good face, aisle 3

7 best Houston-area drugstore makeup products for flawless fresh face this spring

Get that flawless spring makeup look with the best drugstore beauty products.

Photo courtesy of L;Oreal/Instagram

For years, Houston makeup shoppers have favorited department stores or beauty boutiques like Ulta and Sephora. But now, beauty aficionados everywhere are running to drugstores in droves for body wash, deodorant and yes, makeup.

Drugstores are a convenient choice for makeup in a pinch (missing foundation or powder?) as they're open late, they're essentially everywhere, and they've upped their beauty game.

"The beauty industry has changed significantly in the last 20 years. Historically, there was a hard line between 'prestige' and 'mass.' Now there are multiple layers in both," Jeanne Tamayo, H-E-B makeup buyer tells CultureMap. "The higher cost for prestige products goes into three main areas: marketing, packaging, and ingredients. Now there are lots of independent brands that are at a mid-range price point who spend more on ingredients and less on packaging and marketing. It is a win-win."

Grab a makeup bag and get ready, because if the catwalks are any indication, the spring season will be filled with Y2K looks, metallic everything, and bold eyes. According to Tamayo, the shelves will be full of, "glowy cheeks, fluffy brows, cream eye products, and moisturizing lip products"

For a fresh spring look and to make the job of buying just the right products easier, Tamayo gives her top Houston-area drugstore picks across several popular categories.

Mascara: L’Oreal Lash Paradise – kicking it old school and going with a teddy bear brush that delivers volume.

Tried and true L'Oreal mascara still holds the top spot for drugstore mascara. Photo by L'Oreal Paris

Lipstick: Milani Fetish Lipstick – The brand is known for a very high quality product at an affordable price point, and most items are made in Europe.

Shop cruelty-free and vegan makeup from Milani. Photo by Milani Cosmetics

Foundation: TikTok famous, e.l.f Halo Glow Liquid Filter. Another more traditional option: Neutrogena Serum Foundation, sheer coverage that has skin care benefits. Makeup should improve and enhance the skin, not cover it up.

The foundation worn by TikTok influencers everywhere is also the top pick for a drugstore foundation. Photo by e.l.f. Cosmetics

Blush: Pacifica Fluffy Blush – Cream/gel blushes are preferable over powder, as they give more dimension to the face and provide a healthy glow for skin. Fun fact about this Clean beauty brand, founder Brooke Harvey Taylor was one of the first leaders in the Clean movement and got her start selling natural fragrance at Grateful Dead concerts.

Cream over powder when it comes to blush. Photo by Pacifica Beauty

Eyebrow product: NYX Thick it and Stick it – for the full “feathered” brow look. Harsh lines and overplucking are out.

Get the fluffy brow look with NYX. Photo by NYX Professional Makeup

Bonus Buys for two need-it-now drugstore beauty products:

Shampoo/Conditioner: Native Coconut & Vanilla Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner. This duo is thoughtfully made with 10 ingredients or less, gently cleanses and replenishes moisture for soft, healthy shine, free of sulfated surfactants, paraben-free, silicone-free and dye-free, vegan and cruelty-free, infused with a warm and sweet Coconut & Vanilla scent. Source: Jennifer Flores, H-E-B Buyer, Hair Care.

Native shampoo smells great and uses only ten ingredients. Photo by NATIVE

Facial moisturizer: Neutrogena Hydro Boost water gel moisturizer - Contains hyaluronic acid which binds to water and holds it in the skin, water gel absorbs quickly into the skin and is lighter than cream, oil free so works great under makeup. Source: Christopher Leal, H-E-B Buyer, Skin Care.

We won't ever get tired of a hydro boost when it comes to skincare. Photo by Neutrogena

LEATHER & LUXE

Heritage leather brand opens appointment-only boutique in River Oaks

Photo courtesy of Ghurka

Ghurka’s new River Oaks boutique brings its signature leather goods and custom clothing to Houston.

The heritage leather brand Ghurka recently opened a River Oaks boutique that offers custom clothing for men and women, a rare find in Houston’s luxury market.

For more than 50 years, Ghurka has built a reputation for beautifully crafted leather goods. Now, Houstonians have a new way to experience its collections.

Its new River Oaks boutique, one of only two brick-and-mortar outposts in the country, brings the label’s signature leather collection together with custom clothing and private styling, creating a personal shopping experience.

At the appointment-only store, clients can shop for leather bags and accessories while also working one-on-one with an advisor to create custom tailoring, shirting, knitwear, and other pieces curated to their specific needs and lifestyle. Houstonians will also be among the first to see Ghurka's expanded clothing offering with the debut of the Fall/Winter 2026 custom collection.

“For us, the decision to open in Houston really came down to people and relationships,” Glenn Pollack, chairman and CEO of Ghurka, tells CultureMap. “Ghurka has a meaningful history here and longstanding relationships with people who know the brand and what it stands for. As we considered returning to physical retail, we wanted to start in markets where we had the right talent, the right relationships, and a strong foundation to build on. Houston gave us all three.”

Ghurka Ghurka's appointment-only River Oaks boutique is located at 3701 W. Alabama, Suite 185. Appointments are available online. Photo courtesy of Ghurka

Founded in Connecticut in 1975, Ghurka's main focus is on leather goods designed to improve with time and wear. Its product range run the gamut from bags and backpacks to wallets, belts, and accessories. The brand is now applying that successful philosophy to clothing, with a focus on premium materials, durable construction, and pieces designed around the individual rather than trends.

Clients can work with a Gurkha advisor to decide what they need from their wardrobes before choosing fabrics, silhouettes, proportions, and bespoke details. Each piece is fully custom and finished by hand and according to Pollack, the goal of the appointment-only Houston boutique is to provide shoppers with a complete experience and a personalized level of attention.

“For us, custom clothing is ultimately about the individual rather than a particular gender,” Pollack said. “The same principles that have guided Ghurka for more than fifty years translate naturally into clothing. Offering custom for both men and women allows us to create a much more complete and personal relationship with our clients.”

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Ghurka Houston, 3701 W. Alabama St., Suite 185. Appointments are available through ghurka.com.

Photo courtesy of Ghurka

Ghurka’s new River Oaks boutique brings its signature leather goods and custom clothing to Houston.

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