I love drugstore makeup. Why? Because theyโre affordable and they do the job. I donโt want to be spending $40 on a high end highlighter, when I can spend just $10 for one that also makes my cheekbones pop. Donโt get me wrong, I love high end makeup but Iโm also a broke college student, and simply canโt afford a $30 mascaraโฆ So, here is a round up of some drugstore makeup must-haves!
MASCARA
Maybelline Volumโ Express Colossal BIG Shot Mascaraย $5.89
Okay, Iโm a huge fan of Maybelline, maybe because it was the first makeup brand Iโve ever usedโฆ But also, the quality is nice and the prices are great.
Iโve tried at least 5 different mascaras from Maybelline, but this one will always be my favorite. It makes my eyelashes look longer and fuller. The only thing I love and hate at the same time is that it doesnโt come off easily. I full on cried once with this mascara on and it was still intact, which is amazing, but when it comes to taking it off, itโs just a pain in the ass.
Essence Lash & Brow Gel Mascara $2.99
I use this on my eyebrows so that they stay in place. It can also be used on eyelashes as clear mascara and I love it.
Related: 3 Ways to Give Yourself a Beauty Boost
BLUSH
Milani Rose Powder Blushย $6.99
Iโll be forever in love with this blush! Itโs super pigmented. And you can built up the tone and saturation you want. It is also super lightweight and blends very well. Besides, it has a touch of gold and leaves your skin glowing! The shade I use is Romantic Rose.
Milani Baked Blush in Rose DโOro $9.49 at Ulta
Iโm currently using this one on a daily basis and itโs been amazing so far! My favorite part is that it has some gold in it, so it leaves a subtle glow on your cheeks! It also looks very natural! I use the shade rose dโoro.
FOUNDATION
Maybelline FIT ME Foundationย $4.79
Okay, I donโt wear foundation on a daily basis, because Iโm more of the natural/no makeup type of girl. But when I do, this is one of my go toโs. I love the fact that is liquid and a little goes a long way.
It doesnโt crease and it is also good for combination skin. I have a friend that wears a Estรฉe Lauder foundation and she asked me what foundation I use cause my skin looked sooo smooth. Anyways, I like the Dewy+Smooth one, because it gives my skin that natural glow. And I use the shade 240 Golden Beige.
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Foundation $14.59
As mentioned before, I usually donโt wear foundation and when I do it has to be lightweight and look natural. This Neutrogena foundation is definitely one of my favorite ones. It is very liquid and a little goes a long way, but the best part is that it also protects your skin, it has SPF 20! It is dewy and leaves your skin glowing and very smooth! When purchasing, Iโd recommend not relying on how it looks in the bottle, because it looks way darker than it actually is (maybe because of the glass?).
Related: 7 Tips to Melt-Proof Your Summer Makeup
LIPS
NYX Liquid Suede $7
This is definitely one of my favorite matte lipsticks! They are kiss and food proof, theyโre smooth and donโt leave my lips feeling dry like other mate lipsticks. Besides theyโre so affordable, like $7 each! And they have a huge variety of colors!
NYX Lingerie $7
These are also matte and donโt feel dry on the lips. They also have a huge variety or colors, mostly nude and pink shades!
NYX Filler Instinct Plumping Lip polish $7
I was hoping this lipgloss would actually plump my lips, but all it did was sting a little the first couple times. It is a great lip gloss though! Itโs not sticky, lasts long and looks great!
Related: 5 ways to plump your lips
NYX #ThisIsEverything Lip Oil $6
Hands down one of the BEST lip gloss Iโve ever tried! IโM OBSESSED! It feels good on the lips, not sticky at all and it pretty much feels like an oil. I have only tried it in the shade โsheer berryโ and itโs so pretty, will definitely go back and try out a couple more colors!
EYEBROWS
e.l.f Lock on Liner and Brow Enhancer Cream $4
Another drugstore makeup must-have is this one! Do you remember that not so long ago, everyone was so hyped about Anastasia Beverly Hills eyebrow dip? Well, I honestly think that the elf eyebrow enhancer is a great dupe! Itโs super affordable, and even if it gets a bit dry sometimes, you can just apply some serum or facial oil in it and itโs like new! I have started using this for my eyebrows back in 2017 and I canโt stop!
CONCEALER
Maybelline FIT ME Concealer $6.79
I love the FIT ME concealer. It is super lightweight and doesnโt crease at all. The coverage is medium but thatโs okay. I use the shade 20 sand.
Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer $9.99
I have started using this concealer a couple months ago and itโs definitely one of my favorites! I love the fact that it comes with the applicator, it doesnโt crease and the coverage is also medium.
BRONZER
Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer $14.95
Even though my favorite bronzer will always be the one from MAC. This one is lightweight, the pigmentation is great and itโs long lasting!ย I always choose the deep bronzer, because of my skin color and because I like building it up.
SETTING POWDER
Maybelline FIT ME! Matte + Poreless Powder $5.49
Yepโฆ another Maybelline product, I swear this is not sponsored. Honestly, the FIT me series is probably my favorite collection, I literally canโt seem to get enough of any of their products. I use the 120 classic Ivory shade because my skin color has yellow undertones. The coverage is great, it works on all skin types and itโs lightweight.
Physisians Formula Pressed Powder Palette $6.49
I got the setting powder a while agoโฆ It is lightweight and gets the job done!
Related: 7 ways to melt-proof your makeup during the summer
EYESHADOWS
NYX Ultimate Shadow Palette $18
I got this colorful set just to play around and experiment a bit more with bright colors and I was impressed! The pigmentation is amazing, the colors are very bright and blendable. Havenโt tried any of their other eyeshadows but definitely will!
Maybelline The Nudes Wear Eyeshadow Palette $11.99
At this point I bet you were expecting another Maybelline product to pop in here, huh? These eyeshadows are great for an everyday type of look, theyโre long-lasting and very pigmented!
EYELINERS
E.L.F Expert Eyelinerย $2
This is literally the holy grail of eyeliners. At least for me. I love the fact that the tip is super thin which makes it easy to make that perfect wing. And the colors are so rich and pigmented. They might not stay for too long but theyโre also about $2, which is so cheap!ย Iโve also tried other bold colors like silver and blue, and those are also great!
Highlighters
ELF Highlighterย $4
I have to admit that when I purchased this I didnโt think it would work, because Iโve had bad experiences with E.L.F powders before. BUT, this highlighter is so pigmented and stays on for so long! I love the fact that you can build it up, as some highlighters tend to be very flashy. I use the shade Moonlight Pearls, because I like the gold finish.
