I do most of my shopping for toiletries at Whole Foods and Lifethyme in New York, and I have a weakness for higher-end cosmetics lines that show up at places like Bergdorf and Barneys. On the other hand, some of my favorite basics come from the drugstore. Here are five of my current favorites in the “cheap thrills” department.
Sally Hansen’s Salon Manicure line is really top-notch; its polishes are as stylish and as well-formulated as anything offered by fancy boutique lines, and its Ultra Wear Top Coat makes my home-made manicure last longer than ever before. (about $7)
You might already know that nearly all cosmetics pencils are made by the same three manufacturers (read this informative post!), so once you find a smooth, durable pencil like this one from Prestige Cosmetics (I like the pale-pink shade called Silk), you can forget all about the designer-name liners that cost three or four times as much but are probably made in the same facility. (about $5)
I’ve already gone through two tubes of this Blue Agave Curl Cream from Salma Hayek’s Nuance line. It defines curls and tames frizz, it has a light pleasant scent, and it’s packaged in a nicely designed tube. If you have CVS stores in your area, it’s worth seeking out. (about $10)
I’d be embarrassed for you to know how much time my friends and I have devoted to discussing Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butters. A creamy, balm-like texture with a moisturizing effect. Twenty semi-sheer shades, with something for everyone. (My favorite happens to be Berry Smoothie.) Color-coded tubes with retro, fishnet-like patterning. I hope Revlon keeps them in production for a long, long time. (about $7.50)
Everyone needs soap. I could probably do without any other bar soap, ever again, as long as I had Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Soap, so I’m glad that it’s available in many NYC drugstores these days. It’s simple and effective, it’s all natural, and it lasts longer than most soap bars. (about $4)
What are your favorite drugstore basics (or impulse purchases) these days? Feel free to share!
To read other posts in this series, click here.
Disclaimer: I have purchased all these items, most of them more than once, at various drugstores.
TINSEL CREATION 
So, the title of this post really intrigued me, 5 on 5. We used to say that in the park when we were distinguishing the terms for the next basketball game. I love Dr. Bonner’s soap as well. For the longest I’ve been using the liquid soap. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen their soap bar. I’ll have to grab one. Cute post, btw.
I LOVE the lip butters!! I have about five of them.
Hooray! Of all the sheer lipsticks that came out last year, high and low, these are my favorites.
Love the lip butters too. I have 3 or 4 of them and counting. I am also a fan of Dr. Bronner’s soap. I have the liquid one in peppermint scent and when the dogs got skunked I used it in combination with Dawn dish soap and it helped a lot. I’ll have to try that curl cream for the frizzy mess I call my hair.
My Berry Smoothie is worn down to the bottom at this point. I need to buy a new one, or maybe I’ll try another color!
Another lip butter fan, here. I have several and they’re about all I wear anymore. My latest d/s love is also Nuance – the rose hip body lotion. It has the prettiest fresh rose scent, not plasticky at all, like some cheap roses can be. Nice formula, too. I like the Nuance hair spray too but have been disappointed by the color cosmetics; I returned the couple of things I’ve tried. Glad to hear good things about the curl cream.
I love that rose-scented body lotion, too! and I remember liking one of the body scrubs. I’ve looked at the color cosmetics but haven’t purchased any, so thanks for sharing your impression of those.
Oh gosh, I must be in a lemming mode. I don’t use lipstick (gasp!) but all these lip butter love is making me want to go to the drugstore tomorrow to snap up a few tubes!
If you do go, don’t forget about the L’Oreal Colour Caresse! (Slightly less balm-y, but wonderful!)
I went to Walgreens today and the lip butters were buy one (at $7) get one free! I got 2 – Berry Smoothie and Cherry Tart. I also saw the L’Oreal Colour Caresse but decided to leave the purchase for next time.
Does Prestige make eye/brow liner, too? Mine (and now I know expensive ones probably too) always break when I sharpen them, and the Clinique self-sharpening one wasn’t sharp. Is it at Wholefoods? I’ve never seen it at Walgreens or CVS. Thank you!
Hello! I bought my Prestige lipliner at Duane Reade (a NYC chain). They do make eyeliners, although I haven’t tried one yet. Do you have an Ulta near you? They seem to carry Prestige. I don’t know why the Prestige site isn’t working right now, but it should have a “Store Locator” section!