Falling in love with makeup can be an expensive hobby, but one of the best things I have learned over the years is that it really does not have to be!
I love a beautiful luxury makeup product as much as the next person, but some of the products I use most often come straight from the drugstore. I have found concealers, brow pencils, lip products, and face powders that perform so well that I have never felt the need to replace them with something more expensive.
I first put this list together in 2023, and a lot has changed since then. Drugstore brands have launched new formulas, shade ranges have changed, and there always seems to be another viral product everyone is talking about.
So, I went back through my original list and asked myself the most important question:
Do I actually still use and recommend this product?
I also checked current product information and took another look at what beauty editors and makeup experts are recommending today. Some of my picks are newer favorites, while others have been around for years. But I am not going to remove a product I genuinely love just because something newer is trending!
These are the drugstore makeup products I have personally used, enjoyed, and would still recommend to a friend in July 2026.
Whether you are looking for an everyday foundation, a concealer for dark circles, a natural-looking bronzer, or a lip gloss that does not feel sticky, I have you covered.
Let’s dive in!
All product recommendations are independently selected based on my personal experience, testing, and honest opinions. If I include affiliate links, I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through those links, at no additional cost to you. These commissions help support my blog, but they never influence which products I recommend or the opinions I share.
How I Chose the Best Drugstore Makeup Products
There are thousands of affordable makeup products out there, so I did not want this to become another list of whatever happens to be popular on TikTok right now.
Every product on this list is something I have personally used and would feel comfortable recommending to a friend. I also looked at whether the product still performs well enough to earn a place in my makeup collection, whether I would buy it again, and whether the lower price actually feels like a good value.
I am also not pretending that every product on this list is perfect for everyone. Makeup is extremely personal! Your skin type, preferred finish, budget, and everyday routine can completely change how you feel about a product.
Some of my favorites are also not the newest products on the market. That is completely okay with me. If an older product still works and I still enjoy using it, I am not going to replace it just to make this list look trendier.
For this July 2026 update, I also rechecked current product names, formulas, shade ranges, and availability so the information would be more useful than simply changing to “2026.”
Best Everyday Foundation: L’Oréal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Foundation
When it comes to drugstore foundations, L’Oréal has been one of my go-to brands for years, especially the True Match line.
My main pick is the L’Oréal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Foundation because it gives me the natural-looking finish I usually want for everyday makeup. It is not a heavy foundation that completely covers everything in one layer. Instead, I can start with lighter coverage and build it where I need a little more.
One thing I want to correct from my original review is how I described the finish. I previously called True Match my “matte” option, but that is not really the best way to describe it. The finish sits somewhere in the middle—not overly matte and not overly dewy—which is one of the reasons I find it so easy to wear. L’Oréal currently offers the foundation in 47 shades and describes it as having medium, buildable coverage with a natural, skin-like finish. The formula also contains hyaluronic acid.
When I want my skin to look glowier, I still like reaching for L’Oréal True Match Lumi instead. That is what I have always loved about the True Match family. Depending on the finish I want that day, I have options.
Pro tip: I will always appreciate a foundation that comes with a pump! It gives me much more control over how much product I use and keeps me from pouring out more foundation than I actually need.
My only advice is not to rush when choosing your shade. A range of 47 shades is fantastic, but having that many choices can also make finding the right undertone a little overwhelming.
Best for: Anyone who wants natural-looking, medium, buildable coverage for everyday makeup without an overly matte or overly dewy finish.
Best Concealer – Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind Concealer
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind has been around for years, and this is one of those products that continues to earn its place in my makeup collection.
If I wake up with noticeable dark circles, this is exactly the type of concealer I want. It brightens the under-eye area without feeling like I have to pile on a thick layer of product, and I also like using it anywhere I want to even out a little redness or discoloration.
The formula is currently available in 18 concealer shades along with four color-correcting shades. Maybelline describes it as crease-resistant and moisturizing for up to 12 hours, and the formula can be used to conceal, correct, contour, or highlight.
What I like most is that it works for more than one type of makeup day. I can apply a small amount when I want something quick and natural, or add a little more when I need extra coverage.
This is also one of the products where my personal recommendation lines up with what beauty experts are still saying today. Current affordable makeup and concealer guides continue to recommend Instant Age Rewind, especially for its lightweight coverage and under-eye performance.
The sponge-tip applicator is convenient, although I know some people prefer a traditional doe-foot applicator because it is easier to clean.
Best for: Anyone looking to brighten dark circles and even out discoloration with a lightweight, easy-to-blend concealer.
Best Primer – e.l.f. Poreless Putty Primer
There are a lot of popular drugstore primers right now, and e.l.f. has continued to release newer formulas over the years. However, when my main goal is to make my skin look smoother before foundation, I still come back to the e.l.f. Poreless Putty Primer.
This primer has a smooth, velvety texture that helps soften the appearance of pores and gives my foundation a more even surface to sit on. e.l.f. currently recommends it for oily, dry, and combination skin and says the formula helps grip makeup for longer-lasting wear while smoothing imperfections.
I especially like it around areas where I notice more texture or visible pores. I do not feel the need to cover my entire face in a thick layer.
Pro tip: Even though the primer has a smooth feel, I still recommend doing your normal skincare first. I apply my moisturizer, give it a little time to settle, and then use a thin layer of primer before foundation. Using too much can sometimes work against you.
It is worth mentioning that gripping primers like e.l.f. Power Grip are extremely popular right now. But for me, Poreless Putty serves a different purpose. I reach for it when my main goal is smoothing rather than creating the stickiest possible base.
Best for: Anyone who wants to soften the look of pores and texture before applying foundation.
Best Finishing Powder – Maybelline New York Fit Me Loose Setting Powder
The Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder has been compared to much more expensive setting powders for years, and I understand why.
This is one of those products that makes my makeup look more finished without making me feel like my entire face is covered in powder.
I can lightly dust it over my makeup with a brush when I simply want to set everything in place, or use a makeup sponge when I want to apply more product to specific areas. Maybelline currently offers the powder in eight shades and describes it as helping to control shine and smooth the appearance of skin texture.
What I especially like is the flexibility. I do not need to use it the exact same way every time.
When I want a more natural finish, I use a light hand. If I need more help controlling shine, I focus a little extra product through my T-zone.
One thing I noticed in my original review still holds true: if you have very oily skin, you may need to touch up throughout the day. I would rather be honest about that than pretend one powder will keep every skin type perfectly matte from morning until night.
Best for: Anyone who wants an affordable loose powder for setting makeup, controlling shine, or lightly baking specific areas.
Best Bronzer – Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer
The Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer is one of the drugstore makeup products I feel can genuinely stand next to more expensive bronzers.
The texture is a huge part of what makes it special. Even though it is a powder bronzer, it has a soft, almost creamy feel that blends into the skin without looking harsh or patchy.
The current formula includes murumuru, cupuaçu, and tucuma butters, and Physicians Formula describes it as having a soft texture that combines qualities of both powder and cream products. The current lineup also includes multiple shades and bronzing tones.
I personally love how easily it blends. I do not want to spend forever trying to fix a bronzer stripe on the side of my face, especially when I am trying to get ready quickly!
The finish also has some radiance to it, so this may not be the bronzer for someone looking for an extremely flat, completely matte contour product. For the natural warmth I usually want, though, that little bit of life in the finish is exactly why I like it.
This is another longtime favorite that beauty editors still continue to mention for its blendability and radiant finish.
Best for: Anyone who wants an easy-to-blend powder bronzer that gives the skin soft, natural-looking warmth
Best Blush – Milani Baked Blush
I absolutely love baked powder blushes because of the natural look they can give the cheeks.
For a long time, I struggled to find an affordable blush that gave me the finish and pigmentation I wanted. Then I tried the Milani Baked Blushes.
These blushes are pigmented, but I can still build them slowly, which is exactly how I prefer to apply blush. I would much rather add another light layer than accidentally put one giant patch of color on my cheek!
Milani currently offers 11 shades in the Baked Blush lineup. The blushes are baked on Italian terracotta tiles and come in luminous satin and shimmer finishes. They are also described as richly pigmented and buildable.
The Luminoso shade is still my absolute favorite.
There is something about that shade that works so beautifully during the summer months. It adds color without making my makeup look too heavy, and the luminous finish gives my cheeks a little extra life.
Cream and liquid blushes may be having their moment right now, but I am not giving up a powder blush that still works for me just because another format is trending. Current beauty roundups continue to recognize Milani Baked Blush as a strong affordable option too.
Best for: Anyone who loves a buildable, luminous powder blush and wants plenty of color without a luxury price.
Best Highlighter – Wet n Wild MegaGlo Highlighting Power
I have always loved Wet n Wild because the products can be so inexpensive, and the brand has released some of the coolest and cutest collaborations over the years.
For those who know me, I absolutely love anything Disney!
A few years ago, Wet n Wild released a Lilo & Stitch collection that included a bronzing and highlighting palette. I immediately knew I wanted it, and thankfully, my husband surprised me with one for my birthday! (Best husband right? – Husband lol)
But even outside of the Disney collaborations, I genuinely love the Wet n Wild MegaGlo Highlighting Powder.
This is one of my favorite affordable powder highlighters because it does not feel overly chalky. The formula is smooth, blendable, and easy to build depending on how much glow I want.
Wet n Wild currently describes MegaGlo as a silky, highly pigmented powder with a luminous finish, and current shades include Golden Flower Crown, Precious Petals, and Blossom Glow.
Golden Flower Crown is still one of my favorites, and Precious Petals is another beautiful option.
I can apply a small amount for a softer highlight or build it up when I want my cheekbones to catch more light. That flexibility is exactly what I want from a powder highlighter.
Best for: Anyone who wants an inexpensive, buildable powder highlighter that can go from a soft glow to something more noticeable.
Best Mascara – Maybelline Great Lash Mascara
I know there are newer and trendier mascaras on the market in 2026.
Maybelline Sky High, Essence Lash Princess, L’Oréal Voluminous, and plenty of newer formulas get a lot of attention for dramatic length or volume. I have tried many mascaras over the years too.
But Maybelline Great Lash is still one of those classic products I cannot leave off this list.
There is something to be said for a mascara that has been around since 1971 and is still recognizable the second you see that pink and green tube. The current washable formula uses a small brush and is designed to create buildable, natural-looking volume while lengthening and conditioning the lashes.
That is also why I am calling it my best classic drugstore mascara instead of pretending it is automatically the best mascara for every person and every lash goal.
If you want the most extreme length possible, another formula may suit you better. If you want a giant false-lash effect, there are newer mascaras designed specifically for that too.
But when I want something familiar, easy to work with, and good for everyday definition, Great Lash still earns a place in my collection.
Even current beauty coverage still recognizes it as a standout washable classic, although newer formulas now lead many of the lengthening and volumizing categories.
Best for: Anyone who wants a classic, easy-to-use mascara for buildable everyday definition rather than the most extreme lash effect possible.
Best Eyeliner – L’Oreal Paris Makeup Infallible Never Fail Eyeliner
The L’Oréal Infallible Never Fail Eyeliner is one of the closest affordable alternatives I have found to the type of creamy pencil eyeliner I love from higher-end brands.
Personally, it reminds me of the smooth glide I get from the Urban Decay 24/7 pencils, but at a much easier price to justify for an everyday eyeliner.
The mechanical pencil includes a built-in sharpener and smudging tool, so I do not have to carry anything extra with me. L’Oréal currently describes the formula as smudge-resistant with up to 16 hours of wear.
What matters most to me, though, is how it performs when I actually wear it.
I love using pencil eyeliner on my waterline, and there is nothing worse than checking a mirror later in the day and realizing the liner has traveled everywhere.
This one has always given me more peace of mind. I can get the definition I want without constantly worrying that I am slowly turning into a raccoon as the day goes on! (lol)
Best for: Anyone who wants a creamy, long-wearing mechanical pencil eyeliner with a built-in smudger and sharpener.
Best Brow Pencil – L’Oreal Paris Brow Stylist Definer Waterproof Eyebrow Pencil
This is one of my favorite drugstore makeup products, period.
The L’Oréal Brow Stylist Definer Waterproof Eyebrow Pencil is also one of the products I still recommend in my guide to the best eyebrow products because it continues to give me natural-looking results without making my brow routine more complicated than it needs to be.
For the longest time, products like the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz were the standard I compared other brow pencils with. The L’Oréal pencil gives me a similar ultra-fine pencil-and-spoolie setup at a much more affordable price.
The retractable pencil has a 0.5 mm tip for creating small, hair-like strokes, a built-in spoolie on the opposite end, and a waterproof formula. It is now available in 10 shades.
That last part is an important and very welcomed update from L’Oreal because when I originally reviewed this item article, they only had eight shades at the time!
I especially like this pencil for filling in sparse areas without completely redrawing my brows. The fine tip gives me control, and the spoolie makes it easy to soften everything afterward.
Best for: Anyone who wants a precise, easy-to-use drugstore brow pencil for natural-looking, hair-like strokes.
Best Eyeshadow Palette – NYX Professional Makeup Ultimate Shadow Palette
To all of my beauty enthusiasts out there, we all know how buying an eyeshadow palette can get expensive very quickly, especially when you start looking at high-end brands. (For our new beauty enthusiasts, be prepared! LOL)
That is why I still think the NYX Ultimate Shadow Palette offers such great value.
Each palette includes 16 shades, and the current formula includes a mixture of pigmented mattes, metallics, and shimmers. NYX describes the current palettes as vegan with true-to-pan color payoff.
For everyday makeup, Warm Neutrals is still the type of palette I naturally reach for. I can create a simple work look, something quick for running errands, or build a deeper eye look without needing several different palettes open in front of me.
One thing I have changed from my original review is the specific palette selection I mention. NYX rotates shades and palette variations over time, so I would rather recommend the overall Ultimate Shadow Palette formula and tell you the option I personally use than pretend every older color story will always be available.
The biggest value for me is the versatility. Sixteen shades give me enough room to create multiple looks without spending the price of a luxury palette.
Best for: Anyone who wants a versatile, affordable eyeshadow palette with enough shades and finishes to create both everyday and more dramatic looks.
Best Lip Liner – NYX Professional Makeup Line Loud Vegan Longwear Lip Liner
NYX has always been one of my favorite drugstore makeup brands for lip products, and the Line Loud Vegan Longwear Lip Liner is a great example of why.
This product was previously listed in my article under its older, shortened name, so that is one update I definitely wanted to fix.
What I like about Line Loud is that it gives me the long wear I want without feeling like I am dragging a dry pencil across my lips.
The current formula contains jojoba oil and vitamin E and has a smooth, soft-matte finish. NYX also describes it as waterproof and resistant to transferring, fading, and smudging.
There is also a broad selection of colors, which makes it easier to find something that works with the lipsticks and glosses already in your collection.
I am purposely not giving an exact shade count here because active color selections can change as shades are added, discontinued, or temporarily unavailable. I would rather give you information that does not become outdated a month after publishing it!
Best for: Anyone who wants a creamy, comfortable lip liner with strong wear and plenty of shade options.
Best Liquid Lipstick – NYX Professional Makeup Shine Loud, Long-Lasting Liquid Lipstick
When I want a liquid lip product that is actually designed for long wear, NYX Shine Loud High Shine Lip Color is still one of my favorites.
This is not a traditional one-step liquid lipstick. The product is dual-ended, with pigmented color on one side and a clear glossy top coat on the other.
The color is designed for up to 16 hours of transfer-resistant wear. After applying the pigmented base, NYX recommends allowing it to dry for about 30 to 60 seconds before adding the glossy top coat.
That second step is what makes this product so interesting to me.
I get the bold color and longer wear I want, but the clear gloss gives it that shiny finish without making my lips feel like I put a traditional sticky gloss over everything.
One thing to know before buying it: long-wearing formulas can take more effort to remove. NYX recommends using an oil-based makeup remover, and I agree that this is not the type of lip product I would try to scrub off with water alone.
Current beauty experts continue to recognize Shine Loud as a standout transfer-resistant drugstore lip option too.
Best for: Anyone who wants bold, glossy lip color with much longer wear than a traditional lip gloss.
Best Cream Lipstick: Maybelline Color Sensational (The Creams)
Lipstick was one of the hardest categories for me to narrow down because there are so many excellent affordable formulas.
In the end, I still come back to the Maybelline Color Sensational The Creams Cream Finish Lipstick.
I wanted to make the exact product name clearer in this update because Color Sensational is a larger Maybelline lip family with different formulas. The version I am recommending here is specifically The Creams.
These lipsticks have the comfortable, creamy feel I want from a traditional bullet lipstick. The current formula contains shea butter, and Maybelline describes it as giving the lips smooth, supple color without feathering or bleeding.
I love a long-wearing matte lip in the right situation, but I do not always want my lipstick to feel dry.
This is the type of formula I reach for when comfort matters just as much as color. There are options across the nude, pink, red, and plum families, so it is easy to find something for an everyday look or a bolder lip.
Best for: Anyone who wants a traditional creamy lipstick that feels comfortable and smooth on the lips.
Best Lip Gloss – NYX Professional Makeup Butter Gloss
The NYX Butter Gloss is so good that it continues to beat many of the more expensive lip glosses I have tried.
I recommended it in my original best makeup products article, and it still has a place in my makeup collection today.
The formula is smooth, comfortable, and—most importantly for me—not overly sticky.
NYX currently describes Butter Gloss as having sheer-to-medium coverage, and it can be worn alone or layered over lip liner and lipstick. The brand continues to offer a very broad assortment of shades and finishes.
I love that I can apply a small amount when I only want some shine or build the color when I want the gloss to stand more on its own.
This is also one of the products where my personal experience matches what current makeup professionals are still recommending. Butter Gloss continues to show up in expert-approved affordable beauty roundups.
My only real downside is the obvious one: it is still a gloss. You are going to need to reapply it more often than a long-wearing liquid lipstick.
I am completely fine with that tradeoff because I would rather reapply a comfortable gloss than wear something that feels sticky or heavy for hours.
Best for: Anyone who wants a smooth, comfortable, non-sticky everyday lip gloss with plenty of shade options.
How to Choose the Best Drugstore Makeup Products for You
One of the biggest mistakes you can make when shopping for makeup is assuming that a product is automatically right for you just because everyone else loves it.
Makeup is personal!
Start With the Product You Use the Most
You do not need to replace your entire makeup collection at once.
Think about what you actually use every day. If concealer is the one product you never leave the house without, start there. If you love lip products but rarely wear foundation, it makes more sense to spend your time finding the right lipstick or gloss.
Build your collection around your real routine instead of the routine you think you are supposed to have.
Consider Your Skin Type
This is especially important for foundation, primer, and powder.
Someone with oily skin may want more help controlling shine, while someone with dry skin may care more about hydration and avoiding formulas that emphasize flaky areas.
The same product can look completely different on two people, and that does not mean either person is wrong.
Think About the Finish You Actually Like
Do you want your foundation to look matte, natural, or dewy?
Do you like a completely matte blush, or do you enjoy some luminosity?
Do you want your highlighter to look subtle, or do you want people to see it from across the room?
Knowing the finish you enjoy can save you from buying a “great” product that you will never actually wear.
Do Not Assume More Expensive Always Means Better
I own and love high-end makeup, so I am definitely not going to tell you that expensive products are never worth the money.
Sometimes they are!
But I also do not believe in paying more simply because a product has a luxury name on the packaging.
Some of the products on this list have stayed in my routine because they perform exactly the way I need them to. I would rather spend more money in a category where I genuinely notice the difference and save where a drugstore makeup product already makes me happy.
Give Yourself Time to Build Your Collection
You do not need 15 new products because you read a list of 15 recommendations.
Start with one or two things that fill a real need in your makeup collection. Use them. See how they perform with the skincare and products you already own.
That is a much better way to build a makeup collection than buying everything at once and realizing half of it does not fit your routine.
Final Thoughts on the Best Drugstore Makeup Products
Updating this article reminded me why I love drugstore makeup so much. There are always going to be new launches, viral products, and beauty trends. Some of them will absolutely be worth trying. But newer does not automatically mean better, and a product does not stop working just because it is no longer the one everyone is talking about.
Some of my favorites on this list, like Maybelline Great Lash, are classics. Others, like L’Oréal Brow Stylist Definer and NYX Butter Gloss, continue to hold their own against products that cost much more.
If I had to narrow this entire list down even further, L’Oréal True Match Super-Blendable Foundation, Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer, L’Oréal Brow Stylist Definer, and NYX Butter Gloss would be some of the first products I would tell a friend to look at.
The most important thing is finding makeup that works for your skin, your routine, and your budget.
You absolutely do not need to spend a fortune to create a makeup collection you love.
What drugstore makeup product do you swear by? Is there something affordable you would choose over the high-end version every single time? Let me know in the comments!