How To Nail a Full-Face Makeup Look Using Only Drugstore Makeup Brands

Believe it or not, achieving a flawless makeup look on a budget is possible with affordable drugstore makeup brands. All you need are a few key products to bring out your inner light!

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to create a stunning full face of makeup using drugstore beauty brands, available at your local Rite Aid.*

1. Start With a Moisturizer

Begin the day by applying a moisturizer that contains a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher to help protect your skin from the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UVA/UVB) rays. A lightweight, fast-absorbing moisturizer like Olay Complete Lotion Moisturizer with SPF 15 is a great base to apply. And for those with sensitive skin, the brand has a specially formulated option, as well.

2. Add Primer

Next, dab primer onto your face with your fingertips. The warmth of your fingers will help the product melt into your skin for even application. The e.l.f. Power Grip Primer gets its name because it does an excellent job of keeping makeup exactly where you apply it. The primer will feel tacky for the first minute or so after applying and then disappear by the time you're ready to apply foundation. That tackiness helps the foundation stick to its surface so you're less likely to experience smears and smudges throughout the day.

3. Layer on Foundation

Once your primer has set for about a minute or two, use a foundation brush, sponge or your fingers to apply foundation. Start with the center of your face and move out as you apply in circular motions. There are a lot of high-quality drugstore makeup brands that have long-lasting foundations with good coverage — some of which contain SPF for sun protection.

Looking for one to try? Consider Revlon Illuminance Skin-Caring Foundation. It's a lightweight, buildable foundation that actually improves your skin over time the longer you use it. It locks in moisture and creates a flawless look. How could you go wrong?

4. Dab on Concealer

Concealer is one of the best tools in your arsenal to create a smooth, pulled-together makeup look. It can help hide imperfections — like dark undereye circles, redness or blemishes — or it can be used to highlight some of your best features.

Concealer colors depend on what you're using them for. If you want to use a concealer to highlight the center of your face or brighten up your under-eye area, choose a shade that's lighter than your skin tone. When you want to conceal a blemish, select a concealer shade that matches your skin.

Apply concealer by using a product with a wand that can be dabbed under the eyes, along the bridge of the nose, around the nostrils, in the center of the chin, under the brow arches and anywhere else you'd like more coverage. There are a variety of drugstore makeup brands that offer top-notch concealers. CoverGirl Clean Invisible Concealer is a great option because it's lightweight, available in a variety of shades and doesn't highlight patches of dry or flaky skin.

5. Apply Eyeshadow

It's said that the eyes are the windows to the soul, so why not draw attention upward with drugstore makeup brands' eyeshadows? Nude shades are always on trend and can take a makeup look from day to night simply by applying darker colors in the evening. Try CoverGirl TruNaked Eye Shadow Palette by highlighting under the brow and in the inner corner of the eyes, shading the entire eyelid with a lighter color, and then adding depth with darker colors to the edges of the eyelids.

Define the eye with a dark shade — the transition shade — applied thinly to the crease of the eyelid. The best tools for applying eyeshadow are dedicated eyeshadow brushes in varying sizes. After applying, you can blend it out using the pads of your fingers, a blender brush or another clean eyeshadow brush.

6. Rim the Eyes

Create a bold, pretty look by adding eyeliner. Use an eyeliner that allows you to create a precise line, thicken it up for a more dramatic cat eye, and blend. The Revlon ColorStay Eyeliner Pencil does all three and is smudge-proof! Start at the inside corner or center of your eyelid and draw out to the edge of the eye. Add another thin line and smudge for a sexy, smokier look.

7. Get Show-Stopping Lashes

In order to get those doe-eyed lashes, you'll need a few tools at your disposal. Start with an eyelash curler. Then, apply an eyelash primer to separate lashes and get them ready for mascara. Before applying mascara like L'Oreal Paris Telescopic Original Lengthening Mascara, remove excess product from the wand. Apply the mascara to the base of the lashline and gently sweep up to the tips of the lashes. Wait a few minutes and reapply for a more dramatic lash statement.

Ready to test out false eyelashes? Pick up a kit, like the Kiss Falscara Eyelash Starter Kit, that's great for all-day wear or a special occasion, like an upcoming wedding.

8. Bust Out the Blush

Your full face of makeup is almost complete! Add a flush to your cheeks by applying a blush. Choose a color that's within two to three shades of your natural flush color so it'll blend in easily. There are a number of types of blush, powder and cream available. Some can be applied with the fingertips, while others come in a stick or wand.

Find a product that's designed to be lightweight and buildable so you can add more color as needed. A good blush to try is e.l.f. Putty Blush. Use your fingers, a blush brush or a beauty blender to apply blush to the cheeks and blend upward toward the hairline.

9. Give a Good Brow

A beautiful brow is key to a face that looks "finished," even if you're going for a natural makeup look. Start with a brow brush to shape hairs into place. You could set them with a clear brow gel, like this one from e.l.f., or add some color for a bolder look, like this L'Oreal Paris Unbelieva-Brow Longwear Waterproof Brow Gel, that's designed to last all day. Some eyebrow kits include shaping stencils and powder or bristle brushes with brow gel.

There are tons of great eyebrow products available in drugstore makeup brands. Go ahead and have fun experimenting with different options!

10. Round It Out With a Colorful Lip

If you do all of the above steps to create a full makeup look and forget the lips, it'll look like you were interrupted mid-application sesh. Depending on how bold you went with the eyes, a pretty neutral pinkish hue will look beautiful on the lips.

Consider applying a hydrating gloss like Rimmel London Stay Glossy. Some prefer to line their lips before applying any color for more staying power and color. Others like to simply swipe and go. Your choice!

11. Set It and Forget It With Finishing Spray

Once you've spent all this time applying your makeup, you want to make sure it doesn't smudge or budge, right? That's where a setting spray, finishing spray or translucent powder comes in. We recommend e.l.f. Makeup Mist & Set to help your look last all day and all night. It also adds a touch of moisture, so your face and makeup don't dry out and flake off — yuck!

A translucent powder, like CoverGirl Clean Invisible Loose Powder, helps "set" your makeup as well and is great for reducing shine and oil that can accumulate throughout the day. Make that matte makeup look last by applying with a sponge or brush to fight shine.

While this is one version of the "correct order to apply makeup," it's not the only way. Makeup is fun and should be experimented with in different formulas, colors and, yes, application orders to achieve different looks. One of the best ways to do that is with budget-friendly drugstore beauty brands.

*Selection may vary by store.

Clinically reviewed on Sept. 8, 2023.