We’re less than one week away from New York Fashion Week! As a professional Makeup Artist, it’s one of my favorite times of the year. I love working with designers, I love the team camaraderie, and I love the excitement backstage. One thing I don’t love is when I realize I’ve left something important at home. It happens to the best of us – and if any MUA says it hasn’t, they’re lying! If there’s not a Sephora close by, I’ll pop into a drugstore to restock last-minute necessities. Thankfully, there are plenty of great options. One thing about New York City – there’s always gonna be a CVS or Walgreens within walking distance. Here are five of my favorite drugstore products that work just as well on the catwalk as premium makeup brands.
Great foundation does not have to be expensive, True Match foundation from L’Oreal Paris always gets the job done. True Match is a lightweight liquid foundation with sheer to medium coverage. It has the most beautiful skin-like finish, and it can absolutely goe toe to toe with all the high-end brands.
Another L’Oreal favorite of mine is their mascara. I know what you’re thinking, you think I’m gonna mention everyone’s OG favorite – Voluminous Original – but you’re wrong! There’s a new Queen in town, and her name is Telescopic Original. I tried this mascara once, and I fell in love. This is one of my kit essentials to get models runaway ready.
A lot of designers like their models to have a sheer, glossy lip instead of opaque lipstick, because it looks younger and fresher. My favorite drug store lip gloss is Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss. It’s not sticky, it comes in a multitude of gorgeous colors, and it’s super shiny.
When it comes to drugstore powders, Milani Make It Last Pressed Setting Powder is it. The formula is very fine and silky, so it never looks Kiki, and it has a blurring affect to it. Oily skin and flash photography do not play well together, so I like to keep my models’ skin looking flawless with this Milani powder.
No runway look is complete without a good blush. I don’t care what anyone says, there is no such thing as too much blush, I love the way it brightens up a face. I tend to prefer cream over powder blushes, because they give the cheek a radiant glow. One of my new favorite drug store blushes is Pixi’s On-the-Glow Blush Tinted Moisture Stick. I love that it comes in stick form because you don’t need a brush or a sponge to apply it. You can simply rub the stick on your cheek and blend out the color with your fingers.
Now that you know that the pros use drugstore products too, hit up your local pharmacy and try out these fabulous drugstore gems. Who says you have to break the bank to look like runway ready? Try out these budget, friendly beauty products, and let us know which ones are your favorites. There’s no shame in saving a coin, because slaying at a fraction of the cost is the ultimate fashion week flex!
