Like the clothes we wear or the things we say, the makeup we put on our face daily, weekly, or even just every once in a while, can be a great way to express ourselves. Acting as a creative outlet for some and a confidence boost for others, the variety in which makeup worn is quite inspiring. From bold lips to bright eyes to fake freckles to add a little spunk, the potential for makeup looks are endless. But makeup can also be quite an expensive passion to take part in. As some designers and big-name makeup brands sell their makeup products for upwards of $200.00, those of us who want to have some fun, look our best and feel our most confident without breaking the bank should really consider moving towards drugstore makeup.
This year, for camera-on zoom calls and other events we might take part in, trying out some drugstore products could be a fun and cost effective way to mix things up. In case you need some drugstore inspo, here are 10 drugstore makeup products for you to go buy right now!
Let’s start with arguably the most important layer… the moisturizer. Clean & Clear’s Dual Action Moisturizer is a game changer. This product is oil free, helps prevent pimples and feels so good when applying on the skin. A nice dewy finish always starts with a hydrated underneath. Especially as the air gets colder and the humidity subsides, our skin needs to be refreshed and moistened at least twice a day. This drugstore makeup product is the perfect base for any dewy (but not too shiny!) makeup look.
Not feeling the dewy look? Try a more matte finish instead! After applying a nice layer of moisturizer, foundation or whatever other color corrector you’re adding that day, the CoverGirl Professional Loose Powder in Translucent is a very effective way to take away the shine. A matte look is perfect for the wintertime, and this product will do exactly that. As you tap it onto your T-zone, under your eyes, or wherever else needed, it will act as a setting powder and a mattifier.
Need a brush to apply it? Try out Wet n Wild’s Blush Brush! It can definitely be used for blush too (hence the name), but it’s actually a great loose powder tool.
Next up, an aspect of the makeup regimen I take very seriously: the brows. Eyebrows have the ability to shape a face like no other. Whether you’re going for a thin and tame look or a statement, fluffier or natural brow, keeping your little brow hairs where you want them is crucial. A great way to do this is by using brow gel. Brow gels come in clear- used to simply set the hairs, or tinted- to add some color to potentially sparse or light brows. One of the best drugstore makeup products in this category is e.l.f.’s Wow Brow Gel. The gel comes in a variety of colors, so that whatever haircolor you have can be perfectly matched, and has a small enough wand to get even the trickiest and most specific hairs.
Coming in 10 colors, the Wet n Wild Megaglo Contour Stick is a nice way to chisel out those cheekbones. Adding a bit of contour to your makeup routine is a simple way to elevate any look. By deepening the color under your cheeks or on your temples, the illusion of lean and tan really changes the face (not that you have to, of course. But if you’re looking for a sleek and full makeup look, it’s definitely a technique to try). This drugstore makeup product is super effective and also really easy to use. Just dab it onto your preferred area (no need to drag it unless you want a super defined contour) and blend. A beauty sponge or contour brush will blend it perfectly. This product isn’t too severe and because it’s a cream contour, it will look super natural on your skin- not too powdery or cakey.
A perfect compliment to that contour, or even a so far makeup-less face, a nice dusting of a highlighter is a great way to brighten your high areas and bring some shimmer onto your skin. The Colourpop highlighter is surprisingly super pigmented and the perfect amount of shimmer to serve as the perfect balance between glam and natural. Seamlessly applying to the face, this product only needs a little to go a long way. Plus, it’s super buildable, so if you want it to be more bold, just tap more on for a stronger look.
Up next, two mascara products we all know and love and are somehow drugstore makeup despite their unwavering perfection when it comes to making those eyes POP. The Maybelline mascara is a great option for a bold, dark eye look. It easily builds up to a stark line of lashes to finish off any beauty routine. The L’Oreal product, on the other hand, is a bit more natural- coming in a variety of colors including warmer brown tones. The L’Oreal drugstore product makes any lashes look a million miles longer and doesn’t clump or stick your laches together. Whichever of these drugstore makeup mascaras you choose you won’t be sorry. Apply either one to create some lashes noticeable by all.
A super popular and chic trend this year is the rosey and orange eyelids. Seen in a variety of shows throughout the last two runway seasons, this is a makeup look that is perfect for any season. A deeper orange is perfect for the fall to compliment the autumn colors, while a lighter dusting of pink is perfect for the end of summer, keeping the bright and warm hues alive for as long as humanly possible! A great option for this eye look is the NYX Prismatic Eyeshadow. A perfect pigment for many skin tones, this drugstore product is a must for the upcoming season.
Need a way to apply your newfound warm blush and orange eye color? The Eye Brushes by Real Techniques are the drugstore makeup products for you. The brushes come in a variety of packs and sizes. From blending brushes to angled eye-liner helpers, whatever eye look you are going for can be achieved. The brushes are just stiff enough to really pack on the pigment while soft enough to not irritate your sensitive eyes. Plus there are multiple different brush styles- perfect to create a multi toned look with various textures and eye products (like seen below!).
If there’s one way to be sure that your makeup look will stand out in a crowd it’s a bold lip.. A nice pink, a deep red, or even a neutral tone can take any makeup look to an entirely new level. Lip products can be pretty expensive, though. So this Almay lip stick, Lip Vibes, is a great option if you’re testing out what your signature lip color might become, or if you want to play around with quite a few!
Last but most definitely not least on the list of drugstore makeup products you must buy immediately… the YES face masks. After a long day of ~serving~ looks with all these new (surprisingly drugstore!) makeup products you’ve been wearing, a face mask is a great way to re-soothe the face. The YES face masks are really hydrating and come in countless scents and flavors. Coming in a 1-2 serving pack, the face masks are great for traveling with or for buying a ton of different kinds at once so you can test out different options depending on the night!
Makeup is a statement like no other. The ability to enhance your natural beauty (which you better believe you’ve got!) is a great way to feel confident. Whether you’re attending a Zoom call or a gala, these drugstore makeup products will not disappoint. Functional, affordable, and really effective, try out these products to change up your makeup regimen or make it that much better.
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