10 Awesome Drugstore Beauty Buys

Beauty

by Alison Baitz

February 13, 2012

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There’s just something so satisfying about accessible, affordable products that just plain work.

Our #1 genie-in-a-bottle wish? Unlimited funds for clothes. #2? Bottomless fund for beauty products, of course. Sure, it’d be great if we were all 1%-ers who were on a best-friend-basis with the nice ladies at the department store cosmetic counters. But out of necessity (read: being broke) comes beauty: there’s just something so satisfying about accessible, affordable products that just plain work. Here are 10 awesome items that are lingering on a shelf near you, quietly waiting to be recognized for their effectiveness. Whether you want to add some color to your lips, definition to your lids, or silkiness to your skin, your neighborhood drugstore’s got you covered.

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Maybelline Lasting Drama by EyeStudio Gel Eyeliner

This gel eyeliner comes in a cool little glass tub; with one swipe of the included brush, you’ve got a super-dramatic (and easy!) eye look.

$9.99 at Drugstore.com.
Wet n Wild Megalast Nail Color

And the award for best under-$2 nail polish goes to...

$1.99 at Rite Aid.
Almay Liquid Eyeliner Pen

Drugstore makeup brands are finally getting hip to the fact that felt-tip eyeliner pens are crucial. They are super easy to use and make crafting a cat-eye effect a total breeze. But, like most things, not every incarnation is great (trust, many have been trialed). Happily, this Almay pen is the real deal.

$7.49 at Drugstore.com.
Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser

This gentle daily cleanser leaves skin silky smooth — enough to make your average exfoliation addict come around!

$11.99 at Drugstore.com.
Rimmel Soft Kohl Kajal Eye Pencil

This eye pencil is as soft as the name suggests, and cheap enough to enable you to experiment with fun colors (hint: get it in white!)

$3.59 at Drugstore.com.
Revlon Nail Enamel

Serious props to Revlon for making quality nail polish in every possible color under the sun.

$4.79 at Drugstore.com.
Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm

Subtle post-popsicle lips with one easy swipe – and with proven Burt's Bees moisturizer power.

$6.99 at Drugstore.com.
Revlon Just Bitten Lipstain + Balm

Not all lipstains were created equal. This one’s pigmentation and lastability are good, and the included lip balm is such a great idea.

$7.19 at Drugstore.com.
Burt's Bees Doctor Burt's Res-Q Ointment

Dry patches? Not anymore, once you apply this heavenly stuff, which by the way, smells so earthy and incredible.

$5.99 at Drugstore.com.
Avalon Organics Moisturizing Cream Shave

You'll never reach for the foam stuff again once you try this silky shave cream.

$8.45 at Drugstore.com.

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Maybelline Lasting Drama by EyeStudio Gel Eyeliner

This gel eyeliner comes in a cool little glass tub; with one swipe of the included brush, you’ve got a super-dramatic (and easy!) eye look.

$9.99 at Drugstore.com.
Wet n Wild Megalast Nail Color

And the award for best under-$2 nail polish goes to...

$1.99 at Rite Aid.
Almay Liquid Eyeliner Pen

Drugstore makeup brands are finally getting hip to the fact that felt-tip eyeliner pens are crucial. They are super easy to use and make crafting a cat-eye effect a total breeze. But, like most things, not every incarnation is great (trust, many have been trialed). Happily, this Almay pen is the real deal.

$7.49 at Drugstore.com.
Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser

This gentle daily cleanser leaves skin silky smooth — enough to make your average exfoliation addict come around!

$11.99 at Drugstore.com.
Rimmel Soft Kohl Kajal Eye Pencil

This eye pencil is as soft as the name suggests, and cheap enough to enable you to experiment with fun colors (hint: get it in white!)

$3.59 at Drugstore.com.
Revlon Nail Enamel

Serious props to Revlon for making quality nail polish in every possible color under the sun.

$4.79 at Drugstore.com.
Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm

Subtle post-popsicle lips with one easy swipe – and with proven Burt's Bees moisturizer power.

$6.99 at Drugstore.com.
Revlon Just Bitten Lipstain + Balm

Not all lipstains were created equal. This one’s pigmentation and lastability are good, and the included lip balm is such a great idea.

$7.19 at Drugstore.com.
Burt's Bees Doctor Burt's Res-Q Ointment

Dry patches? Not anymore, once you apply this heavenly stuff, which by the way, smells so earthy and incredible.

$5.99 at Drugstore.com.
Avalon Organics Moisturizing Cream Shave

You'll never reach for the foam stuff again once you try this silky shave cream.

$8.45 at Drugstore.com.

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Maybelline Lasting Drama by EyeStudio Gel Eyeliner

This gel eyeliner comes in a cool little glass tub; with one swipe of the included brush, you’ve got a super-dramatic (and easy!) eye look.

$9.99 at Drugstore.com.
Wet n Wild Megalast Nail Color

And the award for best under-$2 nail polish goes to...

$1.99 at Rite Aid.
Almay Liquid Eyeliner Pen

Drugstore makeup brands are finally getting hip to the fact that felt-tip eyeliner pens are crucial. They are super easy to use and make crafting a cat-eye effect a total breeze. But, like most things, not every incarnation is great (trust, many have been trialed). Happily, this Almay pen is the real deal.

$7.49 at Drugstore.com.
Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser

This gentle daily cleanser leaves skin silky smooth — enough to make your average exfoliation addict come around!

$11.99 at Drugstore.com.
Rimmel Soft Kohl Kajal Eye Pencil

This eye pencil is as soft as the name suggests, and cheap enough to enable you to experiment with fun colors (hint: get it in white!)

$3.59 at Drugstore.com.
Revlon Nail Enamel

Serious props to Revlon for making quality nail polish in every possible color under the sun.

$4.79 at Drugstore.com.
Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm

Subtle post-popsicle lips with one easy swipe – and with proven Burt's Bees moisturizer power.

$6.99 at Drugstore.com.
Revlon Just Bitten Lipstain + Balm

Not all lipstains were created equal. This one’s pigmentation and lastability are good, and the included lip balm is such a great idea.

$7.19 at Drugstore.com.
Burt's Bees Doctor Burt's Res-Q Ointment

Dry patches? Not anymore, once you apply this heavenly stuff, which by the way, smells so earthy and incredible.

$5.99 at Drugstore.com.
Avalon Organics Moisturizing Cream Shave

You'll never reach for the foam stuff again once you try this silky shave cream.

$8.45 at Drugstore.com.