Tuesday, January 11, 2011

my drugstore tried and trues!

i'm a tightwad. really. i only buy expensive beauty bits when i absolutely think it is worth it. looking incredible does not mean a fat wallet. to me, it means being thrifty and paying close attention to what certain products are for- i say this because me, like many others i know, will at one point (or several times) purchase an eyeshadow, a foundation, or a blush, use it once or twice and then chuck it. why? because it doesn't work!  right? sometimes this is true, but i have found that sometimes these cosmetics just weren't used right.


 Let's begin shall we?




 Mabeline's DREAM-SMOOTH mousse
$4 - $6
this may seem like a risk not willing to take, but i beg to differ. these are one of those said products that seem very crappy first use. my theory is because there are two kinds of Maybeline mousse- one in a little glass pot (which in the same container are varied shades of blush and cream shadows as well), and there is the one shown above which is in a compact with a mirror, and a little applicator. if you use the applicator, this foundation is way more than "full coverage" and ends up looking cakey. my tip for success with this product is to wash your hands and fingernails thoroughly, gently smooth a finger over the makeup itself and apply it by hand. don't spread it over your skin- gently pat it like machine gun fire, and then finish with a loose powder, or even pressed powder will do. your skin will look flawless.  *another tip: if you wash your face and moisturize every morning before you put on makeup- wait until your skin soaks in almost all the moisturizer and feels kinda tacky to the touch- it's like the perfect primer for the Mousse foundation.
**Eczema friendly!**

 NYC's Liquid Eyeliner
$2 - $3
  i buy this at Target and i have been for the last 3-4 years. it is unstoppable and i love it. this liquid eyeliner is the type with a little brush at the end, but it's tapered, so it's pretty easy to get the hang of with practice. but it's all a matter of preference. i've never liked the felt tip kind because they typically make a messier application. NYC's eyeliner in Black is actually very dark, unlike most others i have used turn out looking like a softer black, or a gray, if you will. what i love the most about this eyeliner is that it lasts all day without flaking off, and it doesn't burn or sting when you apply it.

 L'OREAL's Neutral matte palette
$4 - $6
i think this Loreal palette is called, "earthscape" but it's not important, what is however is that this is one of the best neutral eye palettes i've come across. not just because of the great colors which have a gorgeous matte finish, but that these work both as a dry shadow, and a wet shadow to achieve a richer pigment. but ditch the little foam applicator, those things usually pop off of the plastic stem within 3 uses anyway. use an eyeshadow brush to apply.





L'OREAL's VOLUMOUS mascara
$6 - $8
Loreal's mascara is incredible any day. it does give volume: the thickness, the length, the oomph you desire to give bambi a run for his money. i have found that even after those late late nights and you find that you have mascara residue still, on a rushed morning you can actually apply this mascara over the aftermath and still look fabulous.


 Suave's MAX HOLD hairspray
$2 - $3
 i typically don't like to mess around with cheap aerosol hairspray unless it's AquaNet, but i'm not even a fan of AquaNet for all over hair stay power. Need an inexpensive hairspray in a pinch? go for Suave's Max Hold hairspray in the spritzer bottle, i love it to death. it gives excellent day long hold when used properly (please spray at 4-6 inches away from your hair). i especially love this hairspray because i like to spritz my hair lightly when i'm curling it. when my curls are cooled and dried, i can brush them out and shape them to my desire without the stickiness and the stiffness- and it really will hold your curls for at least 8 hours, which is a school day/or work day. 
Goody's Satin Fitted Sponge Rollers (37 in set)
$8 - $12
i love these!!! foam/sponge curlers really are my favorite for an overnight set. the set comes with 37 rollers total, 2" curlers, 1" curlers, and 1/2" curlers. i typically use the larges. each little spongey curler is fitted with a satin cover, which i didn't think much about when i first bought the set- but it actually keeps your hair smooth while your set is drying. they are fantastic.
 

**-Now for the pricier, but incredible beauty products that i recommend to you-**


 Davine's Hairspray for Wizards
$25 - $30
 that's right. the label clearly states that this is indeed made for wizards to use. this stuff is incredible, it holds like cement, but is not sticky. it is soft to the touch, and it is actually pliable! so you can mold your hair like playdoh, but it will not fall! it is perfect for you beehivers! you can achieve the tallest most perfect hive. there is no crunchy/stiff feel, a little bit goes a long long way, it washes out surprisingly easily- and listen here: it smells like sugar cookie dough. it's very light and not overpowering. plus- the packaging and label is so delicate and pretty.





Kevin Murphy's Powder.Puff
((watch the video below, Kevin tells all about this remarkable product!))
$25 - $30 





MATRIX's BIOLAGE conditioning hair mask
$25 - $30
 i had asked my sister what conditioner i should look for to hydrate and repair my hair after dying and color treating it, and she gave me a jar of this stuff. i had never seen it before and did not know where to find it- but i had to know because after the jar finally was done, i was totally hooked. this conditioner smells very fresh and light. it feels like a thick cream to touch. you leave it in your hair for 3-5 minutes in the shower- shave your legs or whatever, rinse, and you will probably cry because your hair will literally feel like the softest silk in the entire planet. AND your hair will smell so fresh and incredible for days! this stuff will completely repair your hair to it's strongest and softest it will ever be. you can also goop up your hair, wrap it in some saran-wrap and lay out in the sun for an hour and wash it out. and it's the easiest deep conditioning treatment you will never have to pay the salon for.

 Estee Lauder's Pure Color Eyeshadow
$15 - $23
my boyfriend's mom has this little glass-like box, that when opened, has a mirror, and a velvetey brown pigment. it's really dreamy stuff. i've used it only a couple times for special occasions, and it's just flawless. the eyeshadow is so incredibly pigmented that what you see right there is exactly what it will look like when applied to your eyes. it blends remarkably, and is so so sultry. also, this shadow can be layered, and it lasts literally all day and into the night without smudging and fading.



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