New Drugstore Makeup from Neutrogena: Spring 2019

I don’t think Neutrogena gets enough credit for their makeup. They definitely have a great reputation for their skin care, but not too many people are talking about their color cosmetics. Granted, they do tend to lean a bit more neutral which can get lost in a world of Insta-glam, but they do make really great skin-friendly products.

Over the past month, the brand has released several new face and eye makeup products, most of which have really impressed me. I’ve even named a few of them my new drugstore faves and must-haves.

Watch the video above for my first impressions of each product as I apply them. Keep reading for more details on the new drugstore makeup from Neutrogena.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Foundation Stick ($14.99)

I’ve been a fan of Neutrogena foundations since I started wearing makeup— the Healthy Skin foundation was my first drugstore go-to! This foundation stick is the second time the brand has incorporated their Hydro Boost skincare benefits into a face makeup product, and I’m here for it! The creamy foundation formula features hyaluronic acid and is great for normal to dry skin. The finish is super radiant and you get medium to full coverage. It’s oil-free and hypoallergenic which means it won’t clog your pores and is sensitive-skin friendly. I totally could have used this during winter when my skin was on the drier side overall. Now that my combo skin is more balanced, this foundation lasts all day on me but I definitely get shiny in my T-Zone after a few hours. Overall, I’d definitely say this is worth picking up if you like a radiant finish.

Neutrogena Eye Shadow with Vitamin E ($7.99)

Single eyeshadows are usually not my jam. I just don’t like having to go into multiple compacts to finish a full eye look. These shadows have a really nice silky and blendable formula, though, almost making it worth it. I’m definitely planning on figuring out how to depot them because the packaging itself is bulky and inconvenient. The shadows come in matte, shimmer and satin finishes and apply so smoothly over the eyes. I gotta admit— I was surprised with these! They also wore well all day with no creasing.

Neutrogena Precision Liquid Eyeliner ($7.10)

If you watched the video at the top of the page, you know how excited I was to see that this liquid liner has a brush tip— very similar to the Kat Von D tattoo liner or the Jesse’s Girl Liquid Liner. I absolutely LOVE when liquid liners use brush bristles instead of felt tips, since they last longer and provide much more control and precision. I love how sharp I could apply winged liner with this product; crisp lines were easy to create. However, it seems that it takes quite a bit of shaking every time I use it to get the formula into the tip for a smooth application. A bit of an annoyance… not sure if I just got a dry pen or if this is normal.

Neutrogena Intense Gel Eyeliner ($7.99)

The intensity and long wear time of gel liner makes it perfect for all-day looks, but it often comes in a jar which causes it to dry out quickly. This twist-up pencil version gives you all the benefits of gel liner more conveniently. It’s incredibly pigmented with its rich, creamy formula that works well both on the lash line or as a tightliner. It’s incredibly long lasting and smudge-proof, staying in place for hours.

Neutrogena Smokey Kohl Eyeliner ($7.99)

This liner is super creamy, blendable and waterproof, gliding onto the eye easily with no tug. I don’t find it particularly unique for a kohl liner— I’d say it’s on par with most I’ve tried— but you may be more drawn to this clean formula vs. others at the drugstore.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Illuminator Makeup Stick ($14.99)

This is the star of the show, the product that really blew me away. The new Hydro Boost Illuminator is basically my ultimate highlight. This cream formula blends easily into the rest of your makeup and creates a beam of light without chunky glitter or shimmer particles. It creates a natural glowing effect that you can either apply subtly or with a heavy hand for a dramatic strobe. It hydrates your skin while you wear it, with the hyaluronic acid in the formula, and it looks so smooth on the skin without calling attention to texture. This one is the major must-have of the new releases. The shade above is Moonstone, and there are two other shades available in a rose gold tone and gold tone.

Overall, I was pretty impressed with most of the new drugstore makeup from Neutrogena. I’m excited that they’ve started to focus on the color cosmetics and can’t wait to see what’s next. Hopefully, they’ll take note of recent trends and give us more palettes, contour options and perhaps even hydrating liquid lipsticks. One can dream!


Have you tried any makeup from Neutrogena?