5 drugstore beauty staples Gen Z is obsessed with (and you can grab nationwide)
5 drugstore beauty staples Gen Z is obsessed with (and you can grab nationwide)
Don't worry—we've done the TikToking for you, so you can head straight to your local drugstore.
Listen, not all heroes wear capes. Some come in plastic tubes and sit quietly on the shelves of your local CVS, Rite-Aid or Walgreens. Gen Z has officially made it clear that you don't need to drop $60 at Sephora to glow like you were born under a ring light. TikTok has become the new beauty bible, and its disciples are heading straight to the drugstore aisles to scoop up surprisingly effective, budget-friendly finds that seriously deliver.
From balms that double as highlighter to mascaras that actually do what they promise, these products aren't just affordable—they're iconic. This generation of beauty experts aren't here for fluff, and their no-nonsense approach to beauty means they're reviving classics and reimagining their use in innovative and unexpected ways. Press-on nails are having a full-blown comeback. Vaseline is suddenly... sexy (and the key ingredient in slugging). The drugstore beauty aisle is the new frontier, and it's stacked with heavy hitters.
So, whether you're a beauty minimalist, a budgeting college student or just love a good dupe, here are five tried-and-true beauty MVPs that Gen Z is currently gatekeeping (but we're spilling the tea anyway).
1. Aquaphor Healing Ointment
Your grandma knew. Your baby cousin probably has some on right now. And Gen Z? They've taken this humble healing balm and given it a full-blown glow-up. Slathered on as the final step in a skincare routine or as an overnight mask (a practice known as 'slugging'), Aquaphor locks in moisture like a dewy force field. But it doesn't stop there—it's also being dabbed on cheekbones as highlighter, used as brow gel, and even tapped onto eyelids for that editorial-glossy finish. The fact that it costs less than a smoothie? Chef's kiss.
2. Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara
If TikTok had a Mount Rushmore of makeup, this mascara would be front and center. Loved for its game-changing length and gravity-defying lift, this drugstore legend delivers fluttery, falsie-like lashes in just a few swipes. The wand is flexible, the formula is buildable and somehow it doesn't smudge or flake—even after a full day of classes, commutes, or crying over your ex's new situationship. It's viral for a reason, and unlike the wishlist of overpriced beauty products we all have in our online carts, it's actually in stock and doesn't even require a shipping fee.
3. Kiss Impress Press-On Manicure
Why spend $70 and two hours at the nail salon when you can get salon-level sets at home in five minutes flat? It is with great pleasure that we are here to announce the resurrection of the humble press-on—and they come in every shade, length and glittery combination your heart could possibly desire. Kiss Impress nails come pre-glued, perfectly shaped in every aesthetic from coquette-core to glazed donut chrome. They last through multiple iced matchas, group chat texting sprees, and yes, even a few chaotic nights out. Hot tip for your tips: always keep a small bottle of nail glue in your bag for emergency glam situations.
4. e.l.f. Power Grip Primer
Say goodbye to makeup meltdowns. This sticky, jelly-textured primer from e.l.f. has gripped the hearts (and faces) of beauty lovers everywhere. It creates a tacky base that holds foundation and concealer in place for hours, while giving your skin that fresh, hydrated look that new-age beauty gurus have trademarked. It's a near-perfect dupe for the cult-favorite Milk Hydro Grip—and it costs about 70% less. Hydrating? Yes. Longwearing? Yes. Budget-friendly? You bet your dewy little cheeks it is.
5. NYX Fat Oil Lip Drip
Gloss is back (I mean, was it really ever out?), and it's glossier than ever. NYX's Fat Oil Lip Drip is the love child of a nourishing lip oil and a juicy gloss, giving you high shine without the stickiness of your early 2000s trauma. Packed with moisturizing oils and coming in a handful of shade options, it delivers that plush, pillowy lip look without breaking the bank. Layer it over liner, swipe it on bare lips and make sure to grab a few to toss one in every bag.
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