When it comes to drugstore budget buys vs. the high end buys I am always a bit quick to defend my high end purchases. Now don’t get me wrong I have a ton of drugstore faves, but I just tend to find that they are far and few- probably due to that fact that you can’t always them before buying- hate that! However lately there have been a few drugstore budget buys that I have fallen hopelessly in love with and they are becoming a constant in my ever growing rotation. Sit back, relax and don’t worry- your pocketbooks will love you this time. I now bring you a pretty hefty version of Beauty Notes: Best in Budget Edition…
BEAUTY•THE BUDGET BUY•THE HAIR CARE EDIT•THE SKINCARE EDIT
Beauty Notes: Best in Budget
September 30, 2013 When it comes to drugstore there are two areas that I actively like to invest my money- lip products and eye products. With so many trends that come and go within the beauty world, it is usually easier to budget buy to try before plunging head first into an expensive high end splurge. I like to often experiment with the new shades when it comes to the lips without ever feeling too guilty that something just didn’t quite tickle my fancy. A brand that I have found some of the most incredible dupes for high end products – here’s looking at you MAC; is Wet-n-Wild Beauty Mega Last Lip Color– $1.99USD. Now let me tell you these lip colors are hands down AMAZING!! This long lasting {4 hours on average with eat/drinking} lip color is a serious phenomenal budget buy. 26 hydrating shades to choose from; these lip colors have become a growing love in my life. **Side Note- major dupe alert- Looking to try that dark bold lip for Fall- then you must try: Wet-n-Wild 918D Cheery Bomb it is a exact dupe for MAC Dark Side; looking to find that perfect red for a night out with the ladies? Reach for Wet-n-Wild 911D Stop Light Red it is a perfect dupe for MAC Russian Red. A few other faves to note- Wet-n-Wild 903C Just Peachy= MAC Jazzed and Wet-n-Wild 902C Bare it All is a perfect match for MAC Cherish or Brave.
Moving to the eyes… One of my hands down favorite products to date are Chanel Illusion D’Ombre Eye shadows. But at $36 USD each they can be a bit on the overly pricey side. I found a almost perfect dupe for those that are not looking to spend that kind of penny on a eye shadow. L’Oreal Infallible 24 hour Eye Shadow– $7.95 USD ; is a long lasting, velvety finish almost dupe of Chanel for less than a 1/3 of the cost. Super pigmented, this cream like pigment is beautiful on the lips. With 24 shades to choose from, you are certain to find a few loveable shades- I am quite fond of Bronzed Taupe, Endless Pearl, and Amber Rush to name a few. Another great eye product that almost mimics my holy grail of mascaras Armani Eyes to Kill is the L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara in Carbon Black– $7.99 USD. This mascara is AMAZING! It separates the lashes beautifully and lengthens them like a dream. The carbon black formula makes the lashes super dark up to 3 x’s darker than normal black mascara. The brush is what really gets me, it is almost identical to the Eyes to Kill mascara but for a fraction of the cost. Instant love, I tell ya!
When it comes to hair and skincare products, I often tend to be a bit frigged at the drugstore. I am thinking a bad product or two have jaded me a bit. But I do keep an open mind and am always up for something that catches my eye. In the hair world Argan oil and Moroccan oil have been my constant go to. I being one with dry, chemically-treated hair am one for some good hydration. That brings me to Suave Moroccan Infusion Styling Oil– $10.99 USD, this stuff is phenomenal. It is very reminiscent of my trusty Moroccan Oil. Two pumps before blow dry and it helps keep my hair soft, smooth, frizz free and not flat. Bonus is that it even has helped cut back on my blow dry time. Score!! You can use it as a oil treatment, a hair finisher for some extra sleekness, or even as styler. I am in love with this stuff and for a fraction of the cost of my Moroccan Oil.
Last but not least a skincare find that I have been pretty impressed by is the Boots Botanics Organic Hot Cloth Cleansing Balm– $8.49USD. This product has me a bit intrigued; at first I was a bit un-sure but after weeks of using it to help take off my makeup. It is slowly becoming a pre cleansing staple in my routine. Comparable to that of a Eve Lom Cleansing Balm, but for a fraction of the cost. It goes on a bit warm and milky like when applied, all while breaking down the makeup and the day without stripping skin. I follow this with a nice cleansing afterwards as I feel that if I didn’t, my skin would be a bit too greasy for my liking. But overall I am quite impressed with it. I can definitely see a repurchase in my future as this stuff helps with the hard to budge products – Long-wear foundation and waterproof mascara- I am looking at you two!! The best part is that this stuff unlike its Eve Lom counterpart doesn’t contain Mineral Oil. Score!!
So there you have it a few drugstore budget buys that have me a bit giddy at the moment. Lips, eyes, skin and hair- check. Just a few ideas of what to splurge while on your next drugstore run. It’s a great place to try the trends without killing your pocketbook; and a way to update that makeup wardrobe quickly. What are a few of your faves?
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