The world of drugstore makeup is a confusing one. It can be incredibly overwhelming sifting through the thousands and thousands of makeup products on the market today. How are you supposed to know which ones are actually goo? And what shades are going to be the most flattering?
Well, that’s where I come in! Today, I am going to drop my ultimate guide to drugstore makeup. This is a list of products that I think are reliable and easy to use. They are perfect products for anyone who is just starting to experiment with makeup or someone who is tired of purchasing duds and needs some reliable go-to’s! Check them out below!
Disclosure: Please keep in mind that any of the links provided below are affiliate links which means that I am compensated if you do decide to make a purchase. Whether or not you do so is completely up to you!
1. Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circle Treatment
I’m listing a tried and trusted concealer as number one because I think that a concealer will be the most handy tool in your arsenal. When you’re just starting out with makeup or really only interested in dabbling, you have to be strategic about picking the products that will be the most worth your money and give you the most satisfaction. This little concealer stick definitely fits the bill!
I struggle with some really bad dark circles under my eyes. It’s mostly genetic, but I also don’t get enough sleep (I can’t help it if I love staying up late AND waking up early). It is HARD to find a concealer that will cover up my late night of watching TikToks without looking heavy and cakey, but this Maybelline concealer really is fantastic. It doesn’t crease and gives my skin a very natural look. It’s rated as the top concealer in the U.S., and I honestly think that is a fair assessment!
2. Physician’s Formula Butter Bronzer
Bronzers are actually one of those products that I don’t think you need to spend a lot of money on; the drugstore makeup equivalents are great! Not only is this a fantastic bronzer and a reliable product for someone who is just starting to experiment with bronzing their face, but I also love to use this as an eye shadow! I love to just sweep some of this on my lids to add a little something to my eye makeup without having to spend a ton of time fumbling with a palette.
I personally love the texture of this particular bronzer. It’s called “butter bronzer” and it really does apply as smoothly as butter! I find that it is a very natural shade, so you don’t have to worry about going too overboard. And it smells kind of like coconut (very subtly), so it always reminds me of summer!
3. Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss in Rosy Future
I’m a huge fan of Revlon lip glosses! They are incredibly affordable, so you can buy a few shades and give yourself time to find the colors that you really gravitate toward. That is what I did a few years ago, and completely fell in love with this particular shade. I think that it is incredibly flattering on any skin tone. You can wear it alone or pair it with a lip liner to add some extra dimension!
I have actually seen this particular lipstick touted as a dupe for a popular Fenty Beauty lip gloss shade, so if you are a fan of Fenty Beauty, but have a hard time paying the full price for that product, definitely try this one out!
4. L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara
Just as I am a firm believer in Revlon lip glosses, I ADORE L’Oreal mascaras. I have tried pretty much all of them at this point in my life, and this one is the one that I continually gravitate towards. I honestly have been consistently using this mascara for two years now, and I am just not interested in trying any new ones! It’s never done me dirty!
This is a volumizing mascara that does a great job of thickening the appearance of your lashes while still providing that extra length to really draw attention to your eyes. I think that the formula is fantastic as well–it doesn’t flake and doesn’t smudge and is easy to take off at the end of the day. I seriously have pathetic natural lashes, and this mascara does wonders for making my eyes POP! This is a drugstore makeup treasure for sure!
5. Maybelline Fit Me Dewy & Smooth Foundation
This is hands down my favorite drug store foundation! If you are someone who deals with dry skin and all the related makeup issues (flakiness, creasing, dull tone, etc), then this is the product for you!
This foundation leaves my skin looking healthy and glowing and does not flake! It has a very natural finish and is buildable if you want more coverage. I just dab a bit onto a Beauty Blender and apply a light layer, adding more until I am satisfied.
There is an amazing matte formula as well for anyone with oily skin. I also find that this product line has so many amazing shades, so it works for many different skin tones. Definitely check this one out if you are looking for a foundation with a natural finish that is easy on the wallet!
6. Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso
Okay, honestly, all of Milani’s blushes are SO GOOD, but this one is my personal favorite. Blush seems like a negligible step in a makeup routine to some people, but I find it to be essential in keeping a healthy, youthful-looking complexion! Luminoso is a pretty peachy-pink shade that is perfect for summer, but I have tried all of the shades in this line and love them all!
This line of blushes is great because the colors are incredibly flattering and they provide a little bit of shimmer without making you look like a disco ball. And though I am a self-proclaimed highlighter fanatic, I really do love that this product combines blush with a subtle highlight. It is perfect for anyone who is just starting to build their makeup collection and needs versatile products!
7. Honest Beauty Liquid Eyeliner
Next is my all-time favorite eyeliner! Just like bronzer, I find that drugstore eyeliners are incredible; you really don’t need to spend more than a few dollars to get a great one!
As I mentioned before, my skin is very dry, but my eyelids can actually get super oily. That makes it pretty difficult to find a reliable liquid eyeliner that will stay in place all day. This eyeliner does that in addition to being a vegan makeup product! How cool is that?
I also find that this eyeliner is very easy to apply. I SUCK at applying liquid liner, but this one is very forgiving. It doesn’t dry quickly, so while that does mean you will need to hold still for a bit after you’re done, you can also wipe it away pretty easily and start over again if needed. It’s an amazing price and does everything you want an eyeliner to do!
8. Soap and Glory One Heck of a Blot Instant-Perfecting Power Primer
I’ve already gone on my primer power rant, but I’m going to do it again…
I cannot stress enough how critical it is to prime your skin before applying makeup! Whats the point in spending time fixing your face up in the morning if it’s all going to rub away halfway through your day?
This particular product is the most expensive one on this list, coming in at about $16.00. HOWEVER, that is only because I am very picky about primers and just haven’t found one that is cheaper and works well. I am a firm believer that there is no point in going with low-cost alternatives if they don’t actually do anything, and I stand by that with this primer! It does a great job of smoothing out your skin and providing a layer for your foundation to stick to without creasing. It is such a good buy!
9. NYX Professional Makeup Micro Brow Pencil
While I completely agree with the consensus that giving your brows a little love is a great way to look more put together and primped, I do not like spending tons of time or money on them!
That is why I love this product. It’s a no-fuss, quick way to shape and fill your brows. Some mornings, I just want to comb through my brows really quickly, and other mornings I want to spend a bit more time defining them. You can do all of that with this brow pencil! It has a very fine tip, so it will allow you to create a very natural looking brow. It is also available in several different shades, so you can pick a shade that compliments your hair color and looks stunning!
10. L’Oreal Paris Colour Riche Couture Lip Liner in Beige a Nu
This is my all-time favorite drugstore lip liner. The color is such a lovely, soft pink shade that is very easy to wear. It applies very smoothly, so it is a hydrating product which I love! This shade looks so natural and does not bleed throughout the day!
This can be worn on its own or paired with a lip gloss or lipstick as well! This makes it a great choice for someone just testing out a few products and introducing themselves to the world of makeup. And at only five dollars, it is such a steal! I find it comparable to Charlotte Tilbury’s “Pillow Talk” lip liner at a fraction of the price! So worth it!
Trying out new makeup products can seem intimidating, but it really isn’t! All of these products are affordable and reliable; perfect for someone who is interested in learning more about makeup and finding products that they love without spending a fortune! It’s what I love about drugstore makeup, and there are so many great finds!
What are some of your personal drugstore makeup holy grails? Do you agree with any of the products that I mentioned in my list? Let me know!
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