Influencer Shelby Ann Explains How Growing Up in a 'Very Rural Town' Taught Her to Utilize Drugstore Makeup (Exclusive)
Influencer Shelby Ann Explains How Growing Up in a 'Very Rural Town' Taught Her to Utilize Drugstore Makeup (Exclusive)
Meredith WilshereSun, May 24, 2026 at 12:00 PM UTC
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Shelby Ann Bell
Credit: Courtesty Shelby Ann Bell and Morphe
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Shelby Ann Bell created the viral 'Shelby Ann Makeup Routine' focused on affordable beauty products
Growing up in rural South Carolina, Bell lacked access to luxury beauty and relied on drugstore brands
Bell hopes her content inspires followers to experiment with bold makeup while sticking to affordable options
When Shelby Ann Bell goes into her makeup kit, she often reaches for affordable options rather than high-end luxury brands.
Bell has been working as a professional bridal makeup artist for 10 years, and has grown a following online by sharing all her best beauty tips. The "Shelby Ann Makeup Routine" has gone viral for the filter-like finished product, but also because most of the products she uses can be found at the drugstore.
Highlighting affordable makeup is important to Bell, 28, who grew up in “a very rural town in South Carolina.”
“I didn't really have access to luxury beauty until well into college, when our closest Sephora was well over an hour away. I was a drugstore girl through and through. I was using affordable brands," she tells PEOPLE.
Shelby Ann Bell hosting a bridal masterclass with Morphe
Credit: Courtesty Shelby Ann Bell and Morphe
In high school, she discovered Morphe and was “super excited” because she "was able to play with more color and have access to more of the bold makeup looks," which, at the time, "wasn't really something that you found at an affordable price point.”
“I really resonate with the girl that lives in a rural space or doesn't have access to really expensive beauty. I feel like it's just not as affordable to spend $80 per product on a full face of makeup,” Bell shares.
She says being able to share her affordable makeup routine and tips is so important because it "speaks to my roots.”
Watching her method go viral, according to Bell, is “the highest honor.”
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“It's really surreal to see people going into the store and buying the products. I get a lot of DMs about the Morphe paddle brush being out of stock," she says. "It's very crazy, very surreal, but also again, a huge honor, and I don't take it lightly."
Bell's routine starts with a focus on skincare and a hydrated base. She then applies all her cream products, most of which are under $15, before setting everything and layering with powder products. She, of course, finishes with setting spray, locking the look in place.
"I'm very specific about what products I talk about and what I'm really passionate about because I know that again, especially when you're talking about affordable beauty, these are the consumers that don't necessarily have $50 to go out and spend on makeup," Bell shares. "So when they trust me and they go out and purchase something, it has to be really good."
Viral Makeup Artists Shelby Ann Bell
Credit: Courtesty Shelby Ann Bell and Morphe
As a makeup artist and content creator, Bell frequently shares her makeup tips and tricks online. She says her biggest tip is to “find a really good routine that works really well for you and then you can always add in things.”
“It's really fun because once you have your routine down and you really have the look down that you like to have perfected, then you can add in the fun stuff," she shares. "So I love the smaller palettes because they have really pretty shimmers, they're really fun colors, they're really fun to play with and like to add into a routine."
She hopes that her followers, through watching her videos, feel comfortable taking risks and trying different things, whether it’s a bold lip color or a new eyeshadow palette.
“Honestly, makeup is so fun. I feel like there's nothing not to do, try everything, play with everything," she tells PEOPLE. "I really think that's the beautiful thing about beauty, is that you can do your own thing with it."
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
