It wasn't really a conscious effort. I started out with a makeup bag full of high-end makeup products that you can buy through Sephora, and I've ended this year with a makeup bag full of drugstore brands. These makeup products would NOT remain in my bag if if they didn't do the job I needed them to do. So, now I'm happy to say I have a drugstore face and some extra spending cash. And you should care why? Well, because YOU could have extra $$ and look great too! Duh!

So, before I put any makeup on my face I use other drugstore finds like St. Ives Apricot Scrub, Clean & Clear moisturizer and Ponds cleansing towelettes to keep my face squeaky clean and moisturized!

And now for the fun part...

I use L'Oreal True Match Super Blendable Makeup in natural buff. It has sunscreen and it moisturizes and blends well when applied with a foundation brush. It's seriously the perfect makeup for the winter time when your face is extra dry. It's oil free, so I don't ever worry about it clogging my pores.

I'm also obsessed with Maybelline's Lash Stiletto Mascara. I've blogged about it before, and it's still my favorite mascara. It really defines your lashes and it's easy to take off at night. I also love Maybelline's Unstoppable eye liner's easy, smooth application.

I used to use Benefit's Browzings ($30) compact to keep my brows looking perfect, but now all I use is CoverGirl's Brow & Eye Maker pencil. It's the exact brown I need and it's only $2.99 for TWO pencils AND a sharpener. Good buy if you ask me.

To make my eyes look pretty and natural in one, I really like Almay's Intense i-Color eye shadow trio. I chose the one for brown eyes, and I love it. I don't always wear the purple, but when I do it's the perfect shade. Now, I'll admit that I do play around with a lot of other eye shadows that I have, but it's because they seriously last FOREVER. The kicker though is that you HAVE to apply eye shadow with a brush and not the measly little sponge applicator. That goes for ANY eye shadow you EVER wear.

For my rosy cheeks I love Almay's Pure Blend powder blush in bouquet. It applies nicely on top of the L'Oreal base. Definitely use a fluffy blush to apply it though. Again, those applicators that come with the product stink!

And now for the grande finale, lipstick. Oh boy, these are my two favorite lipsticks in the whole wide world. Revlon makes fantastic matte lipsticks that stay on for a long time.

If you've been looking for a bright red lipstick for a while you have got to try Revlon's Fire & Ice. My friend Jessie and I are both addicts of the color. As you can see below...

If you want a more natural lip color, go with "mauve it over." It looks great with olive skin.

There is a tiny disclaimer though...You may or may not have noticed that I haven't said anything about concealer or eye shadow base. Those are still the only two things that I haven't been able to find at a drugstore that rivals the quality of Benefit's Boi-ing, Erase Paste and MAC's paint pots. And, I would have to say that the reason why my eye shadow looks as good as it does is owed to MAC.

But other than those three things, my face belongs to Walgreens, and my pocketbook is grateful.