I put the word drugstore in “air quotes” because not all of these products can be found at Shoppers Drug Mart or Rexall, but they are definitely on the more affordable side of beauty.
For example…
3 Barrel Hair Waver from Amazon
I bought this 3-barrel hair waver (it’s actually called the CkeyiN 3 Barrel Iron, Professional Tourmaline Ceramic Fast Heating Hair Curler, Large Wave Perm Splint 3 Barrel Curling Iron…longest name ever, right?!) on a total whim. It was around $30 Canadian (comparable to tools you’d see in the hair aisle at Walmart, Shoppers Drug Mart or Rexall) and I pressed purchase before reading the reviews. Once I took a moment to actually read what others had to say about the product, I actually tried to cancel the order. Most had complained that it was made for European outlets and not suitable to work in the US or Canada. I panicked!
Luckily for me, it was too late to cancel the order and I was extremely happy to find a plug adaptor when I opened the box. I’m so glad everything worked out in the end because I’ve been obsessed with the wavy hair look. I love how effortless and quick it can be to achieve.
A warning: the barrel gets super, super hot! Like hair smells burnt kind of hot if used on the highest setting. However, it has two gears, allowing for it to be used at a cooler temperature, which works best for my thin and brittle hair.
Bamboo Cotton Rounds
I decided to start being a little more eco-conscious last year. Yes, I know…me and pretty much every other millennial on the planet. But I purchased a set of 16 reusable bamboo cotton rounds from Amazon, and they’ve been really great! They’re a little larger than a standard cotton pad. And with two layers of soft organic bamboo fleece, they feel sturdy – like they’ll last a while. I use mine wet to remove my face wash, and dry with a micellar water or toner.
I must point out that they are textured, however, and feel slightly scratchy exfoliating on my skin. It’s an adjustment from the very soft (but not eco-friendly) cotton rounds I have been using the majority of my life. I quite enjoy it, and it doesn’t seem to irritate my eyes, but it could be a negative for anyone with sensitive or reactive skin.
They also came with a mesh laundry bag for easy washing. I actually regret not buying more, as I tend to forget to toss them in the washer. My clean pile seems to disappear quite quickly when I use one or two every day.
They did cost around $16 (more than a pack of standard cotton rounds). But when you consider that they can be re-used a hundred…heck, maybe even a thousand times over, it’s worth the money.
e.l.f. Cosmetics Poreless Putty Primer
I don’t notice a huge difference in the appearance of my pores when I use this product, but I do notice that it makes my makeup last longer. It’s formulated with Squalane for hydration, which also helps create a tacky base for products to grip onto. It works best when provided a couple of minutes to sink into the skin.
I’ve also tried using it as an eyeshadow base – as suggested on the product packaging – but found it didn’t really work and my lids had creased by the end of the day.
Seche Vive Top Coat
I think this is technically a high-end product, but because I found it at Winners for just $5.99, I’m including it as one of my “drugstore” favourites. This top coat is a game-changer! I wrote an entire post about it, so if you have yet to read that, click here. But to summarize, it dries SUPER fast and makes painting my nails feel less like a chore.
L’Oreal Brow Stylist Definer Micro Pencil in Brunette
I have loved this product for my brows for a couple of years now, but in the last few months I have loved it as a lip liner too! I use it to contour the outer corners, cupids bow and the bottom of my lips to make them look fuller. It achieves a grungy 90s effect that I’m super into!
Of course, it would be more ideal to purchase a brown or taupey lip liner. I’ll probably fly through this guy as it’s serving double-duty. But I like that the L’Oreal Brow Stylist Definer Micro Pencil is a stiff formula and that it takes a bit of effort to build up the colour, so I don’t overdo it. It’s also matte and looks much more natural.
Wet N Wild Mega Glo Makeup Stick in Oak’s On You
You’ve probably seen this in a previous favourites post, but the truth is it’s probably my #1 drugstore favourite of the year. I use it nearly every time I apply makeup and as you can tell (it’s disappeared down to a mere nubbin). Luckily, it’s super affordable at around $5 or $6, and therefore I feel no guilt picking up a new one when the time comes.
It’s such a perfect bronzing shade for my fair skin and the formula is beautiful too. I find it can be a little difficult to blend when swiped directly onto the skin. I prefer to pick up a bit of the product from the stick, using my e.l.f. Stipple Brush, which allows for a more even and smooth application.
What were some of your affordable beauty favourites from 2019? Leave a comment below.
Ps. If you missed it, I posted a round-up of some high-end products I loved in 2019 earlier this week. Click here to check it out!
xxx
