Many assume that true quality in beauty only comes with a luxury price tag—but the reality tells a different story. Drugstore brands have been raising the bar, consistently launching products that rival, and sometimes even outperform, their high-end counterparts. With so many affordable options available, it can be challenging to spot the real standouts—the hidden gems that deliver exceptional results without straining your budget. As a makeup artist with nearly ten years of experience, I’ve curated nine drugstore makeup essentials that don’t just compete with luxury favorites—they often exceed them.
e.l.f. on Amazon
1. **E.L.F. Power Grip Primer**: This makeup primer can be considered a disruptive product in terms of long-lasting makeup effects. It has a viral viscosity and is infused with aloe vera and hyaluronic acid to ensure long-lasting makeup. This pre makeup lotion is safe and harmless for sensitive skin, creating a smooth and delicate makeup sensation for the skin, preparing for a perfect makeup look for the whole day. For anyone who wants to ensure that their makeup lasts regardless of weather, it is a must-have choice.
Check out this amazing find on Amazon: the e.l.f. Power Grip Primer, a gel-based, hydrating face primer designed to smooth your skin and ensure your makeup grips beautifully, leaving your skin moisturized and prepped for just $10.00.
Rating: 4.6 with 28,091 ratings
Brand: e.l.f.
2. **Ardell Brow Glue**: When it comes to perfectly shaping eyebrows, Ardell brow glue is definitely the first choice. Professional eyebrow artists trust it, even the most difficult eyebrows can be easily controlled. This vegan product, rich in glycerin and panthenol, not only shapes eyebrows but also keeps them soft and elastic, maintaining a perfect state throughout the day.
Product on Amazon: Ardell Brow Glue Instant Lamination Lift and Styling Tool, Eyebrow Gel – Long-Lasting Hold Brow Gel for Fluffy Defined Brows
Price: $6.29
Rating: 4.4 with 437 ratings
Brand: Ardell
3. **L’Oréal Paris True Match Hyaluronic Tinted serum**: This serum can be called a real multi-functional product, which has both skin care and makeup effects. Contains 1% hyaluronic acid, which can moisturize the skin, cover blemishes, and make the skin radiant. It is very suitable for neutral to dry skin, with a lightweight texture that is easy to apply and has sun protection effects.
Product on Amazon: L’Oreal Paris True Match Hyaluronic Tinted Serum Foundation with 1% Hyaluronic acid, Light-Medium 3-4, 1 fl. oz.
Price: $19.46
Rating: 4.4 with 16,740 ratings
Brand: L’Oreal Paris
4. **Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Multi-Use Concealer**: This concealer is famous for its smooth and medium concealer power, which is an essential choice in any daily beauty step. It can effectively cover dark circles and blemishes, while having a lightweight texture. The addition of glycerin ensures its smooth application experience, making it the first choice for those who pursue the light concealer effect.
Product on Amazon: Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Treatment Multi-Use Concealer, 120, 1 Count
Price: $8.78
Rating: 4.4 with 222,163 ratings
Brand: Maybelline
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP on Amazon
For vibrant, long-lasting color, the NYX Buttermelt Blush is your go-to choice, offering a silky, creamy texture that blends seamlessly into the skin for bright, fade-resistant results. This powder blush works wonders for all skin tones and is a fantastic, budget-friendly option if you’re aiming for that popular Sabrina Carpenter glow.
You can find the NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Buttermelt Glaze Soft Glow Skin Tint + SPF 30 on Amazon. It boasts up to 12 hours of wear and is priced at $15.97, with an impressive 4.0 rating from 107 reviews.
essence on Amazon
6. **Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara**: This mascara can create realistic thick and long eyelashes, and the effect is comparable to that of false eyelashes. Its unique brush head design ensures that each eyelash is evenly applied without clumping, making it the first choice for those who want to easily create natural eyelashes.
On Amazon, you can grab the essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara for only $4.99. This cruelty-free and paraben-free mascara is a massive hit, boasting a 4.3 rating from over 386,000 reviews.
If you’re a fan of eyeshadow, the ColourPop Mood Eyeshadow Palette is an absolute essential, offering a range of warm neutral shades perfect for creating looks that effortlessly transition from day to night. The pigmentation is seriously comparable to much pricier brands, ensuring your eye makeup stays flawless without costing a fortune.
You can find the ColourPop Mood Shadow Palette on Amazon, featuring a brown and copper collection with both metallic and matte finishes. This high-pigment makeup has a long-wearing formula and is available for $14.00, with 336 ratings and a 4.2-star average.
Makeup doesn’t get much more effective or affordable than the Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder, which expertly controls shine and brightens the under-eye area. Its feather-light texture and mineral-infused formula ensure your makeup stays flawless and perfected all day long.
Product on Amazon: Maybelline Fit Me Loose Setting Powder, Face Powder and Finishing Makeup, Fair Light, 1 Count
Price: $8.98
Rating: 4.6 with 47,734 ratings
Brand: Maybelline
The Revlon ColorStay Suede Ink Lipstick offers the perfect blend of hydration and staying power, featuring a built-in primer and a wide array of colors to keep your lips looking vibrant and glossy from morning to night. Plus, its vegan formula means you don’t have to sacrifice quality for conscious beauty.
Every product confirms that ‘beauty does not necessarily mean high prices’. The treasures of these pharmacy stores prove with their excellent efficacy that sometimes the best things do come from affordable packaging.
For just $5.66 on Amazon, you can own the REVLON ColorStay Suede Ink Lipstick in the shade 005 Hot Girl—a matte finish formula that’s both waterproof and smudge-proof. Infused with Vitamin E and featuring a built-in primer, this highly-rated product has earned an impressive 4.3 stars from over 8,000 reviews.
