Best Drugstore Concealer

Forgive my absences, I had finals and then I went on a mischievously marvelous trip for a week and just recently I remembered "Oh shit, I have a blog and wonderfully loyal readers" and I better book it and give my fingers a work out on SpotBlog if I want to keep both of them.

This is my second attempt at a "Best Concealer" post. I went back and looked at my draft on it a year ago and all I wrote was:
"This concealer is thick enough to give you a perfect coverage yet it doesn't look like you plied on makeup!" 
Haha Amy. Plied? Oh girl.


Best Drugstore Concealer


E.L.F. All Over Cover Stick



This little concealer is tiny and come in a cute little container with a lid on it. You don't get a lot of product, but for $1 it doesn't matter that much. It has a very creamy consistency and the coverage is buildable to full. There is a slight orange smell but it's quite faint. The coverage of this product is great for under the eyes and discoloration, but does it settles into lines a little. A downfall of this is that shades are limited (around 5) and they do take on more of a orange hue. Also, those with oily skin may want to stay away as the combo might look greasy.


Hard Candy Glamoflauge

Found at local Walmart stores, this little gem comes in a lipgloss style squeeze tube with a mini pencil concealer. Glamoflague is extremely pigmented and is full coverage so all you need is a small dot for your entire face. It blends well, covers dark circles and has a creamy consistency. Don't over-apply or it will look cakey. The colour selection is disastrous, however; there is light, medium and tan. If you are in between categories then you will need to dilute the concealer with witch magic or just pray for more shades. :(


Cover Girl CG Smoothers Concealer




Resembling a nude lipstick at first glance, Smoothers comes in a lipstick tube to be dabbed on the face in a similar manner. It has a creamy consistency, gives smooth application and covers up blemishes and dark circles. The coverage is medium but can be built up and the product is easy to blend. This product is considered to be a cult classic and has been a staple for years. This product also comes in 'Neutralizer' and 'Illuminator'.


Maybelline Dream Mousse Concealer




Lightweight and fluffy, it's like a marshmallow confection for your face! Glides on soft and creamy and dries to a powdery finish. It does not cake up, even though it may look heavy, and gives good coverage. It comes in a heavy glass container and doesn't give a lot of product but a little goes a long way. Use in conjunction with Dream Mousse Foundation for a rockin' flawless airbrushed look.

* I believe this product has recently been discontinued. Stock up if your drugstore is still carrying them.




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Best Drugstore Moisturizer

Best Drugstore Moisturizer


Wow I haven't done one of these in ages. A great entry considering it's now emerging into the winter season, a time of tinsel, gingerbread and dry, flaky skin.


Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti Wrinkle Cream

As a recipient of Allure's Best of Beauty, this product needs to be on every girls shelf!
A white, lightweight cream that absorbs well into the skin, without leaving it feeling greasy. This is a great moisturizer for nighttime and it's oil-free so it doesn't clog your pores. This scent free cream comes in a metal tube (to preserve the retinol). While I don't use this cream for it's anti-wrinkle effects, many woman have reported minimized lines and improved texture after only weeks!


Vaseline Petroleum Jelly

Ahhh what a classic! Even though we often purchase bigger and better products than this, we always seem to head back to this jay with the blue lid. Why? Because Vaseline is unscented, unflavored, hypoallergenic and extremely moisturizing! Having an allergic reaction to this product is almost unheard of which makes it a great universal moisturizer. It's versatile and it's many uses include: makeup remover, lip balm, clear mascara, removing rings, etc. Apply a thin of Vaseline where moisture is needed and marvel how rockin' smooth the skin feels!


Olay Regenerist Night Cream



My mom goes through these jars like candy! This scented lavender cream hydrates and leaves the skin feeling smooth and healthy. This night cream gives a slight "lifting effect"to the skin, leaving it firmer and more youthful. That being said, it is more of a night cream than a miracle wrinkle remedy, so don't expect more than a subtle improvement to lines.


Nivea Aqua Sensation

A lightweight and refreshing gel/cream with invigorating scent to lift up your day. This moisturizer has a gentle cooling effect and makes skin feel super smooth and soft. Aqua Sensation comes in a heavy glass jar with a lid. A great summer moisturizer, perhaps too light for the winter season.


Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer

This is a gentle moisturizer, perfect for those with sensitive or acne prone skin. Positively Radiant leaves the skin feeling soft and also works to clear the complexion. This makes a great day cream and contains SPF 15 and subtle shimmer to glow in the sunlight (:


Have you tried these moisturizers before?

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Best Drugstore Foundation

Best Drugstore Foundation

Since foundation is a product you wear all day and under your other makeup, you'd want to get one that's good quality and complements your skin tone. Many drugstore cosmetic companies have stepped up their game and created products that are comparable or equivalent to other H/E brands.



Revlon Colorstay Foundation



This thick foundation glides on smoothly to give the skin a semi-matte finish. Colorstay provides full coverage and lasts for around 12 hours. Once the foundation is dry, it is impervious to water, tears and sweat and it works to keep oil at bay. Work fast however, because the formula dries fast on the skin and then it's difficult to work with. Colorstay comes in a glass bottle with a black lid and goes on looking flawless but feeling lightweight.
I really wish this product came with a pump or a speckle brush, because it's quite annoying to pour the foundation out each time, resulting in a waste of the product.



Milani Smooth Finish Foundation

A cream foundation which dries to a matte, powder like-finish. Smooth Finish gives a light to medium coverage and glides on the face smoothly for a flawless look. The foundation can be built up, but won't feel heavy or thick upon your skin. It comes in a cute little gold compact that flips open to reveal three compartments- a mirror, the foundation and a sponge applicator for the last level. However, Smooth Finish does not come in a large variety of colours, 7/10 of their shades are dark-toned colours, and does not have a long staying power.



Covergirl CG Smoothers All Day Hydrating Makeup



Provides light coverage and goes on sheer- just enough to even out skin with a hint of pigment. CG Smoothers is moisturizing, lasts all day and helps to control shine. The foundation works to cover up redness or blemishes while still giving a glowing, natural look. This gel-like foundation comes in a squeezy bottle (like ketchup!) that gives you just the right amount of product.


Wet N Wild Ultimate Sheer Tinted Moisturizer




A tinted moisturizer for those who have perfect skin (I hate you) but want a little bit of coverage to smooth out their complexion . This foundation (can I even call it a foundation?), this TM moisturizes beautifully, goes on creamy and gives a matte finish. With that being said, this TM is thicker and provides more coverage than other TMs on the market. But you can easily remedy that by adding moisturizer to the product until the consistency is to your preference. USTM comes in a squeeze bottle very similar to the CG Smoothers.


Maybelline Dream Matte Powder



This is more of a setting powder than anything, but I thought I'd put it on here as an accessory for foundations. ;) Goes on very smooth and instantly mattes the skin. Dream Matte is finely milled and gives you that airbrushed effect. Can be used as a replacement foundation when in a hurry for light coverage. Comes in a compact with a swivel mirror and a powder pouf.



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Best Drugstore Mascara

Best Drugstore Mascara

I can't believe I haven't done one yet, mascara is one of my fave products (:

People demand many different things from their mascara. They want it to be lengthening, volumizing, to hold a curl, waterproof, smudgeproof, flakeproof, moisturizing with vitamin E, wet formula, dry formula, lots of definition, thick barrel brush or thin pencil brush! Consumers want these qualities in combination with other elements or just alone by itself! Argghh everyone is so demanding.. especially me ^^

People have different wants and needs, depending on their natural eyelashes. For example, I have short, stubby Asian lashes that are mercifully not pin-straight. My ideal mascara would length my eyelashes like a madman, adding just a hint of volume because I want a more natural look. No curling properties needed as I don't even curl my lashes LOL (gasp, I know).

These are the best drugstore mascaras on the market that will help you rock your look for a sensible price (:


Max Factor 2000 Calorie

A mascara that lengthens and volumizes, with a cute name to boot (: 2000 Calorie is waterproof and smudgeproof, with a hypoallergenic formula that is appropriate for sensitive eyes. Goes on lashes a rich black and keeps them soft and lush (not hard with caked on formula). 2000 Calorie holds a curl all day and comes in a sleek black tube with a straight brush. Discontinued in stores but available through online retailers.


Maybelline The Falsies

Go for this product if you want long, dramatic looking lashes equivalent of false lashes! The Falsies provide enormous length, volume and curl with no clumps or smudging all day long. One coat gives you a innocent, doll-like look. Two coats would bring you up to the 'falsies' level. Add another coat for a lush, glamorous look with Betty Boop lashes. The brush is slightly curved and bends to give you a better coverage. Comes in an adorable fat purple tube with matching brush ^~*



Maybelline Colossal Volume



Said the be the Diorshow mascara dupe, this mascara provides great volume and length. Comes with a large barrel brush perfect for capturing the smallest lashes and coating the bottom lashes evenly. Apply one or two coats of Colossal for thick and full lashes with no flaking or smudging. Might clump if more coats are added on. The packaging is similar to Maybelline The Falsies, only with a bright yellow design. Colossal Volume contains a strong artificial rose smell which may bother some people. The waterproof version is raved about a lot because of it's lasting properties (will not budge through rain tears or sweat).



NYX Doll Eye Mascara- Long Lash

Doll Eye gives a long lash look, but more subtle and not as dramatic. The formula is dry and contains tiny fibers that cling to lashes for amazing length but still keeping them soft and lush (and not crunchy). Doll Eye has no problems with smudging, flaking or clumping. It holds a curl well, however it's not a volume mascara so don't except thickness. A great mascara for an everyday look. Comes in a cute, long bullet shaped tube with an hourglass wand.


Kiss Me Heroine Make Volume & Curl Mascara



A mascara from the Japanese line, Kiss Me works to thicken up and lengthen lashes while providing a curl to last all day. Contains chamomile extract and Camellia emollient to make eyelashes smooth. Volume & Curl mascara is extremely long lasting.. so much it states that it's 'highly waterproof'! It holds up through water, sweat, tears, grease and can even last through swimming! But removing at the end of the night is a pain, it just doesn't want to leave you! (: Kiss Me produces a mascara remover however, so that might be worth looking into. The packaging box is so rockin, each product from the Heroine Make line has a picture of a beautiful heroine from history (:



L'Oreal Beauty Tubes Mascara



Now this is an unique mascara! Beauty Tubes is double ended to give a more dramatic look and uses new 'tubing technology' to surround each lash and lengthen them. Washes off like a breeze and the mascara comes off in little tubes with some water! How adorable! I know what I'm doing on a rainy day! Ok no, I'm not that weird o-o;
Beauty Tubes contains a white primer (to be applied first) and then a tubing formula (second). The product goes on smooth, with no clumping and gives incredible length and definition. And the mascara does not smudge either because after it has dried, it forms a tube around the lash and cannot come off (except with a combo of water and pressure). The formula goes on a rich black and lasts all day.


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Best Drugstore Lipstick

Best Drugstore Lipstick

The best, longest lasting lipstick on the market whether it is pink or red, sparkly or subtle.






Revlon Matte Lipstick



This lipstick goes on smooth, isn't drying at all and gives a gorgeous looking matte colour. Matte lipstick lasts for hours and when they do fade, they don't leave that gross ring around the lips D: They contain no shimmer or taste. Matte Lipstick been compared to M.A.C.'s lipsticks because of the lovely texture and colour!


Rimmel Moisture Renew




Rimmel lipsticks are well pigmented, lasting, moisturizing and comes in beautiful colours. The texture is creamy and goes on as not-too-matte and not-too-glossy. The colour goes on more sheer than other lipsticks, but the shade can be built up. The packaging is very cute, it comes in a purple tube and the cap has a little crown on the top.


Revlon Colourburst Lipstick



Colourburst Lipstick goes on creamy, pigmented, moisturizing and has a slight gloss finish. Shades only come in 15 colours however and goes on semi-sheer. The lipstick tube is gorgeous and resembles the Chanel 2.55 quilted pattern. And the words REVLON are imprinted into the side of the product.


NYX Lipstick



NYX has a huge colour selction and gorgeous black tube with a colour swatch at the bottom! They have a creamy texture, are moisturizing and have rich pigmentation. NYX lipsticks last a decent amount of time but not as much as others on the market. And if you hurry, there's a sale on cherryculture.com on many of their items. NYX lipstick in particular is down from $3.50 to $1.75! What a deal :D



When it comes to red lips, cool people (not sunglasses at night cool 8D) should pick one with pink or blue undertones. Warm people should choose a lipstick with orange or brown undertones.
To figure out which one you are, take a look at the veins on your wrist. If they are more greenish, you are cool. If they look blue, you are warm toned.



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Mwah!

Best Drugstore Bronzers

Best Drugstore Bronzers

For when you want to give that healthy glow or contour your face.. at a lower cost.



Jane Shimmering Bronzer



This bronzer comes with 5 stripes of colour- including white, bronze, tan, dark brown and coffee. The product gives TONS of shimmer (so take caution) and when swept over the cheeks, it gives a nice subtle glow. The great thing about Shimmering Bronzer is that it can double as a highlighter or eyeshadow!
The bottom of the compact has a mirror and a brush included. As is the case with many drugstore brushes, this one is also no good. Better to use your own!



Rimmel Natural Bronzer



This bronzer isn't too shimmery but not completely matte. Gives a great tan look to your face (: The colour is long lasting and is also buildable to give you the perfect shade you desire. Rimmel Natural Bronzer works to give you a natural look.. without looking orange like some might =P The packaging is blah quality, with a cheap plastic lid that may crack on you.


Milani Powder Bronzer



Milani Bronzers give a beautiful brown colour, without making you look orange at all. Pigmentation is very natural and the colour can be built up to your preference. Gives a gorgeous, sun kissed look to the face with just a hint of glimmer. Powder Bronzer goes on smoothly without any streaking.. and for the dirt cheap price, you cannot lose (:


N.Y.C. Cheek 2 Cheek

Many are comparing the shade Jamaica Me Crazy to be a NARS Orgasm/Laguna dupe. And it's easy to see why! Cheek 2 Cheek comes in a large compact with colours- a nice matte brown and a shimmery pink. The bronzer and blush can be swirled together in a combo and swept over the cheeks for a nice glow, or used separately. Although not as pigmented as the other bronzers on the market, it is easy to blend and buildable. The blush has better pigmentation and staying power.



Bonne Bell Blend n Glow



A gorgeous palette with 4 shimmery colours. Swirl your brush over the shades to give yourself a healthy glow. This product works as a blush, bronzer and highlighter.. all in one! Use the shades individually as eyeshadow, or sweep them all together for a radiant look. Some say Bonne Bell Blend n Glow is a good MA.C. MSF dupe. The packaging is a pain and you really have to fight to get it open. But I suppose the battle is worth it in the end haha.


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Best Primers

Best Primers

Primer is quickly becoming an staple in my makeup bag. It helps my eyeshadow stay on longer, even my skin and allow for smoother application.

I think I missed some good ones in this article.. I may edit in the future.



E.L.F. Mineral Eyeshadow Primer



xteener on youtube recently did a review on the E.L.F. shadow primer in comparison with UDPP, and it held up quite well despite being a drugstore brand! The primer goes on smooth, dries quickly and makes your eye makeup last HOURS without creasing. Comes in a tube with a doe-foot applicator. And for $3, you can't beat the price ;)


Urban Decay Primer Potion



The ultimate eye primer.. It's hard to find any makeup junkies who do not own or at least heard of this product. It goes on smoothly and keeps your eye shadow looking fresh all day. The staying power is awesome.. at least 10 hours. And creasing makeup is a thing of the past! Even if you do have oily lids. The only bad part is the packaging of the product. It makes it difficult to get the remaining primer out near the end. An easy solution is cutting the tube in half and depotting the remainder into a glass jar.


M.A.C. Prep + Prime



This can be used all over the face to give your skin a silky and smooth canvas before you apply your makeup. Helps control oil without being too matte and gives skin a nice overall glow (: It helps smooth the pores and helps foundation last the whole day. Comes in a sleek black pump bottle.. however may be hard to tell how much is left.



Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch



This primer absolutely lives up to it's name! Goes on velvety smooth and feels like silk when you touch your skin! ISPT should be used sparingly as a little goes a long way. Makes makeup last longer and reduces the look of pores. Comes in a small red jar which doesn't contain enough product when you look at the cost.



Primer should be patted on gently.. not smudged or wiped on.
For best results, wait a minute before applying makeup over top of primer. This will allow it to dry and settle better onto the skin.

Best Drugstore Lipgloss

Best Drugstore Lipgloss

Some people are so picky about their lipglosses though. They want them super pigmented, sheer, sticky, smooth, with glitter, without shimmer, with fragrance, non scented, in a tube or in a jar! = =
Here, I'll try and cover a large variety of different lip glossies.




Milani Crystal Gloss



A good dupe for M.A.C. LipGlass, these contain just a hint of shimmer and smells lightly of vanilla! They have great pigmentation and last for a couple hours. Crystal Gloss goes on shiny but doesn't feel as sticky as LipGlass. It comes in a small tube, perfect for slipping into a pocket or a purse!


NYX Lipgloss with Mega Shine



Great pigmentation with good texture. These lipglosses are never sticky and in fact, seem to moisturize! High shine, nice shimmer with a 'Juicy Fruit' candy smell :D (some may not like the scent). NYX Lipgloss wears off after about an hour and isn't one of the longest lasting glossies out there.



Revlon Super Lustrous



Super Lustrous goes on lips smoothly but has a thick formula, is non-sticky and lasts for around 4 hours! Contains finely milled shimmer and has SPF 15! They have a good selection of colours, all of which look very natural and wearable. Super Lustrous contains a sweet scent and comes in a glass tube that looks very classy :D



E.L.F. Super Glossy Lip Shine



Great quality for the price and the gloss goes on super smooth. They're nicely pigmented, come in a wide array of colours and come in small little tubes; good for just tossing inside your purse.
Super Glossy comes with SPF 15 with only a hint of shimmer. Has a yummy grape smell ^^ As with every other E.L.F. product, these are sold for only a dollar!



L'Oreal Colour Juice



This lipgloss tube has a rounded applicator instead of the slanted tip that most lipglosses have. It goes on smooth and glossy and the colours are well pigmented. Contains a bit of shimmer and a sweet, candy scent. Some may say that Colour Juice is a good dupe for Lancome's Juicy Tubes!



Sally Hansen Diamond Lip Treatment



A thick but not too sticky gloss that lasts a long time. Moisturizes well and makes your lips look glossy. Diamond Lip Treatment comes in a variety of colours (with shimmer) that flatter the wearer's lips and give a beautiful shine. Comes in a long, sexy tube with a tiny brush applicator and smells slightly of coconut.


Chapstick Lip Moisturizer



'Why is there a lip balm in the lipgloss section?'
Well, sometimes a natural colour on your lips is better sometimes. This chapstick is incredibly moisturizing, makes lips really soft and has an SPF of 15! The vanilla scent that comes with it smells nice as well. Also, it can be layered under lipstick or used as a base to make lip gloss last longer. Stock up and keep them everywhere!


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Best Drugstore Eyeliner

Best Drugstore Eyeliner

No I'm not dead. I was just really busy.



Wet n Wild Mega Eyes Creme Liner

A great dupe for M.A.C.'s Fluidline, this gel liner is dirt cheap and works like a charm! Amazingly easy to apply, nice bold colour and extremely long staying power (maybe too long haha). This liner is smudge proof, long lasting and dries quickly! Downside is that the packaging is cheap and the brush that comes with it is quite useless. Better to use your own. (:


L'Oreal Line Intensifique Extreme Wear Liquid Liner




Liquid eyeliners are always tricky to use. But this gem, with a sponge tip applicator, makes applying a breeze! The pointed tip gives you control and you can apply a precise line with thickness to your preference. And the colour stays put all day long! Easy to wash on and off.


N.Y.C. Waterproof Liner Pencil



This liner goes on creamy and is quite pigmented so it lasts a long time. Smooth application and very inexpensive (one of the cheapest in the drugstore)! I do remember this smudging on me slightly after a long day at school (12+ hours). Nothing a Q-Tip can't fix!


L'Oreal H.I.P. Cream Eyeliner



Just like their H.I.P. eyeshadows, L'Oreal's eyeliners have a bold colour, are easy to apply and last forever. A little goes a long way (the one in Black is really intense) but the colours can be built up. The brush that comes with the liner is too harsh and stiff to apply a decent line. Use your own!


Tip: To make your gel/creme liners last longer, store upside down to prevent drying out. If it does happen, mix with a little baby oil or gelatin.

Best Drugstore Blush

Best Drugstore Blush

The Joker: And here we ... go.

Milani Blush



They make fantastic blushes! And if you want a great NARS orgasm dupe, try Milani (in Luminous) first! They are all well pigmented, goes on silky and blends well. The packaging may be hard to work with for some people, but fret not! The pans can be easily depotted and they can fit into M.A.C. blush pans.



Wet n Wild Mega Glo



A large compact pan with 4 stripes of colour! The blushers all contain a pale shimmery pink, a rose, a deep red and a brown shade. When all the colours are swept together with a brush, it makes for a lovely pinky-brown. You can control how dark you want the colours to be with where you sweep your brush. The stripes can also be used individually as eyeshadow ^^ Careful, those who do not like shimmer. Mega Glo contains quite a bit of it.



L'Oreal True Match



This blush even comes with it's own brush! WooHOO now you don't have to bust yours out each morning (: These blushes have little shimmer, are a breeze to blend and build on, finely milled and last all day! Comes with a mirror on the bottom of the compact. Not a wide range of colours, however.



Cover girl Cheekers blush



A classic! It's been around forever and won numerous awards from various magazines. You get a little rectangle of powder and a tiny blush brush. I think many will agree that the brush included isn't very effective.. best to use your own brush for a more precise look!
Not the most pigmented shade around, but CG Cheekers does do a good job of giving a healthy tint to the face without being too overpowering. Available in MANY shades, you're bound to find your perfect shade!


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