What if I told you that the above look was done completely using products that can be purchased at any Drugstore? Because they are! I mean, I'm sure you figured that out by the title, but whatever.

This was sort of out of my comfort zone which made me love it even more. I'm not saying I'm too good for drugstore makeup, because I'm not. Actually, the setting powder, eyeliner, and mascara I use daily are all usually purchased at WalMart or Target. But I cannot tell you the last time I even looked at eyeshadow in the drugstore, let alone wore it. And I've been using the same foundation, powder, and highlighter for so long, I forgot that there were other alternatives.. So not only did I challenge myself by finding decent products at a low price, I also challenged myself by using a lot of new products, and it was fun! 

Here's what I used.. 

note: not everything I used is included in the photo above, more products listed below

LIPS

Maybelline Vivid Matte Liquid Lip in Possessed Plum • I have mixed thoughts on this. I have used lots of ColourPop liquid lips ($6) which were the exact formula I was looking for- so you can't use price as an excuse. Although I did love the color and the way this felt on my lips, it is in no way 'matte'. It was actually very glossy and sticky. So beautiful, yes. Matte, no. 

FACE

Foundation: CoverGirl Outlast 3-in-1 Foundation • This had great coverage and there were a lot of color options which is nice. I love this foundation because it really does cover well and has a pretty matte finish. It doesn't seem to last all day like you would expect from a pricier foundation, but you get what you pay for! 

Concealer: Maybelline Fit Me Concealer • I use this concealer on the regular! Definitely comparable to Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer- I highly recommend. Very creamy, VERY pigmented. I use the lightest shade to conceal & highlight. I would say do NOT use this concealer unless you plan to set it with a powder immediately after as it does seem to crease. 

Powder: Neutrogena Shine Control Powder • I use this powder 'drugstore makeup' or not. Its my favorite powder to control oil day-to-day. Its completely translucent and really keeps me matte. 

Bronzer: Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Airbrushing Pressed Powder • Let me tell you, its really hard to find a matte bronzer (for contouring specifically) at the drug store. Everything is shimmery and golden, which is nice, but not what I was looking for. This is a great matte powder, which also has SPF. I would have preferred it was a darker shade, but it did the job. 

Highlight: Wet n WildMega Glo Illuminating Powder • I loved this so much! And will continue to use it daily. I was so pleasantly surprised. Wet n Wild is probably the cheapest brand you can find in drugstores, and this highlight palette was great! I used the second shade, the lightest pink, and it looks amazing. Its also been hours since I applied it and its still going strong. Super pretty and I like that there are lots of color options. Plus, the little 'stripes' are wide enough to fit a normal highlight brush into! 

TOOLS

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge • I was the most pleasantly surprised with this more than anything else! I tried this once before (before I had ever even tried the original beautyblender) and was disappointed. But I realized, now that I have more practice, that it really isn't bad at all! I actually loved the flat end, for applying foundation to my forehead and cheeks, and the pointed end for corners. Great for ~$7!

Elf Contour Brush 

Elf Blending Brush

EYES

Shadow: CoverGirl TruNakeds 'Goldens' • I was very pleasantly surprised with this palette! Like I said, I haven't purchased drugstore eyeshadow in a long time, and when it comes to eyeshadow I have high standards. There were actually two matte shades, the lightest shade which I used on my brow bone, and a medium shade, which I used in my crease. I used the rest of the shimmery green shades to shade my lid and darken the inner corner and used the really pretty shimmery lightest color in my inner corner. 

Brows: L'Oreal Brow Stylist Definer • This is an exact dupe for the Anastatsia Brow Wiz. I swear. Go buy it right now. It was so much cheaper and exactly the same. Even the little 'spooly' on the end was exactly like it. I promise, you wont be disappointed! 

Eye Liner: Maybelline Eye Studio Master Precise Liquid Liner• this was the only product I was "meh" about. If you know of a good drugstore liquid liner, please let me know! This was pretty hard to apply and made the look pretty choppy. Thankfully when I applied lashes it covered up the choppiness.

Mascara: CoverGirl The Super Sizer Mascara • This is another product that I use daily. I love this mascara. It really lengthens and separates and does everything you want a mascara to do. I'm wearing falsies in the photo but I did apply a tiny bit of this mascara and some to my bottom lashes as well. 

Lashes: Ardell Demi Wispies

I have to say overall I was very pleasantly surprised. Like I said, I've never been above drugstore makeup in general, but ever since I tried my first Naked palette (and instantly became hooked on the Sephora/Ulta high) I never went back.

But if you're on a budget and still want a flawless face, THERE IS HOPE! I spent around $80 total on foundation, concealer, eyeliner, 2 eyeshadow palettes (only used one in this look), powder, highlighter, bronzer, lashes, sponge, and brushes. Not bad, right?

I hope this is helpful and if there are any products that you think I NEED to try (especially liquid liner!) please comment below and tell me!

xo katie