With so many new releases flooding the market recently, it's easy to get overwhelmed by all the new shiny things. More often than not, I end up feeling disappointed with my latest purchases. Sometimes the shiny new ones are just that — shiny and new. They draw me like a moth to a flame, and after a few dollars poorer, I will go back to the old heroes that haven't failed me throughout the years.
Meet my old unsung heroes — the ones that I know I can safely rely on and will never fail me.
1. Foundation
Bourjois Healthy Mix serum gel foundation is a little heaven in a bottle for the perfect my-skin-but-better base. It gives light coverage with a dewy finish and is great for normal to dry skin. I've lost count of how many times I was complimented on my skin because of this foundation and now you know, this is my little secret to natural, perfect-looking skin. For combination or oily skin, try Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation. (Beauty Boutique, $28)
2. Pressed powder
Thanks to my dry skin, I almost never use powder, but whenever I do, Rimmel Stay Matte pressed powder would be my go-to powder. I love it so much I have continuously repurchased it whenever I run out. It sets my under-eye concealer without looking cakey, and the finely milled, silky texture melts into skin seamlessly. (Walmart, $9)
3. Dark circle concealer
A firm favorite of many, Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle concealer offers medium coverage, is easy to blend and doesn't crease or highlight those pesky fine lines which, at my age, are sprouting like mushrooms after rain. Perfection? No, but it sure does come close. (Well.ca, $12)
4. Baked blusher
If you're a fan of baked blushers then you need Milani Baked Blushers in your collection. They are pigmented, easy to blend and give the most beautiful flush to your face. Trust me, these are one of the best drugstore gems that you'll ever discover. (Well.ca, $8)
5. Cream blusher
If you're a fan of cream blushers, then Revlon PhotoReady Cream Blushers will be right up your alley. These beauties recently made a huge wave again after Lisa Eldridge said she has them in her beauty kit. They are creamy, pigmented and easily blended it's easy to see why she's a fan of these blushers. (Well.ca, $13)
Next: More drugstore must haves
6. Matt Bronzing Powder
Essence is often overlooked by many due to its very low price. While a huge majority of the time cheap price equals low quality, it's not the case with Essence Sun Club Matt Bronzing Powder. It comes with two options (blondes and brunettes), and you get a whopping 15 grams of product for such a low price! The powder is finely milled, easily blendable and the best part of this bronzer is it smells like coconut heaven. (Essence Cosmetics, $5)
7. Eyebrow-pro
The world has gone gaga for Cara Delevingne's brows, and brow gel became every woman's new best friend to get thick, full brows. If you have sparse eyebrows like me, brow gel alone will not cut it — and this is why I fell head over heels in love with Marcelle Duo Eyebrow-Pro. On one end you get a retractable pencil to fill in your brows, and on the other end, a lightly tinted gel to keep everything in place. The brilliant little tool is all you need to get the perfect eyebrows. (Marcelle, $15)
8. Color tattoo
Is anyone even surprised that this made it onto the list? Creamy, highly pigmented, doesn't crease and lasts all day without fading, Maybelline Color Tattoo is as good as high-end cream shadows but for a small fraction of the price. Whether you use this as base or for a very quick eye look, these beauties will never disappoint. (Walmart, $7)
9. Liquid eyeliner
Don't let the dirt-cheap price fool you, because this little tube of NYC liquid eyeliner has successfully become a firm favorite of many, myself included. I would go as far as claiming this as my Holy Grail liquid liner, and the main reason why my cat eye flick is picture perfect. This highly pigmented liquid liner is the blackest of black, goes on smoothly and dries down to a matte finish. It doesn't smudge and will stay put until you remove it. But its incredible staying power doesn't equal a pain-in-the-ass removal process you can easily remove it with any type of makeup remover. (Walmart, $4)
10. Eyeliner
This beauty is no stranger in the beauty world — with many claiming it to be a dupe for Urban Decay's 24/7 Glide-On eye pencil in shade Perversion. I have both, and I can honestly tell you I almost never reach for Perversion — while, instead, I use Rimmel ScandalEyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal in black almost every day. It's the blackest of black, soft but not too soft that it would break, glides smoothly across the lid without any tugging and stays put all day without fading or smudging. And for such a low price, this is a clear winner from the drugstore. (Well.ca, $7)
Next: More drugstore must haves
11. Mascara
L'Oréal Paris Voluminous mascara will give you unbelievable length and volume without any clumps. While the simple and plain packaging might fool you into thinking this mascara is boring, it is anything but that. The wand separates and fans out my lashes beautifully and it delivers drama without making my lashes looking spidery. (Walmart, $6)
12. Mascara
Maybelline Lash Sensational mascara was released late last year, and it made a huge wave as a great dupe for Benefit's Roller Lash. I have both, and let me tell you, I much prefer this cheaper drugstore option. The wands are the only similarity between the two and Lash Sensational's formula is definitely thicker and wetter — which can be a little tricky to use initially. If you have a little patience, let the formula dry out a little — I do it by pumping air into the wand like a mad woman a few times a week — and you will have one of the best mascaras that gives your lashes length, volume and curl. (Walmart, $7)
13. Lip liner
Soft, creamy, pigmented and extremely long lasting, Rimmel London Exaggerate retractable lip liners are the perfect companions with lipstick or to be used by its own. These glide smoothly across the lips, and the creaminess allows me to easily wear it on its own. (Walmart, $7)
14. Matte Balm
It's easy to see why the beauty world went absolutely bonkers when Revlon first released these gorgeous matte lip crayons. Fast-forward to today, we are still equally, if not more, in love with ColorBurst Matte Balm. Creamy? Check! Hydrating? Check! Great pigmentation? Check! Long lasting? Check check! And psst! Bonus point: The shade Standout is a brilliant dupe for Mac's Russian Red, so close that you wouldn't be able to tell the difference on your lips. (Walmart, $9)
15. Butter Gloss
I have a confession: I have an intense love-hate relationship with lip gloss. Every time I see beautiful glossy lips, I will die a little inside and have the sudden urge to buy a new lip gloss — but I hate the feel of it on my lips. I thought the relationship between lip gloss and me was doomed for eternity until I got my hands on NYX Butter Gloss. These are the haute couture of the lip gloss world, and it's impossible not to fall in love. Opaque, glossy and the texture is neither thick nor thin without being grossly gloppy, these vanilla-scented lip glosses are perfect for any lip-product lovers. (London Drugs, $8)
What are your old favorite drugstore beauty products?