Black
Price: 350 Baht
Stores: Boots, Watsons, Supermarkets with L’Oreal counter.

For full, long lashes, the L’Oreal Lash Paradise Mascara is your best buddy. The formula of the mascara is thick and lengthening — two coats is all it takes. It can be a bit of a pain to remove at the end of the day, that’s my only niggle with the product.

 

Lips & Eyes
NYX Sweet Cheeks Blush Palette
Price: 500 Baht
Stores: Sephora

This palette brings you 8 shades including 2 highlighters, 1 shimmery bronzer, 3 satin blushes with tiny gold reflects and 2 matte blushes in that order. With such a wide range in finishes and colours, this palette easily doubles up as an eye shadow palette too. If you like warm corals and pinks, this one is a no brainer. I particularly like the first shade to highlight, the third one to lightly bronze and the fourth / fifth / seventh to blush my cheeks depending on the look I’m going for.

As an eye shadow palette, I like to put down some concealer as a base and then apply some of the more medium tone shades (third, fourth, fifth and seventh shades) as a wash of shades all over the lid and crease, and then apply either of the first highlighter shades concentrated just on the crease below the crease line. If I’m feeling fancy, I’ll use the sixth deeper plum shade to deepen the outer corner.

One thing to note about this palette is the colours are very pigmented so a little goes a very long way, especially when using as blush. Blending takes a little more effort than usual too.

Lips

L’Oreal Colour Riche Matte
Shade: 203
Price: 250 Baht
Stores: Boots, Watsons, Supermarkets with L’Oreal counter.

I wear lipstick almost every single day, which means it has to be comfortable, long-lasting and look natural. That’s a lot to ask from one product. The L’Oreal Colour Riche Matte lipsticks have one of the best formulas I have ever tried, including both affordable and high end. Even though it’s a matte lipstick, it is moisturising and super comfortable. My lips do not feel dry at all. There is a huge shade range too; my go-to is shade 203, a peachy brown nude. I highly recommend it.

Have you tried any of the products above? Let me know your thoughts!