Your Pinterest feed is likely flooded with drugstore dupes and pins touting the power of inexpensive product quality [1]. This may have caught your attention and sent you strolling down your local drugstore's beauty aisles for cheap finds. But what most pharmacies lack is an expert explaining how to use them. Thankfully, we have the YouTube makeup community to offer inspiration, tips, and tricks.
These 10 tutorials from YouTube beauty gurus will show you some of the most beautiful and versatile drugstore products [2] currently on the market and how to expertly put them together. You will be amazed at the range of looks you can achieve with these wallet-friendly items [3]!
Romantic Metallics
This soft, feminine, and glamorous look includes nude lips and a metallic, gold-toned smoky eye. Take notes; you will want to pick up all the items Stephanie M. Ledda [4] uses on your next drugstore run, including Covergirl's Goldens TruNaked Eye Shadow Palette [5] ($12), Rimmel's Kate Sculpting Kit: Golden Bronze [6] ($7), and the Sonia Kashuk Lip Definer in Maple [7] ($8).
Orange Is the New Bold
#Orangelips! If you've been eyeing the red-orange lip trend but are not sure if you can pull it off, this tutorial will educate you. Shaaanxo [8] demonstrates how to balance this bold lip color with a subtle bronze eye. She talks you through her process from the dupe she uses for Mac Strobe Cream [9] ($33) straight through to the application of lip cream from her palette [10] collaboration with BH Cosmetics.
Understated Glam
Looking effortlessly chic is the goal of this daytime makeup tutorial by Jaelan [11]. Face-framing brows, eye-defining lashes, and glowing, contoured skin are front and center. She swears by Salon Perfect false lashes and the 614 [12] style ($3) used in this tutorial makes the look.
Sophisticated Cat Eye
Winged liner, lashes, and a complimentary nude lip are perfect for your next date night. You will love Laura Lee [13]'s quirky sense of humor and vivacious personality. Make sure to pay attention, though — she talks fast.
Stained Lip Standout
Teni Panosian [14] pairs a copper eye with bright-stained "juicy" lips for the final look in this tutorial. Along the way, she gives you a mini lesson on how to conceal your dark circles and subtly contour with powder.
On Wednesdays We Wear Pink
Rose-gold glitter has never looked prettier. The metallic shade has become an "it" color, and Amy Macedo [15] does an excellent job highlighting its versatility in this eye-focused look. She calls it a prom tutorial, but we think it is perfect for anytime you want a little extra glam, or glitter, in your life.
All About That Glow
This tutorial is all about luminous skin. Stephanie M. Ledda [16] shows you how to layer a dewy foundation, in this case L'Oreal Infallible Pro-Glow [17] ($13), and "magical" highlighters to create a Summer goddess glow. The cherry on top is the contrasting matte lip in a neon rose tone.
Affordable/All Drugstore Makeup Look | Melissa Alatorre
Dramatic Purple Smoky Eye
Melissa Alatorre [18]'s tutorial illustrates the creation of a strong purple smoky eye with a hint of champagne shimmer using NYX Full Throttle Shadow Quad in Take Over Control [19] ($10). She will teach you how to get maximum pigment and staying power from this quad and all your drugstore shadows. This look is flattering for all eye colors, but the sharp contrast will draw extra attention to blue and green eyes.
Neutral Night Out
Courtney Elizabeth [20] shares her night-out look, which features a brown and gold smoky eye paired with a warm neutral lip. Check out her secret for nailing winged eyeliner and a cat-eye shadow effect.
Mauve Maven
Christen Dominique [21] compares drugstore and high-end products, including the Urban Decay Naked3 [22] palette ($54), with a makeup look that pits them side-by-side. You can witness all the pieces in action, which is always more telling than swatches, as she crafts this monochromatic mauve look.