Best Drugstore Makeup Finds

While I use a lot of non-drugstore products in my day-to-day makeup routine, I’ve done quite a bit of testing and trying of drugstore products in the last year or so. I love to find other options that are a better price point and still perform! I plan to continue testing out drugstore products and adding to this list, but here’s my review on products I’ve tried so far.

Foundation/Tinted Moisturizer

My Pick

Wet N Wild Tinted Hydrator

I would like to continue trying products in this category, but was so impressed by this one! It’s lightweight, super hydrating, and adds just enough tint to even out my skin tone while still looking natural.

Other High Rated Options

Recommended for All Skin Types: L’Oreal True Match Super Blendable Foundation (4.5/5 stars with 16,215 reviews)

Recommended for Dry Skin: L’Oreal Infallible 24H Fresh Wear Foundation (4.5/5 stars with 11,645 reviews)

Recommended for Oily Skin: L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation (4.4/5 stars with 17,431 reviews)

Recommended for Mature Skin: Maybelline Dream Satin Liquid Mousse Foundation (4.6/5 stars with 6,308 reviews)

Recommended for Acne Prone Skin: Neutrogena Skin Clearing Oil-Free Foundation with Blemish Treatment (4.5/5 stars with 4,224 reviews)

Recommended for an Affordable Option: Wet N Wild Photo Focus Foundation (4.3/5 stars with 15,799 reviews)

 

Concealer

My Pick

Elf 16-Hour Camo Concealer (also available in this hydrating formula)

This is a great dupe for Tarte’s Shape Tape concealer. It’s thick enough to provide great coverage, but isn’t too heavy for my skin. A little goes a long way!

Other High Rated Options

Recommended for Mature Skin: Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser (4.4/5 stars with 134,764 reviews)

Recommended for a Lightweight Option: Maybelline Fit Me Natural Coverage Concealer (4.4/5 stars with 46,879 reviews)

Recommended for a Full Coverage Option: L’Oreal Infallible Full Wear Matte Concealer (4.4/5 stars with 13,158 reviews)

Recommended for Acne Prone Skin: Neutrogena Skin Clearing Blemish Control Concealer (4.5/5 stars with 4,554 reviews)

Click Here to Read My Drugstore Concealer Comparison Blog Post

 

Bronzer

My Pick

Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer

Natural-looking with a good undertone that works for my skin!

Other High Rated Options

Recommended Affordable Option: Rimmel Natural Bronzer (4.4/5 stars with 14,885 reviews)

Recommended Cream Option: Wet n Wild Megaglo Contour Makeup Stick (4.4/5 stars with 4,847 reviews)

Recommended Matte Option: NYX Professional Matte Bronzer (4.5/5 stars with 8,874 reviews)

Recommended Shimmer Option: Milani Baked Bronzer (4.5/5 stars with 2,735 reviews)

 

Blush

One I Want To Test

Physicians Formula Matte Butter Blush 

Other High Rated Options

Recommended for All Skin Types: Maybelline Fit Me Blush (4.5/5 stars with 21,124 reviews)

Recommended for Mature Skin: L’Oreal Paris Age Perfect Radiant Satin Blush (4.3/5 stars with 2,196 reviews)

Recommended Affordable Option: Wet n Wild Color Icon Blush (4.3/5 stars with 5,438 reviews)

Recommended Cream Option: Elf Monochromatic Multi Stick (4.3/5 stars with 1,751 reviews)

Recommended Matte Option: NYX Professional Matte Blush (4.4/5 stars with 2,561 reviews)

Recommended Shimmer Option: Milani Baked Blush (4.5/5 stars with 23,363 reviews)

 

Brow Pencil

My Pick

Elf Ultra Precise Brow Pencil

I used Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz for years and years until I tried this one! It has completely replaced my Brow Wiz and saves me $17. I love how skinny the pencil is, which allows for a truly precise application. I find that the color options fit a little bitter for me than those from ABH, too!

Other High Rated Options

Most Recommended: NYX Professional Micro Brow Pencil (4.6/5 stars with 40,079 reviews)

Recommended Sweatproof/Waterproof Option: L’Oreal Paris Brow Stylist Definer (4.5/5 stars with 33,819 reviews)

 

Eyeshadow

My Pick

Elf Need It Nude Eyeshadow Palette

This is a beautiful palette for an amazing price! It reminds me of Urban Decay’s Naked2 palette. It’s got a good balance of shimmers and mattes, allowing you to create a lot of different looks!

Other High Rated Options

Recommended Cream Option: Revlon Creme Eyeshadow Palette (4.3/5 stars with 6,987 reviews)

Recommended Liquid Option: Elf Liquid Metallic Eyeshadow (4.4/5 stars with 1,329 reviews)

Recommended for a Complete Look: Maybelline The City Mini Palette (4.4/5 stars with 6,548 reviews)

Recommended for an Assortment of Nudes: Maybelline The Nudes Eyeshadow Palette (4.4/5 stars with 22,988 reviews)

Recommended for a Variety of Colors: NYX Professional Ultimate Shadow Palette (4.6/5 stars with 24,344 reviews)

Mascara Primer

My Pick

L’Oreal Paris Lash Paradise Mascara Primer Base

I’ve used this for years and won’t go without it. I’ve tried some higher-end primers, but they don’t hold a candle to this one. If you’re not using mascara primer, try it! It makes a huge difference for me!

Other High Rated Options

Most Recommended: L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Lash Boosting Conditioning Primer (4.5/5 stars with 33,761 reviews)

Recommended Two In One: L’Oreal Paris Double Extend Beauty Tubes Mascara (4.5/5 stars with 11,888 reviews)

 

Mascara

My Pick

L’Oreal Paris Lash Paradise Mascara

I used this mascara for years and loved it! It’s still the one I would pick for a drugstore option. I’ve branched out a little and use a couple different brands now, but this one still ranks highly in my rotation of mascaras.

Other High Rated Options

Recommended Affordable Option: Essence Lash Princess (4.4/5 stars with 240,056 reviews)

Recommended for Lower Lashes: Maybelline Great Lash (4.4/5 stars with 36,443 reviews)

Recommended for Lengthening: L’Oreal Paris Telescopic Lengthening Mascara (4.5/5 stars with 42,768 reviews)

Read My Thoughts On Other Drugstore Mascaras In The Comparison Blog Post Part One and Part Two

 

Eyeliner

One I Want To Test

L’Oreal Paris Infallible Flash Cat Liquid Eyeliner

Other High Rated Options

Recommended Pencil Liner: L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Last Pencil (4.3/5 stars with 10,002 reviews)

Recommended Liquid Liner: Maybelline Line Stiletto Ultimate Precision Liquid Eyeliner (4.4/5 stars with 3,749 reviews)

Recommended Pen Liquid Liner: Maybelline Hyper Easy Liquid Pen (4.4/5 stars with 43,962 reviews)

Recommended Gel Liner: Maybelline Eyestudio Lasting Drama Gel Liner (4.4/5 stars with 11,978 reviews)

 

Setting Powder

One I Want To Test

Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder (over 100,000 reviews on Amazon!)

Other High Rated Options

Recommended for Oily Skin: Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Powder (4.6/5 stars with 41,731 reviews)

Recommended for Dry Skin: Elf Halo Glow Setting Powder (4.6/5 stars with 1,968 reviews)

 

Hi there!

Lauren Bown Lifestyle Blog is an online destination where I share my personal style, beauty finds, and bits of life in hopes to inspire other women to feel good in their skin and find the beauty in the ordinary.

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2 Comments

  1. 5.18.22
    Jessica C said:

    Thank you for taking the time to try these out and put together these recommendations for us!