15 Stay-All-Day Drugstore Products Under $10
I have no shame in admitting that a) I love a good bargain and 2) I love products that make me look and feel fresh and put-together without a lot of investment in effort or time. As a busy mom to a 2.5 year old sweet and active little boy, my makeup routine not only has to be quick and easy but very, very long-wearing and require little to no touch-ups. I love to do my makeup routine in the morning and virtually forget about it yet somehow still look fresh and more awake until nearly bedtime. Seems like an impossible dream? I promise you that it’s really not!
While I own a mix of drugstore and higher-end products, I am absolutely not a subscriber to the belief that you have to spend a lot to look and feel great. These days, many drugstore products perform as well, if not better than high end and I am all about saving money! If you’re here and reading this, I suspect that you may be too.
While make-up routines and wear time vary from person to person and lifestyle to lifestyle, these are the absolutely wonderful drugstore products that I enjoy using regularly:
Mattifying primer
Concealer
Loose setting powder
Mattifying powder
Eye primer
Cream eyeshadows
Mascara
Eyebrow setting gel/liquid
Eyebrow pen and/or eyebrow pencil
Long-wearing lip color
NOTE: The shades I personally use (if applicable) are denoted with an * after the item. Some of the links may take you to another product shade but if you want to try the same shades/colors I have recommended, be sure to select the right item color/shade under the drop down/selection menu in Amazon.
DISCLOSURE: THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS, MEANING I GET A COMMISSION IF YOU DECIDE TO MAKE A PURCHASE THROUGH MY LINKS, AT NO COST TO YOU. PLEASE READ MY TERMS OF USE POLICY FOR MORE INFO.
FACE
PRIMER
1. LOREAL INFALLIBLE PRO MATTE-LOCK LONGWEAR MATTIFYING FACE PRIMER: https://amzn.to/3lCyMAp
Since I have an oily-combination t-zone, I love applying a bit of this mattifying primer all over my face after my morning moisturizer and sunscreen. Not only does it help extend the longevity of my concealer, I love the soft-matte finish it provides my face while keeping the shine to a minimum. With it, I only find myself needing to blot my t-zone once a day.
CONCEALER
2. MAYBELLINE INSTANT AGE REWIND DARK CIRCLES TREATMENT MULTI-USE CONCEALER (*MEDIUM): https://amzn.to/3oZC4Qs
On a daily basis, I only wear concealer on my face for coverage: for my dark under-eye circles and any imperfections (acne scars or blemishes). My skin is certainly not perfect but I like to let it breathe and only like to cover what I find is truly necessary. My long-time favorite drugstore concealer not only applies and wears well but it doesn’t settle easily into fine lines around the eyes and is very thin and lightweight while offering medium to full, buildable coverage.
POWDERS
3. COTY AIRSPUN LOOSE FACE POWDER (*TRANSLUCENT): https://amzn.to/3BEWNwo
An oldie but goodie, I only recently discovered and started using this powder. It’s so inexpensive, a little goes a long way and it is INCREDIBLE at setting my under-eye concealer while providing all day wear. While it can certainly be worn all over your face, I prefer another mattifying powder for my oily-combination skin’s t-zone.
4. RIMMEL STAY MATTE LONG LASTING PRESSED POWDER (*TRANSPARENT): https://amzn.to/3lzR9Gh
I absolutely LOVE this powder and apply it every morning with a large powder brush to my t-zone to mattify the shine. It leaves my skin looking polished and matte but not too powdery, for hours on end which is a true testament to its name!
SETTING SPRAY
5. RIMMEL STAY MATTE SETTING SPRAY: https://amzn.to/3AzGEXX
This one is wonderful and helps to keep my complexion looking fresh, less shiny but not too flat. I apply a few spritzes all over my face after applying my last makeup product and I am good to go for the entire day. It is virtually imperceptible: no lingering scent, light and feels like nothing on the skin as soon as it dries.
EYES
EYE PRIMER
6. MILANI EYESHADOW PRIMER: https://amzn.to/3FNC7on
This is a must-have for me to ensure longer wear time for not only my eyeshadow but also my under-eye concealer. It disappears completely into the skin and has a smooth texture that allows for products to glide and set easily on top. Not only is it a bargain but a tiny bit goes a very long way and I have had the same tube for months. I’ll never bother purchasing any higher-end eyeshadow primer again since this one works so well for such a low price point.
CREAM EYESHADOWS
I wish I adopted this strategy even before becoming a busy mom: Ladies, one-and-done eyeshadow looks are the way to go. I actually use two shades: a bronze shade as a base all over my eyelids and below the lash line and then a champagne shade blended in the middle of my lids and lower inner corners to further brighten up my eyes. However, even one will yield an effortlessly beautiful look that appears multi-dimensional and like you spent a lot more time than you actually did. My favorites are:
7. REVLON COLORSTAY CREAM EYE EYESHADOW (*CARAMEL): https://amzn.to/3BAKgKt
8. MAYBELLINE COLOR TATOO METAL 24HR CREAM EYESHADOW (*BAD TO THE BRONZE): https://amzn.to/3BRZRVW
9. KIKO MILANO LONG LASTING EYESHADOW STICK (*07 GOLDEN BEIGE): https://amzn.to/3iX6LSI
MASCARAS
10. MAYBELLINE FULL N’ SOFT WATERPROOF MASCARA (*VERY BLACK): https://amzn.to/3aB1lbl
My long-time love and secret weapon, the one mascara I always find myself going back to and would be devastated if it were ever discontinued. It’s single handedly my number one favorite item on this list. I love so many aspects about it: it is very buildable yet provides a beautiful, full and fluttery lash look with even just one coat, holds a curl very well, does not smudge and although it stays all day and has even survived the rain, it still washes off incredibly easily and completely without damaging my lashes (which is a difficult claim for other waterproof mascaras). An additional trick is that I wiggle it into the base of my lashes when I’m applying it so it provides thickness to my lash line without needing to wear eyeliner.
11. ESSENCE LASH PRINCESS FALSE LASH EFFECT MASCARA (*BLACK): https://amzn.to/3j2BldF
I really love the wide open, doll-eyed look with long, defined upper and lower lashes. I understand this look is not for everyone but this is the best mascara I’ve found for defining, separating and lengthening my lower lashes. I only apply it to my lower eyelashes then follow-up with a coat of my favorite Maybelline Full N’ Soft Waterproof Mascara. It would be a fantastic stand-alone mascara for others but since my eyelashes are naturally straight, I find that a waterproof mascara (see #10) holds a curl the best for upper eyelashes.
EYEBROWS
EYEBROW GEL/TOPCOAT
12. L’OREAL PARIS UNBELIEVA-BROW LONGWEAR EYEBROW TOPCOAT (*UNIVERSAL TRANSPARENT): https://amzn.to/3BHClv1
I have found the most incredible brow product that has become a must-have for me. Thus, I hope you’ll forgive me because it’s just over $10 ($11.99 on Amazon at the time I’m writing this post but it often goes on sale). I love this brow topcoat because while it has a watery liquid base, it holds my stubborn brow hairs in whichever direction I brush them like the best brow gel you could ever find. It dries quickly, leaves absolutely no white residue in my naturally black brow hairs, doesn’t leave my brow hairs feeling overly stiff and a little goes a long way. Additionally, its primary function is that it helps any other eyebrow product you’re wearing to wear longer (i.e. brow powder, pencil, pomade, etc). Just over 2 months of daily use later, I can still tell I have a ways to go before I finish the bottle so it’s beyond worth the small price.
EYEBROW PEN
13. NYX LIFT & SNATCH EYEBROW TINT PEN (*ESPRESSO): https://amzn.to/2YRjlM8
I really wish I had listened to my mother and not tweezed away 90% of my eyebrows in the early 2000’s. While my eyebrows have filled in since then, there are a few regretful areas where the hair just won’t seem to return despite trying multiple brow growth products. I have not yet committed to micro-blading yet so in the meantime, using a great brow pen to draw realistic hair-like and natural looking strokes in my sad bald spots has been a saving grace. It takes a little bit of practice but I love this one by NYX. Not only does it wear well throughout the day, I first opened and started using my current one in early March so it’s been nearly 7 months of daily use with the same pen- what a bargain!
EYEBROW PENCIL
14. L’OREAL PARIS BROW STYLIST DEFINER WATERPROOF EYEBROW PENCIL (*DARK BRUNETTE): https://amzn.to/3mU4CYW
There are so many different brow powders and products on the market. If you’re looking for one that is affordable, offers a great color range, has a precise and fine tip, wears well and in my opinion, rivals a few higher-end brow pencils, this is one to try. It’s been years since I first discovered it and it’s still one of my go-to brow pencils.
LIPS
SOFT MATTE LIPSTICK
15. MAYBELLINE SUPERSTAY INK CRAYON MATTE LONGWEAR LIPSTICK (*ENJOY THE VIEW): https://amzn.to/3aGuH8m
This one is amazing and my current favorite long-wearing drugstore lip product. I am very picky about my lip products but this one checks just about every box: it is long-wearing, yields minimal transfer and is comfortable to wear, without looking or feeling too dry. Plus, it comes in so many colors so there is something for everyone. My favorite shade is a nude-pink but I’m interested in trying more.
While there are many more incredible and long-wearing drugstore products I could and would certainly add to this list, I did not want it to be overwhelmingly long. If you’re interested in more product suggestions, please comment below! What are some of your must-have bargain makeup favorites and why?
Sending love, hugs and prayers,
Katherine