I tried makeup from the newest affordable beauty brand at Walmart, and I'd buy almost all of it again

  • Halsey has created new, colorful beauty products that are sold at Walmart for under $10 each.

  • After trying five items from the af94 brand, I would buy most of them again.

  • I specifically loved the company's eyeliner and multi-stick, which can be used as blush.

Walmart is selling a new beauty brand called af94, which offers colorful makeup for prices under $10.

An af94 display in Walmart's beauty section.
An af94 display in the beauty section of Walmart on July 18, 2022.Amanda Krause/Insider

The brand is the second cosmetics company created by the musician Halsey. They previously launched About-Face — a range of high-end beauty products — in January 2021, and the company now sells its makeup online and at Ulta Beauty.

So with af94, as the musician told Teen Vogue, they aimed to offer similarly vibrant makeup at cheaper price points and via more accessible locations — namely Walmart.

I purchased five of the brand's 12 products, and put them to the test.

Makeup from af94.
I tested these five products from Halsey's new brand af94.Amanda Krause/Insider

I purchased the $9.98 Push to Start mascara, the $8.98 Playdate lip and cheek color, the $7.98 Majorly Matte lipstick, the $7.98 Give 'Em Lip gloss, and the $7.98 Backline liquid eyeliner.

I chose the eyeliner in the blue shade Bye Binesky, and the makeup multi-stick in the orange-toned Savor.

Eyeliner and a makeup multistick from af94.
The af94 liquid eyeliner (left) and the brand's multi-stick (right).Amanda Krause/Insider

The eyeliner is small and features a thin, felt tip in its cap, whereas the multi-stick is more chunky and twists up like a lipstick.

I loved both of these products and am eager to try more shades.

Reporter Amanda Krause wears eyeliner, lip gloss, and blush from af94.
Here, I'm wearing the brand's eyeliner and multi-stick products across my face.Amanda Krause/Insider

I'm a fan of af94's multi-stick because it looks natural on the cheeks, feels moisturizing on the lips, and has a slight glow.

But I was even more impressed by the eyeliner. It's brightly pigmented, so you only need one swipe, and lasts all day, in my experience.

Next, I tried the brand's mascara in the deep mauve shade Semi-Charmed.

A pink mascara from af94.
It didn't take long for this mascara to become messy.Amanda Krause/Insider

The mascara, which twists open and features a thick brush, looks pretty standard when you open it.

But after putting the brush back inside the tube, I noticed how messy it was — the pink mascara immediately gathered at the top of the tube in giant clumps.

Though I love the idea of a colorful mascara, this one didn't work for me.

Reporter Amanda Krause tries mascara from af94.
My lashes without mascara (left), and my lashes after using mascara from af94 (right).Amanda Krause/Insider

No matter how many layers I swiped onto my lashes, I just couldn't build up this muted color.

I also wasn't that impressed by the formula — it didn't add much volume — so I don't think I'd spend another $9.98 to try a darker shade.

Finally, I tried af94's liquid lipstick in the mauve shade BB Doll, and its lip gloss in the clear shade called Do You See It.

Lipstick and lip gloss from af94.
I tried a matte liquid lipstick and clear lip gloss from af94.Amanda Krause/Insider

Both products are packaged in small tubes and feature thin, doe-foot applicators — which I personally prefer in my lipsticks.

I'll be recommending both products to all the beauty fans I know.

Reporter Amanda Krause tries lipstick from af94.
I've worn af94's lip gloss on its own, and on top of the brand's lipstick.Amanda Krause/Insider

The clear lip gloss is solid, in my opinion, and can be worn on its own or atop other lipsticks. It's not a game changer — there are similar and cheaper options out there — but I have no complaints about the formula.

The lipstick, on the other hand, is a standout. It's bright in color, long-lasting, and comfortable, despite having a dry texture.

I even like af94's lipsticks better than those from Halsey's About-Face line, which cost more than double the price at $16 each.

I'd say af94 is a shining addition to Walmart's beauty aisles.

Reporter Amanda Krause wears eyeliner, blush, and lip gloss from af94.
I'll definitely be trying more af94 products in the future.Amanda Krause/Insider

Though I haven't worn every item in af94's range, I am impressed by the few beauty products I tried. I'll definitely be returning to the eyeliner in particular, and the blush stick now has a permanent home in my purse.

But the best part, in my opinion, is that when I recommend these products to friends and beauty lovers, I won't be wincing as I share the prices.

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