Holy Grail Makeup (Drugstore)

I recently published a post on my Holy Grail High End Makeup  and I was delighted to see that many of those products were also your favourites. So, I thought it was time to share my Holy Grail Drugstore products. As mentioned in that post, I classify products as Holy Grail if I have repurchased them, have backups or reach for them consistently through the week. I have quite a collection of beauty products but these Holy Grail products leave me coming back for more....


L'Oreal True Match Foundation//Link
Of course, this had to be the first product on the list. This was the first foundation I picked up when I was writing this post. I just love everything about it. It is lightweight with medium-full coverage. It is also long lasting although you need to use a primer and set with a powder. I really don't mind doing this at all. It is perfect as an everyday foundation and it's one I reach for when I am not using my NARS Foundation. It's also under £10 so you can't go wrong at all. I have a review here.


Rimmel Lasting Finish Primer//Link
This is a new entrant and I can say hand on my heart that it has quickly climbed to be my favourite drugstore primer. I find it really hard to find a good primer in the drug store and I only got this because it was on offer. I now wish I purchased a few back ups. It goes on really well although it comes off as a thick cream/lotion but it gets absorbed really well. It really does what it says and that's simply helping my foundation last much longer. It is definitely a staple and I have used it with a variety of foundations.

Revlon Colorstay Concealer in Deep Fonce//Link
I don't think I have tried any concealer that combines the right coverage with right texture. I absolutely love it. I use this mainly as my under eye concealer because it feels ever so light. It does not crease at all and I just love it so much. I feel it is very underrated in the drug store but it is seriously amazing. I don't think it fares really well as a blemish concealer because it doedn't offer as much coverage. I reserve it exclusively for under my eyes. I actually purchased a back up already because it is that amazing!! I have a review here.

Maybelline Color Tattoos//Link

I personally don't think any cream eyeshadow will come close to the quality of these Maybelline babies. They come in a variety of shades and you would definitely find one you like. They work well as a base for eyeshadows or on their own and the pigmentation is incredible. I don't have the entire collection but I recently added a few more shades which I had been eyeing. They are easy to blend, well pigmented, long lasting and affordable. I have not experienced any drying at all. My favourite shade is the On-and-On Bronze which I use a lot. I have a full review with swatches on this collection here


Sleek Blush in Sahara//Link
This is my all time favourite blush and I think this may even be my second or third pan. It's just one I reach for so often because it looks really flattering on my skin tone. It goes on so well and I always use it with a light hand because it is very pigmented. I recently started using it as an eyeshadow particularly for my crease and it's incredible. It warms up my crease really well. I am just obsessed with it and I use it everyday.


L'Oreal Super Slim Eyeliner//Link
I have also raved about this over here a few times because I absolutely love it. I have tried a few drug store eyeliner brands but none comes close to the L'Oreal Super Slim Eyeliner. It is a felt tip pen with a really pointy tip which is easy to control and gives a lovely wing and flick if you prefer. It is really black, long lasting and does not smudge once it sets. I have a feeling that L'Oreal is playing up with the formula but I hope it is just my imagination because I love it so much. It has been repurchased countless times.


Soap and Glory Brow Filling Pencil//Link
After I tried the Anastasia Brow Wiz, I just kept wishing the drug store will create a lovely dupe and my prayers were answered! Soap and Glory launched their Brow Filling 2-in-1 Pencil and I tried it and fell heads over heels in love. It is so similar to the Anastasia Brow Wiz and I have already spoken about them here. The pencil itself is not as soft as the ABH Brow Wiz but it gives off really good pigmentation for a drug store brand. It can be rolled up and down. My shade is Hot Chocolate and I am so pleased it suits me because there are only two shades.


Makeup Revolution Baked Bronzer (Rock on World) //Link
I don't think I have spoken at length about this Bronzer but it is seriously amazing. I use it as soft bronzed blush because it has some slight glitter. It has been compared to MAC Gold Deposit and I have not tried it though so I can't comment. However, it gives such a beautiful bronzed gold colour to my face especially when I feel my foundation is a bit dull. I have been using this a lot recently because the days are getting warmer and I am enjoying the sun kissed look this Bronzer gives me. It is very pigmented so a light hand is very much needed. It's indeed such a beautiful bronzer especially at its affordable price.

Sleek Face Form/Sleek Contour Kit//Link
I don't think I need to talk so much about this because it has been featured on here a couple of times. I have not tried any other powder contour at all because this just works for me. I have gone through a least two or three palettes and I will always repurchase, The contour section is incredibly pigmented as expected with Sleek Makeup but it blends out really easily as well. It is always important to use a light hand and build it up as you go along. It is really ideal for beginners and you honestly can't go wrong with it at all. I don't really care so much for the highlighter bit in the palette but I guess it's not bad that it's included to balance out things. I have a review here. 

Maybelline Color Drama Velvet Lip Pencils//Link
I actually should have included the Maybelline Lip Glosses (review here) as well but I wanted to keep this really short. The Maybelline Color Drama Velvet Lip Pencils (review here) are my all time favourites and I have got a few backups as well. They are really pigmented and go on so well on the lips although the lighter/nude colours do not apply as smoothly as the brighter coloured ones. Nevertheless, they are one of my absolute favourite lip products. Once they are applied, they last a really long while even after I eat/drink. I particularly love how affordable they are and they have a wide range to choose from.

Makeup Revolution Eyeshadow, L'Oreal La Palette Nude (Link) and Sleek Eyeshadow Palettes
I think these eyeshadows are definitely my favourite from the drug store. The Sleek Eyeshadow Palettes definitely has the best pigmentation of the lot and I love how there is a wide range to choose from. The Makeup Revolution Hot Smoked Palette is perfect for Autumn/Winter looks. My current holy grail neutral palette is definitely the L'Oreal Palette Nude Beige (review here). It does not have the best pigmentation compared to the other two but the mix of colours makes it really handy for creating simple neutral looks. I find my self reaching for it on a daily basis for simple looks. It's a really good palette to start with.


Overall Thoughts
I definitely love my drug store products and I am very pleased that drug stores are improving their quality by the day. They are always releasing new products and I always feel excited going into Boots or Superdrug (although not the best for my wallet). I hope you enjoyed my holy grail drug store picks. What's your holy grail drug store product?
*Affiliate links may be used above, read my full disclaimer here.

Holy Grail Makeup Products (High End)

It was quite easy for me to pick up my Holy Grail makeup because they are products I frequently reach for. I classify products as Holy Grail (HG) if I have repurchased them, have backups or reach for them consistently through the week. I have quite a collection of beauty products but these Holy Grail products leave me coming back for more. The Holy Grail  status is not one that is static; some new ones make it into the list and some old favourites make an exit. Initially, I wanted this post to include high end and drug store products but it was turning to a long list/post so I decided to split it into a drug store version and a high end one. I am sure none of these products will come as a surprise to you because they have been featured several times on here so let's cut the chase and dive in...

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer
I was so lucky to receive this in a Latest in Beauty Box last year and even more lucky to get it (again) in February's beauty box. This is just a sample size but it is a very generous one at 30 ml. The one I had in September is just about to finish which means it has lasted me for 6 months and I am well impressed. It is one of the best primers I have ever tried. It smooths out my skin, controls oil/shine and acts as a perfect canvas for my foundation. The full size is pricey but I think I may just close my eyes and purchase it once and for all when these two samples eventually run out. I have a full review here if you fancy a read.




NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Cadiz
Although this is a new entrant, I have used this so many times that I fear it will get  finished soon. I love everything about it starting from the shade match down to the finish. It's a really beautiful foundation and it's one I reach for often. It offers medium to full coverage depending on what coverage you are after. It is so long lasting and looks really natural. I particularly love that it has a demi- matte or velvet finish with a hint of glow which makes my skin look/feel healthy. I apply this with my Beauty Blender or Real Technique Blending Brush and it is ever so easy to blend due to its light creamy texture. I really can't fault this foundation at all and I am so pleased I got it. Once this done, I will be repurchasing another one because it's juts amazing. I have a full review of this foundation over here.



Becca Duo Concealer in Maple
I haver no idea why this has never been featured in its own post on here because I have used this consistently for a complete year. It is definitely the best brow concealer I have ever used. It has two sides; a medium coverage and a full coverage section. Honestly, both sides offer really good coverage and it feels so creamy to touch and a dream to blend in. I use the medium coverage side to clean up my brows and highlight my brow bone and I cam't think of any day that I have not used it. I recently started toying with the full coverage side and it is seriously amazing at covering my dark blemishes. I use it as a colour corrector/concealer and it reduces the amount of foundation and time I have to spend on my face. I am definitely going to order a few back ups because it is incredible.




MAC Mineral Skin Finish Natural in Dark
I honestly don't think there is any powder that comes close to the MAC MSF. This is actually my third pan and I don't think I will stop repurchasing it unless MAC makes something better or another brand does. It just transforms my face and it does not really matter what foundation I use because this powder just ensures it looks flawless. It is one of those products that can be used for a variety of purposes. It can be used on a no-makeup makeup day because it is so natural. It can be used as a setting powder and an all over face powder and it delivers really good results every time. I  have paired it with all my foundations and it looks great. Whenever I have a beigey foundation like the Dior Star and Rimmel Lasting Finish, it just makes it much more wearable and warms up skin. I just can't rave about it enough. A full review can be found here.




MAC Lipsticks
I think MAC Lipsticks are a firm favourite for many people because they are more affordable than other high end brands. There is a wide selection of shades and finishes to choose from and there is always something for everyone. I don't have a huge collection but I really like all the ones I have. Half of them were got via the Back To MAC programme where you get a free lipstick for every 6 empties packages you return to them. I just go through my sister's and cousins' makeup stash, grab their empties, add some of mine and pronto, I have a new lipstick. I am due to get a new lipstick and I don't know which one to get. If you have any suggestions, please comment in the box below. I love all these lipsticks but my favourite shades at the moment are Love Lorn, Shy Girl and Velvet Teddy. I think I may do a MAC Lipstick Collection soon so keep your eyes peeled.



Laura Mercier Eye Canvas in EC 5 (Tawny)
This is also a new entrant to my HG makeup stash but it is surely here to stay. I bought it off the Space NK sales because I was curious to see if it would live up to its name. I am happy to say I have not been disappointed and I wish I bought two instead. It works as an eye canvas for eyeshadow application by cancelling out any discolourations on the eyelid, a primer and it prevents creasing. Since I purchased it, I have not used an eye primer at all because it does everything for me. I don't know of any product that comes close to this but I am keen to find them because I think this Eye Canvas may have been discontinued. I have written about it over here.



Lorac Pro Eyeshadow Palette
This is also a new entrant but it is one that has become an absolute staple and holy grail item in my stash. I longed for this palette for agesand when I eventually got it, I was not disappointed at all. Granted, I don't use some of the eye shadows as much as the others but I reach for Taupe, Sable, Garnet Pewter, Bronze and Gold often. It is just a fantastic palette that can help create various looks from day to night looks and neutral to bright looks. It's a must-have especially for beginners and I can't recommend it enough. The pigmentation is incredible and the texture is ever so buttery. It has 16 eyeshadows in total with half (top row) being matte and the rest (bottom row) being shimmer shades. The matte shades are surprisingly very pigmented and I am so delighted by that. I still get some fall outs from some of the eyeshadows especially Garnet but I have learned to keep it minimal. I have a full review here.



YSL Baby Doll Mascara
This is my absolute favourite mascara and I don't think I have tried any (except the Chanel Sublime) that makes my eyelashes so pretty. The packaging is lovely and eye catching as expected from YSL. The product in itself is fantastic and ticks all the boxes for my lashes. It lengthens, volumises, holds a curl and does not clump. The results are seriously outstanding and I can't help but reach for it every time I wear mascara. I know I will repurchase in a heartbeat once it runs out. I have a full review here if you want to read more about it.  That's all folks and I hope you enjoyed this round up of my Holy Grail Makeup? What makeup products made it on to your Holy Grail Makeup List?