Since I've put myself on a spending ban, I've been going through my collection and giving things from the drugstore a little more love. I'll be the first to admit that I'm a little bit of a beauty snob - I just love the feeling I get from using higher-end products, even if there are options at the drugstore that perform just as well.
L'Oreal Lumi Cushion & Pro Glow Foundation | When it comes to foundation, in my experience you can't beat L'Oreal. They have the widest range of shades that I've seen, and they have so many formulas that there has to be something there for everybody. I love their dewy foundations - the True Match Lumi Cushion is one of my everyday go-tos, and the Pro Glow Foundation is one I reach for when I want a little more coverage. They both leave a gorgeous glow on the skin without looking greasy. I've heard nothing but great things about the Pro Matte foundation too, so I may pick that up if my skin behaves.
L'Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara | This mascara is slowly but surely becoming super hyped-up, but it's for good reason. The Lash Paradise Mascara already reached "favorite drugstore mascara" status for me, knocking out my beloved Maybelline Full N Soft. It curls, volumizes, and lengthens my lashes all at once, and even the regular, non-waterproof version doesn't smudge on me. I've heard people compare it to the Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara because of the wand and the packaging, and this is miles better in my opinion - the Too Faced flaked all over my face within about an hour of applying, while this lasts 12+ hours.
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer | The Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer is an oldie but a goodie - definitely my favorite from the drugstore, and one of my favorite undereye concealers hands-down. It's got light but buildable coverage, and it doesn't cake or crease. As I'm getting older I'm noticing a bit more creasing under my eyes, but this one still stays crease-free all day - I'll put up with the sponge applicator all day long for that. It works really well on the rest of the face too, and I find it conceals the redness around my nose really well.
Revlon ColorStay Creme Eyeshadow | I've only just been harping on about this recently, but the Revlon ColorStay Creme Eyeshadow is one of my favorite recent discoveries from the drugstore. It's definitely better than the Maybelline Color Tattoos. It's a lightweight formula that doesn't feel tacky or heavy on the eyelids, and it really stays put all day long with no creasing or fading. When I first swatched this on my hand, I had a hard time washing the swatch off! I have the shade Praline, and my only complaint is that I wish there was a bigger selection of shades - there aren't really any other colors in the line that I'd want.
Milani Color Statement Lipliners | I haven't tried many drugstore lipliners, but the Color Statement Lipliners from Milani are pure winners. They're an oldschool wooden pencil formula, and yet they're creamy and comfortable on the lips. They don't last quite as long as something like the MAC Lip Pencils, but I'll sacrifice a bit of longevity for comfort. My favorite thing about these is that two of the nude shades, 03 Nude and 04 All Natural, are dupes for my two favorite Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheats - Nude is so similar to Pillow Talk, and All Natural looks just like Iconic Nude.
NYX Butter Gloss | Now that it's summer I'm getting back into glossy lips, and I've fallen back in love with the NYX Butter Glosses. They're the least sticky lip gloss I've ever tried, and instead feel creamy and quite balmy on the lips. I only have the shade Angel Food Cake left in my collection, but it's such a good everyday mauve shade.
EcoTools Brushes | I'll always love my Real Techniques brushes, but recently I've fallen for a couple brushes from EcoTools: the Sheer Blush and Blending & Bronzing Brushes. When I wear powder cheek products, I like to build up light layers, and these duo-fiber brushes make it so easy. They apply everything beautifully, and I'm probably going to get an extra of each so I don't have to wash them as often.
Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist | If we're talking drugstore skincare, Pixi is top of the game. So many of their products are favorites of mine, but if I had to choose one, I think it would be the Hydrating Milky Mist. I love a good face mist, and this one feels like it's actually doing something. It reminds me a lot of the Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist, too. If my skin is feeling parched or tight, a few spritzes of this helps it get back to feeling plump and glowy. I have a roundup of all of their mists, and they're all lovely.
What are your favorite products from the drugstore?