News flash! Contrary to what you may have read at the nail salon or in the checkout line, celebrities are not just like us. Last time we checked, we didn't have a private chef, driver, or trainer — although we're totally open to all three — nor do we live in a gated community or vacation on yachts. (Again, we wouldn't mind...) But one way celebrities — even the richest, the most famous, the most successful, and the most otherworldly — actually do seem relatable? They love cheapie beauty scores that actually work.
Yes, even Kylie Jenner hits up her local CVS. Even Beyoncé runs out of shampoo. And when you're filming or singing or appearing in some random corner of the world, drugstores are likely your most reliable bet. What's more, celebrities are surrounded by the absolute best hairstylists and makeup artists in the world. You better believe that crew knows its way around a drugstore aisle.
That's why we're rounding up the products the rich and famous rave about and that we can actually afford. (Important note: None of the products that follow are ones the celebrity is paid to endorse. This is the real deal, people.) So check 'em out in the slides ahead. Yet another reason to frequent the drugstore: You never know who you'll meet in aisle 4.
Olivia Culpo
Photo: KCR/REX/Shutterstock.
Culpo recently chopped her hair into a trendy bob, but the finished product didn't come without some prep. According to Byrdie, hairstylist Justine Marjan used this drugstore staple to prep Culpo's fresh cut, then used some salt spray for a bit of grit before blow drying.
Tresemmé Repair & Protect 7 Pre- Styling Spray, $4.98, available at Walmart.
Naya Rivera
"It's been around forever, but I love it," she told us in an exclusive interview. "It's the only eyeliner I use."
Maybelline Expert Wear Twin Brow & Eye Wood Pencil, $3.45, available at Maybelline.
I am always using those tiny Vaseline pots, which is probably getting out of control because I’m always dipping my fingers in there. And people are probably like, “wow, she really likes smooth lips, huh?”
Vaseline Lip Therapy Original Lip Balm Tin, $3, available at Target.
Young M.A
GNC Aloe Vera Moisturizing Cream
Young M.A recently chatted with Glamour about her seriously simple beauty routine, and revealed she only uses two products. One of them? "I use aloe cream that I get from GNC. Aloe is supposed to be good for you. It's a good dry cream that moisturizes your face, but doesn't leave it oily," the 25-year-old rapper told the publication. Yup, it's a winner.
GNC Aloe Vera Moisturizing Cream, $1.99, available at GNC.
Colton Haynes
Photo: Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock.
When it comes to traveling, the actor-slash-model gets jet-lag just like the rest of us. In fact, Haynes told Teen Vogue he often feels like his face easily shows just how tired he is. His solution: concealer with a side of ChapStick — really. Turns out, he doesn’t use the balm for his chapped lips; he uses it to prime his undereyes before concealer to keep the sensitive skin hydrated and plump. Smart.
ChapStick Classic Original, $1.49, available at ChapStick.
Khloé Kardashian
Photo: Jason LaVeris/Getty Images.
The celeb's makeup artist, Joyce Bonelli, shared on the Kardashian's app the beauty secret we've always wondered: Khloé gets her glow with a drugstore highlighter. "Your highlighter should be a shade lighter than your natural skin tone, and bronzer a shade darker," Bonelli says. For $6, that hardly feels like an extra step.
Makeup Revolution Vivid Baked Highlighters, $6, available at Ulta Beauty.
Khloé is the next Kardashian sister to divulge her affordable picks, including this no-frills dry shampoo. "Old school does it best," she told Health — and we know firsthand she's right. Bonus? This travel size is perfect for tucking away in your bag. Amen, KoKo.
Psssst! Travel Size Instant Dry Shampoo Spray, $2.99, available at Ulta Beauty.
Zendaya
Photo: Krista Kennell/Getty Images.
A multi-purpose product is major for any low-maintenance person, but for a jet-setting celebrity, it's especially important. Zendaya told Allure that her plush lips and smooth feet are thanks to this classic. "Before I go to bed, I rub some of the magic on my heels to keep them soft," she said. "It moisturizes my lips at all times and looks like clear gloss." She even swears the stuff works as highlighter primer. Who knew?
Aquaphor Advanced Therapy Healing Ointment, $12.83, available at Walmart.
Kylie Jenner
Photo: Gregory Pace/BEI/Shutterstock.
We're no strangers to Kylie Jenner's extensive — and super glam — makeup routine, but we were kind of shocked to hear she had a drugstore must-have: Maybelline's Fit Me Blush. She told Violet Grey that out this power pigment formula is one of her daily go-tos.
Maybelline Fit Me! Blush, $5.99, Ulta Beauty.
It’s hard to beat King Kylie when it comes to an Insta-worthy aesthetic, but luckily for us she spilled her secrets. When getting her makeup done professionally, she told The New York Times that fake lashes are a go-to — specifically Ardell’s Natural Wispies, which are believable, soft, and fluttery.
Ardell Demi Wispies Natural Multipack, $9.99, available at Ulta Beauty.
Photo: JB Lacroix/WireImage.
Amanda Seyfried
Photo: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images.
Amanda Seyfried recently told us that she prefers a rich, gourmand fragrance to satiate her sweet-tooth. But her biggest must-have scent happens to be way more accessible — and affordable. "I love those Yankee candles [in] Buttercream Frosting or Angel Food Cake. I mean, who doesn’t put a vanilla-scented candle out in their kitchen? [Those scents] relate to the child in me, which will live on forever. That's also probably the pregnancy talking; I’ll blame it on that."
Yankee Candle Buttercream Large Jar Candles, $27.99, available at Yankee Candle.
Gigi Hadid
Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images.
In an interview with Allure, Hadid revealed the reason this drugstore scrub has remained a long-standing staple in her beauty routine. "It's been around because it's the best," she said. We love the gentle exfoliator, too — especially because it uses natural powders from the walnut shell, so it's never irritating — but Hadid's stamp of approval definitely serves as a reminder to use it more religiously.
St Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub, $3.49, available at Target.
Kendall Jenner
Photo: Jason LaVeris/Getty Images.
Yesterday, if you had told us that shiny-haired Kendall Jenner's favorite shampoo is under four dollars, we would have laughed. But it turns out the joke's on us because she recently told Allure, "Kim likes Finesse shampoo, and now so do I. I’ve tried all the expensive things, too. It just works for my hair and makes it so silky." BRB — running out to pick up this old-school classic now.
Finesse Moisturizing Shampoo, $3.69, available at Target.
Beyoncé
Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage.
Back in 2011, when Beyoncé was rising to her Queen B status, she told Allure that this product is a must-have. “I wear it with my lipstick. I did this trick last summer, when I was on vacation: I used it to prime my lashes before curling. It was like a natural mascara. It made the lashes hold the curl and look shiny. I use it for everything!” In that case, point us in the nearest direction to buy this magic in a tin, stat.
Smith’s Rosebud Salve, $6, available at Sephora.
Selena Gomez
Photo: Denise Truscello/Getty Images.
Gomez saves a few bucks on beauty favorites from time to time, including this standout shaving cream. She told Into The Gloss that she uses this formula because "it isn't too thick" — and we agree.
EOS Shave Cream in Lavender Jasmine, $3.99, available at Ulta Beauty.
Kim Kardashian
Photo: Mike Marsland/WireImage.
Kim’s beauty routine comes with a hefty price tag; happily, we can all afford the facial wipes she stands by. She’s even Snapchatted her morning routine and these double-duty towelettes made an appearance. “But 1st I scrub with these wipes! #obsessed,” she captioned the snap.
Kiko Pure Clean Scrub & Peel, $9, available at Kiko.
Zoe Saldana
Photo: Mindy Small/FilmMagic/ Getty Images.
This gentle drugstore cleanser is Zoe’s everyday staple. “My skin’s not very sensitive," she told us. "But because I travel so much, it sometimes reacts to the change in environments.”
Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion, $13.99, available at Ulta Beauty.
Eva Mendes
Photo: Angela Weiss/Getty Image.
“Those are amazing drugstore buys!” Eva told us about the Queen Helene face masks. “You know, when I am shooting in the middle of nowhere you can always find a drugstore...and those are great to get.” With 11 types of masks in the range, these picks are seriously #key.
Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque, $3.99, available at Walgreens.
Lupita Nyong'o
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images.
The award-winning actress told InStyle that for her, nothing works better than avocado oil. “This is what I use to wash off my makeup,” she said. “It's gentle and natural, and my skin tends to be pretty dry, so I need the extra oil.”
Now Solutions Avocado Oil, $7.69, available at GNC.
Anna Kendrick
Photo: Robin Marchant/Getty Images.
One of Anna's top picks is a throwback some of us can appreciate — hello, annoying razor burn — especially if we want silky skin. "If you're not using Intuition razors, you're wasting everybody's time," she told The New York Times. "Whenever I hear someone is still using a separate shave gel, it's like hearing they still use dial-up internet.” (For the record, the Intuition has a built-in shaving-cream cartridge.)
Schick Intuition Sensitive Care with Natural Aloe Women’s Razor, $9.97, available at Walmart.
Shay Mitchell
Photo: George Pimentel/WireImage.
This badass actress tends to keep her makeup light and fresh. She told Teen Vogue: “In the morning, I only use CoverGirl Lash Blast (I purchase 10 at a time in case they discontinue!). It just works really well.”
CoverGirl LashBlast Volume Mascara, $8.99, available at Ulta Beauty.
Mindy Kaling
Photo: Jerod Harris/WireImage.
"It’s the greatest texture and evens your lip tone, so any lipstick looks perfect over it. I have like 30 shades of brown and pink in my natural lips. It’s maddening. This is super-helpful,” Mindy posted on Li.st. So basically, she's giving us BFF-worthy tips — because if we met in real life, we'd obviously be BFFs.
CoverGirl LipLiner in Sublime, $7, available at Drugstore.com.
It seems as though this product has a lot of fans among the celebrity community. Joining Zoe, Mindy told us she loves Cetaphil, too — she even called it her “old faithful” cleanser. Although for her, it's not just a cleanser. “I use it to loosen up my makeup," she said.
Cetaphil Cleanser, $14.49, available at Ulta Beauty.
Emma Watson
Photo: Karwai Tang/WireImage.
“A makeup artist I met recently used a nude pencil around my lips to give them a perfect outline that’s not as obvious as a red liner,” Emma told Marie Claire a couple years back.
L’Oreal Colour Riche Anti-Feathering Lip Liner & Sharpener Pencil, $8.29, available at Walgreens.
Olivia Wilde
Photo: Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images.
Olivia swears by this true-blue winner. “I’ve been using the same hippie shit my whole life,” she told Byrdie. “It’s the greatest! You can even use it in your hair when you go camping.”
Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Soap, $16.29, available at Target.
Viola Davis
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images.
Viola is a self-proclaimed skin-care and makeup obsessive. And she swears by Vaseline. She told Elle that she dabs it under her eyes to blur wrinkles and fine lines.
Vaseline 100% Pure Petroleum Jelly, $4.17, available at Walmart.
Lucy Hale
Photo: George Pimentel/WireImage.
“At the end of a long day, wiping my makeup off and feeling so clean, it’s the best feeling in the world,” Lucy told Into the Gloss. She praised the wipes' ability to “take everything off without irritating [my skin]."
Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes, $8.99, available at Ulta Beauty.
Laverne Cox
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images.
It's certainly not an easy task to find an SPF that works for you, but Laverne has it on lock. She told InStyle that she swears by this non-greasy face and body sunscreen.
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 55, $11.99, available at Ulta Beauty.
Easy to use, matte, and hydrating? Sign us up. As she told InStyle, Laverne credits her your-lips-but-better look to this chubby balm.
Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm in Sultry, $9.49, available at Ulta Beauty.
Jessica Alba
Photo: Gary Gershoff/WireImage.
You're not the only one who's been strangely tantalized by As Seen On TV beauty scores. Jessica told Into the Gloss that she lives for the Turbie Twist. "It’s the greatest thing in the world," she raved. "It’s like a towel that you pull your hair up in after the shower."
The Original Turbie Twist Super-Absorbent Hair Towel, $9.99, available at Bed Bath & Beyond.
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