Style

What 8 Beauty Pros Would Buy With $20 At A Drugstore

by Noah Lehava, Coveteur
Jake Rosenberg/Coveteur

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In what could be considered the hardest completely-hypothetical-Coveteur-created game show of all time, we gave eight of our makeup artist and hairstylist friends (who have a combined roster that feature names like Bella Hadid, Rita Ora, Yara Shahidi, and Alessandra Ambrosio to name a few) a crisp ~imaginary~ $20 bill to spend at CVS. What products would they throw in their cart and use their dollars on? You’ll have to scroll down to find out.

Tracey Levy, Makeup Artist

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L'Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black Volume Building Mascara, $8, Ulta | NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil, $4, Ulta

Has worked with: Mila Kunis, Tracee Ellis Ross, & Reese Witherspoon

Her picks: “I would have to get L'Oréal Voluminous Mascara in Carbon Black—it is the best black mascara at any drugstore, hands down. And with the leftover money, I would get NYX Jumbo Eye Pencils; they are great for smudging into eyeshadow.”

Nikki Providence, Hairstylist

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CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion, $16, CVS | Shea Moisture 100 % Pure Coconut Oil, $4, CVS | Cantu Moisturizing Curl Activator Cream Shea Butter, $8, CVS

Has worked with: Jenny Slate, Jessica Hart, & Aubrey Plaza

Her picks: “I keep Cerave Facial Moisturizing Lotion in my men’s grooming kit because it’s light, so it doesn’t leave the skin feeling greasy, and it’s also fragrance free, so it doesn’t irritate. Shea Moisture Coconut Oil is good for every square inch of your body or hair. And Cantu Moisturizing Curl Activator Cream is great for thick curly hair, to bring out the curl and reduce frizz, and it smells delicious.”

Jenna Anton, Makeup Artist

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Maybelline Expert Wear Twin Brow & Eye Pencils, $4, Ulta | Maybelline Lash Discovery Waterproof Mascara, $8, Ulta | Ardell DuraLash Starter Kit, $10, Ulta

Has worked with: Erin Wasson, Alessandra Ambrosio, & Bella Hadid

Her picks: “My picks are Maybelline Expert Wear Twin Brow & Eye Pencil. You can use it as a brow pencil, or heat with a lighter for a waterline eyeliner. I also like Maybelline Lash Discovery in Very Black. It has been a favorite of mine for years! It has the tiniest brush to get the product right at the root of the lash line. Then, I would get Ardell lashes in Short/Medium.”

Gracie Odoms, Hairstylist

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Ardell Deluxe Pack Lash Wispie Black, $6, Ulta | L'Oreal Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold Hair Spray, $7, Ulta | St. Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub, $2, Bed Bath & Beyond

Has worked with: Jada Pinkett Smith

Her picks: "I would use my $20 to buy a pair of lashes — eyes are windows to the soul and they should speak without even talking. I would also buy a travel size L’Oréal Elnett Hairspray — it's a classic and holds you together without looking super stiff. And definitely the St. Ives Apricot Exfoliating Scrub because you can never over exfoliate!"

Sandy Ganzer, Makeup Artist

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Maybelline Volum' Express Colossal Waterproof Mascara, $7, Ulta | Covergirl Colorlicious Oh Sugar! Lip Balm, $8, Ulta | NYX Hi Definition Photo Concealer Wand, $5, Ulta

Has worked with: Bebe Rexha & Kate Upton

Her picks: “If I had $20 to spend, the first thing I'd buy is Maybelline Colossal Volum’ Express Waterproof Mascara in Classic Black. I use this on myself and in my kit almost exclusively. It doesn't flake, helps hold a lash curl and stays put. It's my favorite mascara.

“I'd also buy Covergirl Colorlicious Oh Sugar! Tinted Lip Balm. I own three of the colors and Taffy is my perfect ‘my lips but better’ color, and in a pinch the balm can be used on the cheeks as a dewy cream blush!

“If I had an extra bucks coupon or there was a sale, the last thing I'd buy is NYX Hi Definition Photo Concealer Wand. I recently had a romantic weekend getaway weekend and forgot all my makeup. I bought this concealer and it was really good, especially for the price. It reminded me of the NARS creamy radiant concealer which is my number one but a tiny bit drier.”

Ernesto Casillas, Makeup Artist

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Iman Clay Medium Dark Luxury Pressed Powder, $14, Walmart | CoverGirl Lip Perfection Jumbo Gloss Balm, $7, Target

Has worked with: Queen Latifah, Ashanti, & Mel B

His picks: "I love the Covergirl Lip Perfection Jumbo Gloss Balms because they deposit a natural wash of color and shine, and they are comfortable to wear on the lips. The best part? You can throw it in your pocket for touch-ups. Another product I love is the Iman Clay Luxury Pressed Powder. I actually love to use these powders as bronzers for deeper skin tones, and their foundation powders have a subtle sheen that looks gorgeous for a more luminous look. It’s hard to find bronzers for deeper skin tones at drugstores but I can always find these at Target."

Joshua Ristaino, Hairstylist & Makeup Artist

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Ardell Knot-Free Individual Lash Double, $4, Sally Beauty | Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm, $7, Target | Maybelline, $7, Ulta | Garnier Fructis Style De-Constructed Texture Tease, $4, Walgreens

Has worked with: Zosia Mamet & Keri Russell

His picks: “When I have red carpet events or even fashion shows or films, I raid CVS and load up on all my essentials for my kit. Since I usually do both hair and makeup on my actresses, it can get to be a full shopping cart. Now, if you only gave me 20 bucks to load up, I would start by getting the Ardell Duralash Knot Free Double Individual Lashes. I’m obsessed and usually clear them out. They are great for filling in the lash line or winging the edges out. They usually run about $3.99, and with a coat of mascara, look seamless and natural.

“I would also pick up Garnier Fructis Texture Tease Dry Touch Finishing Spray to give that effortless beachy look and perfect texture. In fact, throw in Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm and Maybelline’s Colossal Volum’ Express Waterproof Mascara and you can complete a natural beauty look! Full glam for 20 bucks!”

Kathy Jeung, Makeup Artist

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Rimmel London Stay Matte Liquid Lip Colour, $5, Ulta | Maybelline Lash Discovery Waterproof Mascara, $8, Ulta | Ardell Natural Lash - Black 110, $5, Ulta

Has worked with: Rita Ora, P!nk, & Dakota Johnson

Her picks: Rimmel Stay Matte Liquid Lip in Firestarter is the perfect shade of red in a matte liquid formula that stays all day. Maybelline Discovery Lash in Waterproof black really brings out the tiniest of lashes with its narrow, short depth bristled brush is easy to use in delicate inner corner lashes or for small eyes. Ardell False Eyelashes in #110, these lashes have a truly realistic lash pattern and the length is not too long and fills in lashes with a bit of volume without looking unnatural.”

Lead image shot on site at 6 Columbus, a Sixty Hotel. Want more articles like this? Head to Coveteur.com.