The ultimate guide to the best drugstore makeup
Looking for top-notch - and affordable - concealers, foundations and lipsticks? This insider's guide shows you what to look for.
While the drugstore may be your go-to for health and personal care basics, it might not be the first place that comes to mind for makeup. In good news for makeup aficionados - and their wallets - that's greatly changing.
Buying makeup must-haves at the drugstore is a trend that even the professionals can hop on to. "I've been a longtime fan of drugstore beauty - many of these brands have the capacity to test and develop amazing products at accessible prices," says New York City based celebrity makeup artist Neil Scibelli.1
Plus, if you’re interested in just trying out a new trend, the wallet-friendly price tags can help you skirt a major financial commitment.
So where do you shop first in this cosmetic marketplace? Our guide to some of the hottest drugstore makeup can direct you to top picks from makeup pros themselves.
En este artículo:
Best drugstore blush
Crema rubor, 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-winning celebrity makeup artist Andrew Sotomayor.2 He notes how easy it is to apply: Swipe it directly onto your cheeks and blend with your 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 - Rubor horneado for the range of shades and a built-in highlighting effect.
Best drugstore bronzers
Con bronzers, the big decision is often that of choosing between a shimmery or a matte finish. Consider shimmer if an overall luminizing effect is what you're after, 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 you're planning on using a highlighter too, adds Sotomayor.)
Winner:
Both experts rave about the NYX Professional Makeup Matte Body Bronzer. And don't be fooled by the name - it works great on your face, too. The undertones of its three 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 you're looking for a more bronzed glow, the Milani - Polvo bronceador horneado has crushed gold pigments that create a light-reflecting radiance,” says Scibelli.
Best drugstore brow products
The right brow product can be invaluable to your final makeup look. Pencils are great for filling in sparse spots, powders add volume, while gels and pomades are ideal if you need color and hold.
Winner:
You can’t go wrong with the L’Oréal Paris Brow Stylist Definer Waterproof Eyebrow Mechanical Pencil. Scibelli loves that it doesn't need a sharpener as it has a spoolie brush for seamless blending. And the smudge-proof formula comes in a varying range of shades.
Runners-up:
“The e.l.f. Instant Lift Brow Pencil has a creamy pencil on one side and a spoolie brush on the other. Use the brush to soften the pencil for a more subtle look or to lift and place your brows," says Sotomayor. For bold brows, try the Maybelline TattooStudio - Gel para cejas resistente al agua; it delivers a rich, budge-proof pigment.
Best 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. 16hr Camo - Corrector is a great choice, too. With 16 shades, the super-pigmented formula packs plenty of coverage.
Best drugstore contour and highlighter
There are arguably no makeup trends that have garnered more attention lately than contouring and highlighting. The two steps go hand in hand and 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 essence Contouring Duo Palette, which also boasts a darker contour color and lighter highlighter tone. 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.
Best drugstore eyeliner
Think beyond basic black delineador de ojos; brown can accentuate your 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 So Fierce Vinyl Eyeliner: “The gel formula glides onto the skin, it’s super-pigmented and also waterproof,” he says.
Runners-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. Sotomayor is a fan of the Kiss GlueLiner, a black liquid liner and lash glue hybrid that’s great for those who love wearing false lashes.
Best drugstore eyeshadow
While there’s nothing wrong with purchasing one single sombra de ojos, a palette gives you more bang for your buck and more variety, with several different hues to mix and match.
Winner:
“The Almay Intense I-Color Enhancing Eyeshadow Palettes were designed to help find shades that make your natural eye color pop," Sotomayor explains, who adds that they come with directions for placement and order of application. "Use them as designed or get creative. Choose whichever palette has your favorite colors and place them however you want," he says. Experimentation is key!
Runners-up:
Scibelli likes the L.A. Girl Cosmetics Keep it Playful Eyeshadow Palette, lauding its versatility and warm hues. Love shimmery shades? El Revlon So Fierce! Prismatic Shadow Palette boasts four gleaming colors in a formula that doesn’t crease and can be used wet or dry, depending on your desired finish.
Best drugstore foundations
When it comes to base, consider both your preferred formula (cream, liquid or mousse) and the shade. Since you typically can't test these products in store, it's helpful to know your skin's undertone - the color under the surface of your skin that affects the overall shade. An easy cheat: If gold jewelry is your color, you likely have warm undertones, and if you're drawn toward silver, you 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, it too 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.
Best 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’ 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.
Best drugstore mascara
The most important thing to look for in rímel is the intended effect: Do you 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’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise 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 Discovery Waterproof Mascara is great if you need all-day staying power, adding eye-popping length and definition.
Best drugstore primers
Base is a great first step to smooth out skin for a more seamless makeup application as well as to up the longevity of other products you're using. When choosing, consider your skin type: Some primers are better for oily skin, like those with a mattifying finish, while others are meant for dry or normal skin types (think hydrating formulas).
Winner:
Sotomayor is a big fan of the e.l.f. Power Grip Primer. The aptly named formula helps makeup stick to skin so that it wears well and longer (and it is a popular swap for a more expensive counterpart).
Runners-up:
El e.l.f. - Prebase hidratante is for all skin types, boasting a gel texture that keeps makeup locked in place all day long. El Joah Super Sidekick Mattifying Primer is also great for slick skin, absorbing excess oil and delivering a velvety, matte finish.
Best drugstore setting sprays and powders
A setting product is the perfect finishing step to immortalizing (well, nearly) your 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 you prefer 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.
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1Neil Scibelli, interview, May 2023
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2Andrew Sotomayor, interview, May 2023
