10 High-Quality Drugstore Makeup Finds To Buy For Date Night & 10 Hard Passes


10 High-Quality Drugstore Makeup Finds To Buy For Date Night & 10 Hard Passes


If you're going on a date night and want to look cute without breaking the bank, behold, 10 amazing makeup products from the drugstore that are seriously good quality. These cult favourites will become your new staples and you'll love their low price tags. But of course, on the other hand, we want to look out for you and make sure you don't buy some bad products too. Don't fall for the cheap prices! We've also listed 10 products you definitely want to avoid.


1. Maybelline Lifter Gloss

Maybelline is a beloved drugstore makeup brand that has many hit products, including the Lifter Gloss! It rapidly became a favourite among beauty enthusiasts, noted for its plumping effect and great hydrating feel. It's infused with hyaluronic acid which gives it this beautifully shiny finish, but it's also really moisturizing, which is a great 2-in-1 deal!

Maybelline LifterglossMarius Vassnes on Wikimedia Commons

2. L'Oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation

Offering a demi-matte finish (a half dewy, half matte look) that lasts all day, this foundation is a classic go-to for those wanting a long-wearing formula without the high-end price tag. It works great for combination to oily skin types, providing a medium to full coverage look depending on how you use it.

Foundation (Cosmetics)Jen on Wikimedia Commons

3. NYX Professional Makeup Micro Brow Pencil

Offering makeup lovers an affordable but high-quality product, NYX came out with this eyebrow pencil that instantly became a cult favourite. It defines and fills in your brows with great precision, rivaling more expensive brands thanks to its ultra-fine tip and nice colour range. Who knew achieving natural-looking brows could be this cheap and easy?

Permanent Makeup, Eyebrow ProcedureMarjorie Grimm on Wikimedia Commons

4. e.l.f. Cosmetics Poreless Putty Primer

A popular dupe for more expensive primers, this e.l.f. primer is a stand out product. Loved for its exceptional ability to smooth out the skin and minimize the appearance of pores, it's a versatile base that works well under any foundation. Enhancing the longevity and appearance of your foundation, who wouldn't love this primer?

Jessica-Johnston-Kuaf9Ch8Wiw-UnsplashPhoto by Jessica Johnston on Unsplash

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5. Wet n Wild Photo Focus Eyeshadow Primer

Make your eyeshadow pop with this affordable eyeshadow primer from Wet n Wild. Not only does it make your shadows look more vibrant, it also helps them last longer, preventing creasing and fading throughout the day. It's a hidden gem for anyone wanting their eye makeup to stay put without spending the extra money.

1024Px-Green Super Macro Eyecourtney murray rhodes on Wikimedia Commons

6. Milani Baked Blush

Known for its buildable formula, great shade range, and natural radiant finish, Milani's baked blushes are everything you could ever ask for. Offering the perfect pop of colour, they provide several shades to complement a variety of skin tones, rivaling, if not outperforming, the quality of high-end blushes.

Hanna-P Gqpl-A R4-UnsplashPhoto by Hanna on Unsplash

7. Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer

When you think drugstore concealers, we're guessing you're thinking of Maybelline's most iconic product. This concealer is renowned for its excellent coverage, easy application, and low price tag. Perfect for hiding dark circles, fine lines, and blemishes, it's a favourite among all makeup lovers.

Laura-Chouette-Rnx2Plb7-Tq-UnsplashPhoto by Laura Chouette on Unsplash

8. Revlon ColorStay Eyeliner

If you love a good dramatic eyeliner look, head to the drugstore to pick up these affordable Revlon eyeliners. Not only does it have rich pigment, it has a smudge-proof formula that makes it the ideal product. It features a retractable pencil with a built-in sharpener, making it convenient for those precise applications.

Artem-Labunsky-Zbogyp1G-Gu-UnsplashPhoto by Artem Labunsky on Unsplash

9. L'Oreal Lash Paradise Mascara

The best mascara at the drugstore is hands-down the iconic L'Oreal Lash Paradise Mascara. Not only does the packaging look luxurious, it's a game-changing product that gives you great volume and intense length, without the high-end price tag. The smooth formula glides on effortlessly, and doesn't clump or flake!

Mascara MomentAlex from Ithaca, NY on Wikimedia Commons

10. Burt's Bees 100% Natural Moisturizing Lip Balm

While it's not strictly makeup, an essential in any makeup bag is a good lip balm - Burt's Bees has just that. Their lip balm is perfect for keeping lips hydrated, nourished, and soft. It's made with natural ingredients, comes in various flavours, and is just all in all a great product to keep on hand at all times.

Burt's Bees Best Lip Balm (29528485983)Tools of Men on Wikimedia Commons

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1. Maybelline Great Lash Mascara

Known for its distinctive pink and green packaging, Maybelline had a major miss with this mascara. While sure, it's affordable and a legacy item in the beauty industry, many people find it falls short in terms of performance. Some common criticisms from users include a tendency to clump and smudge.

1024Px-Hk Mk 旺角 Mongkok 朗豪坊 Langham Place Mall March 2020 Ss2 3800 08Tweme Rum Lnsolwi on Wikimedia Commons

2. Almay Smart Shade Anti-Aging Skintone Matching Makeup

Although the concept of a skintone matching makeup is appealing, users have found that this product often fails to adjust accurately to their skin tone. Additionally, it has been reported to offer poor coverage and to have a greasy texture that doesn't set well, even with powder. To put simply, it's a novelty item not worth spending your money on.

1709839533084.pngAlmay on Wikimedia Commons

3. L.A. Colors Liquid Foundation

Criticized for its thin consistency and lack of coverage, this foundation is a hard pass. Many people have reported that it wears off easily throughout the day and can feel very heavy or oily on the skin, which are two things you really don't want in your foundation. 

Peter-Kalonji-Lh74Lryvby4-UnsplashPhoto by Peter Kalonji on Unsplash

4. Wet n Wild Fantasy Makers Glitter Palette

Although this palette is intended for creating bold, glittery looks, it has been poorly regarded for its bad pigmentation and chunky bits of glitter that are too hard to apply evenly. There's also a lot of fallout, creating a mess during both the application and wear process.

1024Px-A Woman Wearing Eye Shadowhttps://www.pexels.com on Wikimedia Commons

5. NYC (New York Color) Smooth Skin Liquid Makeup

This product has received negative reviews for its watery texture and sheer coverage, making it difficult to build up without looking patchy. Additionally, it has been reported to have a limited shade range that does not cater well to all skin tones.

1024Px-Makeup ArtistFidelis ogunseri ocsfilms on Wikimedia Commons

6. Rimmel London Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation

While some might find this product enjoyable for its very matte finish, most people criticize it for being too thick, difficult to blend, and leaving behind a cakey appearance. Instead of blending flawlessly into your skin, it tends to accentuate dry spots and pores, making this an undesirable product.

1709839955258.pngCoty Inc. on Wikimedia Commons

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7. Milani Conceal + Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation + Concealer

Receiving many mixed reviews online, most of the negative comments are regarding this concealer's heavy texture and cakey look on the skin. It's also been noted to oxidize and change colour over time, a trait many people try to avoid.

Concealer (2)Benff on Wikimedia Commons

8. e.l.f. Essential Lipstick

Although e.l.f. offers some highly regarded products, their Essential Lipstick line has been criticized for its drying formula and lack of longevity on the lips. Some users have also mentioned its unpleasant scent and taste.

Ashley-Piszek-Crske1Ckql0-UnsplashPhoto by Ashley Piszek on Unsplash

9. Maybelline New York The Rock Nudes Eyeshadow Palette

Here's another miss by Maybelline. This palette just simply won't give you the look you want. It has lackluster pigmentation, powdery shadows that have significant fallout, and an unideal shade range. The colours, while they might appear vibrant in the palette, require far too much work to make them even show up on the eyelids.

Melanfolia-3Hzdvhaii-0-UnsplashPhoto by melanfolia меланфолія on Unsplash

10. Physicians Formula Organic Wear 100% Natural Origin Mascara

Despite being a product from a brand known for its sensitive skin-friendly formulations, this mascara has received negative feedback for its tendency to smudge and flake off during the day. Some people have even reported that it can be difficult to remove, despite its natural formulation.

1024Px-Eye MakeupEsra on Wikimedia Commons