Top Ten Tuesdays: Favorite Drugstore Products
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Who doesn’t love a good list? That’s what Top Ten Tuesday is about, and we’re happy to be sharing on this week’s topic; Favorite Drugstore Products! Read on for my ten favorites, then click the logos below to see what items made fellow bloggers’ lists…
- 1. Maybelline Expert Eyes 100% Oil Free Eye Make-Up Remover ($4.49)
I’ll let you in on my biggest drugstore secret…did you ever wonder what should be in the empty slot on the shelves next to oil-based Maybelline Expert Eyes in the pink bottle? THIS; oil-free Expert Eyes in the BLUE bottle. If you see it in-stock, buy as many as you can.
It’s cheap and it works on even longwear products. This is the one item on the list where I am completely faithful. Meaning, in a pinch I’ll buy other hairspray, lip balm, etc., but never drugstore eye makeup remover. Every time I have bought another (only when that coveted blue bottle is sold out!) I’ve regretted it.
2. Carmex Lip Balm ($1.50)
I have approximately 50 different types of lip balm in every scent and packaging combo available. But there’s nothing quite like the old school jar of original formula Carmex with its menthol scent and thick formula. It’s not only great on lips, it works wonders on cuticles too!
3. COVERGIRL LashBlast Clump Crusher Mascara ($7)
Everything I want in a mascara; a plastic bristled wand that gives volume, zero clumps and long, spidery length. Hands down, my favorite drugstore mascara.
4. L’Oreal Paris Elnett Satin Hairspray ($11.99)
There’s a reason you see this on the table of EVERY professional hair stylist, even of those sponsored by other brands. (Don’t believe me? Look closely next time you watch Project Runway!) This cult classic, once import only hairspray is the absolute best. It holds strong, even after brushing, and is never stiff. Plus, I just feel like an industry insider using it, which is well worth 12 bucks.
5. Jordana 12HR Made to Last Liquid Eyeliner Pencil ($2.49)
This may just be the biggest bargain on the list. Confusingly named, until you try them; the pencils glide on smoothly, depositing creamy and intensely pigmented color. Then, they stay put. That’s the clincher: a pencil eyeliner that applies like a dream and stays put like a liquid. There’s a reason they made my favorite products of 2013 list.
6. Milani Nail Lacquer ($3.50 – $4.50)
Milani is a force to be reckoned with in the nail polish game. Jewels, glitter, neons, fast dry and more; available in shades that are always fashion forward. We heart them so much we even made a video a couple of years ago.
And wait until you see what’s coming next…(stay tuned!)
7. Batiste Dry Shampoo ($6.29)
Another product that was once import only, Batiste comes in a variety of scents and even colored versions. I love its pretty graphics and the fact that it not only absorbs oil, it gives me volume. But what I love most is its super powerful spray nozzle. Seriously, I never used a nozzle with so much oompf behind it! It feels like you are literally blasting the oil out of your hair.
8. Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets ($5.49)
An oily gal’s best friend! I love that these have no powder on them, so they leave no residue. They’re a blue plastic sheet that becomes see through as you blot; it’s gross and fascinating at the same time.
9. e.l.f. Studio Small Smudge Brush ($3)
Ok, I take it back. THIS is the biggest bargain on the list. I mean, c’mon, a brush for three bucks?! They work for lipstick, eyebrows and concealer too. But smudging liner is where they’re best. I have a half-dozen, color coded with a small strip of tape so that I’m ready no matter what color liner I have on. These first made an appearance on my best of 2010 list and they’re still one of my favorite brushes.
10. NYX Butter Gloss ($5)
I hoard these glosses like a squirrel with nuts! They’re buttery soft, super smooth, smell like sugar (but not overpoweringly so) and give you the most perfect creamy, sheer coverage.
we heartsters – what are your favorite drugstore products? Tell us in the comments!
Garnier skin care products are my favorites. I like the scrub and cleanser the most!
I also have been using . L’Oreal Paris Elnett Satin Hairspray for so long now, and I totally agree, it is the best of all!
You’re wearing Sally Hansen Salon Effects Misbehaved in that brush picture. My fave pattern! And Elnett is the business. Why would you use anything else?
I love your list. Now I need to find the Jordana eyeliners and the Maybelline eye makeup remover. I don’t like the pink bottle but now that I know the secret maybe I can find the blue.
Those Milani polishes have me drooling.
So happy to see Maybelline Expert Eyes 100% Oil Free Eye Make-Up Remover in its rightful spot – #1 on the list! Both Stef and I have used this makeup remover for decades – and it is still our fave. I always pick up at least two bottles when I see it is in stock (which can be a rarity – I think a lot of people love this blue bottle and snag as many as they can when it is on the shelves). It removed any and all makeup, doesn’t leave a trace of residue and never bothers my sensitive eyes. Love it and pray that Maybelline never, ever changed their formula!
Also how is it possible I never purchased the L’Oreal Paris Elnett Satin Hairspray? I feel like I must go out and try it RIGHT NOW!
Yay, happy to see Nyx and Batiste on your list! Great brands.
I had the NYX Butter Glosses on my list and ran out of room!
NYX Butter Glosses have become my “go to” lip product lately. I love the texture & colors. They are a fantastic buy too!
Ohhhh my I need those Jordana liners!
I wanted to add Clump Crusher & Elnett to my post, too, but felt guilty because it was too long! Love them both–nice list!
OOOO I want to try those eyeliners!!
I always mean to pick up some Jordana products when I go to Walgreens, but when I get to the display I am overwhelmed and pick nothing! I swear I am going to get some of these liners next time!
Before I decided to just do hair and nails I had NYX Tiramisu on my list! And I’m all about the Carmex, but I prefer the one in a tube!
This is such a fun post. Those Jordana liners are great–they never smear! My fav drugstore picks include: basically anything Milani, (all the newer lip stuff is excellent)L’oreal mascaras, Sinful Colors nail polish, and Wet N Wild matte lipsticks.
I didn’t know about the coveted blue bottled Maybelline Expert Eyes 100% Oil Free Eye Make-Up Remover! I’m going out searching for it at lunch today. I’ve been using Almay’s oil free makeup remover pads for ages– my favorite drugstore find next to Palmers Cocoa Butter hand lotion.
I love Milani polish and Jordana liners when I can find them.
I’ve never tried Jordana, I really need to find a store near me that has their products!
Last night I made a special stop at CVS just to see if they had the Maybelline Expert Eyes 100% Oil Free Makeup Remover – they did! I’ve never noticed it before and I’m eager to see how it compares to my regular cleaning cloths.
Really great choices! I, too, love Jordana liners and the NYX butter glosses! It really was a hard choice making my list as there are so many great drugstore products!
Interesting choices! I haven’t really ever heard much about that Maybelline eye makeup remover–I might have tried it once a gazillion years ago, but I might have to try it again now. I’m also going to have to try Elnett hair spray and Batiste dry shampoo and the Jordana eye liners and NYX butter glosses! The elf smudge brush is pretty good for a lot of different purposes. I’ve never been a fan of Carmex though :(
Some of my top drugstore picks: Wet n Wild megalast lipsticks $3 and matte and super pigmented; essence of beauty cream eyeliner; Neutrogena makeup remover wipes.
My life was incomplete before Elnett. I can get some pageant-worthy hair using that stuff. Nothing sets curls better and nothing gives a volume boost like it. I always spray a little in the palm of my hands and comb it through my roots so I look like I have super thick hair. It’s truly magical.
I’ve thought about trying Elnett and Batiste dry shampoo they just never make it my cart!
Ooh I have a lot of these on the list, but I too would like to try the Maybelline remover and Batiste dry shampoo! I also need to get a few smudge brushes!!
Those NYX gloss butters are great! I just love those. My other go to drugstore favs are Pixi Tinted Brilliance Balms (so moisturizing and I love how the color adapts to my lips), ELF eye primer, Physicians Formula Organic CC Cream (I haven’t found ANYTHING like it!), NYC’s Sun n’ Bronze Bronzing Powder (obsessed with the Samba collection), and Rimmels’ Scandaleyes RetroGlam mascara!! The BEST mascara. Beats out almost all high end brands for me!! (For lashes that don’t hold a curl well, need length and volume- this is amazing. And it’s almost totally clump proof). I also absolutely love ELF’s shimmer balms, and their cream eyeshadows and gel liners.