The Drugstore Makeup Starter Kit

Ahhh drugstore makeup. Anyone who has read any blog post of mine before will know I am partial to a high end splurge, but that doesn't mean I don't have a place in my makeup-obsessed heart for a drugstore product or forty. Sometimes I can go months without finding anything new or exciting in the aisles of Boots, but other times I end up drooling over everything. The drugstores have without a doubt upped their game in recent months, even in the last year or so, to the point where really you don't need to splurge to get a good product anymore. I've pulled together the cream of the crop (in my opinion) from the drugstore, to give you a full makeup starter kit, all really affordable. 

When it comes to foundation, there are a few that I'm loving right now (L'Oreal Nude Magique, Bourjois Healthy Mix, Rimmel Match Perfection to name a few), but the award for good-for-all-skin types, buildable coverage, natural finish - the all rounder, if you will, goes to the L'Oreal True Match Foundation. This is my go-to foundation right now, it just does the job, no matter what the job you have in mind is.

I always like to have two reliable concealers in my army, one for blemishes, redness, stuff like that, and another for under-eyes. The Seventeen Phwoarr Paint is marketed as an under-eye concealer, but personally I prefer it for blemishes (it's a little dry for the eye area). It's a solid concealer that's pretty creamy when you apply it, but it sets to almost full coverage. Small enough to slip in the handbag, and it comes with a little mirror too, so it's great for on the go. I leave under-eyes to the hands of the Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer, one of the only concealer's I've ever repurchased. It's got good medium coverage, but it's also super brightening, a win-win. When it comes to setting it all, I reach for the Bourjois Healthy Balance Powder, which is perfect for setting makeup, or even over just concealer to add a little coverage to minimal-makeup days. 

When it comes to cheek products from the drugstore, I actually prefer cream blushes to powder - I've never actually found a drugstore powder blush that lasts as long on my cheeks as a high end alternative, but the cream blushes rock. In particular, I really like the Topshop Cream Blush in Morning Dew, a gorgeous cream-to-powder blush that really perks up the complexion, and Max Factor's Miracle Touch Creamy Blush in Soft Pink, a gorgeous everyday, natural flush blush. As far as bronzer goes, I haven't found anything from the drugstore better than The Body Shop's Honey Bronzer, a matte bronzer that doesn't look muddy on my paler-than-pale skin, and can be used to add warmth or contour.

If you're just starting out in makeup, the Rimmel Glam Eyes Eyeshadow Quad in Smokey Brown will have all your eyeshadow needs covered. It's got a champagne highlight shade, a bronze, a taupe, and a dark shade for crease and lining. I'm constantly surprised with how many gorgeous eye looks I can create with this palette! If you're more of a one shadow does all kinda gal, I'd definitely recommend checking out the L'Oreal Colour Appeal Solo Eyeshadows, I'm personally a fan of the shades Brun Lame and Metal Plum (pictured). These are more like pressed pigments than eyeshadows, so so soft and incredibly pigmented, these have the 'one wash eyeshadow' thang down.

If liquid liner is your thing, I haven't found a liner better, drugstore or otherwise, than the Soap and Glory Supercat Liner. It's got a super thin felt tip nib, perfect for getting perfect winged liner. This stuff is jet black and long lasting which I love, and as an added bonus, it'll last you forever. I've had mine for coming up to a year now and it's still going. 

As far as I'm concerned, L'Oreal mascaras are hands down the best mascaras out there. My all time favourite has to be the L'Oreal False Lash Effect Telescopic Mascara which lengthens, lifts, curls and volumises. Basically, it's a holy tube of wonder. 

Brows are something else I usually let Soap and Glory handle. Last year I discovered the Soap and Glory Archery Brow Tint and Pencil, and I haven't looked back. The tint end is perfect for drawing in hairs in sparse areas, whilst the pencil is perfect for defining them. For more natural days, or if I want to set my brows, I'll use the Maybelline Brow Drama a slightly tinted brow mascara that just adds a touch of colour to your brows whilst holding them in place.

As far as lips are concerned, I love the Maybelline Baby Lips Intense Care for moisture-on-the go. I also have a soft spot for the Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in Let's Get Naked a gorgeous peachy nude. However, my favourite drugstore lip product has to be all the chubby stick dupes out there. In particular, I love the Bourjois Colour Boost Lip Crayons for glossy, bright lips (the shade Orange Punch is pictured above), and the Revlon Colorburst Matte Balms (pictured above is the shade Elusive) for a matte lip that's not at all drying.

I think that'll have you covered from all angles! What are your favourite drugstore products? Could you live without any high end beauty bits?