Maybelline Review: Affordable Drugstore Makeup That Delivers
Founded over 100 years ago in 1915, Maybelline New York is one of the most recognized and beloved drugstore makeup brands worldwide. The brand‘s extensive collection spans all major makeup categories including foundation, concealer, lipstick, eyeshadow, eyeliner, and their iconic mascaras. Maybelline is known for offering high-quality yet budget-friendly products and on-trend shades season after season.
As a makeup enthusiast, I‘ve tried countless Maybelline products over the years. While not every product is a slam dunk, overall I‘ve been consistently impressed by the brand‘s performance, especially at such wallet-friendly prices. In this comprehensive Maybelline review, I‘ll be sharing my thoughts on some of the brand‘s most popular products, diving into Formula, packaging, shade range, and wear time. I‘ve also scoured hundreds of customer reviews to get a broader sense of how these products perform for different people.
Whether you‘re a drugstore makeup junkie or simply curious about this iconic brand, keep reading for my detailed Maybelline review and product recommendations.
Face Makeup
Let‘s start with the base. Maybelline offers an expansive range of foundations, concealers, and powders for every skin type and desired level of coverage. Two standouts from the brand‘s face collection are the Fit Me! Matte + Poreless Foundation and the Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Concealer.
The Fit Me! Matte + Poreless Liquid Foundation is a beloved drugstore foundation for normal to oily skin. This oil-free formula contains micro-powders to control shine and blur pores for a natural matte finish. It offers medium, buildable coverage and is available in an impressive 40 shades to suit a wide variety of skin tones.
I find this foundation very easy to apply and blend, either with a brush or damp sponge. It has a lightweight, smooth texture that doesn‘t feel heavy or cakey on the skin. The semi-matte finish is natural and comfortable, while still helping to control oil throughout the day. I get a solid 8 hours of wear before I notice any fading or breakdown around my T-zone.
My one complaint is that this foundation can cling to any dry patches, so it‘s important to moisturize well beforehand. I also recommend using a hydrating primer if you have combo skin like me. But overall, the Fit Me Matte + Poreless is an excellent everyday foundation for the price that I‘d compare to more expensive options from Fenty Beauty or Smashbox.
Moving on to concealer, the Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Treatment Concealer is a multi-purpose hero product. It has a unique sponge applicator that dispenses the perfect amount of product and allows for easy, hygienic application under the eyes and on blemishes. The formula is infused with goji berry and haloxyl to brighten and color-correct dark circles over time.
I love the thin, blendable consistency of this concealer. It layers well both under and over foundation without getting cakey. The coverage is medium and buildable, so you can easily spot conceal or wear it all-over for a more perfected look. It sets down to a natural skin-like finish that doesn‘t crease or settle into fine lines.
With 18 shades to choose from, there are options for color-correcting dark circles on different skin tones as well as highlighting and contouring. Some reviewers note the shade range could be further extended on both ends of the spectrum. But overall, this is a fantastic multi-use concealer for the under eyes and face. No wonder it‘s a consistent best-seller and award-winner!
Eye Makeup
No Maybelline review would be complete without spotlighting the brand‘s iconic mascaras and eyeliners. Two cult-favorites are the Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara and the Hyper Easy Liquid Pen Eyeliner.
Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara launched in 2021 and quickly went viral on TikTok for its amazing lengthening and volumizing abilities. The mascara features an exclusive Flex Tower brush that bends to volumize and extend every single lash from root to tip. The formula is infused with bamboo extract and fibers for sky-high lashes that never get weighed down or clumpy.
I was influenced to try this mascara after seeing it all over my social media. And I‘m so glad I did, because it totally lives up to the hype! The slim, flexible brush makes it easy to wiggle into the base of the lashes and coat every hair without making a mess. Just one or two coats gives me the longest, fullest lashes while still looking soft and fluttery. It holds a curl well throughout the day without flaking or smudging.
Although the Sky High Mascara isn‘t waterproof, it lasts through workouts, humid days, and the occasional misty eye. Some online reviewers say it can transfer to the upper eyelid after many hours of wear. But I haven‘t personally experienced that issue. While not as dramatic as false lashes, this mascara gives gorgeous, wispy volume that‘s ideal for everyday wear. It‘s quickly become a staple in my routine.
For liquid liner, the Hyper Easy Liquid Pen Eyeliner is a great option from Maybelline. This liner has a unique hexagonal shape that allows for ultimate control and steady application, even for liner newbies. The flexible felt tip is sturdy enough to create sharp, precise lines, but still bends to smoothly follow the curves of your eye. It has a true matte black finish and impressive lasting power.
As someone who loves a good wing, I reach for the Hyper Easy liner constantly. It glides smoothly across the lash line without tugging, skipping or feathering. I‘m able to easily create both thin and thick lines, from natural flair to bold cat-eyes. Once it sets, this liner does…not…budge! No smudging, flaking or transferring until I‘m ready to remove it at the end of the day.
My only gripe is that the Hyper Easy liner can dry out more quickly compared to traditional brush-tip liquid liners (I find myself going through one every 1-2 months with daily wear). But considering the affordable price tag, I‘m willing to replace it more often for the ease of use and stellar performance. If you‘re looking for an uncomplicated, long-wearing drugstore liquid liner, give this one a try.
Lip Products
Maybelline is home to some of the best drugstore lip products on the market, including the iconic Color Sensational Lipsticks and Lifter Gloss Lip Glosses.
The Color Sensational line features several different lipstick formulas, but The Mattes and Creamy Mattes are standouts. Both offer rich, saturated color payoff in tons of shades from nude to bold. The bullet has a precise tip that makes it easy to line and fill the lips without a liner.
The original Mattes have a soft, velvety texture that sets to a comfortable matte finish. They feel very lightweight on the lips and aren‘t drying like some matte lipsticks can be. I get around 5-6 hours of wear before I notice any fading, especially with darker shades.
The Creamy Mattes have quickly become my favorite Maybelline lipsticks. They have the same opaque color payoff, but with a bit more slip and a demi-matte finish. The formula is enriched with honey nectar for a boost of moisture, so it feels extra creamy and doesn‘t dry out the lips. It has a slightly glossier finish compared to the original, but still wears well for 4-5 hours.
If you prefer a glossier lip, the Lifter Gloss is a fantastic hydrating lip gloss from Maybelline. It has a cushiony gel-like texture that feels plush and comfortable on the lips, never sticky or gloopy. The formula contains hyaluronic acid to attract moisture and visibly smooth lip lines and texture.
The Lifter Gloss comes in 20 shades with a mix of sheer and pigmented colors. It can be worn alone for a glossy wash of color, or layered over lipstick as a topper. I love how smoothing and balmy it feels on my chronically dry lips. It‘s not the longest wearing gloss (I get around 2-3 hours of wear), but it fades evenly and is easy to reapply throughout the day. For less than $10, this gloss is a total steal.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I‘ve had consistently positive experiences with Maybelline products over the years. While not every launch is a winner, the brand‘s core collection is full of reliable staples that rival more expensive brands in quality and performance. From foundations and concealers to mascaras and lipsticks, Maybelline excels at offering a wide variety of shades and finishes at budget-friendly prices.
In reading hundreds of Maybelline reviews, the main praises seem to be for the brand‘s shade ranges, longevity, and value for money. Customers love that Maybelline regularly puts out products in a spectrum of shades to suit many different skin tones. The brand is also known for long-wearing, transfer-resistant formulas in everything from lipsticks to eyeliners. And with most products clocking in under $15, the quality is unbeatable for the price.
Of course, no brand is perfect. The most common complaints appear to be around inconsistencies in product performance. What works amazingly well for one person may fall short for another, likely due to individual skin type, tone, and preferences. Maybelline‘s foundations and concealers tend to lean more mattifying, so those with very dry skin may find certain formulas too drying or clingy. The brand also loses some points for not being cruelty-free (Maybelline is sold in mainland China where animal testing is required by law).
That being said, I still highly recommend giving Maybelline a try, especially if you‘re on a budget or enjoy drugstore makeup. The brand‘s products are so widely available, you can easily pop into your local drugstore, grocery store, or Ulta to browse testers and find your perfect shade match. If you‘re shopping online, check out the virtual try-on tool on Maybelline‘s website. It allows you to upload a photo and virtually test out different products and shades before buying.
Maybelline also regularly releases a wide variety of makeup kits, bundles, and gift sets that allow you to sample bestsellers and new launches at a value. They‘re a great way to test out multiple products for less. And of course, keep an eye out for sales and promotions at your favorite retailers, as well as coupons in-store and online.
I hope you found this in-depth Maybelline review helpful! Have you tried anything from Maybelline? I‘d love to hear about your experience with the brand in the comments below.
