Today, my three blogging friends and I are sharing our top twenty beauty buys with you. It’s no secret that beauty and skin care can get super spendy, and in economic times like these a girl needs all the help she can get. Am I right? I’ve been doing a little shopping at the drugstore, Ulta, Target, and Wal-Mart, scouring the shelves for the best beauty products that don’t require maxing out your credit card or selling a kidney! I will share my top five with you, along with the other beautiful ladies of the Coast to Coast Style Collective who will be sharing theirs. Scroll down for their links. I’m also going to share a few that I’ll consider runners-up. Ready? Let’s go!
This is not a sponsored post, but does contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission each time you click on and use my shopping links. As always, all opinions are my own. I truly appreciate your support of my blog!
I’ve had so much fun trying and reviewing beauty and make-up products on my Instagram. Though I’m not a beauty blogger, I enjoy sharing products I like and use, and any new ones I’m crushing on right now. It’s a tough job, but someone’s gotta do it!
Three Reasons to Try Drugstore Brands
- The price is typically much lower than prestige cosmetics lines. You can find a dupe for almost any trending cosmetic, and save some serious dough!
- The boxes and packaging are chocked full of information, which typically doesn’t happen in prestige packaging. Though you can’t try on that mascara in the drugstore, or aisles of Wal-Mart, you can get a clear idea of what it offers by the description on the package.
- Many drugstore cosmetics lines are owned by luxury brands. As a result, these lower-cost alternatives will contain many of the same active ingredients, but with different scents, applicators, and packaging. Just do a little research, and duplicating your favorite high-end mascara is a breeze!
Top TwentyBeauty Buys | My Top Five
Colourpop Eyeshadow Palette in That’s Taupe
I recently discovered this lovely eyeshadow palette during an Ulta haul. I stumbled upon it as I was heading to the checkout line, and boy am I glad I did! I’ve used it every day since purchasing it, and am really impressed with all of the shadows in the palette. The shades look a bit darker in this photo than they are in real life. Cold Blooded is my favorite shade to use. Check out this Instagram Reel to see how I applied these shadows, along with a few other products from my Ulta haul.
Cera Ve AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion with Broad Spectrum SPF 30
My daughter turned me onto this moisturizing sunscreen a while ago, and I’ve been using it daily ever since. It’s a perfect weight and feel and doesn’t feel too heavy or greasy. I apply it after I’ve cleansed my face each morning, then wait a few minutes to continue my makeup application. It contains all the good stuff too, like hyaluronic acid and niacinamides for healthy skin. And at a price point well under $20, it’s a steal!
Maybelline Lifter Gloss
I love everything about this lip gloss. It feels luxuriously creamy without being overly sticky and thick. The applicator gives you just the right amount of gloss, giving your pout a glorious shine! I use the shade “Moon” and have found it looks lovely alone or applied over a neutral lip crayon or lipstick. I like to apply it right in the center of my lips, blending it slightly.
Coming in at $7.98 at Wal-Mart, this one is a must-buy!
Maybelline The Falsies Lash Lift Washable Mascara
Another great beauty find recommended to me by my daughter. You are going to need to run, don’t walk, and grab this one pronto. I will put this mascara up against my Tarte and Benefit mascaras any day. I love the shape of the applicator, which works well with my lashline, it does more than lengthen those lashes, it thickens them giving your eyes that much-needed pop. I haven’t seen any flaking or smudging so far. As a result, I’m a convert! The price is right too, just $9.98 at Wal-Mart.
KISS Impress Press On Nails
Okay. Hear me out. How much are you spending at the nail salon right now? $25 a set? $30? More? What kind of damage are you doing to your natural nails? I can tell you right now, between the price and the damage the entire process did to my already pathetic fingernails, I gave up nail salon visits a while ago, and just dealt with my own sloppily applied nail polish that chipped and peeled. And then I discovered press on nails, and I haven’t looked back. Do I occasionally splash some paint on my nails from time to time? Yes, but not often, because these are just so good! They come in so many different colorways, and look so, well, polished! I especially like these Better than Bare ones, which are just $7.97 at Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart has a huge color selection, so be sure to check them out!
Top TwentyBeauty Buys | A Couple of Runners Up
E.L.F. Illuminating Face Primer – provides a smooth, lovely base for your liquid or powder foundations, while giving a little natural glow. I’d compare this one to Urban Decay’s primer, it has a very similar feel, and is a good little dupe for it. $8.00 at Ulta
L’oreal Infallible Pro Plump Lip Gloss With Hyaluronic Acid
I have this gloss in so many colors, I’ve literally lost count. Apply this gloss alone, or over any lipstick, and you’re going to be amazed at the lasting power! It locks in your lip color, and has incredible staying power. Like seriously, look at my makeup drawer! Just $10.99 at ULTA
NYX Magic Brow Eyebrow Pencil
I just discovered this eyebrow pencil, and I’m impressed. I love using the little spoolie to brush my stray brow hairs in the right direction, and to clean things up a bit. I use the Blonde shade, which works well with my hair color and skin tone. I’ts very comparable to higher price versions, and it’s just $11.00 at Ulta.
Shop My Top Five Beauty Buys (and more!)
Top TwentyBeauty Buys | The Coast to Coast Style Collective
The Coast to Coast Style Collective is back! Each month the ladies of the Coast to Coast Style Collective share our blogging conversations about fashion, beauty, and lifestyle, and we look forward to sharing that with you! Each member chose five favorite beauty products this month, so by visiting all of us, you will have an arsenal of twenty items to go shopping for! How cool is that? Pop on over and find out what Julie, Suzanne, and Nina selected for you.
Nina – Sharing a Journey
Suzanne – Ask Suzanne Bell
Julie – Fashion Trends and Friends
You can read more from the Coach to Coast Style Collective HERE and HERE. What’s your favorite drugstore brand, or product? What should I try next? Leave a comment and let me know! You know I’m always on the hunt for something new. Thanks so much for stopping by, and for taking the time to visit my blog! Remember to wear what makes you happy!
Andy,
You know I’ve been using and loving Gloss Lifter! I think your nails always look terrific and have asked you about them before. I think I’d like to try the moisturizer. The eyeshadow palette is also very pretty! It’s fun to see what everyone is using and here the why! Your information on why the drugstore products are often owned by high end companies was very enligthening!
Oh wow Andy, these are sooooo good. my nails look HORRIBLE right now, so I will be popping those falsies along with your lipgloss into my cart pronto! Love this Collab, such wonderful ideas that won’t break the bank! xx
Suzanne
http://www.AskSuzanneBell.com