The Best Beauty Products We Always Restock (Under $20)

Drugstore

essential beauty products

There’s nothing we love more than trialing new beauty products, whether it’s a dewy foundation or a volumizing mascara. However, there are some formulas we just keep going back to thanks to their great performance and budget-friendly price.

Today, we’re rounding up seven drugstore products we always restock, from the clarifying serum that keeps our skin in check to the drugstore mascara that lifts our lashes like no other!

The Best Mascara: Maybelline Falsies Lash Lift Washable Mascara, $11

The-Best-mascaraSource: Maybelline

When it comes to mascara Maybelline continues to deliver the most insane formulas, and this mascara is no exception. As the name suggests, it’ll help you fake a lash lift in just a couple of coats. How so? It has an hourglass wand that hugs and curls each lash with every swipe. The natural bristles also help separate the lash from root to tip, adding drama and length while the formula (infused with tiny fibers) thickens your lashes. We also love that it doesn’t flake or smudge throughout the day like other volumizing mascaras.

Our Go-To Moisturizer: The Inkey List Peptide Moisturizer, $15

go-to-moisturizerSource: The Inkey List

Peptides are predicted to be one of 2021’s most hyped ingredients, but they’ve actually been keeping our skin plump and bouncy for the past few years. If you’re currently thinking, “WTF are peptides?’ They’re made up of amino acids that support the firming, hydrating proteins your skin needs to build collagen.

Formulated with a 1% hydrating peptide solution and a combo of other praise-worthy ingredients, including shea butter and glycerin, this moisturizer will increase collagen production while supporting your skin’s natural moisture for radiant, supple skin. With continual use, it’ll even help soften the appearance of existing fine lines.

Our Fave Glow-Getting Serum Sweet Chef Ginger + Vitamin C Serum Shot, $20

Sweet chef serum Source: Sweet Chef

If you haven’t heard of K-Beauty brand Sweet Chef, you may have heard of its sister brand, Glow Recipe. In fact, this formula is practically a dupe of the cult-favorite Glow Recipe Pineapple-C Brightening Serum, $59. The lightweight formula is bursting with vitamin C to brighten and boost radiance, and ginger, which is packed with antioxidants to protect the skin from environmental aggressors. It’s our go-to whenever our skin is looking a little dry or dull. For the best absorption, gently pat the formula onto your skin – it may feel different at first, but the results are SO worth it!

Our New Fave Drugstore Foundation: L’Oréal Skin Paradise Water-Infused Tinted Moisturizer, $17

Our-fave-drugstore-foundationSource: L’Oreal

This product is the most recent addition to our list of faves, and it couldn’t be more perfect for our 2021 makeup vibe. The 70% water-based formula provides light to medium coverage with broad-spectrum SPF to keep your skin protected from the sun’s harmful rays. It’s also infused with a blend of hydrating ingredients to quench your skin for a radiant, natural glow. It’s the ultimateWFH foundation as it evens out skin tone, canceling any redness while feeling super creamy and luxurious on your skin. Another major bonus? It wears well throughout the day, so it’ll keep you looking fresh on your Zoom calls. Read our full review here.

Our Go-To Matte Lipstick: The Lip Bar Vegan Matte Liquid Lipstick, $13

Our-go-to-matte-lipstickSource: The Lip Bar

Calling all the vegans out there! If you’re on the hunt for a mask-proof, cruelty-free formula, this is it. The super-pigmented matte lipstick applies like a gloss but dries down matte and will last up to 12 hours. In fact, it’s so long-lasting that to remove the formula, the Lip Bar recommends using a nourishing oil… Or French fries. We think we’ll stick with coconut oil!!

Our Fave Acne-fighting Serum: Versed Clarifying Serum, $20

acne-fighting-serumSource: Versed

Last year Versed became our go-to skincare brand thanks to their reliable formulas, chic packaging, and affordable price range, and this serum is one of their hero products. Formulated with willow bark extract (a form of salicylic acid), it’ll work overtime to minimize pores and combat acne-bacteria lingering in the skin. It’s also enriched with niacinamide and zinc to nix oil production and strengthen your skin’s barrier. This double-pronged approach will not only help soothe the skin but prevent and calm inflammation. Seriously, if you’re oily or acne-prone, this serum is a must-have.

Our Go-To Blush: e.l.f Jelly Pop Flush Blush, $6

Our-go-to-blushSource: e.l.f

Our obsession with blush is not going anywhere anytime soon, and this drugstore formula has become our staple! The easily buildable formula has a unique jelly texture that melts into the skin so you can layer it for a natural flush or an intense pop. The hydrating formula is infused with watermelon extract, argon oil, vitamin E, and castor oil to give your skin a radiant, dewy glow.

For more amazing products, check out the 10 products under $10 we swear by!

Disclaimer: Every product we review has been independently selected and tested without bias by our editorial team. We never take payment to review products; however, some brands allow affiliate links, so we may earn a commission if you purchase a product by clicking on one of our links.