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10 inexpensive drugstore beauty products that actually work

Have you ever popped into a drugstore just to kill time, only to emerge with $200 worth of new beauty products and a box of Breton crackers? Or have you ever walked into a department store and emerged with several expensive creams, nail polishes and eyeliners only to have them make you break out, flake off, or just not work?

Three months later, half those products are sitting only a quarter used and collecting mildew near your bathroom sink. But imagine if you went on those drugstore beauty binges armed with the knowledge of which products actually work and give you the most bang for your buck.

Drugstore products are great because despite their small price tags, there are some quality items just waiting to be discovered.

Here are just a few of our favourite low-budget products that give a great return on investment -- and often out-perform their pricey counterparts.

Garnier® Skin Renew 5 Second Blur Instant Smoother

, $15.97

Garnier
Garnier

This product sounds kind of ridiculous due to its promise of instant results. Five seconds is just a tiny bit aggressive, but after using the product, I can attest to its claims. Nothing will give you picture perfect skin in five seconds but the results are nothing short of fantastic. You’ll definitely notice visible lines fading and an overall improvement in your skin almost immediately after use.

Veet® EasyGrip™ Ready-to-Use Wax Strips, $16.99

Veet
Veet

If it weren’t for these easy-to-use wax strips, my trips to the esthetician would quadruple. I’ve never found a more fuss-free way to deal with hair removal. You don’t have to worry about messy jars of goopy wax and these are effective, even on coarse hair. The 40 strips will last you months, so the slightly higher price tag is completely worth it.

Maybelline Great Lash Mascara, $3.97

Maybelline
Maybelline

The classic mascara in the familiar pink and green packaging is every woman’s go-to. I love this product because it’s almost weightless and has proven to be the only mascara that doesn’t weigh down my flimsy lashes.

Essence Eyebrow Designer Pencil, $2.49

Essence
Essence

My eyebrows are a bit sparse and naturally very light so I rely on a pencil to define them. I’ve tried brow pencils that cost anywhere from $2-$30 -- and guess which product beats the rest? Essence’s Eyebrow Designer Pencil costs a whopping $2.49 but it does the job and does it well. It stays on throughout the day and looks completely natural.

L’Oreal True Match Blendable Liquid Makeup, $6.99

L'Oreal
L'Oreal

Unlike many affordable drugstore foundations, L’Oreal True Match actually offers a wide range of skin tones – 23 to be exact. It’s truly one of the better inexpensive foundations on the market. As the name suggests, it’s blendable, and it's also moisturizing and non-comedogenic.

Batiste Dry Shampoo, $8.57

Batiste
Batiste

If one more hairstylist raves about Batiste Dry Shampoo, I’m going to scream. I kid! I’m actually quite grateful to have been introduced to this fantastic dry shampoo. It works well and comes in a variety of colours and scents for those days when you can’t be bothered to lather up.

Spectro Jel Cleanser, $6.93

Spectro Jel
Spectro Jel

I feel like every person I know used Spectro Jel as an acne-prone teen and continued using this product into adulthood. My dermatologist recommended it to me a decade ago and its gentle formula has been able to keep my acne flare ups at bay. It’s perfect for sensitive skin because it doesn’t contain any fragrances, dyes or other skin irritating ingredients.

L'Oréal Paris Evercrème Intense Nourishing Shampoo, $9.27

L'Oreal
L'Oreal

L’Oreal is one of the few brands that have made sulfate-free shampoo an affordable option. My naturally dry, coarse hair thrives on sulfate-free shampoos like L'Oréal Paris Evercrème Intense Nourishing Shampoo. It takes a little getting used to because it doesn’t lather up as much as you might be used to.

Lise Watier Baiser Velours, $27

Lise Watier
Lise Watier

OK, so I can’t entirely pronounce this product without butchering the French, but I can attest to its greatness. This lipstick by Lise Watier feels like velvet on your lips and is heavily pigmented for days when you want to make a statement with a bold lip. The formula is also long lasting so kiss without fear my friends.

SensatioNail Gel Mani Shields, $7.99

SensatioNail
SensatioNail

The advent of the gel manicure effectively solved the pesky polish chipping issue. In doing so, we encountered a new beauty woe: the annoying and harsh process of removing shellac. I recently discovered gel mani shields. They’re essentially stickers you apply to your nails prior to a gel manicure so you’re not marinating your fingers in acetone for 15 minutes when you want to take it off. While slightly tricky to apply at first, you eventually get the hang of it and your healthy nails will thank you for it.