It's been a while since I've done one of these drugstore roundups. Quite frankly, a lot of these products naturally merge into my routine, I often forget that I have yet to talk about it on the blog. None of the products I'm talking about today are newly launched, but in a time when everyone is talking about the newest sparkly thing, it's often quite refreshing to talk about something that isn't exactly in the spotlight. So let's get on with the affordable products I've been really enjoying lately. 

The Essence Blushes have been around on the blogsphere for a while now. It gained more attention in the past than it does now, but that doesn't mean it should be forgotten. One of the most affordable blushes in the drugstores, the formula of this line in on par with some of my most expensive blushes. The formula is soft, smooth, and with a beautiful colour payoff. Plus, the embossing on the product isn't one of those 'one swipe and gone' types. Perfection, much? 

I discovered the Reserve Naturelle Eyeshadows when waiting for a connecting train last time I found myself in Belgium. It's not the easiest brand to get outside of Belgium and France, but if you do stumble across it, might I suggest you pick up a couple or ten. The quality of these shadows are superb, like Too Faced or Urban Decay superb. I have the shades 38, a beautiful golden brown, and 99,  a peachy champagne. I've really been enjoying using these two as an everyday shadow combination as they're smooth, pigmented, have just enough shimmer, and are a dream to blend out. Plus, they smell like genuine chocolate - not the fake kind that gives you a headache 30 seconds later. 

It's been a long journey finding a brow product I really like in the aisles of western drugstores. But the L'Oreal Artist Brow Plumper (review) is one that I've really been enjoying. While not an exact dupe, this drugstore find is a good alternative to the Benefit Gimmie Brow. Both volumising brow gels that'll add depth and colour while keeping your brows looking natural. The difference between the two, other than the obvious price gap, is that the L'Oreal offering doesn't run as dark as the expensive alternative. I've linked a whole review I did on this product here, complete with application photos because I'm nice and considerate like that.

Of course, we're ending this post with my favourite category - lip products. Let's start with the NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream. I've lusted after them for years, and I'm happy to report that they live beyond the hype that's surrounding these products. The moussey texture allows them to have the attributes of a traditional liquid lipstick without feeling drying. The colours are gorgeous, pigmented, and will last through constant drinking and light snacking. I have a complete review and included swatches for Cannes, Zurich, and Prague in this post.

Last but not least, the Soap and Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Satin Lipstick in Man Trap. It's a medium red that strangely looks like a rose shade in the above photo that's beautiful and just lowkey enough to wear during the day without feeling too out of place. The formula of the lipstick is just as gorgeous - pigmented, comfortable to wear, and long lasting. I've been sporting this colour quite a bit since Jaye included it in her 'I MISS YOU' care package. 

I've been guilty of subconsciously gravitating towards high end products the past several months, often ignoring the aisles of the drugstores. But what I didn't realise was that these drugstore products were so naturally merged into my routine, I overlooked how much I actually loved these products. First world problems right there. What are some affordable products that you really love? 

I'm a person that will wear a bold lip for just about any occasion. But even I need a break from the bright reds and loud pinks. I have a small squad of lipsticks that are more appropriate for every day wear, especially for people that aren't used to wearing loud colours. I categorised my top ten drugstore every day lipsticks into three categories - the nudes, the pinks, and the low-key statement lips (aka darker, seasonal neutrals) - so there should be something for everyone here. 

The Nudes: It took me a long time to get into nude lips. I've always liked the look on other people, but it always looked 'wrong' on me. Maybe because like I said, since I have quite pink lips, I wasn't used to how 'nude' these shades looked on me. Another thing I later found out was that I can't do 'peachy' nudes. I sit with the beige-brown with a hint of pink nudes better. The Maybelline Matte Lipstick in Nude Embrace (wearing above), is the palest nude shade I own and it surprisingly sits really well with my skin tone. A beige with a tint of pink, this is a easy shade to work with for those that have fair to light-medium skin. If you want something slightly darker that also leans more beige, than the Rimmel Kate Moss Lipstick in 03 is a really good pick. On the pinkier nude side, the Rimmel Kate Moss Lipstick in 08 is a really easy to wear shade that should suit well with a wider range of skin tones. Leaning more brown, the Maybelline Colour Sensational Lipstick in Velvet Beige will look really well on warmer skin tones.  

The Pinks: I'm picky with my pinks. I don't like anything that's too baby doll or stereotypical 'girly'. There's nothing wrong with those shades, I just feel like they don't particularly suit my personality. Probably the stereotypical 'pink' of my picks, the Revlon HD Lipstick in Rose (wearing above) is a shade that I'll go back to when all my other neutral shades fail me. The sans-wax formula of this line makes the lipstick really easy and comfortable to wear. I sometimes forget that I'm even wearing lipstick until I take a sip of coffee and see the lipstick stain. A sheerer offering that still leaves a beautiful finish is the Essence Lipstick in Natural Beauty - it's slightly more mauve, which I love. It's a sheerer formula that will allow your natural lip colour to shine through. But again, really comfortable and wears off evenly. It's also one of those 'sans mirror application' lipsticks, meaning that it's really good for on the go. Last but not least, a tea-rose shade that's slightly darker and almost dustier than the previous two offerings, the Catrice Ultimate Colour Lipstick in In a Rosegarden is beautiful and has taken up temporary residence in my handbag. I did a whole review on this particular lipstick line that you can read here - but in short, these are probably one of my favourite lipstick lines. Ever.

The Low-key Statement Lip: Basically, it's a neutral lip that's just dark enough to make a 'why, yes, I'm putting extra effort into my still casual and minimal look' statement. I rounded up the more autumnal shades for this post. The Revlon Matte Balm in Sultry (wearing above) has quickly grown to be a favourite. It's a deep mauvey-pink shade with a tint of berry in certain lights. Slightly more pink and brighter is the Wet n Wild Megalast Lipstick in Rose-bud.  Otherwise, the shade In a Wine Room is more seasonal - a brown-based pink that's just dark enough to make a natural impact. Long-lasting and opaque in one coat, the Wet n Wild Megalast Lipsticks are a bargain for the price and quickly becoming one of my favourite 'must collect all' formulas. 

(Left to Right) Maybelline Nude Embrace | Rimmel 03 | Rimmel 08 | Maybelline Velvet Beige || Revlon HD Rose | Essence Natural Beauty | Catrice In A Rosegarden || Revlon Sultry | Wet N Wild Rose-bud | Wet N Wild In A Wine Room 

One of the best things about blogging is that you get to make equally socially awkward friends from around the world. Blogging from Behind the Frames, Sheri and I have a torrent love affair that withstands the distance between us. We decided to join forces and show you guys our best beauty finds of 2015 - there's also the high-end edition over on Sheri's blog that you can find here. 

So enough of that, let's get onto the products, shall we? 

[MUA Undress Me Too | MUA Undress Me]

I'm sorta, maybe, kinda an eyeshadow snob. After trying too many drugstore offerings that just didn't live up to the standard, I started dismissing the cheaper, high street offerings. I was wrong. I know, I know, the MUA Undress Me and Undress Me Too have been in the game too long. But I didn't jump on the bandwagon with these till a couple months back and I'm kicking myself for not entering the game 9 rounds earlier. 

I surely can't be the only girl out there that would rather skip applying lipstick than being paranoid all day, wondering if there's that tell-tale lipstick ring left after every sip of water or every bite of cake. If so, then you're welcome in advance for the thanks that you're going to be praising after I tell you the wonders of lipcote.