3.04.2014

From the Holy Grail: Drugstore Edition



*angels singing* Yes! It's true! I have a collection of holy grail drugstore products that are a mixture of some of the best products I've used or just some serious bang for very little bucks, and I would love to share them with you. 

What first must be said is that I've waited a long time to do this post because I didn't want to string together a bunch of drugstore products and say, "Here! These are great! Go buy them!" just for the sake of having a list. These are all items I have in my collection that I use on a regular basis and would highly recommend to everyone. It also must be said that what qualifies as a holy grail product for some may not be for others. These are items I have found that have performed well and that have great quality to me. Skin types vary, preferences vary, and that's something that should be kept in mind here. However, we can all agree that these products are budget-friendly, and that's a universal language.

Let's talk about eyes first. I am a major proponent of drugstore mascara. My eyelashes are pretty average in length and volume, as well as extremely blonde. I have yet to find a high-end mascara that excites me. They're good, they work, but they're nothing better than what I've used from the drugstore. Mascara is also what I go through the quickest, so repurchasing a $30 tube every few months is not ideal. My go-to favorite mascara is the CoverGirl LashBlast Volume. I have to be clear that I'm talking about the orange tube. Purple tube and I don't get along so well. Many times I prefer rubberized wands to brushes, and this does it all for me. If I'm looking for a bit more drama, I reach for L'Oreal Voluminous. It's a wet formula, but not too wet, and it makes my lashes extremely black and thick.

Where eye shadow is concerned, I can't say enough good things about Wet n Wild. In general, their shadows are incredibly pigmented, very blendable and well worth your money. You can't go wrong with the Color Icon palette in Comfort Zone. I have swatches in a previous post, which you can read here, and it's just plain gorgeous. Gorgeous. 

Maybelline's Master Precise Liquid Eyeliner was a lock to make this list. If you like felt tip liners and haven't tried this, what are you waiting for? The tip is very long and extremely thin, making it easy to create a perfectly pointed tip. I haven't experienced this drying out quickly as I have with other felt tip liners and it's very black. 

A question I receive frequently revolves around what face products I would recommend from the drugstore. This is a tough one because the properties that make a foundation and concealer great for one person do not apply to all. I have crazy, crazy dry skin. It can get oily, but it's rare. I'm not prone to breakouts, but my skin is rather sensitive. Keeping all that in mind, I will continue to repurchase the True Match Lumi foundation over and over until it's discontinued. It gives you great coverage with a bit of a dewy finish. Unlike the original True Match, the Lumi comes in a pump bottle. (Hallelujah!) I would rank the coverage and finish up there with the Make Up For Ever HD foundation.

Rimmel Stay Matte powder has been frequently repurchased by me as well. I've tried a lot of expensive setting powders and many either didn't impress me or were simply too heavy and clung to every bit of my dry skin. The Stay Matte powder in translucent gives me a great thin layer to set my foundation and doesn't leave any traces of the dreaded cake face. The kicker? It's $4! 
There are a few categories missing from this list such as blush, lipstick and concealer. I wanted this post to truly be honest and I haven't used a specific drugstore concealer or blush long enough to want to keep it in my collection all the time. I've very picky about these items and there could very well be some drugstore "holy grails" added in the future... I just haven't found them yet. :)
If you're ever on the hunt for some great drugstore products, I hope this has given you ideas for new products to try. Some of these might be your holy grail products as well, and if so, let me know which!
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6 comments:

  1. This is a great list! I'm a big fan of Wet n Wild eyeshadows, too. They stepped it up BIG TIME after their rebranding a few years back, and in general, I haven't been disappointed with any of their products. I haven't tried the True Match Lumi yet, but you've got me definitely thinking I need to! I love Revlon Colorstay foundation, but it kills me that it doesn't come in a pump. It's a huge deterrent for a lazy girl like me! Have you tried any of the ELF products? I've found some great things from their line, and they're ridiculously cheap!

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    1. My experience with ELF isn't very vast. I've been wanting to experiment more and figure out what products they have that are worth the price and then some!

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  2. Very nice list..I have a similar one on my blog and I think you may like the new avon mascara..this makes me to go to the drugstore today!

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    1. That's never a bad thing! I haven't used much from Avon in a long time. Maybe it's time I check it out!

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  3. I love the L'Oreal True Match LUMI.....it's amazing on my skin!!

    Rebecca
    www.redtagchiclosangeles.com

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    1. I've really fallen in love with it! The shade range is amazing.

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