We all have our favorite beauty buys that are reliable and cheap.
These are mine, ladies.
1. Organix Moroccan Argan Oil. This stuff smells great, lasts a long time, smooths out my hair and makes it feel healthy. $8.
2. Dove Beauty Bar. Gentle enough to use on my face, I always keep a bar in the shower.
3. Crest Classic Whitestrips These are not the high-tech strips on the market today, but Classic is what I used when I first got hooked on teeth whitening. They still do the job and you get SO MANY MORE compared to the newer varieties. Use them a few times a week until you get the desired shade, and you'll have plenty for upkeep after. Occasionally Amazon offers them for as low as $20 a box.
4. Maybelline Great Lash mascara in waterproof black. There's a reason why it's on most girls must-have list.
5. Revlon Super Lustrous lipstick in Certainly Red (740). Wears well, doesn't get chunky or bleed and it's long lasting. $7
6. Tom's of Maine deodorant in Lemongrass (other scents good as well). My sister went through a phase where she was researching everything and obsessing over what was going to give her cancer - deodorant was one of her big issues and she convinced me to go natural. I'm not gonna lie... I was a bit grossed out at first, but soon realized I liked it. It's just strong enough to keep me from being smelly and I like the texture so much more. It's not cakey and hard to wash off... the natural stuff quickly absorbs and you don't have to think about it for the rest of the day. If it's going to be a long day and I'm doing something after work, a quick re-apply will do the job. I still keep normal deodorant around for the gym or when I know I'm going to be in hot weather. For all I know, my sister could be right about the cancer pit sticks - save the tatas, ladies. If you're naturally stinky or shweddy, this product is not for you.
7. Garnier Nutritioniste Skin Renew Anti-Sun-Damage, SPF 28. Garnier needs to revamp their packaging. Their whole line looks really cheap and the only reason I tried this to begin with is that it was on sale and I had a coupon. I'm such a sucker for a good deal. I was drawn to this moisturizer because of the high SPF (you know my issues with sun spots). I want the sun to stay far, far away from my face. Surprisingly, the cream is just right - not greasy, smells fine, quickly absorbs, and doesn't cause breakouts. At $6-8 a bottle, this stuff is a steal. I also recently tried Neutrogena Healthy Skin Radiance Cream, SPF 15, which is also nice. The packaging is better, but the SPF is a little lower and costs a couple bucks more.
9. Bûche de Noël perfume oil made by Blooddrop Clothing and Fineries. I love ordering samples of her latest offerings, but always go back to this scent. I smell like a walking bakery and it makes me happy. Sorry if I'm making you hungry, I can't help being so sweet.
10. Magnesium Crystal Microdermabrasion Skin Resurfacing Polish by Promaxyl. Boring name, boring packaging, boring medicinal smell. I recently discovered this and haven't completely used it up yet, but I will buy it again. This is a manly scrub, so thick it's a little hard to squeeze out of the tube. None of this 10-microbeads-per-gallon-of-facewash bull doo doo. I don't see the point in buying scrub that doesn't scrub. Promaxyl's version is more like a microderm treatment super buffer - leaves my skin feeling refreshed (from the medicinal smell and slightly warming formula) and baby-butt smooth, but it's not too strong. I use this about 4-5 times a week. I haven't seen it in stores, but you can order on Drugstore.com, get rewards for your purchases, free shipping over $25, and even go through Ebates to get a whopping 12% back. I also just purchased Biore Skin Preservation Even Smoother Microderm Exfoliator and like that as well. Smells better and "easier" to use since the cream is less thick, but I like the one by Promaxyl a little better - I feel like it does a better job overall. If you're concerned about getting one that's too rough I would go with the Biore version.
Heather, you got me into Argan oil and I love it! I bought a bought a bottle at Target for $7.99 right after California, use it after every shower, and still have a little bit left. Amazin!
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