The Best Drugstore Makeup, Skin Care, and Other Beauty Products

Bright, blendable blush: Milani Baked Blush

Baked blushes are cream formulas that have been “baked” dry, lending a sheer texture and rich tone that’s more pigmented than powder formulas. Milani Baked Blush comes in about 10 pearlescent shades subtle enough for fair skin tones but with enough color payoff to show up on darker ones, too. One writer was so impressed with the formula, she replaced her favorite prestige brand blush she’d been using for more than two decades. The big flip-top compact also looks and feels expensive.

A less-expensive lip oil dupe: Maybelline Lifter Gloss

With their squeezy tubes and glittery finishes, most drugstore lip glosses feel too juvenile for grown-ups. But Maybelline Lifter Gloss is downright elegant, with a flocked doe foot applicator and a Lucite-like square tube. Supervising editor Hannah Morrill thinks its lightweight, smooth formula performs a lot like Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil. And it’s pigmented enough to show up, even on darker skin tones. It has a fruity vanilla scent, but it’s not cloying like many we’ve tried, including CoverGirl’s Clean Fresh Yummy Gloss, and it dissipates quickly.

Shockingly precise brow pencil: Nyx Professional Makeup Micro Brow Pencil

For fair, sparse, or over-plucked brows, it’s hard to do better than Nyx’s Micro Brow Pencil. The twist-up, retractable tip is itty-bitty thin, which allows you to precisely define your brow’s shape and density. It took Hannah two tries to find her proper shade among the dozen or so to choose from—ash blonde was too yellow, taupe was just right. Other comparable drugstore brow pencils we’ve tried over the years, like Revlon ColorStay Brow Pencil and Wet n Wild Ultimate Brow Retractable pencil, have a prohibitively limited shade range.

Subtle but volumizing brow gel: CoverGirl Clean Fresh Brow Enhancer Gel

Brow gels set your brows exactly where you want them, especially if yours are thick, curly, or unruly. CoverGirl Clean Fresh Brow Enhancer Gel is clear with conditioning agents and humectants to soften and plump hairs while laying them flat, sans the crunchy texture or end-of-day flakiness we’ve experienced from other brow gels. Beauty editor Patricia Tortolani likes that this one doesn’t have any color but still adds polish and oomph. CoverGirl’s tiny, nimble brush is particularly helpful for lifting and shaping brow ends.

Elegant cream eye shadow: E.L.F. Cosmetics No Budge Eye Shadow Stick

For people who are not particularly skilled at eye shadow artistry—so few of us are—cream shadow sticks, such as the fan-favorite Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Waterproof Cream Eyeshadow Stick, are a game changer. But those are seven times the price of the E.L.F. Cosmetics No Budge Eye Shadow Sticks, which offer identical shimmery, blendable, long-wearing enhancement. Sadly the E.L.F. shade range is limited, even with the addition of the matte options, but Thrift Shop, a matte mushroom-taupe, is a go-to for three members of the beauty team.

Lengthening mascara: Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara

Maybelline says its Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara is both volumizing and lengthening, but we found it to be exceptional at the latter. After we tested two dozen brands for our guide to mascara, it’s the best we’ve found at the drugstore for creating long, deftly separated lashes in a shiny, believable black. And it doesn’t transfer or crumble.

From: The Best Mascara

Standout basic lip balm: Dr. Bronner’s Naked Organic Lip Balm

Our beauty team tested more than 56 lip balms, only to find the humble Dr. Bronner’s Naked Organic Lip Balm was something special. The no-fuss stick formula disappears into lips while making them feel healthy and happy. The near-matte finish even works well under lipstick, and you can find it in almost any drugstore.

From: The Best Lip Balms

Creamy lip liner: Revlon ColorStay Lip Liner

Whether you’re looking to create an impeccable statement lip or subtly enhance your cupid’s bow, Revlon ColorStay Lip Liner offers excellent precision and color payoff. The tip looks minute, but it has a creamy glide that’s easy to control and doesn’t snap. Patricia likes the mid-range nude color for quick pre-Zoom glow-ups.

Bright and buildable lip color: Maybelline Super Stay Ink Crayon Lipstick

The twist-up Maybelline Super Stay Ink Crayon Lipstick has a somewhat misleading name. It’s not ink-like at all, but soft and creamy with an opaque, near-matte finish that’s more forgiving than traditional lipstick. The darker tones (called Make Moves and Be Bold, Be You) offer intense, sophisticated color, but we really love the excellent range of subdued neutrals, including senior editor Jennifer Hunter’s favorite nude, Lead the Way. Don’t miss the included sharpener, which pops off from the opposite end.

Lightweight, superior detangler: Tangle Teezer The Ultimate Detangler Plant Brush

With 325 bristles in two lengths (longer to detangle, shorter to smooth), the sleek Tangle Teezer Ultimate Detangler Plant Brush effectively grabs and unwinds hair without any yank. It’s gentle enough for most hair types, wet or dry. Hannah uses it to revive her daughter’s severely matted summer strands in the shower with conditioner; another editor keeps one in her gym bag to zhuzh a post-workout pony. But keep in mind that the plastic isn’t suited for heat styling.

Nourishing hair oil: Mielle Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil

There’s a lot of red tape around hair growth claims—rightly so—and Mielle Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil doesn’t make any of them. But you’d be hard-pressed to find a $10 blend of botanical oils—19 to be exact—that leaves your scalp more hydrated or your strands shinier. And in one 2015 study, its third ingredient, rosemary oil, performed comparably to the hair growth agent minoxidil. What we can attest to from personal experience: Regular evening application on a dry scalp makes hair strands feel thick and glossy.

Iconic and excellent hairspray: L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold Hair Spray Unscented

With just six ingredients—somewhat of an anomaly in the hair spray category—L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold Hair Spray keeps strands where you want them without making them look rigid or plasticky. The magic lies in the aerosol dispenser, which produces an ultra-fine mist to invisibly coat styled strands. Like all aerosols, it’s important to follow the instructions and hold the can 12 inches from your head, which allows the formula to properly aerate and disperse. One staffer attests, “I can douse my hair with this spray and it won’t make it wet or weird.”

Versatile curl cream: Miss Jessie’s Pillow Soft Curls Cream

This Black-owned, woman-founded brand makes a lot of best-in-class products, but Miss Jessie’s Pillow Soft Curls Cream, a lightweight lotion, stands out for its versatility on a range of hair textures, leaving both moderate waves and tight coils softly defined. A blend of botanical moisturizers plus synthetic smoothers and conditioners work together for near-foolproof results. We aren’t crazy about the soapy-clean scent, though. Hannah works it into damp strands when she wants low-key, wavy hair.

Believable, temporary root touch-up pen: L’Oréal Paris Magic Root Precision Pen

For those with dark hair seeking to cover hairline grays or extend time between colorist appointments, the L’Oréal Paris Magic Root Precision Pen is a game changer. Just brush it along grays at your temples and part, allowing a full minute for the pigment to dry and set. Patricia does note that if dye gets on your skin, you need makeup remover for cleanup. Hairs are darkened until your next shower. Unfortunately, it’s not available in blonde or red shades (yet).

Quenching cuticle oil: Olive & June Cuticle Serum

Moisturizing cuticles extends the life of a manicure, maintains healthy nail beds, and helps worn nails from dishes/gardening/housework look presentable. But traditional oils are messy, must be massaged in, and, even then, often leave your fingertips feeling like they’ve been dipped in Crisco. Then Patricia found Olive & June Cuticle Serum, which isn’t greasy, absorbs readily, and is widely available.

Easy to apply, durable nail polish: Essie Original Nail Polish

Essie Original Nail Polish boasts remarkable coverage and durability, lasting up to a full week without peeling or chipping, especially if you add a top coat. Hannah has been doing her own manicures for at least a decade and appreciates the non-drippy formula and the way the brush fans just so with the tiniest bit of pressure, which isn’t the case with other, skinnier brushes like the ones from OPI. Try the orange-red Geranium in the summer, blue-tone berry Vintage Vanity in winter, and the cream-blue Bikini So Teeny for a change.

Patricia’s supremely stylish mom alerted her to this drugstore gem. The pink-tinted, translucent Essie Glow & Shine dries quickly and doesn’t require a base or top coat—it’s meant to be used solo—so a DIY mani doesn’t become a whole production. On longer nails, it creates a French-manicure-like effect with brighter white tips and a glowing pink base. Shorter nails will appear as though they’ve been meticulously buffed. It’s marketed as a nail strengthener, but we think of it as the quickest way to make sad nails look better. Bonus: When it does start to chip, it’s nearly invisible.

An unchippable top coat: Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Topcoat 101

There are a lot of drugstore top coats with a lot of big promises, but Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Topcoat 101 is the best we’ve found. One coat is smooth but thick—let it dry a full, five minutes—and nicely patches nicks or smears in the underlying polish. After that, do the dishes, tuck top sheets, and clatter away on your keyboard; your nails won’t chip for upwards of a week. But our favorite discovery: Worn alone, it stays shiny and crystal-clear without dulling or yellowing for several days.

Effective over-the-counter zit cream: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Acne Spot Treatment

Many zit creams rely on either the antibacterial benzoyl peroxide (BP) or a chemical exfoliant like salicylic acid; combining the two can be irritating. That’s why the one-two punch of La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Acne Spot Treatment is so unique. It combines BP and chemical exfoliant lipohydroxy acid in a gentle formula that calms whiteheads and deep clogs alike. A tiny dab does wonders for Hannah’s adult hormonal acne—so much so that the item will likely expire before the $20 tube is even close to empty.

Handy all-purpose balm: Aquaphor Healing Ointment

Over the years, many dermatologists have recommended the unscented Aquaphor Healing Ointment to Wirecutter staffers for everything from infant eczema to chemical burns and stress-induced psoriasis—and we think everyone should have a tube or jar on hand. The texture is less melty than pure petroleum jelly, so the occlusive, thick ointment stays where you put it to lock in moisture. Its benefits (and uses) are unmatched: “The best thing I ever did for my nail health is rub a tiny bit of Aquaphor into my cuticles and nail beds every night,” says Jennifer.

Sudsy, satisfying facial wash: Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser

Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser leaves skin feeling impeccably clean with zero tightness, dryness, or redness. Jennifer has been a loyal user for years and notes that while it’s not billed as a foaming formula, it does transform into a satisfying lather. A little goes a long way; the 8-ounce bottle lasts several months when used twice daily, which comes out to pennies per use.

Reliable daily SPF for your face: CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30

CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30 is a great daily option you can buy almost anywhere, which is especially convenient if you forgot your daily sunscreen while traveling. Give yourself a second to rub it in thoroughly; it can leave a slight white cast on dark skin. Once dry, though, it layers seamlessly under makeup with no pilling or slipping. It has a light smell that people will probably only detect if they’re hugging you—not a bad thing! Each pump dispenses a somewhat anemic amount; go for a couple to get full coverage.

From: The Best Sunscreens for Your Face

Quick pimple remedy: Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Original Patch

Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Original Patch weren’t around when the members of our beauty team were teenagers but wow, do we wish they were. Hannah has her now 16-year-old niece to thank for the hot tip. The tiny hydrocolloid rounds deflate unsightly whiteheads and help prevent below-the-surface pimples from erupting, so now they’re an always-on-hand skin-care staple. They’re also especially helpful as a reminder, if you’re someone who has trouble keeping hands off a pimple.

This article was edited by Hannah Morrill and Jennifer Hunter.