I've been a makeup artist for 7 years. Here are 10 drugstore beauty products I reach for over high-end items.
Morewa Osawaru
- As a makeup artist, I like to use some drugstore products that feel more expensive than they are.
- I find that the L'Oreal Lash Paradise mascara gives lashes volume without clumping.
- The ELF liquid blushes and Halo Glow liquid filter are must-haves in my makeup collection.
As a makeup artist, I love finding beauty products that work well without breaking the bank.
However, there are tons of options available, with beauty products dominating the retail space right now. Beauty and cosmetic sales were the fastest-growing retail category last year, according to eMarketer, and consumers are planning to spend even more on these types of products this year.
To help you narrow down your options and get the best bang for your buck, here are 10 drugstore makeup products that feel high-end every time I use them.
Morewa Osawaru
This mascara, which I get in the shade Blackest Black, keeps lashes looking soft and fluttery all day.
The brush coats each lash, creating intense volume and dramatic length without clumping or flaking. The L'Oreal Lash Paradise mascara is $12.
Morewa Osawaru
The Revlon Super Lustrous gloss has a high-shine, non-sticky moisturizing formula.
These $10 lip glosses feel comfortable and come in several shades and finishes.
Morewa Osawaru
The ELF Halo Glow liquid filter is known as a dupe for the $49 Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless filter for a reason.
This lightweight, buildable formula blends seamlessly into the skin and provides a luminous sheen that enhances your natural features. The ELF liquid filter is $14.
Morewa Osawaru
The ELF Camo liquid blushes have a lightweight, buildable formula that provides a natural-looking flush to the cheeks.
The satin-finish blushes effortlessly blend into the skin for a radiant finish and are suitable for so many skin tones.
I find this $7 product to be a more affordable alternative to the Rare Beauty liquid blushes, which cost $23.
Morewa Osawaru
The Maybelline Matte + Poreless foundation was in my kit when I started my career, and I still love it. It minimizes the appearance of pores and gives the skin a natural-looking matte finish.
The lightweight formula controls shine and leaves skin looking smooth and flawless. The $10 foundation is available in various shades, too.
Morewa Osawaru
The Nyx Line Loud lip liner has a creamy formula that glides onto lips for full-coverage, long-lasting wear.
These $8 lip pencils come in bold colors and allow for precise application.
Morewa Osawaru
It can be tough to find affordable complexion products, so I was ecstatic when I discovered the L'Oreal Paris Infallible full-wear concealer.
The $15 full-coverage concealer has a natural-looking matte finish and is both waterproof and transfer-resistant. It can conceal imperfections, blemishes, and dark circles for up to 24 hours.
Morewa Osawaru
The Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink liquid lipsticks can stay put for up to 16 hours. These lipsticks allow for precise application, and their intense pigmentation provides full coverage in just one swipe.
The formula resists smudging, fading, and transferring while still remaining comfortable and non-drying. The Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink liquid lipstick is $11.
Morewa Osawaru
Milani baked blushes are very pigmented and provide long-lasting color on the cheeks.
Their slight shimmer makes them a perfect cross between a highlighter and a blush. The Milani baked blushes are $11.
Morewa Osawaru
I find that the ELF Power Grip primer is comparable to the $38 Milk Hydro Grip version and has a lightweight, hydrating formula.
It's enriched with hyaluronic acid to moisturize, smooth, and create a flawless canvas for foundation. Its grippy, non-greasy texture ensures long-lasting makeup wear and keeps shine at bay.
The ELF Power Grip primer is $10.