60 Drugstore Products Hollywood's Top Makeup Artists Love
The gap between mass and prestige beauty products has never been so small. Hit up your local drugstore and you’ll find long-wear matte lipstick, highlighters with subtle shimmer, and brow colors that actually look natural — all of which was relatively unheard of just a few years ago at lower price points.
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If you read R29’s beauty section regularly, you know we’re committed to reporting on the best of the best at the drugstore, because although there are wonderful products to find at your local CVS or Walgreens, there are still a lot of subpar ones hanging out in the aisle alongside them. Translation: You can get really good stuff, but you still need to know what you’re looking for.
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Don’t fret, because we’ve tapped the top Hollywood red carpet makeup artists for the affordable products that have passed their (very discerning) tests. Ahead, we’ve rounded up these pro recommendations into one massive, insanely useful slideshow that highlights everything you could ever need, all available in the cosmetic aisle of your local drugstore. Let the one-stop shopping commence!
The Expert: Makeup artist Carola Gonzalez
Clients: Kerry Washington, Rashida Jones, Jaime King
“This is one of my top beauty secrets,” Gonzalez tells us. “It’s actually a balm for cracked nipples, but I use it on my clients’ chapped, dry, dehydrated lips. It heals lips very quickly and is extra-hydrating. For me, it works better than any lip balm on the market.”
Lansinoh HPA Lanolin, $6.59, available at Amazon.
The Expert: Makeup artist Monika Blunder
Clients: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Behati Prinsloo, Megan Fox
“This is one of my go-to lip stains because it’s the perfect nude shade. I use it on Behati [Prinsloo] and Rosie [Huntington-Whiteley] all the time, and they love it because it looks so natural on the lips and stays on like a stain,” Blunder says. “The color payoff is great, and the formula is super-easy to apply.”
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Revlon ColorBurst Lacquer Balm In Ingenue, $8.99, available at Amazon.
The Expert: Makeup artist Pati Dubroff
Clients: Miley Cyrus, Dakota Johnson, Eva Mendes
“All the mascara junkies I know agree that this is, hands-down, the best drugstore choice,” Dubroff tells us. “The brush perfectly lifts lashes at the base and fans them out, all while depositing serious volume. It’s quite an accomplishment, because often volume mascara doesn’t give the lift it promises. Plus, the brush also works on bottom lashes!”
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L'Oréal Voluminous Butterfly Mascara, $8.49, available at Ulta.
The Expert: Makeup artist Carola Gonzalez
Clients: Kerry Washington, Rashida Jones, Jaime King
“This is a great shade for every skin tone,” Gonzalez says. “I use it all the time on my clients, and it’s one of my favorite blushes and bronzers. I call it the perfect blush for every occasion! The formula has shimmer, so the skin glows without any need for highlighter.”
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Custom Glow Blush & Bronzer In Raisin Glow, $11.49, available at Neutrogena.
The Expert: Makeup artist Julie Harris
Clients: Julianne Hough, Allison Williams, Ashley Bell
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“I love the strong pigments in this,” Harris tells us. “It goes on matte, but it isn’t drying; it’s more of a velvet texture. I love Aphrodite Kiss, a beautiful poppy-red color that looks great with just mascara or a soft, nude eyeshadow.”
L'Oréal Infallible Pro-Matte Gloss in Aphrodite Kiss, $9.99, available at L'Oréal.
The Expert: Makeup artist Fabiola
Clients: Julianne Moore, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale
“This is a staple in my own makeup bag,” Fabiola says. “I love this formula because it’s super-black and it really separates and builds your lashes, making them look really full.”
L'Oréal Voluminous Original Mascara, $5.89, available at Target.
The Expert: Makeup artist Mélanie Inglessis
Clients: Olivia Wilde, Kate Hudson, Rosamund Pike
“I love these eyeshadow sticks for a summer smoky eye!” Inglessis says. “The colors are vibrant, easy to use, and long-wearing. Apply it onto the top and bottom lashline and smudge it with your finger or a brush, or apply on the top lid for deeper color. But the best advice is to just play around and have fun with these!”
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Rimmel London Volume Flash Eye Shadow Stick, $3.99, available at Target.
The Expert: Makeup artist Carola Gonzalez
Clients: Kerry Washington, Rashida Jones, Jaime King
“I’m obsessed with this shade [Copenhagen]; if you find it, buy a few, ‘cause it’s usually sold out!” Gonzalez says. “It complements every skin tone, and it’s extra long-lasting. You can wear it with just a few coats of mascara, and it will instantly create a runway makeup look.”
Nyx Soft Matte Lip Cream, $14.35, available at Amazon.
The Expert: Makeup artist Fiona Stiles
Clients: Jennifer Garner, Elizabeth Banks, Anna Faris
“Most body makeup destroys clothes because the formulas tend to be a bit oily, which means it never really dries — and then your clothes get stained — but this stuff seriously stays put,” Stiles says. “Use a little to give a bit of color to the body, or you can use a lot to really cover problem areas, like bruises or varicose veins.”
Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs, $9.99, available at Target.
The Expert: Makeup artist Carissa Ferreri
Clients: Gina Rodriguez, Bailee Madison, Carlson Young
“I love a dewy, luminous skin effect any time of year,” Ferreri says. “Prep your foundation with this product to smooth away skin concerns and brighten dull complexions. It’s water-based, so it won’t clog pores, and it feels lightweight and fresh on the skin.”
Maybelline Master Prime in Blur + Illuminate, $7.99, available at Drugstore.com.
The Expert: Makeup artist Beau Nelson
Clients: Nicole Richie, Kristen Stewart, Nina Dobrev
“L'Oréal’s setting spray locks makeup into place, keeping it fresh for hours,” Nelson tells us. “It’s amazing for hot, humid weather and particularly useful for oilier skins. It also helps powder settle into the skin, making your makeup look more natural.”
L'Oreal Infallible Makeup Extender Setting Spray, $16.99, available at Ulta.
The Expert: Makeup artist Pati Dubroff
Clients: Miley Cyrus, Dakota Johnson, Eva Mendes
“There are many primers on the market, but this is the one I turn to again and again,” Dubroff tells us. “It has a perfect, satiny finish and doesn’t add a lot of weight on the top of the skin. It perfectly blurs out pores and fine lines.”
L'Oréal Revitalift Miracle Blur, $19.97, available at Amazon.
For the rest of our many, ~many~ drugstore musts, visit Refinery29.
By: Lexy Lesback
