Are there any drugstore cosmetics that satisfy you to the point where you wouldn't even consider a higher-end alternative (even if money was no issue)?
Heck YES! The first thing that comes to mind is Physicians Formula Healthy Wear SPF50 Powder Foundation. Even though it's darned near impossible to find now outside of Ulta, I love it so much more than any other higher-end powder foundation I've ever used (MAC, Estee Lauder, etc.). Also, I could use Maybelline Define-A-Brow brow pencil for the rest of my life and not even glance at a higher-end brow pencil.
I love Rimmel Wake Me Up foundation, just as good as any high street make up I have used!
ReplyDeleteLorraine xx
Now that I have been turned to the darkside too, I love my Maybelline Define-A-Brow brow pencil. I no longer pay $13 for my MAC pencil.
ReplyDeleteI agree. The Define-a-Brow is just like the MAC twist up pencil. However, Fling and the Dark Blonde shade of Define-a-Brow are different enough that I like having them both. If I had to choose only one, it would be the Define-a-Brow because it has the comb on the end.
DeleteLipgloss. I love them all but would never spend more than $8.00. I can't imagine spending $29.00 for one.
ReplyDeleteJordana mascara (Best Lash Extreme Volumizing). I really am not interested in using any other mascara at this point. This has totally changed my makeup life and no department store mascara can hold a candle to this one, for me. Also, Jordana and Essence blushes. I have a bunch of Mac blushes and since getting the Jordana and Essence ones, I am not giving Mac a second glance. I kind of think that I won't buy any dept. store blushes again.
ReplyDeleteAlso, Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder for loose powder. I am not interested in any dept. store loose powder! I also really like that it is a vintage/classic powder because I feel a connection with older generations of women, and I like that a lot! I am a super nostalgic person!
Oh yeah, Rimmel Exaggerate Eyeliner for sure! I only thought I loved Urban Decay eyeliner until I bought the $3 Rimmel eyeliners, I'll never use anything else. And I LOVE the Suave professionals shampoo and conditioners, they're amazing.
ReplyDeleteThere isn't anything that's coming to mind...but I believe it's time for me to find some PF Healthy Wear Powder Foundation!! ;)
ReplyDeleteRevlon lipsticks cause they come in so many diff finishes and pretty much have a dupe for every high end lipstick everyone raves about :)
ReplyDeletePersonally I love bargain finds so I rarely even stray over to the high-end lines, but one recent surprise for me is that Jordana 12-hour eyeshadow. Tried it for the first time today and am really impressed since there's no creasing or smudging -- some brands leave my eyelids looking like sharpeis, and this happily hasn't!
ReplyDeleteI also love the Cover Girl-Olay simply ageless eye concealer. I bought it in light medium and have been using that as a face concealer and love how well it covers without caking.
I'm actually impressed with a lot of lower priced cosmetics. NYC, Jordana and Wet n Wild are all releasing some fantastic products for practically pocket change.
I absolutely LOVE all of Revlon lipsticks as a previous reader had mentioned, they have a huge variety of shades that also make great dupes for higher end lipsticks. I also love my Rimmel Lash Accelerator mascara! I doubt that I'll ever go back to spending $30 on a high end tube again.
ReplyDeleteRimmel brow pencil!!! Perfect color match...I cant live without it!
ReplyDeleteI was Maybelline define a brow junkie until they dc'ed my color. I hate sharpening but I found one of those sharpener toppers, works like a charm!
Revlon & Maybelline lipsticks/glosses, Maybelline mascaras (I don't get how people pay more for high end, that's crazy!!) I only use higher end make up for foundations cause I find it hard to get a good match
ReplyDeleteI'm with you with maybelline mascaras!
Deleteoh yes me too. Every time I strayed wondering what I was possibly missing in the world of HE, I came right back! I only have a handful of Non-DS items now I regularly use, which are mostly foundations and a few blushes.
DeleteMilani Liquid Eye (formerly Liquif'eye) eyeliner pencil in purple. Goes on, stays on, great color, lasts forever. And the Milani baked blushes - I have looked at many high end blushes, and I can't find any I like better or that work better.
ReplyDeleteI've seen the Physicians formula powder foundation at one of the Big Lost near me recently. I'm in the southeast though so I don't know that everywhere would have them.
ReplyDeletePretty much all of them. In fact I have been disappointed many times by buying a high end item only to realize I have a drugstore one that is so much better and I have wasted my money. The only thing high end I buy "on purpose" anymore is eyeshadow, mostly because I like the large fancy palettes.. but really shadow is just my weakness, lol. I do on occasion buy other items if I get a really good deal, but that is the bargain shopper in me, I would never have bought them if not for a fantastic sale.
ReplyDeleteThe Hard Candy makeup remover that is supposed to be a dupe of Urban Decay's meltdown. Works exactly like the UD one.
ReplyDeleteI also L'Oreal's foundations (I like visible lift in the square bottle the most) and BB cream more than any high end I've tried.
Although it isn't a drugstore brand, I have been so happy with Silk Naturals eye shadows, quite a few of which I have gotten as GWP, that I don't mind not getting higher end make up. Her shades are so complex and lovely. Besides, SN doesn't use Bismuth Oxychloride, which sets off my rosascea. I adore Milani's Shadow Eyes Pencils, as well as the Revlon Just Bitten Lip Kissable Balm Stain, enough to keep me happy as well.
ReplyDeleteWet n wild eyeshadows for sure! Can't beat that quality for its price. And using the monistat anti-chafing gel as a primer. I've tried smashbox, nyx and urban decay primers, but the anti-chafing gel wins hands down every time.
ReplyDeleteFor me, it's mascara. I love my Maybelline The Falsies waterproof mascara. No mascara has ever held my curl so well.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I still buy high end nail polish, I am happy with a number of drugstore polishes. Everything else, though, I'm still married to high end products, such as eyeliner and eyeshadow.
Oh yeah, I do have a weakness for certain mid to HE liners because the shades aren't available in DS brands, e.g., most of the UD 24/7s. I really wish 'cheaper' brands would catch up in this area. I have to plan and budget every time I need a new liner or two at normal UD prices and I go thru them so fast :( maybe someday.
DeleteRimmel Scandal Eyes Waterproof Kohl pencil in Nude. Also (not a cosmetic but I love it) Suave Professionals Dry Shampoo is my absolute HG and if it's ever discontinued I won't know what to do with myself.
ReplyDeletemascaras & lip glosses!!
ReplyDeletemaybelline mascaras. i switch them up every now and then... from great lash to falsies, from colossal cat eyes to the rocket, i love them all. i've never even purchased any other mascara because their mascaras always serve me well... i have no reason to search elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteFor sure: my nivea cherry balm (2.99) has Replaced my fresh Rose lip balm ($22) , wet n wild fergie eye primer (4.99) has replaced my urban decay primer potion (~$20), Its not really drug store but I found a seller on etsy who sells such nice organic face cream (~$10)and beeswax under eye cream (~$6) which has totally replaced my benefit face cream and under eye cream (together, they cost about $60!!!)
ReplyDeleteThe PF happy booster Bronzer is perfect for my skin.. I no longer need the too faced chocolate soliel Bronzer ($26) which was always a little too dark for my skin anyway)
Another not actually a drug store brand, but the yvesrocher richer monoi oil ($8 on sale) has allowed me to ellininate my living proof no friz creme ($22) and works much better; also, less chemicals!
Whew !
Can I ask which etsy seller? I'm always browsing on their for products!
DeleteSure! It's honeybee holistics.
DeleteI use -and love- the organic eye cream (4.75) .. It's like a jelly..and it doesn't burn your eyes!
And organic wrinkle away cream ( I keep it in the fridge since there's no preservatives)
Mascara. L'Oreal Voluminous Full Definition does exactly what I want, is flawless, and it's 8 or so USD. I have never considered purchasing a high-end mascara since I started using this one.
ReplyDeleteNYC In A New York Minute nail polishes. They dry super fast and are less than $2.00.
ReplyDeleteMascara for me, too--the Covergirl Lashblast line is perfect for my lashes and my wallet. Pretty much everything else is up for grabs, though, because I love trying new products and colors, LOL!
ReplyDeleteThe only foundation primer that has ever worked for me is Neutrogena's Healthy Skin Primer with SPF 15. IT's amazing and I don't want to try any other at this point. I also like NYX and Rimmel eyeliners.
ReplyDeleteMy Big Lots still has those Physicians Formula Healthy Wear SPF50 Powder Foundations and Bronzers! I try and pick one up when I'm there. I LOVE them for mid day touch ups!
ReplyDeleteCovergirl and Maybelline lip stains, Essence Waterproof Mascara ($3.99 at ULTA - SCORE!) And my all time favorite top coat is Sally Hansen Mega Shine. No tip shrinkage like with SECHE, and widely available!
ReplyDeleteMaybelline mascaras, definitely. I've had all sorts of mid-end mascaras to try through various things: UD from a palette, Buxom and Benefit via Sephora perks, but I keep coming back to Maybelline ones.
ReplyDeleteMascara varies so much from person to person, though!
I have a drugstore equivalent for nearly every product but primer potion, but I can't say I'm ever too satisfied to try higher end stuff except with mascara. My favorite brand is Urban Decay and I just can't help myself, sometimes!
Wet n Wild lipliner #666/Brandywine w/ Avon Dewkiss lip Dew. Under $2 combined. Nothing better for my lips. Period.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't trade anything high end for my Revlon lip butters!
ReplyDeleteI will never understand why people pay ridiculous amounts of money on mascara.
ReplyDelete