I absolutely love the health and beauty aisle at the drugstore. Chock full of affordable products and possibilities, I enjoy scanning the shelves for the latest items from my favorite brands and giving them a try. Since I’ve been doing a lot of product testing these days, I thought I’d bring you my absolute favorite finds from trusted brands that you can easily pick up at the drugstore, with all of them coming it at well under $20. See below for my top picks, which move through the body section to my favorite beauty goodies.
I’m pale and will always need a high dose of SPF, but am also cheap, and don’t want to pay a lot for it. Aveeno Natural Protection Lotion Sunscreen with Broad Spectrum SPF 50 gives great coverage and features MINERALGUARD® Technology with 100% naturally-sourced sunscreen ingredients, plus at 3 oz it fits into a carry-on liquids bag. You can skip the liquids bag altogether with the Aveeno Baby Natural Protection Face Stick with Broad Spectrum SPF 50 that’s oil free, fragrance free, hypoallergenic, and water resistant for 80 minutes. If it’s good enough for babies, it’s good enough for my face! (Usually $9.99-$12.49 each)
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream has all that you would want and expect out of a $50 dollar jar of cream…but is MUCH better, because, well, it’s a fraction of that price, and it’s Neutrogena. I have a bit of combination skin, but when it’s dry, it’s REALLY dry, so the hyaluronic acid really does the trick in keeping my skin hydrated by adsorbing and holding the moisture.(Around $15)
There’s a lot to love about the brand, but hands down the Simple Skincare Eye Make-Up Remover Pads is my favorite product! I like to use makeup remover to take off my eye makeup, but having something cloth-like and moistened at just the right size for the delicate eye area seems like a no-brainer to use. You can of course wipe over the rest of your face and down your neck, with the added benefits that you don’t have to take your contact lenses out; the wipes are ophthalmologically tested and safe for use near them as well, while still being strong enough to take off mascara. (About $6)
You’ll never catch me without a Dove Beauty Bar in my shower – never ever! It’s been a family staple for decades, and now receives a refresh from time to time, as Dove creates new scents and offers them in Beauty Bar form. The newest iteration, go fresh Revitalize, features the scents of mandarin and tiare flower, and is absolutely heavenly, but the go fresh cool moisture is my standby. (From about $3 for a two-pack)
The ultimate lotion test is when I slather my hands up, and in 10 seconds or less, the formula should be absorbed enough to easily type or touch my phone. With the Aveeno Active Naturals Sheer Hydration Daily Moisturizing Lotion, all I can say is: mission complete! It’s fragrance free, which makes it nice for the office, but is also gentle enough to dab onto my face, shall I need a quick moisture boost (my forehead ALWAYS does!). (Depends on the size bottle; from $7)
I had been told that the COVERGIRL Full Lash Go Bloom Mascara was awesome before I had even tried it, and I can confirm that it certainly lived up to its reputation! The applicator is comprised of hard tiny little spokes that ensure you don’t leave gobs and a goopy mascara substance on your lashes, but rather opens up your eyes by thoroughly defining, from base to tip, each lash. It’s more natural of a look, but nonetheless, still stunning. (Around $6.99)
I really do think the EcoTools Foam Applicator Brush is my favorite makeup brush for applying any sort of base – be it foundation, BB Cream, CC Cream, tinted moisturizer, or even a face mask. I like to grip further up on the handle for extra precision, and it’s flat on the one side so that you can easily get around your under eye area or any other small area like your nostrils or hairline; genius! (Around $4.79)
Nuance Salma Hayek Color & Correct CC Cream, Broad Spectrum SPF 20 is more than just your average CC cream, as it is ultra lightweight and includes vitamins C & E and SPF20, but even more remarkably, the product has a slight pistachio hue to it out of the tube, but quickly blends into your dream skin tone. I first used this when my face was blotchy and red from having a cold, and it gave me an even, healthy glow, but works equally well on dark spots and pigmentation. (Around $14.99)
Maybelline EyeStudio Brow Drama Sculpting Gel: every single time I use this mascara-like brow tinted gel, I get a ton of compliments on my eyebrows, which means a lot, since I never have received compliments on them otherwise! The spiky ball applicator provides both lovely definition and incredible control when applying the formula throughout the brows and when in a pinch, can double as regular eyelash mascara. (Around $7)
Full Disclosure: Some of the items mentioned in this post were given to Fashion Pulse Daily for editorial review.