If you’re anything like me, every time you stop at Walgreens for toilet paper and contact solution, you leave with a bag full of impulse beauty BOGO buys and at least one bottle of Essie polish. Over the years, I’ve probably tried hundreds of different drugstore cosmetics, and most of the time I’m left underwhelmed and broken out. But every now and then, I stumble upon an awesome product that restores my faith in the mass market beauty industry.
Keep reading for a rundown on the drugstore products I’ve added into my daily rotation this summer!
Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Eye Enhancing Eyeliner Trio – Nude: ($11.99) Many eyeliners don’t stand a chance against Florida heat and humidity in the summer months, and there’s nothing worse than checking yourself in the mirror mid-day to find your liner smeared all over your lids and running down your face. I love that this product comes in a set of three, and the colors are all great neutrals for everyday wear. They’re perfect for creating a soft blended liner look, but you have to work quickly on the blending because once it dries it’s not going anywhere until you take it off with eye makeup remover.
Physicians Formula Bronze Booster Glow Boosting Pressed Powder: ($14.95) Bronzer is a must-have this time of year, and I prefer the ones that aren’t orange or too shimmery. This is great for adding natural warmth to the face, in a formula that blends easily and lasts all day.
Revlon Moon Drops Creme Lipstick in Orange Flip: ($8.99) For summer, I love the look of glowing skin with a bold lip. This bold orange is so pretty paired with bronzer and a simple gold smokey eye.
Cover Girl Lip Perfection Jumbo Gloss Balm: ($8.99) I love Clinique Chubby Sticks, but I’ve read reviews that said these were a pretty good dupe at half the price. I bought two on BOGO last week — Toffee Twist and Haute Pink Twist — and I’m really impressed! Like the Chubby Sticks, they’re moisturizing with good color payoff. The only thing that would make them better is an added SPF benefit, but Clinique doesn’t offer that, either.
Maybelline Eye Studio Color Tattoo 24 Hour Eyeshadow: ($6.99) I’ve been using Barely Branded and Bad to the Bronze. They’re great alone, or as a base for powder shadows. They last all day, and don’t crease or smear, even without a shadow primer.
Maybelline Great Lash Washable Mascara in Blackest Black: ($5.49) Great Lash is a cult classic, and I can completely understand why. Remember the humidity I mentioned earlier? It does awful things to mascara, too, like melting it onto your eyelids and turning you into a raccoon. This formula goes on easily without a clump, and lasts all day without smudging, smearing, or flaking. I’m having a hard time remembering why I ever paid more than $20 for mascara!
What are your favorite drugstore beauty buys this summer? Any BB or CC creams you’re swearing by?
What do you think?