The Drugstore Beauty Buys Celebrity Makeup Artists Can’t Live Without

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kate hudson makeup

They’ve got access to all the luxe beauty brands we could dream of, but when it comes to their kit, these top makeup artists always make sure to have these drugstore buys handy. 

So while you may already know about the  best drugstore foundations and the best drugstore lipsticks (thanks to our member reviews), the professionals have got you covered for affordable mascaras, brow products and lashes too. 

Follow these celebrity makeup artist recommendations for the best drugstore beauty buys, and clean up on your next trip to Priceline or Chemist Warehouse…

L’Oréal Paris Brow Artist Plumper

Speaking of the L’Oréal Paris Brow Artist Plumper, Beyoncé’s makeup artist Sir John says “this is my go-to drugstore product for every makeup look.” 

“A lot of people over-tweeze their brows or just simply don’t have full brows, so this product is key to helping give an instant fullness to brows. It also helps keep brows in place all day.”

$11.99 at Chemist Warehouse

Maybelline New York Great Lash Mascara

Quinn Murphy makes sure his celebrity clients (Lily Aldridge, Kate Hudson, Sadie Sink and Karlie Kloss to name a few) always have the legendary Maybelline New York Great Lash Mascara on hand. “I buy [tubes] for every client, so I end up buying it a lot — sometimes 10 in a week!” he told Allure. “It’s tried and true, and it works on everyone. It’s a classic and a must.”

$12.95 at Chemist Warehouse

L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Liquid Glow Illuminator

Jennifer Lopez’s go-to makeup artist Mary Phillips has revealed the secret to her star client’s flawless glow – the L’Oreal Paris Lumi Liquid Glow Illuminator! Phillips loves to dab this creamy liquid highlighter onto the high points of J.Lo’s face – temple, cheekbones and brow bone – to catch the light. 

$8.95 at Cosmetic Capital

Neutrogena Make-Up Remover Cleansing Towelettes

“These [Neutrogena Make-Up Remover Cleansing Towelettes] take all of your makeup completely off — even waterproof eye makeup — and it doesn’t irritate the skin,” says celeb makeup artist Sheika Dailey

“Plus, they work on all skin types and they’re very hydrating. I have and continue to use this product on all of my celebrity clients (like Zendaya, Kelly Rowland and Nicki Minaj), and I highly recommend it to them as well.”

$8.20 at Woolworths

Ardell Wispies False Lashes

Vincent Oquendo is responsible for some of Catherine-Zeta Jones’, Lily Collins’ and Shanina Shaik’s best looks, so you know he’s well versed in perfectly fluttery false lashes. “Ardell has a great selection of inexpensive lashes, and they feel good on the eye. My favourite styles are Demi Wispies and the Baby Wispies” he shared.

$11.99 at Priceline

L’Oréal Paris True Match Blush

Kristopher Buckle, Blake Lively’s makeup maestro, has relieved us of the hard work and separated the must-haves from the mediocre when it comes to a drugstore blush. “Many drugstore blushes have too much of a glittery finish, and you end up looking very made-up,” he said. “With the [L’Oréal Paris True Match Blush], the colours and textures are natural. They create the illusion of pretty, flushed skin.”

$15.39 at Chemist Warehouse

Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm

For a nourishing pop of colour, Molly Stern recommends Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm to her clients, who include Julia Roberts, Demi Moore and Jennifer Connelly. “I love the rose-tinted one,” she said. “It feels good and offers the perfect hint of colour.”

$9.09 at Priceline

Maybelline Dream Urban Cover Foundation 

Jenna Kristina, the regular makeup artist for celebrities including Lucy Hale, Alexandra Daddario and Zoey Deutch, swears by the Maybelline Dream Urban Cover Foundation. “It’s my go-to because it provides buildable coverage that looks and feels like flawless skin,” she shared to Refinery29. “Plus, the formula has SPF 50, which ensures my clients are protected from sun damage.” 

$25.95 at Adore Beauty

L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Mascara

Mario Dedivanoic, a celebrity makeup artist turned celeb in his own right, revealed the drugstore mascara he uses on his clients like Kim Kardashian and Salma Hayek: the L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Mascara. 

$11.99 at Chemist Warehouse

L’Oreal’s Voluminous Butterfly Mascara

Typically using all Chanel everything, Patti Dubroff (makeup artist to Margot Robbie, Jodie Comer and Lily Aldridge) swears by this affordable mascara. Speaking to Refinery29 she revealed, “all the mascara junkies I know agree that this is, hands-down, the best drugstore choice.”

In addition to the formula, Patti loves how “the brush perfectly lifts lashes at the base and fans [your lashes] out, all while depositing serious volume. It’s quite an accomplishment, because often volume mascara doesn’t give the lift it promises. Plus, the brush also works on bottom lashes!”

$16.89 at iHerb

Glam By Manicare Foundation Brush

Well, there goes everything we’ve been told about “getting what you pay for” when it comes to makeup brushes.

According to Max May, one of Australia’s leading celebrity makeup artists, this under $20 steal is “one of the most-used brushes in my kit,” he shared when speaking with Now To Love.  According to Max, Glam by Manicare’s Foundation Brush, “buffs, builds and blends like a dream. I even have a second one to apply cream blush, bronzer and highlighter! Think Shu Uemura Foundation brush minus the price point and cruelty free!”

$15.39 at Chemist Warehouse

Main image credit: @quinnmurphy

Do you have a favourite drugstore beauty item? If so, what is it?

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