It's the exact same stuff as the designer brands but with the designer brands you are paying for the packaging. L'oreal also owns Lancôme, La-Roche Posay, Urban Candy, YsL and many more, it all comes from the same factory.

Ive had so much luck with Physicans Formula. I am down to maybe 3 department store products and the rest is PF.

Yes, the drugstore makeups have really stepped up their game. Nouveau Cheap is your new blog friend, as is Makeup Alley. I love the new Nude Magique foundation from L'Oreal, Revlon Colorstay (for more coverage and longer wear), Revlon lip butters, the Rimmel Kate Moss lipsticks (I think it's the red tube I love), L'Oreal Infallible eye pigments and the new CoverGirl precision point liner (my eyes eat makeup, but this lasts about as long as anything).

The search continues for a favorite DS blush.

Anonymous wrote:I like the Rimmel lipsticks.

OP here. I just discovered these, too, at Target. Love it!

Cheap makeup has higher percentages of talc which is an irritatant to many. I have a friend that works in the industry. In general, the formula is pretty standard and it gets slight tweaks accross brands when a large parent company owns them. The higher end brands get more sophisticated color palettes, masking fragrance and packaging. L'oreal, Maybelline and Lancôme (same company) have similar formulas- but has specialized mascara wands for each brand. Ultimately, the juicy tube gloss isn't too different than the Maybelline version.

I can't buy anything CoverGirl or Maybelline really (except maybe mascara or eyeliner) b/c it breaks me out with big painful bumps. Almay and Revlon are pretty decent.

Nars lipstick is amazing. It's not drugstore makeup (I buy mine from Sephora) and they run about $22 a piece. Well worth it in my opinion. The pigment is amazing and the color is long lasting.

I like the Rimmel lipsticks.

Most drugstores let you return with receipt for cash or store credit without receipt, even if it's opened. It's great for someone like me; either everything breaks me out or I have a hard time finding a shade that matches. This way I can buy 2 or 3 shades that I think are likely, figure out which is the closest match to my skin, and test drive it for a week or so. I can take back the ones that don't match or if it breaks me out.

My other issue is that I feel guilty spending money on myself. I can't justify spending $20 to $30 on mascara when I'll have to toss it in 3 to 6 months, but I don't mind if it's only $6 to $8 for something like Maybelline or Cover Girl. And the really nice thing about DS shopping is there's always a sale or a cash back offer going on.

Brands like Milani or NYX or ELF are just as good as higher end brands. I use ELF's primer and I'm amazed it only costs $6. ELF makes a setting powder that's a dupe of MUFE's.

To the PP looking for lipstick recs, Revlon Super Lustrous, Cover Girl Lip Perfection, and Milani Color Statement lipsticks are all nicely pigmented, long lasting and (for me at least) non drying. My personal favorites are the Milani lipsticks. Their colors are flattering on most skin tones and they smell like jolly ranchers (it fades quickly though, if scented make up isn't your thing). The baked blushes are really nice too. I've heard Luminoso is a dupe for Nars Orgasm.

My problem is that you can't test out the shades in the store.

I love Almay concealer and tinted moisturizer.

Nars blush and eyes. Drugstore mascara. I have 6 thousand lip products but usually go with whatever tinted gloss is in my purse.

Anonymous wrote:In my experience concealer, eyeliner, mascara and some eyeshadows are fine but every lipstick I buy is a total bust.

PP here. What lipstick do you use? I like Ulta, but sometimes like to try new colors. I generally agree with your take on lipstick, but I did find that Cover Girl lipstick is good.

In my experience concealer, eyeliner, mascara and some eyeshadows are fine but every lipstick I buy is a total bust.

Some of the brands are good. I use Revlon foundation, but add a higher end face powder and blush. In addition, I like some of the Ulta and Sephora products, which are much cheaper.

I have worn expensive, department store brand make-up ever since I could afford it. I always assumed that the drugstore brands were for teens. But recently I was on a business trip, forgot a few things, and had to run to CVS. I bought a few Revlon/ Maybelline type things and was surprised at the quality. They were actually pretty good. Have I missed something? Have cheaper make-up brands improved?