Drugstore Makeup Approved by Makeup Artists: Here Are the Winners, Starting at Just $7 (2024)

TL;DR

If you haven’t shopped the makeup aisles of the drugstore recently, you most definitely should. There’s no shortage of awesome products out there, across all categories. Our best overall drugstore makeup product isCoverGirl TruBlend Matte Made Liquid Foundation, a makeup artist staple that delivers a matte finish and blurs pores. And while we’re big fans of drugstore mascaras in general, the Milani Highly Rated 10-in-1 Volume Mascara is our current favorite, a formula that lifts, curls, and defines lashes in one fell swipe.

Our Top Picks

Type: Foundation | Shades: 36 | Size: 1 ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Makeup artists go crazy for this foundation, making it our all-around best overall pick. Scibelli says this is his favorite drugstore foundation right now, adding that it’s especially good for someone who is looking for more of a matte finish in the spring or summer. “It has medium to full coverage, so a little goes a long way, and it helps to minimize pores and control oil production in the skin without looking cakey or heavy,” he adds. Also nice: The wide range of shades in a variety of tones and undertones.We loved the feel of this when we took it for a spin, and noted that it lasted through eight hours of continuous wear.

Who It’s For

If you are looking for an affordable foundation that won’t leave you shiny after a couple hours of wear, this liquid matte option feels breathable while also providing sufficient color. It can also be built up to full coverage for the days when you need a little extra cover and the extensive shade range with three different undertone options enables you to get super specific when choosing your shade match.

Type: Lipstick | Shades: 31 | Size: 0.17 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No

Byrdie editor Eden Stuart gives her stamp of approval on this drugstore gem. She adds, "This lipstick does. not. budge," so it has been a staple since day one. "Seriously—when you pick up a tube or two, grab some micellar water while you're at it. The finish is an opaque, true matte, and the color selection here is kind of unparalleled, from gorgeous brights to deep shades that just scream fall and winter. If you need a lippie that will last all day, this is definitely my recommendation," she says. Plus, this lipstick is super-fun to apply, as it glides on easily and creates buildable pigment. We love its smooth texture and its long staying power.

Who It’s For

If you love matte lips but hate using traditional lipstick, this liquid matte from Maybelline is so easy to use that it could be applied on a moving bus. There is no mirror necessary when swiping on one of the 24 vibrant shades of this lip color. If you are looking for a maximum impact look in seconds this is the drugstore pick for you.

Type: Foundation | Shades: 16 | Size: 1 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No

This is another amazing drugstore foundation pick and favorite of the pros. It not only boasts incredible staying power but can also deliver a flawless matte finish to those with oily and combination skin. Its formula is hydrating and packed with humectants, which make blending it a breeze.

Who It’s For

This foundation is built to withstand humidity, heat, and sweat and is even waterproof. The medium to full coverage holds up against various conditions, making it the perfect option for those on the go who don’t have time for touch-ups. Available in a whopping 46 shades, if you can never seem to find just the right color for you, your search ends here.

Type: Brow fill | Shades: 4 | Size: 0.007 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

A creamy formula that settles into brows easily, this product can help you define the shape of your brows with one swipe. When we tested this, we loved how easy it is to remove as you’re perfecting your look.

Who It’s For

Everyone. But seriously: Brows frame the face and even just a couple of light strokes with a brow pencil to fill in the gaps of your brows will make a world of difference to your overall makeup look. The built-in brush on this one also helps perfect the arches and comb them upwards for a more polished finish.

Type: Lip gloss | Shades: 12 | Size: 0.23 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No

As the name suggests, this is a gloss-balm hybrid to create a natural, dewy makeup effect. You can achieve beautifully pigmented, shiny color (that stays put and never dries out), but also tons of hydration, thanks to ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and argan oil.

Who It’s For

Anyone nostalgic for a Y2K gloss will love how this lip color hits the sweet spot between a shimmer and a balm. It’s more of a contemporary twist on the thick shimmery glosses that ruled the early noughties and while it evokes the spirit of the time it looks modern and feels like a dream.When we tested this, we noted that the application didn't leave us with the dreaded sticky-lips feeling that can happen with gloss.

Type: Foundation | Number of Shades: 40 | Size: 1 ounce | Cruelty-Free: No

Possibly our favorite drugstore find of all time. Ever since we started using this foundation, we haven’t looked back. It’s a disservice to refer to this foundation as a dupe as its quality and silky feel are actually far superior to the more expensive brands.

Who It’s For

The best thing about this product is how good the coverage is while still maintaining a lightweight feel. If you are looking for a breathable everyday foundation, you can’t go wrong with this product. It’s available in 36 shades, so color matching shouldn’t be a problem either.

Type: Concealer | Shades: 24 | Size: 0.11 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

We love this concealer, which is packed with hydrating ingredients so it doesn’t crease or cake, but also has enough long-wear staying power to last all day. It can be used to color-correct and illuminate, making it ideal for use beneath the eyes.

Who It’s For

If concealer is your desert island beauty bring (which includes most of us), adding this multi-tasker to your makeup collection not only gives you the tools to keep your blemishes in check but also works well for the under-eye area due to its creamy formula. Newbies to makeup will also find it incredibly easy to manage, as it blends seamlessly into the skin.

Type: Concealer | Shades: 5 | Size: 0.12 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No

According to Scibelli, this pick is perfect for those who are seeking a concealer with more of a natural finish. “The hyaluronic acid-infused formula helps to bind the product to the skin, which also minimizes creasing,” he explains. (The hyaluronic acid also ensures that it is nice and creamy and minimizes caking.) To that point, it’s great for using under the eyes, where concealers often tend to crease.

Who It’s For

Neutrogena are experts in fusing skincare with makeup and this concealer provides the perfect solution for those who want to cover various skin issues without ever looking heavily or overly made up. The hydrating formula means it won’t crack or dry up and the moisturizing texture also makes it ideal for mature skin as it doesn't settle in fine lines.

Type: Powder | Shades: 4 | Size: 1 ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes

A lightweight, loose powder, this product sets makeup without caking, unlike heavier formulas that tend to settle visibly into pores. It’s also jet-milled to create extra fine particles that result in a velvet finish.

Who It’s For

Anyone whose T-zone likes to shine needs to consider adding a light dusting of this powder as the final step in their makeup application. While powder may invoke images of dried-up, chalky makeup, this product actually has more of a blurring effect that provides an almost soft-focus appearance.

Type: Bronzer | Shades: 3 | Size: 0.24 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No

We love this bronzer, which can be used to highlight and contour your complexion without a heavy finish. The hydrating formula settles nicely into the skin without creasing or making pores appear more prominent.

Who It’s For

Whether you prefer to stay out of the sun or find your skin is in desperate need of a bit of glow mid winter, this bronzer is a great staple to have in your makeup bag as it immediately adds some color to your face. Apply it either lightly on the top of the nose, tomato-girl style, or as a contour in the shape of a number 3 on each side of the face.

Type: Mascara | Shades: 1 | Size: 0.41 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This top-rated, buzzy drugstore mascara applies easily and adds instant volume without weighing lashes down or clumping. We also love its pigment, which makes lashes pop.

Who It’s For

“I’m not wearing any makeup, I mean I have mascara on but that doesn’t count.” If you have ever uttered that phrase, then like us, you see mascara not as a beauty product but more of an extension of yourself. Finding your perfect mascara is the beginning of a lifelong friendship and between the tubing formula and the precise wand, Milani has just provided us with a pal for life.

Type: Blush | Shades: 8 | Size: 0.3 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

The unique, gel-cream texture of this blush makes for a totally natural flush. The color is both richly pigmented and easily buildable; apply just a drop or two for a more subtle wash of color, or layer on more to amp up the effect. Bonus points for the finish, which is perfectly radiant though not shimmery.

Who It’s For

Minimal makeup lovers will love how quick this is to apply and how it adds just the right amount of color to the face. If your objective is to achieve a healthy glow as opposed to a heavily sculpted and contoured face then this little tube should be carried with you everywhere. Just three tiny dots in the shape of a triangle on the upper cheekbones then blended in with the fingertips is enough to achieve a lifted jaw.

Type: Eyeshadow | Shades: 3 | Size: 0.25 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

There aren’t a ton of cream eyeshadows to be found in the drugstore, making this standout all the more noteworthy. The shimmery shadow is creamy and blends in seamlessly with just your fingertips, no brush required. And while we do wish that it came in more than three colors, all three of the nude tones do pull double duty and work equally well as highlighters.

Who It’s For

This is the perfect addition to any dewy makeup fan’s beauty collection. The combination of the nude shimmery tones along with its vitamin E and berry fruit wax-infused formula makes you want to just dab it all over your face. While it's technically an eyeshadow, using it on the brow and cheekbones and even along the collarbone will tie together your entire makeup look and add an extra dash of glow.

Type: Eyeliner | Shades: 1 | Size: 0.05 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No

This pen is another makeup artist favorite. “This is truly comparable to a luxury formula, with a deep, dark finish that lasts for up to 24 hours,” says Scibelli of one of his favorites. The liquid formula is waterproof, transfer-proof, and smudge-proof, perfect for creating sharp, crisp lines. “I’ve tested this one out on clients during long days of events, including even being on stage. It really holds up!” But perhaps most noteworthy is that it comes with three different tip types, making it easy to create any kind of line of your choosing.

Who It’s For

This is an eyeliner for both makeup beginners and seasoned winged wearers alike. The pen applicator and fine tip make for a steady and precise application for even the most novice of users and if you never leave your house without a black tightline, you can speed up your makeup process with this offering.

Type: Balm | Shades: N/A | Size: 7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No

Technically, this isn’t a makeup product, but it is a staple in pro makeup artists’ kits, Scibelli’s included. “Although many may think it’s a skincare product alone, I actually began using it as a lip ointment and an eye base years ago when I first started working New York Fashion Week to help sheer out the look of lipstick,” he explains. The versatility of the ointment is incredible, because you can use it on the lips, on dry areas on the face or body, or even dabbed onto the cheekbones to create the dewy finish of highlighter, he adds. It’s worth keeping a tube in your makeup bag.

Who It’s For

Depending on the season or how your skin is behaving, keeping a tube of this multi-use balm on the bathroom shelf will mean you always have a quick-fix solution to any dry patches or cracked lips that may appear. It can also be mixed with your favorite lip color to make a tinted lip balm.

FAQ

• Are drugstore beauty products good?

  Absolutely. While drugstore cosmetics may get some shade from the brand-obsessed for their lower price points, many of the formulas are just as good as (if not better than, in some instances) their luxe counterparts. Since the sticker prices are more accessible, drugstore cosmetics are a perfect way to test-drive any of the moment makeup trends. If you're looking for a stocking stuffer, drugstore makeup is a great choice.

• Can I test or swatch drugstore products while shopping for them?

  Not always. While some drugstores have started making tester products available to swatch, this isn't always the case across the board. We recommend looking up the product you're considering online ahead of time and taking a look at the reviews, shade range, and any photos of product swatches that are available, to determine the right color and formula for you.