Okay so.

I was doom-scrolling Instagram at 2am (don't judge) when I stumbled across this makeup artist doing Zendaya's makeup. And she casually mentioned using a $7 drugstore primer.

Wait. What?

I literally paused the video and replayed it three times. These are the people who have access to EVERYTHING. The fancy stuff. The $200 serums. The products we can't even pronounce.

And they're reaching for... Maybelline?

Naturally, I fell down a rabbit hole. Turns out, celebrity makeup artists have been hiding their drugstore beauty obsessions in plain sight. And honestly? I'm kind of annoyed nobody told us sooner.

The $4 Mascara That Lives in Every Pro Kit

Here's the thing about expensive mascara - it's basically the same formula as drugstore versions.

I know. Shocking.

Mario Dedivanovic (you know, Kim K's makeup artist) has literally said he keeps L'Oréal Voluminous in his kit. The original one. The pink and green tube your mom probably used in the 90s.

It's like $5.99.

And apparently, it's the secret behind those impossibly long lashes we see on red carpets. The formula is wet enough to build but not clumpy. It doesn't flake after six hours under hot lights.

I grabbed one last week and... yeah. I get it now. My lashes looked almost identical to when I used my $32 Lancôme one. Maybe even better?

Other pros swear by Maybelline Sky High (the pink tube everyone's obsessed with). It's everywhere for a reason. If you want even more options, check out the best mascaras under $10 that actually perform.

The Concealer Trick They Use on Literally Everyone

So this one made me laugh.

Multiple celebrity makeup artists - we're talking people who work on Beyoncé, Rihanna, all of them - use Maybelline Instant Age Rewind under eyes.

You know that weird sponge applicator everyone complained about? Turns out it's actually genius for applying product without disturbing the skin. Who knew.

The shade range is incredible. It's like $8. And it doesn't crease, which is apparently the biggest issue with expensive concealers once you're under studio lighting.

Here's what they do: Apply it in a triangle shape under the eye (not just the dark circles), blend with a damp sponge, set lightly with powder. That's it. That's the professional concealer technique we've been trying to decode.

I've been doing this for two weeks and people keep asking if I got more sleep. I haven't. I'm still a mess. But my under-eyes look incredible.

The Foundation Base Nobody Talks About

Okay this one's wild.

You know how celebrity skin looks absolutely perfect? Like airbrushed but somehow still real?

A bunch of that comes down to primer. And the primer a ton of pros use is... NYX Angel Veil.

It's $16 at Target.

The texture is this weird silky thing that fills in pores and fine lines. It makes foundation glide on instead of catching on dry patches. And it keeps everything in place for hours without that heavy, cakey feeling.

I was skeptical because I've tried SO many primers. But this one is different. My foundation looked smooth for like eight hours. Even my T-zone stayed matte.

Another favorite? The Ordinary's High-Adherence Silicone Primer for $4.90. Literally under five dollars and makeup artists keep it stocked.

The Blush That Photographs Like a Dream

Here's something I learned: expensive blush often looks WORSE in photos.

True story.

The shimmer particles can reflect flash photography and create weird bright spots. So pros reach for matte drugstore formulas that photograph beautifully.

Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso is apparently in every celebrity makeup artist's kit. It's this perfect peachy-pink that works on basically every skin tone. The formula blends like butter. And it's $9.

Makeup artist Mary Phillips (who does Hailey Bieber's makeup) has posted about using Milani products. Speaking of Hailey, if you're into that glazed donut skin look, drugstore products can totally get you there.

I bought three shades. They're genuinely better than my $38 Nars blush. The pigmentation is buildable, they last all day, and they look natural instead of clownish.

The Lip Combo Everyone's Copying

This trend started with celebrity makeup artists and now it's everywhere.

The trick? Layer drugstore lip products to create custom colors that look expensive and last forever.

Here's the formula pros use:

1. NYX Slim Lip Pencil to line and fill entire lips ($3.50)

2. Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink on top ($9.99)

3. Clear gloss in the center for dimension

The pencil creates a base that keeps everything in place. The liquid lipstick adds intense color that won't budge. The gloss makes it look fresh instead of dry.

I tried this combo for a wedding and my lipstick literally survived dinner, drinks, and making out with my boyfriend. Still perfect. Honestly kind of scary how well it worked.

The Setting Spray Secret

Want to know something funny?

That $38 Urban Decay All Nighter setting spray everyone swears by? Celebrity makeup artists say the NYX Setting Spray ($8) works almost identically.

The key is the application technique, not the price tag.

Hold it 8-10 inches from your face. Spray in an X pattern, then a T pattern. Let it dry completely before touching your face. That's what keeps makeup locked in place for 12+ hours.

I've been using the NYX one for a month and my makeup genuinely lasts longer than it did with expensive sprays. My foundation doesn't break down. My blush doesn't fade. It just... stays.

The Real Tea on Drugstore vs. High-End

So here's what I've learned from talking to makeup artists and testing everything myself.

Drugstore products are GOOD now. Like genuinely good. The formulas have improved dramatically in the past few years. Some are identical to high-end versions because they're made in the same factories.

Where drugstore wins: Mascara, eyeliner, lip products, setting spray, primers. The formulas are comparable and sometimes better.

Where high-end might be worth it: Foundation (better shade ranges), certain eyeshadow palettes (more complex formulas), skincare (higher concentrations of actives).

But honestly? If celebrity makeup artists - literal professionals whose job depends on perfect makeup - are using drugstore products, we should probably trust them.

My Drugstore Kit Based on Pro Recommendations

After trying everything, here's what I keep stocked:

- L'Oréal Voluminous Mascara ($5.99)

- Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer ($7.98)

- NYX Angel Veil Primer ($16)

- Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso ($8.99)

- Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink ($9.99)

- NYX Setting Spray ($7.99)

- Wet n Wild MegaGlo Highlighter ($4.99)

Total cost: Around $62

That's less than ONE high-end foundation. And this is literally a full face of products that celebrity makeup artists actually use.

The makeup artist who does makeup for the Met Gala? She's mentioned using several of these. If you're curious about recreating those Met Gala beauty looks, drugstore dupes exist for almost everything.

Why This Actually Makes Sense

Think about it.

Celebrity makeup artists work with hundreds of clients. They can't afford to stock their kits with only $50+ products. They need things that work consistently, are easy to replace, and won't break the bank when they run out.

Plus, they're testing products constantly. If a $6 mascara performs better than a $30 one, they're going to use the $6 one. Their reputation depends on results, not price tags.

And here's the really interesting part - a lot of drugstore brands are owned by the same parent companies as luxury brands. L'Oréal owns Lancôme, YSL, and Urban Decay. They're literally using similar technology and formulas across price points.

We've been conditioned to think expensive = better. But in makeup, that's not always true.

The One Thing That Actually Matters

You know what celebrity makeup artists say is MORE important than the products?

Skincare.

Seriously. Every single one I've talked to or heard from says the same thing. Good skincare creates the perfect canvas. Makeup just enhances it.

They'd rather have someone with a solid glass skin routine using drugstore makeup than someone with bad skin using luxury products.

So before you drop $200 at Sephora, maybe invest in a good cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen. The makeup will look better on healthy skin regardless of the price.

Also? Proper sunscreen application under makeup is non-negotiable. Every pro says this.

What I'm Doing Differently Now

I've completely changed how I shop for makeup.

Instead of assuming expensive is better, I check what pros actually use. I read ingredient lists. I watch tutorials from actual celebrity makeup artists instead of influencers trying to sell me stuff.

My makeup looks better than ever and I'm spending WAY less money.

Is everything in my collection drugstore now? No. I still love my fancy foundation because I haven't found a drugstore match for my weird skin tone. But probably 70% of my everyday products are under $15.

And honestly? Nobody can tell the difference.

My makeup looks exactly the same as when I was using all high-end products. Maybe even better because I'm not stressed about using expensive products sparingly. I can actually enjoy them.

The Bottom Line

Celebrity makeup artists have been trying to tell us this for years.

Good makeup isn't about the price tag. It's about finding products that work for YOUR skin, YOUR lifestyle, YOUR budget. And a lot of those products are sitting at Target right now for under $10.

So maybe stop stressing about affording the latest $68 foundation.

Grab the $12 version that literally the same makeup artist who did Zendaya's Met Gala look uses. Your wallet will thank you. And your makeup will look incredible.

Trust me on this one.

Or better yet - trust the professionals who literally do this for a living. They're shopping at CVS just like us.