It's no secret that I'm a total product junkie. I love trying new products and searching out the best pieces from each makeup line. People are always asking me what my favorite drugstore makeup products are, so I thought I'd put together a list of my favorite beauty steals! 
1. L'Oreal Paris CC creme tinted eye roller
— This is my absolute favorite drugstore product. You might remember me using it in my Hollywood makeup tricks post. I have several of these stashed in my purse and makeup kit. It's a lightweight under-eye illuminator that works on every skin tone. It makes me look rested even when I have a 5 am call time. 
2. Revlon Skinlights
— This product was so popular that people were buying it out of stores and selling it on eBay when it got discontinued. Revlon recently brought it back, and makeup artists everywhere are celebrating! Skinlights is a great multipurpose product for serious glow. You can use it alone, under your makeup, mix it with foundation, or tap it on top for seriously dewy, glowy skin. I like to mix some with my body lotion and put it on my legs when I'm wearing a skirt. 
3. Cetaphil cleanser
— This is a staple for makeup artists everywhere. It's a gentle cleanser that removes dirt and makeup without irritation. I have been using it since I was a teenager, and it keeps my face clean without being drying. I also keep it in my kit and dip Q-tips in it to fix mascara mistakes or lip liner smudges. 
4. NIVEA A Kiss of Care and Color balm
— This is a cheaper alternative to my much-loved Fresh tinted lip balm. I love the coral and cherry shades! Moisture and sheer color all in one. 
5. L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Mascara, Carbon Black
— THE HOLY GRAIL OF MASCARAS. This is the end all-be-all for me in terms of mascara. It's buildable, doesn't flake, and is a true black. Plus, it's less than 10 dollars. This is my favorite mascara of all time and believe me, I've tried them all (one time I spent 50 dollars on a designer mascara, and I still think this 10 dollar one is better!). 
6. Maybelline BB cream
— This BB cream has been getting a ton of love from the beauty blogs. Full disclosure: my favorite BB cream is still the Stila BB, but if you're on a budget this one is a close second! 
7. Rimmel Stay Matte powder
— Drugstore powders have a tendency to be packed with talc and can end up looking chalky, but this one has a really nice finish and (as the name suggests) stays matte for hours. I tend to be kind of oily in the T-zone, so I love this powder to keep me from getting shiny throughout the day. 
8. Neutrogena makeup remover wipes
— My favorite wipe. This one gets off even stubborn waterproof makeup. I keep these in my gym bag to get my makeup off before yoga and next to my bed for emergency face cleansing. 
9. Revlon Colorburst Balm
— Elsie and Emma love these too! They're very similar to the Tarte ones. There are tons of great colors, and they come in matte and glossy finishes! Elsie looks so awesome in the bold matter colors, and I love the glossy neutrals; there's something for everyone in her color range. 
10. L'Oreal Paris Infallible eye shadow
— These pressed pigments are another pro secret. The colors are gorgeous and they LAST. A fellow makeup artist used these shadows while shooting a movie in a swamp in New Orleans (oh, the humidity!) and was so impressed with their staying power that she bought every color!Those are my top 10 favorite drugstore beauty products. There are lots of hidden gems at your local drugstore, so don't be afraid to experiment! Some of my other favorite lower-priced lines are NYX and e.l.f. Target also carries a fantastic line called Sonia Kashuk. You don't need to spend a fortune to have fun playing with makeup! Thanks for letting me share! xo. AnnaRose
Credits // Author: AnnaRose Kern. Photography: Sarah Rhodes. Photos edited with A Beautiful Mess actions.
67 Comments
ha i blogged about cetaphil yesterday, oddly enough! it’s a fairly-new product in my cupboard but i really love it.
becky :: accooohtrements.wordpress.com
cetaphil really is great.
Can you please share your skin care routine? I’ve been scurrying the net for beauty blogs and their skin care routine hehehe
I SO love this post! It can be so difficult deciding which beauty products are worth buying, so thanks for your recommendations! And I’m with ya on that mascara. It’s SO awesome.
http://sometimesgracefully.com
I love Revlon chubby sticks! Especially matte ones are great!
http://www.fashionpartyblog.com/
I agree with so many of these! Cetaphil really is the best – every dermatologist or doctor I’ve ever asked has recommended it.
Definitely going to try out that under eye roller and the balm! I’ve been looking for a lip color that isn’t too glossy or lipstick, so I’ll check this one out. Thank you for your recommendations!
Theresa
http://honesttrees.wordpress.com
I remember using the Cetaphil cleanser when I was in high school, but I stopped because I wasn’t seeing results. I see people talk about ti everywhere, so now I want to try it out again because it has worked for a lot of people!
And YES to the Loreal Voluminous mascara! I always re purchase that one.
Another amazing one is the Maybelline Color Tattoo line! They are great for eyeshadow primer, or just on their own.
Wow, great list! I use some of these as well but will have to give the others a try too! Great post!
http://palsywalsyblog.blogspot.ca/
Thank you for these ideas, I love drugstore products too!
Revlon colorburst is balm is my favourite 🙂 However, I haven’d had a chance to try those L’oreal eyeshadows and I have to, because I’m struggling to find quality ones on a budget!
You can also check out my post about drugstore products:
http://www.stylestandpoint.com/?p=263
Really good products and very affordable! Have to try the mascara.
Check out my beauty must haves this season here: http://lilasirena.blogspot.mx/2014/11/style-fall-beauty-must-haves.html
Love from Mx,
Lila&Sirena
http://www.lilasirena.blogspot.com
I use at least 3 of these products every day! You girls have good taste 😉
My make up artist friend is famous for saying- friends don’t let friends buy drug store make up. But who can afford the good stuff all the time. And a lot of the time, I agree, it’s just as good as the expensive stuff. I love the Voluminous mascara too!
xoxo Laura
http://www.theaccidentalmama.com
The Revlon colour burst lipbalm looks amazing. I might need to go and swatch that over at Boots!
That Nivea lip balm is amazing x
http://www.wild-cherrytree.com
Now I really want to try L’Oreal mascara!
gabbythegabby.blogspot.kr
I seriously just did a drugstore beauty post! Great minds think alike 😉
That mascara is my favorite!!! Although it IS hard to get off, so I should definitely pick up those make up remover wipes, too 😉
I think this post is a great idea for your readers but I wonder if you might want to offer up some make-up suggestions that are free of parabens and other harsh chemicals. All the above products are packed with harmful ingredients and I think readers should know about it.
That is just my humble opinion. I love this blog and all that you all do.
Thanks,
Lucy
I was happy to see most of these are already in my makeup bag / vanity cabinet. 🙂 Glad to know other people love em as much as I do.
I love Cetaphil! I use their face cleanser and moisturizer daily. I can’t wait to try some of these other finds.
Thanks for sharing!
Is the Cetaphil cleanser and the Cetaphil facial cleanser the same? I have used both but I’m not sure I have to use the facial one or just the regular on all.
Thoughts?
LOVE Cetaphil and that L’Oreal mascara! I also have one of the Revlon ColorBurst mattes, but one thing you could’ve mentioned is that it has a minty flavor to it … if people don’t like mint or are sensitive to scented products (me, 90% of the time), they might want to pass on these.
I seriously live by those wipes. I keep a pack at home, at the boyfriend’s place and in my car. They are so convenient!
I will certainly be trying out that makeup remover. Great feature!
Warm Regards,
Alexandra
http://www.littlewildheart.com
I love that bright red lip colour and think I will definitely be getting that!
http://whatmaisiedid.blogspot.co.uk/
Used to love these products but they all test on animals 🙁 lots of other amazing options out there that are cruelty free, and I’ve found that they are even better than some of these! Such a pain to overhaul my bathroom, I’m a product junkie too! Worth it though!
I’ve wanted to try Cetaphil for a while! x
alicekatex ♥
I use several of these products on a day to day basis! Great picks!
the difference between drugstore products like these, and ones you’ve mentioned like Tarte and Fresh, is the chemicals, not just the price. wouldn’t it be better to reduce the amount of products we use on our skin, and to pay more for just a few that don’t cause cancer/neurological diseases/endocrine disorders or animal suffering? i love this blog too, but would love to see more conscious content. promoting products comes with a responsibility.
Thanks for these wonderful suggestions. The downside is that these all test on animals (except maybe Revlon … I need to look into it!). I wish there were some cheaper options that didn’t test on animals. I always end up at Sephora spending more than I’d like to.
Rimmel’s stay matte is the ultimate affordable powder for me, great minds think alike!
http://eliphi.blogspot.co.uk/
This is a great list of quality products. Thanks so much for sharing!
I love to get some of my beauty products at drug stores. These are some really wonderful finds–thank you for sharing them! I also loveeee getting my nail polish fix at CVS so I can rack up those extra bucks, haha!
summerandatlantic.blogspot.com
I LOVE the Rimmel Stay Matte powder and the Maybelline BB Cream! I just wrote about the BB cream on my blog today! I want to try that tinted eye cream roller…anything I can do to help my dark circles/bags, I’ll do!
Great post 🙂
Jenny
http://fromthedeskofj.blogspot.com
I love this blog but sad to see products being advocated that burn tortured bunnies, dogs, and cats eyeballs out. How about pledging to go Cruelty Free and not supporting such antiquated testing from some of these companies. You have an amazingly powerful voice to be heard!!! 🙂 xo
There is NOTHING better than collecting and testing products! Favorite pass time ever and so glad Sephora lets you bring back things you don’t like 🙂 Thanks for these other suggestions to try out. My ALL TIME favorite drugstore is Cover Girl Lashblast in the orange tube…people ask me if my lashes are real 🙂
Try Caroline Hirons. The items she suggests are a bit pricey, but she discloses ingridents you should be on the lookout for when you look for Drug store Products.
Her suggestions have changed my skin 🙂
Love Cetaphil, and makeup remover wipes… was thinking of buying revlon illuminator, time to get it.. thanks for the recommendations..
xo
Hems
agoldentulip.blogspot.com
I love this post! I have always wanted to try the Revlon Colorburst Balm and I swear by Cetaphil. I’m also always on the lookout for the best inexpensive mascara, so I’ll have to give this one a try. Thanks! 🙂
Tamara
http://www.trulytamara.com
I’m happy they came out with the Revlon colorburst balms. I actually have a Clinique one that is very similar, but about 22$. They discontinued my almost lipstick shade, so I switched to the chubby sticks, but am not happy about the price.
The Revlon is just right!
Great post. I recently changed my foundation from Make Up For Ever HD to Revlon ColorStay, and although the MUFE one is better in my opinion, the Revlon one works just fine and is muuuuuch cheaper. Always good to save where ya can! 🙂
http://permanentdaydream.com
Superhelpful, i cant believe i havent tried most of these, i do love the powder though! You should also try the collection concealer its my holy grail concealer! Im definitely gunna try out the mascara and cleanser as ive been looking for good and relatively cheap versions of both products.
is the cleanser good to help stop blemishes ?
Great list! Will definitely check out some of these products. I love the Maybelline BB Cream too.
I love lists like this. I will definitely be checking some of these out!
They all look great.
The revlon matte balms and the stay matte by Rimmel are my fav’s too!! Check out my current fav’s! 🙂
http://www.miss-singh.blogspot.com
^ What Lucy said! ^
I agree, Lucy. I had a look at the first pic and the same thing jumped into my mind right away! there a lot of other, inexpensive drugstore products but you actually have to spend some time researching and reading the labels carefully. these ones are not amongst the “good for you” products 🙁
Thanks for the list. I’m not a product junkie, so I love having the options narrowed for me. So helpful!
those makeup wipes are my favorite!
xx nikki
http://www.dream-in-neon.com
I love Cetaphil. I have sensitive skin and that’s the only cleanser that doesn’t dry me out. I can’t wait to try that mascara! I’m always on the hunt for a good (preferably cheap) one.
xoxo
Taylor
Great review on these beauty product.
Checkout my instagram. Thanks
Cetaphil is great for babies too. It is good for eczema prone skin (which my little one has) we always have the cleanser and lotions in stock. Love that stuff! My son’s pediatrician recommended it. Works great!
Really love this post, it has inspired me to post a top 10 drugstore favourites in the near future:-) I totally agree about the stay matte, infallible eyeshadows and revlon lacquer balms – I am in love with them all. Thank you for sharing your favourites – I really want to try that maybelline bb cream:-) Loved this post xxx
Great post! I love the Revlon Colourburst Balms too 🙂
http://www.heavenlyclutter.blogspot.com
xo
I love the Colourburst balms – they hold out really well too!
Hi girls! I am constantly getting informed about everything new as far as drug store products are concerned since I aka pharmacist. I really recommend korres products. It’s a greek firm that uses natural ingredients and its products that are multiply awarded are truly effective. You should definitely try out the pomegranate moisturizer. Make sure to check them out!
Does Anna Rose do youtube tutorials???
Thank you for this! As a former department store beauty snob I am looking for more of these guides as I am finding I am quite happy (or happier!) with drugstore brands. This was super useful for me and my teenage daughter!
If you’re looking for great drugstore makeup without all the chemicals, try Pharmaca! They carry brands like Juice Beauty. The Cc cream from them has saved my sensitive skin in the CA sun. These products have pretty results, but they are so unsafe for our environment and our bodies.
Coconut or Olive oil is a great makeup remover. Try it! It conditions your lashes, too.
I love the Stay Matte Powder from Rimmel. I use it everyday and it works perfectly.
I will definitely try some of these out!
I totally agree. I’ve found that cutting back on products and instead investing in a few good quality products that are cruelty free (which usually means safer ingredients) has made my skin SO much brighter and healthier! I haven’t worn foundation in a year!
These seem to be nice products. Wish I could get that nivea balm over here. they dont sell them here
Revlon Colorburst Balm is my must have,definitely a Fav 🙂