If you’ve followed me for any length of time, you’ll know that drugstore/affordable makeup is my THING. I’ve never been super interested in high end products, though I do try them occasionally. When I saw that one of my favorite Youtubers, Jen Phelps, had created a drugstore makeup tag, I knew I had to do it. You definitely need to go watch her video but before you go, here’s my answers! 

1. If you could only use one affordable/drugstore brand, what would it be?

The answer to this question would have to be e.l.f. Cosmetics. I don’t love everything from e.l.f. but I could easily create a full face of makeup just using their products. I would even be able to use their brushes and skincare. 

2. What’s the most underrated drugstore/affordable brand?

Profusion Cosmetics all the way. I have yet to try anything from them that I haven’t liked. 

3. What’s the most overrated drugstore/affordable brand?

Hear me out but I think Colourpop is overrated. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE some of their products and I actually have two of their palettes on the way to me right now BUT they’re definitely not the most affordable or the best quality. I especially hate their lip products. 

4. What is your favorite affordable product under $5.00?

I can’t think of any favorites that are UNDER $5.00 but I do have a few that are $5.00; the Profusion Eyeshadow and Blush Palettes. 

5. What is a hidden gem from the drugstore that no one talks about?

Hands down the J. Cat Beauty Luxe Pro Powder. I bought this on a whim and it ended up being a holy grail. You get so much product for super cheap. It has a silky formula that helps to blur my pores and keep me matte. I can’t believe that more people don’t talk about this stuff. 

6. What’s your favorite drugstore/affordable foundation?

For regular medium to full coverage foundation, I would have to say the Hard Candy Glamoflauge. It is slightly finicky but it has a beautiful finish and lasts all day. For tinted moisturizer, I love the one from Australian Gold.

7. What products do you tend to buy more at the drugstore vs. high end?

I tend to buy ALL my products from the drugstore or affordable brands but especially the things I go through quickly, like base products and mascara. 

8. What drugstore brand do you think is overpriced?

There are a few that I think are overpriced but I’ll say NYX and Flower Beauty. Don’t get me wrong, some of my most loved products come from NYX but I always wait until they go on sale. Flower Beauty’s products are around the same quality level as e.l.f. but their price tag is at least double what e.l.f.’s is. 

9. What’s your favorite drugstore dupe?

I unfortunately don’t have an answer for this. I don’t go out of my way to buy dupes for high end products and I don’t like having duplicate shades of things in my collection. 

10. What’s the best drugstore/affordable eyeshadow formula?

I had to choose three brands for this answer: J. Cat Beauty, Colourpop and Profusion. J. Cat Beauty is super affordable and while their mattes aren’t the best, they have foiled shades that are AMAZING. I know I said that Colourpop is overrated but I do really love their eyeshadow formula (most of the time). Out of the three, however, Profusion is my favorite. They’re so affordable and so good. 

11. What’s the worst drugstore/affordable eyeshadow formula?

Essence Cosmetics has one of the worst eyeshadow formulas. Every once in awhile they’ll release something good but for the most part, it’s dry chalky dust. 

12. Drugstore brand you used to love but aren’t crazy about anymore?

I stopped buying from Wet n Wild when they started selling in China but even if they were still cruelty free, I wouldn’t buy from them. All of their releases look so cheap now. They are an affordable brand but other brands, like e.l.f. and Profusion, manage to be affordable and have quality products. 

13. What drugstore/affordable product did you not expect to like but totally wowed you?

I wouldn’t say that I didn’t expect to like these products but I didn’t expect to absolutely love them. When I bought the Milani Ludicrous Glosses, I was expecting just an average gloss formula but this is the best formula I’ve ever tried. As for the Profusion Neon and J. Cat Beauty Noche Palettes, they’re extremely affordable and sometimes that can mean sub par quality but both of these palettes are fantastic. 

14. What is your favorite affordable eyeshadow palette? 

The Profusion Nude Bliss! This is my perfect neutrals palette and I love every shade in it. 

Final Thoughts:

I hope you guys enjoyed seeing my answers to these questions. I would love to know your answers so let me know if you’ll be posting your own version of this tag or share down below! Thanks for reading and have a great day!