Makeup Revolution Vivid Baked Highlighter, $6
Three weeks into my experiment, I had yet to find a drugstore highlighter that stands up to my pricey ones. And it's not for lack of trying -- I tested dozens, and none of them gave me that oh-so-glowy look I crave. Then I heard that Khloe Kardashian swears by this $6 highlighter. I tracked it down, because why the hell not? What's one more highlighter?
It was magical. Talk about cheekbones. Applied dry, it goes on creamy, blends easily and makes skin look generally amazing. At night, if I want to amp up the drama, I apply it wet to my cheekbones, under my brows, the inner corners of my eyes and above my Cupid's bow. I'm hooked -- and you will be too.
Buy Now
Three weeks into my experiment, I had yet to find a drugstore highlighter that stands up to my pricey ones. And it's not for lack of trying -- I tested dozens, and none of them gave me that oh-so-glowy look I crave. Then I heard that Khloe Kardashian swears by this $6 highlighter. I tracked it down, because why the hell not? What's one more highlighter?
It was magical. Talk about cheekbones. Applied dry, it goes on creamy, blends easily and makes skin look generally amazing. At night, if I want to amp up the drama, I apply it wet to my cheekbones, under my brows, the inner corners of my eyes and above my Cupid's bow. I'm hooked -- and you will be too.
Buy Now
Sonia Kashuk Resurface Gentle Exfoliating Wash, $14.99 and Skin Detox Purifying Black Mask, $15.99
Sonia Kashuk's makeup line at Target is something I've been consistently impressed with, so I was excited to get my hands on her skin care line. And it did not disappoint. The creamy formula of the face wash has teeny hard-shell algae particles that gently exfoliate and leave my skin feeling superclean. And the mask -- at the risk of sounding basic, I can't even. It's made from Kaolin clay to absorb oil and suck out gunk in your pores, plus four alpha-hydroxy acids to exfoliate and even skin tone. It leaves my skin feeling and looking so good I have the urge to take a selfie and brag about how fantastic my skin looks.
Buy Now
Sonia Kashuk's makeup line at Target is something I've been consistently impressed with, so I was excited to get my hands on her skin care line. And it did not disappoint. The creamy formula of the face wash has teeny hard-shell algae particles that gently exfoliate and leave my skin feeling superclean. And the mask -- at the risk of sounding basic, I can't even. It's made from Kaolin clay to absorb oil and suck out gunk in your pores, plus four alpha-hydroxy acids to exfoliate and even skin tone. It leaves my skin feeling and looking so good I have the urge to take a selfie and brag about how fantastic my skin looks.
Buy Now
L'Oréal Brow Stylist Plumper, $8.99
I'm particularly fond of a certain brow gel (that shall remain nameless) that costs almost twice the price of this product. But the fiber-infused formula of this tinted gel managed to win me over. The tint looks totally natural -- which is saying a lot, considering I have superblonde brows right now -- and helps make my brows look fuller and more Lily Collins-like. Plus, the small brush is easy to maneuver, and the gel has yet to clump on me.
Buy Now
I'm particularly fond of a certain brow gel (that shall remain nameless) that costs almost twice the price of this product. But the fiber-infused formula of this tinted gel managed to win me over. The tint looks totally natural -- which is saying a lot, considering I have superblonde brows right now -- and helps make my brows look fuller and more Lily Collins-like. Plus, the small brush is easy to maneuver, and the gel has yet to clump on me.
Buy Now
Maybelline New York The Colossal Spider Effect Mascara, $7.77
Along with my expensive tastes, I tend to have a flair for the dramatic. Which is probably why I fell head over heels for this mascara. The brush is spiky -- I feel like I'm wielding a weapon -- and the formula is a rich, glossy black. It gives a ton of volume and makes my lashes so long they can touch my eyebrows. Most mornings, this was the only eye makeup I wore.
Buy Now
Along with my expensive tastes, I tend to have a flair for the dramatic. Which is probably why I fell head over heels for this mascara. The brush is spiky -- I feel like I'm wielding a weapon -- and the formula is a rich, glossy black. It gives a ton of volume and makes my lashes so long they can touch my eyebrows. Most mornings, this was the only eye makeup I wore.
Buy Now
Olay Professional ProX Eye Restoration Complex, $39.99
Ever since I was told that, thanks to my thin and pale skin, my eyes are going to get wrinkled hella fast I have become obsessed with eye creams. But I haven't really been impressed with an anti-aging drugstore eye cream until I tried this one. And, I know, I managed to pick probably one of the most expensive eye creams you can buy at the drugstore (it's just in my nature, I can't help it), let me say that this is worth it.
It's a dream to apply, and sinks into skin effortlessly. It was designed by the Global Derm Alliance to target crow's feet, puffiness, dark circles and wrinkles with a potent blend of caffeine, amino peptides, niacinamide and glycerin. In other words, it's an excellent weapon against the signs of aging. Plus, I appreciate that it comes in a package with a pump, instead of a jar, so the ingredients aren't compromised.
Buy Now
Ever since I was told that, thanks to my thin and pale skin, my eyes are going to get wrinkled hella fast I have become obsessed with eye creams. But I haven't really been impressed with an anti-aging drugstore eye cream until I tried this one. And, I know, I managed to pick probably one of the most expensive eye creams you can buy at the drugstore (it's just in my nature, I can't help it), let me say that this is worth it.
It's a dream to apply, and sinks into skin effortlessly. It was designed by the Global Derm Alliance to target crow's feet, puffiness, dark circles and wrinkles with a potent blend of caffeine, amino peptides, niacinamide and glycerin. In other words, it's an excellent weapon against the signs of aging. Plus, I appreciate that it comes in a package with a pump, instead of a jar, so the ingredients aren't compromised.
Buy Now