Ever notice how a lot of those drugstore palettes have the same color stories now? I used to spend hours hunting for decent pigmentation without breaking the bank. The real game-changer for me wasn't finding one perfect brand, but learning which formulas work for specific jobs. A cheap, waxy neutral quad can make a fantastic base or brow powder, while you splash out a tiny bit more for a single shimmer from a brand like ColourPop for the lid. Mixing and matching like that stretches everything.
I've also gotten ruthless about what I actually use. You don't need five nearly-identical mauve blushes. One good cream formula you can tap on with fingers and blend out does the job of blush, lip tint, and even a subtle eye color. My most 'flawless' days are when my skin looks hydrated and I use less product, not more. A clear brow gel, a slick of mascara, and that multipurpose blush makes me look put together faster than trying to blend a dozen powders.