With so many amazing drugstore beauty products on the market these days, I feel like spending the money on those higher end makeup brands isn’t even all that critical in 2023 (although it is fun to do for sure!). So today I have a drugstore makeup starter kit for you guys that will be perfect if you are a beginner in the makeup world, or if you’re on a budget and just trying to save some money but still get some amazing quality beauty products.
The products that I’m going to be sharing are amazing quality, and in many cases I think they’re just as good as the higher end alternative! Also, I only share products that are completely vegan and cruelty free, so just know that nothing on this list was ever tested on animals, so you can shop guilt free 🙂
Without further ado, let’s get into my drugstore makeup starter kit!
DISCLOSURE: THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS, WHICH MEANS THAT I RECEIVE A COMMISSION IF YOU DECIDE TO MAKE A PURCHASE THROUGH THESE LINKS, AT NO ADDITIONAL COST TO YOU.
Best Drugstore Beauty Products
Drugstore Makeup Starter Kit: Face Makeup
e.l.f. Halo Glow Liquid Filter
This is an amazing makeup product that is perfect for beginners looking to achieve a natural and radiant complexion without breaking the bank. This innovative product has gained popularity among beauty enthusiasts due to its ability to effortlessly enhance the skin’s luminosity, as well as its formula that is extremely similar to the Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter (which is quite a bit more expensive than Halo Glow)!
One of the features of the e.l.f. Halo Glow Liquid Filter that makes it a great product to add to your drugstore makeup starter kit is how easy it is to use. It comes in a lightweight liquid form that glides smoothly onto the skin with a doe foot applicator, allowing for seamless application. The product blends effortlessly and provides a sheer, buildable coverage, making it ideal for those who are new to makeup or prefer a more natural look. With just a few drops, the Halo Glow Liquid Filter can instantly transform dull and lackluster skin into a glowing, healthy complexion.
In addition to its ease of use, the e.l.f. Halo Glow Liquid Filter is also highly affordable, making it an excellent choice for makeup beginners on a budget. Despite its affordable price tag, the product delivers impressive results, providing a dewy and youthful glow that competes with more expensive alternatives. It contains light-reflecting pigments that create a soft-focus effect, which helps blur imperfections and give your skin a radiant finish. The Halo Glow Liquid Filter is a fantastic option for anyone looking to experiment with makeup without splurging on high-end products, making it a true gem in the world of affordable beauty and the perfect product to add to your drugstore makeup starter kit.
NYX Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Matte Foundation
The NYX Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Matte Foundation is a game-changer for anyone looking for a flawless and long-lasting matte finish. This foundation has so many fans because of its exceptional formula that works on various skin types, providing a velvety smooth complexion that stays on throughout the day.
One of the reasons why you need to add this product to your drugstore makeup starter kit is its impressive staying power! Whether you have oily skin or simply prefer a matte look, this foundation is designed to withstand the test of time. Its lightweight yet highly pigmented formula offers full coverage, effectively concealing imperfections and creating a smooth canvas for the rest of your makeup. Once applied, it sets to a comfortable matte finish that resists fading, smudging, and transferring, ensuring that your makeup stays intact throughout the entire day.
Another great feature of the NYX Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Matte Foundation is its inclusive shade range. With over forty shades to choose from, NYX has made it a priority to cater to a diverse range of skin tones. This commitment to inclusivity is one reason why you should consider adding this amazing product to your drugstore makeup starter kit, and it allows individuals from all backgrounds to find their perfect match, enabling everyone to achieve a seamless and natural-looking complexion. The foundation’s blendable texture makes it easy to customize the coverage and find the right shade for your unique skin tone.
Milani Conceal + Perfect Longwear Concealer
This is a full coverage concealer that I personally love that comes in 13 shades, and is designed to last for 12 hours without creasing! I love this concealer and I think you should consider adding to your drugstore makeup starter kit because it does exactly what it promises, which is give you long lasting coverage of blemishes and imperfections without wearing down throughout the day.
This concealer is a true multi-tasker, designed to hide imperfections and brighten the under-eye area, creating a smooth and even complexion. Its creamy formula effortlessly glides onto the skin, blending seamlessly to cover dark circles, blemishes, redness, and discoloration. With its buildable coverage, you can achieve a natural-looking result or build it up for more intense coverage without it feeling heavy or cakey. The Milani Conceal and Perfect Concealer is a perfect addition to your drugstore makeup starter kit since it’s honestly amazing for giving your skin a flawless look that lasts throughout the day. This product is a must-have for anyone seeking a reliable and effective concealer to enhance their beauty routine.
Drugstore Makeup Starter Kit: Blush
e.l.f. Halo Glow Blush Beauty Wand
This is one of e.l.f.’s newest products (they’ve been releasing SO many lately!) and I definitely recommend adding it to your drugstore makeup starter kit. They created this cream blush product to compete with the Charlotte Tilbury beauty light wands at a lower price point, and this product is legitimately almost as good as the higher priced original that they duped!
The e.l.f. beauty wands are easy to use, long lasting, and come in a squeeze tube type applicator with a sponge tip to apply the product directly to your cheeks. This is such a versatile and convenient product to put in your drugstore makeup starter kit that adds a natural flush of color and a radiant glow to your face! This blush wand has become a favorite among beauty enthusiasts for its innovative design and easy application. The wand features a twist-up mechanism that allows for precise control over the amount of product dispensed, ensuring effortless and mess-free application.
This product has a super creamy and blendable formula that glides smoothly onto your skin, giving you a sheer but buildable color payoff that enhances your complexion with a healthy and luminous finish. Whether you’re a beginner or a makeup enthusiast, the e.l.f. Halo Glow Blush Beauty Wand is a fantastic addition to your drugstore makeup starter kit, offering a fuss-free and affordable way to achieve a fresh and youthful flush.
If you’re more of a powder blush person, this one from Milani is worth checking out. It is a really popular makeup product that is known for its stunning pigmentation and radiant finish. This blush is crafted through a unique baking process, resulting in a velvety smooth texture that glides effortlessly onto the skin. With a range of shades to complement various skin tones, this product adds a pop of color to the cheeks, giving you a natural and healthy-looking flush.
What sets the Milani Baked Blush apart, and the reason why it’s worth adding to your drugstore makeup starter kit is its amazing pigmentation and color payoff. Its formula ensures that a little goes a long way, allowing for buildable coverage that can be tailored to your own personal preferences. Whether you prefer a subtle hint of color or a more intense flush, this blush delivers a beautiful, long-lasting result. The finely milled texture blends seamlessly into the skin, providing a radiant, lit-from-within glow that enhances the complexion. With its affordable price point and quality performance, the Milani Baked Blush is a fantastic option for both makeup beginners and enthusiasts seeking a high-quality blush that delivers beautiful results every time.
Drugstore Bronzer
This is one of Pixi’s most viral products, and for good reason! It’s a cream bronzer stick that you twist the base of to wind the product up or down, then you just swipe it on your face and blend. This is definitely worth adding to your drugstore makeup starter kit because the formula is so smooth and blendable, and the color payoff is gorgeous as well.
The Pixi On-the-Glow Bronze is a versatile and travel-friendly beauty product that helps achieve a sun-kissed glow effortlessly. This multi-purpose stick combines the benefits of a bronzer, highlighter, and contour in one convenient package. The creamy and blendable formula glides smoothly onto the skin, allowing for seamless application and buildable coverage. Whether you want a subtle hint of warmth or a more defined contoured look, the Pixi On-the-Glow Bronze delivers a natural and luminous finish that enhances the complexion.
Drugstore Makeup Starter Kit: Eye Products
NYX Epic Ink Vegan Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
This liner is a go-to choice if you’re looking for a reliable and high-performing liquid eyeliner that’s easy to use. This popular product has gained a strong reputation among makeup enthusiasts for its precise application, intense pigmentation, and long-lasting formula. As a vegan-friendly option, it is also a great choice for those looking for cruelty-free beauty products (although everything on this list is cruelty free).
The reason why I think you should add this eyeliner to your drugstore makeup starter kit is because of its ultra-fine brush tip. This allows for precise and effortless application, so if you’re a beginner at doing winged liner then this will be perfect for you! Whether you’re creating a sharp winged liner or a subtle everyday look, the brush glides smoothly along the lash line, delivering a rich and pigmented black color that instantly defines and accentuates the eyes. The formula dries down quickly to a matte finish, ensuring smudge-proof wear that lasts all day without flaking or fading.
In addition to its impressive performance, the NYX Epic Ink Vegan Liquid Eyeliner is also known for its exceptional value. It offers professional-level quality at an affordable price, making it accessible to makeup enthusiasts of all budgets. With its long-lasting and highly pigmented formula, this is a reliable choice for achieving precise and stunning eye looks, all while supporting a cruelty-free and vegan-friendly brand! Definitely worth adding to your drugstore makeup starter kit.
Essence Lash Princess False Effect Mascara
This product is an amazing addition to your drugstore makeup starter kit, as it is super popular among makeup lovers – and for good reason. This mascara gives you voluminous, lengthened lashes with a false lash effect, all at an amazingly affordable price point! Its formula is designed to coat each lash from root to tip, providing intense black color and dramatic definition.
One of the best features of the Essence Lash Princess False Effect Mascara is its unique conical-shaped brush. This brush allows for precise application, reaching even the tiniest lashes in the corners of the eyes. With each swipe, the mascara evenly distributes product, separating and lifting the lashes for an eye-opening effect without any annoying clumping. The result is a full, fluttery look that rivals the appearance of false lashes without the hassle of actually applying them.
In addition to its impressive performance, the Essence Lash Princess False Effect Mascara is also known for its long-lasting formula. It resists smudging, flaking, and clumping, ensuring that your lashes stay defined and volumized throughout the day. Whether you’re going for a natural everyday look or a bold and glamorous statement, this mascara is a reliable choice to add to your drugstore makeup starter kit that can transform your lashes and enhance your overall makeup look.
Lip Products
This lip gloss is a super popular lip product that has captured the hearts of beauty lovers everywhere. It is known for its smooth and buttery texture, delivering a high-shine finish and comfortable wear that isn’t sticky! It comes in over 30 shades, so there’s something for everyone, from subtle neutrals to bold and vibrant shades.
What makes the NYX Butter Gloss the perfect addition to your drugstore makeup starter kit is its ability to provide a perfect balance of pigment and shine that is, again, not sticky – which is super important to me when looking for a lip gloss. The shades are absolutely gorgeous, and the price point makes it perfect for makeup beginners! The formula glides effortlessly onto the lips, providing a sheer to medium coverage that can be built up for a more intense color payoff. The gloss is enriched with nourishing ingredients like shea butter and vitamin E, ensuring that your lips feel hydrated and moisturized throughout the day.
Related Posts:
- Glow Up Checklist for Summer
- Best Drugstore Cleansing Balms
- Best Charlotte Tilbury Dupes You Need To Try
Thank you so much for checking out my drugstore makeup starter kit! I hope you found a few new products that you want to add to your beauty cabinet. Look out for my next post coming soon 🙂
Ashley says
Oh, I love how you put this together, Caitlin! This is definitely something I’d consider buying, super affordable and good quality products – love it!
Hope you’re having a wonderful week! 🙂
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