The Drugstore Makeup I Rely On – Tips from a Professional Makeup Artist
I’ve been a makeup artist for over 20 years now, and I can say without a doubt that the following drugstore makeup I’m sharing with you today, will look good on women of ANY AGE. And the best part is that they all happen to be UNDER $20 each!
So let’s celebrate drugstore makeup today on SAACA. Because WOW, EVERYTHING has gotten MAD expensive lately!! Since when did a box of cereal become $6?? Yikes! As I walk down the drugstore beauty aisles, it is even reflected there but still better than luxury retailer makeup.
And don’t let these low prices fool you - these products I’m sharing with you today act like their prestige counterparts - sometimes even better in my opinion!! Let’s take a look through my makeup bag while I share with you my affordable treasures. My entire look was created with each and every one of the products listed below…
TL;DR
Jennifer shares the drugstore makeup she relies on as a professional makeup artist
Jennifer's product recommendations are shoppable via text links and image widgets
The Drugstore Makeup I Rely On
Tips from a Professional Makeup Artist
Brow Pencil // Morphe Micro Brow Pencil, $9. I tell all of my private makeup lesson clients to buy one of these. They are the dupe to the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz pencils - truly identical in feel and color. But one is 9 bucks and the other is $25! There are 10 shades to choose from and I wear shade “Java.”
Foundation // L’Oreal True Match Nude Hyaluronic Tinted Serum, $15. I love love this magical product that sinks into the skin like silk, looks phenomenal, and feels completely weightless. This is a hybrid formula that blends makeup and skin care and gives skin a hydrated feel and smooths over time. It’s also suitable for sensitive skin. I wear shade 3-4 right now.
Concealer // Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser concealer, $9. This hydrating formula has been around for years, and for great reason. It’s super versatile, as the sponge tip applicator can help you conceal, contour, and correct! I’m wearing shade 115 here. If you are in the market for a concealer, I highly suggest you give this user friendly one a try.
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Eyeshadow Palette // Milani Gilded Mini in “Whiskey Business,” $9. These mini 6 shade palettes come in a handful of color combos that contain the perfect blend of mattes and shimmers. They get 5 star ratings for their high pigment payoff and how beautifully the color combos go together. I just wish the palette contained a mirror but that would drive up the cost, so I’ll deal with it! Ha!
Mascara // Essence Lash Princess Sculpted Volume, $5. The Essence mascara collections are arguably some of the best on the market in my opinion. And they haven’t gone up in price in a couple of years and have stayed at 5 bucks each! I’ve loved all of their formulas but this sculpted volume has been my fave lately.
Bronzer // L’Oreal Infallible 24 hr Fresh Wear Bronzer, $15. These bronzers give such a realistic warm soft matte finish that you’ll think you’re swiping on a prestige bronzer. Some bronzers I find to be very patchy, but not this one. It’s super smooth and makes bronzing and even contouring a breeze. I wear the shade light-medium.
Blush // Milani Baked Blushes, $9. My favorite thing about all of these baked blushes is they have a slight shimmer to them, so no separate highlighter needed. I’m wearing shade “Berry Amore” here but their most famous shade is “Luminoso” that has long been tagged as the Nars “Orgasm” dupe.
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Lip Liner // NYX Cosmetics Slim lip liner, $5. I’m pretty sure you’ll find a few of these lip liners in every professional makeup artist's kits, they’re that good and well-known. They resist bleeding but apply smoothly and come in a plethora of fabulous shades! I’m wearing the mauve brown shade “Ever” here but I also love “natural” and “nude pink.”
Lip Gloss // Maybelline Lifter Plumping Glosses, $9. I preach my love of these glosses to everyone! They’re just the best. You’ve never felt something so hydrating and smooth with great color impact. They remind me of the Fenty Beauty Gloss Bombs. I’m wearing shade “Silk” here but I own at least 8 different shades from this line and will continue to keep adding to my collection!
Setting Spray // Milani Make It Last Original Setting Spray, $16. Milani is doing it again by creating this fantastic makeup setting spray that rivals the Urban Decay All Nighter setting spray in my opinion. Think of this product as “insurance” for your makeup that guarantees to keep it looking like you just put it on, hours into the day!
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Speaking of under $20 favorites, this Amazon square neck top, $19, I’m wearing here has become a wardrobe staple of mine. I own the black and white versions now, but it comes in plenty of other color options. It’s thick, snug, and hugs in just the right spots and is butter soft while having such a flattering neckline! I am wearing a small.
The rest of my outfit details: This delicate initial Bauble Bar necklace is so pretty and dainty! // My star hoops from Bauble Bar // This is my silver/gold watch band compatible with my Apple watch, then I add the sparkly face topper to give it extra bling! // My floral Free People pants are almost sold out, but these Farm Rio/Anthro ones are super chic as well as these Petal + Pup retro print floral ones. I didn’t realize how many compliments one would get when wearing floral print pants, but I do!
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In Case You Missed It
Yesterday, Beth and Kelly shared Italian Summer Recipes on Fridays with Oscar. Click the title or image below to read the article.
Thank you, Jen for this $$ saving post! I do tend to buy at my local drugstores for most products.
You’re very welcome Nancy! Have fun drugstore makeup shopping!
Another valuable post, Jennifer! I’ve bookmarked more drugstore products to try out. Thank you!
YAY Carolina Girl!!! It’s always fun to have some personal recs before trying to shop for drugstore makeup on your own!
Can you tell me what eye liner you used? At 57 years old, I’m learning to apply products and would love a tutorial on which eye shadows from this post you placed where on your eyes and how you apply your eye liner without it looking all squiggly! You are definitely inspiring me to try some new things!
Hey Ruth! So I did not use an actual eyeliner pencil here – I used an ultra thin eyeliner brush, along with the water, and dipped the brush into the darkest brown eyeshadow from the Milani palette I recommended here, and drew along the lash line with it and flicked up at the edges. Using shadow as liner is one of the easiest ways to get that smooth non squiggly look!
Here’s the liner brush I use all the time from Bobbi Brown >> https://bit.ly/45tr4hs
Hi! I love all of these except I’ve never tried the mascara. Adding it to my list! Praying they never discontinue Maybelline age rewind under eye concealer, it’s so fabulous. You’re expressions remind me so much of the beautiful actress Rosalind Russell🩷
Wishing you a fabulous weekend!
Georgia Peach – DEF add it to your list – you’ve got nothing to lose with trying this $5 mascara! Always give your mascara a couple of days of use and buildup on the wand before judging it to it’s max potential.
I always enjoy your tips and recommendations! I use the age rewind concealer in the pale pink color as a cheek bone and nose highlighter as well as in the inside corner of my eye.
Thank you so much Kim for saying this! I LOVE the pale pink shade – it’s got so many uses!!!
This blog was… how do I say it? Relevant!! FinallyI have found something that helped me Thank you!