The Best Makeup at the Drugstore

There are few things I love more than makeup.  It gives me confidence, makes me feel creative, and honestly gives me something to bond over with other people.  It's just makeup, it's not that serious so lets talk about some affordable drugstore alternatives that I'm obsessed with.  This I collaborated on with my lovely friend Stephanie who is @thiswellroundedlife on instagram.  She made a list as well.  Click Here to check out her page.

Also Kimberly, this one is for you :)

Best Foundation:
Maybelline Super Stay Full Coverage Foundation (I am shade 220, Natural Beige) 

$11.99 at Ulta linked Here

This product is the best full coverage, stay all day foundation I can get my hands on.  It has a lovely finish.  I can literally put my makeup on at 5am and come home at 5:30 and it is still on.  The lasting power is just phenomenal.  I do have dry skin and I don't believe this shows it.  Use a small amount and blend in and then add as you go.  It helps greatly because it dries pretty fast.

Runner Up:
L'Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte 24HR Foundation

12.99 at Ulta linked Here

Can you tell that I like long wearing foundations?  Now again, I do have dry skin so sometimes I'll mix this one and the pro glow for the best formula but I can't beat how well this one stays.  It's a medium coverage foundation.  I use this one as a mixer all the time.  It is very light too.

Best Setting Spray:
Milani Make it last Setting Spray Prime+Correct+Set

There is no comparison for me in this category.  I use this product two fold.  The first being to obviously set my makeup.  The sprayer is excellent, it smells amazing, and it truly makes your makeup look fantastic.  The other is when I want to hype up an eyeshadow.  So I will dip into the eyeshadow with my brush and then give my brush a light spray and apply it to my eyes.  Instant awesome eye makeup!  If you have never used setting spray before just hold it at some distance from your face.

Best Primer:
I have two in this category and I use them both :) at the same time, but the first one is one I am fine with using alone
1. Maybelline FaceStudio Master Prime Hydrate + Smooth Primer

9.99 at Ulta I'll link it Here

I repeat that I am a dry skin person.  I love this one.  It feels like a thicker moisturizer and goes on smooth. It works well with all my foundations and never balls up or flakes.  I feel like it gives a nice hydration.  It's more like a lotion formula.

2. Physicians Formula Spotlight Illuminating Primer (This is  a dupe for the becca one ;)

12.99 at Ulta.  I'll link it Here

Like I said, this is a dupe for the Becca backlight priming filter.  For my dry skin ladies, this will give you a nice glow.  I love applying it with a tan because it gives the skin a nice shimmery glow without any glitter.  This is wonderful!

Best Eye Primer:
Milani Eye Shadow Primer

6.99 at Ulta.  I'll link it Here

I do not use another eye primer.  This is the only one I purchase ever.  It is a wonderful price and I could not go without it.  If you are wondering about why I use eye primers it basically makes your eyeshadow last all day and pop.  Feel free to ask any questions in the comments or dm me on instagram. @morethanimelda

Best Concealer:
 Colourpop No Filter Matte Concealer (I wear medium 20)

6.00 at Colourpop.com I'll link it Here

A little goes a long way on this.  I just do the small triangle under my eyes, a little on my nose and chin.  It is a little drying so I use an eye cream underneath.  It has a lovely full coverage though.

Bronzer:
This will not be shocking... Physician's Formula Butter Bronzer ( I wear sunkissed)

14.99 at Ulta.  I'll link it Here

It smells like a vacation.  It goes on like a dream... This is not an add but that should the slogan.  Seriously this formula smells so good.  It is the most beautiful bronzer and so much better than the ones double in price.  I love it so much.  It also goes on sale a lot so maybe wait for a bogo at Ulta.

Blush: 
E,L.F. Blush Palette

6.00 at Ulta.  I'll link it Here (It actually comes in light and dark, this is the light one)

This is pretty much all you need on vacation. It's only 6.00 and it comes with 4 great shades.  There's also a giant mirror!  Can't beat it.

Best Highlight:
1. Subtle (Natural and beautiful): Essence Highlighter in Be my Highlight

4.99 at Ulta.   I'll link it Here

If you are a person that either doesn't think highlight looks good on them, or doesn't feel it should be seen from outer space... this is the highlight for you.  It is the prettiest glow a highlight can give you.  It looks amazing on everyone and does NOT show skin impurities.  You can build it up to be a strong highlight but this is the best one I've ever tried, period. This is great for work or everyday .

2. Strong Highlight- Colourpop Super Shock Highlighter in Lunch Money 

8.00 at Ulta.  I'll link it Here

This is such a wonderful Highlighter.  I apply it with my finger.  A little goes a long way.  I use this a lot for my photo shoots because it gives an instant pop.  It is a strong highlight so not for the faint of heart.   


Best Eyeshadow palette
The Give it to me Straight Palette and the Dream Street Palettes from Colourpop

16.00 at Colourpop.  Linked Here

16.00 at Colourpop.  Linked Here

 Both of these are fairly neutral but with a pop of some color you can play with.  I love the formula it is so lovely and goes on so well.  I have never found a better "Drugstore" eye shadow.  I reach for these as often as my anastasia palettes. 

Best Single Eyeshadow:
Colourpop Lightening Bug SuperShock Shadow

5.00 at Colourpop,  Linked Here

If you don't look at this color and fall in love... I just don't know.  I use my finger to apply these.  A brush doesn't really work.  They are the most gorgeous color.  The formula is so soft and creamy. 

Best Eyeliner:
1. Liquid: NYX Epic Ink Liner

8.99 at Ulta.  Linked Here

This is literally a thin black marker for your eyes.  It has a very sturdy point which takes a long time to break down, making application easy.  Best drugstore wing application

2. Liquid SKINNY- Wet N Wild MegaSlim Skinny Tip Eyeliner

4.99 at Ulta.  I'll Link it Wet N Wild

This is a best friend to those who want a skinny wing.  I love how tiny this is.  The color is great and the tip is pretty great for application. 

3. Pencil Eyeliner: L'Oreal Infallible Never Fail Eyeliner

9.49 at Ulta.  I'll link it Here

This is just a great, reliable and not smudgy eyeliner... Great color, easy application. 

Best Mascara:
1. L'Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara

9.99 at Ulta.  I'll link it Here

This is a better dupe than the better than sex mascara by too face.  It separates the lashes and builds up beautifully.  It also does not flake. My favorite!  They also sell this in a 3 pack at costco making them 6 dollars a piece ;)

2. Essence Lash Princess- False lash effect

4.99 at Ulta.  I'll link it Here

If you liked, or have tried the It Cosmetics Superhero Mascara, this will be your friend.  It is very black and makes your lashes so full.  The price and application are unbeatable. 


Best Lip Products:
1. Matte: Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink Lip Color in Lover

9.49 at Ulta.  I'll link it Here

When I tell you this actually lasted through a root canal I mean it.  This will stay all... day... long.  You're not getting this off.  However, for those of you like me who want the color to stay and hate reapplication, this is your buddy.  It's drying but not any worse than others.  It does not suck the life out of your lips.

2. Lipstick: Colourpop Creme Lux Lipstick in Afterglow

7.00 from Colourpop.  I'll link it Here

This formula is so smooth and comfortable.  I cannot get enough.  The packaging is beautiful and the color is so flattering.  I'm a mauve fan so this is perfect.

3. Liquid Lip but not matte: Colourpop Ultra Satin Lip in Alyssa

6.50 at Colourpop.  I'll link it Here

Have I mentioned I like pinky mauve?  Ok it doesn't matter what color you get this in.  It's gorgeous.  The colors are always spot on.  The formula is this liquid lip that doesn't dry down but feels nice.  Best formula of a liquid lipstick yet.  It isn't transfer resistant like the maybelline but it does last longer than a lipstick.

4. Chapstick/Lip Treatment: Physicians Formula Organic Wear Lip Treatment

6.84 at Walmart.  I'll Link it Here

If you ever tried the Sugar lip treatment brand from Sephora then you will love the dupe.  This is a wonderful replica of that product for a quarter of the price.  It feels amazing and I take it everywhere I go.

5. Best formula for comfort and looks: L'Oreal Paris Colour Riche Shine Lipstick  

7.99 at Target.  Linked Here

 I have never tried a more comfortable lipstick.  These are a fusion between a gloss and a lipstick.  They make your lips, even dry and awful, look and feel incredible.  I have featured Burnished Blush here which is a nice pinky mauve. 

Thank you so much for reading.  If you have any favorites I'd love to hear them.  Comment below or dm me on instagram @morethanimelda.