Bustle and Coveteur are working together to bring you the best mix of the season’s fashion and beauty releases, shopping tips, and service stories in ways that are both inspirational and attainable. Check The Fall Style Edit channel weekly to see what we’re up to.
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.
“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.”
“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.”
“My picks are Maybelline Expert Wear Twin Brow & Eye Pencil. You can use it as a brow pencil or heat it 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 Lash Glue in Clear and Ardell Individual Lashes in Short/Medium.”
“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!”
“If I had $20 to spend at CVS, 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 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.”
“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.”
“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!”
“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.”
Photo: Shot on site at 6 Columbus, a Sixty Hotel.
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