Beauty 6 years ago

Drugstore Beauty & Makeup Favorites

Hey guys! It’s Hannah back on the blog today to share some of my favorite drugstore beauty and skincare picks.

Back when I was in high school and college, I couldn’t exactly afford some of the beauty products I use now. The thought of spending any more than $15 bucks on something was honestly gut-wrenching. I once saved up to buy a YSL lipstick for my 20th birthday but was too afraid to use it because I couldn’t believe I spent so much money on it!

So even though my budget now allows me to have a lot more wiggle room when it comes to shopping, there are a few old-time drugstore favorites that I’ll always stick to! PS: I found all of the products in this post and my friendly neighborhood Target or CVS!

Cleansers

So when it comes to cleansers, I like to alternate between these two. I actually keep the Biore Charcoal Cleanser by my sink to wash my face in the morning and the L’Oreal Pure Clay Cleanser in my shower to wash my face at night. I discovered the charcoal cleanser after a recommendation from a friend in college! I like to use it in the morning because it’s super refreshing- it feels almost minty and tingly. Plus, charcoal is great for detoxing and cleaning out those pores.

I use the L’Oreal Pure Clay Cleanser maybe once a week- it’s a light exfoliant so I don’t want to overuse it. It’s really gentle and leaves my skin feeling super soft! I really love that it’s a ‘clay’ cleanser, too. Clay masks are pretty messy and I ain’t got time for that, so this gives me all the benefits of clay (like clearing out pores, detoxing and brightening skin) without the cleanup.

Moisturizer

I have pretty normal skin, but boy can it get dry sometimes. When I need some deep moisture, I reach for the Pond’s Cold Cream. I remember reading that Jennifer Aniston religiously uses Pond’s, and come on, who doesn’t want to look like Rachel Greene? Pond’s Cold Cream has been around since WWII, and was introduced as the first moisturizer that didn’t need to be refrigerated! It’s super hydrating, smells like your sweet grandma and leaves your skin feeling as soft as a baby’s bum. And for under $10!

I love makeup so much. And I HAVE so much makeup but no matter what Dior this or Nars that- these drugstore gems always find their way into my (overflowing) makeup bag. 

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Skin

So I found the Maybelline Concealer through watching some YouTube makeup tutorials. And then one day when I went to Target for toilet paper, I ended up walking out with concealer and the Dream Cushion Foundation. The concealer is actually designed to work for dark under eye circles- which I have, but so many of the YouTubers used it as a concealer for all over. So naturally, so do I! It’s super pigmented, the application is super creamy and on a good skin day, this is the only thing I’ll put on my skin!

The first time I ever saw a foundation cushion was when Chriselle brought one back from one of her trips to Asia- and I was mesmerized. I loved the idea of a liquid compact! So picking up this foundation was a no-brainer. The formula is really buildable which I like, but I also like that it’s all contained- no mess. Plus, if it seems like the product is running out- all you have to do is flip the little sponge and boom, more foundation! PS: if cushions aren’t your thing, I also love the same foundation formula in a tube!

Eyebrows

I will sing the praises of this e.l.f eyebrow kit until the day I die. I picked this guy up at Target right around the time that people started caring about eyebrows. I didn’t really know what I was doing but I knew I wanted to give my brows a little more definition and shape, so I figured spending $3.00 (YES I TYPED THAT RIGHT IT’S ONLY THREE DOLLARS) would be an easy investment and I’ve never ever looked back. Dear people of e.l.f, if you ever read this- my brows and I thank you.

Lips

I would like to start out by saying that I have used MULTIPLE Baby Lips lip balms from start to finish- that’s how good they are. Baby Lips and I go all the way back to high school, and though I’m a die-hard Glossier Balm Dot Com fan now, I’ll forever love my Baby Lips. I still keep some at my desk!

Another high school favorite that I still use to this day is the NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream. They’re super pigmented, stay on forever and smell great. My favorite shade is in Stockholm which is like a pink-y nude. I like to wear it on days that I don’t want a color but I still want something on my lips.

For some major long-lasting bold color, I’ll grab this guy from Maybelline. I like to think of it as a dupe for the Nars Powermatte because it stays ON. I once wore it (with no re-touches) all throughout lunch, a movie, and then dinner and drinks. Magic.

Highlighter

I’ve had to re-buy this highlighter from Maybelline so many times that I’ve lost count. The creamy formula is in a stick but it’s not greasy at all and blends super easily. If you’re just getting into highlighters, I would totally recommend this product!

Toner

This Pixi toner was actually a Chriselle recommendation from her YouTube video about her 10 Step Korean Skincare Routine using only drugstore products! And let me tell you it has a cult following for a reason! I picked it up to see if I even liked using a toner before I shelled out some $$ for a more expensive toner and ended up liking it so much that I kept using it! It makes my skin look super glowy and actually has aloe vera in the formula to hydrate and soothe. Heads up- if you’re not a big fan of fragrance then I wouldn’t recommend this!

Makeup Remover

When it’s time to take it all off- your makeup that is, I use the Simple Micellar Water and the Neutrogena Wipes! These wipes have traveled the world with me, I seriously love them. They get the job done and I love how easy they are to travel with- I don’t have to worry about any liquids! To make sure I really get ALL that dirt and makeup off, I’ll go over my skin with the Micellar water and a cotton pad!

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Here’s the deal, I love the luxury skincare products I use now. Like, swear by them. My Kate Somerville moisturizer, my Johanna Vargas serum, my Caudalie beauty elixir… I will willingly drop some $$ for my skin to look (and feel) good. But, no matter how much I love those fancy products, there will always be a special place in my heart, and my vanity, for some drugstore gems!

Do you guys have any drugstore recommendations? Please drop a comment below! Until next time,

x Hannah

Photography by Karla Ticas | Location: La Peer Hotel

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