I LOVE a good deal – I’m not gonna lie. These are 5 of my all-time drugstore finds. I buy them in bulk, over and over and over……
I don’t know about you – but I love a good deal! Like – I really love amazing little finds for a bargain. Lip colors, glosses, shadows, liners, self-tanners – you can really find a lot of little gems for a fraction of what you’d pay in the department stores. I’ve found so many amazing colors that I wouldn’t have tried in the department store because I hate wasting money, hoping I’ll like a color at home.
Drugstore brands are so inexpensive, you can easily try tons of different colors and brands without feeling wasteful. If you end up really hating the color – well, it’s just a couple of bucks – but if you end up loving it, SCORE!
Of course I have my splurge products. You know, the ride-or-die’s that you love so much, that’s all there is to it. Like my Chanel foundation – it’s just flawless. Every. Single. Time! Or Bobbi Brown High-Shimmer Lip Gloss or YSL Touche Eclat Blur Primer. But for products where there’s no discernible difference between drugstore brands & high-end brands, save for the expensive packagings – I’m loading up my Amazon shopping cart faster than you can say “order now!”
My Personal Drugstore ALL-STAR List
Revlon Balm Stain – Lip Crayons
What it is:
Gorgeous, moisturizing colored lip-balm stain in a chubby, retractable crayon.
I discovered these can’t-live-without moisturizing Revlon lip crayons a few years ago on Amazon and have been buying and using them ever since. Candidly, they are just as good if not better than any lip crayon I’ve tried in the high-end brands…. and I’ve tried a LOT, believe me.
Revlon has not only a more robust color selection than most department store brands – but the colors are better and more unique. I use a couple of the lighter pinks for working out. It gives just a flush of color, with a balm-y hint of shine so you still look cute & healthy at the gym without, uhhhh – looking like you’re all Betty-ed up for the gym. Y’know?
Why you’ll love it:
- Big, chubby, moisture-rich lip crayon balm that feels so luxurious and smooth going on the lips, sometimes I just sit there schmearing it on over and over and over.
- Infused with shea, mango and coconut butter, which keeps lips moisturized and just feels amazing going on.
- Nice color-payoff without being too heavy, and since it is a balm there is just enough shine to give a little dimension.
- I love that it is retractable! No sharpener needed!
L’oreal Voluminous Lash Primer
What it is:
White LASH primer & conditioner that you apply to your lashes before mascara, for thicker, more voluminous lashes.
I’ve used this particular brand for eons! I apply it to my lashes as a base-primer, let it dry as I brush my teeth, then apply my mascara. The result is thick, luxurious lashes that makes the most out of your mascara! It instantly gives lashes amazing thickness and it saves me a little time. I don’t have to apply multiple coats of mascara, allowing it to dry in-between. This does the trick!
Why you’ll love it:
- Just thick enough to do the job without turning lashes into a clumpy hot-mess.
- Conditions lashes – although I don’t know what that means to be honest. Do we really need our lashes conditioned or are they probably fine on their own. I digress.
- What I really love is the look: My mascara just goes “Pa-POW” with the first swipe!
- The price. Believe me – no one is going to know if your lash primer was cheap or expensive.
Stila HUGE Extreme Lash Mascara
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What it is:
Serious volume building mascara.
I received this mascara a couple of years ago as a free sample – and threw it in my carry-on. Per the usual, I applied my L’oreal base primer then went to apply my free-sample of Stila Extreme Lash.… Whoa! The two combined give a ton of bang for the buck. Thick volume, extra length! Only false eyelashes would give you more drama! For daytime – this mascara offers big thick lashes on its own, if you want a more demure look than that of the Primer + Mascara duo.
Why you’ll love it:
- Big volume & length pay-off from the first 1-2 swipes.
- Comes in an extra large tube, so you get a lot of product for the money.
- It’s cruelty-free, which I really love.
Neutrogena Oil-Free Makeup Remover
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What it is:
Ummm…..Oil-free makeup remover?
Another one of my long-time standbys. I buy this one in bulk because I love it that much. I hate oily makeup removers because they just feel gross – then of course I always end up getting a little in my eye & everything is blurry! At the other end of the spectrum, most other oil-free removers don’t glide as smoothly, so the cotton pad is kind of pulling across the eye, which isn’t exactly good for keeping sogginess away. Just sayin’. This one hits just the right note!
Why you’ll love it:
- Perfectly balanced, to swipe smoothly over the eye without any oily residue or pulling, whatsoever.
- Removes a lot of make-up with just a few swipes – so it’s really efficient.
- Lasts a long time, and comes in a non-breakable plastic bottle so it’s super good to travel with.
St. Tropez Self-Tanner Bronzing Mousse
What it is:
Self-tanning mousse that you apply with mitts, for a nice bronzy glow!
Self-tanners can be hit and miss, but they’ve gotten a lot better over the years as more of us are using them, instead of damaging our skin! That being said, some are better than others in terms of ease of use, color-payoff and non-streakiness! The St. Tropez brand is one of them.
Note: The color pay-off for any self-tanner will differ depending on your skin-tone…. That’s why you have to test them on yourself to find the best brand and color for you. I have medium-toned skin & use their “Classic” version, which gives a golden-rich result, without looking like the old lady in “Something About Mary.” In this image – I used this St. Tropez Bronzing Mousse, in “Classic.”
Why you’ll love it:
- Easy to apply with the mitts. You have to buy them separately, but you can rinse them out and reuse for quite a while.
- Dries within 60-seconds or so. It doesn’t smell and it’s not sticky.
- Great color pay-off without being “too much” depending on your skin tone.
Shelli’s Ride-or-Die Drugstore Faves:
+ L’oreal Voluminous Lash Primer
+ Stila HUGE Extreme Lash Mascara
+ Neutrogena Oil-Free Makeup Remover
+ St. Tropez Self-Tanner Bronzing Mousse
Check ’em out and tell me which ones you liked the most! Share Comments and Feedback below…..
