Fall Makeup Favorites: Drugstore Gems That Elevate Your Everyday Look

This product is a testament to how much I love it – the tube is almost empty! The COVERGIRL True Blend Skin Enhancer in Opal Glow is my secret weapon for that coveted lit-from-within radiance. It's vegan, cruelty-free, and formulated with squalene, which is a bonus for skin hydration. I typically squeeze a small amount onto my palm and apply it all over my face after my skincare. It creates a beautiful, natural luminosity without any excessive shimmer. This is crucial for me, as I prefer to avoid anything too sparkly, especially since I have some fine lines and wrinkles that I don't want to emphasize. This enhancer adds just the right touch of glow without making me look like a disco ball, creating the perfect canvas for foundation.

This foundation is a game-changer. Seriously, it's the most stunning drugstore foundation I've ever encountered. I'm currently using the e.l.f. Soft Glam Foundation in two shades: Light Neutral 25 and Medium Neutral 31. I used the 31 shade throughout the summer (and this is actually my second bottle!), but since my tan has faded, I've switched to the 25 shade for the fall.

Let me show you the difference between the two shades. Here's 25, a beautiful light neutral, perfect for my current skin tone. And here's 31, noticeably darker and ideal for my summer complexion. I generally gravitate towards neutral undertones, but I always like to showcase different shades in case you're curious.

I apply the foundation by dabbing it all over my face and then blending it out with a brush. I'm definitely a brush person when it comes to foundation application. This foundation covers imperfections beautifully while still maintaining a natural look. It has this gorgeous satin finish that makes my skin look genuinely flawless. I don't need or want super full coverage, but I do appreciate a foundation that evens out my skin tone and conceals any blemishes. The e.l.f. Soft Glam Foundation does precisely that while still allowing my freckles to peek through. It blends seamlessly and is incredibly easy to work with. I honestly can't recommend it enough. And the best part? It's incredibly affordable! You absolutely must try this foundation.

While I usually set my foundation with powder, this foundation performs so well that I often skip that step. To add warmth and dimension, I use the NYX Butter Melt Bronzer in "Butta Than U." This bronzer is slightly darker than my current skin tone, but I still love how smooth and buttery it feels on my skin. I've also been eyeing the blushes from the same collection, so I'll likely be adding one to my makeup bag soon.

I apply the bronzer lightly around my hairline, on my cheekbones, a touch on my nose, and a tiny bit on my chin. I'm not a makeup artist by any means, but I love makeup and I know what works for me. I'm simply sharing what I enjoy and what I find effective. I firmly believe there are many different ways to apply makeup – it's all about personal preference. For me, it's important that my makeup looks good both on camera and in person, and this bronzer definitely delivers. It blends seamlessly and adds just the right amount of warmth.

While I'm planning to try the NYX blush soon, today I'm using the L'Oreal Paris True Match Blush in Tender Rose. I'm a huge fan of L'Oreal products – they consistently perform well on my skin. This blush is a beautiful, summery rosy pink that adds a lovely flush of color without being overpowering. I apply it just above my bronzer, being careful not to apply too much on my cheeks, as I feel that can make my face appear fuller. I also like to apply a small amount on my nose, chin, and forehead for a cohesive, healthy look.

For eyeshadow, I recently picked up this adorable little palette from e.l.f. It's only three dollars – incredibly affordable! I'm naturally drawn to browns, reds, and berry tones, especially since I have blue eyes. I've found that these shades really enhance and make my eyes pop. Today, I'm using this warm brown shade, which is the one I've used the most in this palette. It's a beautiful, versatile shade that complements my blue eyes perfectly. e.l.f. offers a few different variations of this Bite-Size Eyeshadow palette, so if this particular color story isn't your style, they likely have one that is.

This palette doesn't include a shade light enough for my inner corner highlight, so I'll use a different palette for that. However, overall, this is a fantastic little palette for the price. Let me swatch all the shades for you. We have a beautiful neutral, a stunning shimmery bronze, the berry shade I just used, a pretty reddish-brown, and a deep chocolate brown. For three dollars, you can't beat it!

To add definition and drama to my eyes, I line my upper lash line with the Essence Long-Lasting Eye Pencil in black. I've been doing this for a while now, and I love the effect. I feel like it makes my eyes pop even more and creates the illusion of fuller lashes. Again, it's all about personal preference, but I definitely prefer this look.

For mascara, I'm using the Maybelline Lash Sensational Fireworks Mascara. It's a lengthening and volumizing mascara that I've grown to love. While I wasn't initially blown away by it, the more I use it, the more I appreciate its performance. It provides good volume, separates my lashes nicely, and has a rich black color, which I adore. Here's one coat – already looking pretty good! And here's two coats. I avoid applying more than two coats, as I find it can start to clump. But look at the length and volume! It's beautiful.

Finally, let's talk lips. These e.l.f. Cream Glide Lip Liners are my absolute holy grail. They're incredibly creamy, long-lasting, and comfortable to wear. I genuinely love everything about them. I'm using the shade "Truth or Bare." I outline my lips and then fill them in slightly. Honestly, I don't even need to add lip gloss or lipstick on top, but for this look, I'm pairing it with the NYX Butter Gloss in "Nude Swings." I've been using these NYX Butter Glosses a lot lately. I have a few different shades, and today I'm using "Nude Swings."

Let me swatch the lip liner and the lip gloss side by side so you can see how well they complement each other. They're practically identical! I really enjoy these glosses. They have a plumping effect that creates a slight tingling sensation, but it's not uncomfortable at all. The texture is lovely, and the shades are beautiful.