Drugstore Makeup Haul with a Makeup Artist

Top 11 Drugstore Make-Up Finds Used by a Professional Makeup Artist

This post is a drugstore makeup haul with Makeup Artist, Vanessa Marie. She’s sharing her top 11 drugstore makeup finds (used by the professionals!) Proving you don’t have to spend a fortune to look and feel amazing (my MANTRA!) If you have questions you can ask me what my favorite drugstore makeup finds are over on Instagram @nathaliamelofit.

11 Drugstore Makeup Finds Used by Professional Makeup Artists

Makeup Haul Sitting on a Counter

Today’s blog is going to be different from what you guys are used to seeing here for two reasons:

1- We have a super special guest

2- We will be talking about beauty products, which is not something we have done a whole lot around here

Our guest today is Vanessa Marie who is a professional makeup artist with over 10 years of experience, and I had the pleasure of working with her on a  project a few months ago. While we were working together, I noticed that her makeup kit was A LOT different from most professional makeup artists I have worked with in the past. 

The reason?

Vanessa had a wide range of drugstore products that she swore by! And to be honest, they looked and felt just as good as the expensive stuff that I usually wear. So, knowing that a lot of us moms are on a tight budget, I asked Vanessa (and she kindly said yes!)  to create a list of her TOP 10 drugstore products that are just as amazing as the expensive stuff and tell us what is so amazing about them.

When we talk about “low end”, that doesn’t mean low quality. We’re referring to products that are more affordable. Vanessa’s favorite saying is, “If you are an artist, you should be able to make anything work.”

Often a lot of people forget that the brands sold at drugstores are actually the makeup pioneers. Brands like L’Oréal Cosmetics (her personal favorite), have been around for a long time and they are still on the market because they ARE STILL G.R.E.A.T.!

Let’s dive right in with the top drugstore makeup products that every woman should have in their arsenal.

St Ives Hydrator Mist in Grapefruit

Grapefruit Face Mist from the drugstore

Vanessa says: 

A face mist is a perfect way to get your skin prepped prior to your makeup application. Spray this St. Ives Hydrator all over your skin before you put on your moisturizer and primer. Normally, I would use caution when I know products have fragrance… but I don’t have any complaints from this mist. It’s perfect! St. Ives Hydrator is a staple in Vanessa’s kit and I’ve added it to my routine as well!. Price point under $6. Find it here!

Maybelline Super Stay Full Coverage Foundation

Full stay coverage foundation

Vanessa says:

This product hasn’t been on the market for too long but it’s excellent. I love how it wears long throughout the day (actually for a FULL 24 hr) and feels lightweight on my skin. Super Stay Coverage Foundation is oil-free and perfect for when you need a matte finish. It comes in 28 shades online. Price point under $13. Find it here!

L’Oréal Full Wear Waterproof Concealer

Loreal Concealer from the drugstore

Vanessa says:

This concealer is very similar to the popular Tarte Shape Tape Concealer. It’s a full coverage concealer and you can even use it as a full-face product (a foundation if you wanted). You can also use these concealers to contour your face if you buy in deeper shades that work best for your skin tone. It sets well and is waterproof and transfer-resistant. I absolutely adore this product. Price point $10. Find it here!

Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder

Finishing powder from the drugstore

Vanessa says:

This powder is great as a finishing powder for all over for a seamless natural “skin-like” look. I like to use this sheer powder to help foundation, blush, and contours blend seamlessly into one another with the help of this product. Which ends up giving you an all-over finished look. Price point $8. Find it here!

L’Oréal Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara

Black mascara from the drugstore

Vanessa says:

This mascara is a cult favorite. It’s also a drugstore favorite mascara among celebrity makeup artists like Kim Kardashian’s MUA Mario Dedivanovic. The brush applicator is amazing for finding every lash to build dramatic lashes without clumping. Price point $9. Find it here!

Adrell 113 Wispie False Lashes

Ardell professionals false lashes

Vanessa says:

I love Adrell Brand lashes so even if this particular style is too dramatic for your taste, they do make other styles that are more natural. I’m all about a comfortable lash band. Nothing worse than a stiff lash band you can feel all night. This particular style I feel is very “Kardashian-ques” because it’s fluffy and feathery. You can play up your dramatic or natural looks with these perfect lashes. Price point $5. Find it here!

Kiss I-Gloo Lash Adhesive

i-gloo lash adhesive from the drugstore

Vanessa says:

This particular lash glue I love because it gets tacky almost on contact when applying false lashes. It’s a HUGE struggle applying lashes and I feel it’s because of the lash glue is not getting tacky. Some glues take longer than others to reach that point. This product is easy to use with its brush applicator and it goes on blue (easy to see when distributed) but will dry clear. Price point $7. Find it here!

Real Techniques Brushes and Sponges

Perfect brushes from Real Techniques

Vanessa says:

Real Techniques Brush bundles and sponges are some of my favorites to pick up when I’m at the drugstore. This brand was invented by two popular makeup artists/ bloggers/ Youtubers known as Pixiwoo. Having worked in the industry, and I feel these two created a brand that catered to the average woman. Brushes are pricey and everyone should have access to good quality. The Expert Face Brush is one of my favorites. Vanessa said that their blending sponges in her kit are also Real Techniques. Price point $20 for the sets. Find it here!

Milani Color Statement Lip Liners

Milani Lip Liners from the drugstore

Vanessa says:

If I’m in a rush and need a good lip pencil Milani Lip Pencils are my fav. Easy to sharpen and glide on effortlessly for a easy blend. They aren’t drying and have good pigment. The price point is only $5! Find it here!

Elf Plumping Lip Gloss in Champagne Glam

Top lipgloss from the drugstore

Vanessa says:

9 times out of 10 this is the lipgloss I swear by. A lot of people always ask what lip gloss I use and I always say the same thing because it’s soooo good. Applied it has a cool tingle as it has lip plumping agents but it’s a very comfortable gloss…not sticky…more hydrating. I definitely recommend this product. Price point $6. Find it here!

Olay Regenerist Cleansing Whip

Olay Regenerist Cleansing Whip

Vanessa says:

Now that you have a full face of makeup…you need a good remover to take it off. Something that’s going to be quick, easy and good for your skin. The best part of my day is when I get to give my skin a little TLC at night. This whip/foam cleanser not only smells amazing but it removes oil and dirt gently. It has an anti-aging formula to help against damage or over-drying the skin. I love this stuff. Price point $9. Find it here!

I hope this information was helpful to anyone needing help with recommendable products in a growing cosmetic industry. Vanessa’s love for both makeup and artistry inspired me to share these products with you. She’s been so helpful in spreading her love of makeup to all of us. I know that I’ve already expanded my makeup cabinets with her favorite products!

We want to give a huge thank you to Vanessa Marie, from Vanessa Marie Artistry www.vanessamarieartistry.com

Make sure to support and follow her on Instagram @mua_vanessa_marie.

I’m a big believer in quick and easy routines. It’s important that I can get a workout in, shower and put on my face before chaos breaks out in the house! That’s why I rely on this high-intensity full-body workout to get me sweating FAST! And I wanted to share this workout with you! You can download your free copy of my full-body and high-intensity workout here!

(Links in this post are affiliate links. This means that I get a small commission if you buy anything. There is NO additional cost for you! Thanks for supporting everything we do here.)

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