Going to a drugstore after a long day is one of my favorite ways to unwind. I’ll flip through a few magazines, grab an ice cream cone, and cruise the cosmetics aisle looking for a little something I can get myself as a budget beauty treat.
It’s been a ritual of mine ever since I was a teenager. 🙂
Sure, I do love department store beauty and big brands like Benefit and NARS, but some of my favorite makeup and beauty products don’t reside at stores like Nordstrom, Sephora or MAC, and that’s why I’ll always have a soft spot for drugstores. Not only because they make it possible for gals on a tight budget to look great from head to toe, but because they also make it easy to treat yourself without breaking the bank.
I came across quite a few new drugstore loves this year, and here are 10 of them, each one costing less than $10. If you’re looking for a fun, affordable way to ring in the new year, try one of these A+ drugstore gems.
E.L.F. Eyes Lips Face $1 Nail Polish Remover Pads
EcoTools $3 Bath & Shower Gloves
Burt’s Bees $5 Honey & Shea Body Bar
$8 Sula Beauty Lipstick in Awake Till Sunrise
The $5 Goody Tortoise-Shell Headband
EOS $3.49 Shave Cream in Vanilla Bliss
NYC New York Color $3 Liquid Lipshines
Suave $3 Touchable Finish Hairspray
Burt’s Bees $7 Tinted Lip Balms
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
BrooklynShoeBabe says
Nice list! My favorite drug store pick this year was the re-release of Jordana’s EasyShine Glossy Lip Color. Such rich color for $2!!
Chelsea says
You got me hooked on the EOS shaving cream.
I’m also loving Revlon Lip Butters, though L’Oreal has a lip balm coming out that I want to try.
steph b says
I also love love love the Burts Bees tinted balms and EcoTools gloves. I’ll add the L’Oreal Le Gloss to the list. Loving this stuff.
SDpfeiffy says
For me, the Walmart find of the year was Goody Spin Pins! Going to have to check out those nail polish remover pads. They look perfect for my purse or for travel.
Melissa says
I concur 1,000% on Essence gel eyeliners! The color is super pigmented, glides smooth, doesn’t dry out, stays on all day. These are my go-to liners! LOVE LOVE LOVE 🙂 Oh yeah, and they are less than $3.00 – amazing!
Aleeya says
Yess! I loved those NYC Color Lipshines, they were the bomb. After I saw your review, I went and picked up every color. This year, Wet n Wild has won my heart. I loved almost everything I have tried. Between all the BOGO offers that CVS and my Meijer drugstore offered this year, I pretty much have their whole line lol. I really liked their color icon line and the silk finish lipsticks.
Marina says
Will take a look at the Essence eye liners, thanks!
Arummmanis says
I am curious to see the colors of those Burt’s Bees tinted lipbalm on your lips, Karen. Are they flavored too?
Margaret says
Been wanting those Burt’s Bees tinted lip balms for a while now. I should take the plunge, but tehy are rather exxy in Australia :s
PinkGlitter says
I love Ecotool brushes & burt’s bees products. Been trying to find Revlon’s new lip butters in drugstores/walmarts but they seem hard to find.
Jess says
I love posts like these! They’re a very convenient way to pick up some new (and cheap) products to try 🙂 thanks!
Amanda says
love the berts bess tinted lip balm! big fan of NYC and E.L.F also 🙂
Katherine G says
I’m a fan of drugstore makeup, too. If I buy at Sephora or Ulta, it better last me a while! I tend to get my mascaras from the drugstore, because as often as you are supposed to replace them it’s probably better to go with a cheaper (but just as good) formula. I love Milani Eyeshadows (I give all makeup the 12 and 16 hour shift test – if it stays on and doesn’t smudge or “disappear” while I’m working the long shifts it’s good makeup), and Maybelline and Cover Girl mascaras. I have a Burt’s Bees tinted lip balm in Pink Blossom. I really like it!
Sophie says
The BB tinted lip balms have actually replaced (!) some of my regular lipsticks. The hint of color, not too much, not too little, plus the wonderfully soothing, soft, creamy feeling on your lips, well, what more do you need? Love ’em!
DalaLuz says
I just grabbed myself a fresh Essence gel eyeliner today, go figure, and I LOVE Burt’s Bees tinted lip balms!
Maddy says
I have tried Burt Bee’s tinted lip balm and they are real great. Now I need to get the Essence gel liner..maybe this weekeng
Nina says
im totally gaga for burts bees …
Beauty and the Scientist says
I got a couple of the BB tinted lip balms on clearance at Walgreens and I love them. I’m surprised I’ve never tried the ELF nail polish remover pads yet, I should now.