April Contest: Drugstore Diva Milani Makeup Party...

Are you a Drugstore Diva??  Do you love makeup??  If those two statements are true then do I have a contest for you!  As I told you last week, Milani Cosmetics has partnered with TheMakeupGirl to give away full sets of their latest collection to 5 lucky readers so you can be decked from your lashes to your lips and everything in-between for the upcoming summer party season!

Criteria:

In the comments section of THIS POST, tell me why you are a Drugstore Diva!  Do you mix and match high end with drugstore brands?  How do you do it?  What was one of the best Drugstore looks, be creative ladies spill it!!   

Official Rules:

If you are in my family or you are in my phone book you cannot enter (sorry...but I have to be fair), Make certain you include your e-mail address with your entry so I will know how to contact you!  The contest will end at 5pm EST on Wednesday April 30th.  The winners will be announced on Friday May 2nd.

Win Pretty!!

Comments

[Heather]

Yes! I am a drugstore diva for sure. I swear by my MAC eye shadow but I go drugstore for foundation (Loreal), concealer (Maybelline), the mascara in the little pink bottle is the best ever made IMO (Maybelline) and the cheap lip liners ($.99) work just as good as any $20 lip liner! And a light dusting of baby powder works just as good as any fancy setting powder I have tried!

[Lydia]

I am drugstore diva because I love to make makeup looks from drugstore products. I find that some of them are as good or better than the high end brands! I love to mix and match them together! Thanks for this awesome contest... I love your blog!

[Huguette E.]

I am a drugstore diva because I love to get afforable makeup. However if there is a good recommendation online or something for a problem area, like concealer, I'll go high end shopping ♥

[Laura G]

Expensive brands are great, but lets face it...not all women can afford to spend hundreds on their usual makeup regime. Sure, the most expensive products last longer and are higher quality pigments, but for everyday wear I feel like with a little digging, every woman can find suitable makeup at the drug store. With pricey products, you are not able to experiment as much as you can with inexpensive ones. Therefore I can find the best products for my coloring and skin with less monetary loss.

[Shayela]

Drugstore diva? I'd say so. When it comes to what goes directly on my face (moisturizer, foundation, or powder), I have to splurge. But honestly my only reliable eyeliner is Milani's retractable black! As a student, I can't afford to buy everything out of the drugstore.

[Joan C]

Drugstore Diva? Well, this week I bought Maybelline mascara (the only brand I use for mascara) at Wall Mart and Sonia Kashuk lipstick and eyebrow pencil at Target..not just because it is cheap but because it's good. I also bought Kanebo cleanser, which is a very expensive Japanese brand. My thinking is that you only have to use so little of the cleanser that the price actually is not so much, (it lasts a year). So , I guess, it's not the price but the quality of the product that prompts the choice!

[Arika]

I am THE drugstore diva. I love mixing and matching. No one can make skin care and foundation like Clinique, so gentle on the skin but I've never found a bronzer that stood up to affordable drugstore brands! Plus I pretty much have to have drugstore eyeliner in my purse, makeup bag, and work locker!

[Hazel]

I choose to be a drugstore diva because it is fun and awesome! Getting makeup from dugstores instead of department stores lets me play around with all kinds of crazy colors with out worrying that they might not work for me. The price is low enough that it doesn't matter if I only use the product once. I also lets me use the colors I like anytime I feel like it rather than save them for nice occasions.

[Jennie]

I'm a drugstore diva because I love to experiment with crazy colors and love not having to spend hundreds on it! My fav line right now is Revlon because they're eyeshadows works well on my oily lids. I only splurge on skincare stuff since I have sensitive skin. Milani isn't available in Canada so I hope to get a chance to try it out soon!

[kara]

i am a TOTAL DRUGSTORE DIVA! if you look at my blog, in my 'mission statement' (LOL) i say how i'm an equal opportunity product employer- i'll use the best of the best whether it's $2.99 or $200.99! i love to mix and match high end with low end makeup, i mean, you have to choose smartly about what you buy when you're on a budget, and why pay more for a product you can get something cheaper that delivers just as well? i'll rock some MAC eye shadow with some Rimmel eyeliner, MAC lipstick with some Wet'n'Wild gloss, and Cover Girl mascara with some Sally Hansen nail polish! when i wash my hair, i use Suave Daily Clarifying Shampoo (around $1!!!) followed up by some Kerastase Masquintense Deep Conditioner! i really love love LOVE Milani makeup (just bought the new POWER LASH mascara today!) and would love to win this. good luck to everyone and thanks for this great contest!

[kara]

i am a TOTAL DRUGSTORE DIVA! if you look at my blog, in my 'mission statement' (LOL) i say how i'm an equal opportunity product employer- i'll use the best of the best whether it's $2.99 or $200.99! i love to mix and match high end with low end makeup, i mean, you have to choose smartly about what you buy when you're on a budget, and why pay more for a product you can get something cheaper that delivers just as well? i'll rock some MAC eye shadow with some Rimmel eyeliner, MAC lipstick with some Wet'n'Wild gloss, and Cover Girl mascara with some Sally Hansen nail polish! when i wash my hair, i use Suave Daily Clarifying Shampoo (around $1!!!) followed up by some Kerastase Masquintense Deep Conditioner! i really love love LOVE Milani makeup (just bought the new POWER LASH mascara today!) and would love to win this. good luck to everyone and thanks for this great contest!

[Misti]

I mix drugstore and designer make-up like a champ!! MAC with Covergirl? No problem! Milani with NARS? Absolutely!

What a great contest!!

[Bunny]

Drugstore Diva - that would be me! I enjoy buying affordable makeup, plus it works just as good. I swear by my L'oreal Lipstick, Maybelline Mascara, Revlon Eyeliner, Wet'n'Wild Lippy. But I love my Benefit Eyeshadow and Blusher. Thanks!

[Quynh]

Even though I started out using high-end stuff, I have been trying to get into low-end stuff. I've been wanting to try stuff like Milani and NYX but I haven't been able to get off my high train so winning this would be an awesome introduction to drugstore products for me.

[Laddie]

Definitely a drugstore diva here! I love buying my cosmetics from the drugstore counter because I don't feel ashamed of trying everything first. I mix them up with my pricey makeup and the result is a million-dollar look! I love anything from Maybelline and e.l.f. :)

[Marsha]

I love my Bare Essentials, but nothing beats Maybelline for my eyes and L'Oreal for my lips.

[Cordelia]

I mix and match all the time, but my first love is drugstore brands because I can experiment freely without ending up with some horrible $40 lipstick that I feel guilty about never using.

I love Milani and NYX especially for their innovative products and awesome color ranges. NYX has stoked my glittery-eyeliner addiction, especially. I do a lot of bold eyes using NYX products - golds, greens and blues, since my hair is green right now. Although I like to occasionally do an orange and gray eye with an orange glitter liner - it goes better with the hair than you'd expect.

[Zara]

I am a small town girl with a small income so I am definitely a Drugstore Diva. L'Oreal and Rimmel cosmetics are my usual purchases.

[Nevin]

I am most definitely a drugstore diva. Here's why:

a)ms. money bags is not one of my nicknames

b)I continually find drugstore items that are 100 times better than their high-end counterparts

c)because of the lower prices, I can buy more!

d)drugstores continually have buy one, get one free deals (and if you've got coupons, which you know I do, then you can get these at an even better price! I've even gotten some stuff for free before!)

Some of my faves right now are:

CoverGirl LashBlast mascara

Wet'n'Wild eyeshadow palettes -all of them (Rite Aid has WnW products for 99cents each right now, and they have this deal every couple months) The quality of these shadows in unbeatable.

Rimmel Vinyl Lip Gloss (especially in Snog & Eastend Snob)

Loreal HIP lipstick in Moxie

My favorite look would be a combination of the above products, and too many more to list.

Now there are two high-end products that I love and always purchase:

Lancome BiFacil Eye Makeup Remover
and
MAC Viva Glam V Lipglass

Thanks so much for the giveaway! It's great of you! and sorry you're having a bad day! Mariah's definitely the one to listen to for days like that....take care!

[Janet]

Well, I'm not a Drugstore Diva... yet! The first time I purchased makeup was a couple of months ago. I walked into a Merle Norman store and said, Help! I have interviews in a week! Although I did purchase a minimal amount of makeup there, I was appalled at the price I had to pay (I am a student, so non-essentials over $20 make me cringe). Since then, I've been wandering the drugstore aisles for good quality makeup at a better price. My newest acquisition is Rimmel's Smoky Brun ColorRush Quad. It was love at first sight - anything that reminds me of dark chocolate merits instant and serious consideration. I tried it out for the first time today, and the pigmentation and staying power are most impressive. Milani is not available in Canada, but I would love the opportunity to experiment with this line. In any case, I will continue my quest for more for less!

[Stephanie]

I am a drugstore diva!!! I mean who doesn't want good deals yet good quality makeup? I do own both types of makeup (both drugstore and higher end ones like MAC). I've been in love with NYX eyeshadows but some of them (the neutral ones) don't show quite well, so I always pair them with other colour from MAC! I honestly don't use foundation, but I use concealer and my favorite one is Revlon's age defying concealer! I've bought 2 Milano's wet/dry eyeshadows lately and a fellow blogger from the states (Vanessa) got them for me since Canada doesn't have Milani (hint hint! Milani should expand to Canada!!), so it'd be really nice if I can win this contest so I can get more of these products when I make a trip to the states!!

[JennBee]

100% Drugstore Diva here! I have a whole blog dedicated to it. :) I scour drugstores every week to look for new products, and am obsessed with finding the best deals, clearances and sales! CVS and Walgreens are my favorites, but ULTA is great as well for good buys. I love trying anything affordable, and have found that my favorite finds are always the drugstore ones. I do own some high-end makeup - a few MAC products and such - but have found the drugstore equivalents to be just as good. Why spend the extra money for much less product?

My favorites are most of the L'Oreal HIP line - bright, fun shadows and beautiful glosses that are a great comparison to MAC - Milani, NYC, NYX... and I also enjoy Covergirl, Maybelline, Revlon, whatever. Sally Hansen is probably my FAVORITE brand for everything, from lip treatments to nail products (I owe my fabulous long natural nails to her!) and lip gloss. Wet 'n' Wild also has some amazing makeup that will never break the bank! I adore all of it, and am always excited to try the newest things!

I mix and match all the time; I love wearing my HIP stuff together, which make some awesome, bold looks... but I can't go anywhere without my CoverGirl Lash Blast, my Sally Hansen lip plumper, Neutrogena balm, and Wet 'n' Wild shadow palettes. And I must wear my CoverGirl TruBlend foundation - it's the ONLY liquid foundation I've tried that matches my fair skin perfectly! No high-end brand has come close... I actually ditched my Laura Mercier because of it!

In short, I'll always be a drugstore diva. It's an unstoppable addiction. But at least I'll always save money. ;)

Finally, I love this blog & contest because Milani products are actually hard to find here where I live, and it would be a dream to win some! Thanks so much. :)

[AAJ]

Oh yaaah!!
Definitely a drugstore diva!
Its all about mixing your beauty products in a way where ppl will think each and everything you have used is high-end..!!
honestly..why waste tons of $$$ on stuff you can get in CVS..walgreens etc...i am alwaaays on the lookout for deals at drugstores..!
For eyeshadows i guess the best out there would be FOR SURE MILANI..and then LOREAL HIP...Milani has EXACT DUPES of MAC e/s..but at 1/4th of the price!! love the creeeamy smooth milani e/s...same goes for loreal..though they don't have dupes for MAc e/s..(sadly)..even their products are pretty creamy..! :)

then for lip products..i loooove Milani lipliners..and for lipsticks etc..i looove LOREAL once again!! :)

its all about mixing things up..and pulling everything off in the classiest of ways..that is what makes a true drugstore diva! lolZ!!! :)

[AAJ]

Oh yaaah!!
Definitely a drugstore diva!
Its all about mixing your beauty products in a way where ppl will think each and everything you have used is high-end..!!
honestly..why waste tons of $$$ on stuff you can get in CVS..walgreens etc...i am alwaaays on the lookout for deals at drugstores..!
For eyeshadows i guess the best out there would be FOR SURE MILANI..and then LOREAL HIP...Milani has EXACT DUPES of MAC e/s..but at 1/4th of the price!! love the creeeamy smooth milani e/s...same goes for loreal..though they don't have dupes for MAc e/s..(sadly)..even their products are pretty creamy..! :)

then for lip products..i loooove Milani lipliners..and for lipsticks etc..i looove LOREAL once again!! :)

its all about mixing things up..and pulling everything off in the classiest of ways..that is what makes a true drugstore diva! lolZ!!! :)

[Claudia]

I'm absolutely a drugstore diva! My favorite concealer is by L'oreal, and Jane makes some of my favorite liquid eyeliner. Finding something gorgeous and cheap at my local Walgreens makes my day, and weekly BOGO specials make my heart race! My Wet 'n Wilds are nestled in the same drawer as my MACs and Chanels, and they all get along fine. :-)

[Joyce]

tell me why you are a Drugstore Diva!

I'm a Halifax University student, and I'm a Drugstore Diva simply because I have no other option ;) Of course, living on a budget doesn't mean I have to look like I do; knowing the drugstores with the best cosmeticians and the best range of collections means that I always know where to go to find what I'm looking for and the best deals - so my budget goes even further! Sure, I may not have all the big name brands and I only get to visit a 'real' makeup store about twice a year, but I can still pull off all the latest looks and faces, and save money doing it!

[Johannah B]

I can get the look I want for the price I want at the Drugstore --- and save all that extra cash for other fun things!! I do not use makeup from anywhere but the local drugstores!! L'Oreal is my favorite, but I use stuff by every drugstore brand!!

[Emily]

My fabulous mug is right next to Drugstore Diva. I have the coupons, the Wal-green buy one get one free, the cheapest way to do it right down to an art.

Because I am day glow (yes, I'm a pastey white girl) I often have to play laboratory in my bathroom mixing Max Factor make-up stick with Maybelline Dream Matte Mouse to get my perfect lucious pastey white foundation, juuust enough to make it look like a tan.

My favorite thing to do?? Mix a little bit (I said a little bit) of Milani lip gloss and cayenne pepper to make my lips plumper without the price tag, and it adds just a HINT of color! Just be careful and wash your hands several times before you touch anything. I learned the hard way. I spent the rest of the day convincing the coworkers that I didn't have pink-eye, that I was just stupid!

[Phyllis]

I am a late bloomer in the world of drugstore makeup. I exclusively used designer makeup and department store brands for years and years. Then came my job lay-off and suddenly it was sink or swim at my local drugstore makeup aisle or go nude face!!!! Thank God for websites like yours which review drugstore essentials because slowly but surely I am morphing into a diva of the drugstore variety. Well, almost..I only bought the necessities for awhile like Natural hue foundation from the Queen Collection of Covergirl and Almay and Maybelline mascara and Milani eyeshadows.

But now that I am employed again, I am able to buy some of the department store/designer brands like Lancome,MAC , Bobbi Brown (love the concealer kit with powder which I even buy from ebay LOL) along with tons of drugstores great buys and not so great duds. I'm so glad I found your site for some guidance and hope I win some products!

[blackberry]

Yes, I am a drugstore diva!
Why? Because I get bonus points, excellent updates and advice from staff and can try nearly everything before buying, without sales pressure.
Probably 80-90% of my beauty purchases are made at the drugstore. From hair care products to pedicure supplies, there are offerings for different budgets, and plenty of green or scent- free or hypoallergenic options to choose from.
Shopping at a drugstore for skin care products
gives me a range of options and a steady supply of favorites. New lines are introduced frequently, usually with an initial discount.
Staff can offer firsthand accounts from a level perspective, since they are usually enthusiastic tryers themselves and don't have an exclusive line to promote.
Another person's point of view is a great way to update your daily 'look', and eye and lip liners are too affordable not to buy a bundle.
Once I got over the sales clerk's hair, she had good skin care ideas, and I learned a lot about exfoliating. Her skin looks perfect, and she started with skin like mine, so...
It's great to be able to purchase the perfect blush or lipstick at a high- end counter in the mall, and bronzers are so exact they take time and effort to match. Might as well call it a day, with lunch and a new pair of jeans.
But essentials like shampoo, moisturizer and brushes are easily chosen at a drug chain, can be returned without hassle and are literally around the corner. Call me a fan!

[Sam Hardin]

When you think of good makeup you think of MAC or Bobbi Brown...the list goes on but I have tried almost every kind of make up in my town from drugstore brands to exspensive brands like MAC. Mixing and matching is every girls own talent but most people dont mix and match extream colors like me. Today I have a sparkle green feathered out in the inner corner of my eyes fallowed by a gold with a peach highlight in the center with purple liquid eyeliner wipped out to creat a cat eye affect. I owe the look i have today to five brands of makeup MAC, Lancome, Covergirl, Maybelline, and L'oreal. mixing makeup allows the different brands to mix and give you a long lasting look!

[Sharon]

I always mixed drugstore products with high end labels. I love Maybeline and l'oreal lipglosses. I always buy my chapstick at the drugstore. It hydrates my lips better than Mac or other expensive brand. I've been using olay cream for several years and it doesn't cause any breakouts like Biotherme, La Mer or other similar products.I've tried them. Maybeline mascara is awsome.

[Megan Murray]

Why am I a drugstore Diva?
That is the easiest question I have had to answer today. I am a drugstore Diva because price isn't always and indicator of quality. My Milani Glow Natural foundation gives me an airbrushed look that rivals any expensive foundation I have bought. People don't know that I spent 10 dollar on my foundation, they only know that I look like a million dollars.
Being a Drugstore Diva allows me to experiment with the newest looks without breaking the bank. I can rock the newest colors and looks, and change as fast as fashion does!

[KarinA.]

I mix Estee Lauder Lash XL mascara,Clinique High Impact Eyeshadow and Elizabeth Arden Color Intrigue Blush with L'Oreal True Match Foundation,L'Oreal Infallible Lipcolour and Max Factor Eyeliner.So I guess you could say I am split down the middle!

[Jo-Anne Madsen]

You definitely have a drugstore diva in me. The drugstores I go to carry some of the quality brands but mixed within you have your fun finds that can make my makeup a bit more unique and quirky - love browsing the drugstore makeup aisles!

[Rebecca]

Why am I a drugstore Diva? I think that it's because i'm the best as mixing high end makeup with drugstore goodies to come out with a flawless final product. I use maybelline define-a-lash paired with dior show mascara for a dramtic look. I use both bare essential powder foundation and maybelline highlighter on my face. Too faced limp plumper and cover girl lipsticks make my look complete. And then if i'm feeling particularly dramatic, I layer Mac pigments with NYX shadows for the perfect going out face!

[Kandice]

Pro Drugstore Diva here! I do love certain "high end" brands but I've found some wonderful drugstore goodies that can give them a run for their money. In my opinion, Diorshow mascara ain't got nothin' on Cover Girl Lash Blast. NYX pigments and eyeshadow are every bit as good as MAC. I love to mix and match drugstore and department store makeup to create a look that's right for me and my budget. There's no shame in my game.

[Ro]

I'm a mixture of both - a drugstore diva and high-end lover. My absolute favorite of the drugstore brands is without a doubt - Milani! There shadows are second to none in quality, pigmentation, blendability ... I just really love them. I've also enjoyed their cream-to-powder foundations, their tinited moisturizers, and lip products. One request though: Milani, PLEASE BRING BACK YOUR SINGLE EYESHADOWS IN A POT COMPACT!!! I miss those sooooooo much! Great contest, and thanks for letting us enter!
skincarequeen9@hotmail.com

[Sophie Louise]

Oh my goodness, I am the epitome of a drugstore diva! All of the makeup artists in my local Shoppers Drug Mart know me because I am in there literally 4, 5 times I week when I'm at home to stock up! I am a fashion student and live abroad to study but the second I'm back in Canada I'm at the drugstore and I love it because the assistants remember me even when i've been gone 3,4 months! When I'm on vacation in the states I live in Walgreens!
My one big weakness is Benefit, and when I was working I splurged bigtime, but now I'm enjoying mixing and matching - I love being able to get 5 or 6 things for the cost of one more expensive thing.

Today I am wearing Maybelline foundation (The new superstay silky, which I was a bit hesitant about as I normally pay more for foundation but it actually wears really nicely and was on sale for $10)
Annabelle blush (The best, most vibrant pink blush I have ever found and again it was only $10! Blush is my thing!)
A sweep of '10' by benefit for contouring
Smashbox artificial light for highlight and glow
L'oreal Carbon Black Voluminous mascara (which is fantastic but can get a bit clumpy, so I use a clean mascara brush to run through my lashes)
Maybelline Moisture extreme lipgloss in a fab sparkly baby pink - tastes like watermelon too!

Makeup is by far my biggest expenditure but as a student I am having to cut way back and having a whole new set would be amazing! Milani is not available in Canada (but should be!) but I have been on the website and the sunset duos look right up my street!
Thankyou
:)

[Monica Duffin]

Drugstore Diva & Coupon Cutie...I see so many woman walk up to the counter at local drugstores, prepared to pay full price on cosmetics; and it breaks my heart, it really does. Mainly because I figure if they are buying makeup at a drugstore, they are either on a budget or frugal, AND therefore, they should take full advantage of the coupons, discounts, & rebates that drugstores have to offer. I think a very smart slogan that belongs to one of my FAVORITE shoe stores says, "Why pay more when you can pay less?" I mean..right?
I love shopping at drugstores for makeup and toiletries! Drugstores always have some really great buy one get one free/2-fer deals...not to mention friendly staff that actually takes the time to speak with you not just to make a sale. I mean let's face it TRUE DIVAS want the royalty treatment. LOL! Department stores are a great when you really want to treat yourself, I make it a point to bay myself a really fun and expensive shade of lipstic from department stores every 3 months or so, depending on how well I've done in a quarter with my finances. I mean you can't really beat a nice & expensive lipstick by Chanel, ande I love showing the namebrands off when I'm out with my girls! You know pull out the ole' Chanel lipstick while there's a meeting in the ladies room.
But realistically, you can find your every cosmetic need right there in a drugstore, and it's practical guaranteed practical spending. Now I just have to say...I LOVE Milani, I buy there liquid eyeliner, blush, and lipstick. I appreciate the fact that they are inexpensive and that they don't exclude "Women of Color" from their collection. Well that's all I have to say, and OH! Did I mention that, I AM TRULY THE DRUGSTORE DIVA & COUPON CUTIE?

[julie]

Total Drugstore Diva.... find the look I want in beauty mags by MAC,Brown, etc. and then I go to the drugstore armed with info. I find comprable items that give me the same exact look.

[Elaine Rosser]

I'm a Drugstore Diva because I like to experiment with makeup and drugstore makeup purchases allow you to try out makeup at a minimal cost.

[Anna]

I am a drugstore diva in every sense of the phrase. I absolutely love/ have a slight obsession over Smashbox foundation & primer, Mac fluidline eyeliner, Urban Decay primer potion, and Bobbi Brown buffing grains for face to name a few, but I don't exclusively shop for high-end brands in the least. L'oreal's HIP line is amazing, especially when it becomes BOGO almost every other week. Also, I adore Aveeno for skincare and CVS' in store brand Essence of Beauty for lotions.

[daisy]

I'm totally a drugstore diva and have been all my life! There has never been a time when I could afford to buy expensive products. Some of my favourite products are L'Oreal Voluminous mascara, Rimmel for all the different eyeshadow colours and Maybelline Superstay Silky foundation - it's amazing! I love recreating runway and magazine looks and I think that, as with fashion, it takes far more creativity to put together a high fashion look with drugstore products than to just copy a look product by product. But I do love a Sephora trip to try out all the expensive stuff once in a while!

[Tina B.]

Just like many of the others, I too am a "Drugstore Diva".With the cost of gas and everything else I simply cannot afford high end cosmetics.In my opinion, you are paying for the fancy packaging anyway.I am wearing the L'Oreal Bare Naturale mineral glow now and I love it!Also the Maybelline Lipcolors in the Polished Pink shades are simply gorgeous.

[Michelle Rosborough]

I don't know if I'm a Drugstore Diva but I own more Milani Cosmetics than CVS does.
I think my 18 year old daughter eats it instead of wearing it.

[Deborah]

I love finding beauty bargains. And, the drugstore is one of the best places to find them. Mixing and matching is my cup of tea! I love to play with my makeup.

[Angela]

I am definitely a Drugstore Diva! I sometimes like a different look, and I like to do it cheap! I love CG Queen foundation, Max Factor mascara, and CG lipglosses. I also like NYX line of lipsticks. The only high end products I buy from time to time are moisturizers. But you can't beat Clean & Clear oil-control sheets and I use good old Noxzema (or the store brand) faithfully. I would love to try the Milani products. Thanks!

[Cassie]

I'm definitely a drugstore diva!

I always think of the drugstore as my makeup boutique, and my makeup collection consists mainly of drugstore finds with a few high end splurges(a lot of times for the packaging lol). I've tried all the major brands and my staples are:

Mascara: Max Factor Volume Couture
Foundation: Loreal True Match
Eyeliner: Rimmel or NYX
Eyeshadows: Jane, Revlon, Covergirl, Loreal

I've always wanted to try Milani but the drugstores where I live don't carry the line!

[Zoe]

I live in rural North Carolina so we don't even have MAC makeup around here.I have to order online for such splurges.For the most part,I buy most of my cosmetics from the drugstore.Physicians Formula,Cover Girl,L'Oreal and Revlon are my staples.Recently the local CVS started carrying Milani and I just tried their lip gloss and I loved it!

[i♥makeup]

For me the price tag doesn't matter, being a beauty junkie, I will give anything and everything a fair try. But, honestly when it comes to Milani, their products are simply amazing. Everyone knows that their eyeshadows are clear dupes of M.A.C. But not only are their eyeshadows praise-worthy. Their loose mineral foundation is absolutely amazing. Their lipglosses, eyeliners, mascara, tinted moisturizers and now recently mineralize eye shadows are simply fab. I now work as a make-up artist for cK Calvin Klein Beauty. So to work I'll totally mix and match products from cK, Milani, M.A.C, Covergirl. Anything and everything. My hot hot hot drugstore favorites have to be Milani, Maybelline, L'Oreal, Covergirl, and Revlon. These brands carry products that are sometimes even better than the YSL Liner or the Armani Foundation. Good Luck to everyone entering!!!

[marce]

Hello!!!
First I’ll reply the two questions with one answer…I love all makeup!! That makes me a Makeup Diva! Lol
If you dig through my makeup collection, you can tell that there’s no favourite brand but a mix of drugstore and high end. I have Maybelline, Rimmel London, Natura (Brazilian brand), The Colour Workshop, ChiChi Cosmetics, SugarBaby (Australian drugstore brands), Bloom, Red Earth, L’oreal, Clinique, Lancome, MAC and Givenchy products. I’m in Argentina so there’s not such a big variety as in the US (no Milani here…*sad*)...
I find it’s great to have a mix because you can compare products and eventually save up. I found that Rimmel’s Volume Flash mascara (20 pesos) gave me similar, if not better results than Lancome’s Flextencils (85 pesos). Also, brands like L’oreal have a great colour variety to offer, and after looking through the Milani website, their products look amazing too!!! And some colours seem like great dupes for high end brands! : )
The reason I have more drugstore makeup is because it's more affordable. The high end stuff I have is because I saved up especially for it. The Lancome mascara was quite a deception. And that’s where drugstore makeup claims one of its most important benefits: whether you like it or not, you didn’t spend too much money. Also, brushes are EXTREMELY important when making somebody up. They’re worth splurging on. Actually maybe not, the other day I bought 5 amazing brushes for less than 50 pesos (that’s less than U$S20 for you, my fair ladies!) lol…
There are sooo many amazing looks you can create with drugstore makeup! Here’s a quick smoky eye ‘recipe’, using Rimmel London products: use Hide the Blemish concealer to cover up any flaws and blend. Sweep your favourite shade of Mono Blush onto cheeks to add some colour. Then add Colour Rush Mono Eyeshadow (a shade like Forest) to the lid. Line your eyes with Soft Kajal Eye Pencil with your colour of choice (Jungle Green is my pic for an awesome smoky green eye!), smudge and blend. Coat lashes in mascara and lips in Full Volume Liquid Lipstick (in a shade like Bossy, Plump or Strut). Done!!! I could write down heaps more, I really wanted to expand but my post is getting way too long…sorry!!! Hehe…
Thanks for the contest, and good luck to everybody!!! : )
Marcela.

[Donna]

Right now is the best time to be a drugstore diva because the products that they are coming out with are amazing! Mineral products are affordable and great. I definitely visit Shoppers for my beauty fixes and when I want something a little extra, then department stores are even better.

[biljana]

I really am a DRUGSTORE DIVA!

I love experimenting with colour and knowing that I am not killing my bank account in the process. My latest find has been RIMMEL 10 day wear nail polish..amazing colours and loooong wear for 3$, how can you go wrong?

[E]

I am a Drugstore Diva…

Because each and every day…

I like to change my look…

In a unique way…

Buying all the fancy stuff…

Much of it overpriced fluff…

Would leave me bankrupt!

So I do my research…

Find new ways to make a visual wave…

Go to the Drugstore…

And save, save, save!

[Lesha]

I'm definitely a drugstore diva, because I feel like the drugstore brands are just good as the over-priced high-end brands. :)

[Sarah]

Girlfriend, I am THE drugstore diva! That's right! One of the most fun things that I like to do is buy make-up for less, grab a fashion magazine, and then try to re-create those same looks, but for cheap cheap cheap! It takes practice, a good eye, and the love for everything make-up and fashion! Name brands and high prices do not always equal a fantastic outcome and so it's time to get crafty! I pride myself in my make-up finds and will defend drugstore make-up anyday!

[Sydney C.]

Every once in a while I'll buy from Belks or Dillards when there is a gift with purchase but for the most part I am a "Drugstore Diva". My favorite drugstore cosmetics right now are Revlon 3D Mascara,CoverGirl Outlast All Day Lipcolor and Maybelline NY Mineral Power Powder Foundation.

[Monique Causley]

Hey Makeup girl!!! I am the drug store DIVA!!! My favorite store to purchase cosmetics is ULTA. They carry all of my favorite cosmetics including Milani so it's one stop shopping for me. The added bounus......my subscription to INSTYLE includes a $5.00 ULTA coupon in each issue and they take manufactures coupons so I'm at ULTA fathfully every month. I start my daily routine by cleansing my face with Avneeno Positively Radiant daily cleasing pads and follow with clean and clear salicylic acid treatment and Aveeno Positively Radiant daily mosturizer. Now that my skin care routine in done I apply smashbox photo finish foundation primer....I love it. Next is foundation. I'm a woman of color and foundation is very hard to find but I'm loving Bobbi Browns' tinted mositurizer in Deep for the summer. I'ts light weight and blends so smoothly on the skin.If I'm going out on a date I mix Smashbox artificial light with my foundation and it gives a radiant glow. Favorite eyeliner Milani retractable eyeliner in Cognac...love it. Favorite eyeshadows are for Loreal HIP line....the colors are bold and beautiful. Mascara is always Maybelline Great Lash in Blackest Black. Lipstick/Lipgloss favs are MAC, ELF, Burts Bees, Kiehl's, Avon, Mary Kay, Carol's Daughter, Prestige....does not matter to me because I love to mix and match. To finish my look I apply blush by Loreal HIP,MAC or Bobbi Brown. Finally MAC select sheer pressed powder finishes the look. OK... Makeup Girl...I gave you the low down on what's in my make-up bag. I hope you choose me because my sister is getting married this summer and it sure would be nice receive this wonderful prize to share with the girls in our wedding party so we can be beautiful and sexy!!! But not more beautiful or sexy than the bride!! :-)

[Bethany]

I am ALWAYS buying makeup from the drugstore. I work about a block from the drugstore and they are always having a B1G1 or buy 1 get 50% off on makeup. I will splurge on something like Smashbox Foundation Primer and mix my own perfect foundation color with L'Oreal and Maybelline. I use Cover Girl pressed powder and Black Radiance bronzer sometimes. Revlon eyeshadow, Cover Girl eyeliner, Maybelline or Prescriptives mascara and Almay brow pencil. Lipgloss varies between Benefit, MAC or Revlon. I always get compliments on my makeup and I'm like if you only knew I spent very little time and money to get this face.

[REGINA SANDERS]

I am a drugstore diva when it comes to body creams. I am sooo addicted to body lotions and creams - I have a gazillion types but everytime I go to the drugstore I find one more I have to have!

[Indian Girl]

If beauty is only skin deep , why spend my life earnings on it ! I love make up and everything that comes with it. I choose to use drug store brands to satisfy my make up urges, simply because they are worth every penny I put into them. If there is a department store product that is awesome, I find my own way of combining 2 or more drug store products to achieve the exact same look - its as simple as that.Well,this is why I am a DIVA - I can rock anything with the utmost confidence, I dont need a $70 foundation to give me that boost.
My favorite drug store brands are Maybelline, Revlon, Milani and NYX. I live super close to CVS and a Walgreens store and I am almost there every 3 days ...and I still havent run out of things to buy in the beauty section!! The choices are endless with more coming in every week and I wont have to be guilty about spending on something I use only to enhance my outer beauty. I truly believe my makeup is only an enhancement and not me in itself.
I reaaaaaaly wish I could be a winner, coz I will put it to the best, most creative use :) Trust me on that!

[Nikki Watson]

I am so the Drugstore Diva Mommie! In my single years I so enjoyed flocking to the makeup counters for the latest loot to add to my collection. It gave me the warm and fuzzies. Now, with a hubby and 3 kiddies I have be more practical in my choices...$10 lip liner or the exact color for .99 cents? Don't get me wrong, Mama still looks haute with all my finds from my local Walgreens, and I still get the warm and fuzzy feeling with my latest pick of shadow, gloss, or polish. My everyday diva-mommy look includes lining lips with a Wet and Wild liner #712 (Mac spice look alike) with Milani gloss, a coat of the very best mascara in the pink tube with green top (makes me say Lancome who?) and a dusting of Milani Luminous blush (did I really pay that much for Orgasm!!!)smile, and I am set for the days activies looking and feeling my best.
I still read all the latest fashion magazines and still love all of my department store brands. But as I've gotten older and started a family I've learned to make more practical choices. If I can obtain the same divaliciousness from Milani, Cover Girl, and Black Opal at just a fraction of the price I used to pay from Mac, Chanel. and Bobbi Brown then I'm all for it. I enjoy being known at my sons school as the "Pretty Mommy". And it makes the hubby smile too.

[Nikki Watson]

I am so the Drugstore Diva Mommie! In my single years I so enjoyed flocking to the makeup counters for the latest loot to add to my collection. It gave me the warm and fuzzies. Now, with a hubby and 3 kiddies I have be more practical in my choices...$10 lip liner or the exact color for .99 cents? Don't get me wrong, Mama still looks haute with all my finds from my local Walgreens, and I still get the warm and fuzzy feeling with my latest pick of shadow, gloss, or polish. My everyday diva-mommy look includes lining lips with a Wet and Wild liner #712 (Mac spice look alike) with Milani gloss, a coat of the very best mascara in the pink tube with green top (makes me say Lancome who?) and a dusting of Milani Luminous blush (did I really pay that much for Orgasm!!!)smile, and I am set for the days activies looking and feeling my best.
I still read all the latest fashion magazines and still love all of my department store brands. But as I've gotten older and started a family I've learned to make more practical choices. If I can obtain the same divaliciousness from Milani, Cover Girl, and Black Opal at just a fraction of the price I used to pay from Mac, Chanel. and Bobbi Brown then I'm all for it. I enjoy being known at my sons school as the "Pretty Mommy". And it makes the hubby smile too.

[Sadee]

Of course I'm a drugstore diva! I love high end products, like Mac and Make up forever. Who can resist high pigmented shadows? But, Eyeliners nailpolish, blush and all the necessities all can be found as dupes in drugstores. Who wouldn't want NARS' Blush in Orgasm dupe for a fraction of the price?! Yeah, Sure I admit i spend paycheck after paycheck on Mac cosmetics, and I am not sad about that for sure, but it feels really good to come out of a drugstore with 5x more products :D

[dansconstellar]

i am a DRUGSTORE DIVA! i read all the blogs about the espensive brands and lust for it, but my tight starving artist budget sends me to drugstores for my fix. even for professional photo shoots, i have used LOREAL HIP foundation ( great for ethnic skintones)or Prestige foundation and powder which i cant find ANYWHERE anymore and it was a perfect match... WetNWild got a great creamy palette i can take with me in my purse, drugstore eyeliners and mascara have given me good results including Loreal micro-liner. Style is hard to find but i like their kohl liner, big fan of NYX eyeshadows. but the ones i carry around and use the most are milani, because of their tiny convenient size ( are the small shadows being discontinued?? panic! i use them sooo much! everything from subtle matte looks to crazy exotic peacoack eyes) as well as their lovely discontinued blushes like luminous and sunset beach ( the only one my cousin finds natural even after working her way through MAC). i would love to win the milani products and will proudly bring them to my photo shoots because they wil stand up to all the designer products out there!

[Paula W]

Hi there! I am most definitely a Drugstore Diva. I only got into really taking care of my skin and makeup this year again, and boy - there is no way I could jump back in the pool in the deep (and expensive) end yet. So, I have been really reading reviews to determine what I should and shouldn't try (thank you, makeup girl), spending carefully. But the real treat has been, besides BOGO at CVS and Walgreens, is Samples! Samples! Samples! They totally help my high end cravings, as I still get to sample the good things, to see if it is worth saving up for, or if there is something fairly comparable at the drugstore.
Thanks so much for the chance to win this - it looks so fabulous!

[Matina]

The one drugstore item I can't live without is Sally Hansen nail polish. I can change my look depending on my mood - in an instant! Right now I'm love love LOVING their salon nail polish in Back to the Fuschia. Very spring and very cute. And let's not forget Herbal Hessences shampoo and conditioner Lip Smackers - an oldie but goodie!