Top 5 Drugstore Makeup Products

I'm thinking of starting a "Top 5" series where I focus on different areas (mainly cosmetic but, please, throw me other suggestions!). I thought I'd start with something every girl can relate to - drugstore makeup. Now, in the UK we don't call these shops drugstores but the phrase is slowly working its way over from the US and now that I actually can't remember what I used to call them before. Pharmacies, maybe? There are so many amazing products that are overlooked in the drugstore and, to be honest with you, a lot are actually better quality than high end brands. So if you, like I used to be, are quite "same-y" with your make up choices, branch out a little! You may be surprised with all the amazing things you can find - I certainly was.

First up is my absolute staple in my make up bag currently - my Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation. I heard so many YouTubers rant and rave about this last summer but I hadn't bought a drugstore foundation since I was about 13 so was very apprehensive about it because my skin tone is difficult to match. However, I bit the bullet and invested the £10.99 and I am so glad I did. I don't actually touch my high end foundation any more. This stuff, for a start, smells so nice and fruity which isn't something I'd normally expect from a foundation but when it has pictures of fruits on the front it hinted that it might. In two pumps, I have the perfect amount to cover my face and neck, and it has a really refreshing, cooling gel texture. The coverage is fairly medium, but it adds a lovely dewy look to the skin without being shiny (I have oily/combination skin and it doesn't make me look oily at all). It does what it says on the tin and actually makes you look healthy. It states to have 16 hour radiance boosting qualities, whilst giving your skin an even, revived complexion. I haven't ever timed how long it's lasted but it definitely lasts all day. It also states to be instant anti-fatigue due to it's fruity, vitamin rich formula and I'm not going to argue with them. It definitely makes me look more awake in the mornings than I feel and I've already bought two more for when I run out of this one which says it all really. I use the shade 52 Vanilla and the only negative about this product is that there aren't many shades available currently... So watch this space.

Secondly, again from Bourjois is their Color Boost Crayons. At £7.99 each, they ain't cheap, but boy are they so worth it. They're a more moisturising version of the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balmstains and, again, there isn't much of a variety when it comes to colour but out of the 5 available, I own four. They smell really nice and the colour payoff is amazing - I always get compliments when I wear them! They're like a chubby pencil of lipstick that you can twist from the bottom to push up. They claim to have 10 hours of staying power but I do like to reapply every few hours anyway out of habit. They're also SPF 15 - bonus! They're not heavy on the lips at all and are fairly sheer but definitely buildable - perfect for the coming spring!

While we're on Bourjois, I'll introduce my third favourite product. I probably should have made a rule that I can't use the same brand more than once but they are just bringing it lately! It's their Poudre de Riz Powder (rice powder) which is a very finely milled loose powder which I use as a subtle highlight for my cheekbones. Its packaging is just adorable, with its vintage style, and the product itself was brought back recently as it was one of their best selling products in the early 20th century (it sold over 2 million back then. And when you think about how long ago that was, that's incredible). It smells slightly floral, a little like my nan, but not over powering at all. It's actually quite comforting. It's so light to apply and so easy to wear, and at £8.99 it won't break the bank.

Fourth comes a product that isn't from Bourjois! Quelle surprise! It's the Maybelline Rocket Volum Express mascara. I frickin' love this stuff. I didn't think I could love a mascara as much as I do this one but I really, truly, do. It makes my lashes look so long, and doesn't clump them at all but still adds a nice amount of volume. Some people have said they really dislike this mascara for several reasons, one being that the wand is plastic-y and another being that the mascara doesn't "wash off" as the advert says. The wand, for a start, is amazing. I like it because it allows the product to really transfer onto your lashes. As for it not "washing off", I've never had a mascara that comes off easily. If it does, then I don't feel it's any good quality - I like my mascaras to stay put all day. It definitely does come off, but with make up remover. I'd recommend this mascara to anyone and at £7.99, again, it won't break the bank. I know you're meant to replace mascaras every few months but this baby has lasted almost three months now and isn't yet showing signs of drying out! Success!

And lastly, but definitely not least, is the MUA Undress Me Too palette. It's said to be a dupe for the Urban Decay Naked 2 palette, and at £4, it would have been rude not to give it a go. I don't own any of the Naked palettes so can't really compare the two, but I would recommend this to anyone who likes wearing neutral shimmery eyeshadow on a daily basis. It does tend to crease but only after wearing it, without primer, for a period of 8 or more hours. A simple swipe of a fingertip will fix this easily. It stays on all day and is definitely buildable. The MUA palettes in general are great value (12 eyeshadows for £4? Amazing), and I can't wait to invest in a few more soon! I've already swatched this one in a previous post which you can see here.

I hope this has been helpful to any of you who were looking to branch out when it comes to trying different drugstore make up! Let me know of any other "Top 5" blog posts you might like me to do!

What's your favourite drugstore product?

Until next time!

xxx