One of the best parts of our job here at Well Good is testing countless beauty products. We've tried everything from $300+ creams to $9 foundations, and found things we love on both ends of the spectrum. And if all those skin massages and makeup applications have taught us anything, it's that you don't have to spend a fortune to find the beauty products you love.
This year, we tested 20 of the best-selling mascaras, five of the most popular neutral nail polish colours, and... So much more. Below, we've rounded up the best drugstore beauty products under $20 that we've tried since January.
10 Best Drugstore Beauty Products
Maybelline Green Edition Super drop Tinted Oil Makeup: $9.00
Our Editor beauty senior Zoë Weiner says this $9 foundation is one of her everyday purchases. “It starts out as an oil but blends seamlessly into the skin, creating what I always describe to my friends as a 'velvety, dewy finish,'” she says. “Another thing I love is that the formula is super buildable, meaning I can customize my coverage with each application: one drop for light, two drops for medium and three drops for heavy. I've also found that no matter how much product I apply, it never feels pasty or overdone (even though I only need a small amount to even out discoloration and hide imperfections).
L'Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion Makeup - $13.00
Our editorial assistant Amelia McBride says this $ "Glotion" 13 is a perfect, affordable comparison to the still-sold-out Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter (which costs $47, by the way.) Lumi Glotion can be used under your favourite foundation to add a touch of shimmer, or on its own for maximum luminosity . “she says. " There's no substitute for the original Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter, but I have to thank L'Oréal: Lumi Glotion left my skin just as radiant and for $34 less, I'd say it's a win."
Avène Cold Cream Nutrition Nourishing Lip Balm: $14.00
"If I Say So" I'm not joking, I buy them in large quantities,” explains Dominique Michelle Astorino, W+G collaborator. “They have the silkiest, most melt-in, non-sticky, non-greasy, non-waxy formula I've ever tried... and I've tried it several times. Composed of Shea butter, jojoba oil and bisabolol, the balm nourishes the lips while protecting them from aggression. No wonder dermatologists love it as much as I do. »
Lash Princess Essence waterproof effect of false eyelashes: $5.00
As Torino has some I also tested 20 of the best-selling mascaras and found this convenient purchase among the best. “On paper it's hard to beat a five-star mask for five bucks. And yes, this definitive offering offered enough to get to the top of this list of stars," he says. "I tried it at an Elton John concert where I knew I would cry and it lasted all night." They also say it gives perfect definition and separation, just the right volume before it looks clumsy or spidery, and provides just the right length. .
LA Girl, Shady Slim Eyebrow Pencil: $6.00
The Ultra "This pen's fine tip creates fine, hair-like strokes so convincing that no one will notice that you've gone overboard with the tweezers in the past," explains W+G contributor Marie Lodi. She likes that it has a slim pen and coil, that it comes in five shades, and that the pen lasts a long time. Remember that you have to press hard to get the color, which can be useful if you're worried about overdoing it.
Australian Gold Botanical SPF 50, tinted: US$16.00
“It's not just an SPF (physical ) impressive with "a tint that acts like a highly protective BB cream, but at about $16 (per yard), it's also an incredible value," says Astorino, who tested 50 very popular sunscreens and said this was one of the 12 best. On the skin, it's lush, cruelty-free, and comes in shades ranging from light to deep to cover a spectrum of skin tones. Formulated with "Australian botanicals" rich in antioxidants, it nourishes and protects. »
Olive and June, CCT: $9.00
"Here we have the most nail polish Neutral Nails, “I've tried it so far,” says author Rebecca Norris, who tested five of the most popular neutral nail polish shades. “Designed with a wide brush, this light milky pink nail polish applies more evenly than any another polish in the group and it looks great in just two coats. If you want more colour you can get it, but I think two coats is *chef's kiss*. After five days it was a lot of fun on top. »
Foligain, triple action shampoo against hair loss: US$ 16.00
W+ G Zaya Dory Contributor I tried 20 shampoos that stimulate growth for thinning hair and I liked this one from Foligain. “During the testing phase, I noticed that it wasn't a particularly fizzy shampoo, but rather a rich, creamy lather,” she says. “Since it's not very soapy, I had to use more shampoo than usual. Although it contains 2% trioxidil, which is clinically proven to slow hair loss, it does not have a strong chemical odor. It also does not contain parabens, sulfates and phthalates. Since the instructions say to massage your head with shampoo for a few minutes to stimulate growth, you are forced to take care of yourself, which I really appreciate.
Byoma Gel-Moisturizing Cream: $14.00
Our sales editor Francesca Krempa I tried this moisturizer with other Byoma products for a week and was really impressed. She says its super lightweight and doesn't leave clumps under makeup. “Byoma replaces the common sterile packaging that so many brands have adopted with bright, vibrant colours, stackable formats and recyclable bottles,” says Krempa. "But it's the simplicity and speed of the results that keep me coming back."
Orly Nail Rescue Kit: $17.00
When a nail breaks but I don't want to part with the length, I have found this kit incredibly effective. It includes nail glue, repair powder and a file and allows me to perfectly repair a broken nail in seconds for less than the cost of a manicure in New York.