Drugstore vs. Department Store Makeup Haul: Comparing Our Favorites!

We’re all aware of the multitude of makeup brands and options available to us- especially the looming decision of whether to buy drugstore brand makeup or department store brand makeup! Is there really a difference between the two, and are there comparable products between each of the makeup tiers? These are all questions we’ve wondered before, so we’ve identified some of our favorite drugstore makeup items and their department store counterparts, so the decision on whether to buy affordable or designer is completely up to you!

Foundation:

Loreal Magic Nude Liquid Powder Bare Skin Perfecting Makeup vs. Lancome Oscillation Power Foundation

The Loreal Magic Nude Makeup is a liquid formula that transforms into a powder finish when applied to your skin to give a natural and bare makeup look while still giving a good amount of coverage. It's designed specifically so you don't need a brush or sponge to apply- just your fingers- and has an SPF of 18.

Lancome's Oscillation Power Foundation is a mineral powder containing aloe and vitamin E with an SPF of 21 and has a lightweight feel. It is applied with the specialized brush that outputs 7,000 micro-vibrations per minute that stimulates the skin and breaks down the mineral powder for seamless blendability.

Blush:

Almay Smart Shade Blush vs. Fusion Beauty Sculptdiva Contouring and Sculpting Blush

The Almay Smart Shade Blush is a cream based formula that starts off white, and adjusts to a blush color specific to what will complement your individual skin tone, and blends seamlessly with the rest of your makeup. It also has an antioxidant blend of grape seed, ginseng, and Ginkgo biloba for healthier, softer skin. 

Fusion Beauty's blush is also a cream based formula and is unique with its ability to change into a powder finish when on your skin, leaving a lightweight feel that blends well. Amplifat Complex formula visibly firms skin in only 28 days by plumping it and reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles, while rose bud extract minimizes pores.

Mascara:

Maybelline Illegal Length Fiber Extensions Mascara vs. Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Lash Extending Treatment Mascara

For instant length, this Maybelline mascara does its job. It's a fiber based formula that instantly adds up to 4mm of length on your lashes by using fiber sealing technology to lock fibers on your lashes in conjunction with the fiber-fix brush that places the color with six different contact points on your lashes.

The Elizabeth Arden mascara works to give length to your lashes in a different way than the Maybelline Fiber Extension mascara. This one has a formula infused with Ceramide Triple Complex technology to help lengthen, define and revitalize your lashes in the long run, even helping to lengthen those tiny, fine lashes.

Eye shadow:

Revlon Luxurious Color Satin Eye Shadow vs. Estee Lauder Pure Color Eyeshadow

Revlon's eye shadow does deliver luxurious color in a smooth powder that glides on for easy application and seamless blendability, allowing it to be paired with other shades or used as a standalone color. The color lasts all day and has a satin sheen to it.

Estee Lauder's eye shadow is similar to Revlon's with its easy blending, long wearing color. The formula contains high-pigment, high-impact True Vision color exclusive to Estee Lauder, and the formula doesn't crease on your eyelids.

Lips:

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick vs. Nars Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil

Revlon's Super Lustrous Lipstick has an incredibly creamy formula from its LiquiSilk technology that is packed with moisturizers so that it not only creates a silky smooth sheen, but nourishes for healthier and softer lips. The color is rich, and it has been rated as America's #1 lipstick. 

The Nars Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil has just as much high shine and moisturizing power as Revlon as it is infused with Vitamin E. Nars' formula also is packed with hyaluronic spheres for visibly fuller lips, and is overall  more lightweight of a formula than Revlon, while still maintaining rich color.

Anti-aging:

Loreal Revitalift Double Lifting for Face and Neck vs. Lancome Visionnaire Advanced Skin Corrector

Loreal's product is a 2-part revitalift formula that instantly re-tightens skin and fights against wrinkles. Part 1 of the formula is a re-tightening gel containing Pro-Tensium, which works to immediately form a resistant and flexible network to tighten the skin. Part 2 is an anti-wrinkle comfort cream with nanosomes of Pro-Retinol A that penetrates the skin's surface to fight wrinkles and reduce the appearance of fine neck creases. 

Lancome's skin corrector has a triple action formula. It helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles and skin imperfections, tightens pores, and creates an overall more even looking skin complexion. It is safe enough for all skin types and can even be used around the delicate area of your eyes.