Time for another Just 5 Things post! The last one was so much fun and I absolutely loved learning about your favorite US travel destinations. Must visit list = officially expanded.
Today I’m sharing my 5 favorite drugstore beauty products because, believe it or not, one of the most popular posts on IGE for years, which still gets quite a few hits today, is the one I wrote on The Best Skincare Advice I’ve Ever Received. What can I say, people like healthy happy skin almost as much as they like crock pot recipes. I totally get it! ?
While I still religiously follow the advice I was given to achieve smooth skin, I’ve changed the products I use up just a bit. That said, I still buy all of them from the drugstore. I think there’s something to be said for $100 bottles of ancient melon-infused anti-aging serum, and there are a few higher end/department store products I use, but there’s also something to be said for a product I can pick up at CVS for $10 that works well too. Ya feel me?
I also thought it’d be fun to share a couple of my favorite makeup products if you’re up for trying something new. Oh and hair – can’t forget about hair! If you have impossible, won’t-hold-a-curl-for-anything hair like I do, definitely pick up a bottle of the style-holding spray I swear by.
Do us a huge favor and leave your favorite drugstore beauty picks in the comments below!Â
1. Neutrogena Makeup Remover Towelettes
One of my weird quirks is refusing to wash my face at the sink – the dripping, the splashing…I can’t. That said, Neutrogena’s Makeup Remover Towelettes are my saving grace at night. No water needed, soft and gentle on my skin, plus they remove everything, including waterproof eyeliner and mascara. And while I do follow up with face lotion, the towelettes leave my skin feeling nice and silky as if I’ve also applied a light moisturizer. MUST HAVE.
2. Maybelline Unstoppable EyelinerÂ
Maybe she’s born with it – oh wait, nope, it’s definitely makeup. ? Although I never wear eyeshadow I MUST wear eyeliner. I’ll never forget the time in college when I came to class with no eyeliner on and my friend said to me, “oh! You’re not wearing eyeliner!” Like, Kristin without eyeliner is not Kristin. Good story, but seriously, Maybelline’s Unstoppable Eyeliner has been a staple of mine for over a decade. It goes on super, super smooth and stays PUT. I don’t know what I’ll do if it’s ever discontinued!
3. Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture Sensitive SkinÂ
My facial skin is a huge PITA. It’s extremely sensitive, so no brushes, peels or masks, and also combination oily and dry. Major ?. That said, I’ve tried a ton of different moisturizers and they’re either too oily or too drying but, as Goldilocks would say, Neutrogena’s Oil-Free Moisture Sensitive Skin is juuuuust right. I use this every morning and while it’s very hydrating, it’s not too heavy. The bottle seems to last forever, too.
4. Physician’s Formula Light BronzerÂ
I’ve been using this very natural-looking bronzer for years and years. Target stopped carrying it at one point and I about lost my mind – luckily it’s still readily available at CVS and Ulta (and I think maybe Sephora?) At any rate, I love this bronzer because it’s shimmer and sparkle-free. There’s a time and a place for both but not as an everyday look, right? You only need the teeniest, tiniest amount too, so the palette lasts for months and months.
5. Redken Iron Shape 11 Finishing Thermal SprayÂ
My hair is stick straight and refuses to hold a curl for longer than 10 minutes. The stylist who did my hair for the last wedding I was in used 5 – yes, FIVE – kinds of hairspray and my ‘do was still a stringy mess by the end of the night. This Redken Thermal Spray is the only product I’ve ever tried that keeps a curl in my hair, plus it smells SO good! I pair it with my curling wand and the waves stay overnight. So, so happy I found this product after searching for something like it all my life.
Honorable mention – Candy Cane Chapstick
Another weird quirk alert (I’m full of ’em!) I hate having lipstick, lip stain, lip gloss, etc on my lips. First of all I don’t like the way it looks on me but more importantly the feeling of anything sticky or glossy is just bleeeeech. Give me chapstick or give me…chapstick! I’m never without a tube nearby and the Candy Cane flavor is my everything. Love that tingly feeling after applying, and fresh, minty scent!
What are your drugstore beauty product must-haves?!
Pam 03.15.2017
Bonnie Bell Lip Smackers in Dr. Pepper flavor has been my all-time favorite since I was 14 (I’m 56 now)! I buy ’em by the handful – keep one in the purse, my work desk, the gym bag, in my supply stash at home. It has a great smell & flavor, gives a slight hint of color. I’ve tried other flavors & brands of lip gloss, color, stick & stain over the years, but this is the one constant for me.
Terri 03.15.2017
Wow, I didn’t know Bonnie Bell was still being made! I used it as a teenager. Where do you buy it?
Jacquie Garcia 03.28.2017
This has wheat in the formula! No Bonne Belle for my girls, sadly… ;-(
Char R 03.15.2017
I love Neutrogena products!! The oil free moistrizer is THE best!
Ashley G 03.15.2017
ELF under-eye setting powder…Ah-mazing as Sofia the First would say :)
laurie 03.15.2017
I am soooooo with you on the chapstick thing!! I have one in every coat pocket, car, purse, kitchen counter, bathroom and any other place you can think of to keep one! My family thinks I’m crazy!
Patricia 03.15.2017
Physicians Formula is the only ethical, cruelty-free company that does not test on animals. I’m personally unwilling to utilize a product that merely makes my life easier that harms an animal in the process.
Terri 03.15.2017
I apply Aveeno facial moisturizer in the morning and at bedtime. I use Rimmel mascara.
Lisa @ TechChick Adventures 03.15.2017
Interesting! I always wondered why they made facial towelettes, and now I know!! That being said, I like to wash my face with the Target (Up & Up) brand of facial cleanser – Morning Burst. I have sensitive skin but it’s very gentle on it. Also, Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover is pretty awesome too.
Ashley @ Whiskers and Weights 03.15.2017
My #1 drug store product right now is the Maybelline single shadow in Nude Glow. My favorite shadow was copper penny from Clinique (thanks mom!) and they discontinued it. I didn’t even know this until I was pretty much out of the one I had. Turns out Nude Glow is almost the exact match. It is a little more soft and a bit more pink than the Clinique one but it definitely packs on pigment and stays there all day!
Linda 03.15.2017
I love Neutrogena face wipes too! I also love drugstore beauty blenders. Have you ever tried Lipsense? Its not like traditional lipstick or stain. It doesn’t have wax like chapstick so it hydrates your lips. It lasts 4-12 hours too. Its also gluten free! It is glossy, but once your lips are hydrated you wouldn’t need chapstick. It has a 100% money-back guarantee. I am a distributor of Lipsense and would be happy to answer any questions (linda.rae.schott@gmail.com).
D 03.15.2017
I’ve tried all kinds of face wash towelettes and keep coming back to Pond’s Luminous Clean. They recently changed the “towel” though to a little less friction (a little less like an actual wash cloth feel) but still my favorite to use. Those with the smooth towel just glide across the face and I can’t stand that feeling or the feeling it doesn’t get my face clean. Blistex Medicated Lip Ointment has been my favorite and must have for everyday for many years. Alba Original Very Emollient Unscented Body Lotion is favorite lotion. And I use just a tad “organic extra virgin cold pressed coconut oil” on my face and neck (warm a smidgen in my palms to apply it liquid form to my skin). Dab off any excess not absorbed in a few minutes before applying make up, or leave as is over night for night treatment. I too have very sensitive skin and my face will break out pretty easily too with just about any products so I was surprised that the coconut oil does not do that and actually improved my skin. This type (organic and unprocessed) coconut oil is naturally antimicrobial. I’m going to try the Redken heat spray and peppermint chap stick! Love your blog!
Carey 03.15.2017
HA that is so funny you mentioned the candy cane chapstick. That stuff is my absolute JAM- I buy tons of it every year at Christmas and have gotten all of my friends hooked. For some reason the formula is so much better than the other chapsticks. Ugh love.
Sara 03.15.2017
Trader Joe’s Nourish Antioxidant Facial Serum – I apply this in the morning and at night before I moisturize and I swear I can see a difference!
Shea Moisture shampoo and conditioner (they also have a baby/kids line that I use on my son). My hair is so shiny after using this! And everything smells AMAZING.
It’s a 10 leave in conditioner!
Kari 03.15.2017
I definitely agree with the ‘It’s a 10’ leave-in conditioner! That product totally changed my hair for the better. A must try.
Julie 03.15.2017
I am the same way about washing my face in the sink! I’ve actually been using the CVS brand makeup remover wipes for years. Just as good, if not better, than the brand names and cheaper.
Beth 03.15.2017
1. Almay eye makeup remover pads; 2. Up & Up dual effects moisturizer with salicylic acid (notice this was one of your faves from your skin care post too); 3. Vaseline – for lips; 4. Mary Kay lip gloss in Pink Lustre; and 5. Coppertone Water Babies sunscreen. I used to use Clean & Clear cleanser but now that my skin is less oily (one benefit to aging), I use Dove soap for sensitive skin.
Sharon 03.15.2017
Is chapstick brand gluten free? I get so frusterated trying to find safe beauty products?
Kristin 03.15.2017
Yes! ??
Tracie 03.15.2017
I love that Neutrogena moisturizer too! I decided to save money and buy the Target brand version of it recently, and it’s just not the same!
Kristin 03.15.2017
Totally agree! I used to buy the Target version too, and found it was worth it to spend a few extra bucks.
Abby 03.15.2017
OMG, SO with you on not washing your face at the sink. Biggest. Mess. Ever. Also, totally with ya on the chapstick v. lipstick thing. I ALWAYS have a tube of mint chapstick on hand. There have been a few discontinuation scares, but it’s still going strong (for now). My hair won’t hold a curl either- may have to try this product…. you spray onto curls after? Or is it something you use before curling?
Kristin 03.15.2017
You can use on wet or dry hair – I usually spray it on before drying though. My hair is also SUPER staticky in the winter time and it really helps with that too, even if I’m not curling my hair!
Carrie this fit chick 03.15.2017
DARN, literally just bought some heat protectant spray yesterday and wish I had seen this.. oh well, they all work the same, right-hah? I also use a retractable eyeliner, but I use Rimmel!
Kristin 03.15.2017
Next time!! ;)
Courtney 03.15.2017
Love these posts!! I think my favorite recent drugstore purchase is Garnier Micellar Water. I use it with a cotton round as my face wash in the morning + after washing my face at night. It leaves my skin feeling incredibly soft and clean and removes everything!
Kristin 03.15.2017
I’ve been so curious about the new “waters” that have hit the market recently – I will give this a try!!
Josie 03.15.2017
Another vote for micellar water! The skin around my eyes gets dried out and irritated easily, so this has been great to take off makeup without any irritation.
Erin 03.15.2017
Agree with the micellar water!
Jill 03.16.2017
Another vote for Micellar water! I also use makeup removal cloths and use micellar water after, I’m shocked at how dirty my face still is! It’s super gentle and works so well. I buy Ganier and it lasts a long time.
EM 03.15.2017
Target had a special edition Burt’s Bee’s pumpkin spice lip balm in 2016… I stocked up. Also in the fall Trader Joe’s has a pumpkin body butter… and for under $5!! I also really like all things Aveeno (I still miss the blueberry and goji body lotion they used to have.) The lavender scented lotion and shower gels have a nice light scent without being chemical or overpowering.
I also like Bath and Body Works products (although mostly the older stuff…I especially like Plumeria) and when you can stock up at the sales it can be as inexpensive if not more so than the drugstore products.
Kristin 03.15.2017
I’m a sucker for anything lavender these days – the smell reminds me of my kids since that’s what we use for bath and bed time. I’ll check that product out!