I know we're already two weeks into 2013, but I thought it would be fun to share my drugstore favorites from the last year. These have been staples in my makeup bag, some for years, and I'm finding it hard to branch out. I mean, if ain't broke, don't fix it. Right? I've tried high-end department store products, but these drugstore items take the cake. One of my resolutions this year is to experiment with different products. I'm in the process of trying a few, so reviews will be coming soon!
Foundation:
L'oreal True Match Lumi
L'oreal released this formula in 2012, and I love it! It's perfect for someone with dry skin like myself. It gives the perfect natural, radiant glow. It is super light weight, offering light to medium buildable coverage. Because of my dry skin, I don't often feel the need to set my foundations with powder, but I do with this one. If I don't, it does give my face a bit too much shine by the end of the day. If you have oily skin, you may want to skip the Lumi and opt for a more matte finish.
Face Powder:
Rimmel London Stay Matte Pressed Powder
I am currently obsessed with this powder. I use the color 001 Transparent, so that it doesn't offer anymore color, just gives me the bit of shine control I need in my t-zone and sets my foundation all day long. It's around $3.99 for .49 oz of product. I mean, seriously. It doesn't get much better than that.
Concealer:
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind
This product has been raved about all over YouTube, so I thought I'd give it a go. And I'm so glad I did! I use the color Light for more of a heavily highlighted under eye look (a la Kim Kardashian). I love the formula. It's lightweight enough that it doesn't cake up under the eye, but gives great coverage - even on those days when I'm running on very little sleep. The sponge tip applicator is not my personal favorite, although some really like it.
Revlon PhotoReady Concealer
This concealer I use for the rest of my face to cover any breakouts or redness. I also like to use the lightest color, 002 Pale, to highlight my cheekbones on days when I'm not really feeling a shimmery highlight. This is probably the best drugstore formula I've tried when it comes to a cream concealer. Once I apply it, I set it with my Rimmel Stay Matte, and it doesn't budge!
Bronzer:
NYC Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder
This is the perfect bronzer for pale skin during the winter months. It has a warmer tone, so it doesn't look extremely obvious that I've bronzed my face. I can use it to contour my face or for an all over sun-kissed glow. Not only is it ridiculously inexpensive, it's also matte! Yay for matte drugstore bronzers! They are so hard to come by. I think they may have recently changed the packaging on these, but hopefully the formula is still the same.
Elf Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder Duo
This has been a favorite of mine for almost two years now. I love to use the bronzer during the warmer months. It does contain a slight shimmer, but it's bearable. The blush is the perfect coral/peachy shade. It's not matte, but I like a little shimmer in my blush every once in a while. Some have called the duo the perfect dupes for Nars Orgasm and Laguna. I don't know that I'd take it that far, but for $3.00, you really can't beat it.
Eyes:
Wet n Wild Eyeshadow Palettes
I heard about these on YouTube as well, so I bought a few palettes to try. These bad boys are amazing. Wet n Wild has come a looong way since I used them when I was younger. The shadows have stunning color payoff, and rich, blendable textures. Seriously, if you haven't tried one yet, you should. They have so many dupes for different MAC shadows, which cost $15 a pop, but these palettes are $5.99 for six shadows. Boom.
L'oreal Lineur Intense Liquid Eyeliner in Carbon Black
... at least that's what I think it's called. I've used this guy so much, I've worn the label slap off. It's definitely time for a new one. I'm not sure if it's a waterproof formula, but I've not had a single problem with it smudging. I like the formula a lot, but I'm not so in love that I would be opposed to trying another formula.
L'oreal Extra-Intense Liquid Pencil Eyeliner
Super confusing name, right? It's a creamy blackest of the black pencil liner. I can use it to line my tight line or water line, and it doesn't move. It's also soft enough to blend and use as a shadow base. I would use this over Smolder or even Feline by MAC any day of the week. I just love it. Period.
Covergirl Lashblast Mascara
This mascara has had my heart for longer than I can remember. To have such dry skin, I have grossly oily eyelids. And with hooded eyes, it's super important for me to use a waterproof mascara, and one that doesn't transfer to my eyelids or under eye area. And that's what Lashblast does. It adds some length, but also gives my lashes a ton of volume. It's my holy grail. I don't know if I can ever part ways...
Lips:
These are my go to lipsticks for basic looks -
Nude - L'oreal Colour Riche lipstick in 800 Fairest Nude. Perfect "my lips, but better" kinda color.
Pink - Maybelline 135 Make Me Pink. Been a favorite of mine for years. Always loved it. Always will.
Red - Maybelline 645 Red Revival. A great blue-toned red. The perfect color to throw on when you're having a crappy day and need a little boost.
And of course, the product I never leave home without!
Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm in Original. I keep ones of these bad boys stashed everywhere so I never have to go without.
I hope you guys have enjoyed this post. Let me know what some of your drugstore favorites are!
xoxo.
