As nice as it is to splurge on hair products and makeup from Sephora or ULTA, their prices aren’t always easy on the wallet! It takes a little bit of searching to find high-quality products at CVS or Walgreens, but most drugstores offer some hidden gems that are affordable and comparable to what you’d find at a higher-end boutique.
Nail Polish:
Most drugstores carry Essie nail polishes, which are great quality and usually retail at around $8.00. Essie polishes come in a huge range of shades and the brand releases new colors every few months, as well as seasonal collections. Essie polishes tend to have great opacity and the shape of the brush gives good coverage. NYC Color polishes are some of the least expensive you can get anywhere, and they, like Essie, offer good coverage, especially for the price. Though the color selection isn’t as extensive as other brands, NYC Color’s price point can’t be beat. Their polishes range in price from 99 cents to $1.99. Why splurge on a $30.00 product from luxury brands when you can give yourself a great manicure for a few dollars?
Hair Products:
Moroccan argan oil has been called a miracle treatment for dry strands—it makes hair softer and shinier while repairing dead ends. Unfortunately, Moroccanoil brand shampoos, conditioners, sprays, and oils are super pricey—a small bottle of product can cost more than $25.00. The body and hair care label Organix includes Moroccan argan oil shampoo, regular and deep conditioners, and a repairing spray. The “Intense Moisturizing Treatment” retails for about $6.00 and does a great job of making hair soft and manageable.
Makeup:
Nars, Urban Decay, and Bobbi Brown all feature cream eye shadow sticks in their lines. Eye shadow sticks are easy to use, and because there’s no need to use an applicator or a brush, you can be really precise. These brands’ shadow sticks can retail for $20.00 or more, however—and you can find similar products at CVS or Target. E.L.F. Cosmetics makes a great shadow stick that comes in 10 versatile colors, and each one will only set you back by $2.00. These E.L.F shadows are fairly well-pigmented, and while they aren’t as long-lasting as the brands you’d find at Sephora, they’re great for the price.