Miss USA Contestants Favorite Drugstore Beauty Products
11 Holy Grail Drugstore Products Miss USA Contestants Swear By
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Backstage at this year's Miss USA pageant, I overheard one contestant talking about how she'd packed six suitcases for her two-week stay leading up to the big show. While we're sure that part of the space is reserved for outrageously sparkly evening gowns and an arsenal of heels, there's no doubt that each contestant makes sure she's got her stash of beauty loot with her, as well.
We were curious about their beauty routines, and specifically what drugstore products they swear by both at home and for the pageant. From CHI Hair Care tools and products, the official sponsor of the Miss USA competition, and e.l.f. cosmetics to Maybelline and Neutrogena and beyond, here are some of the contestants' drugstore must haves.
1 Ardell’s Duo Lash Adhesive in Dark
Miss Washington's Abigail Hill said her favorite drugstore beauty product has to be Ardell's Duo Lash Adhesive in Dark ($6).
"I like that it's dark because it almost looks like an eyeliner. It fills into the lashes so you don't have as much spacing between your falsies and your lash line," she said. "Also, sometimes I've noticed with the white glue you can kind of see it. I trust this product with my life!" Now that's saying a lot considering an eyelash falling off on live TV would be a pretty awkward situation.
2 Thayers Witch Hazel Toner
"I love Thayers Witch Hazel Toner ($7), which I usually pick up at Target for under $10," said Chloe Brown, Miss Colorado. "It keeps my face clear and clean, and I like that it's a natural product." Try this alcohol-free toner in rose petal for an extra nice treat.
3 CHI Lava Ceramic Hairstyling Iron
Braea Tilford, aka Miss Kentucky, told us she's a mega fan of CHI hair products, which makes perfect sense considering they're the official sponsors of Miss USA and responsible for helping style all the women's hair.
"I have so many favorites. My first flat iron was a CHI flat iron, and I recently upgraded to their new CHI Lava Ceramic Hairstyling Iron ($160). I also really, really love the Silk Infusion Serum ($20). It is amazing." She said she has really curly hair, but whether she wears it straight or natural it makes her locks super shiny and healthy-looking."
4 L’Oreal’s True Match Super Blendable Foundation
For Suzi Roberts, Miss South Carolina, the answer to this question was a no brainer: L'Oreal's True Match Super Blendable Foundation ($11). "It stays so well, it has great coverage, and it does not look cakey," she said backstage. "I've been using it for years, and I've tried some higher-end stuff this year. I was like, 'I'm going to be in Louisiana. I need something that's going to stick and last,' and this is still what works the best for me. For someone with dry skin it's great!"
We love that it comes in 45 shades, as well!
5 L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Original Washable Mascara
Miss Hawaii's Julianne Chu told us that her new favorite mascara is L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Original Washable Mascara ($8).
"I'd never used it before and a makeup artist told me, 'It's the best mascara you're ever going to buy,' and so now I'm using that one all the time," she told us backstage. "It's affordable, and I like that there are a lot of bristles on the brush. I've noticed that with brushes that have fewer, spread out bristles I have a harder time reaching all my lashes."
6 Maybelline Volum' Express the Colossal and the Mega Plush
Can we get a second on that drugstore mascara love? Miss Georgia's Marianny Egurrola said that she was a huge fan of Maybelline mascara. "They're the best in my opinion, and I cannot go to another brand for mascara. I have two favorite ones: Volum' Express the Colossal ($7) and the Volum' Express the Mega Plush ($8).
"It just makes my eyelashes look great," she said. "I have a lot of lashes, but they're thin and short, and when I put the mascara on they look good. I haven't found another mascara that does the same thing for me. And it's so cheap!"
7 e.l.f. High Definition Powder
Miss Delaware's favorite drugstore beauty find is one of the least expensive on this list: e.l.f. High Definition Powder ($6).
"You don't need to spend $30," said the state's rep, Chelsea Bruce. "I love using the e.l.f. powder because instead of going and spending a fortune on setting powder, you get the same results for way less money . . . this one works great. It's translucent and it does the job. I have oily skin, and it sets very nicely — no shine, very matte, and it's cheap."
8 Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes
"I love the Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes ($6)," said Miss Louisiana's Lauren Vizza, who works as a news anchor when she isn't strutting it on the pageant stage.
"I've been using them for years. For my job, I wear a lot of heavy makeup, and it takes everything off. I also love the Maybelline Fit Me Concealer ($6). I picked it up on a whim because I ran out of my usual stuff, and it's amazing. It works just as well as some of my really expensive ones."
9 Maybelline’s Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner
Miss Utah's Narine Ishhanov told us she was a huge fan of Maybelline's Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner ($10). "I've been using it for actually quite some years now — maybe even since I was in ninth grade — and I can't stop using it. It's the only one that stays on my eyes that well."
10 Foaming Facial Cleanser for Normal to Oily Skin
"I have oily skin, and I've found that CeraVe has a really good face wash," said Miss Mississippi's Laine Mansour. She uses the Foaming Facial Cleanser for Normal to Oily Skin ($11). "I love that the ingredient list is really clean. It's crazy how many good quality products you can really buy from a drugstore."
11 Garnier SkinActive BB Cream Sunscreen
"I have an emergency kit with me all the time, but my number one most important thing has to be skincare. I always have to have a moisturizer, and I always have SPF on," said Miss Ohio's Deneen Penn. "I really like Garnier's BB Cream ($11) because it gives me that little bit of shine and little bit of a glow while still providing that sun protection."
