The NYLON Team’s New Drugstore Favourites

Good beauty shouldn’t cost a lot, at least, that’s what we want to believe. So yes, once in a while, we too step away from our expensive high-end beauty routines, and get pleasantly surprised by items that cost below $25 — that is, the items we’d realistically be able to afford. Same goes for any broke student, new beauty convert, or woke makeup junkie looking for a good deal. Here goes then, the NYLON team’s new drugstore favourites:

MAYBELLINE SUPERSTAY INK CRAYON matte longwear lipstick, $16.90

“I love my liquid lipsticks for their staying power, especially for matte formulas, but I loved this on first swipe. Maybelline’s SuperStay Ink Crayon draws on the popularity of their SuperStay liquid lipsticks but in a more effortless application, and I can see why. The glide-on feel on this lipstick crayon is one of the smoothest I’ve felt in a while, and I love the precise tip for going around the edge of my lips (there’s a built-in sharpener at the tip too), while the wide side makes filling in really efficient and easy. The shade I got, “Enjoy The View”, is also a nice rosy-neutral matte that lasts reasonably long without drying up my lips. I find that because it’s more of a hard formula, you won’t be left with too-puckered lips or excessive flaking, the downsides of liquid formulas. Truthfully though, this doesn’t make it through most of my meals even when it claims 8 hours of wear, but the hassle-free touch-up more than makes up for that.” — Amelia, Deputy Editor

Available on Lazada.

SOFINA Primavista Ange Long keep Base UV SPF25 PA++, $17.90

“I’ve actually never heard of this brand before it reached my desk and since then, it has single-handedly knocked down all the other primers I’ve tried. I can really feel and see the difference when I have it on — it significantly decreases the shine on my face and I found myself having to blot less (or not at all) throughout the day. On good days, my makeup even looks flawless at the end of the day and this is a rare occurence for someone with oily skin in Singapore! I also really love its formula — incredibly thin, lightweight and leaves a powdery finish which helps my foundation to go on better. The best part? It’s very affordable! I bought myself a second bottle at $17.90 from Welcia-BHG, a Japanese drug store in Singapore.” — Germaine, Writer

Available at Watsons.

L’Oréal PARIS INFALLIBLE MATTE FOUNDATION, $29.90

“A matte foundation that doesn’t flake and stays on despite Singapore’s harsh humidity? Now that’s my concept of a good matte foundation. Often, at times, I find myself trying on new foundations that I find on my desk in high hopes of discovering one that 1) matches my skin tone, 2) feels light on my skin, 3) stays on till the end of the day — of which, in my case, are usually the high-end brands. Oddly enough, on days when I feel like going for a 5-minute look, I subconsciously reach out for L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation. It blends in seamlessly into the skin, gives reasonably good coverage and it feels really light on my skin — sometimes I even forget that I actually have foundation on!” — Shazrina, Writer

Available on Lazada.

Wet n wild photofocus foundation, $9

“I actually discovered this by accident! I’d been in the sun and my usual foundation was too light for me at the time, so I ended up having to use my friend’s makeup and I swear by this foundation now. I’d never used a drugstore foundation so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the creamy formula was buildable and blended perfectly. It also looks like I have naturally flawless skin in every single photo I’ve ever taken while I’ve worn this foundation, so it’s now my go-to whenever I’m a couple shades darker.” — Natalie, Writer

Available at Watsons.

SEPHORA COLLECTION glow stick in 01 moonlight shimmer, $19

“I’m so used to powder, glittery highlighters, I often forget there is a market for highlighter sticks. While I’ve been met with a few disappointments from Sephora’s in-house brand, I tried their Glow Stick in 01 Moonlight shimmer. The formula is a tad sticky upon application — one swipe does goes a long way. When I first put it on, I thought, “What is this 2008 Claire’s makeup?!” But after blending it properly, it has a subtle, natural, dewy finish. But to be fair, the affordable $19 price point might have influenced my opinion. Just a bit.” — Sinead, Writer

Available at Sephora.

MILANI COSMETICS GILDED EMBER palette, $43.30

“Milani has been a drugstore favourite for two things — luxury quality at affordable price points, and their highly-pigmented formulas. I was introduced to this with this palette. Yes, it’s a little beyond the typical below-$25 prices, but consider its 9 eyeshadow shades and 2 highlighter shades, and this might be more value-for-money than you’d think. The Gilded Ember palette was inspired by 2019’s PANTONE® Color of the Year, Living Coral (anyone still remember this?), and I enjoyed how the shades were true-to-life on my skin as they are in the pan. The glittery shades had some fallout, but in general, the soft mattes and metallic shimmers didn’t budge. My favourite’s gotta be the Flicker highlighter — it creates this pretty peachy golden shimmer, for those days when you want your highlight to pop.” — Amelia, Deputy Editor

Available at selected Watsons stores.