I Have Access to Free Beauty Products, and I Still Choose These Drugstore Buys
Working as a digital editor definitely has its perks. Even though fashion is my wheelhouse here atBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing , I'm still privy to luxurious beauty brands whether I'm testing out a new product launch for a story or am lucky enough to receive a sample from a brand or co-worker. Trust me—I don't take it for granted that I have access to all these free expensive beauty products. It's a blessing. But I got to thinking about my makeup products, in particular, and how my routine has changed (and stayed the same) since I discovered the world of makeup at the age of 13.
My foray into makeup began in the aisles of CVS, scooping up brands like Maybelline, Revlon, and L'Oréal. So even though I'm much more well-versed in makeup than I once was, there are still a few O.G. drugstore makeup buys that I just can't stop restocking for myself despite testing out their more expensive counterparts.
I've tried luxury foundations, mascaras, and eyeliners but I still stand by the fact that any of the best drugstore makeup products I'm highlighting below rival pricier options. From my favorite $6 mascara to the lipstick lip balm hybrid that's always in my purse, keep reading to find out why I prefer these budget buys, and further down, check out the higher-end makeup products I won't skimp on.
Foundation
The one I've tried:
The one I still choose:
My skin skews oily, so I've gone through my fair share of trial-and-error with foundation and BB cream formulas that contributed to some annoying (and unnecessary) breakouts. I love that Clinique's formula is mattifying, won't clog up my pores, and holds my makeup together for the whole day. Even though it doesn't glide on as seamlessly as Chantecaille's breathable foundation, I'll remain loyal to the Clinique BB cream until further notice.
Mascara
The one I've tried:
The one I still choose:
YSL's mascara follows through on its promise to give you voluminous, fanlike lashes, but there are a few reasons I still come back to this $6 drugstore mascara. For one, the formula easily washes away in warm water (no harsh rubbing or makeup remover required!), which my lashes have really thanked me for. And for a product that requires restocking every other month, this comes at a price you just can't beat.
Eye Pencil
The one I've tried:
The one I still choose:
I loved the easy glide-on application with the Marc Jacobs eyeliner, and even though the color options are unparalleled, I still reach for my Maybelline eyeliner daily. It has a similar formula, albeit at $5 a pop rather than $25. Plus, I enjoy that it twists up so I don't have to dig through my makeup bag for a pencil sharpener.
Eye Shadow
The one I've tried:
The one I still choose:
While some people might prefer having a wide range of colors to choose from, I've found that owning a multicolor palette, especially one as varied as the above, is more than I need. It's not every day that I test out a colorful makeup look, so it makes more sense for me to pick up one or two individual shades for the occasion.
Here, I'm wearing Clinique's Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Color Balm in Romantic ($18) that's become a mainstay in my makeup routine.
Lip Color
The one I've tried:
The one I still choose:
I keep this tinted balm in my purse wherever I go (speaking of which, I should probably stock up on multiples). I struggle to find a middle ground between wearing actual lipstick and dabbing on a bit of balm (one can be too much and the other not enough), so I love that this chubby stick adds just the right amount of natural-looking color and is so, so hydrating—truly the best everyday lip product I've used.
Liquid Eyeliner
The one I've tried:
The one I still choose:
Just like with mascara, I find it hard to justify investing in an expensive liquid eyeliner since it runs out pretty quickly. Instead, I always come back to E.l.f.'s $6 liner. The felt tip makes it easy to control when I'm applying it, and the ink stays in place pretty well.
Here's what I won't skimp on:
We've waxed poetic before about Glossier's best-selling brow product because it is, in fact, that good. So good that I feel justified in saying that I wouldn't be the same person I am without it—or at least, I wouldn't look like the "me" I am when my brows are perfectly tinted, fluffed, and shaped.
This year, I made the switch from a powdered highlighter to a cream highlighter, and I've never looked back. The formula is hydrating, which gives me a nice everyday glow. Honestly, it's so natural-looking that it has a lit-from-within effect, aka it helps me fake perfect skin.
Next up: The 12 skincare products that earn me compliments on my skin texture.
Anna is an NYC-based senior fashion editor who has been a member of theBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing team for over seven years, having begun her career in L.A. at brands like Michael Kors and A.L.C. As an editor, she has earned a reputation for her coverage of breaking trends, emerging brands, luxury shopping curations, fashion features, and more. Anna has penned a numberBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing cover interviews, including Megan Fox, Julia Garner, and Lilly Collins. She also leads the site’s emerging travel vertical that highlights all things travel and lifestyle through a fashion-person lens.
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