2 Drugstore Products that Impressed Me

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The majority of the beauty products I use are from Ulta or Sephora, and typically fall into the “high end” category. I’m making it a goal this year to integrate more drugstore brands into my content though, so I gave these two products a try recently and I really like them!

I think I strayed from drugstore products for so long because they just didn’t seem to deliver the same quality and longevity as the high end products.

Anyway, I mentioned the L’Oreal Pro Contour palette in my January favorites video and it’s still a favorite. I find myself grabbing it quite often! It’s soft and blends easily. The highlight is just a touch shimmery, but the contour shade is beautiful for fair skin!

I also tried the Covergirl trunaked nudes palette in 805. My biggest issue with drugstore brand eyeshadows is that they don’t blend nicely, but I found these to blend beautifully! They are a bit messier than higher end shadows in that they crumble faster, but if you are interested in spending less but still getting good results I would steer you in the direction of this palette. The colors are really pretty and would work on a variety of skin tones!

The brushes that come with both of these palettes are junk. With the money you saved on a cheaper palette, I’d recommend upgrading to at least a Sonia Kashuk brand brush. I’ve also heard great things about the ELF brushes if you want to give those a go!

Speaking of brushes, if you are looking for a list of my favorite makeup brushes, check out this post!

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Erin says · 03.02.16

I agree- I love the cover girl nudes. I thought I was going crazy and you made me click on the link to check, the one pictures isn’t the nudes set, is it?

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Kate says · 03.02.16

AH, no, I took the wrong photo! Changing now!

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amber stromenger says · 03.06.16

I find it rather odd that all of your recommended products are “high end” as you say. Why is that? I follow many, many beauty blogs, some of which are quite popular worldwide, (Lisa Eldridge) and those blogs seem to always include a large variety of products in a plethora of price ranges.

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Tammy says · 06.28.16

You must have missed the second paragraph of Kate’s blog where she answers your question. Here’s the answer:

“I think I strayed from drugstore products for so long because they just didn’t seem to deliver the same quality and longevity as the high end products.”

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Shawnda says · 03.02.16

Neutrogena has a great palette for eye shadows as well.

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Mary Kate says · 03.02.16

I’ve been so busy lately that I haven’t even had a chance to stop by the drugstore, but I think I’m going to pick up that L’Oreal palette next chance I get!

Mary Kate
http://www.mynewchicagolife.com

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Melissa says · 03.02.16

Some drugstore makeup is good! I haven’t tried these shadows, and they are the same colors I always buy, so I doubt I will until I go through some of my other palettes. However, when it comes to brushes, I think ELF is horrible. Sorry. They shed and just don’t hold up well. But, quite honestly, I think the Sonia Kashuk brushes are equally poor quality. I only buy the brushes I need…like I have 1 for each purpose and not a whole slew like some I see on YouTube and blogs. But what I buy, I spend a little more on and it’s def worth it. You truly cannot beat Mac brushes!!

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Betty says · 03.02.16

I have one elf eyeshadow brush that I like (I don’t use it often) but I use Sonia Kashuk makeup brushes and they shed like Crazy! I think I will try a few Mac brushes to see if I like them better. I use urban decay eyeshadow but I don’t live close to a store so I might pick up one of these pallets from Walmart. I don’t like anything with a shimmer, I think it makes my eyes look too heavy.

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Arijana C. says · 03.02.16

I agree! Sonia Kashuk brushes shed a lot.

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Kaitlin says · 03.02.16

My Sonia Kashuk shed for about two weeks and suddenly stopped. It was annoying at first but now I love them!!

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Kate G says · 03.02.16

I have a few Sonia Kashuk brushes and they don’t shed at all and I’ve been using them for over a year. I got the black handled ones, if that makes a difference. i guess the quality isn’t consistent.

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Betty says · 03.02.16

Mine are the black as well, I have had them for a few years also. The only one that doesn’t shed is the fluffy eyeshadow brush.

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Ellie K. says · 03.02.16

Lightbulb moment for me on why I have such a hot cold relationship with this brand. I have a Sonia Kashuk small blush brush with white handle and it sheds like CRAZY! My contour brush and eyeshadow brush with the black handles are fine.

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Holly McLoughlin says · 03.02.16

I love a good highlight/contour palette so I may have to try the L’Oreal one when my current one runs out 🙂 Have you tried any of Sleek’s Contour and Blush palettes? 373 is amazing xx

http://books-and-memories.blogspot.co.uk/

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Andrina says · 03.02.16

Love the Cover Girl nudes pallette! I use the blush one since the pinks are,a bit more flattering on me.

Betty- to me they don’t look quite as shimmery on as they do in the pallette. I gins the lighter shades to make my eyes more open. 🙂

I have to agree with Melissa, I can’t stand the ELF brushes or any of their other products.

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Michelle H. says · 03.02.16

Hey, Kate. I think you grabbed the wrong eye shadow palette when you took your photo. I believe the palette in your photo is the L’Oreal Colour Riche La Palette Nude. But your post says it’s the Covergirl TruNaked Nudes palette. Just thought you’d want to know. Love your blog as always!

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Michelle H. says · 03.02.16

You fixed it! 🙂

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Sarah says · 03.02.16

Thus far, my favorite brushes are Maskcara. I’ve also found great results with Real Techniques.

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Kaitlin says · 03.02.16

I would love to see a snap or even periscope using this contour pallette. I know you’ve done others with maskcara and Tarte products but I would love seeing how you apply this one.

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Jennifer O says · 03.02.16

Morphe brushes are high end quality for a drugstore price point.

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Lindsey says · 03.02.16

Thanks for doing a drugstore make up post, being on a tight budget this is where I buy most of my makeup & hair items, I am looking forward to more drugstore recommendations!!

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LauraB says · 03.02.16

I need to try that L’oreal contour for sure! I love my drugstore finds – nothing beats my Maybelline Dream Satin Liquid foundation and their nudes palette is pretty good too.

I love my ELF brushes and have used for years without shedding issues.

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Ashley says · 03.02.16

I’m looking forward to more drugstore product reviews. I’d love to see a mascara review, I don’t understand why mascara is so expensive (even at the drugstore), so I hate taking risks on trying something new then being disappointed.

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Elle says · 03.02.16

Would you say thess eyeshadows are similar to the Naked palette?

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Kate says · 03.02.16

yes, for sure

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Rana says · 03.02.16

Thank you for reviewing more drugstore makeup options my budget doesnt allow me to buy high end makeup.

Cant wait to see more post and cant wait to try Covergirl trunaked nudes palette in 805!!

Thank you!

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Kristi says · 03.02.16

I tried the contour product after seeing your January favorites and I absolutely LOVE it!! I

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Jeanine Guzman says · 03.02.16

I’ve been wanting to try Covergirl The Nudes…it’s definitely on my list now. I’m usually one to splurge on high end makeup, but a great drugstore palette feels like a much better find! xx

http://www.jeanineguzman.com

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Courtney Kuchem says · 03.02.16

I bought the L’Oreal Nude palette on your recommendation, now I’ll have to take a closer look at the new Cover Girl option! I actually saw it on display in the store last night and was impressed when I swatched it. Thanks for the info!

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Kim says · 03.02.16

I need to give those a try! Good thing I’m about to go to the drugstore ;).. The elf brushes are great! They have a good brush mist too.

Kim

http://trendkeeper.me .. Romper! Spring fashion!

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Evelina says · 03.02.16

I have been looking something good and inexpensive to perfect my contour skills with. I’m going to pick this up!

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Katie says · 03.02.16

I haven’t tried either of those products, but I’ll see if my local drugstore has them!

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Emily McWilliams says · 03.02.16

I haven’t tried the nudes but I LOVE the CoverGirl Roses Palette. It’s funny, the majority of my beauty products are drugstore and I’ve made a goal to try more high-end products this year!

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Emily Hartung says · 03.02.16

Love that you are trying out some lower end things. I love elf makeup products. some of their lipsticks are my favorite!

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Meg says · 03.02.16 Reply
Jasmine says · 03.02.16

I need this palette!!

Jasmine
http://www.jasminesimone.co.uk

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Allison says · 03.02.16

Always looking for great drugstore finds-good to have in your back pocket when you’re traveling 🙂 thanks for sharing!

Allison http://allisons-eye.com/

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Kelsey says · 03.02.16

I feel like I’m the same! I’ve been loving the Revlon Color Stay foundation, though it’s quite heavy I always make sure to apply with a damp beauty blender. And do you like that L’Oreal contour palette better than Tarte’s contour palette? (I think I remember you having the Tarte contour palette…) 🙂

Kelsey

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Kiran says · 03.02.16

Drugstore brands are doing so well at producing contour powders for fairer skin tones, I am just waiting for them to perfect the same shades for darker skin tones. The only brand I have seen do it so far is Sleek and they have had their kits out before contouring blew up in the gigantic way that it has over the past year. Love the palettes you included, wish I could get my hands on Cover Girl in the UK, their products look amazing!

Kiran | http://www.alittlekiran.co.uk

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Lisa says · 03.02.16

So glad you are reviewing drugstore brands. I find that the easier an item is to get, the more likely I am to use it and since Target is convenient and the mall isn’t that’s my go to in a pinch. FYI I have had good luck with ELF brushes.

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Jeannie Keen says · 03.02.16

I agree! I live in a small town and the nearest Ulta and Sephora or mall is 35 miles away! And with my two little kids, I can’t always make that trek!

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Jeannie Keen says · 03.02.16

Thanks for working more drugstore brands into your posts! I love Ulta and Sephora, but my budget doesn’t always love it!

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Aaryn says · 03.02.16

Hi Kate! So I’ve been thinking about purchasing a highlighter for quite a long time now…I’ve been going back and forth. The reason I say nay is because I tend to get very oily throughout the day, so I like to start off with a very matte base. (I do moisturize and do all that good stuff for my skin!) But I say yay because it could be fun and add some dimension to my face.

Do you recommend a highlighter for people even with oily skin? Or do you think it’s too much? And…do you have a favorite highlighter? I’ve heard good things about M.A.C.’s, but that’s really it.

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Kelly says · 03.03.16

I need to get these sonia brushes STAT!

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kate says · 03.03.16

I really have to be better about not being a makeup snob. I have it in my head that just because it’s sold a sephora, it’s ‘better’ terrible right? Seriously first world problems….i did by a ‘middle of the road’ set of brushes called Morphe, and I LOVE them…they are about $40 for the set, which is about 8 brushes and a fancy case. 🙂 Just if you wanted to try something new I’m putting it out there 🙂

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Susan says · 03.03.16

Have you ever tried Zoeva eyeshadows?
They are high-end shadows at really great prices. I just got the Nude Spectrum palette and it is GORGEOUS!

http://a-woman-of-a-certain-age.com/

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Emily says · 03.04.16

I only recently bought the L’Oreal Contour Kit but I LOVE it. It’s my first cream contour kit, but I’m so impressed with it! It’s a shame I can’t get hold of Covergirl in the UK!

Emily // Beauty and Lifestyle Blog

xx

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Sarah Severa says · 03.04.16

I prefer being able to buy my make-up at the drug store, and both of these look like they would be helpful in my daily routine. Thanks for posting this. I look forward to trying them.

Sarah
http://www.mysimplemomblog.com/

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Mel says · 03.05.16

Oooooo. I would love to try both!! I’m always on the lookout for great drugstore finds!!

Mel | http://www.thegossipdarling.com

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Kara says · 03.07.16

That nude palette looks similar to the naked palette, I’ll give it a try when my naked palette runs out. Thanks!

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Ashley says · 03.26.16

I LOVE the ELF brushes. They’re super inexpensive, but last. I’ve tried several different brands of brushes in a variety of price ranges, but ELF brushes are my favorite.

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