Makeup is quickly becoming very famous. We catch ourselves spending hours watching tutorials on how to contour and blend eyeshadow perfectly. And a lot of times, the person giving the tutorial is using some $50+ high-end product that we can only dream to have. So what do we do? We head to our local drug store. As someone who adores makeup (and is good at it), and uses 90% drug-store product, I'm pretty experienced on what is hit or miss. There are some products that are PERFECT dupes for high-end products, and some that are a complete flop. Here's a list of must-buys, and a list of products I regret spending $6 on.

Side note: Everyone's skin is different and can take products differently, this is my experience with the products!

Lipstick Do's

Nyx Lingerie

We all love a good liquid-lip. Especially when it lasts all day. Nyx lingerie is JUST that. The formula is amazing and pigmented enough to leave your lips streak-free! It lasts through practically anything, even eating pizza (I've tested that on many occasions). All of the colors are mainly neutral toned. So unfortunately, there are no fun, crazy color choices with this amazing liquid lip. But, the names and packaging are to die for!

Milani Sticks (Matte)

Another lipstick I am quite fond of is the Milani Stick Lipsticks (not the liquid). The matte ones last through most of the day, and are really rich in color. But, if you eat with this on, be sure to re-apply! It comes off easily with food. TIP: To help lock the lipstick on, gently tap your lips with colorless mattefying powder (or baby powder) after applying.

Revlon Ultra HD Matte

This is another liquid lip I am quite fond of. Long lasting, and it comes in 16 gorgeous colors. When first applying, it seems shiny, but it dries matte. The applicator itself it something I really enjoy about this liquid lip. It makes for an easy and quick application, which we all need because of course we slept till the last possible minute, but we still need to look bomb!

Lipstick Don'ts

Maybelline Vivid Matte Liquid

This liquid lip was so disappointing it was almost funny. There was nearly no pigment, and the streaks were real. If you touched it, (even after waiting 15 minutes), it would come right off on your finger. I couldn't imagine wearing this out. I feel like it would be all over your face by lunch time. Basically, a complete flop.

Milani Amore Matte Liquid Lip

Yes, even though their regular lipsticks are a favorite of mine, their liquid lips were terrible. The smell of cake was extremely potent, too potent to wear right under your nose all day, in my opinion. But, the worst part was, not even 5 minutes after applying, it was literally crusting off of my lips in pieces. I wiped off my lips and attempted a thinner application, but it still crumbled away without me touching my lips at all, and hardly moving! I didn't even have time to take a selfie. Major disappointment.

Elf Lipsticks

We all love Elf for cutting us some slack on the price. And some of their products are awesome dupes! However, stay away from their lipsticks! They don't dry, so they wipe off with touch. And the colors are cheap looking. They are not worth the cheap price.

Highlighter Do's

L'oreal Lumi Highlighter Powder

This is amazing. Period. Its almost a perfect dupe of the ABH Moon Child Palette. You'll glow like a goddess, promise. I use this nearly everyday. There are four colors, and all of them leave amazing shine. TIP: The peachy color is perfect for your nose highlight, it's settle but dazzling!

Physician's Formula Glow Pearl Powder

This doesn't leave the same powerful glow as the L'oreal one, but it's still great, especially if you're looking for a settle highlight. It has more shine than color, and you get a lot of product!

Highligher Don'ts

Elf Baked Highlighter

I was rubbing and brushing at this thing for an hour, and nothing ever even came off. It was like buying a pink rock. After a very long time, I managed to get some pigment, and when I out it on my face and wore it out, it seeped into my pores. Overall displeasing.

Mascara Do's

Maybelline Lash Sensational

My favorite drug-store mascara. I use this almost everyday. It gives your lashes full volume and length without clumping them together.

L'oreal Voluminous Butterfly

This is one I've always really liked. It definitely provides great length, but can get a bit clumpy if more than two layers are applied.

Mascara Don'ts

Maybelline Great Lash

I'm almost positive we ALL have had this at one point of our lives. But honey, if you still use this, time to move on. It's really cheap, the applicator does practically nothing, and it doesn't add length or volume.

Maybelline Push-Up Drama

First impression of this mascara was actually positive. I really liked the volume and length it gave my eyelashes. But, for some reason, after a couple times using this, it gets clumpy. It made my eyelashes stick together so badly that I looked like I had only 3 big eyelashes, like Spongebob. If you don't know, this is not a pleasing look!

L'oreal Voluminous Carbon Black

Even though it's a part of the same exact mascara line, the brush makes a HUGE difference. The brush in this one is cheap and thin, so it hardly applies any mascara.

Blush Do's

Milani (Any of Milani's Blushes)

Okay, let's be real, I grabbed this because it was pretty. It's a dang rose. I hardly cared if it was a good blush, but it is! It provides a perfect amount of pigment to where it is visible, but you don't look like a party clown. And it's long lasting! Plus, it's a dang rose! Even Milani's blushes that aren't shaped like this are still amazing, too! TIP: Only use taps or upward strokes when applying blush!

Elf Blush Palette

I used this for months, and still occasionally. The pigment is great, and it was only $6. A steal if you ask me, especially since you get four colors. This is also long-lasting. TIP: This blush is rich in color, so be gentle when applying.

Blush Don'ts

Wet 'n Wild Blush

The pigment is super weak, and it gets into your pores. We don't need that in our lives. A blush just like this one is the Maybelline Fit Me Blush. Stay away!

Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush

I give Maybelline props for attempting a new take on blush, but it was a total flop. It was seriously confusing. I had to search the web for how to even apply this correctly. Once I figured it out, it was a mess. It's like putting clay on your face, only to look like you didn't even put blush on.

Foundation Do's

L'oreal Infalliable Pro-Glow/Pro-Matte

This foundation is perfection. Its highly recommended by renowned makeup artists like Jeffree Star. It has great coverage, but isn't cakey. The pro-glow provides a great dewey finish while the pro-matte gives a flawless matte finish. And they are each extremely long lasting. TIP: If you have oily skin, go with the matte, if you have dry skin, go with the glow!

Maybelline Dream Velvet

If full-coverage is your number one priority, I highly recommend this. It covers EVERYTHING. It it a thicker formula, so it can be a tad cakey. But, the coverage is undeniable. Perfect for a quick lunch with friends. TIP: Don't be afraid to mix foundations! I often mix this and pro-glow to reduce the cakey feel but increase coverage!

Wet 'N Wild Coverall

First of all, the price is unbeatable. This is a medium-full coverage foundation that is so easy to blend out. A little product goes a long way, and it lasts longer than some high-end foundations!

Foundation Don'ts

Maybelline Dream Matte Mouse

Again, I appreciate the effort, Maybelline. But this is asking to have cakey foundation. Plus, it hardly lasts a couple hours. And, if you're pale like I am, there is not a color for you (which is often the case anyway). This dries into your wrinkles and pores, emphasizing all of them, and who wants that?

Rimmel Lasting Finish

This is an extremely greasy foundation. It does the exact opposite of its claim and lasts about 2 hours. It feels heavy and never fully dry, even after powder.

Powder Do's

L'oreal Infalliable Pro-Matte

The powder is just like the pro-matte foundation, it's amazing. It provides an extra layer of coverage without looking cakey. It's also super-long lasting. But, it can darken the look of your makeup.

Revlon PhotoReady

I adore this powder. It hides your pores and dark spots without darkening your makeup. It leaves a great finish, and lasts through the majority of the day. TIP: Only use tapping and pressing motions when applying powder. DO NOT rub.

Coty Airspun Loose Powder

This is a powder I've always liked. It blends your makeup extremely well, and leaves a nice finish. Since it's a loose powder, the coverage is weaker than that of a pressed powder. But, still with picking up.

Powder Don'ts

L'oreal TrueMatch Mineral Loose Powder

This powder leaves a super cakey look. It is nearly impossible to blend out, and it points out your pores and wrinkles. Not a look we're looking for.

Wet 'n Wild Mattifying Powder

This does nothing. If you buy this, it's buying something that is nearly useless.

Eyeliner Do's

Maybelline Master Precise Brush Tip

I use this practically every time I wear eyeliner. It's a near perfect dupe of Kat Von D's tattoo liner! The brush tip makes it extremely easy to do a sharp wing. TIP: For an extra sharp look, place a small piece of Scotch tape along your desired wing line before applying.

Essence Eyeliner Pen

Again, this is a great dupe of Kat Von D's eyeliner. This one has fantastic pigment that leaves a super rich black. It's extremely long lasting, I even slept with it on and I still had flawless eyeliner the next morning. Plus, you get a lot of product!

Eyeliner Don'ts

Maybelline Master Precise Skinny Gel Pencil

This liner was so thin, it was close to impossible to apply it without breaking it. Even when you managed to get some on, it was super light in pigment. Not worth the struggle or the money.

Any Pencil Eyeliner = N.O.

Contour Do's

Wet 'n Wild Contour Palette

This is maybe $3? So that's a blessing in itself. And as long as you know how to use powder contour, you're set. I use this very often, and it has nice pigmentation, especially for the price! TIP: Get a contour brush, and use tiny, circular strokes along your cheekbones, jawline, and top of the forehead.

Nyx Contour & Highlight Palette

Yes, just yes. It comes with eight separate colors so it's useful for any skin tone. The pigmentation is superb, and it will last through the day, keeping you contoured and fabulous.

Nix Wonder Stick

This allows you to contour very specific areas. I use this for my nose contour. But, it can easily be used for any type of contouring. TIP: With cream contours, be sure to use a beauty blender to blend. With powder contours, use a big powder blush to blend it out a bit.

Contour Don'ts

L'oreal Infalliable Pro-Contour

I'm mainly putting this as a don't because you get hardly any product. It's not worth the money just for that fact. But, this doesn't blend out well and can easily leave you with harsh contour lines.

That's it! There's my list of what to buy and what not to when it comes to drug store makeup. Because you deserve to look flawless, even with a tight budget.

Some extra tips: Real Technique brushes and beauty blenders are the best to buy. Be sure to keep them clean for the best results in application. Always dampen your beauty blender before blending! Don't be afraid to be bold!