Sure, it’s fun to browse the upscale beauty counters and scroll through the latest launches on your favorite websites—but those price tags can be a bit unnecessary. Lucky for you, drugstore beauty can be at the level. In fact, some of the best products out there are sitting right in the drugstore aisle, waiting to give high-end brands a serious run for their money.
Bethenny may have access to every luxury beauty product under the sun, but let’s get one thing straight—she lives for getting the most for her buck. And that’s exactly why she heads straight to the drugstore when it comes to stocking up her beauty VIPS. We get it, those aisles can be overwhelming (so many choices, so little patience), but B has done the heavy lifting. She’s tested, approved, and curated this list of drugstore beauty products that hold their own against their fancy, overpriced counterparts.
Keep scrolling for 11 Bethenny-approved drugstore beauty finds—from eyeshadow palettes and lashes to root concealers and makeup brushes—because saving money on beauty means more cash for the things that really matter, like a trip to Miami or a date night out in NYC.
What to look for in drugstore beauty items:
When shopping for drugstore beauty products, a little strategy goes a long way. Sure, you can’t always swatch or test, but don’t worry—many stores have sales associates who can help with color-matching or finding the right formula. Walking in with a game plan is key—otherwise, you’ll find yourself lost in a sea of endless options.
Do your homework beforehand by checking out reputable reviews and expert-approved picks. For example, if you’re hunting for a moisturizer for sensitive skin, look for one that’s derm-recommended, non-comedogenic (so it won’t clog pores), or even backed by organizations like the National Eczema Association. These seals of approval mean the product has been rigorously tested and is more likely to work for your skin type.
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While there are plenty of online drugstore retailers, it can be helpful to shop in-store so you can see the product in-person before purchasing.
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Have a shopping list of what you’re looking for, keeping expert-recommended products top of mind, instead of going in blind (that’s where this list comes in!)
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Look for keywords such as “dermatologist-approved,” and “non-comedogenic,” along with a transparent ingredient list that consists of ingredients that you’re familiar with.
The 11 Best Drugstore Makeup Items
Revolution The Icon Eyeshadow Palette
Bethenny refers to this as the "reigning champion" of drugstore palettes for a reason– not only does it come with twelve generous pans of eyeshadow (so, it comes to $1 each, what a steal!), but there are both shimmer and matte textures along with two cream shades– perfect for using as a base or a liner. The versatility of looks that you can create with these warm-toned shades are endless!
Buy now: Amazon.com; $12
L’Oréal Lumi Glotion
Can we get a little commotion for the glotion? Whether she’s going for a sunkissed look on the red carpet or an extra glow before heading out to dinner, Bethenny reaches for this makeup-skincare hybrid. Not only does it impart a shimmering finish, but the formula also packs skin-loving ingredients like glycerin and shea butter, so you get the pigment and glow of makeup and the hydration of a moisturizer.
Buy now: Amazon.com; $17
No7 Cream Bronzer
A long-time favorite of B’s, she says this $19 cream bronzer is even better than the designer version. After praising the product for being “done right,” it totally sold out. But, Bethenny isn’t the only fan, in fact, one of the hundreds of Amazon rave reviews read, “Bethenny, thank you. This truly is an amazing product. Easy to blend, look sun-kissed and radiant without anything else. I only need this! Perfection.” Bonus: it comes in three shades, light, medium, and deep.
Buy now: Amazon.com; $19
Ardell Light As Air Lashes
If you’ve ever tried to apply fake lashes you know that the struggle can be real. They’re too long, too heavy, they’re hard to get apply—we could go on and on. After testing many brands, Bethenny has decided the Ardell Light As Air Lashes are the lightest fake lashes on the market.
After struggling with applying fake lashes, B posted a TikTok with somewhat of a love letter to them, saying that the fact that the strip lashes came with a tube of Duo glue “made her happy.” She even came up with her own glue application technique, breaking a Q-tip and half and using the broken sides to smooth the glue on the lash band. The hottest tip? She waited for the glue to become tacky before sticking the lashes.
Buy now: Amazon.com; $8
Real Techniques Everyday Essentials Makeup Brush Set
Makeup brushes are one of those items that sometimes you just have to splurge on because less-than-perfect craftsmanship can really put a damper on a makeup look– as in, you could end up with brush hairs all over your face. But, Real Techniques knows what they’re doing and they do it at an impeccable price point as evidenced in this $20 multi use set that features concealer, contour, foundation, and setting brushes.
La Roche Posay Tinted Ultra Light Sunscreen SPF 50
Bethenny is a big fan of La Roche Posay as a brand and has praised many of their products including their SPF 100, cleanser, and the tinted sunscreen. Appearing in multiple videos of hers, she talks about how well the Tinted Ultra Light Sunscreen blends in, which is a huge deal because streaky sunscreen tends to be a real problem. If you were to buy just one product on this list, this should be among the top contenders as you should be wearing SPF every single day, according to dermatologists. It is the #1 product that will keep your skin looking young.
Buy now: Amazon.com; $39
Milani Color Fetish Matte Lipstick
If you’re not a lipstick person, hear me out. Lipstick has the power to transform your face, perking up your complexion and making you look rejuvenated. Plus, it can double as a blush if you just dab some on your cheeks. Many lipsticks can run you over $30, which just doesn’t have to be the reality for a good lipstick. This creamy, pigment-rich product punches way above its drugstore price tag and feels great on your lips.
Buy now: Amazon.com; $11
Maybelline Lifter Gloss
In the words of B, “It is rich, it is thick and it is phenomenal.” Bethenny is obsessed with this high-shine lip gloss with its lush doe-foot applicator and reflective shimmer. Choose from over twenty stunning shades that all feature the hydrating superhero, hyaluronic acid, for a plumper-looking pout.
Buy now: Amazon.com; $16
L’Oréal Magic Root Cover-Up Concealer
We all know the struggle of pesky grays popping up in-between salon visits. To disguise grays before your next appointment, one of B’s go-tos is this small but mighty root touch up. Its name has “magic” in it because that’s pretty much what it is—in just a few spritzes, your grays magically vanish. It’s great for covering your greys as well as filling in weak spots in your hairline.
Buy now: Amazon.com; $12
Wet n Wild Dewy Lumineux Foundation
This is wild. Wearing this foundation on-screen garnered Bethenny so many compliments that she took straight to TikTok sharing that her makeup artist switched things up from a $90 foundation to this $6 one. The Wet n Wild’s dewy texture read well on camera and in person, rather than the other one’s shiny finish.
Buy now: Amazon.com; $6
Pixi x Hello Kitty Lip Tone pH
We couldn’t launch a drugstore beauty list without including a collab with the queen herself, Hello Kitty. This pH-adjusting gloss is like a mood ring for your lips. It goes on clear, but responds to your body’s pH to turn the perfect color for you. The color compliments your complexion perfectly and feels “delish, absolutely beautiful.”
Buy now: Amazon.com; $8
Bottom Line
If ever you’ve been swindled into thinking that more expensive equals better, now is the time to rethink that sentiment. These drugstore makeup items are even better than their pricier counterparts, and because they’re more affordable, it means you can give more of them a try.
And we’ll let you in on a little-known secret – the reason that these products are priced lower might not even have to do with their formulas, but instead the packaging. So, you are likely getting comparable products, just with less showy packaging or marketing tactics. You’re welcome!
FAQs:
Are drugstore beauty products as good as high-end brands?
- Yes! Many drugstore products have similar formulations and ingredients to luxury brands—without the markup.
What are the best drugstore beauty products for sensitive skin?
- Look for dermatologist-approved, non-comedogenic products with simple, skin-friendly ingredients.
How can I find the best drugstore beauty products?
- Read expert reviews, check ingredient lists, and look for trusted recommendations like Bethenny’s curated list.