Latest Drugstore Beauty Favorites

I'm a self-professed product junkie. I love trying the latest and greatest. Needs and wants change and because of that, I am flexible with my beauty routine and the products I use and try. There are some items that I stick with, no matter what (like my Cle de Peau concealer).  Some new products disappoint but others are standouts. I thought I'd share some of my favorites with you.




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1. Revlon Age Defying CC Cream - A favorite magazine raved about this CC cream. I love the coverage but it's not too heavy. I like CC creams in the summer because they are lighter than the traditional foundation I tend to use during the winter months. They are also one step with color, moisturizer and sunscreen, all in one. I've tried BB creams and CC creams. This is my favorite, so far.
2. Revlon Just Bitten Balm Stain - This isn't a new product but I love the bright pink of the color, Lovesick. It has staying power and is a perfect bright summer pink. If bright colors aren't you, there are some pretty neutrals and lighter pinks.
3. Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream - It's super moisturizing for my dry cuticles and it smells great.
4. Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover - I think this is the holy grail of drugstore eye makeup removers. It removes even the most stubborn waterproof mascara without pulling. Even though it's oil-free it's still moisturizing.
5. Goody Tanglefix Brush - My fine hair tangles easily. When I was a kid my Mom battled with the horrible tangles in my hair. There were always tears. Now, due to the medicines I take and coloring my hair (getting gray sucks), my hair breaks easily. This brush is amazing! It works on dry or wet hair, with very little tugging. A friend who is African American told me that it also works great for her.
6. Tea Tree Oil - I mostly use this for my dry scalp. I mix a little with my conditioner, massage it in and rinse. It's also great for dry skin, sun exposure and many other things. A little goes a long way.  My first bottle lasted forever.
7. John Frieda Full Repair Shampoo - Adding blonde into my hair is great but it is drying. This shampoo helps to tame the fly aways and keep my hair strong.
8. L'Oreal Total Repair Extreme Recovery Mask - This is the thickest conditioner I've ever used. After my latest ombre coloring, the ends of my hair looked fried. Instead of giving in and getting the damage cut off, I tried an old technique. When I was teen, on the swim team, I used to douse my hair in conditioner at night, wrap it in a bandanna and rinse it when I woke up in the morning. I tried this technique on just the ends of my hair, using this treatment. It's working. My hair is looking better. It's shiny again and doesn't look damaged.

The most expensive product on the list is the Revlon CC cream. It's $13.99 but a small amount does your entire face. All of the rest of the products are under $10. I love beauty at a bargain!

Do you have any favorite drugstore products?

Frugal Fashion Friday - Update Your Look for Under $50

Every season, I want a few new items to help me update my look and I know I'm not alone.  Lots of times, my budget doesn't allow for a ton of new purchases.  I search for items that will freshen my outfits and make them feel new. Remixing items you already have is also a great way to update your look but we'll talk about that in a future post. My spring budget is small this year, due to wedding expenses and other plans for music festivals and our yearly beach vaca.  I'm going to add a few inexpensive items to my wardrobe to update clothes I already own.

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For less than $50, you could grab a fun statement necklace, a bright lip color and fun nail polish.  I love these combinations.

A sheer peach lip, a bright orange necklace and a turquoise nail just scream summer to me.  Pair them with shorts and a simple white t-shirt or a pretty sundress. Total - $24.29

A bright fuchsia lip, a tough but pretty ombre chain, and white nails are an 80's throw back. Add some slouchy, ripped jeans, a loose blouse and sandals for an easy weekend look. Or pair them with a simple dress for a no thought office outfit. Total - $17.98

A necklace like this one calls for a blank canvas.  I'd pair it with an LBD for evening or crisp white, men's style dress shirt for day.  The coral nails and pink lip are great additions without going over the top.
Total - $45.58

I'm picturing this combo for my beach trip.  A maxi skirt, some sandals and a pretty tank would be perfect for this fantastic turquoise necklace, plum lip and silver nails.  I wore this exact lip color on my wedding day.  It's an amazing pinkish purple that is bold but pretty. A metallic nail is a great compliment but it doesn't compete. Total - $36.49

How are you going to update your outfits for spring and summer, in a frugal way?

Daily Beauty Tools

I'm a product junkie. Trying the latest and greatest is a priority.  So when I stick with a specific product or type of product for a long time, I know it's crucial and I'm in love. I've had questions about my beauty and skin care and thought I'd share my daily go to routine and products.

Cle de Peau Beaute concealer / Maybelline Mascara / Mary Kay eye shadow /Liquid eye liner / L'Oreal Paris Elnett hairspray/ Revlon Just Bitten Lipstain

I've mentioned before that I'm anal about my skin care routine.  I wash my face and moisturize every night.  I use eye cream and I use sunscreen daily. My sunscreen, moisturizer and eye cream vary because I need more help at different times of the year.  I use Cetaphil to wash my face. It's gentle and cleanses thoroughly without stripping oil from my skin. Clean, moisturized skin helps your makeup look great and last.

FACE
My favorite foundations are those that give good coverage without feeling heavy.  This spring I discovered Revlon Photo Ready Airbrush Foundation.  It's super light but gives great buildable coverage. Dark under eye circles have been an issue for me my entire life.  I tried every product imaginable until I read about Cle de Peau concealer and took the expensive plunge.  I've been using it ever since.  It's hands down the best concealer for dark circles.  It gives amazing coverage and the tube lasts forever. I apply both my foundation and concealer with a brush.

EYES
Most days, I'm pretty consistent with my eye makeup.  I save the bold eyes for evening.  I use neutral colors on my eyes, cream on my entire lid, highlighter on the brow and in the inner corner and granite on the crease. Mary Kay Granite is my all time favorite eye shadow. It's dark enough to give dimension but doesn't over power my eyes and make them look too dark (an issue for someone with dark circles).  I even use it for a lighter version of a smokey eye. I add black liquid liner.  Liquid works best for me because of the great staying power.  I finish with two types of mascara. I learned this from a make up artist. The two types compliment each other. First I layer volumizing mascara. Then I add lengthening mascara.

LIPS
I love a bold lip. Fuchsias, plums, and reds are my friends.  Revlon Kissable lip stain is great. It lasts but doesn't feel stiff or chalk like. It comes it some fantastic bold colors. Crush is my new favorite, it's a pretty plum, for fall.

HAIR
My hair is fine and straight. I use several products to give it volume and texture.  Even when I'm just doing a simple style, like curls, long and straight or a pony tail, I add a blast of  L'Oreal Elnett.  It's a bit on the pricey side for drugstore hairspray but it's the best.  It has staying power and holds my style but never feels stiff. It's easy to redo my hair with a just a quick run of the brush or comb.  Even when I apply it more heavily for an updo, I don't have trouble brushing my hair out at the end of the night.

Those are my must have beauty tools.  What are yours?

Fall 2012 Runway Trends - Bordeaux

The beauty of the bordeaux trend is that it looks great on all skin types.  It's a flattering color. There are so many items to be found in this rich, deep red.  You can take your pick. Select a little with a scarf, shoes, or a top or go all out with a dress, or skirt.  Try a hint of bordeaux with deep red lips or nails. It's simple to make this trend work for you.  I'll be embracing the bordeaux trend every weekend during football season.  My favorite team, the Washington Redskins, is all about the burgundy and gold.  If you still own a vintage Etienne Aigner bag or shoes, now is the time to pull them out.

Express Ruffle top / Asos Peplum top / Ann Taylor skinny pants / ASOS lace skirt / Chinese Laundry platform heels / Elie Tahari smoking slippers / ASOS cross body bag / ASOS studded clutch purse / Vigotti ballet flats / Asos Textured Knit Snood / Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain, Crush / L'Oreal Polish Haute Couture Red

I selected a few items that are perfect for fall.  They are an affordable way to embrace the trend without blowing your budget.  You can select an item or two and still have money left to try out the other fall trends, I'll be featuring this week.  Go girly with a lace skirt or stay menswear comfy with smoking slippers.  A simple top is an easy way to wear bordeaux.  Just throw it on with your favorite jeans. Work or weekend, everyone looks great in bordeaux.

Golden Night Owl

Clearly I love Owl's Night by L'Oreal. This is my second post featuring this great color. I hope I'm not boring you. It's dark but not solid black. The base is an off black color with a hint of espresso and it has gold flecks. I added a reverse gold half moon at each tip using Wet 'n Wild Craze in Shield.

I'm loving all of the nail art I am seeing lately. I like fun combinations but nothing over the top. I will be trying more soon. What colors and combos do you like best?