Sammi the Beauty Buff: I Love Drugstore Makeup (Tag)

Hi, friends! Today's post is all about drugstore makeup.That's right: the "I <3 Drugstore Makeup Tag"! The girls from the Beauty & Fashion Blog Community and I have taken it upon ourselves to host a mini blog hop mid-month. Because who doesn't love makeup AND affordable prices? Well, my brother Steve, who really couldn't care less (though he reads these posts because he loves me), but enough about that. Let's get on to the good stuff!

1. What is your favorite drugstore makeup brand overall?

Hmm, that's hard to say. I love Maybelline's face products, e.l.f.'s Studio brushes, Revlon's lip products, and CoverGirl's mascaras. Though, if I had to pick one, I would go with Physician's Formula. They're pricer than the other drugstore brands, probably even a little overpriced (the medical claims are absolute BS), but they're a brand that I would feel comfortable using all over my face. I don't think they make lip products, though, so I guess I'd just have to substitute in a Revlon Lip Butter. ;) Oh, what a tragedy...

2. What are your favorite face, cheek and lip products?

Face: Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream (sheer coverage with a dewy finish--saved my skin in the New England winter! See previous blog posts one and two) and NYC Loose Powder (mattifies without looking fake, and it's $3. Hollah. See previous blog posts one and two).

Left: Maybelline Dream Fresh 8-in-1 Beauty Balm in Light Sheer Tint ($9 for 1oz)
Right: NYC Smooth Skin Loose Face Powder in Translucent ($3 for .7oz)

Cheek: NYC Smooth Bronzing Powder in Sunny (my everyday contour powder, which can also be used as a bronzer--see previous blog posts one and two) and Physicians Formula Highlighter in Translucent Pearl (a beautiful, shimmery highlight that I like to use on my cheekbones and inner corners of my eyes. See previous post.)

Left: Physicians Formula Mineral Glow Pearls in Translucent Pearl ($14 for 8g)
Right: NYC Smooth Skin Bronzing Powder in Sunny ($3 for .33oz)

Lips: Carmex Tinted Lip Balm (read more) and Revlon Lip Butters (read more). Especially the lip butters. All day, every day. I'd like to try their Matte and Lacquer Balms, too. I heard their Just Bitten Balm Stains were good before they were discontinued.

Left: Carmex Moisture Plus Lip Balm in Pink ($5--can't find a link, sorry!)
Right: Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Tutti Frutti ($8)

3. Least favorite product?

Any green concealer. I've only tried the green concealer stick from Maybelline and the green Conceal RX from Physician's Formula, but I just feel like green concealers do nothing but make me look sickly. Instead of looking red, I look kind of purple, and the surrounding skin is just green. Not a hot look.

4. What is the best makeup bargain?

This isn't technically makeup, but a eyeliner/brow pencil sharper. Essence's pencil sharpener (read more) is made in the same German factory as Urban Decay's Grindhouse sharpener ($2). It's the same sharpener, just with a different logo. I kid you not, Google it. It's a beautiful, beautiful thing. It works even on the softest of pencils! They only sell Essence at Ulta, as far as I know (not to be confused with CVS's brand, Essence of Beauty).

Essence Dual Sharpener ($2)

5. What is your favorite underdog product? (Something you love that often gets overlooked?)

The NYC eyeshadows! I mentioned them in my 2013 Favorites. I don't know why people don't talk about them; they're amazing! They make duos and other combinations, but I especially enjoy their 4-pans that come with the primer. First of all, NYC needs to hurry up and sell their primer by itself, because it's great (though I don't know how it holds up to super oily eyelids). Also, their eyeshadows are smooth and pigmented. Not Urban Decay level, but they're really nice and super easy to blend. They're glorious. I bought one for $3 with coupons (Union Square for Brown Eyes), and another for $2 that was on 75% off clearance during the CVS Winter Beauty Sale (the simultaneously best and worst time of the year--watch all of your favorite products get discontinued).

NYC Individual Eyes Palette in Union Square for Brown Eyes ($5)

6. A drugstore product that is overpriced?

I love them, but every Physician's Formula product that exists is overpriced. I like their products, but I'd never pay more than $10 for any of them. Thankfully, their $6 off sales and their 40% off sales happen pretty regularly at my local CVS (and probably other drugstores around). Friends don't let friends pay full price, but I think they're worth getting them for a deal.

Physicians Formula Glow & Mood Happy Booster Blush in Natural ($12 for 7g)

7. Show your best drugstore dupe(s)!

I don't buy a lot of high-end cosmetics, so I don't have a lot of dupes for you. Does it count if I show you a product and say it's "probably a dupe for something"?

Maybelline Eye Studio Color Tattoo in Bold Gold ($7) -- probably a dupe for something

Seriously, though. A good cream eyeshadow is hard to find. Hold on to it, and cherish it. I recommend the Color Tattoos. (Except the purple one--that one sucks, don't get it). I hear Benefit's are good, but why spend that much money when you can get a (possible) dupe?!

8. Drugstore product that isn’t worth the hype?

People rave about e.l.f. because they're so cheap, but I haven't been too impressed with a lot of their products. In my e.l.f. Beauty Book review, I talked about you can get a bunch of eyeshadows at a great price, but they're mostly dry and chalky, and not very pigmented. I like their Studio line of products (see my haul), but otherwise I'm not impressed. Yes, they're inexpensive, but that doesn't mean they should be bad. "Good for the price" is not a phrase I like to hear. If it's not good, it's not good, whether it's $52 or $2!

Well, that's all for now. I hope this was fun for you! I tag the following people to do this tag: