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I don’t know about your neck of the woods, but up here in Minnesota ’tis the season for the mid-winter blahs. Instead of throwing the covers over my head until spring, I’m busting out my favorite perk-me-up budget beauty buys. From the perfect hot pink lipstick to a juicy, fruity face wash, I combed the drugstore aisles to find the best brighteners—all priced well under $20.  –Meghan

CoverGirl Queen Collection Lipstick in Powderpuff Pink ($7): Quite possibly the most universally flattering shade of hot pink I’ve ever encountered. Not for the shy, this shade sings when paired with a minimal eye. Just a tiny bit of Vaseline on the lids and a sweep of lengthening mascara is all you need.

Revlon Cream Blush in Berry Flirtatious ($10): My dry cheeks crave creamy blushes from December through March, and I love how this strawberry-hued version goes on sheer and blends in like a dream. Remember that cream and liquid blushes are highly concentrated, so a little goes a long way.

Pixi Eye Bright Liner No. 1 in Nude ($16): I used to line my lower water line with a bright white eye pencil. Then I realized it wasn’t waterproof so by noon, instead of a nice smooth line, I was left with a patchy, globb-y, gross-y mess. That’s when I realized that a nude liner is where it’s at. Just like a white liner, it brightens the whites of the eye and opens them up, but in a more subtle, natural way.

L’Oreal Colour Rich Nail Color in Versailles Romance ($6):  I’ve been consistently pleased (and surprised) with the durability of L’Oreal’s new Colour Riche polishes. This juicy shade screams spring—if spring looked like a shimmery slice of cantaloupe. It’d be super cute on one hand with a pretty soft pink (like L’Oreal’s Penthouse Pink) on the other.