I have a lot of memories of going to the drug store with my mom when I was just a mini spy, and I was always enthralled and fascinated by the huge selection of eye-catching beauty products. In this spirit, I decided to try out some of the most hyped animal-friendly drug store cosmetics available today and give you my honest opinions about them.
Clockwise from upper left:
1. Nyx Super Fat Eye Marker. I really like this marker for applying along the lashline before liquid liner. It helps make my eyelashes look thicker and provides a nice base for other liners, much like using a transition eyeshadow shade in the crease. Plus, this marker gives me major nostalgic vibes of coloring with Crayola markers. 2. Real Techniques Brushes. It is no secret that beauty bloggers and makeup artists alike love this brand for its great selection of synthetic brushes that are both soft and effective. Out of all of my makeup brushes, including higher-end alternatives, I find myself reaching for these the most. Pictured are the setting brush, as well as the 103 angled powder brush from the Bold Metals Holiday Collection. 3. Wet n Wild Megalast Salon Nail Color. At just $2, this is an affordable classic drug store nail polish with a fun range of colors to choose from. I really like the shade Wet Cement, which is a chic grey tone with a hint of purple mixed in. At this price point, I think it is a great option to try out some different and trendy nail colors that you might not normally gravitate towards. 4. Physician's Formula Mineral Airbrushing Pressed Powder. This is my favorite go-to setting powder for everyday wear. It works really well for setting makeup without making skin look matte or chalky. The mineral formula gives a subtle healthy glow to the skin without any shimmer to it. It blends in really nicely and lasts all day. 5. Pacifica Dream Big Mascara. I have fallen in love with this new mascara from Pacifica. The inventive design of the wand allows you to twist the cap to shorten or lengthen it. When shortened, it works really well for volumizing the lashes, and when lengthened, it works for, well, lengthening them. I have found that like most mascaras, it has gotten better with time as it gets a little dryer, and overall I am super impressed with the formula and lasting power. 6. Physician's Formula Brow Definer. This brow definer has a really nice waxy texture, making it easy to apply. Although I like the unique shape of the brush, it is adhered to the cap, which spins around when you try to comb the brush through your eyebrows. Maybe there is a better way to use it, but for me, this made the brush difficult to maneuver. I found that the lightest shade was a little on the orangey side, but it worked fine with my complexion. The tip of the pen isn't as fine as that of the Anastasia Brow Wiz, Nabla Brow Divine or other similar brow pencils on the market, which makes it better for quick application, as opposed to defining individual hairlike strokes. 7. Nyx Butter Lipstick. I really liked the formula and creamy texture and didn't find it drying at all. Although the pink color was really fun, it didn't suit my complexion, so I look forward to trying other shades. 8. Pacifica Coconut Kiss Creamy Lip Butter. This lip butter is hard to describe. It has a thick creamy texture but is not as moisturizing as my trusty Smith's Rosebud Salve, which is actually less expensive. I love Pacifica as a brand, but unfortunately for me, this product was a miss. 9. theBalm Put a Lid on It Eyelid Primer. This is my favorite eyelid primer for the colder months when my skin is dehydrated. It works really well for helping eyeshadow last all day without over-drying my sad winter eyelids. 10. e.l.f. Mist & Set. This is a super affordable setting spray; however, it is not as long-lasting as my favorite Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray. On the upshot, I've found that spraying on a little of the e.l.f. Mist & Set before applying makeup helps provide a nicely primed and slightly sticky base.
1. Nyx Super Fat Eye Marker. I really like this marker for applying along the lashline before liquid liner. It helps make my eyelashes look thicker and provides a nice base for other liners, much like using a transition eyeshadow shade in the crease. Plus, this marker gives me major nostalgic vibes of coloring with Crayola markers. 2. Real Techniques Brushes. It is no secret that beauty bloggers and makeup artists alike love this brand for its great selection of synthetic brushes that are both soft and effective. Out of all of my makeup brushes, including higher-end alternatives, I find myself reaching for these the most. Pictured are the setting brush, as well as the 103 angled powder brush from the Bold Metals Holiday Collection. 3. Wet n Wild Megalast Salon Nail Color. At just $2, this is an affordable classic drug store nail polish with a fun range of colors to choose from. I really like the shade Wet Cement, which is a chic grey tone with a hint of purple mixed in. At this price point, I think it is a great option to try out some different and trendy nail colors that you might not normally gravitate towards. 4. Physician's Formula Mineral Airbrushing Pressed Powder. This is my favorite go-to setting powder for everyday wear. It works really well for setting makeup without making skin look matte or chalky. The mineral formula gives a subtle healthy glow to the skin without any shimmer to it. It blends in really nicely and lasts all day. 5. Pacifica Dream Big Mascara. I have fallen in love with this new mascara from Pacifica. The inventive design of the wand allows you to twist the cap to shorten or lengthen it. When shortened, it works really well for volumizing the lashes, and when lengthened, it works for, well, lengthening them. I have found that like most mascaras, it has gotten better with time as it gets a little dryer, and overall I am super impressed with the formula and lasting power. 6. Physician's Formula Brow Definer. This brow definer has a really nice waxy texture, making it easy to apply. Although I like the unique shape of the brush, it is adhered to the cap, which spins around when you try to comb the brush through your eyebrows. Maybe there is a better way to use it, but for me, this made the brush difficult to maneuver. I found that the lightest shade was a little on the orangey side, but it worked fine with my complexion. The tip of the pen isn't as fine as that of the Anastasia Brow Wiz, Nabla Brow Divine or other similar brow pencils on the market, which makes it better for quick application, as opposed to defining individual hairlike strokes. 7. Nyx Butter Lipstick. I really liked the formula and creamy texture and didn't find it drying at all. Although the pink color was really fun, it didn't suit my complexion, so I look forward to trying other shades. 8. Pacifica Coconut Kiss Creamy Lip Butter. This lip butter is hard to describe. It has a thick creamy texture but is not as moisturizing as my trusty Smith's Rosebud Salve, which is actually less expensive. I love Pacifica as a brand, but unfortunately for me, this product was a miss. 9. theBalm Put a Lid on It Eyelid Primer. This is my favorite eyelid primer for the colder months when my skin is dehydrated. It works really well for helping eyeshadow last all day without over-drying my sad winter eyelids. 10. e.l.f. Mist & Set. This is a super affordable setting spray; however, it is not as long-lasting as my favorite Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray. On the upshot, I've found that spraying on a little of the e.l.f. Mist & Set before applying makeup helps provide a nicely primed and slightly sticky base.
I hope this was helpful, and please feel free to share some of your favorite animal-friendly drug store products in the comments below!