Best Drugstore Beauty Buys

January 10, 2017

Oil Cleansing 101

While I love getting lost in Sephora and always am popping into boutique beauty stores like Space NK and Credo in my neighborhood to see what’s new, some of my favorite products actually come from my local drugstore. For today’s post I’ve rounded up the best, most affordable products for your hair, skin & makeup collection.

Do you guys have favorite products you always pick up at the drugstore?!

Garnier Sleek + Shine Shampoo and Conditioner

By far my favorite drugstore shampoo and conditioner. I’ve also been using these since at least college (maybe even since high school?!) because they make my hair so soft. I rotate it in whenever I need to avoid frizz (primarily in the summer and when I need my hair to be extra shiny for special events.)

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water

I discovered micellar water several years ago in the French pharmacies (you guys know me and French beauty products…) and when Vogue.com said it was the French girl’s secret to good skin, I obviously started using it religiously. Garnier has perfected the cleansing water stateside and on days where I’m wearing more makeup, I take it off with this as a first step before thoroughly washing my face.

Burt’s Bees Cleansing Oil

I wrote about this last week and had to include it because it is one of the best priced cleansing oils out there and also happens to be my favorite. Experience dry skin? You should definitely try it thanks to all the hydrating oils included (coconut + argan.)

St. Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub

Need a good, affordable exfoliator? This is the standby I’ve used since high school! Skin is smoother and more radiant after use.

Pixi Glow Peel Pads

These are another great glycolic peel pad! They actually have a higher percentage of glycolic than L’Oreal’s so work up to these if your skin isn’t used to glycolic acid. I use them in the PM when I travel and you can actually use them on your neck, chest and top of hands as well to help exfoliate and even your skintone.

L’Oreal Paris Bright Reveal Brightening Peel Pads

After hearing Grace rave about these on numerous occasions and because I’m a huge fan of glycolic acid, I had to give these a whirl. They work great! Swipe them on at night before applying your topicals, serums and moisturizers and wake up with more glow-y skin. The glycolic acid works as an exfoliator and helps to get rid of dead skin cells so your other products work even better. I call that a win/win!

CoverGirl Tru Naked Eyeshadow Palette

If you’re not ready to splurge on the Urban Decay Naked palette, this one is an excellent alternative. I love all the shades it has because they work for both day and night. They are also rather pigmented so they apply well and stay on.

Gillette Venus Razors

Not your traditional beauty product but this is the only razor I’ve used for the past decade. It works so well that half the time I don’t even need to apply shave gel (opting for body wash instead).

Burt’s Bees Lipstick

In working with Burt’s Bees last year I had a chance to try out this lipstick when it launched. They are super hydrating and I love the range of colors they come in. Since Maybelline discontinued my favorite (insert crying face emoji here), this line has become my new drugstore lipstick favorite.

Physicians Formula Multi-Colored Pressed Powder Bronzer

I’ve tried so many bronzers over the year and many of them were expensive investments that ended up looking caked on my fair skin. I’ve now been using this bronzer since college and haven’t strayed in at least seven years! It gives a warm glow and I use it everyday over pressed powder with a large face brush for application.

Maybelline Face Studio Master Strobe

You guys know I’ve been obsessing over highlighters for the better part of the past year and this is the best one I’ve found available at a drugstore. It effectively adds a lit-from-within glow and is perfectly pocket sized.

Crest 3D White Whitestrips

I use the Professional Effects kind as they only stay on for 30 minutes and cause less sensitivity than those you leave on for 60 minutes. Before big events or trips I do 4-6 treatments to whiten up my teeth and always love the results.

p.s. The December Beauty Edit and my Best Beauty Discoveries of 2016.

[Bekka Palmer Photography]

comments +

  1. Tess Felber says:

    Great roundup! Although I don’t believe you can buy this at the drugstore but the BareMinerals Oil Obsessed facial cleanser is amazing too!
    xx Tess | Sequins are the New Black

  2. Grace Atwood says:

    Yes to the peel pads!!!

    Everyone keeps telling me to try the Burt’s Bees Cleansing Oil. I really need to pick up a bottle!

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