Looking for affordable makeup that doesn’t compromise on quality, performance, or ethics? You’re not alone. Many beauty lovers are seeking out budget-friendly makeup brands that offer clean, cruelty-free, and sustainable products that won’t break the bank. Whether you need a new foundation, eyeshadow, mascara, or blush, there’s a drugstore makeup brand that has you covered. In this article, we’ll introduce you to 17 of the best affordable makeup brands that will help you achieve a flawless and glamorous look without spending a fortune. These brands have been tested and recommended by experts, editors, and consumers who love their formulas, shades, and results. Let’s get started!
- Colourpop Colourpop is one of the most popular and beloved affordable makeup brands in the market. The brand offers a wide range of products for eyes, lips, face, and brows, with prices ranging from $5 to $25. Colourpop is known for its highly pigmented and long-lasting formulas, as well as its fun and trendy collaborations with celebrities, influencers, and franchises. Some of the best-selling products from Colourpop are the Xtra Celestial Clearly In Love Pressed Powder Palette, a nine-pan eyeshadow palette that features metallics and mattes in stunning shades of copper, magenta, and purple; the Pressed Powder Blush, a powder blush that delivers a healthy flush of color in two hues: Swirled (a dusty rose) and Toffee Cake (a rich berry); and the Lippie Stix, a creamy lipstick that comes in various finishes and colors to suit every mood and occasion.
- CoverGirl CoverGirl is one of the most iconic and trusted drugstore makeup brands in the world. The brand has been around for over 60 years and has always been committed to providing quality, affordable, and inclusive makeup for everyone. CoverGirl is also one of the first major beauty brands to become Leaping Bunny certified by Cruelty-Free International, meaning that none of its products or ingredients are tested on animals. Some of the best-selling products from CoverGirl are the Clean Fresh Skin Milk Foundation, a lightweight foundation that blurs pores and fine lines with coconut milk and aloe; the Lash Blast Clean Volume Mascara, a vegan and clean mascara that gives lashes volume and definition with argan and marula oils; and the Exhibitionist 24-Hour Kohl Eyeliner, a smooth and long-lasting eyeliner that glides on easily and stays put all day.
- E.L.F. E.L.F. stands for Eyes Lips Face, which is exactly what this brand offers: everything you need to create a beautiful makeup look. E.L.F. is one of the most affordable makeup brands out there, with most products costing under $10. E.L.F. is also vegan and cruelty-free, as well as free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and other harmful ingredients. Some of the best-selling products from E.L.F. are the Poreless Putty Primer, a silky primer that smooths and preps skin for flawless foundation application; the Bite-Size Eyeshadows, mini eyeshadow quads that pack a punch of color and blendability; and the Hydrating Camo Concealer, a full-coverage concealer that hydrates and brightens the under-eye area.
- Maybelline Maybelline is another classic drugstore makeup brand that has been around for over 100 years. The brand is famous for its innovative and trendsetting products that cater to different skin tones, types, and preferences. Maybelline is also cruelty-free in most countries where it operates (except China), and has some vegan options as well. Some of the best-selling products from Maybelline are the Dream Fresh BB Cream SPF 30, a multitasking product that moisturizes, protects, and evens out skin tone with a sheer and natural finish; the SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick, a liquid lipstick that delivers intense color and up to 16 hours of wear; and the Falsies Lash Lift Mascara, a mascara that mimics the effect of a lash lift with its double-curved brush and fiber-infused formula.
- Milani Milani is a drugstore makeup brand that celebrates diversity and individuality with its products. The brand offers a range of makeup for eyes, lips, face, brows, and nails in flattering shades for all skin tones. Milani is also cruelty-free and PETA-certified ,and has many vegan options as well. Some of the best-selling products from Milani are the Baked Blush, a powder blush that adds a radiant glow to the cheeks with its baked formula; the Make It Last Setting Spray, a spray that locks in makeup for up to 16 hours with a matte or dewy finish; and the Color Statement Lipstick, a lipstick that delivers rich color and hydration with vitamins A and C.
- NYX NYX is a drugstore makeup brand that is inspired by professional makeup artists and the latest trends. The brand offers a wide range of products for eyes, lips, face, and brows in high-quality and high-performance formulas. NYX is also cruelty-free and PETA-certified, and has many vegan options as well. Some of the best-selling products from NYX are the Ultimate Shadow Palette, a 16-pan eyeshadow palette that comes in various color themes and finishes; the Soft Matte Lip Cream, a liquid lipstick that glides on smoothly and sets to a matte finish; and the Micro Brow Pencil, a brow pencil that creates natural-looking hair strokes with its fine tip and spoolie brush.
- Physicians Formula Physicians Formula is a drugstore makeup brand that focuses on healthy and natural beauty. The brand offers a range of products for eyes, lips, face, and brows that are hypoallergenic, dermatologist-tested, and free of harsh chemicals. Physicians Formula is also cruelty-free and has some vegan options as well. Some of the best-selling products from Physicians Formula are the Butter Bronzer, a bronzer that adds a sun-kissed glow to the skin with its creamy and blendable formula infused with murumuru butter; the Organic Wear Silk Foundation Elixir, a foundation that nourishes and smooths the skin with organic jojoba oil, aloe vera, and coconut water; and the Rosé All Day Petal Glow Highlighter, a highlighter that adds a luminous shine to the skin with its rose-shaped design and pearl pigments.
- Wet n Wild Wet n Wild is a drugstore makeup brand that offers fun and affordable products for every occasion. The brand offers a range of products for eyes, lips, face, and nails in vibrant colors and finishes. Wet n Wild is also cruelty-free and PETA-certified, and has many vegan options as well. Some of the best-selling products from Wet n Wild are the MegaGlo Highlighting Powder, a highlighter that adds a stunning glow to the skin with its silky and buildable formula; the Photo Focus Foundation, a foundation that delivers flawless coverage and a natural finish with its light-adjusting complex; and the MegaLast Liquid Catsuit Matte Lipstick, a liquid lipstick that stays put for hours with its comfortable and pigmented formula.
- Essence Essence is a drugstore makeup brand that offers trendy and quality products at low prices. The brand offers a range of products for eyes, lips, face, brows, nails, and tools in cute and colorful packaging. Essence is also cruelty-free and has some vegan options as well. Some of the best-selling products from Essence are the Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara, a mascara that gives lashes dramatic volume and length with its conic-shaped brush; the Make Me Brow Eyebrow Gel Mascara, a brow gel that fills in sparse areas and adds definition with its tinted formula and tiny fibers; and the Pure Nude Highlighter, a highlighter that adds a subtle glow to the skin with its baked formula.
- Flower Beauty Flower Beauty is a drugstore makeup brand created by actress Drew Barrymore. The brand offers a range of products for eyes, lips, face, brows, nails, and tools in chic and elegant packaging. Flower Beauty is also cruelty-free and has some vegan options as well. Some of the best-selling products from Flower Beauty are the Light Illusion Foundation, a foundation that gives skin a luminous and flawless look with its medium-to-full coverage formula; the Petal Pout Lip Color, a lipstick that comes in various finishes (matte, cream, metallic) and colors to suit every preference; and the Flower Pots Powder Blush, a blush that adds a natural flush to the cheeks with its silky-smooth formula.
- L.A. Girl L.A. Girl is a drugstore makeup brand that offers trendy and edgy products for every style. The brand offers a range of products for eyes, lips, face, brows, nails, lashes, brushes, sponges, palettes, sets, and more in bold colors and finishes. L.A. Girl is also cruelty-free and has some vegan options as well. Some of the best-selling products from L.A. Girl are the Pro Conceal HD Concealer, a concealer that covers imperfections and brightens the skin with its creamy and long-wearing formula; the Shockwave Neon Eyeliner, an eyeliner that adds a pop of color to the eyes with its neon shades and smooth application; and the Glossy Plumping Lip Gloss, a lip gloss that plumps up the lips with its glossy and hydrating formula.
- Rimmel Rimmel is a drugstore makeup brand that offers London-inspired products for every look. The brand offers a range of products for eyes, lips, face, brows, nails, lashes, brushes, palettes, sets, and more in classic and trendy colors and finishes. Rimmel is also cruelty-free in most countries where it operates (except China), and has some vegan options as well. Some of the best-selling products from Rimmel are the Stay Matte Pressed Powder, a powder that controls shine and mattifies the skin for up to 5 hours; the Scandaleyes Wow Wings Mascara, a mascara that gives lashes a winged-out effect with its unique 2-sided brush; and the Lasting Finish 25 Hour Foundation, a foundation that lasts up to 25 hours with its sweat-proof, transfer-proof, and humidity-proof formula.
- Revlon Revlon is a drugstore makeup brand that offers timeless and innovative products for every occasion. The brand offers a range of products for eyes, lips, face, brows, nails, lashes, brushes, palettes, sets, and more in sophisticated and glamorous colors and finishes. Revlon is also cruelty-free in most countries where it operates (except China), and has some vegan options as well. Some of the best-selling products from Revlon are the ColorStay Makeup, a foundation that provides flawless coverage and up to 24 hours of wear for different skin types; the Super Lustrous Lipstick, a lipstick that delivers rich color and moisture with its iconic formula; and the PhotoReady Candid Concealer, a concealer that hides imperfections and brightens the skin with its anti-pollution and anti-blue light ingredients.
- BH Cosmetics BH Cosmetics is a drugstore makeup brand that offers trendy and quality products at low prices. The brand offers a range of products for eyes, lips, face, brows, nails, lashes, brushes, sponges, palettes, sets, and more in fun and colorful packaging. BH Cosmetics is also cruelty-free and has some vegan options as well. Some of the best-selling products from BH Cosmetics are the Take Me Back to Brazil Eyeshadow Palette, a 35-pan eyeshadow palette that features vibrant and pigmented shades inspired by Brazil’s carnival; the Stellar Lash Mascara, a mascara that gives lashes volume and length with its hourglass-shaped brush; and the Truffle Blush Collection, a collection of four blush palettes that each contain four shades of blushes in different finishes.
- Pixi Pixi is a drugstore makeup brand that offers natural and skin-loving products for every day. The brand offers a range of products for eyes, lips, face, brows, nails, lashes, brushes, sponges, palettes, sets, skincare, and more in cute and green packaging. Pixi is also cruelty-free and has some vegan options as well. Some of the best-selling products from Pixi are the Glow Tonic, a toner that exfoliates and brightens the skin with glycolic acid and aloe vera; the H2O Skintint, a tinted moisturizer that hydrates and evens out skin tone with green tea and rose water; and the Endless Silky Eye Pen, an eyeliner that glides on smoothly and lasts all day with its waterproof formula.
- Catrice Catrice is a drugstore makeup brand that offers high-quality and trendy products at low prices. The brand offers a range of products for eyes, lips, face, brows, nails, lashes, brushes, sponges, palettes, sets, skincare ,and more in sleek and black packaging. Catrice is also cruelty-free and has some vegan options as well. Some of the best-selling products from Catrice are the HD Liquid Coverage Foundation, a foundation that gives full coverage and a natural finish with its lightweight and long-lasting formula; the Liquid Camouflage High Coverage Concealer, a concealer that covers dark circles and blemishes with its waterproof and high-coverage formula; and the More Than Nude Nail Polish, a nail polish that enhances the natural beauty of the nails with its sheer and glossy formula.
- Makeup Revolution Makeup Revolution is a drugstore makeup brand that offers innovative and quality products at low prices. The brand offers a range of products for eyes, lips, face ,brows ,nails ,lashes ,brushes ,sponges ,palettes ,sets ,skincare ,and more in stylish and gold packaging. Makeup Revolution is also cruelty-free and has some vegan options as well. Some of the best-selling products from Makeup Revolution are the Conceal & Define Full Coverage Foundation, a foundation that provides full coverage and a matte finish with its oil-free and long-wearing formula; the Reloaded Eyeshadow Palette, an eyeshadow palette that comes in various color themes and features 15 highly pigmented and blendable shades; and the Soph X Highlighter Palette, a highlighter palette that contains 8 stunning shades of highlighters in different finishes.
Conclusion As you can see, there are many budget-friendly makeup brands that offer amazing products for affordable glam. Whether you’re looking for a new foundation, eyeshadow, mascara, or blush, you can find it at your local drugstore or online. These brands are not only cheap, but also quality, cruelty-free, and sustainable. You don’t have to spend a fortune to look fabulous with these makeup brands. Try them out and see for yourself!