Several perks come with being a longtime beauty editor—namely, the privilege of trying just about every product, from ridiculously expensive moisturizers with weird ingredients to some pretty far-out-there skincare treatments. But even after years of slathering my mug with luxurious lotions and potions, I always find myself returning to certain drugstore staples. While I’ll always love my higher-end, holy-grail skincare, I truly believe that great beauty products don’t have to cost half of L.A. rent—some of the best formulas are waiting for you right under the bright, glorious, fluorescent lights of your local Walmart.
Now that I’m in my 40s, my outlook on beauty (and everything else, NGL) has shifted: Hydration is a non-negotiable, a dewy base is far superior to the matte foundations of my past, and nothing beats a multipurpose balm. Don’t get me wrong—I still love a good splurge. But I’m also all about those affordable, effective gems that perform just as well (if not better) than their expensive counterparts. It’s all about balance, baby! (I am a Libra, after all.)
So, consider this my love letter to the drugstore finds that have earned permanent real estate in my beauty arsenal. Keep reading to discover my go-to picks for a long-wearing lipstick that doesn’t budge after a four-course meal, an ultra-hydrating snail jelly mask, and a gourmand perfume that smells way more expensive than it actually is.
I remember when snail mucin used to be harder to find (yes, I’ve been in the game that long), so I love that you can now get it at a drugstore price. This mask might be the MVP of Peach Lily’s sister line. It floods my skin with hydration, making it look plump and bouncy—like I just had an expensive facial, but I was really at home watching Girls5eva.
As always, I like to talk about my lipstick obsession and how I have tons of tubes in my collection—from fancy Chanel shades to smaller indie brands. But a good drugstore lippie is unparalleled. I can’t tell you how often I reach for Superstay. It literally stays put for hours, through decadent meals, sipping smoothies, gossiping sessions… everything!
This is the OG of drugstore foundations for a reason. The shade range is impressive, and the formula blends like a dream without ever looking cakey.
One of the greatest debates in the world of personal hygiene is whether morning or evening showers are better. I personally like both! A shower before bed gets me into sleepytime mode while showering first thing in the morning (if I’m not hitting the gym beforehand) helps me feel ready to start the day. That being said, if I’m having a morning shower, a body wash that helps wake me up is VITAL. This Dwell212 Citrus Body Wash is perfect. It smells amazing, and has vitamin E, shea butter, and aloe to keep my skin soft and hydrated!
My multipurpose hero! I always have Aquaphor on hand to keep my cuticles from looking crusty, heal dry patches (especially during winter), and speed up healing on fresh tattoos. It does it all!
I’m all about primers—it’s a seriously underrated step that makes all the difference. This one smooths everything out, helps the foundation last longer, and blurs pores while providing SPF 30 protection. Plus, it doesn’t make me look like a ghost!
I love this blush! It’s creamy, blendable, and gives the prettiest, most natural flush. Plus, it’s made with shea, mango, and almond butters to keep my cheeks soft and nourished.
This makeup remover gets rid of every last trace of my waterproof mascara and heavy eyeliner without irritating my eyes or stripping my skin. It’s enriched with the dream trio: hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and peptides, so my skin is plumped with moisture.
Another cleanser I’m loving is this one from Burt’s Bees. It’s a dream for dry skin and breaks down every bit of dirt, oil, and makeup while leaving me feeling blessed and moisturized!
I picked this up a few weeks ago on a spontaneous drugstore shopping run and am so pleased. The ceramides keep my under-eyes looking fresh, even on days when I’ve only slept for five hours. (Like this week.)
This lightweight mask does a lot more than you'd think. It’s not just a hydrator; it also protects, brightens, and even exfoliates thanks to mandelic and kojic acid. Plus, it has a unique ingredient—maple sap—that defends the skin barrier.
Listen… do not sleep on this Suave shampoo! It removes buildup without making my strands feel like straw, proving you don’t need to spend a ton of money on haircare. Um, it’s $2!
True story: I wear nothing but Native. I know natural deodorant is still something that people side-eye, but these deodorants keep me fresh without any weird residue, and the scents are incredible. I do reapply throughout the day (a rule of natural deodorants), but it's no biggie.
As a gourmand gal, I have all of Ms. Sabrina Carpenter's dessert-themed perfumes and love them all. This one is the ultimate cozy-girl fragrance—think almond milk, chocolate, vanilla, and citrus scents wrapped up in a perfume. Delicious!
