Best Drugstore Matte Bronzers

Matte bronzers have always seemed to be a challenge at the drugstore. Or at least that is what I used to think. Funny thing happened in doing the research for this topic: I realized there are actually a good variety of options at the drugstore nowadays. Some even rival higher end bronzers in quality and tone. Below you will find a list of the bronzers I have come to like the best with options for many skin tones as well as bronzers that are fairly neutral in tone, and therefore, work for a wide variety of people.

Check out my video below for more in-depth review on each. 

Fair to Light Skin Tones:

Neutrogena Natural Radiance Bronzer ~ "Sunkissed" ~ $12.99

Available at Ulta, Target, Walmart, major drugstores

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=prod2107521

Physicians Formula Bronzer Booster Glow-Boosting Pressed Bronzer ~ "Medium to Dark" ~ $14.99

Available at Ulta, Target, Walmart, major drugstores

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod1251324#

Essence Sun Club Matt Bronzing Powder ~ "Blondes/Lighter Skin 01" ~ $4.99

Available at Ulta 

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod3400079#

Medium to Deep Skin Tones:

NYX Matte Body Bronzer ~ "Medium" ~ $8.99

Available at Ulta, some Targets & CVS, www.nyxcosmetics.com

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod4141595#reviews

Jane Cosmetics Bronzing Powder ~ "Dream" & "Empower" ~ $10.00

Available at Ulta, www.janecosmetics.com

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod5770369

e.l.f. Studio Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder ~ "Antigua" ~ $3.00

Available at www.eyeslipsface.com

http://www.eyeslipsface.com/studio/face/bronzers/contouring_blush_and_bronzing_powder

e.l.f. Studio Baked Bronzer ~ "Los Cabos" ~ $3.00

Available at www.eyeslipsface.com

http://www.eyeslipsface.com/studio/face/bronzers/baked_bronzer

Universal Bronzers:

NYC Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powderb~ "Sunny" ~ $2.99

Available at Walmart, Target, Rite Aid

http://shop.riteaid.com/dp/B004ZDTRE8#.U3duO_ldVgE

Rimmel London Natural Bronzer ~ "Sun Bronze" ~ $4.99

Available at Ulta, Walmart, Target, most major drugstores

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod2960199&_requestid=644747

e.l.f. Studio Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder ~ "St. Lucia" ~ $3.00

Available at Target, Walmart, www.eyeslipsface.com

http://www.eyeslipsface.com/studio/face/bronzers/contouring_blush_and_bronzing_powder

NYC Color Wheel Mosiac Face Powder ~ "All Over Bronze Glow" ~ $4.47

Available at Walmart, Target, Rite Aid, Walgreens

http://www.walmart.com/ip/NYC-New-York-Color-Color-Wheel-Mosaic-Face-Powder-724A-All-Over-Bronze-Glow-0.32-oz/10322728

Milani Bronzer XL All-Over Glow ~ "Fake Tan" ~ $10.00

Available at CVS, www.cherryculture.com, www.milanicosmetics.com

http://www.cherryculture.com/cosmetics/makeup/milani/milani-bronzer-xl-all-over-glow/17329&cat=0&page=1

Cream Bronzers:

Sonia Kashuk Undetectable Creme Bronzer ~ "Warm Tan" & "Rich Bronze" ~ $10.99

Available at Target

http://www.target.com/p/sonia-kashuk-undetectable-creme-bronzer/-/A-14425125#prodSlot=medium_2_2&term=sonia+kashuk

e.l.f. Studio Contouring Blush & Bronzing Cream ~ "St. Lucia" ~ $3.00

Available at www.eyeslipsface.com

http://www.eyeslipsface.com/studio/face/bronzers/contouring_blush_and_bronzing_cream

Best & Worst Drugstore Cream Highlighters

Highlighters can be tricky. They can either be too sheer and become pointless or to pigmented and shimmery that they end up making you look like a disco ball. I decided to go on an adventure of sorts to find some of the best highlighters out there starting with the drugstore. Today we discuss cream and liquid highlighters. The selection was definitely limited compared to powder highlighters, but I still managed to find several from the drugstore that have really impressed me. Below is a ranking of these highlighters with their pros and cons. Please feel free to let me know what you think and if you have your own recommendations.

Ranking (Worst to Best):

6. ELF All Over Color Stick ~ $1

Shades: Spotlight (left) & Toasted

Pros: 

~Inexpensive

 ~Good color selection

Cons: 

~Sticky (and remains tacky on skin)

~Hard to blend

~Scented

~Some colors such as "Spotlight" are streaky and poorly pigmented

5. ELF Shimmering Facial Whip ~ $1

Shade: Lilac Petal

Pros:

~Inexpensive

~Very pigmented (a little goes a long way)

~Good color selection

Cons:

~Sticky and remains slightly tacky on skin

~Can be hard to blend out

~Very pigmented and shimmery

~Scented

4. Kardashian Beauty Intimate Spotlight ~ $9.99

Shades:  Burnish (left) & Incandescence  

Pros:

~"Burnish" is a beautiful amber/light bronze highlight without glitter (universal shade)

~Cream to powder texture

~Easy to blend

~Can be used as an eyeshadow

Cons:

~"Incandescence" has small pieces of glitter in it that migrate all over face throughout day

~"Incandescence" not as pigmented as "Burnish"

~Staying power is so-so. Begins to wear off by mid-day.

3. Revlon Photoready Skinlights Face Illuminator ~ $12.99

Shades: Bare Light & Pink Light

Pros:

~Easy to blend

~Liquid to powder finish

~All shades except for Bare Light have decent pigmentation

~Provides pretty sheen/glow to skin without glitter/sparkle.

~Can be mixed with foundation as illuminator or on top of foundation as highlighter

~Good packaging. Protects product from contamination.

Cons:

~"Bare Lights" does not have great pigmentation (better as subtle illuminator)

~If used as highlighter, liquid formula can cause other make to shift/fade on face

2. L'Oreal Visible Lift Color Lift Blush ~ $12.99

Shade: Rose Gold Lift

Pros:

~ Cream to powder finish

~Easy to blend

~Beautiful color as a highlight

~Good staying power

~Provides glow to skin without glitter

Cons:

~Some colors have better pigmentation than others

~Not pigmented enough as a stand-alone blush

~Cheap, flimsy packaging

~Expensive for amount of product that you get

1. ELF Shimmer Palette ~ $3 (BEST VALUE)

Pros:

~Comes with 4 color choices

~Cream to powder finish

~Pigmented

~Great value/inexpensive

~Good packaging with mirror / travel friendly

~Good staying power

~Shimmer without glitter

Cons:

~Can feel a little wet when applied (until it dries)

~Only available on ELF website: http://www.eyeslipsface.com/studio/face/shimmer/shimmer_palette

Best & Worst Drugstore Powder Highlighters

The Not So Good (as they appear in video):

1. ELF Studio Blush ~ Giddy Gold ~ $3

2. NYC Sun n Bronze ~ Hamptons Radiance ~ $4.99

3. Essence Sun Club All-In-One Bronzing Highlighter ~ Sun Light ~ $4.49

4. Physicians Formula Mineral Glow Pearls ~ Translucent Pearl ~ $13.99

5. ELF Baked Highlighters ~ Moonlight Pearl, Pink Diamonds, Blush Gems ~ $3

The Good (as they appear in video):

Subtle/Neutral Highlighters ~

Wet n Wild Color Icon Bronzer ~ Reserve Your Cabana ~ $3.99

http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/wet-n-wild-color-icon-collection-bronzer-spf-15/ID=prod6097893-product 

Hard Candy So Baked Bronzer ~ Tiki ~ $9

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Hard-Candy-So-Baked-Bronzer/12441146

Milani Illuminating Face Powder ~ Hermosa Rose ~ $8.99

http://www.milanicosmetics.com/p-133-illuminating-face-powder.aspx

Pink Highlighters ~

Wet n Wild Fergie To Reflect Shimmer Palette ~ Rose Champagne Glow ~ $5.99

http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/wet-n-wild-fergie-shimmer-palette/ID=prod6163124-product

Maybelline Face Studio Hi-Light Blush ~ Nude ~ $8.99

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod6340314

Revlon Highlighting Palette ~ Rose Glow ~ $10.99
http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod6320738

NYX Illuminator ~ Enigmatic ~ $8.99
http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod5050057#

Pale Gold Highlighters (Nars Albatross Dupes) ~
ELF Studio Blush ~ Gotta Glow ~ $3
http://www.eyeslipsface.com/studio/face/blush/studio_blush

NYX Illuminator ~ Ritualistic ~ $8.99
http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod5050057#

Bronze/Golden Highlighters ~
Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips ~ Riviera Strip (Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick Dupe) & Vegas Strip ~ $12.99
http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod1320072

Maybelline Face Studio Hi-Light Blush ~ Natural (Limited Edition Shade) ~ $8.99
Found at CVS

Revlon Highlighting Palette ~ Peach Glow & Bronze Glow ~ $10.99
http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod6320738

Best & Worst Drugstore Eyeshadow Primers

 From Left to Right: Prestige Primed & Ready, Essence I Love Stage Base, L'Oreal De-Crease, NYX HD Eyeshadow Base, Palladio Herbal Eyeshadow Primer, Rimmel Exaggerate Undercover Primer, ELF Eyeshadow Primer, ELF Mineral Eyeshadow Primer, Milani Eye Primer, Wet n Wild Fergie Primer, Jane Cosmetics Eye Primer

Eyeshadow used from Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Palette - "Comfort Zone" 

From Left to Right: Rimmel Exaggerate Undercover Primer, L'Oreal De-Crease, Essence I Love Stage, Palladio Herbal Eyeshadow Primer, Prestige Primed & Ready, ELF Eyelid Primer, ELF Mineral Eyelid Primer, Milani Eyeshadow Primer, NYX HD Eyeshadow Base, Jane Cosmetics Eye Primer, Wet n Wild Fergie Eye Primer, Urban Decay Primer Potion

 After rubbing with dry hand (same order as above)

 After rubbing with water

 After rubbing with soap & water

Eyeshadow Primers Ranked (Worst to Best):

11. Rimmel Exaggerate Undercover Shadow Primer ~ $4.99

10. L'Oreal Magic De-Crease Eyelid Primer ~ $8.99

9. Essence I Love Stage Eyeshadow Base ~ $3.49

8. Palladio Herbal Eyeshadow Primer ~ $7.99

7. Prestige Primed & Ready Eye Primer ~ $9.49

6. ELF Eyelid Primer ~ $1.00

5. ELF Mineral Eyelid Primer ~ $3.00

4. Milani Eyeshadow Primer ~ $6.99

3. NYX HD Eyeshadow Base ~ $6.99

2. Jane Cosmetics Eye Primer ~ $8.00

1. Wet n Wild Fergie Take On The Day Eyeshadow Primer ~ $4.99

Inglot Eyeshadow Review & Swatches

Freedom System Full Eyeshadow Palette 5 ~ S9 (left to right): 

488, 362, 74, 72, 325

 Same order as above

Freedom System Full Eyeshadow Palette 5 ~ S7 (left to right): 

330, 397, 399, 326, 423

 Same order as above

Freedom System Full Eyeshadow Palette 20 ~ S1 (left to right):

Top Row: 11, 465, 327, 31, 42

2nd Row: 463, 26, 155, 27, 25

3rd Row: 352, 10, 15, 383, 422

Bottom Row: 347, 361, 46, 54, 12

YouTube Video Review

Cost: $6 per eyeshadow square from the Freedom System 

Where to Find: http://www.inglotusa.com/ or http://inglotcosmetics.com/inglot/stores

Above Palettes: 5 pan ~ $18.00

http://www.inglotusa.com/SALE-Freedom_System_Full_Eyeshadow_Palette_5_S9.html

http://www.inglotusa.com/SALE-Freedom_System_Full_Eyeshadow_Palette_5_S7.html

20 Pan ~ $61.50

http://www.inglotusa.com/SALE-Freedom_System_Full_Eyeshadow_Palette_20_S1.html

Pros:

• Great pigmentation
• Very easy to blend
• Minimal fall out
• Really good staying power (with primer / eyeshadow base)
• Very large color range with many neutral options as well as unique colors
• Great price point for quality ($6/eyeshadow square)

Cons:

• Limited store availability 
• Online site can be daunting due to the wide variety of color selection
• Packaging a little heavy and hard to open (the traditional palettes with the matte, clear lid)

Final Grade: A+ 

Absolutely worth checking out, regardless of the few cons. These eyeshadows are incredible quality, especially for the price point. They rival MAC and most other high end brands at a fraction of the cost. 

Best & Worst Drugstore Gel / Cream Eyeliners

Original swatches - not in ranked order (left to right): NYX Cream Liner & Smudger, Maybelline Eye Studio Gel Liner, ELF Cream Liner, Wet n Wild MegaEyes Creme Liner, Wet n Wild Fergie Creme Eyeliner, Rimmel Scandaleyes Gel Liner, Essence Gel Liner, L'Oreal Infallible Lacquer Liner

 After rubbing with dry hand (same order as above)

 After rubbing with only water

After rubbing with soap & water

YouTube Video Review (for more detail)

Final Ranking (worst to best):

8. Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Liner ~ Blackest Black ~ $9.99

Avail. in 4 shades ~ Comes with brush

7. ELF Cream Eyeliner ~ Black ~ $3.00

Avail. in 11 shades (greatest color variety) ~ Comes with brush

6. Wet n Wild MegaEyes Creme Eyeliner ~ Black ~ $3.99

Avail. in 2 shades ~ Comes with brush

5. Wet n Wild On Edge Fergie Creme Eyeliner ~ Little Black Dress ~ $5.29 

Avail. in 2 permanent shades; also have 2 limited edition shades for Spring 2014 ~ Comes with brush

4. NYX Cream Eyeliner & Smudger ~ Betty/Jet Black ~ $7.99

Avail. in 5 shades ~ No brush (can be used as eyeshadow base)

3. Essence Gel Eyeliner ~ Midnight in Paris ~ $3.99

Avail. in only 1 shade ~ No brush

2. Rimmel Scandaleyes Gel Eyeliner ~ Blackest Black ~ $5.99

Avail. in 4 shades ~ Comes with brush

1. L'Oreal Infallible 24H Lacquer Liner ~ Blackest Black ~ $9.99

Avail. in 5 shades ~ Comes with brush

Best & Worst Drugstore Liquid Liners

Felt Tip / Marker Style Eyeliners 

Intial Swatches - not in ranked order (Left to Right): Wet n Wild Mega Eyes, Revlon Colorstay Liquid Eye Pen, Rimmel Scandaleyes Thick & Thin, Maybelline Line Stiletto, Essence, L'Oreal Lineur Intense, L'Oreal Infallible Super Slim, Milani Eye Tech Extreme, CoverGirl Bombshell Intense, Jordana Fabuliner, NYX Super Skinny Marker, Physicians Formula Eye Booster, Milani Ultrafine Liquid 

 After applying water

After applying soap & water

Ranking (from worst to best):

13. Wet n Wild Mega Eyes Defining Marker ~ Black 

Avail. in 1 shade ~ $3.99

12. Revlon Colorstay Liquid Eye Pen ~ Blackest Black

Avail. in 3 shades ~ $8.99

11. Rimmel Scandaleyes Thick & Thin Eyeliner ~ Black

Avail. in 1 shade ~ $5.49

10. Maybelline Line Stiletto ~ Blackest Black 

Avail. in 2 shades ~ $7.99

9. L'Oreal Lineur Intense ~ Carbon Black

Avail. in 3 shades ~ $8.99

8. Essence Eyeliner Pen ~ Black

Avail. in 1 shade ~ $2.99

7. CoverGirl Bombshell Intense ~ Pitch Black

Avail. in 2 shades ~ $8.99

6. NYX Super Skinny Marker ~ Carbon Black

Avail. in 1 shade ~ $8.99

5. Milani Eye Tech Extreme ~ Blackest Black

Avail. in 1 shade ~ $7.99

4. L'Oreal Infallible Super Slim Liquid Eyeliner ~ Black

Avail. in 1 shade ~ $7.99

3. Jordana Fabuliner ~ Black

Avail. in 2 shades ~ $2.99

2. Milani Ultra Fine Liquid Eyeliner ~ Prismatic Purple

(Darkest shade is called Black Vinyl)

Avail. in 5 shades ~ $8.99 (largest color selection)

1. Physicians Formula Eye Booster 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Eyeliner + Serum 

Avail. in 3 shades ~ $10.99

Brush & Ink Well Eyeliners

Intial Swatches - not in ranked order (Left to Right): Maybelline Ultra Liner Waterproof, ELF Liquid Liner, Wet n Wild Mega Liquid Liner, NYC Liquid Liner, Rimmel Glam Eyes Professional Eyeliner, Revlon Colorstay Liquid Liner

  After applying water

After applying soap & water

Ranking (from worst to best):

6. Revlon Colorstay Liquid Liner ~ Blackest Black

Avail. in 1 shade ~ $7.99

5. Wet n Wild MegaLiner Liquid Eyeliner ~ Black

Avail. in 5 shades ~ $2.99

4. ELF Liquid Eyeliner ~ Black

Avail. in 7 shades ~ $1.00 (largest color selection)

3. Rimmel Glam Eyes Liquid Eyeliner ~ Black Glamour

Avail. in 1 shade ~ $6.49

2. NYC Liquid Eyeliner ~ Black

Avail. in 2 shades ~ $2.99

1. Maybelline Ultra Liner Waterproof ~ Black

Avail. in 2 shades ~ $6.99