7 DRUGSTORE MAKEUP MUST HAVES: AFFORDABLE BEAUTY THAT DELIVERS

In the year of 2025, drugstore makeup- after rising from the shadows- has earned, not only a place in your beauty cabinet, but can stand against some of the top luxury brands on the market. No longer a disparaged department where you would find broken into, used packages that smelled weird and never quite performed, but attractive modern displays of endless innovations. Especially in this economy, where prices are soaring across the board, there is no shame in swapping your Lancome for Maybelline, because- as a professional makeup artist, even I gravitate to them. My goal is always to find the best preforming products, and sometimes, that's NYX. I've compiled a list of some of my favourite products that won't break the bank and will have people guessing if you splurged on that $95 foundation.

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1. Revlon Illuminance Serum Skin Tint

A lot of the time when you look at luxury makeup, you're not only looking at a formulation that may have more resources poured into it, but you're looking at packaging that also reflects the status of "luxury". The reason a lot of well performing products can be priced lower, will be because they have opted for a lower cost package- No shade to the Revlon Illuminance Skin Tint, but it is a pretty basic package, with an exceptional product inside. The coverage is perfect for everyday wear and it holds beautifully throughout the day, leaving you with a healthy glow. I have tried countless skin tints and I find myself reaching for, and repurchasing this one the most. I have normal/combo/dehydrated skin, but I do feel like this would be good for all skin types.

2. L'Oreal Tinted Foundation True Match Serum

If you are a makeup junkie, you will have come across this tint, and for good reason. Beloved by many, this tint runs a little thinner than the Revlon, so if you're a very minimal makeup person, this one is for you. Again, wears beautifully throughout the day and evens out your skin-tone without feeling like you're even wearing anything, and keeps you hydrated.

3. Maybelline Luminous Matte Foundation

The Maybelline Super Stay products do not joke around. They have some of the best staying power than any other brand, and while it is not advised to keep your makeup on for 30 hours, this one will definitely last that long while not drying you out. This is a full coverage foundation I would use on a night out. It will combat any oil and keep you glowing into the next day...if you needed.

4. NYX Buttermelt Blush and Bronzer

The pigment and blend-ability of these blushes feel so luxe that you won't even believe that you got them for under $20. The shade range is vast, so you can buy more than one and still not reach the price of one luxury brand product. They can be layered for more intensity and as I said, very pigmented so that the colors will last throughout the day.

5. Maybelline Super stay Ink Crayon Lipstick

I've been using this lipstick for years. If I need something that I don't want to worry about all day, and that won't suck every drop of moisture out of my lips, I'm grabbing this. The crayon format makes it easy to get a clean line around your lips, plus, at a more affordable price, you can but 10x as many!

6. L'Oreal Lumi Glotion

If you are on the hunt for an expensive glow, forget the $75 drops. This $20 option will have you illuminated like an ethereal goddess. Wear under/mix with your foundation, or apply to desired areas after foundation application, this versatile product can frequently been seen on the runway for a good reason- because she captures the light like a movie star. If you want glow beyond your face, mix with body lotion/oil to share the shine with your arms/chest/legs.

7. L'Oreal Mascara Voluminous Original

This has always been , and will always be, the only mascara I use in my kit. Because, weddings, and crying, I often reach for the waterproof one which does not dry or flake and is, in fact, waterproof. I do not use the brush in my kit, but when I use it on myself, it has the perfect application for volume building but will not get too clumpy. AND you can find it on sale for around $8- a far cry for the average $40 for luxury brands.

This is not a hate on luxury brand cosmetics, because I do love them. It's just a testimony of how more expensive does not equate to a better product. Don't ever feel pressured to spend more than you're comfortable spending because every influencer is telling you that you need it. I love a luxury product just as much as the next person, nothing feels better than opening a beautiful package with a fresh product inside, just know where to put your money. And just to note, after making this list, I realized how many good products there are in the drugstore category, but I had to narrow it down. So if this niche speaks to you, stand by for the forthcoming lists broken down by category!