The ultimate guide to drugstore makeup

En este artículo:

Recommended drugstore blush

Hay muchos tipos distintos de rubor to choose from: Cream blush, liquid blush, powder blush - how is one to choose? While it boils down to personal preference, classic powder formulas tend to work better for oilier skin, whereas cream blush thrives on drier complexions. And liquid blush, though the sheerest of them all, is easily buildable.

Winner

El Pixi On-the-Glow blush is a moisturizing gel cream in a convenient, twist-up stick form. It's the top choice from Emmy Award-winning celebrity makeup artist Andrew Sotomayor. He notes how easy it is to apply: Swipe it directly onto the cheeks and blend with the fingertips, or apply it with a blush brush for a more concentrated look.

Runners-up

Sotomayor also likes the CoverGirl Classic Color blush, noting that the sheer formula makes it nearly impossible to apply too much - perfect for those afraid to overdo it. Scibelli is a fan of the Milani Baked blush for the range of shades and a built-in highlighting effect.

Recommended drugstore bronzers

Con bronzers, the big decision is often choosing between a shimmery or a matte finish. If someone is going for an overall luminizing effect, they should opt for shimmer, notes Scibelli. On the flip side, matte textures are ideal "for those with combination or oily skin types who don't want to look shiny," he says. (Hot tip: Go for a matte finish if planning on using a highlighter, too, adds Sotomayor.)

Winner

Both experts rave about the NYX Professional Makeup Buttermelt bronzer. And don't forget: It works great on the neck and décolleté, too. The undertones of its eight shades won't look too orange on fair skin or too ashy on deeper complexions, creating a more natural effect, Sotomayor notes.

Runners-up

El essence Sun Club Matt bronzing powder is another great matte pick that offers a naturally sun-kissed effect. If someone is looking for a more bronzed glow, the Milani Cheek Kiss Cream Bronzer is an ultra-blendable, natural and never orangey option. The formula gives that effortless sun-kissed glow, all year round.

Recommended drugstore concealers

On top of shade matching, we’re talking coverage when it comes to concealers. As a rule of thumb, creamier concealers offer more coverage, while liquid ones typically offer less.

Winner

Sotomayor notes he recently tried — and loved — the Neutrogena Healthy Skin Radiant brightening concealer. "The built-in doe-foot wand makes it easy to tap it onto tiny areas," he says. He adds that it's also great for camouflaging dark circles, given that some of the shades have a peach or pink undertone that can both color correct and brighten the under-eye area.

Runners-up

Scibelli likes another Neutrogena option: the Hydro Boost Hydrating Concealer Stick, infused with hydrating hyaluronic acid. The e.l.f. 16-hour Camo Concealer is a great choice, too. With 16 shades, the super-pigmented formula packs plenty of coverage.

Recommended drugstore contour and highlighter

Contouring and highlighting are two steps that go hand-in-hand to help create a natural, sculpted end result. Happily, there are many products that can be used as a two-in-one solution.

Winner

According to Sotomayor, the Wet n Wild Dual-Ended contour stick is an affordable way to try both of these trends. "Swipe the lighter color on the high points of the face and the darker shade under the cheekbones or under the jaw for a more lifted look," says Sotomayor. Don't forget to blend it out!

Runners-up

Another multitasking product is the Polvo bronceador y para contornear Maybelline City, which provides bronzing, subtle contouring and natural makeup looks. If you're looking for a standalone highlighter, try the Physicians Formula - Iluminador cremoso. The smooth, silky powder has lots of pigment and glow, and it offers a choice of shades, adds Scibelli.

Recommended drugstore eyeliner

Think beyond basic black delineador de ojos; brown can accentuate eyes in a more natural way, while unexpected colors (think navy or plum) add a pop of drama. Liquid formulas make it easier to create more graphic lines, such as a cat eye, while pencils are good for softer shapes or a smoky effect. 

Winner

Scibelli likes the Revlon Colorstay - Delineador de ojos: “The formula glides onto the skin, it’s super-pigmented and also waterproof,” he says. 

Runner-up

For those who prefer liquid liner, try the NYX Professional Makeup Epic Ink Vegan waterproof liquid liner. It’s another one of Scibelli’s recommendations: The ultra-black shade and slim felt tip make it a great choice for creating a cat eye.

Recommended drugstore foundations

When it comes to base, people can consider both their preferred formula (cream, liquid or mousse) and the shade. Since people typically can't test these products in store, it's helpful for makeup lovers to know their skin's undertone (the color under the surface of your skin that affects the overall shade). An easy cheat: If gold jewelry suits someone color, they likely have warm undertones; if someone is drawn toward silver, they likely have cooler undertones. Many brands will feature the shade's undertone on the packaging, notes Scibelli.

Winner

Sotomayor loves the Revlon ColorStay foundation. The original formula is hydrating, but there’s also a mattifying version for those with oilier skin — plus, there are more than a dozen shades to choose from.

Runners-up

On finding the best shade, the range of hues of the Maybelline Fit Me! foundation is incredible. There are a whopping 24 shades to choose from, and like the Revlon foundation, it comes in hydrating and mattifying variants. Also consider the CoverGirl TruBlend Matte Made liquid foundation. “It minimizes shine, looks natural on the skin, blurs pores and has a 12-hour hold time,” says Scibelli, who is a fan.

Recommended drugstore lipsticks

Nothing brings the face together quite like a bold lip. Lápiz labial is an easy thing to experiment with, so look for options with a large shade range. Matte finishes tend to be long-lasting, whereas more satin or cream textures may require the occasional touch-up.

Winner

“I’ve been a longtime fan of L’Oreal Paris’s lipsticks in general, but I’m especially loving the Colour Riche Intense Volume matte lipsticks," says Scibelli. "They're creamy and hydrating, yet leave a velvety matte finish." He also lauds the range of highly pigmented hues, featuring nude pinks to bold reds.

Runners-up

El NYX Professional Soft Matte lip cream has a velvety feel and a vast shade range, so there's plenty of choice for a plethora of looks, notes Sotomayor. Looking for a lippie that isn't going anywhere? El Maybelline SuperStay Vinyl Ink No-Budge Longwear Liquid Lip Color touts an impressive 16-hour, smudge-free staying power.

Recommended drugstore mascara

The most important thing to look for in rímel is the intended effect: Does someone want volume, length, thicker-looking lashes or curl? Then there's the question of whether to go waterproof or not. Note that waterproof mascara tends to need a heavier hand on removal.

Winner

“The L'Oreal Paris Paradise Big Deal mascara is a staple in my kit, an overall great lengthening and thickening mascara," says Scibelli. "It coats and boosts every individual lash without clumping."

Runners-up

Another classic is the CoverGirl LashBlast Volume mascara. It creates both volume and length - Scibelli also likes its shade range. El Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High waterproof mascara is great if someone needs all-day staying power, adding eye-popping length and definition.

Recommended setting sprays and powders

A setting product is the perfect finishing step to immortalizing (well, nearly) a great look. These tend to be either powders or sprays and can have either a matte or luminous finish. Apply it after foundation and powder products for the full effect.

Winner

According to Sotomayor, the L.A. Girl Shimmer Spray is an easy way to achieve a radiant, glowing complexion. Added bonus: It works on both face and body.

Runners-up

If someone prefers a powder, consider the Wet n Wild Photo Focus loose setting powder. "It helps set makeup, absorb shine and blur away the look of imperfections," says Scibelli, who notes that he's partial to the translucent version. Or try the e.l.f. Halo Glow setting powder, a social media darling that leaves skin with a soft finish.

Este contenido es solo para fines informativos y no constituye un asesoramiento médico. Consulte con su proveedor de cuidado de la salud antes de tomar alguna vitamina o suplemento y antes de comenzar o cambiar alguna práctica relacionada con el cuidado de su salud.