15 Drugstore beauty gems that you have to try

As pathetically vain as it sounds, I live for beauty products. Being a beauty blogger gives me every reason I need to indulge more into this passion of mine, but as a stay-at-home mum without an unlimited bank account, drugstore beauty brands are my usual playground. I get immense satisfaction whenever I discover a drugstore gem.

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