Hear ye, hear ye. Today, we shall discuss one of the favourite topics in every makeup lovers' minds; cheap (sort of) drugstore makeup! Being that I am from Malaysia, I'm sure some of the products I talk about won't be able elsewhere, but since we now have the god-sent photo-sharing platform, Instagram, we can now get overseas drugstore makeup because well, the Malaysian Drugstore beauty market isn't exactly "wide". So, today I'm gonna talk about my personal favourite drugstore makeup!

PRIMER

  Everyone needs a good base, and you rarely find much choice of primers here in sunny, sweaty Malaysia. Primers are something that I prefer to splurge on since it's sitting directly on my skin, but as a student, every penny counts!

  For a pore-minimising primer, the Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser primer does as it says. This primer has a pretty thick silicone-y feel to it, but it does give off a smooth base. It isn't exactly a dupe for the Benefit Porefessional, but it does enough for it's price. Do understand that this primer doesn't have a mattifying claim so if you're looking for something mattifying, this ain't for you.

  For a long-lasting base, the Nivea Men's Post Shave Balm trounces all other primers. Here, they only sell the original version instead of the sensitive version, but there's no difference to it, really. This "primer" is super liquidy, and a little goes a long way. You'll realise after putting it on your skin'll be a little tacky, that's due to the glycerin in the balm that allows foundation, or other cream/powder products to adhere to the skin, on a smooth base. Just as NikkieTutorials says, it'll make your makeup last longer, be it powder or cream products.

FOUNDATION

  For foundation, depending on what kind of skin you have (oily, dry, combination), you'll look out for different ones. In my opinion, the brand that takes the cake for best drugstore foundations goes to Borjouis. Borjouis is a French cosmetics company, who also happens to be under Chanel. So, basically you're using Chanel products for like a third of the price. (hehe bargain)

  For a matte foundation, the Borjouis Air Mat foundation is a fave! This foundation is a medium to full coverage, buildable depending on how much product you use. With this product, a little goes a long way, so you're saving a few extra bucks and it's squeeze-tube packaging makes it easy to estimate how much product you'll use without losing any in the process. Although great and mattifying, it won't last longer than 6 hours of wear before breaking up in the oily areas. I don't recommend this for dry skin because this product does have a tendency to cling onto dry patches, making your skin look really unattractive.

For a luminous-healthy finish foundation, the Borjouis Healthy Mix foundation takes the cake. The finish is very skin-like, making it almost impossible to notice you're wearing a ton of product. the packaging comes in a pump which is great, but sometimes the pump will come off and leak foundation EVERYWHERE. This foundation lasts pretty long, for more than 8 hours with proper setting. This foundation isn't exactly a dewy finish, but it does have that "lit from within glow" making it fine for oily skin girls to wear, but should probably bring their powder along for touch ups along the way.

CONCEALER

My faveeeee concealer of all time has to be the Maybelline Fit Me concealers! Influenced by YouTube, I decided to purchase one when I was in the UK and I absolutely fell in love with them! Absolutely full coverage, a little goes a long way and it's packaging is super duper cute! Known to be a dupe for the Nars Creamy Radiant concealers, it's been many's option for quality makeup without sacrificing an arm for it. You can't get these from your local drugstore, but plenty of instashops have them for sale, it's just a matter of finding the right instashop without getting screwed over.

EYESHADOW



I love Makeup Revolution eyeshadows! They are crazy pigmented and easy to blend. The eyeshadow palettes have different themes ranging from cool-toned dark shades to warm-toned rosy shades. Their eyeshadows are very creamy,pigmented and easy to pick up product with without paying a crazy amount. These palettes are from the UK, so you'll have to purchase them through an instashop, but they're so worth it!

MASCARA

HANDS DOWN my favourite mascaras from the drugstore have to be the Maybelline Lash Sensational and the Revlon Lash Potion. 

The Lash Sensational has a curved wand that helps lift and curl the lashes and it's bristles help separate lashes without clumping them, allowing easy use for top and bottom lashes.

 The Lash Postion has a thick wand with synthetic bristles, giving more volume and length without making the eyelashes heavy and look all jumbled up.

POWDER

  The NYX Stay Matte But Not Flat powder takes the cake! The product feels absolutely creamy and soft, definitely helping to control oil and mattify the skin without making your face look one dimensional. The powder, although sold at Sephora, has a drugstore price and has been my HG since 2013. 

For a classic cult favourite, the Rimmel Stay Matte powder is heaven-sent. This pressed powder does what it says and costs so cheap you don't feel guilty for repurchasing. Once again, this is another product you'll have to find an instashop for since Malaysian drugstores pulled out Rimmel products back in 2012 :(

LIP PRODUCTS

  The best drugstore lipsticks too go to NYX. Their range of lip creams, matte lipsticks, lip glosses and sooo much more make them hard to beat. They've definitely got the formulation right for lip products, without sacrificing the affordable price tag. Cult favourites are the Soft Matte Lip Creams, Matte Lipsticks and Lipliners.

And not to forget, Colourpop! They have an amazing range of shades to choose from for affordable prices. Their Ultra Matte Lip liquid lipsticks have made a name for themselves in the makeup community and there's a reason why. The formulation, opacity and price of the product makes them unmissable and a must have in every makeup lover's collection!

  These are all basic makeup that beat the rest in the drugstore world. But please understand that products that work for me, might not work for you. If you're planning to get any new makeup, I recommend to do some research on other consumers who have similar skin type and tone. What are your favourite drugstore finds? Do tell me in the comment box below!

Lots of love,

Taty