Budget Beauty: The 10 most long-wearing drugstore makeup under P650
One of our top requirements for makeup is longevity. Ain’t nobody got time to be retouching all day, especially in a hot and humid country like ours! Thankfully, gone are the days when we had to pay through the nose for makeup that can take us from the morning rush to evening drinks. Here are some of our drugstore finds with incredible wear at a price you can't say no to!
Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara (P429 at department stores)
A fuller fringe never fails to make you look more awake. This tube gives you fluttery lashes that are beautifully fanned out with zero clumps - just check out how awesome they look on Liz! It’s best for girls who are blessed with naturally thick lashes (lucky you!), and just need some length without looking too heavy. Of course, we love how smudge and smear-proof it is too.
Deborah Milano Absolute Lasting Liquid Lipstick (P649at SM Beauty)
This looks exactly like the Make Up For Ever Aqua Rouge Waterproof Lip Color! The packaging is exactly the same, and the formula feels EXACTLY the same too. Maybe Deborah Milano and MUFE uses the same factory? Anyway, this product is truly transfer proof and will barely budge even when you eat. It can be drying though, so make sure to prime your lips with balm before laying it on.
Happy Skin x Love Marie Shut Up & Kiss Me Moisturizing Matte Lip Liner (P499 at Happy Skin counters)
When Heart Evangelista released her collab with Happy Skin, we didn’t quite expect to fall so hard for her lip liners. This reminds us of Make Up For Ever Aqua Lip Pencils because it runs easily and smoothly across the lips, and aren't as drying as most lip liners. They stay on forever too! These lip liners are just the things to convert lipstick haters to regular users, though we still recommend prepping with a bit of balm for added moisture.
Pink Sugar x Project Vanity These Lips Don't Lie Matte Lip Crayon (P399 at our store, free shipping)
We specifically designed these matte lipsticks to be as long wearing as they are pretty. We've gotten raves about how these can last for hours, and don't cause lips to flake even so. <3 Woke Up Like This and Love At First Swipe are the crowd favorites, although we do love us some Ready In Five and Nothing To Wear just to buck the trend and go with brighter colors. Here are the complete swatches!
Maybelline Dream Velvet Soft Matte Foundation (P499 at department stores)
Liquid foundation can feel heavy and uncomfortable but this mousse formula gives great coverage without sacrificing the skin's comfort. It may look thick upon first glance but feels like nothing on the skin, and looks like it too even though it's a matte formula. The Soft matte has medium-buildable coverage that makes it a good pick for both your daily 8-5 and special events. Best of all, there are 12 shades available!
Nichido Acti Brow Tri-Tip 24Hr Eyebrow Marker (P238 at department stores)
If you’ve ever wanted to try the brow feathering trend, this is a cheap and noncommittal way to do it! It has a unique three-pronged tip that makes it super easy to draw individual hairs. The marker’s pigmentation can be intense, and once it sets, it's there until you wash it off. This comes in four different shades but make sure to try them on your brows first since they're not accurate when swatched. Here's how Honey Blonde and Auburn Brown look when worn! They're quite red.
Jordana Sweet Cream Matte Liquid Lip Color (~P300 at SM Beauty)
This is probably one of drugstore beauty’s best-kept secrets. It feels very wet and thin upon application but dries down to a lovely velvet matte finish. Once set, it doesn’t have any of that tacky feel that you’d get from most liquid lipsticks! It’s transfer-proof, and doesn’t crumble or fade even after a meal. The 20-shade collection has your usual pinks, corals, and reds plus more outlandish ones like black, gray, and navy blue!
Essence Little Eyebrow Monsters Eyebrow Lifter (P249 at SM Beauty)
For arches that look defined all day long, a brow highlighter can make all the difference! This creamy cool highlighter is super easy to apply, too - just swipe it on and lightly pat to get a diffused look. Place it right underneath the brow bone to give your eye area a more lifted and refreshed look. This is also great as a lid color and a waterline liner, plus you can choose from a White or Rosy shade.
Essence I Love Colour Intensifying Eyeshadow Base (P249 at SM Beauty)
When your oiliness isn’t just on your T-zone but also gets on your lids, an eye makeup primer is non-negotiable to get your eyeshadow to stay intact and smudge-free. This eyeshadow base won’t just prolong wear time - it also makes the pigments look richer and more vibrant!
Essence Long-Lasting Eye Pencil (P150 at SM Beauty)
Here’s a PV favorite that we’ve featured several times because it’s just so good! It's creamy, opaque, true-to-color, stays put for a good time, and is unbelievably cheap. There are also so many colors available: from fun shades like gold, silver, and blue to classic staples like black and brown!
Have you tried any of these fail-proof budget beauty picks? What do you rely on to keep your face on point for days when you’re too busy to retouch?