Drugstore vs. High End Makeup: Powder Blush and Eye Shadow

Bottom Line: Splurge on high end

This is one category where drugstore brands have yet to catch up. Surprisingly, even Revlon and L'Oreal can't match the quality of the best high end brands. In general, drugstore brands lack pigmentation and are not finely textured—this results in low color payoff, uneven application and poor staying power.

My picks for the best high end powder blush are:

Bobbi Brown ($24)

Illamasqua ($24)

Lorac ($20)

MAC ($19.50)

Nars ($27)

My picks for eye shadow (prices listed are for singles):

Bobbi Brown ($20)

Lorac ($19)

MAC ($15)

Nars ($23)

Stila ($18)