In today’s beauty landscape, there’s a common misconception that high-end products are the epitome of quality and performance. However, the reality often reveals a different picture—one where drugstore products compete neck-and-neck with their luxury counterparts. With endless aisles of affordable makeup, finding the products that offer the best performance without burning a hole in your pocket can be overwhelming. But fear not! As a seasoned makeup artist with nearly a decade of experience, I’ve discovered nine drugstore products that not only rival but often surpass high-end items.
1. **E.L.F. Power Grip Primer**: This primer is a game-changer in the realm of makeup longevity. Its viral-worthy stickiness, enhanced by aloe vera and hyaluronic acid, ensures your makeup stays put. Safe for sensitive skin, this primer creates a smooth canvas, prepping your skin for a day of flawless wear. It’s a must-have for anyone wanting to ensure their makeup stays put, come rain or shine.
e.l.f. Power Grip Primer is a gel-based, hydrating face primer that not only smooths the skin but also grips makeup beautifully, all for just $10.00.
Rating: 4.6 with 28,091 ratings
Brand: e.l.f.
2. **Ardell Brow Glue**: When it comes to achieving that perfect brow hold, Ardell’s Brow Glue is second to none. Professional artists swear by it for taming even the most unruly brows. This vegan product, enriched with glycerin and panthenol, doesn’t just hold your brows in place—it keeps them soft, supple, and perfectly groomed all day long.
Product on Amazon: Ardell Brow Glue Instant Lamination Lift and Styling Tool, Eyebrow Gel – Long-Lasting Hold Brow Gel for Fluffy Defined Brows
Price: $6.29
Rating: 4.4 with 437 ratings
Brand: Ardell
3. **L’Oréal Paris True Match Nude Hyaluronic Tinted serum**: A true multitasker, this tinted serum combines skincare benefits with makeup. Infused with 1% hyaluronic acid, it hydrates and blurs imperfections, offering a radiant glow. Perfect for those with normal to dry skin, it provides a lightweight, buildable coverage that doubles as sun protection.
L’Oreal Paris True Match Nude Hyaluronic Tinted Serum Foundation is enriched with 1% hyaluronic acid for a dewy finish, priced at $19.46 and boasting a solid rating of 4.4 from 16,740 users.
4. **Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Multi-Use Concealer**: Known for its creamy, medium coverage, this concealer is a staple in any beauty routine. It effectively covers dark circles and blemishes while feeling lightweight. The inclusion of glycerin ensures a smooth application, making it a favorite among those seeking buildable coverage without the weight.
Maybelline’s Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Treatment Concealer is a multi-use product that effectively brightens and conceals for only $8.78, earning 4.4 stars from over 222,000 satisfied customers.
NYX Buttermelt Blush offers a vibrant pop of color that lasts, featuring a silky texture that blends effortlessly into the skin, making it an excellent choice for an affordable, eye-catching look.
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Buttermelt Glaze Soft Glow Skin Tint with SPF 30 provides up to 12 hours of wear for $15.97, with a respectable 4.0 rating from 107 reviews, ensuring you’re protected and glowing.
6. **Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara**: This mascara delivers dramatic volume and length, mimicking the effect of falsies. Its unique brush design ensures every lash is coated without clumps, making it a go-to for anyone wanting to enhance their natural lash line with ease.
essence’s Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara delivers impressive volume and length for just $4.99, delighting 386,154 users with its cruelty-free formula and achieving a solid rating of 4.3.
7. **ColourPop Nude Mood Eyeshadow Palette**: A staple for eyeshadow enthusiasts, this palette offers a range of warm, neutral tones that transition from day to night effortlessly. The formula’s pigmentation rivals more expensive brands, ensuring your eye looks are always on point without breaking the bank.
The ColourPop Nude Mood Shadow Palette presents a stunning array of brown and copper shades in both metallic and matte finishes for $14.00, receiving a commendable 4.2 rating from 336 beauty enthusiasts.
8. **Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder**: Setting your makeup has never been more affordable and effective. This powder excels in keeping shine at bay and brightening the under-eye area. Its lightweight texture and mineral-based formula ensure a seamless finish that lasts throughout the day, keeping your makeup intact and flawless.
Maybelline Fit Me Loose Setting Powder ensures your makeup stays flawless, available for $8.98 and featuring a high rating of 4.6 based on nearly 48,000 reviews, making it a must-have in your beauty routine.
9. **Revlon ColorStay Suede Ink Lipstick**: This lipstick offers the perfect combination of hydration and longevity. With a built-in primer and a range of shades, it stays put without drying out your lips, ensuring a transfer-proof pout that lasts from morning to night. Its vegan formulation means you’re getting quality without the compromise.
Each of these products stands as a testament to the fact that beauty doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. With their impressive performance, these drugstore gems prove that sometimes, the best things really do come in affordable packages.
REVLON Lipstick ColorStay Suede Ink offers a matte finish with built-in primer for $5.66, infused with Vitamin E and achieving 4.3 stars from over 8,000 reviewers, perfect for a striking look.
In a beauty landscape brimming with options, these drugstore gems stand out as empowering choices, showcasing that quality doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag and proving that accessible beauty can inspire confidence and creativity in us all.
Related posts:
14 Best Drugstore Makeup Products in 2025
12 best full-coverage foundations we tested for 12+ hours of perfect skin
41 Editor-Favorite Drugstore Beauty Buys
