As a beauty concierge by day and drag queen by night, I consider myself a dedicated makeup connoisseur. While I’m always exploring new brands and tools, I have my staple products I come back to time and time again. Whether you’re interested in drag or more natural looking makeup, here are my top 5 picks of drugstore and luxury products perfect for both drag and everyday makeup looks!
- Burt’s Bees 100% Natural Blush with Vitamin E
Available at Burtsbees.com – $9.99 (lasts 2-3 years)
This might be a surprising first pick, as Burt’s Bees isn’t known for their makeup products, but I cannot express how much I love their blush. I discovered their makeup line at Target in 2020 and was immediately blown away by the “bare peach” shade. I use this at work, going out, and even in drag. It’s the only blush I’ve consistently received compliments on. While they’re no longer sold at Target, they’re still available at Burtsbees.com and Amazon!
- Colourpop Body Glitter Gel
Available at Ulta or Colourpop – $10 (lasts 3-4 years)
Glitter might not be an everyday essential, but it’s a fun way to add some shine to your look! ColourPop offers these glitter gels in an impressive range of colors and are extremely easy to apply. With just a couple dabs, I apply it along my cheekbones and next to my eyes, though they work beautifully as body glitter too. The stunning sparkle will make you instantly stand out on a night out!
- Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit
Available at Sephora – $40 (lasts 2-3 years)
This is probably the least surprising and most popular entry on this list but for good reason! With six versatile shades for contouring and highlighting, it’s my go-to choice for sculpting my face and nose, both in and out of drag. I often use it to add depth to my eye makeup too. It’s hands down my most-used and most reliable product, with an impressive shelf life of two to three years.
- Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
Available at Sephora – $24 (lasts 6 months)
For years, I experimented with different liners. Some pens would dry up after a couple months, others stayed wet too long and smudged after applying. This Stila liner is a fairly recent discovery of mine but I have used it everyday the past three months and it’s as precise and sharp as the first day I tried it. While there are more affordable liners out there, this product casts a clean, sharp look and dries quickly (without the pen itself drying up.) I can’t recommend it enough!
- Revolution Soph X Highlighting Palette
Available at Amazon – $15.47 (lasts 1-2 years)
This is one of my all time favorite products. I have yet to discover a highlighter product with as many shades and as good quality. They have enough variations to suit multiple skin tones and makeup looks. When I want a more subtle, natural highlight, I use the light tan, but if I want a more intense look, the white shade casts a beautifully bright shine. Its shelf life is also decent, mine having lasted me 2+ years. The one downside is that they don’t sell these in stores anymore and only seem to be available on Amazon but it’s 100% worth it for the exceptional quality. I can’t recommend it enough.
Every item on this list has earned its place for its versatility, value, longevity, and above all else, performance. Whether you have an existing beauty regimen or are just getting started on your makeup journey, these are great products to explore and add to your routine!
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