If you’re a makeup junkie on a budget, resist your urges to enter Sephora and Robinsons to splurge on expensive products – make drugstores your best friends! And by drugstores, I’m referring to the very reliable (and widely available) Watsons and Guardian.
I often scan through lists of the best drugstore makeup only to be disappointed when I realise that certain products are not available in Singapore. Have you faced a similar problem?
Don’t worry, I’ve got your back. Here’s a list of 10 drugstore makeup must-haves that you can probably find in your nearest shopping mall:
1. Rimmel London Match Perfection Foundation
You’ve probably heard Zoella fawning over Rimmel’s Wake Me Up Foundation, so I’m here to let you know that the Match Perfection Liquid Foundation is its underrated sibling. It is not too thick when you apply it on your face and it stays on all day.
I’ve used this bottle for a year now and there’s still so much left, which means one bottle can last a really long time. It gets bonus points for smelling like honeydew too!
Price: S$21.90 | Available in-stores at Watsons
2. Australis 4-in-1 Concealer Corrector
You read that right — this concealer has not one but four different shades to camouflage your imperfections. Purple fades your dark circles away and green covers up redness.
While the skin-tone concealers were a tad too orange for my liking, the colour correctors were certainly good enough to make this flip kit a must have. An in-built mirror between the two sides is handy for you to ensure your blemishes stay out of sight throughout the day.
Price: S$12.90 | Available in-stores at Watsons
3. Rimmel London Natural Bronzer
Give yourself a natural-looking, sun-kissed glow with this waterproof bronzing powder. It also improves the appearance of an uneven skin tone, something I struggle with.
It has a velvety soft texture and contains SPF15, which protects you from the sunny Singapore weather. The golden tan bronzer can indeed stay put for hours and I like how it gives me a warm complexion that makes my face look more natural and less powdery.
Price: S$7.50 | Available in-stores at Watsons
4. Bourjois Little Round Pot Blush

Apart from looking utterly adorable, this blush offers a soft glow to the cheek. The baked texture transforms into an ultra-fine pressed powder on your cheeks.
There are 12 shades for you to pick from so there is a shade suitable for Singaporeans of every skin tone. It is easy to apply and smells like roses too! With an in-built mirror and brush, it is perfect for touch-ups on the go.
Price: S$20.90 | Available in-stores at Watsons
5. Rimmel Magnif’eyes Shadow

Get your hands on this eye contour palette with a duo applicator and integrated mirror. Create multiple eye looks and eye-shapes with a lovely mix of eight high-shimmer and matte shades.
It claims to be crease-proof and smear-proof even without the use of a primer. This will definitely be handy in the sculpting, shading and defining of your eyes.
Price: S$19.90 | Available in-stores at Watsons
6. Maybelline New York The Falsies Push Up Drama

Can we talk about how sleek the design of the mascara is with its metallic red and pink combination? Also, the curved bristles, coupled with a rubbery and bendy brush, is great for lengthening your lashes.
Gigi Hadid’s lashes look flawless here and yours can too!
Price: S$21.90 | Available in-stores at Watsons | Guardian
7. Rimmel Brow This Way Brow Styling Gel
I’ve always used eyebrow crayons and risk overdrawing my brows. While it is certainly more time-consuming than using an eyebrow crayon, using this set definitely makes my eye brow shape look more regular.
The only drawback would be the tiny applicators that gave me a cramp in my hand but that is not an issue if you have your own angled brow brush.
Price: S$12.90 | Available in-stores at Watsons
8. NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream

Whether or not NYX is a drugstore brand is often debated amongst makeup lovers. I would classify NYX as a drugstore brand in Singapore because of its low prices and how you can often find it in random sales in the atriums of shopping centres.
Copenhagen is the most popular shade for the NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream. I managed to get my hands on a tube although it is usually sold out.
Celebrity makeup artist, Carola Gonzalez, thinks that it can create a look worthy of a fashion runway and I’d say that NYX’s Soft Matte Lip Cream is perfect for you if you want to achieve the matte look of liquid lipsticks, without experiencing too much dryness.
Price: S$13 | Available at Watsons Sales
9. Essence Long Lasting Velvety Lipstick

I discovered this glorious creation in a drugstore in Germany and was delighted to find the brand in Singapore. It was my go-to lipstick for the whole of last summer because it lasts really well and stays on even after meals, meaning I only had to touch-up once per day.
It is creamy and does not make my lips feel dry. I’d never purchased drugstore makeup before this and I became less doubtful of drugstore makeup because low prices don’t mean low quality all the time!
Price: S$4.90 | Available in-stores at Watsons
10. Maybelline Baby Lips Moisturising Lip Balm

If you prefer a more natural look, you can opt for lip balm instead of lipstick to give your lips an extra shine. Celebrity Sarah Hyland has raved about Maybelline Baby Lips in Peach Kiss, a beautiful neutral colour that is perfect for the perpetual summer in Singapore.
Price: S$9.90 | Available in-stores at Watsons | Guardian
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You now know which brands and products to look out for if you’re shopping for makeup on a budget. Which drugstore makeup products do you swear by? Let me know in the comments below!
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