$22 or Less: Beauty Editors Share Their Desert-Island Drugstore Beauty Products

"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 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." — McLintock

"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 e.l.f. Cosmetics. 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

"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

"This bronzer is so smooth and silky you'd think it was a luxury item, but you'd be wrong. Even the queen of quiet luxury herself, Sofia Richie Grainge, swears by it." — McLintock

"Whenever anyone asks me for a drugstore mascara recommendation, I give this one. I've been using it for years, and I'm still just as impressed with the fluffy, natural-looking volume it gives my lashes as I was when I first tried it over 10 years ago." — McLintock

"I find most drugstore bodywashes to be drying, perfume-y, or just plain bad, but this one is a true exception. The texture transforms from an oil to a silky lather once it meets water, and ingredients like glycerin, linoleic-rich oils, and plant-derived squalane clean without stripping the skin of moisture. It's basically like double-cleansing but for your body. I use it all the time—in the winter to moisturize my dry skin and in the summer to effectively remove sunscreen, sweat, and oil." — McLintock

"It's no secret I've been obsessed with the beauty and personal care brand Saltair for a while now, but this new bodywash brings my love affair to new heights. Like the aforementioned Naturium bodywash, this one cleans my skin without stripping moisture. However, it's the scent that really makes it special. Notes of warm vanilla, sea salt, and creamy sandalwood turn my shower into a spa. I could use it every single day and never get sick of it." — McLintock

"Anyone who knows me will tell you that I'm the absolute pickiest when it comes to mascara. I like my lashes to look certain way (long and doll-like, thank you very much), and it's no small feat for a mascara to be able to simultaneously lift, curl, separate, and lengthen my long, thick, very straight lashes. This one from e.l.f. is one of my all-time favorites and probably my most-worn mascara of 2025 thus far." — Jahns

"An oldie but a goodie! I've used this concealer for years, and even when I stray or am testing new formulas, I always come back to it. The coverage is great, and the marketing isn't lying—it's almost impossible to make this concealer crease!" — Jahns

"I'm not going to lie, the majority of my shower's contents are expensive formulas, but you'll always, always, spot one of Dove's iconic Beauty Bars sitting among them. My shower routine is just not complete with out it. She's an icon for a reason!" — Jahns

"Let's not overcomplicate the pimple patch, people! There are so many iterations these days, and while some are spiked with extra ingredients and are just plain cute on your face, I prefer these classic, no-frills hydrocolloid patches from Hero Cosmetics. They're the most effective I've tried when it comes to absorbing, de-flaming, and protecting an angry bump." — Jahns

"I know, I know, using a makeup wipe every night has become the ultimate beauty vice, but when I'm in a hurry, am overly tired, or am simply trying excavate waterproof mascara from my lashes, nothing will ever beat these OG wipes from Neutrogena." — Jahns

"A heavy, sticky body lotion? Can't stand her. I've never liked the feeling of having a lotion, oil, or butter on my skin, especially if I'm putting clothes on right afterward. However, in the name of preventing desert-dry, practically reptilian skin, I'm pretty much forced to ignore said dislike. This lightweight, hyaluronic acid–infused lotion from CeraVe is truly one of the only formulas I don't mind—heck, even enjoy—using. It spreads and absorbs beautifully, so a little goes a long way, and I'm not left with any greasy or tacky aftermath." — Jahns

"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! Anyway, 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, hairlike 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

"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 fail-safe." — Schneider

"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

"Revlon's Super Lustrous Glass Shine Balm is the drugstore version of Chanel's Rouge Coco Baume. I said what I said! Similar to the designer fave, this under-$10 staple is sheer yet buildable with a comfortable, never-sticky glide. I have two shades with me at all times: Pink Flip, which is eerily similar to the petal pink Chanel number worn by Margot Robbie and Sofia Richie Grainge, and Rum Raisin, which has received viral status on TikTok for its '90s-esque, mauve-brown finish. You really can't go wrong with either stunning hue." — Schneider

"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

"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 easily each one can be sanitized. I can simply clean them with alcohol or peroxide after each use for the best possible results." — Thomas

"I was first introduced to this tinted moisturizer/instant bronzer/highlighter hybrid last year through the hordes of celebrities and their makeup artists who use it constantly and eventually gave into the hype and tried it myself. While I tend to be wary of drugstore skin-makeup products, I've found bliss in this sensitive skin–friendly formula. One dollop moisturizes and warms my skin with a realistic sun-kissed glow—making my face look radiant in the summer and ever so slightly bronzed in the winter. I've forgotten my foundation because of it, seriously." — Brascia

"I'm a pretty strong Laneige faithful, but Neutrogena's version of the Glowy Lip Balm has become a new favorite of mine. This mask feels like a more hydrating version of Laneige's balm—truly a lip mask in a tube. My lips feel drastically more hydrated each time I give them a quick swipe, and the light-pink color is a perfect match to any lip combo. (Though, it also looks fabulously high-shine alone.) I don't go anywhere without this little tube!" — Brascia

"I just waxed poetic about this lip liner as I shared my go-to lip combo, but I'll gladly take any chance to praise this diamond in the rough. There are so many drugstore lip liners out there (I'd know—I think I own half of them), but I stay by this shade's side for a reason. It's creamy enough to add moisture to my (often-dry) lips where I need it and cool-toned enough to add realistic contouring, which has been somewhat of a struggle to find at the drugstore over the past few years. (Why does everything veer so warm?) I first discovered this shade while I was in college (ahem, about four years ago), and it's the only drugstore lip liner I actually repurchase when it runs out." — Brascia

"I'll die on this hill: These are the only pimple patches that actually make a difference in my skin, especially the kind of blemishes I get (nasty under-the-skin pimples). Its micropoint sticker face punctures the skin in the least painful way (I would know—I have next to no pain tolerance) and effectively loosens and absorbs the buildup beneath, eliminating the issue by morning if I apply at night. Say it with me: game changer." — Brascia

"These are the best press-ons when I'm in a pinch. I know they're at almost any convenience or drugstore that I may pass on my way to work or an event, and hesitant to show up anywhere with my nubs, I'm often running inside to pick up one of these. These nails last for about a week before starting to pop off, making it a great short-term solution or something to keep in your beauty stash just in case." — Brascia

"I've been using Maybelline's powder for well over a decade now, and I have yet to find anything that tops it. When I do my daily makeup routine, I look for something that'll reduce the appearance of oily skin around my T-zone, and this product never fails." — Talbert

"I often forget to put on sunscreen, so multitasking products like this moisturizer from Cetaphil help me check off both boxes with minimal effort. The formula is perfect for my sensitive skin, and it doesn't make me oily or cause breakouts." — Talbert