Drugstore Makeup Faves

I'm a drugstore makeup gal at heart.  I've only recently ventured into the high-end beauty market, but I have to say there are so many great options at good ol' Target.  Here are some of my holy grail favorites that I've repurchased over and over. (All under $10!)

**All Prices are from Target**

NYX Butter Gloss ($4.99): I have yet to find a better lip gloss.  The formula is so smooth (like buttah baby), moisturizing, not sticky and smells like cake! My two favorite shades are Creme Brulee and Tiramisu.

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer ($4.59): I love this concealer for covering dark under eye circles and skin imperfections.  The formula is super lightweight and blends really nicely.  I've heard many compare this concealer to the NARS Creamy Concealer.  I use the shade Light.

Loreal Paris Voluminous Butterfly Mascara ($7.99): I'm a mascara junkie.  As soon as I hear of a new one, I want to try it.  I have yet to find a high-end mascara that I wanted to repurchase. I tried the Benefit They're Real Mascara ($30!) recently and I didn't see what all the hype was all about.  Waste.Of.Money. This mascara is AWESOME.  It really fans out the lashes, making them super long and also adds volume.  And---for me to love it, it has to be easy to remove.  The unique wand really get those outer lashes and gives that 'butterfly effect.'  I've went through probably 5 of these and will continue to repurchase.

Maybelline Color Tattoo ($5.29):
This is a cream gel eye shadow that I love to use as an eye base.  This product is great in helping prevent eye shadow from creasing.  It's also great on its own, its my go-to when I'm in a rush and just want a little bit of color to the lid.  It blends out nicely and powder eye shadow layers great on top. The two shades I have are Barely Branded and Bad to the Bronze (pictured below).

Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer ($6.49):
Oh how I'm a sucker for a super-highlighted under eye.  I use this on top of the Fit Me concealer in a V-shape under my eyes, around my nose, down the bridge of my nose, forehead and chin.  This highlighting concealer give such a natural glow to the skin and blends out amazingly.  Since this is a highlighting concealer it doesn't have super great coverage as it is more meant to highlight the face. This is somewhat comparable to the MAC Prep n' Prime Highlighter (which is pretty amazing), but more than half the price.  I use the shade Light and have also used the Radiant Shade (which is a pinkish shade, good for counter-acting dark circles).

e.l.f. HD Powder ($6): This is a recent purchase for me, and I can already say that I love it.  I pat this fine, light-weight, translucent powder in my t-zone after I'm done concealing.  I swear it must have magic fairy dust in it because it's amazing!  Pores, shine, fine lines just disappear. It really makes your face look flawless and smooth.  I love this powder.  And for $6...can't beat that.

Loreal Paris True Match Foundation ($6.99): This is my lifetime love.  I have tried many different foundations and have yet to find any other that I love better than Loreal True Match.  There are SO many shades to choose from which is a must for color matching foundation.  It has great coverage and you can build it up depending on how much coverage you need.  I apply it with a beauty sponge (more on that below!), it's really easy to blend out, goes on even and smooth.  What I love the most is that it lasts.  Unlike other drugstore foundations, it doesn't wear off after a few hours.  Despite it's great coverage, it doesn't feel or look too heavy which is great. I'd say this is a great foundation for normal, oily and combo skin.  There is also True Match LUMI, which is a more dewy formula that would be better for dry skin.  I'm in shade W6.

Milani Baked Blush  in Luminoso ($9.99 at Fred Meyer):
I have a hard time finding good drugstore blushes.  A lot of times they are too powdery, too brightly colored or not very pigmented.  I love this one by Milani.  It's not overpowering, has the tiniest bit of a glow. It's a perfect coral-pink shade and great quality.  It's a little more pricey, but I've had mine for about 9 months, I use it everyday and I'm not even through to the pan yet. Plus I LOVE the gold packaging!

Maybelline Color Sensational The Mattes Lip Color ($5.49): It's hard to find a matte lipstick that doesn't look or feel super dry on the lips.  These new Maybelline mattes are creamy and comfortable. They last a long time and have a great color selection.  I have shades Daringly Nude and Touch of Spice.  I want to try a couple more bold colors too!

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge ($5.99): I cannot express how much this has changed my foundation/concealing routine.  This literally makes your face look airbrushed. It evens everything out and makes blending a breeze.  The very important KEY to using this sponge is using it damp.  Run it under water for about ten seconds and squeeze several times, then I like to squeeze it out on a towel. I then dot foundation sloppily all over my face and then stipple the sponge all over my face until everything is blended.  I still have yet to try to Beauty Blender sponge--which people say nothing compares to.  But it's $20 and I have no complaints about the Real Techniques Sponge.

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush ($6.49): I love ALL Real Techniques brushes, but the expert face brush is definitely my favorite.  I use this brush mainly for contouring, but I've used it for foundation too.  The brush is so soft but also dense enough for being precise.  I can't say enough about this brand.  And the price is so right!

NYX Matte Finish Setting Spray ($7.99): "Setting spray? Is that really necessary?" That's what I used to ask myself.  But it makes a difference! The best way to describe it is that it's hairspray for your face.  After I'm completely done with my makeup, I spritz this all over my face.  1. It feels so refreshing.  2. My makeup lasts longer. 3. I don't get as oily throughout the day.
You can also use a setting spray to wet your eye makeup brush to apply eye shadow wet for a more vibrant and bold finish.
I have to say, I love the Urban Decay All Nighter setting spray.  But again, it's expensive! I go to town on setting sprays, so blowing $28 on a bottle that only lasts a month or so is not okay in my book. The NYX matte finish setting spray works just as well in my opinion...well close enough.

 e.l.f. Studio Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder in St. Lucia ($3): It's so hard to find a bronzer, especially for contouring, that isn't too shimmery or orange.  I use this every. single. day. and I've had it for over a year and it's still going strong!  I don't use the blush as often, it's just not very pigmented.  But the bronzer/contour side--amazing.  It's not too warm-toned, not too cool-toned and creates that perfect shadow on the face.  I use it to contour my cheek bones, forehead, jaw line and if I'm feeling extra Kardashianesque, I'll contour my nose too.  I also layer a more warm bronzer on top so I don't look muddy and to add a bit of a glow, but I'm still on the hunt for the perfect warm bronzer.  Any suggestions? I want to try the NYX matte bronzer next.

Any drugstore products you love? Please let me know in the comments!

xoxo,
Gilly