Just because it’s expensive, doesn’t mean it’s good. That’s a rule of thumb that applies to so many things in this social media age, where donuts with gold leaf go for over $100 (it’s a donut with gold flakes, people) and are shown off on Instagram for all to see.
It’s important to remember that a good product doesn’t always break the bank. These celebs know that better than anyone—which is why they keep it real with some drugstore gems.
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Drew Barrymore: Aquaphor
Wow. Drew Barrymore really likes Aquaphor. Like…a lot. Her obsession is understandable: Aquaphor has an intense formula that helps sooth dry, cracked skin.
It’s also great for new tattoos, which may also by why Drew has a bunch laying around!
Laverne Cox: Revlon Colorburst Pencil in Sultry
Guys, I have something in common with Laverne Cox, because I also am obsessed with this lip pencil from Revlon.
It’s the perfect plum-pink in a darker tone, and it can easily be worn in summer or winter. It’s the ideal shade.
Blake Lively: L’Oreal everything
For the 2018 Met Gala, Blake’s makeup artist did her entire look with L’Oreal products–from her foundation all the way to her lips.
Her makeup artist went for a structured look, with a glow-from-within type of highlight. Notably, he used the L’Oreal True Match Bronze-It Bronzer.
Khloé Kardashian: Makeup Revolution Baked Highlighter
Khloé loves this highlighter so much that she dedicated an entire post to it on her now-deleted app.
In the post, her makeup artist, Joyce Bonneli, talked about applying the Makeup Revolution Baked Highlighter in Radiant Lights to Khloé’s cheekbones before her appearance on Jimmy Kimmel.
Anna Kendrick: Burt’s Bees Lip Balm
Many a celebrity can be spotted wearing Burt’s Bees, since they’re easy to grab at a grocery store checkout and super cheap.
Anna Kendrick goes for the Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Sweet Violet which is a your-lips-but-better shade.
Shay Mitchell: Bioré Pore Strips
Shay Mitchell taught me something new today, which is how to properly remove pore strips. Apparently, you’re not supposed to peel them off one end at a time.
Speaking to Glamour, she said, “[…]you’re actually supposed to have both fingers on both ends and peel it off in one movement.” Oops.
Kim Kardashian: The Ordinary Retinoid 2% Emulsion
If you haven’t heard of cult brand The Ordinary, consider now your reminder to Google it. Kim Kardashian is an avid consumer of the brand, favoring their Retinoid for gorgeous skin.
The best part? It’s under $10. Score.
Ariana Grande: Neutrogena wipes
The staple of makeup bags everywhere: Neutrogena makeup-removing wipes. Ariana Grande recently yelled about using them on Twitter, which is all the celebrity endorsement you’ll need.
If you don’t need a celebrity endorsement…well, they’re still really good makeup wipes.
Kelly Rowland: L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara
There’s something so satisfying in finding your absolute perfect, holy-grail mascara. For Kelly Rowland, it’s the L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara—notably, the original one.
She told Glamour in 2011 that she swears by that mascara, and told Allure the same in 2015. Now that’s a woman who has found her holy-grail for sure.
Halsey: Honest Beauty Everything
In an Instagram post, Halsey praises Jessica Alba’s beauty line, Honest Beauty, for three of their products.
She tried the Magic Balm for dewy skin, the wipes for makeup removal, and the eyegel for cooling her undereyes.
Constance Wu: Clearasil Acne Wash
Constance Wu has an expensive beauty routine. But she finishes it off with something decidedly drugstore: Clearasil!
Constance uses the Clearasil Rapid Rescue Deep Clean Acne Wash to clean her skin after she’s done removing her makeup.
Zendaya: Baby Foot At-Home Peel
So, this foot peel is pretty wild. It takes a couple weeks to work, but once it finally activates, it is peel city.
Zendaya wrote on her app, “They looked a mess and were seriously peeling like crazy. But, it was actually great. It worked really well and my feet were so smooth after!”
Cardi B: Milani Foundation
This absolutely blew my mind. Cardi B’s makeup artist, Erika La’ Pearl, told Refinery 29 that she uses a mix of Milani shades on Cardi B to get the perfect match.
The best part? She found about Milani by accident, picking it up at a drugstore because she couldn’t get to a Sephora. Crazy.
Gal Gadot: Revlon Lipstick
Wonder Woman doesn’t have time for luxury lipstick, y’all. Superhero Gal Gadot is a fan of Revlon’s Super Lustrous Lipstick in Bombshell Red.
She wore the color multiple times on a few red carpets. Her lips were lined with a MAC pencil, then filled in with Revlon.
Jourdan Dunn: Pixi Glow Tonic
Come through, brand you can grab at Target! Jourdan Dunn favors Pixi’s Glow Tonic, which is a toner that helps fight acne.
Plus, it has aloe vera, which will help soothe your skin!
Gigi Hadid: Maybelline Everything
For this look, Gigi was put in everything Maybelline. She has the Dream Velvet Foundation on, is contoured with the Master Contour palette, and is rocking a gorgeous lip using a mix of lip liner in “Toast” and liquid lipstick in “Nude Thrill.”
Madelaine Petsch: Pacifica Brow Gloss
Madelaine Petsch has blessed us all with her YouTube channel, which she somehow manages to upload to weekly in between shooting Riverdale.
For her brows, Madelaine goes for Pacifica’s Stunning Brows Eyebrow Gloss, which is $20.
Kendall Jenner: Finesse Shampoo
Kendall got this drugstore recommendation from her sister, Kim. She told Allure that Kim turned her onto Finesse shampoo after trying a bunch of expensive shampoos.
Since Kendall is a supermodel with really good hair, I’m definitely going to be trying Finesse out now. Thanks.
Ciara: Revlon Colorstay Brow Pencil
You’d think that Ciara would be done up with Anastasia’s brow products, but the singer actually prefers a simple drugstore brow.
In an article for Glamour , she wrote about her love for the pencil: “What I like about it is that the pencil is very light, so when you fill them in, it doesn’t look too heavy. It gives me a super-natural brow.”
Dita Von Teese: Maybelline Lipstick
Dita Von Teese’ iconic red pout doesn’t always come at a high price. She broke down some of her favorite drugstore products for Vogue, where Maybelline lipstick made a surprising appearance.
Her discerning taste in red makes this choice all the more special, as her lipstick is carefully curated. Her Maybelline red of choice is Red Revival.
Zendaya, Part 2: Yes To Tomatoes Face Mask
When her acne comes for her, Zendaya has an extremely affordable defense: the Yes To Tomatoes Sheet Mask, which is legit under $5.
Of course, for a longer-lasting investment, you can’t go wrong with their mud mask, either.
Meghan Markle: Maybelline Lash Sensational Luscious Mascara
When the Duchess of Sussex was on the TV show Suits, she worked closely with makeup artist Lydia Sellers.
Sellers told Hello! Magazine that Markle introduced her to Maybelline’s Lash Sensational Luscious Mascara, which she now keeps stocked in her kit at all times.
Kylie Jenner: Maybelline Fit Me Blush
You’d think Kylie would mostly stick to her own brand’s blushes, right? After all, Kylie Cosmetics has a few now.
Nah. Kylie favors Maybelline’s Fit Me Blush, which you can find basically anywhere for under $10.
Beyoncé: Rosebud Perfume Rosebud Salve
Hello, rare makeup tip from the queen! Bey uses Rosebud Perfume Co’s Rosebud Salve for her lips, naturally, but also for another surprising place: her lashes!
She told Allure that she would put the salve on her lashes after curling them. Apparently, it helped them stay curled all day. Um, I’m definitely going to try this. Thanks, Queen Bey!
