The Best Affordable Makeup Your Money Can Buy

Beauty shopping does not have to break the bank. Here, we rounded up our favorite drugstore makeup brands and products to shop. 
Let’s get one thing straight here: there ain’t no shame in the drugstore makeup game. Just because something is affordable, doesn’t make it any less pigmented, long-lasting, or just overall better than a higher-end product.

Below, you’ll see brands like Maybelline New York, Essence, and Covergirl and we promise — you’re gonna love what you see and the price tags that come with it. 

Colourpop

The Colourpop Powder Palette is a nine-pan palette that features metallics and matte shades to create an array of looks. We specifically love this pick for that middle hue, Shawty, a Quartz and Thats Taupe that shines bright on all skin tones. 

CoverGirl

Infused with coconut milk and soothing aloe, the CoverGirl Clean Fresh Skin Milk Foundation blurs pores and fine lines on the skin. This Best of Beauty winner comes in 14 shades and gives a glowing, dewy finish that lasts all day long.

Touted as vegan, cruelty-free, sustainable, and (of course) clean, the Covergirl Lash Blast Clean Volume Mascara has omitted parabens and sulfates and, instead, has been infused with conditioning ingredients like argan and marula oils. Even the packaging is conscientious of sustainability, as it is made with 80 percent recycled paper.

Best of Beauty-winning CoverGirl Exhibitionist Lash Enhancing Liquid Eyeliner allows you to create a super sharp cat eye with ease. This is thanks to the soft and flexible tip that just glides across lids and lash lines without any pulling or tugging. 

E.L.F.

Available in eight different shade options, the E.L.F. Bite Size Eye Shadow Palettes make creating a put-together eye look easy as pie. The quad shown here is called “Cream & Sugar” and contains a combination of neutral-toned, shimmery, and matte shadows that work on almost every skin tone. Plus, the formula of these shadows is über-opaque, yet also so easy to blend.

E.L.F.’s Brow Lift isn’t your ordinary brow gel. This 2022 Best of Beauty winner lifts, tames, and sculpts brows to give a lifted effect. New York City-based makeup artist Christian Briceno says it’ll simply just keep brows looking fluffy and in place. Just dip your spoolie into the formula and brush brows up and out to your desired shape.

Essence

Brighten up those under eyes with the Essence Brighten Up! Banana Powder. This formula is pressed matte powder that instantly sets your base makeup for all-day wear. Once set you’ll notice less oil, hidden pores, and zero creasing. 

Whether you are into overlining or just need a guide for your lipstick, the Essence Soft & Precise Lip Pencil is the one — and only costs $3. This silky formula is available in nine berry-nude hues and is long-lasting, so touchups will be minimal. 

L’Oréal Paris

L’Oréal Paris Infallible Flash Cat Eye Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner $8.53 impressed us so much that we gave it a Best of Beauty Breakthrough Award. Instead of hoping and praying that you’ll end up with a clean, even flick while freehanding, this pick comes with a removable cat-eye wing stencil to make the process totally foolproof. 

Want your skin but better? The L’Oréal Paris Skin Paradise Water-Infused Tinted Moisturizer $14.83 is for you. This formula is 70 percent water with a blend of aloe vera and witch hazel, making it hydrating and soothing for those with dry skin. Plus, it’s oil-free, so no need to worry about clogged pores or congestion.

If you’re shopping for drugstore bronzers, L’Oréal Paris’s Infallible 24H Fresh Wear Soft Matte Bronzer $12.48 is one of our tried-and-true favorites. It even comes in a wider eight-shade range, and its formula won’t budge or fade for a guaranteed 24 hours. No wonder it was awarded a Best of Beauty Award.

NYX Professional Makeup 

New York City-based makeup artist Disco says that the NYX Professional Lift & Tint! Brow Tint $12.32 has the finest tip and buildable formula. “The best thing about this pencil is how easy it is to create natural, feathered brows or ultra-defined brows,” she says. Plus, it’s available in ten shades, so there’s something for everyone.

Ah, the perfect nude palette — you really can’t beat it, especially for less than $20. The NYX Professional Makeup Ultimate Queen Shadow Palette $15.99 features 16 super pigment shadows in an array of finishes like mattes, shimmers, metallics, and satins. Did we mention it’s a Best of Beauty winner? Now you must be convinced to add it to your cart.

Revlon

We love the Revlon ColorStay Skin Awaken Concealer because its formula dispenses a sponge for easy, clean application. This creamy concealer is caffeine and vitamin C infused so it brightens under the eyes and dark spots upon application. Plus, it comes in 19 shades so there’s something for everyone. 

Revlon’s Colorstay Ultimate Suede in Couture is packed with moisturizing ingredients like shea butter, aloe, and vitamin E. This shade, Couture is a lush cherry hue that is creamy, long-lasting, and is a comfortable dream (no wonder it’s a Best of Beauty winner).