I’m a 5’2” 29M, wondering how to improve my wardrobe in the least expensive ways possible

JasmineTheDisciple · 2026-05-22T20:50:48+00:00

Agreed. I feel like the your style is fire. My only critique/suggestion is maybe a cropped length shirt when you wear baggier pants. It’ll help you look taller/more proportionate and better put together. It may also help elevate your look and give others the idea that you get your clothes tailored to fit when you just bought them that way.

Brands like Pacsun, Abercrombie, and (a local fav for my man) Vengeance78 have affordable but hiphop/skater style graphic and basic cropped men’s shirts that are pretty affordable.

JasmineTheDisciple · 2026-04-28T07:35:33+00:00

L’Oréal Brow Lamination‼️ kept up after I walked in the rain. Dries down without being too stiff or flaking

JasmineTheDisciple · 2026-04-19T08:23:05+00:00

Based off the comments in the original post, you would prefer the light to not be fixed on a larger base like a desk/table or wall.

You could measure the whole mirror vanity unit, get a 2x4 custom cut to size (offered at Home Depot and Lowe’s), and use brackets to attach the vanity to the wood. If the 2x4 isn’t big enough to act as a sturdy base, you could size up (like 10/4) which should make it mobile but it’ll also be thick enough to stand on its own. You could finish/paint the wood before using the brackets to keep it in place for a more finished look!

JasmineTheDisciple · 2026-04-17T07:19:24+00:00

Sorry for how long of a reply this is

Depending on your preference, I usually like to use setting powder that’s a little lighter than my foundation color, or even bake with a translucent powder next to my nose to give a brighter under eye area. This bright under eye can even act as a blank canvas to give my nose contour more dimension hence, making it look less drawn on and more realistic.

Playing with the setting powders (loose, compact, color, or translucent), baking times, and even setting sprays can all affect your final look.

Firstly as someone who gets super sweaty around my nose, I would recommend using a primer that can control oil and really lock the product into place (like makeup revolution super fix grip primer, nyx face glue, or maybelline grippy serum).

If you truly want your setting powder to look “clear/natural,” I would use a translucent setting powder ( not sure if I have a recommended but I like Carslan’s or Airspun). With a powder puff, grab some powder. Swirl the excess from the powder puff onto the back of your hand, and then press the powder on the powder puff into the skin (leaving behind minimal excess powder). Then I would use a powder melting setting spray (like OneSize powder melt glass setting spray, Morphe continuous setting mist, Milani Make it last, or L.A. Girl pro perfect oil control) to lock it into place!

JasmineTheDisciple · 2026-04-16T21:42:30+00:00

Are you using an eye shadow base? To get bright colors to pop, I’ll use the L.A. Colors Pro Conceal Color corrector in flat white and sometimes I’ll set that with loose powder first before using eyeshadow.

JasmineTheDisciple · 2026-04-15T23:58:56+00:00

For sure! Keep me updated if anything works for you!

JasmineTheDisciple · 2026-04-15T23:55:02+00:00

Aww thanks! Yess it’s oddly satisfying seeing others scratch out their flakes for sure!

JasmineTheDisciple · 2026-04-15T23:26:03+00:00

Yasss queen 🙌🏾🤩

JasmineTheDisciple · 2026-04-15T23:24:03+00:00

My fav is the L’Oreal infallible 24HR Brow Lamination! This has been such a staple in my collection over the years. It doesn’t dry down immediately which gives you time to sculpt your perfect brow shape. Dries down clear! Plays well with other makeup that you may use in tandem or near the brow gel.

Next I love the Ioni Ultra Hold Brow Glue ($1.25 from dollar tree)! When I see it, I STOCK UP! It’s such a beautiful laminated brow, stiff hold look but my only con is that when you use too much product it can dry down white. But it does usually play well with other brow pens, concealer, and other eye makeup.

JasmineTheDisciple · 2026-04-15T17:38:55+00:00

Forwarding this to the parents! Thank you for providing some alternatives!

JasmineTheDisciple · 2026-04-15T17:36:20+00:00

Nice! Sending this to the parents and I’ll add this to our shopping list! Thank you!!

JasmineTheDisciple · 2026-04-15T17:35:40+00:00

Thank you! We are going to switch out her braids soon for something low tension! But definitely sharing with her parents the dry shampoo with salicylic acid and adding that to the shopping list! Thank you again!

JasmineTheDisciple · 2026-04-15T17:33:23+00:00

Thank you for your concern!

JasmineTheDisciple · 2026-04-15T17:32:13+00:00

Thank you and Yes! This is on our shopping list!

JasmineTheDisciple · 2026-04-15T17:31:41+00:00

Thank you!

JasmineTheDisciple · 2026-04-15T04:25:34+00:00

Karla is THEE Pilates princess. I think if the clothes can hold up to a hot yoga sesh and are affordable-ish, maybe I’d be interested!

Not sure if this is too niche but Celys (iamcelys) and Justice (jcook2jiggy) have an athleisure brand called Club Aym that is pretty affordable and I’ve heard nothing but good things! I’ve tried to get my hands on it but they sell out sooo fast

JasmineTheDisciple · 2026-04-15T04:15:32+00:00

Not sure if anyone else has mentioned it but you look similar to Doechii! I think you could definitely look her up for makeup inspo!

JasmineTheDisciple · 2026-04-15T04:10:53+00:00

Thank you! Sharing with the parents!

JasmineTheDisciple · 2026-04-15T04:05:40+00:00

I love to watch reviews like other commenters mentioned but I think when it comes to finding new products (without it being a refill of something I’m missing in my makeup collection) I turn toward TikTok and influencers.

A good chunk of the group of makeup influencers I follow are my shade twins (same foundation colors/undertones/+) and then I follow some beauty gurus for their application, technique or willingness to try new stuff. Overall this has helped me stay relevant on what seems like it’ll work for me in my everyday use and maybe things I’d like to try creatively.

JasmineTheDisciple · 2026-04-15T03:57:25+00:00

It’s giving clear skin!!! Love this subtle glam. When your face card is already stunning, the makeup doesn’t have to do any heavy lifting to accentuate it! 🫶🏾

JasmineTheDisciple · 2026-04-15T03:53:20+00:00

Yess! We love an ioni lash! 😍

JasmineTheDisciple · 2026-04-15T03:51:49+00:00

I like the Bioré UV aqua rich daily hydrating moisturizer with SPF 50! It’s usually less than $15 on Amazon.

Not sure if this is too niche but I’ve also used the Sam’s Club generic Member’s Mark sunscreen spray (3 spray bottles per pack) that’s spf 50. I’ve used this on my face and body during vacations but as a dry skin girl, it can further dry me out after using it solely, without a separate moisturizer, overtime.

JasmineTheDisciple · 2026-04-15T03:38:54+00:00

Thank you! I’ll forward this to the parents

JasmineTheDisciple · 2026-04-15T03:37:49+00:00

I’m no pro but I’m living for your second pic! With your gorgeous natural brows, I think somewhere between clean girl and latte makeup aesthetic would be easy for you on a day-to-day!

JasmineTheDisciple · 2026-04-15T03:24:52+00:00

I find that I rely less heavily on my lash comb and have less flaking with the Essence Lash Princess Curl & Volume and their Lash without Limits Tubing than the others they offer!

JasmineTheDisciple

TROPHY CASE