When it comes to achieving a flawless makeup finish, it’s not always necessary to reach for the most expensive products on the high-end beauty counters.
Drugstore makeup has come a long way in recent years – the quality, variety, and innovative formulations now rival many luxury brands, making them an affordable, yet powerful alternative.
From vibrant eyeshadows to long-lasting lipsticks, to skin-loving foundations, drugstore makeup is a treasure trove of hidden gems. This document aims to guide you through the best drugstore makeup products, considering their performance, ingredient quality, and value for money.
Read on to discover how you can elevate your beauty routine without breaking the bank.
Our Best Picks
- Best Drugstore Foundation: Covergirl Trueblend Matte Made Liquid Foundation
- Best Drugstore Matte Lipstick: Maybelline Superstay Liquid Lipstick
- Best Concealer Overall: NYX Professional Makeup Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Contour Concealer
- Best Hydrating Drugstore Conclear: Neutrogena Hydrating concealer
- Best Drugstore Nail Polish: Essie Nail Polish
01
Name of the Product:
CoverGirl TruBlend Matte Made Liquid Foundation
Price:
$10 on Amazon, $14 on ULTA, and available on CoverGirl.com
Rating:
4.5/5.0
Key Ingredients:
Not explicitly mentioned
Recommended Use For:
This foundation is recommended for anyone seeking a matte finish, particularly in spring or summer. It is suitable for those desiring medium to full coverage, oil control, and pore minimization.
Pros and Cons
- Extensive shade range
- Lightweight feel on the skin
- Long-lasting for at least eight hours
- Slight makeup transfer
Bottom Line
The CoverGirl TruBlend Matte Made Liquid Foundation is a quality drugstore option offering a broad range of shades and good coverage without feeling heavy. It also helps control oil production, making it a good choice for warmer weather.
02
Name of the Product:
Maybelline SuperStay Liquid Lipstick
Price:
$10-$11
Rating:
4.3/5.0
Key Ingredients:
Not specified in the provided content
Recommended Use For:
For those who love matte lips but dislike using traditional lipstick. This liquid matte from Maybelline is easy to use and can be applied even on a moving bus.
Pros and Cons
- Extensive shade range
- Long-lasting
- Easy to apply
- Creates buildable pigment
- Smooth texture
- So long-lasting that it can sometimes be hard to remove
Bottom Line
The CoverGirl TruBlend Matte Made Liquid Foundation is a quality drugstore option offering a broad range of shades and good coverage without feeling heavy. It also helps control oil production, making it a good choice for warmer weather.
03
Name of the Product:
NYX Professional Makeup Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Contour Concealer
Price:
Amazon: $7 Ulta: $10 Target: $9
Rating:
4.3/5.0
Key Ingredients:
The document doesn’t provide specific key ingredients, but states that the concealer is “packed with hydrating ingredients.”
Recommended Use For:
The concealer is ideal for covering blemishes and illuminating beneath the eyes. It’s particularly effective for those with dry under-eye areas due to its creamy formula. It’s also beginner-friendly as it blends seamlessly into the skin.
Pros and Cons
- Offers an extensive shade range.
- Long-lasting and waterproof.
- Sets quickly, so needs to be blended fast.
Bottom Line
The NYX Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Contour Concealer is an excellent multi-tasking addition to any makeup collection, catering to both blemish coverage and under-eye illumination needs.
Recommended Use For:This foundation is recommended for anyone seeking a matte finish, particularly in spring or summer. It is suitable for those desiring medium to full coverage, oil control, and pore minimization.
04
Name of the Product:
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Concealer
Price:
View on Amazon – $17, View on Target – $15, View on Walmart – $14
Rating:
4.3/5.0
Key Ingredients:
Hyaluronic Acid
Recommended Use For:
Ideal for under-eye application, covering skin issues without a heavy makeup look. Suitable for mature skin due to its moisturizing texture and ability to not settle in fine lines.
Pros and Cons
- Extremely hydrating
- Provides a natural finish
- Minimizes creasing and caking
- Limited shade range
- Not cruelty-free
Bottom Line
Neutrogena fuses skincare with makeup in this concealer, providing a solution for those who seek to cover various skin issues without looking heavily or overly made up. The hydrating formula ensures it does not crack or dry up, making it ideal for mature skin.
05
Name of the Product:
Essie Nail Polish
Price:
$9 (at Amazon)
Rating:
4.5/5.0
Key Ingredients:
nitrocellulose that is dissolved in a solvent ethyl acetate
Recommended Use For:
Long-lasting, shiny, and chip-free nail color.
Pros and Cons
- Stays shiny
- Doesn’t streak
- Long-lasting
- Limited Longevity
- Consistency Variation
- Limited Color Payoff
Bottom Line
The CoverGirl TruBlend Matte Made Liquid Foundation is a quality drugstore option offering a broad range of shades and good coverage without feeling heavy. It also helps control oil production, making it a good choice for warmer weather.
Is Drugstore Makeup Good as Compared to High-End Makeup?
When comparing drugstore makeup to high-end brands, it’s important to note that these two categories can often provide similar results. Many drugstore makeup products can help achieve the same look as their high-end counterparts, and you can frequently find excellent alternatives or “dupes” for luxury makeup items at the drugstore.
Some drugstore products are even produced in the same factories as high-end makeup. For instance, Maybelline, which shares manufacturing facilities, offers comparable lip color products. However, differences in quality can still exist. Certain high-end products, such as eyeshadow palettes, might deliver superior longevity and pigment payoff than their drugstore versions.
Therefore, while drugstore makeup can be an excellent, cost-effective alternative, high-end makeup brands sometimes provide a higher level of quality.
Who Is It For?
The Drugstore Makeup is for individuals who are seeking to elevate their beauty routines without incurring high costs. It is for those who are interested in affordable drugstore makeup products that deliver high-quality performance.
Additionally, this guide can also benefit people who are new to makeup and looking for cost-effective products to start with, as well as individuals with specific needs such as oil control, pore minimization, long-lasting matte lipstick, and hydrating concealers. It also caters to mature skin types, offering product options that provide coverage without settling into fine lines.
Overall, this makeup guide is for anyone who values performance, affordability, and quality in their beauty products.
What To Look In Drugstore Makeup?
When shopping for drugstore makeup, there are a few key elements to consider. First, look for well-reviewed products. Reviews can provide insights into the product’s performance before you make a purchase.
Most drugstores, such as CVS, Rite Aid, and Target, offer return policies on beauty products if they do not meet your expectations. Second, consider drugstore brands for your everyday staples, especially if you frequently run out of a certain product.
Many drugstore options perform just as well, if not better, than their pricier counterparts, making them a cost-effective choice. Third, if you’re looking to experiment with bold colors or trending effects, drugstores offer a wide range of on-trend hues at affordable prices.
Lastly, drugstore foundations often have a broad selection of shades and undertones to match every skin tone, making them an inclusive choice.
How We Researched?
In our pursuit of identifying the top drugstore makeup products, our team embarked on an intensive research process. This included countless hours spent exploring and reviewing numerous products available on the market.
We prioritized key characteristics, such as formula, shade range, quality, design, texture, and wearability. Furthermore, we took into account how these products held up throughout the day.
Not only did we rely on our evaluations, but we also considered reviews and feedback from customers and trusted sources to ensure a balanced and comprehensive assessment.
This meticulous research process allowed us to distill our findings into the curated list of top-rated makeup picks presented.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the ever-evolving world of drugstore makeup offers a plethora of options for beauty enthusiasts on a budget. With advancements in formulations and the range of products offered, drugstore makeup brands have indeed raised the bar in recent years, posing as formidable competitors to their high-end counterparts.
Whether you’re in search of a foundation with an extensive shade range like CoverGirl’s TruBlend Matte Made Liquid Foundation, a long-lasting lipstick like Maybelline’s SuperStay Liquid Lipstick, or a hydrating concealer like Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost Hydrating Concealer, the drugstore aisle has got you covered.
Don’t forget to consider the Essie Nail Polish for a lasting, chip-free manicure. Remember, a high price tag does not always guarantee superior quality, and with the right knowledge, you can discover affordable products that do not compromise on performance or results. Happy beauty shopping!
