I started wearing less makeup after having kids, so over the past couple of years I’ve sought out more budget-friendly drugstore replacements for some of my favorite products and brands. It didn’t make sense for me to spend a lot on mascara that I would only wear once or twice a month, and there are some really amazing drugstore products that rival the quality of much pricier brands!

1) Wet and Wild Brandywine #666 – A makeup artist introduced this cult lipliner to me over a decade ago, and I still use it all the time. It’s a brownish neutral color that looks great on everyone.

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2) Prestige Waterproof Lipliner in Natural – I’ve been using this for 2 decades! It’s a slightly pinker version of Mac’s Spice, and once you apply it, it really stays put the entire day.

3) Revlon Lip Butter – I love Revlon’s Lip Butter line for a quick, natural, moisturizing swipe of color on my lips. Peach Parfait is my favorite color.

4) NYX Mega Shine Lip Gloss – I think NYX is my favorite drugstore makeup line. I’ve loved everything I’ve tried! Their gloss comes in great shades, isn’t too sticky and smells great.

5) Revlon Colorstay Foundation – My makeup artist friend swears by this foundation and I’ve used it for several weddings. It really stays on and provides beautiful coverage. (If you’re looking for a bb cream, I’ve heard great things about Maybelline’s Dream Fresh.)

6) L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara – I really love high end mascaras, but I can’t justify spending that much on them when I wear makeup so infrequently. I’ve tried most of the drugstore brands but always come back to L’Oreal’s Voluminous for thick, lush lashes!

7) Ardell Individual Short Lashes – I first learned how to wear these individual lashes when I was 18, and I’ve been addicted since. They make such a huge difference and look so natural, most people have no idea that you’re wearing false eyelashes. There can be a bit of a learning curve at first, but once you get the hang of it, it’ll take you 5-10 minutes tops. The short lashes works best for my Asian eyes that don’t have double lids, but medium looks great too.

Duo Eyelash glue – This is the only glue I’ve ever used and I’ve never had a problem with lashes falling off. I wore false lashes to a J Crew event a couple of years ago, and they had bicycle carts carrying people around. I rode for several blocks in windy weather, and nary a lash fell off!

8) NYX Eye Shadows – NYX eyeshadows feel so much more luxe than they cost. They have many colors that are dupes for MAC’s shadows, and now they are my go-to eye shadow brand.

9) Milani Baked Powder Blush 05 Luminoso – Milani’s highly pigmented blushes are reminiscent of NARS blushes.

10) Maybelline Gel Eyeliner – I’ve been a fan of gel eyeliner since it first came out because it does not budge or flake like most pencil or liquid liners I’ve tried. But because I was wearing it so infrequently, they were drying out. I was so glad to find this affordable replacement for Bobbi Brown’s gel liner and MAC’s Fluidline that works just as well!

What are some of your favorite drugstore beauty products and colors? I’d love to discover some new favorites!