Find bargains, upgraded products at drugstores

Jun. 26—Take it from me that you get what you pay for most of the time, but the drugstore has stepped up its game.

While affordable products sometimes can be loaded with filler ingredients or may not perform well, many beauty companies in these mass markets have taken advantage of the beauty boom. Consumers have become beauty experts, scanning ingredient labels and knowing what they want from their products. These companies, in turn, have reformulated many of their cosmetics to perform just as well as their prestige counterparts at Sephora and Ulta.

The only caveat is that now it's sort of a myth that the drugstore is wildly cheaper than specialty stores. Yes, if you compare Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation at $64 to your favorite drugstore brand, Maybelline will cost less. When I cruised the drugstore the other day, though, I was shocked to see some foundations running $20 and up. Those are closer to prestige prices, but there's still nothing like the ease of heading to a CVS or Rite Aid for a beauty run, so I looked for products that truly are a bargain or are worth a higher price point that you should try this summer.

Essence Lash Princess Mascara

I can't scroll through TikTok or Instagram reels for very long without coming across a video praising this product. What sets it apart is that it's not a wet formula; it has more of a mousse-like consistency, so it feels super light and coats your lashes without weighing them down. It comes in two formulas: the original and a curling and volumizing one. Both work incredibly well, but for someone with straight, fine lashes like me, the latter is a better fit. ($4.99)

L'Oreal True Match Nude Hyaluronic Tinted Serum

This is one of those drugstore products on the higher side of the price scale, but I have to mention it because it's truly one of the most gorgeous complexion bases I've ever worked with. It's a makeup and skin care hybrid, so it feels like a hyaluronic acid serum but helps disguise redness and even out skin tone. It provides very light coverage but also can be built up, although I don't love wearing heavy, full-coverage complexion products every day, especially in warmer weather. ($19.99)

For those of you looking for something with a little more oomph, Maybelline Super Stay Full Coverage Foundation is probably your best bet. It goes on smooth and creamy, but it definitely has a thicker consistency and can help give you that full-coverage base. ($12.99)

NYX Bare with Me Serum Concealer

One of the lightest, creamiest concealers you will ever use, this doesn't get dry and cakey after a few hours of wear. I usually set this with a light powder after application, but if you're drier, that's up to you. ($11)

If you have very dark circles or need more coverage, ELF Camo Concealer is more your speed. ($7)

Milani Baked Blush

This has been one of my favorites for a while because it's so similar to the Laura Gellar Baked Blush-N-Brighten. I really like these because they go on super buttery and smooth with lots of color payoff. They also have a little bit of luminosity to them, and I love the way that glowiness looks in the summer. ($7.99)

Covergirl Clean Fresh Pressed Powder

Covergirl underwent a giant rebrand and reformulation of all its products a few years ago, focusing on different ingredients and catering to a more natural, fresh-faced look. While the brand has a lot of products I would recommend, I really love this powder. This is one of those rare powders that helps set makeup and control oil without making you look dusted, busted and crusted. It's light enough that your skin will still look a little glowy, which is exactly what we want in the summer — and all year round, honestly. ($8.99)

Wet n Wild Megaglo Highlighting Powder

I've talked about this product before, and I'm mentioning it again because I've yet to find a drugstore highlighter that goes on quite like this. Sometimes a lower price point means the formula doesn't feel as luxurious. You know what I'm talking about if you've ever used a shimmery powdered product that feels like a pumice stone when you dip your brush into it. This highlighter is really buttery and creamy, and it glides right on. It also gives more of a "lit from within" look than straight-up chunky shimmer. ($5.99)

Gia Mazur is a staff writer for the Lifestyles Department of The Times-Tribune. Contact her at gmazur@timesshamrock.com, 570-348-9127 or @gmazurTT on Twitter.

Contact the writer: gmazur@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9127; @gmazurTT on Twitter