Fab & affordable beauty finds

Five products from the drugstore that are as good as high-end brands

Uptown/Downtown has tested hundreds of cosmetic products and has come to the conclusion that although high-end items have the edge in terms of quality most of the time, there are several drugstore brands of excellent quality. Here are five of our top finds:

1. If you cannot afford Urban Decay’s 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencils, then try Jordana Lipliner Pencils. These pencils sell for under P100 and glide on seamlessly. The product is so highly pigmented that you can fill in your lips, apply some lip balm and presto! Perfect lips! With regular use, one pencil would last about half a year (not bad for a pencil that costs under P100!)

You save: Approximately P800.

2. If Benefit’s Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Foundation is beyond your budget…consider L’Oréal’s True Match Super-Blendable Foundation, reportedly the world’s highest selling foundation.

With this foundation’s wide range of tones, it’s virtually impossible not to find the right shade for you. The liquid foundation blends beautifully on the skin with a light powdery finish.

This columnist appreciates how flexible the fluid is as it is capable of light to full coverage (just build on by layering with more product for a heavier, more opaque end result).

You save: Approximately P1,800.

3. If Urban Decay’s Naked Palette is too pricey for you, try Sleek I-Divine Eyeshadow Palette.

The color payoff of this eyeshadow palette is incredible. Just a little amount goes a long way! The shadows are buttery, long lasting and are easy to blend. You can buy this in zalora.com.ph. For a palette with a dozen pots, this is a steal!

You save: Approximately: P1,800

4. If you love Hourglass Cosmetics’ Ambient Lighting Powder in Luminous Light, you will adore Wet ‘n’ Wild Coloricon Bronzer in Reserve Your Cabana shade.

Wet ‘n’ Wild has come up with a range of delightfully large pots of bronzers and shimmers (bigger than the palm of your hand!). Want a gloriously subtle glow on your cheekbone? Then, it is time to Reserve Your Cabana! This product is the lightest of Wet ‘n’ Wild bronzers. This shade is so light that it serves as a highlighter more than anything else. Perfect for fair skin!

You save: Approximately P2,300.

5. If you have not saved enough for Eye of Horus’ Liquid Define Black Eyeliner, you probably will have enough to buy In2It’s Waterproof Gel Liner.

This columnist stocks up on this waterproof gel liner for the simple reason that it is often out of stock. You can buy it at any SM or Watson’s store. This gel liner is every bit as pigmented as the über-chic Eye of Horus variety and with regular use will last you nine months to a year. Now THAT is value for money!

You save: Approximately P1,000.

(Note: This columnist is not an endorser of any product mentioned in this review. All products were bought at full price. Price savings mentioned in the review are rough estimates only and may vary depending on retail outfit.)