I love drugstores, and not just for the ice cream. Entering Walgreens is like entering another realm. I love everything about drugstores — the soothing soma-esque music, how they lock up the perfume in glass cases, the weird seasonal lawn gnomes, the Christmas ornaments, the kiddie pools — I love it all.
And weird people always hang out at drugstores in the middle of the night. I know this because I am one of them, and I’m never the only person there. 🙂
No self-respecting drugstore is complete without a beauty section, and here are some of my favorite drugstore beauty finds, all together costing a whopping $29.
- Bag Balm is Udderly Fantastic, $6
“[From the label]… thoroughly wash treated teats and udder with separate towels before each milking. To avoid contamination after each milking, bath the udder with plenty of hot water, strip milk out and dry skin. Apply BAG BALM freely and massage gently with this proven ointment twice daily. This product contains no alcohol.” - Neutrogena MoistureShine Lip Soother SPF 20 Lipgloss, $6
“At $14 bucks a pop, I’m not about to risk losing Glosswear, so on beach trips I’m bringing along my tube of Neutrogena MoistureShine Lip Soother SPF 20 in Sheen ($6). This lil’ tube of gloss works like a charm, costs half as much as Glosswear does and still provides great SPF protection.” - Rimmel London Soft Kohl Kajal Eye Pencil in Jungle Green, $3
“This beautiful emerald eyeliner is soft, glides easily, has all-day lasting power and gives a shimmery pop of color. And it’s only $2.99 at Walgreens, hello! If you’re feelin’ the itch to try a jewel-toned green liner, this is the perfect way to test the waters without having to spend a lot of money.” - Freeman Papaya and Lime Overboard Shine Conditioner, $4
“I got softer hair this week for $3.99. I think that’s quite an accomplishment. I’ve been conditioner washing with Freeman Papaya and Lime Overboard Shine Conditioner, and now my hair is so smooth and bouncy-looking that I feel like I belong in a hair commercial, running like a fool with my arms up through a field of flowers while dappled sunlight caresses my new $3.99 hair. Fo’ reals.” - Maybelline Pure Makeup Foundation, $6
“I lurves my Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer, but truth be told my cheap ass hates having to pay $42.00 for it. There’s got to be a decent drugstore foundation out there that doesn’t cause break-outs. Could the answer be Maybelline’s Pure Makeup foundation?” - Crest Vivid White Toothpaste, $4
“Just when I thought that I met the coolest dentist ever, she frightened the bejeebus out of me by giving me a totally scary lecture on the importance of gum health. There were many, many, many frightening pictures of gingivitis and swollen gums. It ain’t pretty, folks. I’ve been touting the virtues of mint floss ever since.”
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
I used to dive in high school and had like 6 hour practices all week and my skin was really dry. All I used was Udderly Smooth! I have a very special place in my heart for that stuff.haha It was quite the topic of conversation in the locker room, too!
I’m going to have to try that conditioner!! Sounds really nice.
Maybelline Pure is awesome! The fact that I am NC 50, somewhat limits my foundation options (the wallet and the DH are not at all upset by this). I usually end up having to mix two shades to get my match. So spending $30-$45 per shade is not my idea of fun. I was elated when I discovered Pure. Who cares if you need two or three shades to get a match when it $6 a piece!
I love drugstores! Anyone who ever goes into one with me knows I’ll be looking at beauty stuff for the next 45 mins, at least. I’m cheap (I’ll admit it) so I’m always in search of a great deal. I’ve tried the Rimmel eyeliner, it’s some of my favorite in the world. Plus it’s cheap and comes in tons of colors. I also love Freeman’s products. I’ve tried tons of their stuff. I love their Papaya and Mango 3 minute conditioner. That stuff is amazing and smells awesome.
How does Bag Balm smell? Does it smell weird at all? I think I saw that in my local Target but was weirded off by the name.
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When I lived in SoCal, I used to go to the 24 hour Walmart and just walk around. LOL
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That foundation is pure shit. If you even sweat one damn drop or go anywhere humid, you’re seriously fucked. I have so much hatred towards that foundation its insane. Took me forever to realize why no one took pictures with me.
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I love shopping for deals. Just last week, I was at Target for 4-5 days straight! Sad, but true. I was trying to look for a good toner, but no luck. I was just wondering if you would recommend the clean & clear advantage treatment or the ddf bp 5% tea tree oil gel. Oh! And which drugstore mascara would you recommend? CG Lashblast or Loreal Voluminous?
Really? I haven’t tried this foundation in the heat, but I haven’t had a problem with it yet. I used to get all my cosmetics and beauty products at CVS, since I worked there. I’m gonna try that conditioner, thanks for the heads up!
And btw, I bought that liner ages ago because of your review. That was actually one of your best looks, which is what really made me buy it. You opened my eyes.
Er, literally.
And Joanne, don’t buy either! Try Maybelline’s Define A Lash Volume or Lash Stylist. They’re much more worthy.
sarahPUFFY!s last blog post..Hi Hi!
Thanks for the good reviews! I usually only buy drugstore stuff if someone reviews it first! LOL So keep finding good, cheap stuff and review away!!
I have this Rimmel eye pencil in a grey color and I think it’s absolutely fantastic. It’s affordable yet has great creamy quality that makes it easy to smudge. I love my green pencil too but that one I have from Bourjois, it’s more precise that the Rimmel one but also creamy and may be smudged with a little more effort.
Hey Karen! I love me some drugstore deals! That Neutrogena gloss is my go-to when I go to the beach. It’s sooo glossy and shiny, and ya gotta love the spf!
Also, I found that Suave body wash you recommended at target yesterday on sale for $1.87!! It really doesn’t get much cheaper than that, lol.
I might have to try one of those Rimmel eyeliners, maybe I’ll see if they have a bronzey shade…
I love when you do drugstore posts (and so do my wallet and my husband!!!). 🙂 Thanks!
Hey Karen Happy Fantasy Friday! I’m gonna have to give some of these a whirl. My favorite drugstore find is Vaseline Intensive Care Lotion with Cocoa Butter. That stuff is the shiz!! I’m going to try the Body Butter version soon. I was totally addicted to Vivid White now I use Crest Total Care cuz I feel like it’s exfoliating my teeth!
Hi Sweetie Pie,
Let’s all save our money and buy at the DS. One of my favorite DS lines is the Queen Helene products. Love the Mint Julep mask, and the Mud Mask. Also the Cocoa Butter skin cream is so emollient on my old dry parched skin. Who doesn’t love a bargain. I also want to check out those Rimmel eyeliners that you mentioned. It is hard to find one that doesn’t drag the skin on your eyelids. One more great find is the ELF makeup brushes. I think that there is a whole set available for $12 at the Big Lots in my area. The more we save, the more we can spend on wine and flowers. Louise
Happy Friday!
I have a few of the Rimmel pencils and love them! Just bought a silver one at Target yesterday. Thanks for the suggestion with the Neutrogena-have been hearing a lot about those! Any favorite colors??
Thanks for the review on the Rimmell pencils, gonna use it tonight when I go out with a little gold shimmery shadow under the lower lash line. I used to lurve Loreal Voluminous, but on my last mu binge I accidentally pu ”
Loreal Telescopic in carbon black and I was pissed off because it had a wierd brush, that was too bendable and flexible. But I gave it a try for a few weeks and it does wonders for my lashes!!! The trick to controlling the brush is to wiggle up at the base of the upper lashes and down for the lower. Sometimes mistakes can be so Fierce!!!
My lashes look sooooo long, love it for a DS brand at merely $8 bucks!
Hi Bridget,
I’ve still got Udderly Smooth on my list. I can’t quite get over the name, but heck, if it works…
Oh yeah, Freeman makes great stuff. I really like the tropical scented stuff.
What type of diving did you do?
Hi J.In.CT,
That’s great that you can mix and match with this. What powder do you use on top of it to set it?
Hi Brittany,
Ahh, a girl after my own drugstore lovin’ heart. Have you tried Prestige liners? They are pretty good.
Hi Dao,
Yes, it smells weird — it’s medicinal, like a vet’s office! It’s completely NOT PLEASANT at all. But hey, it works on the feet.
Hi Marisol,
LOL, I used to do that when I lived in the East Bay. It’s weird how many people shop there at two in the morning!
Hi SarahPuffy,
Yowza! I guess it really didn’t work for you.
Hi Joanne,
DDF works great, but has several disadvantages. It’s expensive and stains everything (towels, pillows, the boy’s dark shirts). It dries out my skin in the winter, too. Right now I’m really liking the Clean & Clear because it doesn’t leave my skin feeling tight and it doesn’t stain!
Regarding drugstore mascara, I really like Voluminous Carbon Black (not the regular Voluminous). It’s really dark, gives great thickness, separation and length. Some find the brush a bit tricky; just be sure to swipe it against a tissue to remove the excess before you apply. 🙂
Hi Asta,
Discount! That rules! 🙂 Hope you like the conditioner — the smell is delicious.
Hi Sarah Puffy,
That’s great! Rimmel Jungle Green really does rule…
Hi April,
You’re welcome. I’ll keep trying to find good, affordable stuff!
Hi Emme,
Sounds like I better get on that grey pencil! I’m looking for a few more softer colors so that sounds just like what I need. Thanks!
Hi Tiffany,
SWEET! Seriously, the bottle is huge so you’re getting such a great deal. Gotta love Target!
I am almost out of my Neutrogena gloss. I use it all the time!
Hi Jaime,
You’re welcome. 🙂 I’ll try to do more in the future!
Hi Tania,
Happy Friday to you to, girlie! I haven’t tried that Vaseline lotion yet. How does it smell?
Hi Louise Gray,
Sounds good to me, girlfriend. 🙂
I’ve gone through bottles and bottles of that Mint Julep Mask, too. It was one of my staples a few years ago (can’t use it as much now that my skin is quite a bit drier).
You must definitely check out Rimmel Jungle Green in all of her glory!
Hi Daya,
I like Sheen and Gleam the most. Shimmer is pretty too, if you just want a lil’ hit of gloss.
Happy Friday to you, too! Got any exciting plans for tonight?
Hi Mimi,
I know a lot of women love that mascara! I haven’t tried it yet (kinda stuck on MAC Mascara X these days) but will have to sometime in the future.
Your look sounds like it’s going to be pretty! Are you going out on a date or out with your girls?
I went to Walmart last night to buy the clean & clear acne treatment, but then saw some new neutrogena products. Instead I bought the rapid clear 2 in 1 fight and fade gel that contains salicylic acid and an AHA glycolic acid (your post on AHA and BHA really helped me A LOT!!!!). Its suppose to work in 8 hours. I tried it last night and I could definately see an improvement. =) It’s a bit pricey (8.94), but not as much as ddf. Clearasil 10% bp cream was too harsh on me. =(
I had to stop myself from buying the Max Factor 2000 cal mascara. I still have a clinique mascara. But I’ll be getting that once I’m done with cliniques.
I also love the rimmel liners, but I wouldn’t recommend their jelly gloss. It doesn’t stay, but smells fruity. I also love Queen Helene mint julep masque. =)
HEY KAREN,
ACTUALLY JUS HANGIN WITH THE GIRLZ BUT I’M GONNA TRY THAT MAC MASCARA, JUST PUTTIN IT IN IN MY IPOD TOUCH (SINCE IT GOES EVERYWHERE WITH ME!)
NOW I HAVE ALL THE BRANDS AND COLORS I NEED WITH ME WHEREVER I GO CUZ ONCE I GET IN CVS I NEVER STAY FOCUSED!!!
I ALSO PURCHASED LOREAL H.I.P SHADOW DUO IN “PLAYFUL” 838 AND THEIR NEW SHINE STRUCK LIQUID LIPCOLOR IN “PRETENTIOUS” 860, THE COMBO LOOKS GREAT TOGETHER. I WAS LITTLE LIKE EHH ABOUT PAYING $12 BUCKS FOR THE LIP COLOR WHEN FOR 2 MORE BUCKS I CAN GET MY REGULAR MAC LIPGLASS IN LYNCHEE LUXE, BUT IT WAS BOGO SO $15 BUCKS FOR BOTH I CAN LIVE WITH ESPECIALLY WHEN I WAS PLEASANTLY SURPRISED. MAKES FOR A DAYTIME SMOKEY EYE AND NUDE LIP…SEXXXY!
I’d like to try that Rimmel pencil. My fave drugstore products are Queen Helene’s Mint Julep Mask, Burt’s Bees Pomegranate lip balm, St. Ives Collagen Body Lotion & Rimmel Vinyl Lip Gloss in Snog. I’m sure there are plenty of others but these were at the top of my head.
No plans tonight, other than a quiet night with the hubby. We’re heading to the beach next weekend 😉
Thanks for the suggestions!
Hi Joanne,
Oh that’s great! I’m so glad that AHA/BHA post helped. I hear ya with the 10% — it’s too harsh for me, too.
Thanks for the heads up on the gloss. I’ll stay away from that one!
Hi Michelle,
That St. Ives body lotion is great. They used to have this amazing apple mint shampoo and conditioner that I used to use in high school, but I can never seem to find it anymore.
How’s the lasting power with the Rimmel lip gloss? Have you ever tried their blushes? They are pretty good.
Hi Daya,
You’re welcome. A quiet Friday night sounds good to me! I think I want one of those myself. Have fun at the beach next weekend… I hope it’s one with warm water. 🙂
hey, about the rimmel eyeliner… i have it in aubergine and whenever i put it on my waterline, it gets red on the lower half of my eye… is the eyeliner not safe for what waterline? i love your blog, thanks 🙂
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I’ve also tried the Rimmel Vinyl gloss. I remember buying it before Rimmel was on commercials. The color looked cute in the tube, but when I applied it, it was sticky and it smelled like burnt plastic. This was a few years ago, so they might have changed their formula, but I don’t think I’ll go back to it =/
I’m SO glad I’m not the only one that looks forward to the weekly CVS trip. Thank goodness!