Best Drugstore Beauty Products I Found in 2018

Typically, I like very minimal makeup with a touch of glow or sparkle on the eyes and cheeks, with a moody, nude lip. To get this look, I had to go through a myriad of products, pretty much all of them drugstore. I am a college student after all, and I am not ashamed to say that I’ll buy blush instead of a decent dinner quite often. Priorities, right? Maybe not. Oh well.

Anyways, I’ve gone through my fair share of products and finally landed on a few that actually were worth spending my money that should be for tuition on. All of these are products I found at Walmart, Target, or Rite Aid.

1. L'Oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Glow Foundation

An angel cried tears of joy when this product found its way into my hands. Okay that’s too dramatic, but it is an amazing foundation for the drugstore. In my experience, it’s the only one that has the natural looking finish along with the right amount of coverage. After one coat, it covers up the red discoloration I have in my cheeks, and gives a nice, dewy, natural look. Perhaps the best feature, however, is its ability to build. It can be light to medium/heavy coverage, just in a matter of a layer or two.

2. Milani Baked Blush

Calling all summertime sunshine glowstick babes. The Milani baked blush has been my saving grace during this year’s fall season. Where I live, we have a pretty dismal season, and I lose my summer color REAL quick. This blush is the queen of “fake it ‘til you make it.” It gives me that youthful, bright color in my cheeks, as well as a beautiful shimmer that is not too overpowering. The darker colors can also double as a bronzer, which saves time and money.

3. Physician’s Formula Butter Bronzer

My number one problem when it comes to finding a good bronzer is avoiding that orange undertone. I don’t want to look like I just rubbed Cheetos on my cheeks, thank you. I have had that problem with Physician’s Formula before, so I was hesitant to try another of their bronzers. After all the good reviews I read, I caved and decided to try it, as I still hadn’t found a bronzer right for me. I was not disappointed. The Butter Bronzer gives a very subtle glow, but still noticeably adds pigment into your skin. I like to apply it all around the edges of my face, and it makes me look so much more alive and healthier.

4. Wet N Wild Color Icon Brow Pencil

Everyone who knows me knows I like my brows how I like my dogs—big and bushy. Since my man, God, decided not to bless me with those brows naturally, I have had to find a way to supplement what I did get. I have been hard pressed to find any drugstore brow products that worked for me. Fortunately, I will have to look no further. This pencil fills in without looking fake, and brushes out to look very full and pigmented. I like brows that look completely natural, and this pencil gives me just that.

5. Maybelline Master Strobing Stick Illuminating Highlighter

This highlighter might be my favorite product on this list. I have always thought power highlighters were a little overrated. They always have fallout and can look too cakey and powdery on my skin. With a stick or liquid highlighter, you can be much more precise with your placement, and the end result looks much more natural and pretty. The Master Strobing Stick is bright, shimmery, and super easy to apply. It can accent any point on my face beautifully. I use it on much more than just my cheekbones or my nose. It blends beautifully with my skin to make it look like I am glowing from within rather than just slapping some glitter on my face.

So, there you have it, my holy grail drugstore products of 2018. There are plenty more I could add to this list, so be on the lookout for a second post! I hope 2019 is the best year of your life, and may you never get a breakout again.