Are you an Ulta makeup girl or a Sephora makeup girl? Personally, I’ve always been more of a CVS makeup girl. Most of my makeup bag is filled with products from high school that I found at the drugstore down the street and have been loyal to for years now. The makeup and cosmetics aisle in the drugstore has so many hidden gems, you just have to know how to find them!
When I’m in a rush and realize I forgot my must-have makeup, I can always swing by to restock at a store within a five-mile radius of me. To me, the convenience of drugstore makeup is unbeatable due to their long in-store hours and various locations, especially in college towns. Here are some of my favorite makeup staples that should be available at your local drugstore:
- NYX Professional Makeup Epic Ink Eyeliner
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Ever since quarantine, I’ve probably gone through over 20 of these, not because they don’t have a lot of product in them, but because I’m a chronic eyeliner user. This eyeliner is almost indestructibly smudge-proof, and I can’t recommend it enough.
At my senior grad bash in Universal Studios Orlando, my eyeliner survived all the water rides and an entire night of Florida heat and humidity. It also survived my boo-hoo crying when I was saying goodbye to my family for the first time as they dropped me off at university.
This eyeliner is my makeup first love and the product I’ve always been (and always will be) loyal to. Its felt tip makes application easy for both bold and thinner looks! NYX was truly dedicated to keeping the promise of being smudge and waterproof. I could write a book about how much this eyeliner has been there for me, but I’ll spare all the details.
- L’Oreal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Crayon Concealer
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The name is a bit of a mouthful, but this L’Oreal Paris concealer will make sure any blemishes or discoloration are corrected. When paired with a foundation, this concealer crayon makes my skin look airbrushed, and true to the name, it makes blending effortless with a beauty blender or even your finger.
While the crayon itself looks like it’ll feel thick on your face, once it’s blended, it has a lightweight feel that makes me forget I have any concealer on at all. Its long-lasting, strong coverage and airy feel make it a staple whenever I need to hide any of my annoying acne scars or dark circles.
- Neutrogena Healthy Skin Radiant Setting Spray
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I’ve tried my friends’ fancier setting sprays, but nothing holds up like this one. With a couple of sprays, my makeup could survive competing at the Olympics and even the nastiest and most tearful breakups. I’m unsure what’s in the formula, but they figured out the perfect ratios for a super long-lasting setting spray.
If I don’t spray it, the Florida humidity melts my makeup like a snowman within about three hours. When I do use it, my makeup looks flawless for over 10 hours, even if I’m outside, dancing, or crying.
- NYX Professional Makeup Suede Matte Lip Liner
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I promise this article isn’t sponsored by NYX, but it should be from how much I use and recommend some of their products. This line of lip liners with a clear gloss is a lethal combo, and I rarely leave my apartment without wearing one of the many shades I own.
As I mentioned, there’s a wide variety of shades in this product line, from bright pink to bold brown, but my favorite shades are Club Hopper, Espresso, and Cherry Skies. These are all on the bolder, darker side, so if you prefer more neutral tones, I’d recommend London, Dainty Daze, or Soft-Spoken. Whichever shade you end up choosing, your lip combos will stun even harder after adding these to your routine.
Don’t sleep on the drugstore makeup aisle! For a lot less money at almost any corner store, you might find the missing piece in your makeup bag.
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