Drugstore vs Department Store

• Foundation, Concealer and Powder
  It is important to buy quality makeup that matches your skin tone where you can test it at a department store. Especially if you’re a woman of color. Drugstore foundation is getting better over the years, though. I found that those mineral powder sticks are pretty good (Almay or Neutrogena.) But again, you may end up spending more at the drugstore just from trial and error.
• Eye shadow
  I prefer to buy my eye shadow at the department store. That way, you can see how the color looks on your skin. The problem with drugstore eye shadows is that they don’t have as much pigment. The color in the case is usually not what you're going get. I tend to love  MAC eye-shadows, since they tend to carry a lot of pigment and the single cases are at a lower price point.  If you must buy your eyeshadow from a drugstore, stick to Loreal H.I.P. (High Intensity Pigment) but they still have a limited selection of shades.

Since department store makeup never goes on sale, choose times when they are giving away a free gift with purchase, and always ask for free samples. That way, you don’t invest a whole bunch of money in a product you don't know much about.

Save

• Mascara – the ones at the drugstore are of good quality and are usually more innovative than the department store mascaras.
• Lip gloss – Again, these are usually of good quality at the drugstore. Also, since we tend to buy several of these, don’t waste $15 on one lip-gloss.
• Lipsticks, lip liners and Eyeliners
• Eye makeup remover – Almay Make-up Remover or use Vaseline.

Some  Favorite Drugstore Picks: Covergirl – LashExtract Mascara, Neutrogena – Mineral Sheers SPF 15, Revlon Charcoal Eyeliner, Loreal Infallible Lipcolor