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Celebrity Makeup Artists Share The Best Drugstore Makeup Under $20

Get red-carpet ready makeup on any budget with these drugstore picks from the pros
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Burt's Bees Lip Crayon, $9
Expert: Ermahn Ospina

When it comes to dolling up Rosario Dawson, Darby Stanchfield and Carla Gugino for a big event, celebrity makeup artist Ermahn Ospina told us that she likes to reach for the practical, nourishing products. "I love using the Burt's Bees Lip Crayon because it's easy to use, has a moisturizing formula and protects the lips while leaving them soft," Ospina said. "It takes care of your lips while giving you gorgeous color, which is a win-win for me." The creamy lip crayon comes in six matte shades, and is infused with shea butter, kendi oil and jojoba oil.

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Expert: Troy Surratt

If you've ever wondered how the celebrities attain such bat-worthy lashes, their secret can be summed up in one word: Falsies. Troy Surratt, the mastermind behind Piper Perabo's makeup, loves to use the individual Ardell lashes. In fact, he told Oprah.com that they are "the most natural-looking false lashes [he's] ever found." If you're not the most savvy with eyelash application, you might want to pick up the strips, rather than the individuals. For a no-stress application method, check out this guide on how to apply falsies like a pro.

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Expert: Sarah Uslan

We love our high-end eye shadow palettes as much as the pros do, but even celebrity makeup artists like Sarah Uslan (with clients like Rachel Zoe and Tori Kelly), will reach for a drugstore eye shadow over a spendy high-end palette. Uslan's drugstore makeup pick? The L'Oreal Paris Colour Riche La Palette Nude. Uslan loves this palette for its range of nudes, according to The Zoe Report. "You can achieve a perfect, soft daytime eye and also intensify the look for evening," Uslan shared. Plus, $19.99 sure beats $40 to $50.

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Expert: Beau Nelson

Speaking of eye shadow, another drugstore makeup fave of celeb makeup artists is the Maybelline New York Eye Studio ColorTattoo 24HR Cream Gel Eye Shadow. According to makeup artist Beau Nelson -- whose clients include Kristen Stewart, Nicole Richie and Riley Keough -- this particular eye shadow will stay in place for hours. "I love using these to create a super easy but sophisticated wash of color on the eyelid," Nelson told Coveteur. "I especially love [the shades] Bad to the Bronze and Tough as Taupe."

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Expert: Julie Harris

Celebrities Idina Menzel, Meg Ryan and Sarah Paulson all rely on celebrity makeup artist Julie Harris to keep them looking their best. But before applying any makeup, Harris believes in prepping the skin with a quality cleanser. "I love the La Roche Posay Thermal Water Spray," Harris told us. "It's refreshing and soothing for every skin type, and it doesn't irritate the eye area." Pro tip: Harris uses the spray to apply loose powder shadows on her clients. "I mist on the brush, so the loose shadow doesn't fall on the face," Harris said. Just give your powder brush a couple spritzes pre-application and you'll be golden.

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BY JESSICA AMARIS | MAR 9, 2017 | SHARES
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