5 Drugstore Makeup Products I Love
Makeup Pouch (c/o)
At the start of the year, I decided I was going to start spending less money on makeup, so that I could put that money towards bettering my skin and my health. I've added another workout class to my weekly calendar, got a facial and preventative laser treatment, and purchased some amazing skincare already, so I'm proud of myself for following through.
There were already a few drugstore makeup products that I had been using for a long time, but the vast majority of my makeup bag was high-end (i.e. so. damn. expensive.). So, I've made it my low-key mission to research what the best drugstore makeup products are and try those out for you! I've already found a few really amazing products, and have more products to share in my next post + a long list of products to try out soon! Here are 5 that I'm loving...
1. L'Oreal Brow Stylist Definer
I mentioned this in my February Favorites post, but I'm seriously so so excited about this product! After being a loyal Anastasia of Beverly Hills Brow Whiz user for a few years, I stepped outside of my comfort zone to find a cheaper version. The L'Oreal Brow Stylist Definer is less than half the price and works just as well in my opinion. I use the color 'brunette,' and like that it's not a super warm brown like most drugstore brow products.
1. L'Oreal Brow Stylist Definer
I mentioned this in my February Favorites post, but I'm seriously so so excited about this product! After being a loyal Anastasia of Beverly Hills Brow Whiz user for a few years, I stepped outside of my comfort zone to find a cheaper version. The L'Oreal Brow Stylist Definer is less than half the price and works just as well in my opinion. I use the color 'brunette,' and like that it's not a super warm brown like most drugstore brow products.
I picked this up after reading that it was a dupe for my holy grail NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer, and it's actually pretty great. It is also less than 1/4 of the cost!!! That completely blew my mind once I looked up what I had been spending on the NARS one. Granted, there's a little bit less product, BUT STILL... I've been using it under my eyes + on my upper lip and brow bones, and I'm pretty impressed. It blends very easily, brightens and covers well, and has good staying power (I do "bake" it with translucent powder, which is one of my top makeup tips).
3. Almay Intense I-Color Gel Smooth Liner
This is a product I've repurchased several times over the years because it goes on smoothly and stays put! I recently ran out and was using a MAC eyeliner pencil and it just isn't as good as my Almay one. I wear the color 'Expresso' and I like that it defines my eyes without being too intense. I do have to note a couple of things... a) I did not like this eyeliner in black. It ended up looking dark gray on me, and didn't stay put like the brown does. b) I was really confused at first because it doesn't seem like you would be able to sharpen it (the packaging isn't wood), but you can! I've sharpened all of mine down to little nubs 😂 I have this cheap little sharpener and it works great!
4. Milani Amore Matte Lip Creme in 'Adorable'
I'd always heard about how great Milani products were, but have finally tried some over the past couple of months and am impressed so far. This is now my favorite matte liquid lipstick and I've been wearing it in all of my recent outfit posts! It's a 'pink nude beige' and really flattering for all seasons. While it doesn't stay perfectly all day, it definitely lasts for several hours, and is much less drying than the others I have (including my pricier Kat Von D 'Lolita'). I ordered mine from Target, but on the Milani site they have a lot more color options, so I'll be trying more soon!
5. Almay Smart Shade CC Luminous Primer
Something I've learned over years is that there are a lot of different types of primers out there. So depending on what you look for in a primer, this may or may not be something you like, but I'm on my 4th or 5th bottle. I find that it helps to reduce 'pinkness,' it mattifies (made up word!) my t-zone, and has a really nice matte, tacky finish that makes my foundation application much better. I definitely notice a difference in how my foundation looks when I forget to put on primer. I also like that it has a bit of SPF in it!
I'd love to know some of your holy grail drugstore makeup products or any you would like for me to try out and review in another blog post! I have a drugstore hair products post planned for the next week or two!
3. Almay Intense I-Color Gel Smooth Liner
This is a product I've repurchased several times over the years because it goes on smoothly and stays put! I recently ran out and was using a MAC eyeliner pencil and it just isn't as good as my Almay one. I wear the color 'Expresso' and I like that it defines my eyes without being too intense. I do have to note a couple of things... a) I did not like this eyeliner in black. It ended up looking dark gray on me, and didn't stay put like the brown does. b) I was really confused at first because it doesn't seem like you would be able to sharpen it (the packaging isn't wood), but you can! I've sharpened all of mine down to little nubs 😂 I have this cheap little sharpener and it works great!
4. Milani Amore Matte Lip Creme in 'Adorable'
I'd always heard about how great Milani products were, but have finally tried some over the past couple of months and am impressed so far. This is now my favorite matte liquid lipstick and I've been wearing it in all of my recent outfit posts! It's a 'pink nude beige' and really flattering for all seasons. While it doesn't stay perfectly all day, it definitely lasts for several hours, and is much less drying than the others I have (including my pricier Kat Von D 'Lolita'). I ordered mine from Target, but on the Milani site they have a lot more color options, so I'll be trying more soon!
5. Almay Smart Shade CC Luminous Primer
Something I've learned over years is that there are a lot of different types of primers out there. So depending on what you look for in a primer, this may or may not be something you like, but I'm on my 4th or 5th bottle. I find that it helps to reduce 'pinkness,' it mattifies (made up word!) my t-zone, and has a really nice matte, tacky finish that makes my foundation application much better. I definitely notice a difference in how my foundation looks when I forget to put on primer. I also like that it has a bit of SPF in it!
I'd love to know some of your holy grail drugstore makeup products or any you would like for me to try out and review in another blog post! I have a drugstore hair products post planned for the next week or two!
