Our Favorite Back-to-School Drugstore Beauty Bargains

By Kaitlyn Yarborough
Arthur Elgort/Condé Nast via Getty Images
Southern ladies have a firm grasp on the tips, tricks, and well-kept secrets of the beauty world; and to us, beauty that doesn’t break the bank is beauty well worth it. We don’t need the bells and whistles, but like to throw them in the routine here and there. When summer has rounded the last corner, and we’re approaching the start of school (and hence, our regularly scheduled lives) again, it’s time to revamp the beauty routine. Fortunately for us, all it takes is a trip to the drugstore. From hair care to makeup to skin products, there are some stellar options at your local spots to try out. We’re giving you the products that have won the beauty bracket in their respective categories—because if a Southern lady is gonna do it, she’s gonna do it right. These are the crème de la crème, tried and true, so try these out this season (if you don’t use them already!).
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Batiste Dry Shampoo

via Amazon

Buy It: $7.25; amazon.com

No matter where we go, we always come back home to this dry shampoo. No other inexpensive brand does the job quite like it. Choose from a variety of scents, and even get hair color specific with it.

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L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Mascara

via Amazon

Buy It: $6; amazon.com

This mascara gives some truly impressive thickness. Your lashes come out ready to bat at anything that walks.

3 of 23

Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balm in Striking

via Target

Buy It: $7; target.com

If you really want to make a statement, this stunning red lip color is the perfect choice. We know Revlon is already known for a great red lip, but this awesome balm stick has a matte finish without making your lips feel dry (so extra points).

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Biore Deep-Cleansing Charcoal Pore Strips

via Walmart

Buy It: $6; walmart.com

Pore strips have been making a big comeback, and these have been kicked up a notch. The charcoal helps get rid of oil and deep clean your pores. It might hurt a little to take off, but it’ll be worth it when you see what came out of those pores—ew, we know.

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L'Oreal Paris Elnett Satin Hairspray

Via Amazon

Buy It: $11; amazon.com

This hairspray is a favorite among hair professionals, thanks to its extra strong hold that doesn’t feel stiff. Many reviewers note that it helps hold their curls, even if their hair typically doesn’t keep a curl.

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Maybelline New York Fit Me! Matte + Poreless Foundation

via Walmart

Buy It: $6; walmart.com

This foundation, with its large array of shades, will match your skin tone and erase your pores. The mattifying formula makes your skin look more airbrushed than dewy, which is a plus in our book.

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Burt’s Bees Herbal Blemish Stick

via Amazon

Buy It: $8; amazon.com

If you want to feel like you’re literally zapping a zit, this is the product for you. None of us want to suffer from a surprise blemish for longer than necessary, so roll this stick on the spot and the mixture of oils, including tea tree oil, will go to work.

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Essie Gel Couture Nail Polish

Via Target

Buy It: $12; target.com

If you can’t seem to keep an unchipped manicure, this new polish line will solve your problems without having to pay a fortune at the nail salon for a gel manicure. The polish dries quickly and looks thicker and shinier than regular polish (like a gel manicure does) for an extra pretty finish. You have to buy the Essie gel topcoat too, but trust us—it’s worth it. You won’t have to repaint your nails for a couple weeks at least.

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L’Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Gelee

via Target

Buy It: $10; target.com

Towards the end of summer, there are two types of people. Those who have a quickly fading tan and those who are too fair to get, much less keep, a tan. This super lightweight formula is your solution. You don’t find many gels like this, but it really helps to get a nice, even tan, while not having to mess with those pesky mousses that stain your hands.

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Wet Brush Original Detangler

Via Target

Buy It: $9; target.com

You won’t ever go back to your other brush again—at least, the one you use after the shower. This brush is made to detangle wet hair in a way that doesn’t pull out hair, create split ends, or hurt like Hades no matter the amount of knots. This brush has a cult following, and we have no shame in being a part of it.

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St. Ives Apricot Face Scrub

via Target

Buy It: $4; target.com

There’s a reason that this face scrub is always highly rated online. It’s coarse enough to really exfoliate your skin, but still soothing. The apricot scent is great too!

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NYX Slide On Pencil

via NYX Cosmetics

Buy It: $8; target.com

This soft pencil glides on easily, but doesn’t smudge. Use white to make your eyes seem more awake and bigger, but we really recommend branching out with a fun color. It’ll add a subtle pop to your whole ensemble.

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No7 Beautiful Skin Quick Thinking Wipes

via Walgreens

Buy It: $7; walgreens.com

Although not the most well-known wipes—Aveeno, Neutrogena, and Simple come to mind, and they’re also great—these wipes are a quiet cult favorite. You don’t necessarily hear about them, but they get a lot of reviews (all great, obviously). They are soothing, leave skin feeling ultra-clean, and tone skin at the same time.

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Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge

Via Target

Buy It: $6; target.com

We know beautyblender is the most well-known makeup sponge right now, but we’ll let you in on a little secret…this sponge is awesome (everyone has an opinion, but I would argue that this sponge is hands-down better) and it’s way cheaper.

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No7 Beautiful Skin Hydration Mask

Via Target

Buy It: $17; target.com

We’re all in need of some TLC when it comes to our skin, and this hydrating mask that contains cocoa butter and glycerin leaves your skin soft, smooth, and moisturized. Hydration is an underrated factor in good skin complexion, but don’t overlook it anymore!

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NYX Liquid Suede Lipstick

via Target

Buy It: $7; target.com

If you want a matte finish that’s easy to apply and highly pigmented, this liquid lipstick is the answer. Within seconds, it will dry velvety smooth and stay on for hours.

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Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion

Via Amazon

Buy It: $9; amazon.com

This lotion packs some serious punch when it comes to moisturizing your skin. It’s pretty incredible, no matter if your skin is super dry or not, and the pump makes it even easier to lather up. You won’t ever skip a day.

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It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-In Conditioner

Via Target

Buy It: $16; target.com

You’ll be thinking of about 10 ways to thank us for this recommendation. This leave-in conditioner (an underrated hair product, we’d also say) detangles, adds shine and bounce, and protects from pesky frizz. It’s a jack-of-all-trades if you’re someone who just wants a simple product to spray in for many different benefits.

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Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets

via Target

Buy It: $5; target.com

We consider these the original standout of blotting sheets. They absorb oil and shine throughout the day and don’t mess with your makeup—perfect to keep in your purse at all times.

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Eos Smooth Lip Balm Sphere in Pomegranate

via Walgreens

Buy It: $3; walgreens.com

This lip balm smells amazing and doesn’t feel too oily or thick. It’s 100% natural and contains shea butter and vitamin E for ultimate hydration. The mint scent is another favorite.

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Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Concealer

Via Target

Buy It: $15; target.com

This concealer helps keep skin looking fresh and hydrated—that means it’s way more likely to look like you don’t have concealer on at all, which is always the goal. Dry undereyes plus average concealer? Not a good match.

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Dove Advanced Care Cool Essentials Deodorant

Via Walmart

Buy It: $5; walmart.com

With the refreshing scent of cucumber and green tea, this deodorant helps you out when the last thing you want to worry about is your underarms. It’s reliable and leaves skin very soft.

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Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water

Via Walgreens

Buy It: $9; walgreens.com

Although cleansing water is newer to the beauty world, this one has received raving reviews all over the Internet. The all-in-one formula gently removes makeup, cleanses face, and leaves skin feeling soft—with no need to even rinse. Talk about eliminating some time in your beauty routine.

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