Types Of Makeup You Should Just Buy At The Drugstore

Should I splurge, or should I save? It's the ultimate debate many people go through when makeup shopping. On the one hand, some feel that investing in high-end makeup may guarantee good makeup days. But on the other hand, some argue that there are equally high-performing drugstore brands. Gabriel Almodovar, a makeup artist who works for Maybelline, told Better Homes and Gardens, "There's not a huge difference between drugstore and prestige these days. Oftentimes, technology from prestige products makes its way down to the mass market level, so the ingredients are very similar."

That's because several large cosmetic companies own both drugstore and high-end labels. For example, L'Oreal also owns Lancome, Urban Decay, and Maybelline (per Insider). That means that the formulas are often similar and could be made in the same labs. Drugstore formulas have also improved drastically over the years as the beauty market has become increasingly competitive. In fact, Almodovar told Better Homes and Gardens that he mainly stocks drugstore eyeliner pencils in his professional kit. Of course, there are certain types of makeup where there is still a discernible difference between the high-end and drugstore versions. If you want to read about the kinds of drugstore makeup that are just as good as the high-end version, keep scrolling to find out.

Out of all the makeup products, mascara is one you should buy at the drugstore, as per Better Homes and Gardens. Because mascara is especially susceptible to bacterial growth, you are advised to throw it out every three to six months. In addition, several drugstore mascaras work just as well, if not better, than their higher-end counterparts. The Essence Lash Princess Mascara line is only $5 each, and PopSugar claims their "False Lash Effect" mascara will have people wondering if you're wearing fake lashes. If you want the look of a lash perm, then Yahoo Life recommends L'Oreal Paris Bambi Eye Mascara.

There are also several great drugstore eyeliners. Beauty News on YouTube recommends the Maybelline Tattoo Studio Eyeliner and Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Gel Pencil. If you want a liquid eyeliner with the ultimate fine tip for extra sharp lines, Elite Daily recommends Maybelline EyeStudio Hyper Easy Liquid Eyeliner and CoverGirl Get In Line Liquid Eyeliner. Surprisingly, drugstore eyebrow products have come a long way as well. Arches and Halos Micro Defining Brow Pencil will give you fine, hair-like strokes to naturally fill your brows (via E! Online). For a microblade effect, Milani Weekend Brow Pen will provide a defined look that looks like natural eyebrow hairs (via Allure). According to Good Housekeeping, the $4 ELF Wow Brow Gel is a tinted brow gel with fibers that will make even the sparsest eyebrows look full and voluminous.

If you want to try the cream makeup trend, Jen Phelps on YouTube recommends Milani Cheek Kiss Blush as a great cream-to-powder formula that rivals high-end formulas and will give you a natural flush. A powder blush option that looks great on everyone, including those with drier, mature skin, is L'Oreal Age Perfect Radiant Satin Blush. You can also get an out-of-this-world glow and not break the bank by shopping for drugstore highlighters. Byrdie recommends Maybelline Facestudio Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter, Wet-n-Wild Megaglo Highlighter, and Colourpop Super Shock Highlighter as super-reflective highlighters that will melt into the skin.

Lastly, there are lipsticks that rival their higher-end counterparts. Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick and L'Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Liquid Lipstick formulas will last all day and not dry out your lips (via Tati). Tati also recommends Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick. The formula is a pigmented yet creamy bullet lipstick formula that rivals your favorite MAC lipstick. YouTuber Allie Glines recommends Wet-n-Wild Cloud Pout Marshmallow Lip Mousse for a comfortable feel and long-lasting color. The Elf Mint Melt Lip Gloss and Maybelline Lifter Gloss are wonderful plumping lip glosses that smell great, too (via Robert Welsh and Jessica Braun). It looks like you can look fabulous while saving money, too.