After so many discontinued disappointments I have started buying more beauty products at stores like Walgreens and Target, as it seems department store brands change all too often. The writers of the fashion section hope that you never have to deal with the same emotional trauma that I not so silently suffered through. To help, we have compiled a list of our favorite drugstore beauty staples to aid you in your personal beautification endeavors. It’s like a recommendation from a friend, except we probably don’t know each other.

I have spent hours online searching for a specific type of Dior mascara after they discontinued the product. It was a waste of time because even with all of my online shopping experience, an “expert” like me could not come up with results leading to the amazing product contained in the shiny six-inch plastic tube. I think I’ll stick with drugstore deals from now on.

(Photos courtesy of Amazon.com)

Hair Care

Shampoo:Head & Shoulders Daily Shampoo in Citrus Breeze (Pictured left) smells great and keeps hair flake flake-free

Conditioner: Tresemme Advanced Technology Luxurious Moisture keeps hair soft and silky without weighing it down.
Styling product: John Frieda Frizz Ease keeps hair from “freaking out” in humidity.

Facial Maintenance

Face Wash: Purpose daily foaming cleanser is gentle on my sensitive skin, but still gets rid of the dirt and grime.

Face Wash: Clearasil Ultra Daily Face Wash (Pictured right) accommodates ever-changing combination skin without leaving the skin overly dry or with a greasy residue.

Moisturizer: Olay Complete Daily Moisturizer moisturizes my face without leaving it with an oily feeling.

Acne Treatment: Clean and Clear Acne Persa Gel Treatment gets rid of blemishes overnight without drying out your skin.

Acne Treatment: Clearasil Ultra Rapid Action Treatment Vanishing Cream reduces the size and redness of acne.

Face Mask: Neutrogena Shine Control Daily Cleanser/ Mask is a great dual action product because it calms your skin down and fights acne.

Makeup

Foundation: Maybelline Dream Smooth Mousse Foundation provides smooth and natural coverage. It honestly looks and feels like you aren’t wearing makeup.

Concealer: Neutrogena Healthy Skin Brightening Eye Protector covers dark circles and brightens under-eyes, giving the allusion of a full night of sleep after studying or engaging in other extracurricular activities until the wee morning hours. It also keeps those horrid raccoon eyes at bay.

Tinted Moisturizer: Garnier B. B. Cream offers moderate coverage and sun protection (SPF 15) in a quick, one–step process.
Blush: Sonia Kashuk Mineral Blush gives you a natural, fresh from the gym glow.

Mascara: Maybelline Great Lash Mascara does not clump at all, it lasts all day, and the pink and green packaging is adorable.

Mascara: Maybelline Volum’ Express Mascara Waterproof Anti-Clump Brush does not clump at all and coats eyelashes evenly.

Eyeliner: Maybelline Exact Eye Lights natural smokes 20 palette is actually an eye-shadow quad, but the darkest two colors are perfect to use as a powder eyeliner with an eyeliner brush.

Eyeliner: Covergirl Perfect Point Plus Self Sharpening Eye Pencil in Black is perfect for your lower lash line. The sponge smudger makes creating the perfect smoky eye a cinch for even the un-steadiest of hands.

Eyeliner: Revlon ColorStay Liquid Liner All Day Wear in black (Pictured left) is easy to handle and stays in place all day.

Eyeshadow: Revlon Illuminating Cream Shadow in precious metals is a cream based shadow quad with great metallic shades that are easy to mix for a more dramatic eye.

Face Powder: Sonia Kashuk Colorless Matte Loose Powder is perfect for mid-day touch ups. It keeps your skin from looking oily and resets your makeup for the rest of the day.

Body Maintenance

Nail Polish: Sally Hansen Insta Dri in Sonic Bloom (Pictured right) gives your nails a quick andeasy pop of bright pink.

Nail Polish: Revlon Nail Enamel in Minted is on trend for spring and honestly the color is just down right pretty.

Body Lotion: Gold Bond Ultimate Softening Lotion is perfect for anyone who suffers from very dry skin because it provides enough moisture to last all day without leaving your skin with a greasy residue.

Body Wash: Clean and Clear Morning Burst Body Wash in Pomegranate Orange Zest smells great keeps your body nice and clean.

Body Wash: Softsoap Moisturizing Body Wash in Sweet Honeysuckle and Orange Peel gently wakes you up in the morning while moisturizing and exfoliating your skin! Who doesn’t love dual action products?

Sunscreen: Hawaiian Tropic Waterproof Tanning Sunscreen in SPF 4 smells amazing and keeps you somewhat protected while allowing you to get color.

Sunscreen: Neutrogena Sunblock Lotion is great for the entire body because it isn’t overly greasy and it keeps you covered.

Sunless Tanner: Jergens Daily Glow Moisturizer gradually builds a tan without making you look orange.

The Kisser

Lip Balm: Bonne Bell Lip Smackers in Vanilla and Dr. Pepper are classic beauty bag staples because they moisturize and smell good. The Dr. Pepper flavor also gives your lips a hint of color.

Lip Balm: Nivea A Kiss of Moisture Hydrating Lip Care with SPF 4 provides moisture and sun protection without leaving your lips with a greasy feeling.

Lipstick: Revlon Matte Lipstick in Nude 001 is the best nude shade that is sold outside of department stores. It isn’t too pale and looks great under gloss.

Lipgloss: Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss in 020 Pink Afterglow has the perfect amount of shine and it stays put without being overly sticky.

Lip Stain: Covergirl Outlast Lip Stain is the best lip stain on the market aside from the expensive Stila Convertible Color. All of the shades are long lasting and look great on.

Happy shopping, ladies. I hope this makes your beauty endeavors a little easier than mine were. Since none of the products on this list cost more than $12, it’s clear that whoever attempted to make us believe that you can’t look and feel great while being frugal was obviously mistaken.