Affordable Products That Actually Deliver
Buying drugstore cosmetics can feel like a dice roll. Which products provide a good bang for your buck, and which fall into the stereotype? Don’t worry, we’re here to help. Rather than stuff your makeup bag with expensive names, learn which drugstore dupes are worth the hype…and which ones belong on the shelf.
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1. E.L.F. Glossy Lip Stain
We love E.L.F’s affordability, and many of their products hit the mark, but the glossy lip stain doesn’t quite match the line’s quality. Though they go on pigmented, the colors don’t last very long or appear as advertised.
2. Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink
For something named “SuperStay,” it’s not crazy to expect long-lasting color! Unfortunately, these liquid lipsticks tend to transfer. To make matters worse, this goes on more like paint, which causes the color to crack and can even dry out your lips.
3. NYX Duck Plump Lip Lippie
We’d all love a fuller set of lips, but you have to be careful with certain plumpers. Case and point, NYX’s Duck Plump Lippies don’t do anything for our mouths; they sting, they don’t really plump the lips, and they’re on the stickier side.
4. Revlon ColorStay Overtime
What was once a classic lipstick for us underwent the dreaded formula change. Now, we’re left with lip colors that don’t stick around throughout the day. Between the new, stickier formula and the constant need for reapplication, this go-to became goodbye.
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5. Wet n Wild Zodiac Lip Glosses
This isn’t as popular as your everyday drugstore lines, but these little guys can still be found on Walmart shelves. Though perhaps that’s where they should stay. Not only are the color pigments off, but they don’t last as long as we’d like.
6. CoverGirl Outlast Lip Stain
Blotchy stains with no staying power? Not on these lips! As much as we love some CoverGirl products, their so-called outlast lip stains never outlasted the day, often requiring more than one reapplication after just a few hours.
7. Rimmel London Stay Matte Liquid Lip Color
When you’re someone on the go, the last thing you want is a trublesome lip color. But this Rimmel lipstick only extended our time in front of the mirror. Unfortunately, we found that it goes on streaky and takes at least two coats to really get the color.
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8. Physicians Formula Rosé All Day
Our beloved Physician’s Formula rarely misses, but this jumbo lip pencil came nowhere close to the quality we’re used to. Not only is this pencil hard to sharpen, but it’s also tough to get anything else out of the tube! We’re not sure if it was a design flaw or what happened, but you won’t catch us spending all that dough for such little product.
9. CoverGirl Clean Fresh Yummy Gloss
This yummy gloss was more of a burning slather, and we’re not the only ones who think so! While not everyone experienced the same high-level tingle, we found that it sizzled our lips a little too much. The taste wasn’t all that great either.
10. Maybelline Color Sensational Lip Color
This line’s been around a long time, which inevitably means some sort of formula change. Sure enough, we got one. Not only that, but these lipsticks are pretty drying, so we’re left with decent color that chaps more than they moisturize.
Don’t worry—your makeup bags won’t stay empty! Now that we know which ones to steer clear of, it’s time we dove into the best drugstore lip products around.
1. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick
This line has the gloss and it has the lip oil, but our hearts belong to the original lipsticks. Pigmented and creamy, this stunning line goes on smooth and lasts throughout the day. They also have dozens of bold colors to choose from, making them a great option for the office or a night on the town.
2. ColourPop Lippie Stix
ColourPop doesn’t get enough attention, and we’re here to even the score! Their Lippie Stix offer way more than the tube lets on; the pigment and moisturizing product gives high-end brands a run for their money. Don’t let the size fool you—good things come in small packages.
3. Milani Stay Put Liquid Lip Longwear Lipstick
When Milani says “stay put,” they mean it. The colors are gorgeous, they go on smooth, and you don’t have to worry about any transferring throughout the day. The only thing you need to worry about is a bit of drying, but it’s nothing a quick balm can’t fix.
4. L'Oréal Paris Infallible Matte Resistance Liquid Lipstick
Looking for a creamy matte that won’t dry out your lips? Say hello to L'Oréal’s Infallible line, a perfectly pigmented liquid lipstick that won’t budge. One of the best things about it is the applicator’s shape—a wide brush that goes on nice and easy.
5. NYX Professional Makeup Soft Matte Lip Cream
Alright, so the Duck Plump was a swing and a miss. But, NYX’s matte lip creams are a homerun for just about anyone. (You know it’s good when it’s been around for nearly a decade!) These pigmented creams live up to their name, offering a wide range of incredible colors that don’t crack during the day.
6. E.L.F. Sheer Slick Lipstick
Not everyone wants a bold matte—some lipstick-lovers prefer a sheer finish in classic colors, which is precisely what E.L.F. brought back! Though only available in a few colors, their shades look amazing with any skin tone and provide a nourishing finish we can’t get enough of.
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7. ColourPop Ultra Blotted Lip
Oh, we’re not done with ColourPop yet! This medium-coverage formula provides just enough color to punch up your look, all without drying out your lips or costing a fortune. It lasts pretty much all day, too.
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8. Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balm
Now here’s a jumbo pencil we can get behind. Creamy, smooth, and super pigmented, these matte balms make great additions to your makeup bag. With only a handful of colors to choose from, you aren’t overwhelmed by choices either—just great shades, shea butter, and a long-lasting product.
9. L'Oréal Colour Riche Intense Volume Matte Lipstick
With such gorgeous packaging, you just knew the product inside would match. The slim lipstick provides easy application, letting you control exactly where that matte color goes. It also lives up to its promise by staying put for nearly 16 hours. You’ll turn heads all day at the office!
10. CoverGirl All-Day Lip Color with Topcoat
CoverGirl wasn’t kidding when they said “all day lip color.” The biggest drawback to this one is just how careful you need to be when applying it—but once you’ve mastered the precision, you get long-lasting results that don’t dry out your lips thanks to the balm that comes with it.
