There’s something comforting about dropping into your neighborhood retailer to peruse its endless shelves in search of the best drugstore beauty products. Perhaps it’s the consistency—same fluorescent lighting, same (different, but same) pop song playing, same row overstocked with candy and plush toys to mark whatever holiday is coming up or has just passed—that keeps us returning time and again. Or maybe it’s the nostalgia: for many of us, the drugstore is the first place we purchased makeup, nail polish, or face cream for ourselves, or thought about what we wanted to look like as the adults we are now.
But drugstore poetics aside, the stuff we buy here often falls into the category of “products we can’t live without.” And though it’s hard to break your routine and try something new from the packed shelves, one could argue that a tip on what’s great (and affordable!) is the best kind of beauty advice there is. So, we asked 14 Vogue editors to reveal their go-to products—here are their picks.
Anna-Lisa Yabsley, Global Digital Strategy Lead
I know, I know, it’s a cliché for yet another Australian to recommend this stuff. But believe me when I say, it will live up to expectations. Lucas’ Papaw Ointment can be used for literally anything—chapped lips, highlighting cheekbones, grazes, insect bites—you name it. But the best thing to do is put it liberally on your feet, focusing on dry areas, throw on a pair of socks and sleep. By morning, you will have baby-quality skin.
Laia Garcia-Furtado, Senior Fashion News Editor
Every time I go to the drugstore I cannot resist the allure of a new nail polish—my relaxing-at-home activity is doing my nails while watching a movie—but the one actually essential product that I keep coming back to year after year is the Sally Hansen Dri Top Coat. It really works and keeps my nails chip-free for at least a week. I saw my mom a couple weeks ago and she was like “Wow that Sally Hansen Top Coat really works,” so now she’s a convert too.
Madeline Fass, Fashion Market Editor
When I go for an ultra-slicked back or wet hair look, this stuff really works!
Elise Taylor, Senior Living Writer
A few years ago, I realized that I had run out of my expensive, designer-name liquid liner before a night on the town. It was late, and all the stores were closed—except for a 24-hour CVS. Desperate, I ran in and grabbed the first black one I could find. To this day, I still use Lineur Intense from L’Oréal Paris. The brush is thin enough to make a small, daytime-appropriate accentuating line right above my lash line, but flexible enough to make a dramatic cat-eye swoop for night. Occasionally, I’ll try a new eyeliner just to see what else is out there—but within a use or two, I go back to my old faithful.
Willow Lindley, Accessories Director
I love a Burt’s Bees pomegranate lip balm. Super hydrating and the perfect subtle red tint. I always stock up when I’m at the drugstore.
Emma Specter, Culture Writer
This moisturizer is so thick and glow-inducing, it makes for a perfect highlighter; just rub a little on your cheekbones before applying makeup (but beware, it’s best used for full-face moisturizing purposes at night unless your skin is really dry).
.jpg)
Christian Allaire, Fashion & Style Writer
I’ve recently been upping my SPF game and have tried everything, from high to low. One of my favorites is Cetaphil’s face moisturizer/SPF. It’s very affordable, blends like a dream without leaving a cast, and it even gives me a perfect glow (without being greasy—a SPF hazard).
Marley Marius, Features Editor
I suffer from chronically dry skin (eczema has been a problem for me since I was a baby), so I adore how glamorously soft and dewy this cream by Pond’s makes my face feel in the morning and right before bed. Besides, it’s deceptively generous size means months and months of moisturizing!
.jpg)
Arden Fanning, Contributor
I’ve been on a French pharmacy tour all summer collecting travel jewels. Payot’s mini hand lotion is such a cute shape and leaves zero greasy finish. If you can find it, the 1oz tube of Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré (a regular backstage during fashion week) is the perfect slim size to carry around and use for everything. And Yves Rocher’s organic marigold Shine Shampoo Bar smells so good, like a waterless version of the little bath kit that I always save from my favorite hotel in Paris.
Lilah Ramzi, Commerce Editor
I’ve been told I have enough hair on my head for four people—it’s a blessing and a curse. I’m constantly having to replace my hair rubber bands as they either snap or go missing because, like socks in a dryer, they vanish! (Okay, but honestly, where do they go?) My hair laughs at those lithe, spaghetti-thin hair elastics. I need the hefty, no-nonsense bands in dark brown. My favorites are Goody’s no-metal bands, conveniently sold at just about any drugstore!
Clarissa Schmidt, Commerce Producer
With flare-ups of eczema, hyperpigmentation, and cystic acne, it’s safe to say I have extremely dry, sensitive skin. Combatting these conditions all throughout my teen years and into my young adult life has been an emotional rollercoaster to say the least. I have tried hundreds—no, really, hundreds—of different products and treatments, and it turns out some of the best were right in front of me all along. CeraVe and Cetaphil are two gentle, clean brands I swear by for keeping skin soft and hydrated without fear of irritation. When it comes to makeup bag treasures, you’ll definitely find me pulling out Neutrogena’s SPF lip balm (with a sheer tint!) and CoverGirl’s iconic bright orange-cased Lash Blast mascara. There’s a reason why these classics stand the test of time!
Julie Tong, Commerce Director
I’ve been using this makeup remover for as long as I can remember. It’s gentle on my skin, does the job quick, efficiently, and the bottle lasts me months on end. Even better, I feel a little bit more at ease knowing I’m not discarding single use wipes on a daily basis.
.jpg)
Molly Barstein, Content Operations Associate
The one thing that you will never find me without is my Aquaphor Healing Ointment (which is currently sitting on my desk as I type this). I apply this religiously to my cuticles and lips and even use it as an under eye cream at night when I’m feeling extra dry. Next, I have always been and always will be a hair up kind of girl. I love a sleek updo and find that this product gives me the clean finish that I’m looking for. The best part is that it’s infused with argan oil which is great for your hair and easily brushes/washes out. What more could you ask for in a hair gel?
Kiana Murden, Beauty Commerce Writer
By far my favorite drugstore face wash is La Roche-Posay’s gentle cleanser. I always prefer milky formulas that won’t strip my skin of its natural moisture while sloughing away impurities and makeup. This French pharmacy find is perfect! On the makeup front, I can’t stop recommending Kiss’s eyeliner lash glue. It makes it so easy to apply faux lashes (without having to apply eyeliner separately), and my lashes seriously don’t budge all day or night.
For all the latest fasion News Click Here
