It doesn't matter if it's $5 or $50: When something works, it works. Still, we would be remiss not to acknowledge the joy, the satisfaction, the swell of pride -- not to mention the money saved -- that comes with finding truly incredible beauty products for less than the price of a cold-pressed juice. Now that feeling is akin to the makeup lover's nirvana.

But much like shopping at a thrift store (also highly recommended), tracking down the real gems in a drugstore aisle rife with possibilities (and potential duds) requires a bit of trial and error. There's also the second option, which is to skip that part altogether and heed the advice of the 15 celebrity makeup artists who shared their top drugstore picks of all time. If they're good enough for the professionals, they're good enough for us -- and who wants to worry about that whole "no returns without receipt" policy, anyway?

Image via Harper's Bazaar

Makeup artist: Katie Jane Hughes

Celebrity clientele: Kerry Washington, Anna Kendrick

"My favorite is L'Oreal Infallible Pro-Glow Foundation, $12.99 -- it's very pretty and expensive-looking on skin," says Hughes of her pick. "It can really stand up to pricier formulas from prestige brands."

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Makeup artist: Jamie Greenberg

Celebrity clientele: Lucy Hale, Rashida Jones

"I'm a huge fan of Burt's Bees Lip Gloss, $9," says Greenberg. "They're all-natural, so they don't contain parabens or petrolatum, and they have sunflower oil to help hydrate while making your lips look gorgeous."

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Makeup artist: Min Min Ma

Celebrity clientele: Hailee Steinfeld, Zosia Mamet

Ma's go-to is the classic CoverGirl LashBlast Volume Mascara, $7.99. "It does exactly what it claims and comes in a waterproof version, too," says Ma.

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Makeup artist: Neil Scibelli

Celebrity clientele: Molly Sims, Elle MacPherson

Scibelli reaches for Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner, $9.99, for both precise winged liner looks and smoky, smudged-out effects. "The formula is superpigmented, water-resistant and matte, and it does not move after you've applied it," Scibelli says. "I literally use these in black, brown and sapphire in my kit."

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