Cheap Beauty...A ? for those of the femme persuation.

[Soft*Silver]

I swear by my sally henson (sp?) diamond nail polish. I love all the colors but esp love their pink colors.

I dont spend alot of money on myself. I have so many projects I pour what resources I have, into. chrissy has never complained, lol, about how I look. So I rely on good bargains that produce quality outcomes. I personally love Avon products for the skin and for makeup. I think their jewelry usually is overpriced and mass supplied so I dont buy any of that unless its significant to me. (like, anything with horses)

I use to spend a whole lotta money on lancome products. LOVE them but when I read in Consumer Reports that one of Avon's $6 face creams beat out Lancome's $50 one, I switched.

[genghisfawn]

I have a huge heart-on for the Burt's Bees tinted lip glosses. If you get the Fig shade, no matter what your skin tone or ancestry, it looks good on anyone... seriously, anyone.

I've been finding Revlon glass nail files at Dollarama lately (Dollarama is very, very good to me.)

The DreamLumi Touché Highlighting concealer (with the little brush tip) by Maybelline beats the heck out of anything professional. I've bought Benefit, Estée Lauder and Clinique to try doing something about my terrible skin tone, and this stuff maims it all.

(Is it just me, or does Maybelline eye makeup in general beat the pants off everything else? Best Lash mascara goes on sale for like $3.99 at Shoppers and London Drugs all the time and it wipes the floor with the 3x the price competition.)

The Garnier caffeinated undereye concealer is awesome, too. Not impressed that you can only find it in light shades (especially since I go super-tan in the summer) but it helps me look less like I've been hit in the face with a truck and more like I've just had a little less sleep than usual. My undereye circles are hereditary, but this stuff is almost like you've got a wand and you've cast a glamour.

Aveeno lotion forever!

[Talon]

Originally Posted by genghisfawn

I have a huge heart-on for the Burt's Bees tinted lip glosses. If you get the Fig shade, no matter what your skin tone or ancestry, it looks good on anyone... seriously, anyone.

>>>*making a note to try the Fig shade*

I've been finding Revlon glass nail files at Dollarama lately (Dollarama is very, very good to me.)

>>I wonder if they would carry those at my local Dollar Tree?

The DreamLumi Touché Highlighting concealer (with the little brush tip) by Maybelline beats the heck out of anything professional. I've bought Benefit, Estée Lauder and Clinique to try doing something about my terrible skin tone, and this stuff maims it all.

>>Yes, those DreamLumi products are excellent. I love the BB cream! It's so lightweight yet leaves your complexion nice, smooth, and even.

(Is it just me, or does Maybelline eye makeup in general beat the pants off everything else? Best Lash mascara goes on sale for like $3.99 at Shoppers and London Drugs all the time and it wipes the floor with the 3x the price competition.)

>>They have up'ed their game on their eye products..I have noticed that too.
I also LOVE Covergirl LashBlast mascara...it's the best I've tried, even in comparison with the dept. store brands. And they even have a 24hour version that does not flake or give you racoon-eyes at the end of the day.

The Garnier caffeinated undereye concealer is awesome, too. Not impressed that you can only find it in light shades (especially since I go super-tan in the summer) but it helps me look less like I've been hit in the face with a truck and more like I've just had a little less sleep than usual. My undereye circles are hereditary, but this stuff is almost like you've got a wand and you've cast a glamour.

>>Must try this! I've read that eye creams enriched with caffeine are really great for puffiness around the eyes.

Aveeno lotion forever!

>>Have you tried the Aveeno face lotion w/ feverfew?

[Bleu]

TALON! My femme sister extraordinaire (and legionnaire)! Terrific thread!

I often get compliments on my skin and being 44 now I take great pride in keeping it looking good. But really, what I do is so simple and remarkably cheap! The key is consistency.
cheap cheap cheap cheap

Clear Pore. I love this stuff...it retails for between $5 - 8 and can be used as a daily cleanser or as a facial mask. The stuff lasts forever too. I buy maybe three to four tubes a year! I use it mostly as a daily cleanser scrubbing it in then rinsing immediately. As far as cleansing mask use, I do this on high wind days in the desert which cakes on an extra layer of dirt. I apply it to my face at the beginning of my shower, do everything else, then by the end of my shower I rinse it completely. That is the extent of how long I leave it on in "mask" mode.
Warning:
The active ingredient in Clear Pore is benzoyl peroxide. Be careful if you get a lot of exposure to the sun when using it. Also, I use cheap white face cloths so my pretty sage colored towels don't get spot bleached with any accidental leftover product on my face.


Every third or fourth day I skip the Clear Pore cleanser and scrub with the Neutrogena Microdermabrasion System.

This handy little item retails for between $15 - 20 and the extra pads are a couple bucks for a pack of 12. The little blue disks are pre-loaded with soap and I scrub my face for about 3 mins total. I do not use anything else that day to clean my face with as it tends to be a little tender. Next day - back to the Clear Pore.

Umm...on a side note...this item can be used as an external vibrator when the exterior cap is removed. It's hard plastic and is completely washable so is easy and sanitary to use for either application.

Two birds, one inexpensive item, and noone suspects a darn thing...hell, yeah, bitches!

PS: It's important to follow with a good moisturizer. I use L'Occitane Immortelle, ($62- 4.4 oz) but that's not so cheap therefore does not belong in this thread...HOWEVER one little pot of this stuff lasts me 6 months!

I spend less than $200 a YEAR in cleansing and moisturizing products for my face and neck. ShiZam!

[Beloved]

Most of my make-up I get from Sephora, because I have a few favorites from Stila (mostly). I don't have a ton of it so it's not that expensive.

I use any over the counter facial moisturizer with SPF 30. I have tried Neutrogena, Aveeno, and Olay and have liked them all. I also sometimes buy mascara from the drugstore, too. I just bought a L'Oreal one today that I've never tried.

I am also a fan of Burt's Bees tinted lip gloss.

[Ginger]

I've tried Lancome and other high-end mascaras, but keep returning to good old drugstore-sold, L'Oreal Voluminous waterproof mascara.

Also I've used humble Pond's cold cream since I was a girl, to remove eye makeup.

I love wandering through huge drugstores on my lunch hour. You never know what deals you'll find.

[Girl_On_Fire]

My two favorite beauty products are baking soda and coconut oil. Baking soda is great to exfoliate with and coconut oil is a good natural moisturizer for skin and hair. Oh, and I love my French clay mask and mineral make-up. I'm all-natural kind of femme.

[Talon]

Originally Posted by Girl_On_Fire

My two favorite beauty products are baking soda and coconut oil. Baking soda is great to exfoliate with and coconut oil is a good natural moisturizer for skin and hair. Oh, and I love my French clay mask and mineral make-up. I'm all-natural kind of femme.

>>Au Naturelle is always a good thing.

>>I didn't know that you could use baking soda as an exfoliator..thanks for the tip, GOF. I love coconut oil...smells much better than olive oil...and works just as good, if not better...I bet you could make your own lip balm w/ it, as well...hmmmm...

>>I also use mineral make-up...It just gives a sheer veil over the skin..I love it!

[Talon]

Originally Posted by IslandScout

I've tried Lancome and other high-end mascaras, but keep returning to good old drugstore-sold, L'Oreal Voluminous waterproof mascara.

>>>This was my fav in high school...makes lashes look really full.

Also I've used humble Pond's cold cream since I was a girl, to remove eye makeup.

>> I use this all over my face to remove make-up before I cleanse, and my skin never feels tight or dry after.

I love wandering through huge drugstores on my lunch hour. You never know what deals you'll find.

>>>Aint' it fun though?...NYC has THE BEST DRUGSTORES..floors of low-end to the highest end products...Dangerous.

[Talon]

Originally Posted by Beloved

Most of my make-up I get from Sephora, because I have a few favorites from Stila (mostly). I don't have a ton of it so it's not that expensive.

>>Sephora is addictive. But, if you buy certain staple products that you use often and really love, I think it's totally worth it. You can't really put a price on feeling good.

I use any over the counter facial moisturizer with SPF 30. I have tried Neutrogena, Aveeno, and Olay and have liked them all. I also sometimes buy mascara from the drugstore, too. I just bought a L'Oreal one today that I've never tried.

>>>All of these I like, too. I have never spent a lot on daily face lotions w/spf. There really is just no need to, in my opinion.

I am also a fan of Burt's Bees tinted lip gloss.

>>I've only used the Badger Balm, the Lavender sleep balm, and the regular lip balm...but since I keep hearing about their tinted lip glosses, I will have to try. Thanks.

[Ginger]

Originally Posted by Bleu

Every third or fourth day I skip the Clear Pore cleanser and scrub with the Neutrogena Microdermabrasion System.

This handy little item retails for between $15 - 20 and the extra pads are a couple bucks for a pack of 12. The little blue disks are pre-loaded with soap and I scrub my face for about 3 mins total. I do not use anything else that day to clean my face with as it tends to be a little tender. Next day - back to the Clear Pore.

All good tips, and I've just excerpted this one. Thanks, Bleu. I've always wondering if those microdermabrasion things worked. I use Clinique exfoliating scrub but have thought about switching to another mode of scrubbing off the dead cells to make way for the new.

[*Anya*]

I use Dove sensitive skin on my face.

I like how it smells. My maternal grandmother always used Dove and it reminds me of her.

I also use a little Clinique beige twist foundation (when I remember to), I curl my eyelashes and I finish with a little Clinique mascara.

I'm good to go.

Clinique is not cheap but it lasts forever and I always time my purchase for when they give those little sample size "gift with purchase" deals.

[Dominique]

I've been using these ELF (eyes, lips face) brushes priced from $1 to $3 and availabe at Target or on line. They have the best eye lash curler too, also $1.

Another discovery is baby wipes. I fell in love with them when I worked for Fed Ex and couldn't stand my hands being dirty all of the time. Now, I use them to quickly remove my make up. Ultra cheap. No fuss, no ruining my hand towels. I also buy these at target.

[blush]

Originally Posted by Dominique

I've been using these ELF (eyes, lips face) brushes priced from $1 to $3 and availabe at Target or on line. They have the best eye lash curler too, also $1.

Another discovery is baby wipes. I fell in love with them when I worked for Fed Ex and couldn't stand my hands being dirty all of the time. Now, I use them to quickly remove my make up. Ultra cheap. No fuss, no ruining my hand towels. I also buy these at target.

I use baby wipes to remove eye makeup. Best idea ever! I also put a squirt of saline solution in my mascara to extend the life of it.

[Bleu]

Originally Posted by blush

...I also put a squirt of saline solution in my mascara to extend the life of it.

Brilliant!

That is thinking!

[Talon]

Originally Posted by blush

I use baby wipes to remove eye makeup. Best idea ever! I also put a squirt of saline solution in my mascara to extend the life of it.

>>Yeah it is.

>>Ohhh..that's a good tip..thanks blush.

[Talon]

Originally Posted by Dominique

I've been using these ELF (eyes, lips face) brushes priced from $1 to $3 and availabe at Target or on line. They have the best eye lash curler too, also $1.

>>These are a hidden gem. I really like their eyeshadows and their lip glosses. I didn't know about their eyelash curler, though..Thank you.

Another discovery is baby wipes. I fell in love with them when I worked for Fed Ex and couldn't stand my hands being dirty all of the time. Now, I use them to quickly remove my make up. Ultra cheap. No fuss, no ruining my hand towels. I also buy these at target.

>>Aren't they great? I keep them in my bag, because they work so well at removing flaking eyeshadow or mascara from under the eyes, while you're on the go. And they don't leave a greasy residue behind.

[Talon]

Originally Posted by *Anya*

I use Dove sensitive skin on my face.

I like how it smells. My maternal grandmother always used Dove and it reminds me of her.

>>This is sweet. Isn't it funny how we'll use a certain product because it reminds us of a happy time in our lives? I am this way with certain scents...it truly has a transporting effect, at least for me it does...I go right back to the time and place.

I also use a little Clinique beige twist foundation (when I remember to), I curl my eyelashes and I finish with a little Clinique mascara.

>>I like their face washes...they never irritate.

I'm good to go.

Clinique is not cheap but it lasts forever and I always time my purchase for when they give those little sample size "gift with purchase" deals.

>>I love getting those.

[ahk]

Originally Posted by Sparkle

I don't buy much in the way of cosmetics or hair products in the drug stores because I find their mark up ridiculous, as ridiculous as the mark up in department stores.

I do most of my shopping for high quality beauty and hair products on ebay and usually save 50-70% buying them there... my Pureology shampoo and conditioner will cost me $90 for two 33oz bottles which will last for at least 10months (that amounts to less than $10/mo on shampoo and conditioner).

Buying on ebay isn't convenient for a quick, easy fix - it requires patience and searching out the best deals but I've found it saves me a ton of money while still allowing me the indulgence of high-end products.

Similarly the Redken volumizing hair products I would pay $15-20 for in the salon or the drugstore, I can get for $10 or less on ebay...
YSL Touche Eclat, the best highlighter pen on the market costs over $40 in the department store, but I can find for $12-16 on ebay...
Urban Decay palettes that run $50+ I can find for $25, on average....
Benefit lipsticks cost $22 per tube, I can find them on ebay for $10 or less...

And if I do enough deal searching, I can buy most of these products with no shipping charges.

One drugstore item I LOVE is: Witch hazel, an all-natural astringent/toner. A bottle of Clinique's toner/clarifying lotion costs $35 or more, and contains mostly witch hazel. Thayers all natural remedies witch hazel costs $8 and IMO works better, and it can be found in most drug stores, grocery stores or places like walmart/target.

Oooh and Loreal does a wonderful line of eyeshadows called "HIP" High Intensity Pigments. I prefer the loose eyeshadow called "HIP Shocking Shadow Pigments" that comes in a small pot. This is "going out/dressing up" eyeshadow it has an intense bold concentration of colour. I love the two shades I have. I've found it on ebay and amazon for about $5, I think that is about half of what I've paid in a drug store. *great product and lasts forever!!!

I'm not a femme-- but I love this thread too. Only because of my wife-- I purchase about .75 of her makeup -- so these tips are simply amazing. I would of never thought of ebay for make up. Sheesh.

Originally Posted by Talon

>>I've only used the Badger Balm, the Lavender sleep balm, and the regular lip balm...but since I keep hearing about their tinted lip glosses, I will have to try. Thanks.

I, too, love badger-- over Burts. I use to be a Burts fan but had noticed that their products changed, not sure how, but they did-- then later to find that Clorox bought them.

Since I'm a boy-- can I post here too?

[Talon]

Originally Posted by ahk

I'm not a femme-- but I love this thread too. Only because of my wife-- I purchase about .75 of her makeup -- so these tips are simply amazing. I would of never thought of ebay for make up. Sheesh.

>>>Lucky girl. Aren't they, though? These women are killing it!



I, too, love badger-- over Burts. I use to be a Burts fan but had noticed that their products changed, not sure how, but they did-- then later to find that Clorox bought them.

>>>Yowza...I didn't know that.
Isn't the badger balm *AMAZING* for your hands in the winter?

Since I'm a boy-- can I post here too?

*chuckle*

Well, of course you may. We do not discriminate around here.