$28 or Less: Beauty Editors Share Their Desert-Island Drugstore Beauty Products

Welcome to Drugstore Heroes, a monthly series in which we spotlight the often-overlooked and under-hyped drugstore beauty products that industry experts count on. From editors to content creators and even celebs, we’re asking tastemakers to share their top recommendations for affordable, yet effective products. Get ready to see the best of drugstore beauty, period.

The drugstore beauty aisle is an interesting place. There are hidden gems, but they're, well...hidden. It usually takes time and effort—not to mention some much-needed patience—to find them. In this way, shopping for drugstore beauty products is a lot like thrifting. If you want to find that one diamond-in-the-rough item, you often need to work for it. But who really wants to do that? With hundreds of products lining the shelves, it can feel overwhelming, even dizzying, to make an attempt. For this reason, many drugstore beauty products that are well worth their weight in gold go undiscovered.

To right this wrong, we're kicking off a new monthly series called Drugstore Heroes, in which we'll ask experts to share their favorite, desert-island drugstore items. The goal is to cut through the noise and limit the trial-and-error necessary to find the best budget-friendly products. Welcome to our first installment.

Who better to kick things off than our very own beauty editors? They're constantly researching and testing new formulas (drugstore included). They have a good—no, great —grasp on what sets a product apart from the rest.

Their skincare, makeup, and haircare collections are the epitome of high-low. Sure, there might be luxury lipstick in their makeup bags, but it's next to a budget-friendly lip liner. Or, there might be a high-tech serum on their bathroom countertop, but they lather on a drugstore sunscreen once their faces are dry. A high-priced hair oil sits next to a $5 dry shampoo. You get the picture. Ahead, see every desert-island drugstore beauty product we swear by, from a $12 natural-looking foundation to the ultimate at-home manicure set.

Kaitlyn McLintock wearing Revlon Colorstay Foundation.

Revlon Colorstay Makeup for Normal/Dry Skin With SPF 20 in Buff

"As a beauty editor, I'm well aware that a bigger price tag doesn't always equate to a better product. However, sometimes, even I'm surprised by the quality of a drugstore product. That was the case the first time I tried this foundation. As soon as I dotted it on my skin, I could tell it was a winner. Not only was it smooth and easily blendable, but it offered the most natural-looking buildable coverage. And if you know me, you know I won't settle for anything less. For only $12, this foundation is well worth the influx of compliments you'll receive. Oh, and don't think you can't use this foundation if you don't have dry/normal skin. There's one that's specifically formulated for combination/oily skin too ." — McLintock

Elf Glow Reviver Lip Oil

I'm the first to admit that most lip oils I love have a luxury price tag. That's not the case with this $8 one from Elf. There are three things that make it incredible, at least in my humble opinion. First, the doe-foot applicator is so thick and plush, which makes it feel even more luxurious than some of my high-end faves. Second, it's *actually* non-sticky. I know a lot of lip oils claim to be, but this one really is. It feels smooth and lightweight—never goopy—on my lips. Third, the sheer tint actually enhances your lips' natural color, which means it's kind of delivers a customized color in a way. I guess you could say I'm obsessed." — McLintock

L'Oreal Paris Glow Paradise Balm-In-Lipstick

"Another drugstore lip product I used all the time, this one is perfect for no-makeup makeup days or whenever your lips need a luminous boost. It's infused with pomegranate extract for hydration and nourishment, deposits the prettiest sheer flush of color, and leaves a luminous finish behind. I love how it melts on contact with the lips, basically blending itself out so I never need a mirror to apply it. It feels so much more expensive than the price tag." — McLintock

Revlon Illuminance Dewy Finish Gel Serum Blush in Enchanting Mauve

"I recently snagged this at an event Revlon threw and have been loving it so far! I love the formula because it's creamy but not oily and provides the perfect subtle wash of color on your skin. It can also be built up for a more dramatic effect." — Hudson

Jamie Schneider wearing Covergirl Clean Fresh Brow Nano Eyebrow Pencil.

COVERGIRL Clean Fresh Brow Nano Eyebrow Pencil

"Heads up: You really don’t need a super-expensive brow pencil to fashion fluffy, feathery arches. Even celebrities admit they tend to stick to drugstore staples! Anyways, this CoverGirl number is one of the best budget-friendly options I’ve tried. I love the soft, creamy pigment and the 1MM nano tip for precise, hair-like strokes, especially on the teeny gaps in my brow tails. It really makes a difference! I actually finished the pencil completely, which is such a feat for a beauty editor who constantly tests products." — Schneider

Dove 0% Aluminum Cucumber & Green TeaDeodorant Spray

"I am 100% committed to natural deodorant (it took me a couple of smelly months during the pandemic, TBH, but I've come out on the other side!). That said, I like to layer my everyday roll-on with a spray when it’s particularly soupy outside or I’m running around with a jam-packed schedule. Think of it like the armpit version of a backup generator. Is this layering technique backed by derms? No (although, I haven’t asked…), but it works for me—especially when I use Dove’s 0% Aluminum Spray. I know many deodorants claim to keep you smelling fresh all day long, but trust me, this one delivers. I love it so much that I keep a mini version in my bag at all times, just as a failsafe." — Schneider

Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Rose Blister

"I will forever be a Burt’s Bees stan. The brand has perfected the everyday lip balm, so much so that I have no less than three in every tote I own. My favorite has to be this rose-tinted number, which deposits the prettiest kiss of pink. I’ve tried just about every tinted balm under the sun—from drugstore favorites to $45 designer tubes—and I always come back to this pick." — Schneider

Jergens Natural Glow Instant Sun Tanning Mousse in Ultra Deep Bronze

"While I unfortunately spent the bulk of my young years attempting to downplay my natural melanin, lately I've been looking for products that can make it pop more. Brightening and evening my skin tone has been at the top of my "to do" list for a while, and I've heard nothing but good things about this ultra-moisturizing tanning mousse by Jergens. In the past, I've tried the brand's tanning lotion (and experienced some transfer to furniture and clothes), so I'm hoping this one will help me develop my tone instantly without making an appearance anywhere I'd rather not see it." — Thomas

Tweezerman Glass Manicure Set

"Since relocating to New York, I've preferred to do at-home manicures rather than paying more to pop into the salon. The next time I visit my neighborhood drugstore, I'll be on the hunt for this Glass Manicure Set. The set includes four glass nail tools designed to trim, shape, buff, and shine the nails to perfection. I also really appreciate how easy each one can be sanitized (I can simply clean them with alcohol or peroxide after each use for the best possible results)." — Thomas