If you are anything like me, you love a great drugstore beauty find, but find it a bit rare to find something that is not only affordable but also up to snuff when it comes to the quality.
I've always found drugstore buys can be a bit more of a risk. Yes the price tag is lower, but there also isn't always the knowledgeable staff to help finding the right formula and shade for you, and there isn't always testers to try ( not to mention the lack of sales clerks to sanitize said testers - ick!) Having said all this, I have combed my stash and found 10 great products that can be found at the drugstore that I feel the quality is amazing, and the bonus is they are all under $10 CND!!
It can be hard to find decent cosmetic brushes in the drugstore, and for drugstore prices - until the amazing Samantha Chapman released Real Techniques! These brushes are all synthetic, and have some of the softest bristles I've tried. Period. My favourite is the Expert Face brush, which is brilliant for foundation, cream products and contouring, but the whole collection is truly impressive! I love using this brush with the Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation, which provides a gorgeous skin like glowing finish, but can easily be matted down with a touch of powder. While not a massive selection of shades available, all the shades I have bought/swatched all run really true to skin (ie, not too yellow or too pink)
When it comes to lips I think Revlon takes the cake for best quality and shade range, with me actually preferring their Lip Butters to many of my high end lip sticks. While Berry Smoothie is my all time favourite of the Lip Butter range, shown is Peach Parfait, which gets good use in the summer rotation. Alongside those are the Super Lustrous Lip Glosses, which I also adore. Smooch tested (not too sticky!) and great colour pigment - favourites are Kiss Me Coral and Pink Pop.
Until recently I didn't think I could find a decent brow product for cool toned brunettes in the drugstore, until I noticed the Maybelline Define a Brow in Dark Brown - with an uber fine point you can get the finest brow strokes, and the colour is a great neutral brown - no sign of red!
For eyes, I've been a drugstore mascara girl for years now. I think it is one department that the drugstore actually has a leg up it's high end counterpart. I'm a huge fan of Maybelline's mascaras, but lately I have been loving Almay's Get Up and Grow in the waterproof formula. Hello flirty full lashes!
Pair this with the Rimmel Scandaleyes Nude Khol in your waterline and the Essence Stay All Day Cream Shadow, which doesn't budge! (I picked this up for $2.99!! What a steal!)
Finally, when it comes to colour on the face I think the drugstore can be the biggest let down, with brands filling the shelves with chalky pigmentless blushes and bronzers filled with sparkle. For a natural looking bronze and highlight in one, Sleek Contour Kit has all others beat in my eyes. Available in 3 shades, there is something for every skin tone to avoid that too golden, or too muddy look. To add a pop of colour, the NYX Blushes come in the best colours, and have great pigment with a smooth silky texture. No scrubbing your brush in the pan here - these could easily pass for high end in any department store or beauty boutique!
Those are my ten under $10 drugstore cosmetic picks - let me know what your favourite drugstore bargain is! Do you have a product that comes from the drugstore that you feel could pass for an upscale brand?
{all products were purchased at one of my local drugstores for under $10 CND, naturally prices may vary in your local drugstores, but regardless I feel these all make excellent beauty bargains!}
