As a broke college student who adores makeup, I’m always looking for products that don’t leave a dent in our pockets and are actually good. The drugstore or, for us iupetenses, the Walgreens in Avenida Universitaria is our hail mary. However, finding gems in the makeup aisle can be tricky, and with a lack of experience, you’ll end up with hits or misses. So to save you the hassle, I’ve compiled a small list of items that made the cut!
- Primer
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Looking for primers in the drugstore can be tricky. There are so many types for each skin type. Plus depending on preference you can get creams, balms or oil primers. To keep it simple, if you want your skin to be smooth as a baby’s bum, I recommend Maybelline’s Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser. It fills your pores, evens out your skin texture and leaves your skin moisturized (you can even wear it on its own for a smooth look!). Price $6.99.
- Foundation & Concealer
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These are all the rage in the drugstore, everyone is trying to make the next big hit, even if the drugstore brands are already slaying the game with these products. For foundation, you should try the Wet N Wild Photo Focus Foundation. It has a buildable formula, with a medium to full coverage. Unfortunately, it has one con, the smell. It smells like wet paint but with a price of $6.49, it’s worth getting used to. Now as for concealer, I recommend either NYX’s HD Photogenic Concealer Wand if you’re aiming for a more natural finish. If you want full coverage, 16HR Camo Concealer is the one to go for! Best part? Both are $6.00!
- Powders
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Your look isn’t finished until you set your face or add a bit of color to those cheeks. For setting the face, I recommend a product that can even give high-end loose powders a run for their money. The Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder is a loose-powder that more people need to try out. It’s priced at $7.99 which makes it a perfect go-to for baking, setting and removing fine lines. Another favorite is Milani’s Powder Blush, it has a pigmented formula that is sure to give that perfect flush to your skin. You can get it for $6.97.
- Eyes & Eyebrows
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Both steps are essential for the most basic look. If you want fluffy lashes that make your eyes look like the cutest doll, I recommend Maybelline’s Lash Sensational Washable Mascara. Although the price is a bit out there at $9.99, it will give your lashes the volume it needs without it being clumpy. Equally important are the eyebrows! That’s why E.L.F’s Eyebrow Kit is my choice. It’s basically everyone’s ‘first’ eyebrow product, you can take it anywhere and it’s easy to use! Price $4.00. Always remember: your eyebrows are sisters, not twins.
- Lips
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When it comes to lips there are a few options. If you prefer lipstick, I recommend Maybelline’s Color Sensational Lipsticks. The line is priced at $7.49 and it has a wide variety of finishes, from satin to matte. It also has a great color scheme. The formula is also pigmented and creamy, making it very comfortable to wear. Next, I suggest NYX’s Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick if you’re a fan of liquid lipsticks this is the way to go. Going for $6.99, this formula is perfect for those that want a matte finish without the chapped lips. If you want it to last even longer, pair it with NYX’s Suede Matte Lip Liner. However, to be honest, you can wear the liner on its own! Just top it with a gloss and call it a day. Price $3.99.
Though short, I hope that this list helps you out during your next drugstore stop. I genuinely enjoy these products and hope that you find them as good as I do. If you think I missed some products, please let me know via Twitter!