Pretty good actually: current drugstore makeup favorites

While it’s true—I just spent way too much money during the Sephora spring sale—there’s been a lot of drugstore items I’ve been using in heavy rotation lately.

I have my tried and trues that have already been mentioned.  We talk about the Maybelline Eyestudio® ColorTattoo® 24HR Cream Gel Eye ad nauseum,  I’ve posted about my love for the Maybelline® Instant Age Rewind® Eraser Dark Circles Concealer + Treatment on our Facebook page (are you following? you should!) and the L’Oreal Voluminous Million Lash Mascara will always be in my makeup bag.

But lately I’ve ventured out and found some drugstore products—some new releases, some just new to me—that I’m totally digging.

Here’s just a few:

Physician’s Formula ® Bronzer Light:  This bronzer has been a YouTube favorite for a while, but I hadn’t tried it until a recently. CVS had a little sale going (still does) so I picked it up. It is exactly as promised—perfection! I don’t generally wear bronzer because the color always seems wrong on me and I feel like I look too made up. (always an issue for me—loving makeup but being more comfortable with a no-makeup makeup look.) Since I picked it up, I’ve been wearing this daily. I love it.

Maybelline® Expertwear® Monos Eyeshadow in Nude Glow: This one is a game changer for me.  For YEARS I’ve worn Urban Decay Sin as my go-to easy makeup eye shadow shade, both in the powder version–it’s in the Naked palette—and the cream primer when it was just Sin and now, Minor Sin. When I want to do something fast to look pulled together—like Jess described here—I go immediately to the Sin. Not anymore. I found this when I was buying some new colors for my post on the…wait for it…ColorTattoo eye shadow pots! and decided to try a couple of the single shadows to see if they are as good as their cream cousins. Well—I can’t give you a review on the line because all I wear is this one. Daily. And it’s only $2.99! (but Tati did review a bunch, i learned later, if you wanna check it out)

L’Oreal® Paris Colour Riche Eyeshadow Quads in French Biscuit: Sticking with shadows, I picked up this quad when I was traveling and it’s become a constant travel companion. I creates an easy neutral eye look and the shimmer black gives it just a little bit of flair. Super convenient to throw in your makeup bag when you don’t feel like packing a palette.

Maybelline® Instant Age Rewind® Eraser Dark Circles Concealer + Treatment: This is my number one concealer, period.

L’Oreal Paris Visible Lift Prime Radiance Booster: I’m having a bit of a crisis of conscious where primer is concerned. I keep being told how important it is, but I haven’t found one that I love (and it’s definitely not the Benefit Porefessional. that one is lost on me.) I decided to try a drugstore option since none of the high end ones seemed life changing. This one isn’t either, but for the cost, I think it works well to moisturize and create a smooth start to my makeup application.

Lipsticks: Since lipsticks are my favorite makeup product and I tend to try those out the most, I have several to share:

Revlon Ultra HD Gel Lipcolor™: I grabbed a few of these during a Walgreen’s sale and I’m so glad I did. They have a really nice finish with a slight glossy look, but then they wear to more of a stain. They are a long wearing lipstick—perfect for people who don’t want a matte finish or hate the feel of liquid lipsticks. And the color selection is fantastic. (I also really like the Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lipcolor™ if you are looking for an affordable matte liquid lip.) I’m really glad I gave these a try and have picked up a few more since my initial impulse purchase. I have Arabica, Vineyard, Desert and Dawn. (bogo50s get me every time.)

L’Oreal® Paris Infallible Le Rouge 10HR Lip Colour in Tender Berry: With my coloring, I prefer nude lipsticks that still have a little color to them, generally with a hint of pink or mauve and this color is my perfect nude lipstick color. It’s definitely still a neutral it makes me look less like I’m dead and more your lips only better. Wears comfortably, lasts a long time and has a really natural finish.

Milani Amore Matte Metallic Lip Crème: I am CRAZY for these liquid lipsticks! I wasn’t sure how I felt about the metallic lip, but I’m ALL IN now! These wear so well and look amazing. And there are so many awesome colors to try. I’ve had some trouble finding them in stores recently, but you can order them online. At $9, they are still $15 cheaper than the Smashbox, Be Legendary. 

Wet n Wild MegaLast Lip Color: My dear friend, Angelique, who is an incredible makeup artist bought me a mess of these lipsticks to basically stop me from asking her what red she was wearing every time she posted a new snap. She is not wrong. These last FOR REAL and come in a ton of colors, but there reds are really good. They can be a little drying and you’ll know you’re wearing lipstick, but they stay on all day. And seriously, at $1.99, you can give one a try and toss it if it’s not for you.

What’s new for you from the drugstore? Do any of these products have a home in your makeup bag? Any new finds you wanna share? Let us know below!

All photos taken by me. All products purchased by me. Except the WnW, as noted.