Marlena Stell: OG YouTuber in the Makeup Space
Marlena Stell needs no introduction. She is an OG YouTuber who has taught many in the makeup community over the years. Her knowledge and expertise are unparalleled, and it is truly an honor to have her on my channel today.
The Studio Setting
Filming in Lisa J’s studio, with the backdrop of BK Beauty, adds an element of professionalism to our discussion. We have gathered our top six drugstore makeup products that we believe outperform high-end brands.
Exciting Product Reveal
As we eagerly share our favorite drugstore finds, the anticipation builds. Marlena’s picks catch my eye, and I can’t wait to give them a try. The enthusiasm is palpable as we delve into the world of affordable makeup that rivals luxury brands.
Giveaway Alert
To show our appreciation to our viewers, we are hosting a giveaway. Ulta gift cards will be up for grabs, allowing you to indulge in the products we recommend. Check the description box below for entry details and treat yourself to a little makeup splurge.
Diving Into the Products
As we delve into our first product recommendations, the excitement is infectious. Marlena and I exchange thoughts on our top picks, discussing the quality and performance of the drugstore gems that have captured our hearts. The thrill of discovering affordable makeup that rivals high-end brands is truly exhilarating.
LOreal True Match Nude Hyaluronic Tinted Serum
I feel like LOreal specifically for me, does really great complexion products. This LOreal true match nude hyaluronic tinted serum its a mouthful. I love this and Ive tried a lot of different like skin tints. Lately that ones good the pack packaging on this is not my favorite. I will say its so messy, but its worth it to me. I wish I had a pump um, but its worth it to me, because it just gives the most beautiful glow. It actually gives pretty good coverage for a skin tin and it just kind of like it feels like skin care. It feels like it meshes into your skin. I love it its beautiful. I really love this.
L’Oreal Foundations
Loreal has been really stepping up their game with foundations like I almost had one in my list too, I chose another one, but like a lot of their foundations, are I I feel like are just as good as highend ones. I think so too, like genuinely and Ive tried a lot like. We both tried a lot. I think thats, why its really fun to like talk about some of these drugstore things cuz. Sometimes it shocks me how affordable, like these formulas are and how and even the packaging like this nice glass packaging. You know its so great. I love this one. So do you feel, like you, look at packaging different now that youre brand owner, like Im, judging everything like oh thats, thats, good, glass, there that was customized like or how did they get this one yeah yeah custom, or that seems like more basic packaging? Yes, I am in that world now.
Maybelline Fit Me Matte and Poreless
Well, I have a foundation too, but I almost chose a L’Oreal one, but I did. I almost chose uh the L’Oreal. Is it the not the True Match yeah? Is that it’s not that one, it’s a different um, it’s one of them, but I almost chose a L’Oreal Foundation cuz they really are good, but I ended up doing the Maybelline Fit Me Matte and Poreless, my gosh to me.
This reminds me of like the Estee Lauder Double Wear a little bit. Oh 100. I don’t know why I’ve never like put that together, yeah like when I try the formula side by side. They feel very similar to me where it’s matte, but it’s not th and cakey glides really smoothly same complaint. I have with the packaging like come on Maybelline. We need a pump we don’t want a twist here like I don’t want to have to do this. To get my foundation out, but that’s such a good foundation.
I feel like this one. This is the matte version right cuz. They have a couple yeah, the matte and poreless it like wears really well it just stays kind of velvety. Throughout the day. It works really really nice if you have more oily skin. I do in the T zone anyway and it really works well yeah.
I feel like it’s one of the few drugstore foundations for me. If you have oily skin um that doesn’t look thick or cakey, it still really glides and it it like.
Essence Pure Nude Highlighter
You said it lasts all day long and it doesn’t break down and get weird so yeah oo good pick yeah. I love it all right. This one, I feel, like my audience, is going to know this one because I feel like I’ve had this in my collection since day one like oh, my gosh.
Time-Tested Formula
Yes, I’m excited to see this now. This is the essence pure nude highlighter, oh yeah, it’s so basic, but I feel like that’s why it works and for me, it just stands the test of time. I think it’s more of a baked formula. It has to be right. I don’t know that looks baked Y and it just because of that. It has such an ability to blend into the skin like nothing else.
Application Technique
Wow, it just melts, and I feel like when I press it in well. I buff it in with a brush first and then press it in with a sponge it just its gorgeous, and I go back to it time and time again.
Cost-Effective Option
This is like a few dollars. I don’t its probably like 4 or something like that, yeah so inexpensive. I mean who knows now used to be. I don’t know what it is now um, but it’s just worth it, and I find myself reaching for this over so many of my high-end highlighters, which are way more expensive. I just don’t feel like you have to spend as much when you can get something like this.
Marlena Stell’s Favorite Drugstore Highlighters
You know wow. Can I try that I dont think Ive even Tred this one year really really stunning its been one of my favorites for a long long time it has a nice Sheen to it like its, not glittery? No, it just looks like you youre glowing from within.
E.l.f. Halo Glow Liquid Highlighter
Oh thats, really pretty Im so Im going to take a picture of that one like it: okay, thats nice, good choice; okay, so I have a highlighter as well. This will not Shock you all who have watched my channel for a long time. Cuz Ive been talking about this since it came out, is the e.l.f Halo glow liquid filter, absolutely love it? I compare it to the Charlotte Tilbury one and, in my opinion I feel like this ones better, its better than highend its onethird of the price, and I like this one more because it still gives you the glow but its, not its very natural, so Im wearing It today, because, as Ive gotten older, I get really dry, so I need something thats hydrating, and so I I like a good liquid highlighter, but that doesnt look glittery and this isnt that it just gives you a very Natural Glow, not that streak of of glitter Its just absolutely gorgeous and so easy to blend yeah its, not metallic at all it somehow just yeah just Blends in, and it makes you look healthy. It does yeah thats such a good formula and the packaging is good on this too.
E.l.f. Cosmetics
I, like the little wand and the glass bottle. It feels very like substantial for what you get feel very looks. Yeah the packaging is so easy to use like Ill, just dab it on or dab it on my hand and just take a sponge and stipple it. On its so easy to use, yeah e.l. does some really good things. Theyre packaging like it feels the same, if not better, sometimes than high end its nuts, its crazy love that all right for me next.
Maybelline Build-A-Brow
This is a little bit of a newer find, but, like I havent found a brow pen that looks as good as this one I feel like a lot of them can get really like kind of theyre, either too pigmented, and they can kind of get like crumbly Or look like too much in the Brows, but this Maybelline build a brow is insane its more like watery that’s, how I’ve been describing it its almost like watercolor, and I love how tiny this little bristle brush is because I feel like I have a little bit More control and you can see like its not chunky and it and then you can use a spoolie and brush it out. If you want a softer look and then on the other side, you get a brow gel, which I am so picky with brow gels. But I really love this one. When I first bought it, I thought that I would just use the pen and probably not use this cuz that’s, how picky I am, but I find myself using both sides, its the best brow pen that I’ve ever tried.
Innovative Beauty Products
I didn’t know they had both in one, that’s actually really innovative and smart. This is made in Korea, and that’s why they’re good at stuff. They make some great makeup, so I’m loving this – it’s truly the best brow pen. Okay, I got to get that too. I have my shopping list now.
Makeup Discoveries in Austin, Texas
If you didn’t know, we’re in Austin, Texas right now, and we’ve all gotten together here. I’m worried about my wallet after this trip, because I keep seeing people’s makeup bags and hearing people’s recommendations. My list is really stacking up – I’m going to get that one too, I’m getting that highlighter, I’m getting that brow pen too. You’re going to love it, I really think you will.
Milani Stay Put Eyeliner
My next product is an eyeliner. I have the Milani Stay Put Eyeliner in ‘After Dark’. Eyeliners are just one of those things I feel like drugstore makeup does really well. They’re made at the same place, I’m just going to put that out there – the same factory. But I really like this one because it glides really well and look how dark and pigmented it is. The crazy part is you’ve got a little time to blend it.
Long-Lasting Eyeliner
According to Marlena Stell, drugstore eyeliners can outperform high-end products in terms of longevity. She praises a specific eyeliner that sets after about 30 seconds of blending, staying in place for up to 16 hours without smudging or flaking. The formula is smooth, evenly dispersed, and allows for flexibility in blending without compromising its staying power.
Impressive Mascara Selection
Marlena also highlights the drugstore’s ability to excel in the mascara department. She believes that drugstore mascaras offer great quality at an affordable price, making it easier to repurchase multiples without breaking the bank. One of her favorite drugstore mascaras is the Maybelline Lash Sensational, which she claims to be wearing during the discussion.
Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara
This has been a favorite of mine for years. I love the curved wand and it kind of has um a little bit of like a grippier formula, if that makes sense, so Im really able to get in there and like it holds my lashes up, I feel like Im able to build it up. This is great for every day, all the way up to a Glam look, so its just one of my all time favorites. I will never not have one of these.
NYX Butter Glosses
That was the first thing I noticed when I saw you was like your lashes, this its really its all this. That is some lashes right there like sign me up, thats good advertising, maybe shes born within, or maybe its Maybelline know its Maybelline thats. What happened? Oh, my gosh, okay, so the next part I have is not going to surprise you guys either cuz Ive talked about these for years and I feel, like Ive, been doing makeup so long. Im like back in my day in 2008, I used the splp gloss um. The NYX Butter glosses. Oh yes, I just hands down it, Glides really! Well, it comes in a ton of different colors. It just never lets me down what color is that, though, hold on this one? Is I dont even know which one I grab cuz. I have so many spiced toffee, oh gosh tof, so cute its just its, not sticky its a nice consistency Glides.
NYX Lip Liners: Affordable and Versatile
Well, I love that you have so many colors to choose from its so inexpensive. So if I you know for getet this or you know, leave it in a purse, I need another one. I dont feel guilty having to buy more colors because theyre so affordable and just its just a staple in my collection. I wear them all the time theyre. So good Thats a classic like its been around for a long time. For a reason you know, because its better than all the others thats. Why so good? I know so so good Ive got a bundle.
NYX Slim Lip Liner in Nude Beige: A Must-Have
I, like I, I like couldnt, pick one so Ive got my whole bundle of Nyx lip liners. I love this formula. Specifically, they have a formulas, but I specifically, like the slim, lip one. I think its called um Im wearing the shade nude beige, which is probably my top pick um, but I just I collect these, as you can tell, can tell how much you like it. Cuz little nubbin left. Yes, I know this little little one, but I just love it its perfect for for me for like more fair skin tone, especially to have something that just slightly Contours. The lips still looks like your lips, but better its such a great shade. But this formula is fabulous.
NYX Suede Lip Liner: A Different Formula
I could I try that one Im really interested. I have another NX one. I think I have the suede ones yeah its a little bit of a different formula. Well, I love that you have so many colors to choose from its so inexpensive. So if I you know for getet this or you know, leave it in a purse, I need another one. I dont feel guilty having to buy more colors because theyre so affordable and just its just a staple in my collection. I wear them all the time theyre. So good Thats a classic like its been around for a long time. For a reason you know, because its better than all the others thats. Why so good? I know so so good Ive got a bundle.
The Perfect Drugstore Bronzer
It is this one’s better, that one has a little bit more grip to it and it does. The sued ones are a little softer. Oh, that’s nice! I’m going to be nosy and see where this thing made in Germany. I know where that’s made: okay. Okay, save some money, get the drugstore one, because it’s the same as high-end, that’s all I’m going to say.
LOreal Infallible Freshwear Bronzer
Yes, yes, okay, so I have a bronzer for you all. I have the LOreal Infallible Freshwear bronzer. You all this formula. If you’ve not tried it, it is so soft and I hate using the word. Buttery like this is buttery. It really is. It is such a finely milled powder. I wish you guys could reach through the screen and actually touch it, because it’s I mean on your fingers. It feels so smooth it’s almost like creamy way, it’s very silky that’s really beautiful.
Easy to Blend and Flawless
Blends extremely well like if you were to take a brush and just apply it under you know I always do mine kind of under the cheekbones, but it’s just Blends really well. It’s so flawless so easy to work with it’s not too pigmented it’s just the right amount of pigmentation, but the texture especially feels like a high end powder because of how soft and smooth it is it’s gorgeous. I love that one yeah and it has a good shade range as well. If I’m not mistaken, I feel like yeah there’s.
Maybelline Lifter Glosses
They have a color that’s, even lighter than this, which, for me, I’m a heavy-handed bronzer gal and the lighter shade is really great for just layering up on myself. So that’s perfect. I love one a lot, alright. My last product is a gloss also from Maybelline, the lifter glosses. I cannot get enough of specifically the shade gummy bear, it’s like this delicious gummy bear pink. I think they named it perfectly. It basically goes on sheer, well, it will kind of add almost a Milky effect to the lips. I don’t know if that’s like it makes sense. You know what I mean, it kind of just lightens it and it – and it just looks here it is that’s pretty so I got that all over on top of my NYX nude beige lip liner. I love how this just feels balmy. It feels like it’s not too heavy, but it’s going to last that’s. I love it and it also has like hyaluronic acid in here. I find it very hydrating. I love it. It comes in a lot of different colors, but gummy bear is like that’s a perfect color. I love that as soon as I saw that pink there I was like I’m getting that one too yeah it’s oh, no, we’re going to add that to the cart as well. My wallet is hurting.
New Cream Product
The next product I have is a cream, and these are fairly new. So when I saw them I was like…
Milani Cheek Kiss Cream Blushes
Oh, are these going to be okay? Are they going to be, you know too greasy or whatever? These are really good? The Milani cheek kiss the cream blushes Milani does blush products just really well like their bronzers are great.
Their their blushes are really good, but these cream ones, especially it is such a smooth formula that has just the right amount of pigmentation. It Glides really well, it doesnt look overly greasy, but its still going to give you that glowy look to the cheeks.
So I like just taking a beauty blender like this and just applying it here to the cheekbones, and it just gives that Luminosity here that is so flattering just So beautiful and it Blends into the skin its not tacky at all. It just makes my skin look very dewy and fresh its gorgeous yeah.
What color is that thats, the color 110 nude kiss gorgeous? I love it. Ive gotten several colors, but this one I always reach back for because its just a nice natural, cheek, color, yeah, so pretty yeah.
Discovering Affordable Beauty
You talked about, so I’m really happy. We did this video, I think it was the perfect video for us to just geek out about some of these more affordable products that are just so high quality. You wouldn’t even know the difference, honestly, they’re so beautiful. Be sure to check out Marlena’s Channel. I will have everything down below for you, and also don’t forget to enter our giveaway if you want to win an Ulta gift card. Thank you so much for filming with me, it’s been so fun. This is so fun. I love your recommendations.
Affordable vs High-End Makeup
I know you’ve tested a lot of makeup so when you say it’s good, I’m like, “Oh, I’m reading a list I’m going to buy that.” I can’t wait for you to try some of these and I can’t wait to hear what you think. Thank you all so much for watching, I hope you enjoyed today’s video and’ll see you in my next one, love.
Comparing Results
You talked about, so I’m really happy. We did this video, I think it was the perfect video for us to just geek out about some of these more affordable products that are just so high quality. You wouldn’t even know the difference, honestly, they’re so beautiful. Be sure to check out Marlena’s Channel. I will have everything down below for you, and also don’t forget to enter our giveaway if you want to win an Ulta gift card. Thank you so much for filming with me, it’s been so fun. This is so fun.
Excitement Continues
I love your recommendations. I know you’ve tested a lot of makeup so when you say it’s good, I’m like, “Oh, I’m reading a list I’m going to buy that.” I can’t wait for you to try some of these and I can’t wait to hear what you think. Thank you all so much for watching, I hope you enjoyed today’s video and’ll see you in my next one, love.
As we wrap up our discussion on drugstore makeup that outperforms high-end products, the passion and enthusiasm for affordable beauty shine through. Marlena’s expertise and insight have elevated our beauty knowledge, and I am grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with such a powerhouse in the makeup community.
Is that all we have. I know I was ready for you to like keep telling me about products Im like ready to keep learning from. You know all right. You guys. I hope you enjoyed seeing six products from each of us that we feel like are just better than high end. Well, have these link down below for you guys if you havent tried them yet I highly recommend you do Im excited to try out some of these things