Drugstores are treasure troves of fantastic makeup bargains, like my current favorite, Sally Hansen Diamond 12-Hour Lip Treatment (the shade above is called Flawless).
The product comes in a ton of vibrant (and highly moisturizing) colors, feels thin and non-sticky on my lips and packs *lots* of eye-catching shine.
Plus, at $7 a tube (sometimes less on sale), they don’t break the bank. 🙂
NOTE: Walgreens has Diamond 12-Hour Lip Treatment on sale now for $4 each!
What’s your current favorite drugstore makeup product, and why has it stolen your heart?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. I just found out that Sephora online is now selling Illamasqua. Woot!
The new l’oreal extra intense eyeliners and l’oreal hip chrome color eyeliners are just fabulous! They apply so smoothly like the 24/7 urban decay eyeliner. (i haven’t used UD liners but it’s what i read in reviews :)) I love how it glides on when you apply them and wait 30 seconds and they set like liquid liner! i’m totally in love with them! and with all the new colors, it’s hard not to <3
Hi Kat,
Those sound great! I love the UD liners so I’ll have to check ’em out. 🙂
The Tropez Sunrise to Sunset eyeshadow palettes are amazing – I have three of them I bought recently & they are amazingly good for the price (six coordinated shadows for $4). Tropez is WetnWild’s sister company & their palettes are even better than the WnW ones (better pigmentation & less frost, more satin finishes & really wearable colors in a very portable little palette; the WnW ones tend to be a bit clunky).
I’m also a huge fan of the Revlon matte lipsticks – amazing quality for the price, I just wish they had a bigger color selection.
Hi April,
Thanks for these tips. I haven’t worn a Revlon lippie in years — do they still have a strong scent?
Maybelline’s Instant Age Rewind Double Face Perfector — still perfecting my use of it, but the quality of the product is obvious. Even in my sleepy morning makeup applications, it wakes up my face (important, since if I’m not careful, I can create the “dead face”).
Haven’t tried the lip gloss, Karen — I’m lousy at choosing the right color for my complexion AND my naturally dark lips. But if it’s $4 at Walgreens, I can afford to make a mistake or two. 😉
.-= Christina’s last blog post… Protecting The Children And Getting Famous =-.
Hi Christina,
Have you tried blanking out your lips with a foundation? That might help to get the pigment to show more?
my fav is Prestige Waterproof Eyeliner. It really is the cheaper version of U/D 24/7 Eyeliner! Goes on smooth and doesn’t give me raccoon eyes. I just wished there were more colors.
.-= styleezta’s last blog post… Here I Blog again…. =-.
Hi Styleezta,
Thanks for the rec. I used to have a few Prestige liners, but I’ve never tried the waterproof version. I’ll have to check it out one of these days.
I’m a total beauty snob, I’m not proud of this. But one product gets me back to the drugstore over and over again for the past 10 years; Max Factor Stretch mascara. It’s perfect, everything I want in a mascara. And it’s also about to disappear forever so I’m not quite sure what I’m going to do…
.-= Stef’s last blog post… Zelens Advanced Luminescence Serum – review =-.
Hi Stef,
That’s one I’ve yet to try. I better snag a tube before it’s gone forevah!
i love Maybelline and L’Oreal HIP lip glosses
.-= yaya’s last blog post… Bloggin’ Beauts! =-.
Hi Yaya,
I’ve heard good things about the L’Oreal HIP glosses. Which one’s your fave?
Max Factor mascara, by a long shot. I’ve used it since forever, beginning with the original 2000 calories up to and including my current fave, Volume Couture wp. Sadly, I can’t even find that now, and have been subbing in with the new Extreme Lash Plumper wp.
I’m also partial to L’oreal petite lipliners, Revlon np, and Rimmel cream blush.
Hi Sdpfeiffy,
MAX Factor will be gone soon (at least on US shores), so you might want to stock up on your favorite mascaras from the line.
I haven’t tried the Rimmel Cream Blush. That’s another one to add to the list!
Clean & Clear oil blotters. Seriously, why pay more? But don’t try the CVS version…bad idea. 🙂 I know that’s not makeup, but its a total staple for me. Never leave home without them!
.-= Trude’s last blog post… Right Now =-.
Hi Trude,
Those are great! I love ’em, too.
it’s not really makeup, but i ALWAYS go back to dove soap. dove soap is more awesome than any other fancy soap i’ve used.
.-= ines + cha cha’s last blog post… Dance Photo Roundup – Winter 2008/Spring & Summer 2009 =-.
Hi Ines,
Yeah, it’s good stuff. I also have a thing for Caress.
I agree with Steph I really do love MF stretch and separate it really is amazing! I want to try their lash plumper. Have you tried it?
My new fav is Maybelline’s collassal volume mascara in the yellow tube. It does plump!
I HATE Maybelline’s vibrating mascara- hello clumps
Have you tried it yet?
.-= Nessa’s last blog post… Sally Hansen HD Nail Polish Sweepstakes! =-.
Hi Nessa,
Nope, I haven’t. I dunno… I’m not too keen on pulsating/vibrating things near my eyes. I’m challenged enough as it is in the coordination department, LOL! Throwing something with a motor up in the mix is a recipe for disaster. 🙂
Hahaha! That’s the way I kinda felt too. But I did try Lancome’s Powerbooster Primer and that one is so much easier to use!
What’s the deal with Illamasqua? Everything is not available yet? Or did it all sell out too fast?
.-= Nessa’s last blog post… Sally Hansen HD Nail Polish Sweepstakes! =-.
Hey, Karen,
I have done the foundation thing, but I always feel hesitant to drink anything. Any tips for making it stick longer?
.-= Christina’s last blog post… Yo Quiero, Gidget? =-.
I like the lip diamond very much, thanked to your recommendation a while back. Sally Hansen feels very smooth and high end.
I also love L’Oreal HiP and most of the Neutrogena stuff. Those brands make their products with better ingredients and formulas.
.-= Dao’s last blog post… Third Giveaway Winner =-.
I love the Prestige waterproof eyeliners and HIP duos! Also, Physicians Formula Plump Potion is one of my favorite lip treatments for when mine are super dry and chapped.
.-= Catherine’s last blog post… Review: Yes To Carrots C Me Smile Lip Butter =-.
i’ve never tried caress. it’s not available or very hard to find in quebec… next time i’m stateside i will find some!
i also LOVE LOVE LOVE nivea “soft” cream in the white jar. not too greasy and doesn’t cause any problems whatsoever.
.-= ines, felix and kitten (the office kitties)’s last blog post… Dance Photo Roundup – Winter 2008/Spring & Summer 2009 =-.
Maybelline Full ‘n’ Soft WP mascara is my HG. It’s cheap, REALLY black, thickening, curling, lengthening, and it still conditions my lashes.
maybelline colossal mascara fo sho
Sally Hansen Natural Beauty by Carmindy lipsticks & Max Factor mascara (even though MF is going away!)
I have two of the 18hr lip treatment as well…I like them but they are a tad bit sticky and the hair from the brush actually spread/fall out…
I like those Sally Hansen natural shea butter lip gloss in Rosebud quite a bit though…it’s really nice shimmery soft milky pink that is like a non gooey version of Stila lip glaze in grapefruit.
Yay! Illamasqua is on Sephora. :instantly starts adding tons of makeup to gift registry:
My favorite drugstore make-up product is a tie between Almay Nourishing Volumizing Mascara and Almay Triple Effect Nourishing Mascara. I love them.
Two favorites: Physician’s Formula Powder Palette – Multi-colored corrector in Green. I’d never tried anything green to tone down my reddish skin, so thought I’d try something less expensive. It works great; didn’t need to look for a fancier version. Also, Maybelline Lash Stilleto mascara – love it!
I’ve tried the maybelline mousse foundation and its awesome and the sally hansen nail polishes have great colors and the Rimmel kajal eyeliner is just as great as the stila ones and cost 5 dlls.
There’s not a great variety of drugstore brands in Argentina unfortunately but my fave is Rimmel London. At least for the lip products, which I adore!
.-= Marcela’s last blog post… Focus: Way To Love =-.
I LOVE Sally hansen’s Diamond Lip treatments too – when they first came out I went to numerous drug stores looking for them! I also like Biore’s Dual Fusion Spf 30 moisturizer, it’s light & not greasy.
Revlon Colorstay Foundation for Oily/Combo skin, CG LashBlast mascara, Styli-Style 24 hr. Line & Seal eye pencils, Prestige liquid liners & Maybelline Shine Free Translucent Powder. These items are just fabulous for me & while I still dabble with their high-end/dept. store equivalents, I still always go back to them when I need an item I can rely on.
I have a couple!
1. Neutrogena MoistureShine Lip Sheers – these look like a tinted gloss on but feel like lip balm. I use shade #20 Cool Nectar, which is peachy-brown, but they make about 20 colors. First colored lip product I used till my lip hit the plastic at the bottom of the tube!
2. I have to second the love for L’Oreal’s new Extra-Intense pencil – it definitely behaves and looks EXACTLY like the Urban Decay 24/7 pencils, except I got raccoon eyes with a 24/7 last fall… but I wore Extra-Intense to a spinning class that made me sweat more than I ever have in my life and it stayed on. Also, the HIP cream shadow paint is the closest thing I have found to my beloved, long-since-dried-out Lancome Colour Dose eyeshadow, though none of the colors are quite like Bronze Canyon.
3. Maybelline and L’Oreal have a handful of good mascaras each that have totally turned me off the pricey brands. My faves are Maybelline Lash Stiletto, Full’n’Soft, and Sky High Curves, and L’Oreal Lash Out and Panoramic Curl. And they go on sale constantly!
1. Nivea: A Kiss of Shimmer–it provides moisture and a subtle pale pink shimmer, which I looove
2. Maybelline Full and Soft mascara–it is very natural-looking and doesn’t feel stiff or heavy on my lashes like many other mascaras. It also conditions them and they feel healthy. Other mascaras have made my lashes so stiff that they just fall out… =(
3. Clean and Clear Blotting sheets– these are THE BEST for the oil slick on my face. I’ve tried a ton of other brands (high-end and generic) and these are the best, hands-down.
Neutrogena’s Healthy Skin Enhancer is a great tinted moisturizer…nice consistency and coverage with dewy’ish finish plus SPF 20, retinol and antioxidants. I think it is comparable to department store brands.
Karen!
Have you picked up the Physician’s Formula Bronze Booster bronzer yet? I’m still reccommending it everyone and their mother. It’s my absolute fave and I’m actually going to have to buy another compact because I’ve almost used it all since March! Do it! You won’t be sad. =)
My favorite are the Neutrogena MoistureShine Lip Soother lip gloss. They’re amazing! They smell nice, are sheer, inexpensive and have SPF20 in them. Overall, a great buy!
I also love Garnier Nutritionisste Skin Renew Daily Moisturizer. It makes my skin SOOO soft.. My favorite exfoliator, also a drugstore product, is Neutrogena Pore Refining Cleanser.
I’m looking into buying L’Oreal HIP Loose Kohl in Black; I’ve heard mamy a rave review about it. Has anyone tried it?
Well…I’ve got quite a few myself.The best concealer is by Maybelline INSTANT AGE REWIND Double Face Perfector,nothing better has been made yet – at least not for me.Next,also by Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse and their newest lipstick COLORsensational.What a color payoff.I’m impressed.Mascara XXXL Colossal Lashes $6.99 – you can not go wrong.
I love Sally Hansen Mega Shine top coat – unfortunately nothing better has been made yet.I’ve been using for close to 7 years or so,and haven’t come across anything better.And a few more…
Maybelline: Mineral Blushes/Dream Mouse Pressed Powder/Mineral translucid Veil powder
Revlon:Eye liners color stay/Foundation color stay/Eyeliner Black Color stay/Lipsticks Color stay
Loreal: Hip Mascars/ Hip Cream paints & Color crayons/hip eye shadows
Rimmel: Nail polish/ Blushes/Eye brow Pencil/Mineral stay on Foundation
Milani: Nail polish/Eye shadows/Velvet Lipstick
Avon :Lipsticks, Color Glaz lip glosses/Mark Eye shadows/Mark bronzer/Nail polishes
Nail polishes that contain DBP(google it on internet)are harmful, so I descovered some safe Nail polishes that includes “””ORLY Nail Polishes”” at Sally Beauty Supply, about other brands my search continues!
I love nail polishes
DBP is in: Milani…tropez…Sinful colors
I wrote The company Bari Cosmetics that makes **Pure Ice Nail Colors** (Available at Walmart)for the ingredients list, they send me one and according to that Pure Ice does not contain DBP!So I am happy since PUre Ice cost $2 and it is such a good qulity nail polish ,lots of colors to choose from!Does not smell harsh like sinful colors!
Karen thanks for this post every one can give there share and many of us will benefit from it!
The Revlon matte collection is so bomb. I have 3 lipsticks and just bought one of the eyeshadows today that I swear is a dupe for Blanc Type. Love drugstore makeup!
Hi Karen! I usually use drugstore mascaras, or MAC mascaras, since I go through tubes so quickly it wouldn’t be worth it to shell anything more than about $12. I don’t have a current favorite, but I’ve really liked Cover Girl mascaras in the past.
As far as other types of makeup, I don’t usually buy drugstore makeup, but I tried some of those Almay shadows that are supposed to bring out your eye color and I didn’t really care for them. The color didn’t really transfer to my eyes, like they weren’t pigmented enough. I tried the one for green eyes and the one for hazel eyes (since my eye color is somewhere between the two) and neither one really did much for me.
My two sisters love Rimmel lip glosses. I haven’t tried them, but I’ve been meaning to pick one up. They say they are super pretty and dirt cheap.
Right now I am totally loving the Lip Mixers by Milani. I have 5 out of the 6 and their texture, scent and staying power is great.
.-= Marisol’s last blog post… Kindle me this… =-.
Hmm.. I usually go through different phases of favorite drugstore brands (at least with mascaras, one tube at a time), but currently I cannot live without L’Oreal’s HIP cream liner (black) and the Carbon Black Telescopic mascara. It is the FIRST drugstore mascara that I have ever bought two of!
The Jesse’s Girl eye dusts are nice too. A TON of colors at pretty cheap prices (under $5 a pot). The colors do not stay on without a primer though, but I just like the wide color range.
hey karen i’ve heard a lot about those sally hansen glosses i might have to go pick one up thanks to that picture =). I dont know if you consider target drugstore since they launched new pricier makeup lines but Sonia Kashuk has an amazing gel liner that i have fallen in love with. I highly recomend
I tried Maybelline’s Instant Age Rewind Double Face Perfector because of what a few people said on here and I got to say, it really is fantastic.
I loveeee CG Lash Blast Mascara. Amazing. I also really like Maybelline’s “air brush finish” mouse foundation. It’s not heavy, but it gives a nice natural coverage. Sally Girl Shadows are surprisingly pigmented! They’re very inexpensive, I think $1 a piece. I like to test out more “crazy” shades from sally girl because of the price. I also LOVELOVELOVE Ulta’s mineral eyeliner quad. It’s a wet/dry formula and has black, brown, navy, and green.
I’ve been using Neutrogena sheer spf 20 foundation for quite awhile. I can’t find anything as good, even high end. It doesn’t sit in my fine lines and is great for my combination skin. I swear the retinol in it helps a bit too. I’ve noticed my skin isn’t as dry on the surface. I also like the instant rewind concealer by maybelline.
Hi Karen! I bought the Sally Hansen 12 hour diamond gloss last night because it was on clearance at Fred Meyer, AND most of their clearance was BOGOF!! So how could I say no to an OPI nail polish and this Sally Hansen gloss, for $6 total?!
I have the lipgloss in Veiled. I didn’t think I’d like it much, because I have one of the Sally Hansen Natural glosses and it’s just ok. But I am in LOVE with this gloss! Just the right amount of shimmer and hint of color, and it moisturizes, and it LASTS! Wow.
I also love Wet n Wild cosmetics. Their Mega Eyes eyeshadow trios are amazing quality, and only $3. Seriously?!
.-= Marilyn’s last blog post… Back from vacation… =-.
maybelline mascaras are the shiz. 🙂
.-= dip’s last blog post… Oh Sheesh =-.
I absolutey LOVE covergirls wetslicks gloss. i have 4 or 5 and i use them nonstop! the color is great and they are uber cheap