It’s been a while since I’ve talked about the best drugstore makeup products I love and use often. Even though drugstore makeup is inexpensive, not all products are created equal. Sometimes, the drugstore dupe is better than the high-end alternative so it’s always good to keep your options open!
These are the best drugstore makeup products I swear by:
Covergirl TruNaked Queenship Shadow Sticks
These shadow sticks are known dupes to the (more expensive) Laura Mercier Caviar Eye Sticks. I have both and I will say while the Covergirl Shadow Sticks are somewhat limited in shade options, I like the color payoff and staying power. The darker shades could also work as a smoky liner. I hope they keep these around for a while and expand the shade range!
L’Oreal Lash Paradise Mascara
This is the only drugstore mascara I highly recommend if you don’t want to splurge on a high-end mascara. It’s the perfect wand for volume and length without lashes looking clumpy. I’ve also tried the Lash Paradise Primer and that definitely helps prevent any flaking for longer days (definitely not necessary though).
Covergirl Skin Milk Foundation
This lightweight foundation has become a daily staple in my current summer makeup routine. It has a dewy finish and a little goes a long way, especially for days when I don’t want full coverage. It’s a vegan formula, which I appreciate. I will say, this foundation will look patchy if you don’t apply a good makeup gripping primer. (I use Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen that also doubles as a primer and it works really well.)
Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso
I’ve mentioned this blush on the blog a while back. This particular shade reminds me of NARS blush in the shade orgasm – a perfect peach/pinky color with a subtle shimmer to it, except it’s a fraction of the price. It’s perfectly priced under $9 and comes with a small brush and mirror compact.
Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer
This is probably one of the most popular drugstore bronzers but the hype is real. It feels silky smooth on the skin and never dries out my complexion. It also smells like a tropical vacation that I desperately need right now. This bronzer is available in six warm shades and it also comes with a brush/mirror compact. I wear the lightest shade since I have a very fair complexion.
NYX Wonder Stick
This was one of those on the whim purchases while perusing the aisles at Ulta several years ago. A double-ended highlight and contour stick really does work wonders for my more glam makeup looks. I don’t really use the highlight stick very much but I swear by the contour stick. I wear the lightest shade and I find that it blends really easily with a brush or sponge.
Undone Beauty 3-in-1 Cream Tint
If you love a monochromatic makeup look on a budget then you’ll definitely want to add Undone Beauty Cream Tint to your cart (it’s only $12). It offers three finishes in one compact (sheer, medium and opaque) and can be applied to lips and cheeks. A great multi-tasking product if you ask me! I own two shades, Rosewood and Rosy, both are natural for everyday minimalism.
Real Techniques Makeup Sponge
For years I was the girl who kept restocking on the $20 Beauty Blender and I feel like a complete idiot for thinking that was the best and only option. Real Technique’s beauty sponge is shaped differently but has the same texture and in my opinion, does just as good, if not a better job when it comes to blending cream products. I purchased a value pack of 3 sponges so that I don’t have to restock every 2-3 months.
NYX Milky Gloss
This gloss has an ultra-glassy shine but it’s combined with vegan milk for a pretty tinted lip look. I was gifted the NYX Milky Gloss from Influenster app but I find myself using this often. I have the shade Cherry Skimmed (a dusty pink mauve) and it honestly looks good with any outfit – a perfect everyday lip gloss.
Maybelline Lifter Gloss
This product went viral on TikTok but the hype is real. It’s a lip gloss that’s infused with hyaluronic acid so your lips are visibly more smooth and hydrated. I have the shades Moon (subtle shimmer) and Silk. There is a very sweet vanilla scent to when you apply them so if you don’t like fragrant makeup, this may not be for you.
I’m sure there are plenty of other great drugstore makeup products I haven’t tried so definitely let me know in the comments if you think there are more drugstore makeup products I’m missing out on!
