Drugstore Beauty Haul

Warning: This is not an actual haul. 
** All prices quoted are from the brand's website unless otherwise stated.

The other day, I had to get on an international flight with only a couple of hours of notice and a million things to do before I left. [Case in point: All good bras were dirty and the trip lasts a minimum of three weeks.] Clearly, looking fabulous was both low priority and not in the realm of possibility.

And then – some hours of running around like a headless chicken later – the utterly predictable happened; the flight was delayed. With airport wifi acting like the shit it was, there was only one path left to take, really: I bought Burger King chicken nuggets, drooled over the adorable backpacker pouting at his fries in one corner and then went to explore the duty-free shopping.

Here’s the beauty heaven (read: drugstore makeup counters) that turned my bare face fabulous while the sister bought sweets: 

1. Maybelline Hyper Sharp Liner in Intense Black, $21.10 @ Amazon (x)

I can’t say how it would hold out in the heat and/or sweat, but it was incredibly easy to apply and the point is super fine – touted at 0.05 mm – that makes for an extremely fine line but builds just as well for a bolder look. So-so colour payoff, because I needed a couple of coats to make it proper black, and it was only a little smudged when I woke up the next morning, some 18 hours later.

(Yes, I passed out without removing makeup. No, I feel no shame.)

2. Revlon Colorstay Concealer in Light Medium, £6.99 @ Boots (x)

That’s it: I’m in love. It’s creamy, high coverage, blends beautifully and did not crease at all under my eyes even though almost everything tends to. I have nothing more to say, just go for it. 

3. Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Mascara in 001 Black, £6.99 @ Boots (x)

They do not sell Rimmel in Malaysia (from what I have seen anyway) and this came from my mum’s purse. I still used it and it counts as a drugstore product. Although it isn’t as lengthening as its drugstore sister, the Maybelline One-by-One Volume Express that I have a soft spot for, Scandaleyes remains a viable contender by being considerably volumizing and fairly decent at lengthening. I applied to uncurled lashes in the airport bathroom and it still made the straight little stumpy stubble at the edges of my eyelids look noticeably better. Moreover, it does live up to its waterproof name and refuses to budge like the stalwart soldier it is. Confidently reach for it on a wet and rainy day but definitely don’t forgo the makeup remover before attempting to wash off this bad boy.

4. Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butters in Wild Watermelon, £7.99 @ Boots (x)

In all honesty, this product is about as good as their Colorstay Ultimate Suede lipsticks are annoying. Moisturizing as all hell and gliding on like butter – heh, get it? – these make for a pretty great everyday product. Colour payoff is not the most amazing, opaque thing in the world, but that is too be expected when it’s a lip butter, not a lipstick. What you do get is a beautiful, subtle pop of colour with a hydrating hit of moisturizing, so it that works for you, go for it. Absolute recommendation.

5. Revlon Photo Ready Kajal Eyeliner in Carbon Cleopatra, £5.99 @ Boots (x)

Revlon have discontinued this one, apparently, but it was a glorious kohl pencil; darker on one side, light on the other. The shade Carbon Cleopatra is black on one end and white on the other and, while I already lined my lids with the Maybelline Hyper Sharp, I tight-lined the lid with the black side and the bottom rims with white and the result was quite pleasing. Not bad.

6. L’Oreal True Match Minéral Pressed Powder in Nude Beige, $12.99 (x)

I have extremely oily-outburst-prone combination skin and I live in the tropics. That is the clearest recipe for skin disaster you will ever find. Anything that takes your skin from somewhere in the middle of the could-be-natural-glow, could-be-gross-greasiness range should be considered a roaring success and this compact certainly fit the bill. It left me feeling gloriously matte.

And then, because I am incapable of controlling myself like a sane adult, these other two things were tried and rather liked. Why not, right?

7. Benefit Gimme Brow in Medium/Deep, $22 (x)

8. Benefit Hoola Bronzing Powder, $28 (x)

 Now playing: You, Me and the Bourgeoisie by The Submarines

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