Makeup Artists’ Life-Changing Drugstore Beauty Finds
While you’re bound to find Chanel lipstick or Dior mascara in their kits, most makeup artists know that legit beauty products don’t need a hefty price tag to deliver serious results. Yep, even the pros score game-changing makeup at the drugstore—and swear by them, whether working on models backstage or touching up their own faces.
In the interest of making your next trip to CVS way more productive, we quizzed experts and got the scoop on drugstore beauty products they can’t live without.
Tamah Krinsky, Celebrity Makeup Artist
“A favorite drugstore go-to of mine is the Revlon Colorburst Matte Balms. They come in a crayon form, are a sheer matte formula, and feel like a balm. They come in a great array of colors and they are super affordable!”
Jamie Greenberg, Celebrity Makeup Artist
“My favorite drugstore product of all time is NYX LipButter Gloss. It’s $4.99. It has a plethora of colors, and it looks good on everyone. Such a universal home-run!”
Romy Soleimani, Makeup Artist and Beauty Director at Large at Beauty.com
“Aquaphor. A classic, staple product for healing severely dry and cracked lips in a hurry. Lots of models have very dry lips due to the heavy amount of travel their job requires, and my job is to make it so that no one would ever know that. This product is basically like a magic wand that repairs on the spot, but I especially like to apply it at the start of the makeup, so that it soaks in to the lips while I prep the skin or tend to other areas of the face.”
Ermahn Ospina, Celebrity Makeup Artist
“Lash sensational full fan effect washable in black by Maybelline is my latest drugstore find! I love the brush. Its formula extends and gives great volume to lashes without clumps.”
Jen Fleming, Makeup Artist
“Right now my drugstore makeup MVP is COVERGIRL’s Outlast Longwear Lipstick. Eleven shades of pool-proof, beach friendly, wedding-season wearable 8-hour lipstick, that takes summer days into summer nights.”
Carissa Ferreri, Celebrity Makeup Artist
“My fave drugstore product is Maybelline Baby Lips Crystal! I’m a big fan of the texture and array of tinted colors. Not only is the Baby Lips Crystal amazing on lips, but it’s a great multipurpose product as well. My favorite trick is to add a bit of the product right to the center of the eye lid. It gives a beautiful sheen and finishes off your makeup look with added dewiness!”
Neil Scibelli, Makeup Artist
“My drugstore pick is Maybelline’s Master Precise liquid black liner. I love this liquid liner because of its precise point, ultra black color, and fast drying formula. I’ve worked with so many liquid liners, and I’m really impressed with this one! The felt tip is super easy to work with and creates the perfect cat-eye.”
Edward Cruz, Celebrity Makeup Artist
“Sonia Kashuk at Target is a brand that is developed by makeup artist Sonia, a 30 year veteran in the business. Every single item on the shelves are hand-picked by her. Brightening Powder is a product that I always carry in my case. It gives a highlight to skin, while diffusing fine lines and discoloration. While the trend of using cream illuminators to highlight the cheek bones has been thriving, I prefer SK Brightening Powder for the same purpose—especially for red carpet and everyday use. Furthermore, cream highlighters tend to migrate on the skin because of gravity and our body heat. Powder stays in place and can actually be used on top of a cream highlighter to set it—without compromising its purpose.”
Joanna Schlip, Celebrity Makeup Artist for Physicians Formula
“I love the Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips All-in-1 Custom Nude Palette for Face & Eyes in Warm Nude. With 12 shades, you can easily use the palette on your eyes, to highlight, to contour, as bronzer, and as blush. I like that it’s finely milled and not too glittery. It has just the right amount of shimmer to make you glow.”
