It's that time of year again! The time when all of our favourite drugstore brands [1] prepare to showcase their most innovative products in order for us to achieve our boldest, most refreshing, Insta-worthy Spring and Summer yet — and boy, did they live up to the challenge. We're talking lightweight, buildable foundations [2] that act like a second skin, dry shampoos [3] that remove grease but manage to leave strands looking (the good kind of) shiny, and palettes that look like they were handpicked by us (no throwaway shades!).
Did we mention Bliss [4] has a new look, complete with revamped and never-before-seen products? And that you can now revive your hair in one minute or less? You'll also find more proof to confirm our theory that micellar water [5] is here to stay.
Read on for 20 Spring drugstore products (including a new brush set and makeup bag to round out your collection) that will help you bounce back from those Winter blues, each for under $20.
CoverGirl Vitalist Healthy Elixir Foundation
This new foundation from CoverGirl [6] ($9) is infused with antioxidants and vitamins E, B3, and B5, along with SPF 20, for nourishing skin and helping to protect against sun damage. We love how easily it glides on and how buildable the formula is, leaving you with fresh-faced, customizable coverage every time.
Love Beauty and Planet Argan Oil & Lavender Body Wash
Each of the bottles in Unilver's eco-friendly Love Beauty and Planet hair and body collection is made of 100 percent recycled plastic. This body wash in particular [7] ($7) works up to an ultracreamy lather and smells like soothing lavender. It's perfect for winding down before bed.
Dove Crushed Macadamia and Rice Milk Body Polish
Good body scrubs can be difficult to find (especially on a budget), which is why we were excited to test drive the new range from Dove [8] ($6 each). The crushed macadamia works to slough off dead cells, while rice milk and other nutrients work to soften skin, leaving you with that baby-soft surface and no icky residue.
Revlon Kiss Lip Plumping Crème
Revlon's new lip cremes [9] ($8 each) are saturated with color and leave behind a natural-looking, nonsticky sheen. They're also formulated with a special Volulip complex, which uses plant extracts and hyaluronic acid synthesis to help lips appear fuller over time. Go for a bold hue (we're crushing on this Rich Bordeaux) to further up the ante.
Herbal Essences Refresh Blue Ginger & Micellar Water Shampoo
Micellar water has been sweeping the skincare industry, and now haircare brands are getting in on the trend with clarifying shampoos and conditioners. This range from Herbal Essences [10] ($6 each) is also formulated with antioxidants, aloe, and sea kelp for ensuring strands aren't stripped of all their moisture, resulting in light, bouncy hair that you won't be able to stop sniffing.
EcoTools Confidence In Bloom Beauty Kit
EcoTools has made a name for itself by offering high-quality, eco-friendly brushes for a mere fraction of what designer equivalents cost. This new kit [11] ($20) features eight essentials for covering, setting, accentuating, and beyond, along with a storage tray for keeping organized.
L'Oreal Paris True Match Lumi Shimmerista Highlighting Powder
Make sure you're ready for festival season with this highlighter from L'Oreal [12] ($12). Just sweep the ultrafine powder along areas you want to accent (such as your cheekbones) for a foolproof, sun-kissed glow. There's also a silvery shade (Moonlight) for channeling galactic vibes.
Venus Women's Precision Bikini Trimmer
Shaving your bikini area can seem like an intimidating (read: scary) task, but Gillette is aiming to make it safer with a new precision trimmer [13] ($20). Powered by Braun, the high-tech gadget features a 90-degree angle head for getting hard-to-reach areas, along with removable 8mm and 5mm trimming combs for customizing your trim.
Maybelline The Burgundy Bar Eyeshadow Palette
Before you invest in a palette, it's important to consider how many of the shades you're actually likely to use. This new one from Maybelline [14] ($12) contains the perfect mix of earthy browns, bronzes, and burgundy tones for creating a range of blogger-worthy day and evening looks (at a $1 a pop).
Garnier Fructis Smoothing Treat 1 Minute Hair Mask
Keeping your hair healthy is easier and quicker than ever, thanks to Garnier's new range of multi-tasking masks [15] ($3). The packages (they remind us of mini yogurt or ice cream tubs) contain a formula derived from 98 percent natural ingredients targeted toward restoring locks in as little as one minute. They can also be used as a deep or leave-in or conditioner (check the back of the container for details).
EOS Limited Edition Marine Collection 2- Pack
Mermaids, rejoice! EOS recently introduced a limited-edition organic lip balm [16] ($9 for 2-pack) with marine botanicals, along with sunflower seed oil and Shea butter, for keeping lips soft and smooth. The coolest part? The iridescent formula transforms upon contact to create a custom shade.
Pacifica Crystal Energy Bath Bomb
Harness the healing power of crystals with this this new vegan bath bomb from Pacifica [17] ($7). Not only will it transform your bath into a magical oasis, but it's enriched with nourishing safflower, meadow foam, and jojoba seed oils and has a sweet watermelon scent.
NYX Worth the Hype Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara
Why should you have to choose between volume and length when it comes to mascara? That's the thinking behind this new addition to the NYX family [18] ($8), which is already living up to its name. We especially love how the plush wand is able to grab a good amount of the formula without having it clump upon contact. It's good for getting into the corners of your eyes, too.
Physicians Formula 24-Karat Gold Collagen Serum
Even before seeing the bottle, we had a feeling we'd struck gold when learning that Physicians Formula was coming out with a collagen-boosting serum [19] for under $15. In addition to making skin appear more youthful and fuller, the lightweight, 24-karat-laced liquid contains vitamin B3 for added brightening.
OGX Refresh & Revitalize Argan Oil of Morocco Dry Shampoo
Unlike some other dry shampoos that can leave hair feeling starchy and dry, this new offering from OGX [20] ($8) is formulated with argan oil and silk proteins for added moisture and brilliance. It's essentially like a dry shampoo and shine spray in one.
St. Ives Glow Apricot & Manuka Honey Cleansing Stick
St. Ives is joining the cleansing stick movement with three new hand-helds [21] ($8 each). Especially great for the gym, this one in particular contains apricot, manuka honey, and 100 percent natural coconut oil for moisturizing as it cleanses. Did we mention it smells (almost) good enough to eat?
Rimmel Ink Me Eye & Body Liner
There's nothing like taking the time to get your liquid liner just right, only to have it smear down your face as soon as you leave the house. That's why we're especially appreciative of this new innovation from Rimmel [22] ($5), which goes on smoothly and stays put for hours. Opt for the gold version on days when you could use a little more glam.
Bliss Jelly Glow Ball Radiance-Boosting Cleanser with Lychee
The Bliss we know and love recently underwent a makeover, complete with stricter ingredient guidelines, sleeker packaging, and budget-friendly price tags. One of our favorite new offerings includes this jelly ball cleanser [23] ($13), which can be massaged directly onto the face, leaves skin feeling superclean, and has a fresh geranium scent.
Yes To Hydrate/Detox/Recharge Mud Mask
Take your mask game to the next level with this dynamic trio [24] ($4) from Yes To's comprehensive spring collection [25]. It includes a coconut, charcoal, and superblueberries mud mask for hydrating, detoxing, and recharging skin, all in one travel-friendly pouch.
Sonia Kashuk Pink Marble Clutch Makeup Bag
Every Spring, we anxiously await Sonia Kashuk's new accessories collection, typically clad in a print that's somehow bolder or more exciting than the season prior. This time around, we can't get enough of her swirly, color-dipped marbles makeup bags [26] ($15 for one shown). This one is roomy enough for all of your essentials and has an easy-to-wipe lining for quick cleanup.