MY DRUGSTORE MAKEUP FAVOURITES

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Today we're talking drugstore makeup as our final instalment of Affordable Beauty Month! There are both old classics and new discoveries in the mix, so let's get into it...

Let's start with the new Revolution Super Base Vitamin Primer* | £10 | which reminds me of a certain Bobbi Brown classic... I've not been a primer person for a while, because I just don't really reach for complexion products that are thicker and more matte and at risk of settling into my pores. However, skincare-makeup prep products like this are a way of priming the skin without reaching for something silicone-y, ensuring your makeup glides on and dry patches are eliminated. This is formulated with shea butter to soften and nourish the skin, added antioxidants, humectants to draw in hydration and just a tiny bit of silicone for added silkiness.

I also recently discovered the Maybelline Instant Anti Age Perfector 4-In-1 Glow Primer, Concealer, Highlighter (Medium) | £12.99 | and it's been my go-to on busy work mornings. This cushion complexion product is a glowy, dewy light coverage I use all over my face for a general complexion boost. It's long-wearing, very natural and perfect for my dry skin. If you're after full coverage; this isn't for you, but if you're a skin tint / tinted moisturiser kind of person then this is for you! My only negative is the shade range; even for a very light coverage product, I think this has plenty of room for improvement...

Also in the complexion category, I'm loving the Glow Hub Under Cover Concealer Wand* (10W) | £14 | (though I did make a slight error: the brand is at Boots but I can't see the concealer available just yet!) This has a cooling metal applicator that feels so good under my eyes in the morning. There's a really good shade range and a small amount of product offers great coverage that's not too thick or heavy. The texture is hydrating but not greasy or crease-y throughout the day. I've never really heard anyone talk about this product but it's becoming an everyday staple for me!

A highlighter that I personally love for my skin tone is the e.l.f. Baked Highlighter in Apricot Glow | £5. This comes in some other shades too if you prefer and it's a baked formula so is soft and sheeny rather than glitzy or blinding. I love this warm peachy tone shot through with gold; it's just gorgeous for a fiver! In terms of bronzer, I like the Physicians Formula Murumuru Butter Bronzer (Deep) | £14.99 | though I do have to warn you that the shade range is... not great! This is a powder product but it has this creamy (buttery, if you will) quality to it. It's pigmented but glides smoothly onto my skin and is really easy to apply and blend for adding a natural sunkissed warmth. For blusher, it has to be the Milani Baked Blush in Bellissimo Bronze* | £11.75. I don't use a ton of powder blushes these days but this has remained in my rotation for it's glow-y, natural finish. This is a kind of warm tan blush with a golden sheen running through it that applies evenly, is long-wearing and doesn't leave chunks of glitter on the skin. It just adds this natural bronzed hint of colour to the cheeks.

For eyeshadow, I've chosen the Revolution Re-Loaded Velvet Rose Eyeshadow Palette | £5 | which is a little reminiscent of the Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam palette. Whilst this doesn't measure up to ABH's quality, it's still pretty good. The mattes are not as pigmented but they're smooth and easy to work with and can be built up. There are some really nice soft, satin shimmers in here too, plus this beautiful gold glitter - though you definitely need to prime for it, because otherwise you'll experience fallout. This is a lovely selection of day-to-night shades and for the price, I do think it's worth trying to work with the couple of trickier shadows in this palette.

Then we have a product I've been repurchasing for 8 years now! It says a lot to be a beauty creator and have such a consistent favourite throughout all this time and all the products I've tested, but the truth is: nothing quite tops the Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara | £9.99 | for me. What can I say? It's just my perfect combination of separated length and a nice bit of a volume boost without any clumpiness. It also doesn't smudge or flake on me. Even though it's increased a little in price since I first purchased it, it's still difficult to argue with a £10 mascara that does exactly what I want it to.

Let's finish up with lips and a new discovery and a repurchase of an old favourite. I recently came across the Sleek Locked Up Super Precise Lip Liner in Baby You're Bad* | £4.99. This is a kind of reddish-brown colour that works really well with medium and medium-deep skin tones to add some warmth and blend your lipstick in with your complexion. It's creamy, it defines and it helps with longevity if you fill the lips in completely with it before applying something over the top of it. Then the repurchase is the Maybelline Colour Sensationals Matte Lipstick in Clay Crush | £7.99 | which is a smooth, pigmented matte that doesn't cling to dry patches or skip over the lips. I love how it glides on effortlessly and still has great longevity. The colour is gorgeous too; a warm nude that's perfect for medium skin tones.

Have you tried any of my picks? What are your drugstore makeup must-haves?

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Read more posts from this series here!