Beauty on A Budget: 9 of My Favorite Drug Store Finds!
If there’s anything I love more than beauty, it is beauty on a budget! Any makeup enthusiast knows that once you start curating a beauty collection for yourself, it can get a bit pricey. But it does not have to be!
Thanks to technology and innovation, there are many brands that are giving us all the current beauty trends at an accessible price! We love brands that allow us to be a bit friendlier to our wallets!
And today, I am sharing nine of my favorite beauty products that work fantastically and are budget-friendly. Foundations, primers, and cleansers can all be had at great prices. Promise. This is especially awesome since you are supposed to toss your makeup and skincare after a certain amount of time! It hurts a bit less to let go of an item under $20 than $200!
So, what are you looking to add, or even replace from your collection? Chances are, there is a drug store dupe out there that you will love! You might even find it in the list below!
Only one way to find out…Shall we begin?
Here are 9 Beauty on a Budget Drug Store Brands and Products to Know!
Dove White Beauty Bar
What better way to start our list off than with this classic, the Dove White Beauty Bar. The Dove Beauty Bar is a mild and gentle cleanser made with 1/4 moisturizer. It is the number one recommended beauty bar by Dermatologists. The Dove Beauty Bar is gentle enough to use daily on both the face and hands. The best part? The 6 pack retails for $4.49 at CVS Pharmacy, $6.88 at Walmart and $6.49 at Target.
Albolene Moisturizing Cleanser
So I will admit that this product is new to me but well known in the beauty community. Albolene is marketed as a "moisturizing cleanser" to remove makeup. While putting makeup on excites me and is even therapeutic; the last thing I want to do before bed is remove it. I had tried everything from wipes, beauty balms, astringents and micellar water for my makeup removal. I found myself having to use multiple wipes or cotton pads doused in micellar water only to find that I still had remnants of makeup on my face. I hate wasting product i.e wasting money! Albolene literally melts the makeup off my face and wiping it off with a soft washcloth makes it a breeze. Alboelene's 12 oz. Jar retails for $11.99 on Amazon and $9.74 at Walmart.
Revlon - Photo Ready Rose Glow Primer
Did you know that primer has the ability to make or break your foundation application? It's one of those products I didn't know I needed until I used it and I never looked back! A good primer should set the base for a beautiful flawless foundation finish. Depending on your skin needs should determine what type of primer you need. So I'm starting with the Photo Ready Rose Glow Primer from Revlon which not only hydrates but illuminates the skin. I love that it gives my face a beautiful glow whether I put makeup on or not! It retails for $13.99 on their site, $9.99 at Target and $10.97 at Walmart.
NYX Cosmetics -Shine Killer Primer
I've given you all the g.o.a.t of drug store hydrating primers; now allow me to introduce you to the best budget friendly matte primer. NYX Shine Killer Primer does just that; kills the shine but not in a bad way! Some of us are more oily than others and that can take our makeup look from glowing to greasy real quick! NYX Shine Killer creates a nice even base for foundation application while blurring pores, absorbing oil and even given us a little hydration with vitamin E! This primer retails for $14.00 on their site and $6.18 at Walmart.
BLK/OPL - TRUE COLOR Skin Perfecting Stick Foundation SPF 15
Shopping foundation can get pretty expensive; especially once we venture into more luxe brands. Fortunately for today, we're venturing into the drug store! BLK/OPL makes one of my favorite foundation sticks. This creamy stick contains SPF, blurs my pores and washes away my sins of Saturday night beautifully with a lovely skin finish. This foundation stick retails for $10.95 directly on their site, $9.93 at Walamrt and $7.99 at Rite Aid.
NYX Cosmetics - Can't Stop Won't Stop Full Coverage Foundation
While we're discussing NYX, I'd be remiss if I didn't include their Can't Stop Won't Stop Full Coverage Foundation, Depending on my mood, I might want a more matte and full coverage foundation; Can't Stop Wont Stop is my go to for budget friendly and quality foundation. It delivers just like it promises: lightweight, waterproof, provides full coverage is definitely a long-wear formula. This NYX foundation retails for $15.00 on their site and $10.49 at Target.
L.A Girl - HD Pro.Conceal
Concealer is next to Godliness or whatever they say. Ok so maybe I'm reaching, but a good concealer has the ability to clean up some brows to perfection and mask a night of heavy wine sipping! L.A Girl HD Pro Concealer is one of the most affordable concealers but also one of the the best quality concealers I've used; and I've used A LOT. L.A Girl makes lofty claims to even skin tone, minimize dark circles under the eye and be crease resistant all while lasting for the long haul. So far in my experience, this is absolutely true. It's the one concealer that no matter where I roam I always come back to. It retails for $5.00 on their site and $4.99 at Ulta Beauty and Target.
Fit Me Mineral Loose Finishing Powder - Face Makeup
Loose powder is one of those beauty products that if you pick the wrong texture or shade will kill your look in an instant! Thankfully, Maybelline's Fit Me Mineral Loose Finishing Powder is on the job and available in multiple shades. I use this powder to set primer and lightly set my under-eyes after concealer application. It's a soft powder that blends beautifully while controlling my shine all for the very affordable price of $7.99 on their site. It retails for $5.34 at Walmart and $5.39 at Target.
Make It Last Matte Charcoal Setting Spray
Setting spray is another one of those items I didn't know I needed until I tried it. Setting spray locks in your look to keep it fresh longer. Milani Make it Last Charcoal Matte Spray is the holy grail of drug store brand setting sprays! This unique formula is made with a micro fine charcoal powder and silica that not only freezes the makeup look in place, but reduces pores and controls the shine for up up to 16 hours. I have tried a variety of drug store brand setting sprays, and this by far has been worth the coin! It retails on their site for $9.99 and $8.97 at Walmart as well as $8.99 at Target
What did you think of these finds? Do you use them? Have them? Love them?
Seriously, beauty does not have to break your pockets. You can get great items at your local CVS or Walgreens! I hope that by sharing some of my favorite products, you feel a bit more confident shopping for your beauty needs! It is all about putting it all together, yes?
While I enjoy splurging every once in awhile on more “high-end” brands, I certainly have to be savvier with my dollars, so I don’t go broke living out my faux MUA dreams, lol!
Have you tried any of the products shared on this list today? From skincare classics like the Dove White Beauty Bar and the super moisturizing Abolene facial cleanser to makeup, there is something for everyone at a great price point!
What are some of your favorite budget-friendly brands and products?
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