By Brandon Walt, makeup artist, Pretoria ·
Why I look at affordable makeup at all
Clients often ask whether they need expensive products to get a professional result. The honest answer is no. Technique matters more than price, and there is a lot of affordable makeup that performs. The test for me is simple: does it hold up on real skin, in real South African conditions, over a long day? I have selected the PHOERA products in my shop because they meet the standards I hold my kit to: coverage, finish, staying power and shade range.
Base: where PHOERA impresses
The JU Quillage Foundation is the standout. Full coverage with a soft-matte finish that does not look flat, a formula built to control oil and resist sweat, and 13 shades from Porcelain to Ebony. That shade spread matters in South Africa, where many affordable brands still stop at medium.
The Hydrating Skincare Foundation is the opposite personality: lighter, medium coverage with hyaluronic acid, for dry and sensitive skin and everyday wear. Between the two you can cover most skin types.
Setting: the products that make it last
The 24HR Waterproof Setting Spray is the product I would tell anyone to start with. A strong setting spray improves the wear of everything underneath it. The loose setting powder comes in four shades, including Medium Deep, which avoids the grey cast deeper skin often gets from translucent powder.
Colour: eyes, cheeks and lips
The Ultimate Eyeshadow x16 Palette gives a lot of versatility, with Neutral for everyday and Nude for soft glam. The Radiant Matte Powder Blush is pigmented, so tap off the excess. And the 24HR Non-Transfer Matte Lipstick is ideal when you cannot touch up often.
What to know before you buy
Shade matching is still the most important step. Use my PHOERA shade guide and swatch on your jawline in daylight. With pigmented products, start with less and build. And no product replaces skin prep: moisturise first, and set your makeup properly. Products are sold and shipped by PHOERA Cosmetics South Africa; I link to the products I recommend.
