Best of: Drugstore Beauty.

We talk about beauty over here quite a bit, and I will admit… my taste in beauty products can be pretty spendy at times. I rationalize it in that I spend more money for higher quality ingredients (especially because I try to stick to an as-natural-as-possible beauty routine when I can. Many of you have commented and emailed, asking for affordable drugstore beauty options, but I only have a few current drugstore favorites. So… I turned to some of my favorite bloggers to get their favorite drugstore beauty products.

Read on, and prepare to learn about a few new gems. I learned a lot from consulting my peers… definitely need to do this more often! There are lots of (affordable) all-natural goodies included in the mix too!

Let’s start with cosmetics… (man, I need to try Ardell lashes, apparently!)

“My drugstore favorite of late is L’Oreal Paris Visible Lift Blur Blush, which is straight-up MAGIC. The blur thing is big in the beauty industry right now and it seems like every product is trying to Robin Thicke everyone’s face to death but this primer-like gel rouge is crazy good. I have dark marks from the phantoms of blemishes past from YEARS ago and this stuff goes on smoothly and sheer to brighten from within (at least, that’s how I perceive it to look) and camouflages the hyperpigmentation to a hazy memory. All that and it’s only $13 feels like the work of Houdini. My mom stole my favorite shade, Soft Berry, but they’re all divine.” – Amber Katz, Rouge 18

“Revlon color-stay liquid eyeliner, in blackest black. I’ve used this since high school. It’s the only liquid eyeliner I’ve found that truly does not budge!” – Hallie Wilson, Corals & Cognacs

“Maybelline Pumped Up Mascara. I always get stopped on the street when this mascara is on my lashes!” – Liz Schneider, Sequins & Stripes

“I love the Ardell DuraLash Flare Medium Black individuals (here is the starter kit, as you will need the glue). A set of these lashes is just $4.99 and one box will last compulsive users for one full month. The clear glue is like cement and it is invisible to the eye (unlike black glues that can appear metallic when you blink). Application tip: apply the lashes with your own tweezers and try to nestle the individual lashes between your lashes, at the root. If you place them on top of your lash, they will be uncomfortable and more discreet.”- Amber Venz Box, VenzEdits

“Ardell Individual Lashes in Short – throw a couple of these natural-looking flares in the outer corners of your lashes for instant going-out eyes. They’re super easy with a bit of practice–promise!” – Elizabeth Dehn, Beauty Bets

“CoverGirl LashBlast Clump Crusher Mascara – this is my current favorite mascara right now! It does exactly as it says it does: it keeps your mascara from clumping, even after 4-5 layers. It makes my lashes super long, thick and un-clumpy! I take it everywhere.” – Merritt Beck, The Style Scribe

“L’Oreal lipstain in Coral Tattoo. It’s super light and stays on all day long!” – Liz Schneider, Sequins & Stripes

Next up… skincare! There were a few repeats again, causing me to add Simple Cleansing Wipes + Bio Oil to my own shopping list. My personal drugstore skincare favorites are Biore Pore Strips (I’m a little addicted to these as I can be obsessive about the pores on my nose!) and this cleanser from Salma Hayek’s line… it’s really creamy and does the best job exfoliating without irritating. And like Julia, I love, love, love Burt’s Bees Chapstick. I keep one in my bag, one at my desk, one by my bed… and so on + so forth.

“Neutrogena oil free eye make up remover. I’ve used this for years and it’s always been my favorite. It’s inexpensive and takes off my make up easily.” – Chassity Evans, Look Linger Love

“Clean & Clear oil absorbing sheets: They take away oil but leave make up. I have a serious aversion to shiny noses so I use at least one of these per day.” Also: Burt’s Bees original lip balm… I’m addicted. It’s a problem. I love the peppermint smell and it’s the perfect consistency.” – Julia Dzafic, Lemon Stripes

“Simple Skincare Cleansing Facial Wipes – as someone who has very sensitive skin (and is really bad about washing her face before bed), these wipes are my go-to! They’re very gentle on my skin and can be used multiple times per day (if needed) and it still won’t irritate my skin! – Merritt Beck, The Style Scribe

“I am obsessed with Baby Lips (in Grape Vine) which is probably not a huge shocker as most girls are. I love that it enhances my natural lip color with out being sticky. It’s basically tinted Chapstick. Also, Cetaphil Cleanser – this is a staple in my bathroom and has been for over 15 years. Dermatologist reccomended, it is the best mild cleanser. And lastly, St. Ives Apricot Scrub! That sh*t is the bommmb, and has been for over twenty years. I remember my sister having it in our shower when I was a little girl and she was in high school. Good and also cheap!” – Lauren Kolodny, Honestly WTF

“I love Aquaphor… it keeps my lips hydrated, heels up flakey skin {read: zits that I can’t stop picking at}, and keeps skin soft! I also love Burt’s Bees Ageless Serum – I put this on before I go to bed and I seriously notice a difference when I don’t use it. It lifts and tightens my skin, smear it all over your face and neck.”  – Liz Schneider, Sequins & Stripes

“Bio Oil. It’s my skin saver when the weather turns to fall. I rub it on before a hot shower and at night and it keeps my skin dewy and moisturized.  – Samantha Wennerstrom, Could I Have That

“I love the Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes!  At the risk of sounding completely lazy, there are some nights I just don’t have the energy to wash my face before bed.  (Especially when traveling.)  These cleansing wipes remove make-up without using alcohol or oil and leave your skin feeling soft and smooth (thanks to the Pro-Vitamin B5)!” – Caroline Harper Knapp, House of Harper

“My favorite is Bio Oil! An editor at People Stylewatch told me she swears by it and now I do, too. It makes your skin so smooth and hydrated and doesn’t leave any sort of residue!” – Meghan Donovan, Wit & Whimsy

“I never buy eye makeup removers — they’re always a weird mix of ingredients and I think they’re totally superfluous! Instead, I use any facial oil that I have on hand, put a few drops on a cotton ball, and sweep it over my lids when I’m washing my face at night. The oil immediately removes mascara, eye liner, shadow, and anything else. Plus, if you use a non-toxic, organic facial oil, there’s the added benefit of not putting a bunch of chemicals right on your delicate eye skin! If you don’t have a face oil at home, you can even try this trick with olive oil straight from your pantry.” – Victoria McGinley, Victoria McGinley

And we’ll end with hair + body products!

“While most of my beauty products come from local businesses and organic manufacturers, I recently fell in love with Jergens’ Shea Butter Deep Conditioner Moisturizing Cream. After a severe attack of hives (as a result of a gluten sensitivity), this lotion was the only thing I could imagine putting on my body. Barely scented, it’s deeply nourishing and absorbs pretty quickly, making The Hive Blitzkrieg of 2014 infinitely bearable.” – Felicia Sullivan,  Love.Life.Eat

“EOS Lavender Jasmine Shave Cream! I love that drug stores are selling more and more paraben-free products like this shaving cream. It smells amazing and is great for sensitive skin. The bottle is pretty too which helps.” – Julia Dzafic, Lemon Stripes

“Neutrogena Body Clear body wash. This is a must in my shower every summer (ain’t nobody got time for back-ne) — and you can’t beat the price!” – Hallie Wilson, Corals & Cognacs

“I love Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap in Lavender. These soaps can be used for just about any cleaning task, not just for the bathroom. I always take this camping with me as it is organic and biodegradable. Also, Neutrogena Sunscreen Broad Spectrum. This is another recommendation I got from my dermatologist. Living at the beach I am in the sun a lot, and have stared to notice some sun damage. I have been told my sunscreen must be Broad Spectrum. So I listen to my doctor.  – Lauren Kolodny, Honestly WTF

“St. Ives Body Lotion Oatmeal & Shea Butter. I have insanely sensitive skin and this lotion is like a dream. I use a few pumps every day for my legs and love the way it moisturizes without causing irritation.”  – Carly Heitlinger, The College Prepster

“I adore Acure Organics shampoo and conditioners. They’re natural, non-toxic and actually work! My favorite is the Moroccan Argan Oil Conditioner — it’s thick and luscious, and has a wonderful almond fragrance that’s neither too sweet nor too earthy.” – Victoria McGinley, Victoria McGinley

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