I clearly remember my first makeover at the Bobbi Brown mall makeup counter, back when I was still in college at the University of Georgia – I think it was 1999. The artist did a full face of makeup on me, gave me a face chart with all of the items she used on me, then asked me which of them I wanted to purchase. I was too embarrassed to ask the prices at that time (for some reason), so I figured I would be safe, just picking 3 of my favorite things she applied on me.
Couldn’t be more than 50 bucks right?? And to my shock, even back then, the total was close to $90…for only three items! As a college student, with no job, and a slim allowance from my parents at the time, it was hard to stomach.
Of course, now that my profession literally is to use the best performing makeup products I can, and to provide the best service and outcome for my makeup clients, I see the value in some prestige products and brands. Like, I’ll never regret buying a $42 tube of the YSL Candy Glaze Lipgloss sticks, they make me feel reeaally pretty and I’m a sucker for the luxe metal tube with etched YSL.
But that being said, in today’s world of beauty, luxury brands don’t always = better. Of course with luxury branding comes glamorous packaging, amazing marketing budgets, and celebrity spokespersons. Which all of those things are important to certain people. But do they really outperform their budget-friendly drugstore counterparts? Not all the time.
The truth is, drugstore makeup has come a long way in recent years, offering exceptional quality, on-trend formulations, and skin-loving ingredients without the hefty price tag. And guess what? Many people don’t realize that luxury and drugstore makeup brands are often owned by the same parent companies.
For example, L’Oréal owns Lancôme, Maybelline, NYX Cosmetics, and Giorgio Armani Beauty, just to name a select few. These companies use similar technology and research across their brands, meaning many drugstore formulas can share the same high-quality ingredients as their prestige counterparts.
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Sure, my drugstore face products come in a cheap shapeless plastic baggie, and the luxury one comes in aesthetically structured bags with nice handles. And maybe the drugstore shadow palette might not include a mirror in the compact (which drives up cost). But what really matters when it comes to makeup, is what’s inside, right??
So for today’s post, I’d like to show you how I got this complete drugstore makeup look, that costs a total of around $82, for all 11 products I used.
Granted, this doesn’t include my skincare or skin prep products (which are mega important), so for ideas in that category you can refer back to this article on my skincare tweaks you should make if over 40 I just wrote about.
Here is the list of the drugstore makeup items that have earned my trust (and money). If you’re on the search to overhaul your makeup bag, but prefer to do it on a budget, take some notes on my favorites in each category…
- L’Oreal Hyaluronic True Match Tint Serum, $15, (wearing shade 3-4). I cannot recommend this lightweight skin tint serum enough. If you have wrinkles and hate full coverage foundations, this is the most skin friendly product that blurs beautifully. Just remember to have a good base of a hydrating moisturizer applied first though.
2. Maybelline Instant Age Rewind concealer, $8, (wearing shade 115). Touted as America’s #1 concealer, and I believe it. Great shade range for a drugstore formula, and is super hydrating, easy click up sponge applicator, and covers like a dream. If you’ve never tried this product before, don’t sleep on it. (Brush wise for blending out the skin tint and this concealer, pick up the $8 e.l.f. Complexion duo brush, it’s a game changing tool at such an affordable price.)
3. Wet N Wild Photofocus Loose Setting powder, $6, (wearing shade translucent). I can’t believe this product performs almost identical to my beloved Laura Mercier loose powder. Sure the container is super basic, but it brightens and sets my makeup so well!
4. Wet N Wild Retractable Brow pencil, $4, (shade ash brown). Guess what this pencil is an extreme dupe for – the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Definer that runs $26. They both have the triangular pencil tip and come with a spoolie on the end. Performance wise – identical. Only big issue is, the $4 one comes in limited shade choices, but the ash brown is fairly universal.
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5. Colourpop Nude Mood shadow palette, $14. All of the Colourpop palettes are fantastic quality for the price point. They don’t include a mirror built in it, which can be really nice to have, but if that’s not a huge deal to you, then these are a great buy. I love the mix of warm browns in mattes and shimmers this specific palette contains. Their “That’s Taupe” palette is also a great neutral option.
6. Essence Lash Princess Mascaras, $5. Because these have always been only 5 bucks, I don’t mind buying two of their formulas and layering them at once for maximum lashes. Here I have layered the original false lash effect formula first, then on top I add the sculpted volume formula. You cannot beat the price and performance on these mascaras! I repurchase them all the time!
7. NYX Epic Wear Liner Stick, $9 (wearing shade : burnt sienna). These eyeliners by NYX are so good and soft enough to not tug on mature lids. They come in a plethora of shades, and are super long wearing. I love this shade of burnt sienna bc it has a hint of red in the brown that makes my eyes pop.
8. L’Oreal Infallible Matte Resistance, $10 (shades : “worth it medium” and “breakfast in bed”). If you struggle with lipcolor staying on, you probably haven’t tried this newer formula by L’Oreal. They’re comfortable, smooth, and stay put! I love this applicator as well that has the pointed tip to allow for me to line my lips with no traditional lip liner needed! I combined two shades – I outlined my lips with the deeper shade of “worth it medium” then filled in with the lighter color “breakfast in bed.”
9. NYX Buttermelt Blush, $10, (shade : “My butta half”). Grab two or more of these blushes – they apply silky smooth like BUTTA! The pigments are insane on these drugstore blushes and are now some of my favorites. This cool candy pink is a rather new shade for me to wear, but I’m loving the intensity and how happy it makes my face appear!
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At the end of the day, makeup is about self-expression, confidence, and fun—it shouldn’t require a luxury budget to enjoy. So the next time you need a new foundation, mascara, or lipstick, take a stroll down the drugstore beauty aisle—you might just find your new holy grail!
My Look Details
How stinking cute is my pastel rose Celebrity Pink cardigan from Walmart, $19?? It’s mega soft and will be the cutest girly look for Valentine’s Day coming up! I’m wearing a medium. // Old Navy layering pink tank top similar, $7 // Similar mint green skinny denim jeans by NYDJ, $110. // My silver initial Amazon necklace, $14 // Large triple hoop earrings on QVC, $35.
Are you team drugstore or prestige? Okay, I’ll give the prestige makeup category some love, so check out my “Splurge Worthy Makeup Kit” post here if you haven’t seen it already! Let me know in the comments which affordable beauty products you swear by.
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