I think it’s high time for an updated ultimate drugstore makeup kit roundup with new and improved products. One of my most popular posts was my original Ultimate Drugstore Makeup Kit back in 2017. But in that three year’s time, an unimaginable number of new drugstore and affordable products have been released making that 2017 post a little outdated.
So I thought it would be fun to recreate the idea with an updated ultimate drugstore makeup kit collection of the best products for each makeup category.
I am a firm believer that you can achieve gorgeous makeup looks with budget-friendly products. If you are new to makeup or don’t know where to start, this updated ultimate drugstore makeup kit is a great first step! I have picked a best selling product for each product category that will be a home run for most people.
Of course, the products I choose might not work for every single person but that would be impossible to create! Best sellers are a good place to start for a reason. They have been tried and tested, proving to have good formulas, shade ranges, performance, etc.
Like I mentioned in my original post, this updated ultimate drugstore makeup kit will be equal parts affordable and versatile to achieve so many different makeup looks. This kit will give you anything from a quick no-makeup makeup look all the way to a full glam face and everything in between.
Updated Ultimate Drugstore Makeup Kit
Primer: e.l.f Putty Primers
This includes all versions of the putty primer. Besides the original putty primer, e.l.f now has matte and luminous formulas. Pick the version that will be best for your skin type to prep your face for makeup.
Foundation: L’Oreal Infallible Fresh Wear 24HR Foundation
This is a great all-around everyday foundation that will suit many different skin types. It’s middle of the road as far as finish (satin), coverage (medium but buildable), lightweight but long-lasting with dozens of shades to choose from. It will quickly become your go-to.
Concealer: Colourpop No Filter Concealer
This concealer is so affordable and comes in a large range of shades and undertones. The formula is pretty full coverage and stays put all day. It’s great for concealing and also highlighting and contouring.
Face Powder: Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder
Whether you prefer a loose setting powder or a pressed powder, Maybelline’s Fit Me line offers both and they are equally great IMO. The loose powder is an all-in-one powder for setting your makeup, mattifying, baking, contouring or anything else. The pressed powder won’t be as heavy if you prefer a lighter powdered look.
Bronzer: Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer
My all-time favorite bronzer! If you haven’t tried out this bad boy, you are missing out! It is so beautiful and natural looking giving you sunkissed warmth to your face. I have a lighter skin tone and struggle to find the right bronzer shade. Their light bronzer shade is perfect for me!
Blush: Milani Baked Blush
An oldie but goodie I’ve recently fallen back in love with. Honestly, there are a ton of great drugstore blushes but these baked formulas are one of a kind. Luminoso is my all time fave shade and the one you should try first if you’ve never tried these baked blushes. Their rose flower blushes are also great but I like the baked formula better.
Highlighter: Maybelline Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter
If you are looking for a knockout highlighter that packs a real punch – this is for you! These master chrome highlighters are s.t.u.n.n.i.n.g. I personally love the rose gold shade for my skin tone.
Honorable mention: Essence Pure Nude Highlighter – if you are looking for a subtle highlighter that won’t beam off your face but will still give you a sheen. The pure nude is my favorite everyday highlighter for lighter makeup days and then I use the Maybelline rose gold one when I have more makeup on.
Brows: NYX Microbrow Pencil (pencil) & Essence Make Me Brow (brow gel)
Brow application can come in a variety of formats: pencil, definer, pomade, gel, etc. I prefer pencils because I think they are the easiest to work with and can give you both lighter or heavier looking brows depending on your preference or makeup that day.
There isn’t a huge difference when it comes to drugstore brow pencils but my personal fave is the NYX one. It comes down to shade match and formula for me. The microbrow has a great formula that doens’t go on too heavy and is easy to work with.
Also, the Essence brow gels are worth mentioning because 1) the price is unreal and 2) the quick application makes for quick out-the-door brow days. Some days I will use this on it’s own and other days I will use it on top of a brow pencil.
Eye Primer: Milani Eyeshadow Primer
Whether you need to conceal your eyelids or create a base for flawless eyeshadow application, this primer is a must! It truly makes your eyeshadow last all day without fading or moving. Colors blend evenly and shades look highly pigmented.
Eyeshadow Palette: Colourpop & Morphe palettes
With the insane amount of affordable eyeshadow palettes always coming out left and right, it is impossible to narrow down just one. So instead I’m mentioning two brands – Colourpop & Morphe – who I think create the best affordable eyeshadow palettes. Pick pretty much any palette from these brands and you will get amazing eyeshadow quality, formula and pigmentation every time.
Eyeliner: NYX Matte Liquid Liner (liquid) & Ulta Beauty Eyeliner Pencils (pencil)
Similar to brows, there are lots of different application methods and personal preferences when it comes to eyeliner. But by and far, the NYX matte liquid liner is one of the best because the formula is super matte and the tip is ultra fine for precision and detail.
If you are a pencil liner girl like myself, I love the Ulta brand liner pencils – both gel and automatic pencil formats. They are longlasting, stay put and come in tons of shades.
Mascara: L’Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara
Nothing has come close to beating my ride or die lash paradise mascara! This mascara makes your lashes look full and long without clumping. I’ve never had it smudge or flake on me either. I actually use the waterproof formula to help keep my lashes curled and I can easily remove it with makeup remover at the end of the day.
Lip Liner: NYX Lip Liner
All NYX lip liners are great depending on your preference! They have retractable liners, slide on liners, suede matte liners, and slim pencils. You really can’t go wrong with any of these so try out a few to see what you prefer.
Lipstick: Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick
Most brands carry traditional bullet lipsticks and there isn’t a whole lot of variance. However, I personally love Maybelline lipsticks because 1) there are lots of different shades and sub-collections within the line: cream, matte, bold colors, nudes and 2) their colors seem more modern than other brands.
Side note….Is it just me or does anybody else hate when you grab a lipstick at the store and open it up to find that it has small specks of shimmer in it?! I feel like that happens to me all the time. I don’t want a subtle shimmer in my lipstick, I just want the true color that’s on the swatch. Shimmer instantly dates the color and look that I’m going for. It’s happened to me so many times….ok rant over.
Liquid Lipstick: NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream
This formula is so incredibly comfortable and truly is a soft matte. It looks like a matte lip and dries down but won’t be too drying or uncomfortable to wear all day.
Lip Gloss: NYX Butter Gloss
Another favorite from NYX (because they make great lip products) are their butter glosses! These are very pigmented and comfortable to wear – not too sticky or slippy but just the right amount of everything you want in a gloss.
Setting Spray: Morphe Continuous Setting Mist
The reason this setting spray is so great outside of the formula and price point is the fact that’s it’s in an aerosaul can making it the finest setting mist ever. You won’t have to worry about big water droplets spraying on your face and ruining your makeup. Plus it really locks in your look all day.
Makeup Sponge: Morphe Flawless Beauty Makeup Sponge
Are there a thousand different makeup sponges on the market? Yes. Are they all considered equal? Definitely not. I actually just re-tried the orange Real Techniques one after a while of using other ones and realized I don’t love it anymore. This Morphe sponge has a great texture, doesn’t soak up a ton of product, and has a shape that really works well with makeup application. Sometimes the shape can totally ruin a good sponge.
Makeup Brushes: Amazon 14PC Brush Set
Last but not least, get yourself a good set of brushes! You could spend a buttload on them if you aren’t careful. But an affordable kit is all you really need for most days. This set on Amazon has a great variety of both face and eye brushes for a killer price. You really can’t beat it!
And that completes my updated ultimate drugstore makeup kit! I’m currently using so many of these products in my everyday makeup routine. If you are a beginner when it comes to makeup, I hope you found this post helpful with tips and products that will get you started.
Makeup application is 100% practice with lots of trial and error. Some products will become your holy grails and others will be at the bottom of your trash can after just one use. The more you practice with products and learn your face features and what you like, the better it will turn out each time. So have fun and remember that makeup wipes off at the end of the day.
Looking for more makeup kit roundups? Check out some of my other ones below:
- Back To School Makeup Kit Essentials
- Full Face Of Makeup – Everything Under $6
- Ultimate Drugstore Makeup Kit (2017)
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Can you please say me the price of it?