drugstore makeup hidden gems

Drugstore Makeup Hidden Gems

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I use products all the time from the drugstore that I really like, but I cannot figure out why other bloggers or Youtubers never mention them. Sometimes, we get so blinded by new releases and sales, that we do not notice the diamonds in the rough right under our noses. This list of drugstore makeup hidden gems are those bottom of the shelf products that deserve more time, attention, love, and reviews. Every product here is ultra affordable, and the results are simply shocking. You are sure to find something that you will need to try right away! Time to begin.

drugstore makeup hidden gems
drugstore makeup hidden gems

Drugstore Makeup Hidden Gems

1) Covergirl TruNaked Palettes

The first drugstore makeup hidden gems are the collection of TruNaked Palettes by Covergirl. In my collection, and featured here, are Peach Punch, Chocoholic, Jewels, and Sunsets. Covergirl eyeshadows can definitely be hit or miss, but the TruNaked line performs very well for the drugstore. The eyeshadows are easy to blend and work with, especially the mattes. Pigmentation is definitely present, with minimal fallout. You can definitely wet the shimmers if that is your preference. These sleek palettes will slide right into your collection.

covergirl trunaked palettes

2) Physicians Formula Bronze Booster Matte Sculpting Highlight & Contour Palette

Second is the Physician’s Formula Bronze Booster Matte Sculpting Highlight and Contour Palette. This is truly a bottom shelf, clearance find that I am so happy my eyes spotted! The golden brown shade is a bronzer, the middle shade is the contour, and the white shade is a matte highlighter. I love how soft and creamy the powders are, and the bronzer/contour duo compliment each other perfectly. I reach for this palette quite often for the perfect drugstore sculpted face. These blend like a dream!


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physicians formula bronze booster matte sculpting highlight and contour palette

3) elf Acne Fighting Foundation

Third is elf’s Acne Fighting Foundation (my shade is Porcelain). While it does not come in many shades, this formula is fantastic! It always looks so smooth and natural on my face, and never cakey or heavy. Each time I wear it, I know I am going to have a flawless, great foundation day. It lasts all day, no matter what primer/powder/setting spray options you use. Also, the formula is so light on the skin. I can build it up to my desired level of coverage easily with a blending sponge. You best believe that I am fully stocked on this stuff!

elf acne fighting foundation

4) Rimmel Magnif’eyes Palettes

Fourth are Rimmel’s Magnif’eyes Palettes. The palette featured here is the Jewel Rocks Edition, and it adds some unique shades to my loaded eyeshadow collection. Now, some of these palettes are hit or miss, but any of the palettes that dupe Naked palettes and the Jewel Rocks palette are excellent. You might just mistake the formula for high-end with the ease of use and lovely pigmentation. Again, you can wet the shimmers if you want, and even the mattes are easy to blend, with little fallout.

rimmel magnif eyes palettes

5) L’oreal Voluminous Primer

Fifth in this list of drugstore hidden gems is L’oreal’s Voluminous Primer. I am a firm believer that mascara primers are completely unnecessary and a gimmick, except for this one. Without a doubt, this mascara primer amplifies even the most lackluster mascara by making it more volumizing and lengthening. I cannot apply any mascara without using this primer, and I am fully stocked on it as well. Thank you, Walmart, for enabling me to discover this product from your favorites boxes!


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loreal voluminous primer

6) Revlon Photoready Pore Reducing Primer

Next is Revlon’s Photoready Pore Reducing Primer. The pores on my nose are horrible, and I consider them to be more craters than they are pores. Believe me, I have tried my fair share of pore reducing primers, and one from the drugstore that actually makes a difference is hard to come by. Revlon’s is the best I have ever tried. It really does fill the pores and smooth them over, so that my foundation does not settle in and exaggerate my issues. This primer is a must-have for me.

revlon photoready pore reducing primer

7) elf Makeup Remover Pen

Here is elf’s Makeup Remover Pen. As a result of writing this blog post, I am realizing that elf discontinued this pen, which has me very angry. It has the power to literally correct any makeup mistake without you needing to wash your entire face off and start from scratch. I commonly use it to clean up my eyeliner. The tip does get stained, even though I wipe it on a tissue per package directions. The staining does not affect the pen at all, nor does it transfer the staining to your face. In all honestly, this particular pen has been opened for years and it still works perfect! But, I am still glad to have a back-up on hand.


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elf makeup remover pen

8) wet n wild megalast Liquid Catsuit Liquid Eyeshadows

Continuing on with the drugstore makeup hidden gems, I have wet n wild’s line of megalast Liquid Catsuit Liquid Eyeshadows. These products have eased all of my fears about liquid eyeshadow because they are super easy to work with. They last all day and they do not crease or crack. I appreciate that the formula gives you a moment to work with it before it fully dries down. These come in a variety of types, which are shimmer, metallic, and creme. I can use these in the center of a halo eye, all over the eyelid, or really for whatever I want. The shimmers are definitely comparable to Stila’s liquid eyeshadows.

wet n wild megalast liquid catsuit liquid eyeshadows

9) Sleek Makeup Highlighting Palette

Here is a Sleek Makeup Highlighting Palette. Mine is in the shade Solstice. This palette features three different types of highlights- one cream, two baked, and one regular pressed powder. The real stand-outs here are the two baked highlighters because they are super blinding, wet looking, and gorgeous! You would think that you are using a high-end highlighter. I am blown away each time I use this palette. I have never used the cream shade, and the general pressed powder is alright. Ultimately, I want to get more of these palettes.

sleek makeup highlighting palette solstice

10) Salon Perfect Done in One Brow Pomade

Next is Salon Perfect’s Done in One Brow Pomade, and my shade is dark brown. This formula is the most stiff brow pomade that I have ever tried, but that is by no means a negative. It is easy to blend and it fills your brows easily for all day hold and color with a matte formula. A little goes a long way. Luckily, this arrived in a Walmart Beauty Box, or else I would have no idea this product exists!


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salon perfect done in one brow pomade

11) elf Make Me Matte Foundation Adjuster

The last drugstore makeup hidden gem is elf’s Make Me Matte Foundation Adjuster. This is a loose powder that you can mix into dewy foundations to make them matte, and it features a handy plastic paddle that acts as a scooper! I find that one scoop is sufficient for a full face of foundation. My skin is combination, where my t-zone gets oily, so many dewy foundations look like a mess on me. This product is definitely a life saver! It has saved my butt plenty of times with sample foundations that looked bad on me. It does not harm your foundation at all, meaning it will still perform well.

elf make me matte foundation adjuster

Conclusion

In summary of these drugstore makeup hidden gems, I have specifically and carefully curated this list to feature products that are simply amazing, but they do not get enough love. Why do people not rave about these items?! My makeup collection would not be the same without each and every one of these products, and I feel very strongly about them. Until next time, continue to let your true beauty shine.

Which one of these products will you be trying as a result of this review?

In This Article

Picture of Amanda Vitale
Amanda Vitale
Hi, I am Amanda Vitale, the owner of The Aesthetic Edge. I am a beauty and style expert who has been writing reviews and advice for 10 years. I have had the pleasure of testing hundreds of products, and I have published countless lookbooks. You can see my expertise quoted in top authoritative publications such as Bustle and Real Simple. I have also worked with your favorite brands, such as CurrentBody and AXIS-Y.
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5 Responses

    1. Yes it is great for a finicky nose like mine! Otherwise, I need to opt for a high end pore filler and your girl likes to save $$$

    1. I can understand that! The drugstore has really been getting better over the past 5 years. My blog is a great tool to discover those items! No secret here but yeah elf and wet n wild really knock it out of the park.

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