The Best Drugstore Makeup According to Hollywood Makeup Artists
Brace yourself: the holidays are here. (Doesn’t it feel like it was just summer?!) It’s time for work parties, gatherings with friends, family dinners, and all types of other festivities, all leading up to New Year’s Eve, a night that calls for the grandest look of the season.
Whether these events bring you waves of pure joy, pangs of dread, or something in the middle, there’s no need to break the bank preparing. As we do every season, we’ve rounded up the best drugstore products that will see you through the next few weeks.
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Thanks to a few of Hollywood’s most in-demand makeup artists, we’ve put together a collection of expert-tested red lipsticks, tried-and-true liquid liners, long-lasting shimmery shadows, and more — all for dirt-cheap prices. Happy holidays, indeed!
PHOTO: COURTESY OF TAMAH KRINSKY.
Artist: Tamah Krinsky
Clients: Alexa Chung, Allison Williams
“A great red lipstick is a perfect accessory for the holidays. One of my favorites is Maybelline Siren In Scarlet. This is a bright and vibrant, creamy, matte red, and flattering to almost all skin tones.”
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Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Matte Lip Color in Siren In Scarlet, $7.99, available at Ulta.
“Rose gold is universally flattering, and adds an instant festive feeling to your makeup! I love Nyx Baked Shadow in Ambrosia because you can apply it lightly as a wash, or layer it on for a bit more drama. It’s also great layered over a darker color to add a little sparkle.”
Nyx Cosmetics Baked Shadow, $4, available at Nyx Cosmetics.
“Liquid liner is great for a bold, but clean holiday look. I love Nyx’s The Curve Liner because it’s very easy to use. The shape makes it almost foolproof, and the formula is buildable. You can keep it really slim and tight along your lashline, or build on it for a more dramatic, bold liner.”
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Nyx Cosmetics The Curve Liner, $14.99, available at Ulta.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF MAI QUYNH.
Artist: Mai Quynh
Clients: Scarlett Johansson, Taylor Schilling, Emmy Rossum
“You can give your skin instant holiday sheen with this luminizing powder. Just brush it onto your arms, legs, décolletage, above your cheekbones, and on the center of your nose. It will make your skin look ethereal and glowing.”
Physicians Formula Mineral Glow Pearls, $13.95, available at Physicians Formula.
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“This is the perfect holiday red lip color. It’s not too bright and not too dark, so it will complement many skin tones. The formula is creamy and lightweight. Pair it with black, winged liner and voluminous lashes for added drama.”
Wet n Wild Fergie Centerstage Collection Lip Color Perfect Pout in Saraghina, $3.49, available at Kmart.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF SAMUEL PAUL.
Artist: Samuel Paul
Clients: Olivia Munn, Tessa Thompson, Ashanti
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“I love to use this illuminator before foundation by applying it to the tops of the cheekbones, down the center of the nose, above the Cupid’s bow, and then any leftover product mixed into the foundation. For evening, I may do an additional layer of it after foundation to the high planes of the face, which’ll give a luminous glow under warm holiday-party lights. I like Pink Light for fair skin tones and Bronze Light for tan and darker skin tones.”
Revlon Photoready Skinlights, $12.99, available at Revlon.
“These liners have a great sparkle quality and are easy to use. For fun occasions, I’ll either add a pop of liner to the inside corners of the eyes or a soft line across the eyelid. For something unexpected, I’ll dot the sparkle liner on the bottom lashline right below the iris.”
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Nyx Cosmetics Glam Liner Aqua Luxe, $5.49, available at Ulta.
“I like to line the waterline of the eyes with this soft eyeliner, then squeeze the eyes shut to make them a bit sexy and smoldering.”
Rimmel London Soft Kohl Kajal Eye Pencil, $3.99, available at Ulta.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF KIRIN BHATTY.
Artist: Kirin Bhatty
Clients: Solange Knowles, Kiernan Shipka, Jessica Paré
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“This lip pencil goes on smooth and has a lot of punch, all while leaving a shiny finish. Plus, it makes the perfect application easy, without a lip brush! Go for a true red this holiday, like Lacquerized.”
L'Oréal Colour Riche La Lacque Lipcolour Stick in Lacquerized, $9.99, available at Ulta.
“This color is perfect for the holidays and the finish is luxe. It’s an easy way to get your metallic fix with an easy applicator. Try pushing it into the bottom lashline to really give yourself a gorgeous, glittery look.”
Revlon PhotoReady Eye Art in Burnished Bling, $8.49, available at Target.
By Lexy Lesback
