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

[Talon]

Originally Posted by G Snap!

Great stuff! There are a few things I gotta try now...

My criteria for most of my cosmetics & personal care stuff is it is 1) readily available (i.e. drugstore) 2) fragrance-free and 3) under $20. This narrows down the choices... And if I have a coupon, I am most happy!

>>I've saved $30 just in cupons alone at the drugstore, before.

I am a big Cetaphil fan, so most days it's their gentle face wash and moisturizing cream. I use Olay's regenerist serum (fragrance free) as a treatment to make sure I'm putting something good on my face.

>>Love the Cetaphil...great for sensitive skin and dermatologist recommended. I love their face moisturizer..it never irritates me or breaks me out.

I am not a big makeup wearer, and will break out the little bit of Clinique I have for a special occasion, but will not leave the house without concealer. My favorite is the Covergirl & olay simply ageless concealer. You either love of hate it...
My most expensive makeup item is Smashbox Halo. I will cry when it is gone. It is like $60 but my skin is super dry and I love how it wears. I want to try drugstore powder foundations that are supposed to be for dry skin but I have had a hard time getting the right shade as you can't try anything, so I end up not getting any. Any suggestions out there?

>>Foundation is hard, the best way that I've found for picking the right shade is going into the store with none on your face, trying the closest shades on your cheek, and then going outside in natural light and comparing them. The shade that "disappears" into your skin, that's the one. It also helps to bring a friend with you to help. Unfortunately, this only works for the lines that have tester shades. A good one to try is "Loreal True Match". They have the largest selection of shades, and also usually have testers, as well.
Good luck!

I have a bad habit of getting bored with what I'm using and switching around to other stuff, but I'm getting better about that. I always try to get stuff on sale with a coupon, or if it's mall store (like clinique) get stuff when they have gifts.

>>I also like to switch up..I think it's a good thing, actually. The only item that I don't switch is my face wash (Purpose) and my sunscreen (Nuetrogena).

I am still searching for a daily facial sunscreen. I want the above (readily available, fragrance free, reasonably priced) for dry skin and no chemical sunscreen. And doesn't make my skin all shiny or feeling like I have a mask on. The few I have found are either super expensive, too drying, or water-resistant and wear horribly.

>>Have you tried the "Neutogena Ultra sheer for sensitive skin"? It's not a chemical sunscreen, it's sheer, and it runs about $10 generally. Just when you apply it, allow it to absorb for about 5 minutes.

[stepfordfemme]

I have incredibly sensitive skin -- allergies/rosacea/you name it....

I love the physicians formula brand and most Almay products.

I also am a sucker for avene anti redness.

The best finds on the cheap are the end of the year discounted stuff. If you are okay with not finding your exact shade but can accept a range, big scores to be had. I just bought nice (revlon) lip liners for about $1 each when normally those suckers are 8$!

Aside from those I am a sephora junkie. I'd rather pay up for products I love (smash box & urban decay) than waste it on products I don't love.

Buy what works best rather than volume.

[Talon]

Originally Posted by stepfordfemme

I have incredibly sensitive skin -- allergies/rosacea/you name it....

I love the physicians formula brand and most Almay products.

I also am a sucker for avene anti redness.

>>Avene, sold at CVS, right?

The best finds on the cheap are the end of the year discounted stuff. If you are okay with not finding your exact shade but can accept a range, big scores to be had. I just bought nice (revlon) lip liners for about $1 each when normally those suckers are 8$!

>>Nice discount, there!

Aside from those I am a sephora junkie. I'd rather pay up for products I love (smash box & urban decay) than waste it on products I don't love.

>>For sure...why throw your money away on items you don't love and will never use? Some things are definitely worth the extra cash.

Buy what works best rather than volume.

>>Smart consumerism.

[Ginger]

I just bought the Neutrogena microdermabrasion thing that Bleu was talking about.

They were out of the refill heads, which are 24 for $11.99 (you use it 2-3 times a week).

I'm trying to wean myself off the expensive Clinique exfoliating scrub I've been using since forever. Or maybe I can alternate them. Also, I looked for the Neutrogena scrub that people add sugar or salt to as an exfoliant but they didn't have it.

I can't wait to use the microdermabrasion thing!

[Talon]

Originally Posted by IslandScout

I just bought the Neutrogena microdermabrasion thing that Bleu was talking about.

They were out of the refill heads, which are 24 for $11.99 (you use it 2-3 times a week).

I'm trying to wean myself off the expensive Clinique exfoliating scrub I've been using since forever. Or maybe I can alternate them. Also, I looked for the Neutrogena scrub that people add sugar or salt to as an exfoliant but they didn't have it.

I can't wait to use the microdermabrasion thing!

>>Make sunday a day of pampering, luv! Make yourself a delish drink...take a hot bubble bath..watch a girlie movie. Coddle yourself....you deserve it!

[Ginger]

Originally Posted by Talon

>>Make sunday a day of pampering, luv! Make yourself a delish drink...take a hot bubble bath..watch a girlie movie. Coddle yourself....you deserve it!

Good idea, Talon!

[Fatale]

Two things I do: I keep a little plastic bottle with a flip top full of baking soda in the shower and add a couple of shakes of that to pretty much any facial wash I use. I think I usually grab something from Neutrogena. It's a super inexpensive way to exfoliate.

I also use hydrogen peroxide as a toner. I learned that trick from a friend who's been in the facial business for years. After I wash my face, I just use a cotton round and go for it. The combined cost of a box of baking soda and a bottle of peroxide is maybe $3.

[Femminator]

Well, I can honestly say don't use the Hardcandy Lash Primer. It flakes and irritated my eyes. I felt like stuff was in them all day, e the fibers just got into my eyes. I finally removed all my eye makeup and reapplied without it. I bought a pricier primer at Sephora, it was expensive, 22 dollars for it, but I loved it. (can't remember the name)No irritation. I think when it comes to something like that, it's probably better to go with the pricier ones.

I recently read a book called "looking younger'' . It went into great detail on how makeup artists get their models lashes so thick, without the primer. She said that you pull out the wand, wipe off excess on the rim and then dab on a soft cloth, not to worry there is plenty left on the wand. Place it at the roots of your eyelashes and wiggle it back and forth as you stroke out. Let that thin coat dry for two to three mins. It is imperative for it to dry completely and that you dab off the wand to get a thin coat, or the next layer will clump terribly. Then repeat for a total of three coats. I have not tried this yet either, but I am going to and see if it works like she says......

[Talon]

Originally Posted by Femminator

Well, I can honestly say don't use the Hardcandy Lash Primer. It flakes and irritated my eyes. I felt like stuff was in them all day, e the fibers just got into my eyes. I finally removed all my eye makeup and reapplied without it. I bought a pricier primer at Sephora, it was expensive, 22 dollars for it, but I loved it. (can't remember the name)No irritation. I think when it comes to something like that, it's probably better to go with the pricier ones.

>>>>With certain products, you-just-gotta-pay-the-money-honey. Thanks for heads-up.

I recently read a book called "looking younger'' . It went into great detail on how makeup artists get their models lashes so thick, without the primer. She said that you pull out the wand, wipe off excess on the rim and then dab on a soft cloth, not to worry there is plenty left on the wand. Place it at the roots of your eyelashes and wiggle it back and forth as you stroke out. Let that thin coat dry for two to three mins. It is imperative for it to dry completely and that you dab off the wand to get a thin coat, or the next layer will clump terribly. Then repeat for a total of three coats. I have not tried this yet either, but I am going to and see if it works like she says......

>>>Thank you for this tip! I definitely will try this..especially for night time.

[G Snap!]

Originally Posted by Talon

>>Have you tried the "Neutogena Ultra sheer for sensitive skin"? It's not a chemical sunscreen, it's sheer, and it runs about $10 generally. Just when you apply it, allow it to absorb for about 5 minutes.

I would love to try it, but for some reason there isn't any to be had here in Tennessee. Sometimes I feel like I am in a cosmetic "dead zone" because there are things I look for but can't find. Like Cetaphil hand cream & Eucerin sensitive face wash. Yes, I could mail order, but that robs me of the instant gratification of walking into a "wal" store and having it right now.

[cinnamongrrl]

I forgot something I was in the habit of doing previously, and should do again...

When you get build up on your hair from products and shampoo, you can wash your hair with lye soap and it strips it of all the crap and leaves your hair SUPER soft and silky....I was doing it once a month or so..
I discovered it because my ex had very bad psoriasis and lye soap was the only thing that helped it. She would use it on her scalp too and I noticed that her hair looked SO nice and shiny! It's not especially cheap...or even easy to find. (we got it at Cracker Barrel, 5 or 6 dollars a bar) but if you get a soap bar keeper, it will last for however often you use it....

[julieisafemme]

What about BB creams? Is it better than tinted moisturizer? What ones have people tried? I have a hard time knowing which color to get in the drugstore. I usually go to the department store.

[Talon]

Originally Posted by julieisafemme

What about BB creams? Is it better than tinted moisturizer? What ones have people tried? I have a hard time knowing which color to get in the drugstore. I usually go to the department store.

>>>Yes, it is better. With BB creams, (depending on the brand, and what each brand offers, so you gotta read labels) You get more than just a moisturizer with a very sheer tint.
For example, I use the "Maybelline Dream Fresh" BB, because it seems to have the most benefits (8-in-1), at a reasonable price:

>>>1. Blurs any imperfections.
2. Enhances your complexion.
3. Brightens your complexion.
4. Adjusts to your individual skin-tone (although, you still have to
choose your skin-tone range..light..medium..dark, ect.)
5. Smoothes the skin.
6. Hydrates the skin.
7. Protects with spf 30.
8. 0% oils and other heavy ingrediants. (so, no "masky" feeling on your
face).


>>>Hope this helps.

[Talon]

Originally Posted by cinnamongrrl563

I forgot something I was in the habit of doing previously, and should do again...

When you get build up on your hair from products and shampoo, you can wash your hair with lye soap and it strips it of all the crap and leaves your hair SUPER soft and silky....I was doing it once a month or so..
I discovered it because my ex had very bad psoriasis and lye soap was the only thing that helped it. She would use it on her scalp too and I noticed that her hair looked SO nice and shiny! It's not especially cheap...or even easy to find. (we got it at Cracker Barrel, 5 or 6 dollars a bar) but if you get a soap bar keeper, it will last for however often you use it....

>>Now I have a question about this...is the lye soap damaging at all to the hair? And, do you know if the lye soap is similar to LAVA bar soap?

[cinnamongrrl]

Originally Posted by Talon

>>Now I have a question about this...is the lye soap damaging at all to the hair? And, do you know if the lye soap is similar to LAVA bar soap?

It never did anything but make my hair super soft. And you can feel the difference in it with all the build up gone from your hair. The only problem I did have was that I have natural wave in my hair, and ithe soap releasing all the goop made my hair fluffier...lol...but it's easily tamed with water...then it sits purty

Tonight I am trying a face mask I read about. Avocado and olive oil. I have an avocado that is a LITTLE more ripe than I like to eat, so I figure rather than trash it, make a nice mask.It's supposed to be excellent for dry skin...

[Talon]

Originally Posted by cinnamongrrl563

It never did anything but make my hair super soft. And you can feel the difference in it with all the build up gone from your hair. The only problem I did have was that I have natural wave in my hair, and ithe soap releasing all the goop made my hair fluffier...lol...but it's easily tamed with water...then it sits purty

>>Cool...thanks.

Tonight I am trying a face mask I read about. Avocado and olive oil. I have an avocado that is a LITTLE more ripe than I like to eat, so I figure rather than trash it, make a nice mask.It's supposed to be excellent for dry skin...

>>Darn it..and I just threw out 2 over-ripe avocados yesterday!

[Fatale]

I know it's a super old school thing to do, but I still love giving my hair a henna treatement ever couple of months. My hair is dark auburn, so sometimes I will use one with a bit of a tint in it, but usually I just use a neutral. My hair, which it about 3 inches longer than shoulder length feels fantastic, root to tip.

[Talon]

Originally Posted by G Snap!

I would love to try it, but for some reason there isn't any to be had here in Tennessee. Sometimes I feel like I am in a cosmetic "dead zone" because there are things I look for but can't find. Like Cetaphil hand cream & Eucerin sensitive face wash. Yes, I could mail order, but that robs me of the instant gratification of walking into a "wal" store and having it right now.

>>>Drag...yeah, it isn't the same as going into the actual store and buying it.
And you know, they've actually done studies,
that show consumers do not get the same fufillment when they buy online, as they do when they physically are shopping in a store....So, I totally get that.