My Favorite Drugstore Products :)

So I have a crock-pot of White Chili cooking on the counter, I've finally gotten into my sweats and I'm curled up on the couch not doing my homework since my books haven't arrived yet. It's raining men [I wish, especially ones that resemble Tim Tebow] like crazy outside and has been all day. It's chilly for May - hence the pot of chili that smells wonderful by the way. 
Anyway, I feel like I've been neglecting this blog...and I don't want to do that so...


I think I'll list my favorite drugstore products. I think it's easy to write drugstore items off as "cheap" but there are some great products out there that I've fallen in love with; some that department store products can't hold a candle to.


The first "category" I'll mention will be haircare.
Two drugstore brands that I genuinely love for haircare are Suave and John Frieda. I love Suave because a) they are extremely inexpensive (less than $2/bottle) and b) they really do work wonders for my hair. My favorite line is the Suave Professionals and it's a toss up between Suave Professionals Vibrant Shine and Suave Professionals Rosemary and Mint for shampoo and conditioner. They both work about the same for my normal hair and they both smell amazing. My hair always feels shiny, smooth and soft after using either of these shampoos and conditioners. Now on to John Frieda. I think "he" makes fantastic "high-end" feeling shampoos and conditioners. They are a bit more expensive for a drugstore brand, about $7 a bottle/tube but I think they work well for colored/processed hair. His shampoos are generally aimed for fixing certain problems. I personally like the ones aimed for making blonde hair brighter and taking the brassiness out. I also love his Frizz-Ease line. All the products in that line make your hair smooth and tamed without weighing it down. My favorites are the John Frieda Frizz-Ease Daily Nourishment Leave-In Conditioning Spray and the Frizz-Ease 100% Shine Glossing Spray.


Another drugstore hair product that I recommend to anyone is the Pantene Pro-V  Restoratives Time Renewal Replenishing Mask. It retails for about $5 and last quite a long time. I use this mask about once a week instead of my normal conditioner and I only put it on about the bottom half of my hair. After I put a coat of this on I leave it on for about 3 minutes, I'll brush my teeth or shave my legs while it's "replenishing" my hair. Since I first bought this probably 2 years ago, I refuse to go without it. As soon as I get down to the bottom of the tub, I'll run out and purchase another because I think it is that good. 


The next product is TRESemme Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Protective Spray. I think this spray does a really good job of protecting your hair before you blow dry and before you straighten. I also like that it is inexpensive (about $5) and has a unique sprayer that is easy to use.


The last product I'm going to mention for haircare is the new L'Oréal Elnett StrongHold Hairspray. I have to admit, this is a "YouTube made me do it" type of product. I wanted needed to get it as soon as I heard about it. I've tried a ton of drugstore hairsprays. I tried the Herbal Essences one and the nozzle always got clogged, I've tried the Aussie one and it smelled like Grape Dimetapp. I've tried countless others and they all gave my hair a crunchy french fry texture...not cute. But when I sucked it up and bought this L'Oréal hairspray for (gasp!) $14.99, I didn't regret it. It made my hair stay in place but didn't change the look or feel of my hair. This hairspray also has the finest mist. The smell is just o.k., it smells like you would expect a hairspray to smell. I can live with it though, for what it does for my hair. I can still easily run my fingers through it - I'm in love. I don't use hairspray that often so I think hope this will last me a loooong time :)


Let's talk about skincare:
As a brand, I really like Clean&Clear. I feel like they have amazing products for people with acne-prone skin. I can't think of a time I was really "let down" by one of their products. My favorites are the face lotions. I like the Morning Glow Oil Free Moisturizer with SPF 15 because it really illuminates my skin and has an SPF for the day. I also like the Dual Action Moisturizer because it fights acne as it moisturizes. I just wish it had SPF!! I like their Advantage Acne Spot Treatment because it's the only spot treatment that gave me a noticeable difference overnight.


Another brand I'm rarely disappointed in is Aveeno. They are a little pricey but still affordable. They also use a lot of natural ingredients, which is good. My go to face wash, the one I've been using for at least a year now is the Aveeno Skin Brightening Daily Scrub. I honestly feel that it gives my skin a nice glow and does a good job as a daily exfoliator. I also love their Positively Smooth Shave Gel.


I can't talk about my favorite drugstore skincare products without mentioning St. Ive's. I never really realized how many products I own by St. Ive's until recently. My favorite product by them has to be the body washes. All of them. Especially the Oatmeal Shea one. All of them smell heavenly and moisturize like crazy. These are especially nice in the colder/drier months. I also love their lotions. My favorites are the Renewing Collagen Elastin Lotion as well as the Oatmeal Shea lotion. They all smell so warm and cozy and they're not at all greasy. Another St. Ive's product that I pretty much can't live without is their Apricot Scrub. I use the Blemish & Blackhead Control Apricot Scrub. It's good for a weekly exfoliator on your face and body. I really like how they make you feel like you have a clean slate and a fresh start with your skin by sloughing off all those dead skin cells.


I absolutely love Neutrogena products as well. I love their Pore Refining Toner. It's not too strong to where it dries out your skin but it definitely gets any remaining makeup out of your pores. Their sunblock is fabulous too. I use the Sensitive Skin Sunblock Lotion SPF 60. It's great.

Another product that I can't live without would be the Up & Up (Target's brand) makeup removing wipes. They are the best I've ever found and I've tried a lot of different brands. The towelettes are textured so it really gets all the makeup off and they smell nice. Plus for $3.49 for a pack of 30? Sold.


Now onto makeup:
I can think of a fantastic makeup item for just about every category that you can find at the drugstore. I'll just go by facial features.


Lips: I love Nivea's Kiss of Moisture Essential Lip Care. The most moisturizing, smooth feeling lip balm I've ever tried. I have one in my purse, one on my vanity, one on my nightstand and back ups all over the place.
I also love Revlon ColorBurst Lipstick. They are super creamy and they have a nice color selection. For lipgloss I gotta go with Maybelline Shine Sensational Lipgloss. They are long-lasting without being too sticky and they're shimmery but not glittery. The Milani 3D Glitzy Glamour Glosses are also fantastic if you want that sparkly look.


Eyes: I truly believe that drugstores have the best mascaras on the market. My absolute favorite is Rimmel's Max Volume Flash. It makes your lashes voluminous and long and isn't clumpy at all. I also love Rimmel Glam Eyes Lash Flirt, Covergirl Volume Exact Mascara, Maybelline Define-A-Lash and a few others. One of the best eyeliners I've ever tried has to be Milani's Liquif' Eye in Brown. It's so soft and creamy and once it's dry, it doesn't budge all day. I also think Wet N Wild has really stepped up their game and have put out some fabulous eye shadows in the Color Icon Palettes. They blend really well. I did a blog post on them, you can check it out below if you want more info!


Face: I have to mention Physician's Formula Baked Blush in Baked Berry. I believe this delectable dome shaped baked blush is discontinued [ :( ] but you can still get it online [Thank Goodness.] It's the perfect shimmery pink summer shade. I also love NYX Blush in Natural and of course...the N.Y.C. Blushable Creme Sticks. These things are amazing! I just dot a little on the apples of my cheeks, blend it in and go. So quick and easy and gives you the look you want whether it be dramatic coral cheeks or a natural pink flush.
For a primer, there's two drugstore ones that I love. The first being Revlon Age Defying Primer. I think this may be discontinued (again, sad face) but even if it is, I still have a holy grail drugstore face primer. The Studio Secrets Magic Perfecting Base. This primer is seriously great. It gives your face a perfectly matte base to work with. Your skin feels velvety and soft. Love it!
I'm also a huge fan of Revlon foundations. Of course the coveted ColorStay is my everyday foundation but I also love PhotoReady for days that I want more glowy skin and/or less coverage. But I do think there is a foundation that is very "underhyped." Covergirl TruBlend Whipped Foundation. If I really need full coverage or a completely matte look, I grad this one. It's easy to apply with a brush because it comes in a jar and it has a very silky texture. Great color matches too!
And bronzers...I love my N.Y.C. Bronzer in Sunny. I think it's the perfect finish for a bronzer. I don't like ones that are too shimmery, they don't contour very well. This one is perfect and it's not too dark either.


Well, I think I've rambled on long enough and I must now go and put a pie in the oven...I hope you enjoy this list and I'll probably be editing it soon because I know I'm forgetting a million products. What are some of your favorite drugstore items??

TAG!!

At the risk of blog overload, I'm going to do another tag. I want to do all the tags I can without having to make a video of them.

My Go To Products. Go to products are not necessarily your all time favorite products, but products you reach for on a day-to-day basis. For instance, I love NYX black eyeshadow but its not practical for going to class at 8 am...

My Go To Products

Primer

The easiest one to grab when I'm in a hurry is Revlon Age Defying Primer. I heard it has a weird smell but I don't smell it, I think it works great.

Foundation

Revlon PhotoReady is my everyday foundation. It blends into my skin so nicely. All I have to do is dot it all over my face and then blend in with my brush.

Concealer

Clinique Advanced Concealer. A little on the yellow side but it helps to cancel out dark purple/blue circles under my eyes. Dries almost like a powder and you need the littlest bit...I think it will last me forever! Its completely matte and doesn't move after you apply it. Love it!

Setting Powder

For this I also have to say Revlon PhotoReady Translucent Setting Powder. It looks very white in the pan but on your face, applied with a kabuki, it looks so nice. Your face looks soft but not dull. I already hit pan on this so I'm going to be a little sad if it runs out before May!

Blush

Now this is one of those "this isn't my absolute favorite, but it's what I reach for everyday..." My go to blush is NYX Powder Blush in Dusty Rose. Nice, taupe-y pink color that leaves you looking natural and not too dramatic for everyday. I like it better for winter time, I switch on and off between that and the same blush in Natural. So cute. I usually put my blush and bronzer/contour on a little heavy and then blend them all in with a MAC MSF.

Contour/Bronzer

This has got to be N.Y.C. Bronzer in Sunny. Its a perfect bronzer because you don't have to be careful with it like other bronzers...you can just slap this on and blend. I love it because its Matte so I can wear it everyday and it looks natural. The best part about this bronzer is that its like $3.00! I had heard that it was being discontinued but in EmilyNoel83's latest video (love her by the way) she said that it wasn't so...yay for that!!

Highlight

Most of the time I jut run my MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Perfect Topping over the top of my cheeks, forehead, nose and chin. But...if I remember, I will use Wet n Wild Mega Glo Powder Illuminator, I just swipe the two lightest shades with an angled brush and put it on the highest part of my cheek bones and my nose. You really can't beat it for the price.

Mascara

Definitely Rimmel Maxx Volume Flash, I can't say enough good things about this mascara. I just adore it.

Eyeshadow

My go to eyeshadow combination for everyday is Ulta Truffle on the lid, MAC Satin Taupe in the crease and one of the lightest colors from the Coastal Scents 88 Warm Palette. So easy to do and is very neutral. And, if I want to go to dinner or something after work, all I have to do is put a little black in the outer v and voila!

Eyeliner

I think this one will have to be Ulta Automatic Eyeliner in Deep Brown. Sometimes black eyeliner can be a little harsh for the daytime, at least on me. I love this particular eyeliner from Ulta. The purple one that I thought would be amazing, Raisin, actually makes my eyes water until it wears off. The brown one is fabulous for everyday though and you don't have to worry about sharpening it or for that matter getting poked in the eye. I used to swear by Rimmel Soft Kohl Kajal Eye Pencil but for some reason, lately, it seems to be smearing down my face when I wear it and that's no fun for anyone.

Lipstick

It's going to have to be Viva Glam Gaga. This is one of those lipsticks that you can put on without a mirror. One layer and it looks so pretty and dainty and if you want it to be more opaque you can apply more. I always have this one in my purse.

Lipgloss

I really don't have a go to lip gloss. I like lip gloss and everything I just don't put it on every morning because I am probably going to eat breakfast and I'm only going to work. If I had to pick one it would be Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush Lipgloss in Cherry Bomb. It looks good and smells a hundred times better. But, for the sake of this tag, every night and every morning I put on Nivea Kiss of Moisture lip balm/stick. I don't necessarily hate the natural color of my lips so as long as they are smooth and moisturized, I'm alright. And since last week, I've been using Smith's Rosebud Salve religiously. So I guess that is considered "go to." It gives your lips a "I just ate a red Popsicle about an hour ago" look...which, if you're wondering, is cute.

Brows

I usually put ELF Wet Gloss Lash & Brow Clear Mascara on my eyebrows to help them stay put throughout the day. I know, very exciting.

Brushes

Honestly all but 5 of my brushes are ELF. I have a bent eyeliner brush and an angled eyeliner brush from Sonia Kashuk, 2 eye shadow brushes from Studio Tools and an angled blush brush from some unknown brand...I just remember it is pink and works well. I use a kabuki, a foundation brush, a flat top powder brush, a blush brush, a million angled eyeshadow brushes, flat shader eye shadow brushes, crease brushes, some fluffy blending brushes and a lip brush that I use to put shadow underneath lower lash line.

Pictures coming soon, I promise!!