As much as I love buying higher end beauty products, there is something to be said for an amazing drug store beauty item that works just as well for a fraction of the cost! These are a few things I make sure to always have on hand while doing my makeup!
- Pond’s Hydrating Skin Cream || My go to moisturizer for after the shower – it’s light and fluffy & the perfect amount of hydration for my skin. I use it if I accidentally get a sunburn in the summer and it really soothes my skin. I only recently noticed that I was going through the cream rather quickly – turns out I’m not the only fan, G likes to use it after he shaves!
- Garnier Fructis Moroccan Sleek Oil Treatment|| I can’t even tell you how many of these small 3.5 oz bottles I have gone through in the last 5 or so years – I love this so much! A little dime size amount goes a long way and it helps keep my ends hydrated. I apply right after the shower and if I’m planning on blow drying my hair, I’ll add a bit more to my hair, but never near the scalp, because that just ends up giving my hair an oily texture.
- Physicians Formula Bronzer || Last year the beauty world on YouTube was going crazy over this bronzer and for good reason – it’s amazing! The pack lasts you a long time and it smells like you’re on a vacation. I was so nervous that they would discontinue it or that it was a limited edition that I went back and bought two more, just in case. If you’re a fan of the Hoola bronzer from Benefit, you’ll definitely like this one!
- L’Oreal Voluminous Eye Lash Primer || I hate to say that this puts my origins and clinique eye lash primers to shame, but it sort of does! I really like the wand because it’s not as flimsy as others and still feels like a mascara. You can see the white coat going on your lashes and it instantly intensifies the look of your mascara.
- Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara || Hands down my favorite drug store mascara – I ended up using this for about 9 months (not the same tube) and didn’t want to change mascara’s but I’ve never forgotten the amount of lift and volume this mascara gives. It gives you the false lashes look without the hassle of applying them!
- Maybelline Face Studio Master Concealer|| I have a very hard time finding concealers and foundations that I truly like and want to use from the drugstore, but on a whim last year I purchased this one and felt like they got it right! I’m not the biggest fan of the application process – there isn’t a wand or anything, but using the beauty blender I dab enough under each eye then blend it out. It works really well and having the pressed powder to set it really takes it to the next level. I’d compare it to a NARS creamy concealer. It doesn’t have a super thick consistency which I know a lot of us like.
- NYX Butter Gloss || Once you buy one butter gloss, you can’t stop buying them. These are great to add a little color throughout the day. They don’t last that long, but they smell amazing and give the perfect amount of color you’d need to punch up an outfit or your makeup look! I usually keep two of these at my desk at work, so when I’m jumping into a meeting, I’ll swipe some color on my lips and it doesn’t look overdone or like I’m trying too hard! “Fortune Cookie” is a favorite of mine.
- St. Ives Brightening Scrub || There have been times when I’ve strained from my beloved St. Ives scrub and nothing works as well as this at taking off my makeup. I use the pink lemon and mandarin orange scrub, which is a brightener and not mean to be a pore cleanser – so it’s not quite as harsh on your skin as the others, but it works just as well. The micro beads really do invigorate my skin & my face feels like I just got out of a facial. I’ve been a fan of St. Ives since high school and I can’t imagine not using it!
- Jergens Wet Skin Moisturizer || I’m terrible at self tanning at home, something about it always trips me up, but when my friend Jackie mentioned this moisturizer that you apply while you’re still in the shower I decided to give it a try. After a little slip up (user error not the product) I think I have finally mastered how to apply it with just the right amount of buildable glow. I have the fair / medium toned one. Really great for keeping the color year round or if you know you’re going on a sunny vacation, starting the tan a little early!
- Essie Gel Couture Nail Polish|| Before this line of nail polish from Essie came out I could not get their nail polish to stay on my nails chip free for longer than a day – didn’t matter what base or top coat I used, it was pointless. I decided to give one color a try and when it lasted for 9 days without a chip, I was sold! I have purchased about 8 colors since and usually bring it to the salon myself for a manicure. I also threw away / gave my nieces my entire nail polish collection that wasn’t this line! I can’t imagine going back to regular polish after this! *editor’s note: I did go for my first dip powder gel manicure over the weekend after wanting something a little different so I’ll let you know how that goes!
One item I haven’t really nailed down yet is a favorite drug store lipstick – so please share any & all recommendations for a great nudey-pink color you might have!!
SHOP THE POST
What are some of your favorite drug store beauty buys?
I swear I could not live without that Essie polish, I LOVE it! And that eyelash primer is definitely my go to! I need to try that bronzer though, sounds amazing!!
Beauty steals?! Count me in! I definitely want to try that bronzer!
I have waaaaay too many NYX lip glosses, and my Essie Gel Couture collection is definitely growing. Those two are by far my faves too. I don't have a good lipstick to recommend but my favorite lip liner of all time is Rimmel's East End Snob.
xo, Whitney and Blaire
Peaches In A Pod
So many of my favorites here! That concealer is sooooo good!! I reach for that over my NARS concealer all the time. I also love that eyelash primer. And Essie polish for life baby! 🙂 Loved this post.
I love NYX's butter gloss!! And I use to use St Ives face wash for years, I can't even remember why I stopped?
Jergens glow and Essie polishes are the BEST! I'm the same way, I buy a mix of high end and drug store and it works!! Have a wonderful Wednesday babe!
Essie Gel Couture is my favorite!
Samantha
bonjourblue.com
I love learning about good drugstore products because the selection is pretty overwhelming and the quality is such a toss-up! I DEFINITLEY want to try that bronzer–love Benefit Hoola! The NYX butter glosses are my favorite gloss formula!!
Rosy Outlook
The Essie polish is so good! Same here, my nails would chip within a day before the longwear polish came out. I never wear regular polish anymore! Great roundup, Biana!
xo, Rachel
A Blonde's Moment
The butter bronzer and lash primer are two things I wear every single day! They're amazing! I really love NYX matte lipsticks… Whipped Caviar is a pretty pink nude!
ok i have been wondering about that jergens wet skin moisturizer. good to know it works pretty well! and essie gel – you cant go wrong. and i am of course obsessed with that bronzer and i recently bought another just in case as well haha. great minds!
xoxo cheshire kat
I'm so behind on drugstore products– but one day I'll finally try the PF bronzer! And still need to try a polish from that Essie line!
I keep meaning to pick up that L'oreal primer!
Huge fan of PONDS! Always have that in my vanity, you never know when it will work miracles ;)! The NYX sounds like something I need to try.
I've only ever tried one of these products and that's the Maybelline concealer, which I really like! That moisturizer sounds wonderful and you know it's good when the babe uses it, too, haha; they can be quite picky with products! I haven't used Garnier hair products in YEARS, I mean since my first year of college, it's been THAT long! I tend to only use all natural brands, so I'm not at all familiar with their products anymore, but I must admit that you've got me intrigued about that treatment, I just may need to give it a try. Especially since I haven't been getting my trims as regularly as I used to because well, laziness, haha. It's weird that Essie doesn't last on your nails, it's quite the opposite for me, it's the only one that does. Do you buff your nails before painting them? I've found that does help in prepping the surface, though it just dines't do much with other brands, but for some reason, with Essie, it seems to work. I've been wondering about this gel line, I'll have to check it out; I absolutely LOVE the design of the bottle! Thanks for sharing, beauty, and I hope you're having a great week so far!
XO,
Jalisa
thestylecontour.com
Such a great round up! Love Essie Nail Polish!
~Samantha
goldcoastgirlblog.com
We have so many similar drugstore favorites! I'm anxious to try that bronzer once I'm out of my current one. My two favorite drugstore lipsticks are L'Oréal in Fairest Nude and Maybelline in Warm Me Up. Both pink/nude shades!
Essie nail polishes are my favorite, especially now that I'm trying to save money by painting my own nails (other than the occasional pedicure because my feet need a little help sometimes)! I also always travel with a mini bottle of St. Ives face wash!
thecourtneydiaries.com
It looks like I need to grab that scrub and concealer my next trip to Target. Jess at Just Jess
Several of these are on my favorites list too! That Essie polish is my obsession and I've loved Ponds for years too!
By Lauren M
Great picks!! The PF Butter Bronzer is my Holy Grail! The Maybelline mascara is one of my top favs as well!
Kisses,
Sarah
EverydayStarlet
Can you believe I haven't tried any of these? haha will put them on my list!
xx Lisa | lisaautumn.com
Now you're talking my speed of beauty products! 😉
I need to just print this out & take to Target with me.
That maybelline mascara is definitely my #2 after better than sex! I need to try out that nyx butter gloss for sure, sounds great! Thanks for the round up!
I strayed from the St. Ives scrub too and have recently returned to it.
I love drug store beauty products! L'Oreal voluminous mascara and primer are favorites of mine too. I use the Jergens regular tanning lotion, so maybe I need to try the one you shared. Thanks!
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
I love Pond's products too! Did you know that it's also really great for getting waterproof eye makeup off! It's one of the only things that will completely take off my Kat Von D eyeliner!
POND'S is seriously the best! The cold cream cleanser takes off makeup like a dream and their moisturizers are no joke- completely obsessed
xx Tess | Sequins are the New Black
I don't know other products, but I love Essie nail polishes , this pink shade is so pretty.
Nina's Style Blog
I see A LOT of my favorite products! Especially those Essie polishes — they are amazing! I recently bought a couple of colors from the OPI Infinite Shine 2 collection, reallyyyyy good too!
xo, Lily
Beauty With Lily
You can't go wrong with the NYX butter glosses. I keep buying more and more colors. Love the texture and the price is so reasonable. Maybelline has some wonderful mascaras as well for a drug store brand. I haven't tried that bronzer but I can't live without a good bronzer.
So many great finds!! I need to look into that sleek oil because my ends could use some help in between cuts. I also use physicians formula bronzer. Beautifully Candid
I've heard so many great talk about the Physician Formula bronzer. I really want to try it!
XoXo,
Tamara – LoveofMode.com
LOVE the P.F. Butter Bronzer! One of my favorites now…I am never going back 😉
I have been using that mascara as well. I haven't found "the one" so I keep trying new ones. I have used this one twice now and I like it a lot. I am also a lover of Essie gel polish!
I have so many of these products and I am still a continuous user of them! NYX lippies are my jam. The butter bronzer is literally the best bronzer eva!!
Brittany 🙂
kingdomofsequins.com
I always enjoy your beauty posts! This is a great selection of products and I've been looking for a new mascara so I'll be sure to check out these options!
Heidi || Wishes & Reality
I just recently bought the L'Oreal primer and Maybelline mascara and I am SO hooked on the combo. LOVE it!
I love physician's formula bronzer! Their liquid eyeliner I love too!
I feel like I always love essie nail colors, but I've never tried them!! I never thought about bringing your own polish to a salon – that's a good idea!
So many great deals! I definitely need to check these out! I am still hooked on that mascara!
<3 Shannon
Upbeat Soles
So many goodies! I am the biggest fan of ponds products they are so good! And Nyx butter glosses are literally life changing!
xoxo,Victoria
coffeandablonde.blogspot.com
great picks! i need to get that nail polish! xo jillian – cornflake dreams
Yes I love the new Essie polish too! Plus the bottles are so cool looking! Love this roundup, hope you're having a good week!
Chelsea
Chow Down USA
Instagram
I need to try the Jergens stuff because I am beyond pale! I love Essie, NYX butters, that mascara and St Ives scrubs!
I still use that mascara because you mentioned it a while back! My foster daughter uses it now too. I haven't seen the Essie bottles yet. I also love the NYX butter gloss.
I am currently using the L'Oreal Voluminous mascara, but I think I will try that other one next. I've been using liquid-to-powder CoverGirl foundation for years (has a blue oval shape). Do you shade/color in your eyebrows? If so, any product recommendations?
I love love these suggestions! I'm such a fan of drugstore buys. Ponds is so amazing, right?!
xx qustomquinns.com/blog
I use Maybelline mascara from Walgreens and I am obsessed! I have tried so many different expensive mascaras and nothing compares to this inexpensive one in my opinion!
There is nothing better than a great drugstore find! I got the bronzer after your suggestion and picked up their blush too – it's just as awesome! I have to try that mascara and primer! I refuse to pay more than $10 for one! You should try Milani lipsticks. They are my hands down favorite drugstore lipstick. I either pick them up or order on Amazon for $3-$5!
The Butter Gloss and the Essie nail polish are ESSENTIALS! I love great drugstore finds- I'll have to try out the rest of these too!
This Sublime Life
You have me hooked on the lash primer!
I am going to try that lash primer!! Is that Jergens lotion messy?? Using something like that in the shower makes me nervous lol. Let me know! 🙂
Two of my total staples on on your list! I LOVE St Ives products and they seem to get better and better with every purchase. Currently loving their Sea kelp shower wash. It smells heavenly! Also, can't live without my butter bronzer. <3
NYX flutter kiss is a great pinky/nude. My ultimate lip liner is Milani 03 Nude.