With the crazy amount of makeup launches that have ramped up in the last few years, I will speak for myself and say it’s so hard to keep up with! Do you ever miss the good ole days of powder foundation compacts and sparkly lip gloss? The old classics are good for a reason and I’m here to resurrect these timeless bestselling drugstore makeup products.
If you haven’t tried all, yes all, of these timeless bestselling drugstore makeup products, you are seriously missing out. These classics have stood the test of time and are still on shelves to this day despite the sheer amount of competition in the makeup world now. Honestly, it’s pretty impressive that these products have survived for so long. There are so many amazing drugstore products nowadays but these 20 products can compete with the best of ’em.
I was using many of these products in my high school years when I was experimenting with makeup products and practicing makeup everyday. Lately, I’ve been so distracted, and sometimes disappointed, with new drugstore makeup that it’s convinced me to go back to the classics. These timeless bestselling drugstore makeup products never let me down.
These oldies but goodies are unique because many of them come from the big 4 drugstore brands: Covergirl, Maybelline, L’Oreal and Revlon. These brands really dominated the drugstore makeup world a few years ago before smaller brands popped up like ColourPop, Milani, NYX, Makeup Revolution, etc. Now small and medium-sized brands are quickly growing and giving these pillar brands a run for their money. But you will notice that the 20 timeless bestselling drugstore makeup products come primarily from the big 4.
Below I’ve linked the 20 products and included small notes or tips for each.
20 TIMELESS BESTSELLING DRUGSTORE MAKEUP PRODUCTS
1 // Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circle Treatment Concealer
One of my all-time favorite concealers that I always go back to. I personally love the sponge applicator.
2 // Milani Baked Blush – Luminoso
One of the defining products for Milani as they were just starting to grow. Luminoso is the stand out shade to try but they are all great!
3 // Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream 8-in-1 Skin Perfector
4 // L’Oreal True Match Super Blendable Liquid Foundation
I used this for years. This was one of the first formulas I remember that catered to undertones and carried so many shades in the range. The packaging sucks – I hate foundations in glass jars – but the product is amazing!
5 // L’Oreal True Match Super Blendable Powder
I used this powder to set my foundation every single day in high school. Again, the line included so many shades and undertones making it easier to find the right one for your skin.
6 //Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser Primer
A great smoothing and pore filling primer. It doesn’t cater to my dry skin anymore but it’s great if you have large pores, texture, or oily skin.
7 // L’Oreal True Match Lumi Healthy Luminous Makeup
Again, now that I have drier skin, I would prefer this formula over the original true match because I look for more luminous and hydrating foundations. The lumi packaging is much better than the original but the shade range doesn’t hold a candle. I wish the lumi formula had the same selection and variety that the original true match has.
8 // Physicians Formula Multi-Color Pressed Powder
Boy does this bring back memories! I always thought this powder was expensive with the bulkiest packaging – still true and true. But I always repurchased because the powder was great! Their mosaic bronzers were also a permanent staple in my collection for literal years.
9 // Covergirl Cheekers Blush
You may laugh at this one but it’s still around for a reason my friends. Don’t let the old school packaging or dinky brush turn you away.
10 // Wet n Wild To Reflect Shimmer Palette – Boozy Brunch
Boozy Brunch was the best highlighter shade before affordable brands started adding highlighters to their lines. If you wanted an affordable gold highlighter, this was pretty much your only option for the longest time. And it’s still great by the way.
11 // L’Oreal Original Voluminous Mascara
12 // Covergirl Lash Blast Volume Mascara
Oh boy another trip down memory lane with this one. I included this mascara and the #11 L’Oreal Original Voluminous in my Top Ten Affordable Mascaras post.
13 // Covergirl Eye Enhancers Palette – Shimmering Sands
If I told you the number of Shimmering Sands palettes I’ve gone through in my lifetime….I probably still have a half-used one buried in a drawer somewhere. I used the light and dark shades the most so always had to buy another when those two shades ran out.
14 // Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Quad – Walking On Eggshells
Between this palette and Shimmering Sands, your neutral eye looks were covered! I love the pop of blush in this palette. I would probably reach for this palette more on an everyday basis than most of my bigger and fancier palettes.
15 // L’Oreal Paris Infallible 24 HR Eyeshadow – Amber Rush
Amber Rush is still one of the most stunning and unique eyeshadow shades I’ve ever come across. I find every excuse to use it as much as possible because I love it so much. The formula quality is amazing for all the colors in the range but you have to try Amber Rush if you haven’t – it’s the most beautiful rose gold. I also mention it in my Rose Gold Drugstore Makeup post.
16 // NYX Butter Gloss
17 // Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss
18 // Covergirl Outlast Powder Foundation
Oh the days of powder foundation and now powder foundation is making a comeback! I haven’t used powder foundation in probably over a decade but I’m actually curious to try it again.
19 // Rimmel Stay Matte Powder
This product is on my list to repurchase. It’s a go-to pressed powder that is beautiful. I haven’t used it in a while so I’m wondering how I will like it now that my skin is drier.
20 // Maybelline Shine Free Oil Control Loose Powder
The classic old school loose powder packaging with puff included! Oily skin gals need this staple in their collection.
I mention some of these in my Ultimate Drugstore Makeup Kit post that I put together back in 2017. I’m thinking this kit needs updated so stay tuned for a 2020 version coming soon!
What oldies but goodies do you love? Leave me a comment letting me know if I didn’t include them so I can try for myself!
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I love your blog. Can you find a dupe for Becca under eye brightener, under eye brightening powder, concealer and lipsticks ? Would be so interesting !
Hi Gail – thanks for commenting again and I’m working on a Becca post so stay tuned! It should be up this month 🙂
Hi Gail – check out my Becca dupes post linked below. Hope this helps with what you are looking for 🙂
http://creativityjar.com/affordable-becca-dupes/
Thank you so much ! It’s exactly what I’m looking for. You’ve done a thorough job. Can’t wait to try the drugstore dupes especially the eye brightener and concealer.