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?!
Jenna 03.20.2017
Love these 5 things posts! I also use the Neutrogena face wipes at night! I really like St. Ives products – body wash, lotion, and the Green Tea facial scrub (its more gentle than the apricot scrub). I also really like the Eos lip balm and Physicians formula mascara, eye shadow, and eye liner.
Traci 03.19.2017
I love reading these top 5 posts, and beauty is definitely welcome! :) My favorite drugstore products are:
1) Batiste dry shampoo
2) Rimmel argan oil mascara (copper tube) / just as good if not better than some expensive brands
3) NYX brand eyebrow powder, concealer (in the pot), and eyeshadow primer
Emily 03.19.2017
I also live by the Neutrogena Makeup Remover Towelettes. My skin is super sensitive and Neutrogena is the one that my skin will tolerate.
Anyone have any tips for under eye? I’ve been using Physician’s Formula Under Eye Concealer, but am wondering if there is anything that will cover it up better.
Heather K 03.17.2017
I am obsessed with CeraVe facial lotions!! I have adult acne and they are the only moisturizers that actually hydrate my skin, but don’t clog pores. And the price is great!! I used to be a Cetaphil girl, but my dermatologist recommended cerave and I’m hooked!
Kristin 03.17.2017
Same! I use their face wash in the shower!
Tracy 03.17.2017
I love these new “5 favorites” posts! Keep ’em coming!
Trisha 03.16.2017
Facial wipes are everything! I’m a huge fan of Burt’s Bees wipes. I’m also infatuated with e.l.f. Poreless Face Primer. See ya, pores!
Kristen 03.16.2017
I use the Garnier Anti-Puff Eye Roller EVERY morning. I’ve also been trying the new line of Kristin Ess hair products at Target – the dry texture spray and the instant thickening spray. They’re all $10-14.
Paula 03.16.2017
Not only do I love all things crockpot but I am also a makeup junkie! The crockpot gives me more time to play around with makeup products, LOL! Drugstore makeup has come a long way in the last few years and can definitely compete with the higher end cosmetics.
Right now I am so loving the Wet n Wild Photo Focus foundation. It really is the bomb, which totally surprised me. It really doesn’t sink into my fine lines and wrinkles and just looks amazing plus it’s only $5.99 how can you beat that? They also have another product that I am really loving right now and it’s their Coloricon Bronzer in Reserve your Cabana. Although they say it’s a bronzer it is much more of a highlighter and is an almost exact dupe for the Ambient Hourglass Powder and just gives your skin that lit from within glow that everyone wants, plus it’s only something like $4.
On to hair, I really don’t like to put a whole lot of products in my hair so my newest find is by Loreal and it’s called Air Dry It. They have a few different products in the line but I use the Un-done Style Cream it gives my hair the lift and bounce that you usually need a blowdryer to get. Oh yeah, I almost forgot Dove dry shampoo is a must have for me, I have fine hair and it can often look limp so a little sprayed onto my root area just lifts my hair.
I hope this wasn’t too long and if you try anything that I mentioned I sure would love to hear what you think of it!
Bets 03.16.2017
I love posts like these, they are so helpful. I’ve been looking for a good bronzer with no glitter and face wipes, thanks for sharing! I’d love to see a post about what type of products you use for the boys, like laundry detergent, soap, etc.
5 Favorite Drugstore Beauty Products | A Tasty Life 03.16.2017
[…] I use on a day-to-day basis that can be found at your local Walmart, Target or CVS. Â When I saw Kristen post about her five favorites, I was inspired to share my five drugstore beauty […]
Nancy 03.15.2017
Kristin, I also use the Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture sensitive skin as my daily moisturizer. I use Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer as my “makeup.” I subscribe to the less is more on makeup. I use Burt’s Bees mango moisturizing lip balm, and wear their lipsticks when necessary.
Julie D 03.15.2017
Hello Kristin! I’m wondering if you’ve ever heard of the Environmental Working Group app Healthy Living? You can scan products in and/or search for them by name to review their safety ratings. It was very scary for me as a new mom a few years ago to realize companies we know and trust are knowingly allowed to use harmful chemicals… those tied to cancer, endocrine disruption, and even allergies in all products as the FDA has only banned 30. The European Union bans nearly 1300. And yes, I work for Beautycounter, which bans nearly 1500 chemicals in all products… but we are a B corp with equal interest in people, planet, and profit. Educating people on the safety of their products is a huge passion project of mine. Hopefully that app suggestion is helpful.
Kristin L. 03.15.2017
Over the last year, I’ve been trying to switch to cruelty-free brands and have luckily found some great products at the drugstore. Milani Eye Shadow Primer (it works better for me than any of the expensive ones like Urban Decay or Too Faced), Wet N Wild Max Volume Plus mascara, Pixi Glow Tonic (a fave among beauty gurus and since I’ve hit 40 I knew I needed to start using an exfoliant on the regular), and (not cruelty free but I haven’t found a good replacement yet) Aveeno Eczema Relief hand lotion (in the winter, I always got dry patches between my fingers on my right hand and since I’ve started using this I haven’t gotten them at all. It’s been a miracle worker).
Alicia 03.15.2017
I agree Redken’s Iron Shape 11 Finishing Thermal Spray is the best. However please don’t buy professional hair care product at the drug store.
Susan 03.15.2017
I use Simple Micellar Water morning and night on my face and neck. Makes my skin feel so good! I buy it at Target.
Peekiesmom 03.15.2017
The blog you are reading is the evidence that she works really hard. I’m sure she is very appreciative of all she has and has alluded to it regularly. Also please note that she does live with a disease she will have forever, so maybe that will help you not resent her so much.
Maury 03.15.2017
I guess you are having a bad day….
Stacey M. 03.15.2017
Rude and uncalled for comment. Why don’t you share your name so we can all properly respond instead of hiding behind an “anonymous” screen name?
Alison 03.15.2017
Dove dry shampoo is a lifesaver for my fine, limp hair.
JennP 03.15.2017
I’ve always had ultra-sensitive skin, and – unfortunately for my wallet – it fares better when I spend more on my makeup and skincare products, but 5 drugstore must have for me are:
1.) Crest White Strips
2.) Burts Bees grapefruit chapstick
3.) Almay oil-free eyemakeup remover pads
4.) Nyx Brow Mascara
5.) Heritage Store Rosewater