I Get Ready in Just 5 Minutes Thanks to These Drugstore Beauty Items

When it comes to my skincare routine, my total monthly bill is enough to make me weep. I’ve found that investing in vitamin C serums, moisturizers, and sunscreens is a good use of my money. When it comes to makeup, however, I have completely changed courses for two reasons: I just don’t wear it that often, and Bethenny Frankel made me do it. 

Frankel’s drugstore makeup reviews on TikTok have had me rethinking everything when it comes to the quality and price of makeup items like eyeliners and blushes, and for good reason — drugstore makeup is just as good (oftentimes, even better) than its expensive counterparts. Plus, the cost per wear can’t be beaten, especially since I do a quick five-minute face more frequently than a full face of makeup. I also love that I don’t feel nearly as bad if I have to throw a product away before it’s empty, and I don’t freak out if I lose a product, either. 

If you’re ready to switch it up and streamline your makeup routine with drugstore champs, here are my picks to make it quick, easy, and best of all, inexpensive.  

Editor-Approved Drugstore Makeup Picks

Milani Supercharged Brightening Under-Eye Tint

I have waxed poetic about Milani’s Supercharged Brightening Under-Eye Tint before, praising it for its creaminess, effectiveness, and of course, price. Similar to a concealer, it color corrects and brightens dark circles to make me look more alert (even if I don’t feel it). My favorite part about it has always been how the included hyaluronic acid, plant-based collagen, and niacinamide leave my 40-year-old under-eyes feeling hydrated, too. I’ve completely forgone concealer, instead reaching for this tint to make my under-eyes glowy and dewy. 

Maybelline SkyHigh Mascara

I was using an expensive mascara before I found that Maybelline’s SkyHigh Mascara was an incredible value for the lashes it delivers. It has a smudge-proof formula infused with bamboo extract and fibers that help lengthen and volumize. The lash extension brush is flexible to help achieve long, separated lashes that last all day. I love how easily it comes off, too. It has almost 65,000 five-star reviews on Amazon from shoppers who absolutely love it, too. One customer stated that it’s “thin but very buildable and stays put all day,” which perfectly sums it up.

Pixi + Hello Kitty Lip Tone pH Reactive Lip Tint

Confession: I never really know what shade of pink looks best on my lips, so I cheat by using a pH-reactive lip color. These types of lip products adjust to your own lips’ pH level to create the perfect, customized shade of pink. Pixi’s collaboration with Hello Kitty for its Lip Tone pH Reactive Lip Tint is perfect for everyday situations where I need a quick swipe of color. The formula is soothing and nourishing thanks to rosehip seed oil and mango butter. It delivers a one-two punch of softness and color that I never have to think about. 

Maybelline Express Brow Pencil

My poor, over-tweezed eyebrows have been on the struggle bus for years, and I’ve tried every eyebrow gel and pencil on the market to revive them. Maybelline’s Express Brow is my attempt at going back to the basics. The slim, 1.5-millimeter pencil delivers hair-like strokes in eight colors, from blonde to auburn to black. I fill in my brows quickly with a few flicks of the pencil and smooth it all out with the spoolie on the other end. I feel like it’s pretty foolproof: the formula is creamy enough to move around but has serious staying power. If I’m feeling fancy, I’ll set my brows with a cheap, clear mascara. 

NYX Epic Wear Eyeliner Stick 

Available in 30 bold color options, the NYX Epic Wear Eyeliner Stick packs a lot of pigment into a little pencil. It is smudge-, water-, and fade-proof with a hint of shimmer to bring some radiance to your eyes for up to 36 hours of wear. I use the shade Deepest Brown to tightline and can verify that it stays on nicely throughout the day. Amazon shoppers are also big fans. One customer said they “love how smooth it goes on” and that the “color is really wonderful.” Another reviewer said that it’s “absolutely the best eyeliner” because the “pencil is easy to apply, easy to sharpen, and long-lasting.”