Hello, everyone!
This is a very quick post acknowledging that I know every post I've made since this time last year has been deleted. I've saved them to flash drive, so I'll start the fairly drawn out task of reposting them ASAP. Until then, I'll be posting an all new blog post within the next 24 hours. :)
As always, thank you with all my heart for following me!
All My Love!
Miss Fauxbulous
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Secret Weapon of the Day
I have tried every conditioner known to man, some random organic oils and a few weird concoctions on my waist length, thick, coarse, color treated hair ( I'm talking brands like Kerastase and Alterna) and nothing has made my hair as silky and nourished as this little $3 gem. It smells like coconut and makes it easy to detangle your hair in the shower. And, compared to the $30-$50 that Kerastase and Alterna can run, this is a steal. I buy mine at Target.
Just follow the instructions on the bottle.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Looking Expensive Series Part 1- Thrift Store Shopping Like a Pro!
Hi Guys!
So, I asked everyone's opinion on Facebook on what you all would like my next post to be about and, overwhelmingly, you said you wanted to know how to look expensive but, do it on a dime. I decided that, instead of writing one really long post on the subject, I would break it up into a series. So, here is part one...thrift store shopping. :)
I have a secret confession. Almost everything I wear is from a thrift store or consignment shop. Seriously. I LOVE to find cheap little treasures and, with a bit of imagination, make them into something admirable. I do this with furniture as well, but today maybe we should just talk about what goes on our backs.
There are a few tips and tricks to great thrift store shopping. Honestly, you can have almost your whole wardrobe be from a thrift store and, if you do it right, people will still see you as classy or quirky or bohemian or whatever you want them to see. I go for more of a 1960's class, but that's just my taste. Secretly, I adore getting compliments at a party or gathering on an outfit I know I only paid $5 for. And, there is nothing more "green" than wearing an outfit that is recycled, not to mention a lot of thrift stores are tied to charities, so your money is going to a good cause. See? Everybody wins.
Here are all of my tips and tricks. Enjoy!!!
Tip #1- Find a Thrift Store in a Good Area that is Close to a High End Mall.
Most thrift stores near good malls receive their overstock, so a lot of the merchandise is brand new. Ditto a thrift store near a Target. Also, if you shop a thrift store that is in an affluent area, the money still goes to the same charity, but the stock is WAY nicer. And, with the way wealthy women go through clothes, the garments are practically new. I personally don't care what's "so last season", but I'm sure glad they do.
I once saw a legit vintage Dior bag for $50. I didn't get it, but still.
The thrift shop I go to is a normal shop, but in a great area, so I have picked up Benetton dresses for $5, Coach bags, Guess, Banana Republic... it's awesome.
Tip #2- Know What You Can Work With
Wasting $5 on a dress that has bleached out armpits is still a waste of $5, because you will never ever wear it. So, my advice is to know what stains you can get out, what can be altered and what can be repaired by you, yourself. If a dress has a broken zipper or missing button, that's ok because those are easily fixed. If, however, a dress or shirt has a blood stain on it...well, those are notoriously difficult to get out. Also...why does the dress have blood on it??? Ew.
So, know what's actually a good deal and what's just a waste of money. Anything can be taken in or taken up, especially if there is darting in the bodice. However, it's difficult to let clothes out. Also, buying something 2 sizes 2 small because you like it and might fit into it one day is just silly. You might, it's true, but until then it's just cluttering up your life and reminding you how out of shape you feel right now. You don't need that.
Don't buy anything that has frayed edges, holes anywhere but a seam, pit stains, blood stains, makeup stains (except mascara, which is easy to get out), is too small or is moth eaten/ silverfish eaten. Be wary of leather jackets and inspect them for wear and tear.
Tip #3- Go Right When They Open
If you can, try to go to the stores right when they open. In fact, make friends with the staff (you should just be nice anyway, right?) and see if they will tell you when they tend to put new stock on the floor. That way, you have first pick.
Tip #4- Buy Costume Jewelry
You can spice up any simple fitted sheath dress or button down shirt with one cheap trick...vintage jewelery. I have a whole collection of brooches and not one of them is more expensive than $10, but all of them are vintage. Vintage pins and whatnot usually have a lot of artistry to them and a bit of whimsy, so they can add a personal touch to a thrift store find. Go your local vintage mall and have fun. It's great to be complimented on your pin or necklace and be able to say "Why, thanks! It's from the 1950's!"
Tip #5- For the Guys
Guys, thrift store shopping is actually more geared toward men. They have a large variety of jeans, button down shirts, tshirts and shoes. Try to find things in good repair, but shoes, if they are leather, can be repaired for usually very little money. If you find a great pair of dress shoes or boots, know that a quick trip to a shoe repair place can make them look new and disinfect them. Also, if you ARE shopping for tshirts, look for them in an athletic cut, which is less boxy and more tapered at the waist. If you are shopping for jeans, avoid stone wash, tapered legs or anything that hangs on your booty.
Honestly, for you guys, it's less about what you wear and more about good grooming. Lucky you!
Tip #6- Shoes for Women
I personally don't tend to buy shoes at thrift stores, because women tend to not have any barrier between their feet and the inside of the shoe. However, the same rules apply if you do. If they are leather, they can be repaired. Know what you are willing to spend on that and plan accordingly. Personally, I just try to find really good deals on super cute shoes at regular stores. I actually have a few pairs of decent shoes that are shiny or bright or completely nude and I wear them with everything.
I think that's it so far. If I think of any more, I fill post them asap. If not, my next post will be about shopping at thrift stores for home furnishings. :)
Warmth and Peace,
The Thrift Store Barbie
So, I asked everyone's opinion on Facebook on what you all would like my next post to be about and, overwhelmingly, you said you wanted to know how to look expensive but, do it on a dime. I decided that, instead of writing one really long post on the subject, I would break it up into a series. So, here is part one...thrift store shopping. :)
I have a secret confession. Almost everything I wear is from a thrift store or consignment shop. Seriously. I LOVE to find cheap little treasures and, with a bit of imagination, make them into something admirable. I do this with furniture as well, but today maybe we should just talk about what goes on our backs.
There are a few tips and tricks to great thrift store shopping. Honestly, you can have almost your whole wardrobe be from a thrift store and, if you do it right, people will still see you as classy or quirky or bohemian or whatever you want them to see. I go for more of a 1960's class, but that's just my taste. Secretly, I adore getting compliments at a party or gathering on an outfit I know I only paid $5 for. And, there is nothing more "green" than wearing an outfit that is recycled, not to mention a lot of thrift stores are tied to charities, so your money is going to a good cause. See? Everybody wins.
Here are all of my tips and tricks. Enjoy!!!
Tip #1- Find a Thrift Store in a Good Area that is Close to a High End Mall.
Most thrift stores near good malls receive their overstock, so a lot of the merchandise is brand new. Ditto a thrift store near a Target. Also, if you shop a thrift store that is in an affluent area, the money still goes to the same charity, but the stock is WAY nicer. And, with the way wealthy women go through clothes, the garments are practically new. I personally don't care what's "so last season", but I'm sure glad they do.
I once saw a legit vintage Dior bag for $50. I didn't get it, but still.
The thrift shop I go to is a normal shop, but in a great area, so I have picked up Benetton dresses for $5, Coach bags, Guess, Banana Republic... it's awesome.
Tip #2- Know What You Can Work With
Wasting $5 on a dress that has bleached out armpits is still a waste of $5, because you will never ever wear it. So, my advice is to know what stains you can get out, what can be altered and what can be repaired by you, yourself. If a dress has a broken zipper or missing button, that's ok because those are easily fixed. If, however, a dress or shirt has a blood stain on it...well, those are notoriously difficult to get out. Also...why does the dress have blood on it??? Ew.
So, know what's actually a good deal and what's just a waste of money. Anything can be taken in or taken up, especially if there is darting in the bodice. However, it's difficult to let clothes out. Also, buying something 2 sizes 2 small because you like it and might fit into it one day is just silly. You might, it's true, but until then it's just cluttering up your life and reminding you how out of shape you feel right now. You don't need that.
Don't buy anything that has frayed edges, holes anywhere but a seam, pit stains, blood stains, makeup stains (except mascara, which is easy to get out), is too small or is moth eaten/ silverfish eaten. Be wary of leather jackets and inspect them for wear and tear.
Tip #3- Go Right When They Open
If you can, try to go to the stores right when they open. In fact, make friends with the staff (you should just be nice anyway, right?) and see if they will tell you when they tend to put new stock on the floor. That way, you have first pick.
Tip #4- Buy Costume Jewelry
You can spice up any simple fitted sheath dress or button down shirt with one cheap trick...vintage jewelery. I have a whole collection of brooches and not one of them is more expensive than $10, but all of them are vintage. Vintage pins and whatnot usually have a lot of artistry to them and a bit of whimsy, so they can add a personal touch to a thrift store find. Go your local vintage mall and have fun. It's great to be complimented on your pin or necklace and be able to say "Why, thanks! It's from the 1950's!"
Tip #5- For the Guys
Guys, thrift store shopping is actually more geared toward men. They have a large variety of jeans, button down shirts, tshirts and shoes. Try to find things in good repair, but shoes, if they are leather, can be repaired for usually very little money. If you find a great pair of dress shoes or boots, know that a quick trip to a shoe repair place can make them look new and disinfect them. Also, if you ARE shopping for tshirts, look for them in an athletic cut, which is less boxy and more tapered at the waist. If you are shopping for jeans, avoid stone wash, tapered legs or anything that hangs on your booty.
Honestly, for you guys, it's less about what you wear and more about good grooming. Lucky you!
Tip #6- Shoes for Women
I personally don't tend to buy shoes at thrift stores, because women tend to not have any barrier between their feet and the inside of the shoe. However, the same rules apply if you do. If they are leather, they can be repaired. Know what you are willing to spend on that and plan accordingly. Personally, I just try to find really good deals on super cute shoes at regular stores. I actually have a few pairs of decent shoes that are shiny or bright or completely nude and I wear them with everything.
I think that's it so far. If I think of any more, I fill post them asap. If not, my next post will be about shopping at thrift stores for home furnishings. :)
Warmth and Peace,
The Thrift Store Barbie
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Cheap and Effective Products
Hi Guys!
I know it's been a while since my last post, but this Thrift Store Diva has been pretty busy lately. I've had it called to my attention that my blog has some pretty steady followers (yay!), so I will try to keep up with it a little bit better.
Today I wanted to post some cheap, but effective, recipes to clear your skin, calm your skin, smooth your hands over night and condition your hair. Right now, my skin is a total train wreck. (I blame stress and falling asleep with my makeup on), so I am not the poster child for these recipes working at this very moment. However, I promise they do work. Happy Grooming!
Mask for Acne
What you need:
Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay- about $7 for one pound of powdered clay at Sprouts, Mother's, Whole Foods and Henry's (But, you can usually find it on sale)
Raw Apple Cider Vinegar- about $4 at any of those stores. Make sure it is unfiltered, which means it is cloudy on the bottom. That's called the "mother". I use Braggs brand.
Directions:
First, cleanse your skin and stand over a bowl of hot water with a towel covering your head and the bowl, like a tent, for 10 minutes to steam open your pores. Then, in a bowl, combine equal parts of apple cider vinegar and clay (I do a tablespoon of clay to a little less than a tablespoon of vinegar). Make sure neither the bowl, nor the stirring utensil, is metal. It reacts with the clay. Stir it up until it's smooth (it will fizz, too, which is kind of cool) and then spread it evenly all over your face, or just where you get acne. As it dries, your skin will feel like it's "pulsing". Leave it on for about 10-20 minutes, unless your skin is sensitive, in which case try for 5-10 min at first to check your tolerance. Lay a hot (but not burning hot) , wet washcloth over your face and wipe off the mask. Rinse off completely. Your face will be pretty red, which is normal and goes away quickly, so do this at night when you don't have to be anywhere.
The benefits: This mask literally sucks the gunk out of your pores. You will most likely actually SEE the pore clogs sitting on top of your skin. Because it is so deep cleansing, the first few times you do this, your skin may "purge" (which is a fancy way of saying the deep down gunk will come to the surface and cause pimples). This will stop happening after a few times.
If $7 for a pound of clay seems like a lot to you, remember that you only use a tablespoon at a time and only do this once or twice a week. My jar has lasted me 2 years.
The Soothing Face Mask
What you need:
some honey (raw is best)
5 drops of lemon juice (not the kind with lemon oil in it. Straight lemon juice.)
Directions:
In a bowl, mix together ingredients and smear it on your cleansed, steamed face. Wait 20 minutes and rinse. This mask is pretty drippy, so I put a towel down over my pillow and just lay there. Sometimes, because I have acne scarring, I add a pinch or two of turmeric to the mixture, which fades acne marks and hyperpigmentation. Honey is naturally antibacterial and conditioning and lemon is acidic, so this mask does wonders for your skin.
Soft Hands Over Night
What you need:
Vaseline (I use the Alba Un-Petroleum, which you can get at any of the above stores, but Vaseline works and is much cheaper)
Cotton gloves- $4 or so at CVS, Walgreens...wherever. They are usually called moisturizing gloves and can be found by the eye masks and loofahs.
Directions:
Before bed, smear some jelly on your hands. Put on the gloves. In the morning, take of the gloves and rinse your hands. Your skin will be super soft.
Shiny, Silky Hair
What You Need:
An egg yolk
2 Tablespoons each of- olive oil, grape seed oil and rum
A cheap shower cap
Directions:
Mix everything together in a bowl. Apply it to DRY hair. Put on the shower cap. Keep the mixture on for at least 30 minutes. Rinse out. Your hair will be soft and shiny.
I have very long, very thick hair, so I double this recipe.
That's it for today! Thanks for reading and I hope these recipes work out great for you.
Warmth and Peace,
The Thrift Store Barbie
I know it's been a while since my last post, but this Thrift Store Diva has been pretty busy lately. I've had it called to my attention that my blog has some pretty steady followers (yay!), so I will try to keep up with it a little bit better.
Today I wanted to post some cheap, but effective, recipes to clear your skin, calm your skin, smooth your hands over night and condition your hair. Right now, my skin is a total train wreck. (I blame stress and falling asleep with my makeup on), so I am not the poster child for these recipes working at this very moment. However, I promise they do work. Happy Grooming!
Mask for Acne
What you need:
Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay- about $7 for one pound of powdered clay at Sprouts, Mother's, Whole Foods and Henry's (But, you can usually find it on sale)
Raw Apple Cider Vinegar- about $4 at any of those stores. Make sure it is unfiltered, which means it is cloudy on the bottom. That's called the "mother". I use Braggs brand.
Directions:
First, cleanse your skin and stand over a bowl of hot water with a towel covering your head and the bowl, like a tent, for 10 minutes to steam open your pores. Then, in a bowl, combine equal parts of apple cider vinegar and clay (I do a tablespoon of clay to a little less than a tablespoon of vinegar). Make sure neither the bowl, nor the stirring utensil, is metal. It reacts with the clay. Stir it up until it's smooth (it will fizz, too, which is kind of cool) and then spread it evenly all over your face, or just where you get acne. As it dries, your skin will feel like it's "pulsing". Leave it on for about 10-20 minutes, unless your skin is sensitive, in which case try for 5-10 min at first to check your tolerance. Lay a hot (but not burning hot) , wet washcloth over your face and wipe off the mask. Rinse off completely. Your face will be pretty red, which is normal and goes away quickly, so do this at night when you don't have to be anywhere.
The benefits: This mask literally sucks the gunk out of your pores. You will most likely actually SEE the pore clogs sitting on top of your skin. Because it is so deep cleansing, the first few times you do this, your skin may "purge" (which is a fancy way of saying the deep down gunk will come to the surface and cause pimples). This will stop happening after a few times.
If $7 for a pound of clay seems like a lot to you, remember that you only use a tablespoon at a time and only do this once or twice a week. My jar has lasted me 2 years.
The Soothing Face Mask
What you need:
some honey (raw is best)
5 drops of lemon juice (not the kind with lemon oil in it. Straight lemon juice.)
Directions:
In a bowl, mix together ingredients and smear it on your cleansed, steamed face. Wait 20 minutes and rinse. This mask is pretty drippy, so I put a towel down over my pillow and just lay there. Sometimes, because I have acne scarring, I add a pinch or two of turmeric to the mixture, which fades acne marks and hyperpigmentation. Honey is naturally antibacterial and conditioning and lemon is acidic, so this mask does wonders for your skin.
Soft Hands Over Night
What you need:
Vaseline (I use the Alba Un-Petroleum, which you can get at any of the above stores, but Vaseline works and is much cheaper)
Cotton gloves- $4 or so at CVS, Walgreens...wherever. They are usually called moisturizing gloves and can be found by the eye masks and loofahs.
Directions:
Before bed, smear some jelly on your hands. Put on the gloves. In the morning, take of the gloves and rinse your hands. Your skin will be super soft.
Shiny, Silky Hair
What You Need:
An egg yolk
2 Tablespoons each of- olive oil, grape seed oil and rum
A cheap shower cap
Directions:
Mix everything together in a bowl. Apply it to DRY hair. Put on the shower cap. Keep the mixture on for at least 30 minutes. Rinse out. Your hair will be soft and shiny.
I have very long, very thick hair, so I double this recipe.
That's it for today! Thanks for reading and I hope these recipes work out great for you.
Warmth and Peace,
The Thrift Store Barbie
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Shoop DUPE-ey DUPE Part 1
Hello, Friends!
Today we are going to talk about DUPES. What's a dupe, you may ask? A dupe is a product that almost perfectly duplicates a more expensive product. Most of the time, you can find duplicate items that are as good as or better quality than the expensive products. Talk about looking expensive for less. ;)
I will rate each DUPE- not quite as good as/as good as/ better than the original product.
1. Chanel Vitalumiere Foundation- $54 at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales and Macy's
DUPE: Boots no7 Lifting &Firming Foundation- $13 at Target
Rating: BETTER THAN
Boots Firming & Lifting has all of the best qualities of Vitalumiere, plus it fixes a few of Vitalumiere's problems. Boots covers much better and isn't so oily feeling. Also, the Boots L&F Foundation is formulated with more yellow in it than Chanel, so finding a match is a bit easier.
2.Urban Decay Naked Palette- $48 at Sephora, Ulta and Macy's
DUPE: Avon 8-in-1 Pallette in Neutral Tones-$12.99...unless you catch it on sale
Rating: AS GOOD AS
The Urban Decay Naked Palette is probably their top selling item. It is so popular that they can't keep it in the stores and, for a while, they couldn't even keep up with production because demand was so high. I have owned it myself, and honestly, I like the Avon one just as well. There aren't as many colors to choose from in the Avon version, but I feel quite a few colors in the Urban Decay version are too glittery and, therefore, sort of unusable anyway. It's almost as if Avon took all of the best shadows from the UD palette and left out the crappy ones. The pigmentation and formulation of the Avon is fantastic.
3. Any high end moisturizer...and I do mean ANY high end moisturizer.
DUPE: Cerave Night Facial Moisturizer- $12.99 at Target, $13.99 at CVS
RATING: WAAAYYYY BETTER
This moisturizer has ALL of the best ingredients that the top high end moisturizers have without any of the extra "fluff" (like the scent of roses). It truly is a no frills, powerhouse moisturizer and is recommended by dermatologists like crazy. I have very acne prone, easily congested skin that WAS also dehydrated (because of the acne products)and is getting fine lines. This brought my skin back to life. I love it and I have used La Mer, Chanel, you name it. You only need to use a little bit, so start with a pea-sized drop and work from there. Too much moisturizer can break you out, no matter the brand. It also is in a pump bottle, not a jar, so it's way more hygienic. They also have a Day version of this moisturizer with an spf of 30 (which is really the highest almost anyone needs) which would save you money on sunscreen and a step getting ready in the morning.
4.Urban Decay Primer Potion- $18 at Sephora
DUPE- NYX HD Eye Base- $7.00 at Ulta or Cherryculture.com
RATING: BETTER THAN
I mentioned this in another blog, but it's awesome.
5.Benefit High Beam- $24 at Ulta and Sephora
DUPE: Boots no7 High Lights Illuminating Lotion $12.99 at Target\
RATING: AS GOOD AS (but you get more product with Boots)
Benefit calls their High Beam a "model in a bottle" and it is one of their top selling products. However, the Boots version is exactly the same, you get more for your money. And, it is half the price. Just go onto the Benefit website and look at the instructions on how to use High Beam, but use the Boots version.
6.NARS Blush in "Orgasm"- $27 at Sephora and Nordstrom
DUPE: La Femme Blush on Rouge in "Coral Spice"- $3.00 at makeupmania.com
RATING: BETTER THAN (seriously)
This is one of my favorite dupes. NARS Orgasm is not only NARS's top selling product, but it's the top selling blush in the WORLD on account of it's SUPPOSED to look good on literally everyone. The color is shimmery and was created to mimic the flush of a woman's cheek after...well, you get the point. It IS a beautiful blush and the perfect mix of pink and peach. However, it's $27!!!! For BLUSH!!!! The Le Femme version is the same mix of pinky peach with subtle shimmer and it contains more actual product (5.5 grams vs 4.5) than NARS. Also, the pigmentation of Orgasm is kind of "eh", while the La Femme pigmentation is amazing!!!
7. Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer- $49 at Sephora
DUPE: Monistat Chafing Relief Powder-Gel- $4.99 at Target
RATING: BETTER THAN
Yes, I said Monistat Chafing Relief Powder-Gel. And, yes, you find it in the "lady needs" section of Target (it took me forever to find it the first time I needed to. I didn't think to look next to the "feminine itch" products. Yikes.) However, hear me out. The main ingredients of a the Smashbox primer are silicone, silicone, silicone, with maybe some silica and oils thrown in. The Chafing Relief Powder-Gel has those same ingredients...without all of the pore clogging oils. It is a gel that has powder spheres in it, so it keeps you makeup on all day...except if you are VERY oily...in which case dab Milk of Magnesia on your oily parts with a cotton ball after your moisturizer and before the gel. It controls oil like nobody's business. Be careful if you have sensitive skin, as MoM has a very acidic Ph. Just use a tiny bit of the Monistat, or you will start to look greasy.
I think that's enough dupes for now. Enjoy your new, expensive looking face. ;)
Until next time.
The Thrift Store Barbie
Today we are going to talk about DUPES. What's a dupe, you may ask? A dupe is a product that almost perfectly duplicates a more expensive product. Most of the time, you can find duplicate items that are as good as or better quality than the expensive products. Talk about looking expensive for less. ;)
I will rate each DUPE- not quite as good as/as good as/ better than the original product.
1. Chanel Vitalumiere Foundation- $54 at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales and Macy's
DUPE: Boots no7 Lifting &Firming Foundation- $13 at Target
Rating: BETTER THAN
Boots Firming & Lifting has all of the best qualities of Vitalumiere, plus it fixes a few of Vitalumiere's problems. Boots covers much better and isn't so oily feeling. Also, the Boots L&F Foundation is formulated with more yellow in it than Chanel, so finding a match is a bit easier.
2.Urban Decay Naked Palette- $48 at Sephora, Ulta and Macy's
DUPE: Avon 8-in-1 Pallette in Neutral Tones-$12.99...unless you catch it on sale
Rating: AS GOOD AS
The Urban Decay Naked Palette is probably their top selling item. It is so popular that they can't keep it in the stores and, for a while, they couldn't even keep up with production because demand was so high. I have owned it myself, and honestly, I like the Avon one just as well. There aren't as many colors to choose from in the Avon version, but I feel quite a few colors in the Urban Decay version are too glittery and, therefore, sort of unusable anyway. It's almost as if Avon took all of the best shadows from the UD palette and left out the crappy ones. The pigmentation and formulation of the Avon is fantastic.
3. Any high end moisturizer...and I do mean ANY high end moisturizer.
DUPE: Cerave Night Facial Moisturizer- $12.99 at Target, $13.99 at CVS
RATING: WAAAYYYY BETTER
This moisturizer has ALL of the best ingredients that the top high end moisturizers have without any of the extra "fluff" (like the scent of roses). It truly is a no frills, powerhouse moisturizer and is recommended by dermatologists like crazy. I have very acne prone, easily congested skin that WAS also dehydrated (because of the acne products)and is getting fine lines. This brought my skin back to life. I love it and I have used La Mer, Chanel, you name it. You only need to use a little bit, so start with a pea-sized drop and work from there. Too much moisturizer can break you out, no matter the brand. It also is in a pump bottle, not a jar, so it's way more hygienic. They also have a Day version of this moisturizer with an spf of 30 (which is really the highest almost anyone needs) which would save you money on sunscreen and a step getting ready in the morning.
4.Urban Decay Primer Potion- $18 at Sephora
DUPE- NYX HD Eye Base- $7.00 at Ulta or Cherryculture.com
RATING: BETTER THAN
I mentioned this in another blog, but it's awesome.
5.Benefit High Beam- $24 at Ulta and Sephora
DUPE: Boots no7 High Lights Illuminating Lotion $12.99 at Target\
RATING: AS GOOD AS (but you get more product with Boots)
Benefit calls their High Beam a "model in a bottle" and it is one of their top selling products. However, the Boots version is exactly the same, you get more for your money. And, it is half the price. Just go onto the Benefit website and look at the instructions on how to use High Beam, but use the Boots version.
6.NARS Blush in "Orgasm"- $27 at Sephora and Nordstrom
DUPE: La Femme Blush on Rouge in "Coral Spice"- $3.00 at makeupmania.com
RATING: BETTER THAN (seriously)
This is one of my favorite dupes. NARS Orgasm is not only NARS's top selling product, but it's the top selling blush in the WORLD on account of it's SUPPOSED to look good on literally everyone. The color is shimmery and was created to mimic the flush of a woman's cheek after...well, you get the point. It IS a beautiful blush and the perfect mix of pink and peach. However, it's $27!!!! For BLUSH!!!! The Le Femme version is the same mix of pinky peach with subtle shimmer and it contains more actual product (5.5 grams vs 4.5) than NARS. Also, the pigmentation of Orgasm is kind of "eh", while the La Femme pigmentation is amazing!!!
7. Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer- $49 at Sephora
DUPE: Monistat Chafing Relief Powder-Gel- $4.99 at Target
RATING: BETTER THAN
Yes, I said Monistat Chafing Relief Powder-Gel. And, yes, you find it in the "lady needs" section of Target (it took me forever to find it the first time I needed to. I didn't think to look next to the "feminine itch" products. Yikes.) However, hear me out. The main ingredients of a the Smashbox primer are silicone, silicone, silicone, with maybe some silica and oils thrown in. The Chafing Relief Powder-Gel has those same ingredients...without all of the pore clogging oils. It is a gel that has powder spheres in it, so it keeps you makeup on all day...except if you are VERY oily...in which case dab Milk of Magnesia on your oily parts with a cotton ball after your moisturizer and before the gel. It controls oil like nobody's business. Be careful if you have sensitive skin, as MoM has a very acidic Ph. Just use a tiny bit of the Monistat, or you will start to look greasy.
I think that's enough dupes for now. Enjoy your new, expensive looking face. ;)
Until next time.
The Thrift Store Barbie
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Having Problems with My Posts
Hi, Guys!
For some reason blogger.com is cutting out whole chunks of the text I am trying to post. So, if you see something that makes no sense, that's why. I'm trying to fix it.
For some reason blogger.com is cutting out whole chunks of the text I am trying to post. So, if you see something that makes no sense, that's why. I'm trying to fix it.
Spend or Scrimp? (Revised)
Hi Guys!
It seems that a lot of people nowadays are pretty confused about what they should spend their hard earned money on and what they should scrimp on. Some items are ok, or even preferable to scrimp a little on, but some products are worth the higher price tag. So, what should we spend on and what should be scrimp on, and why? Here is a list of some of the most used products and where to allocate your money.
1. Foundation: Spend
You know you need to spend a bit more on foundations the same way you need to pay a bit more for a good bra. Think of it as the foundation of your house. If you have a bad foundation, it doesn't matter how expensive or artfully crafted the rest of your house is. It's the same with cosmetic foundations. Most drugstore foundations look cheap because they are very, very pink. Why? Because, pink pigment is much cheaper to produce and buy than yellow pigment, so most drugstore foundations use a lot of pink. You CAN find decent foundations in drugstores, but it is worth it to spend a bit more on a really good one. That way, you can spend less on everything else.
Some decent drugstore foundations are:
L'Oreal True Match Liquid (doesn't photograph well)
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind
Some great department store foundations are:
Chanel Vitalumiere (for every skin but oily)
Too Faced Amazing Face
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer
Chanel ProLumiere (for oilier skin)
2. Eyeshadow: Scrimp
There's no need to spend a ton on eyeshadows as long as you know which low-end shadows have great texture and color payoff. My favorites are by NYX and are as good as or better than most high end shadows. If you use a good eyeshadow primer first, then your shadow savings are even better because you won't use as much to get the look you want and your shadow will stay on all day without fading or creasing. Urban Decay Primer Potion and MAC Paint Pots are great. Try NYX HD Eye Shadow base. It's amazing and it's cheap. To me, shadow primer is an essential step, just make sure to dust a powder or flesh toned eyeshadow over your primer before doing eye makeup or blending will be impossible.
3. Mascara: Scrimp
It is a little known fact that most of our mascaras come from one of only 3 different manufacturers. There isn't a lot of difference between most formulas AND you are supposed to throw it out after 3 months, so why spend $30 for a mascara that you need to throw out in 90 days? Especially if the mascara is no better than a $6 brand? Some great mascaras are : Prestige My Longest Lashes, Prestige My Blackest Lashes, and Prestige My Biggest Lashes.
4. Blush/Bronzer: Scrimp
As long as you know which brands sell highly pigmented, smooth formula blushes, absolutely scrimp on these! NYX makes fantastic powder and cream blushes, but La Femme makes the most pigmented powder blushes I have ever seen and average about $5. You can buy them on Amazon.com.
5. Concealer: Spend
More expensive concealers are better pigmented and grab the skin better. You don't have to spend a mint but, you do need to spend something. MAC Studio Finish Concealer is great and you can use it all over your face.
If you simply can't shell out the money, then Maybelline Dream Matte is also amazing. The Instant Age Rewind Double Ended Concealer by Maybelline is great for the undereye. NYX Concealer in a Jar is amazing, too.
6.Eyeliner: Scrimp
Just buy Le Grand Kohl by L'Oreal. It's inexpensive and fantastic. Don't cheap out more than this, though. You will get into "really squishy and hard to work with" or "really hard and doesn't draw" territory. If you WANT to spend more, I recommend the 24/7 pencils by Urban Decay, but it isn't necessary. It's personal preference.
7. Makeup Brushes: You really should SPEND
A few good brushes will cost you a lot less in the long run then tons of crappy ones you don't like and will never use. Sigma makes great quality brushes for a very moderate price but, sometime you can buy one pricey brush that does the work of 10 brushes. The MAC 217 brush, for example, can do your entire eye look by itself, so it really is a good investment. It's up to you though. Good brushes= the best application and blending, which ends up being less work for you and your makeup will look 100x better than with bad brushes. Bad brushes can leave streaks, scratch your skin and make your makeup patchy.
8. Lipstick/ Lip Gloss/ Lip Liner: Scrimp
Yup, you can scrimp on all of these. As long as the pencil isn't so hard that it "drags" (meaning you have to really push hard to get any color) and the lipstick isn't too drying, you will find that a LOT of high end lipstick brands are no better than lower end. Why? Because, there aren't that many ways to formulate lipstick!
My favorite lipstick is Avon Ultra Color Rich. It's super hydrating and creamy. I like the "sheer" colors. Maybelline Color Sensational lipstick is also great and I love Maybelline Moisture Extreme lipstick in "Born With It" but this lipstick is verrrryyyy hard to find. Rimmel Moisture Renew is a runner up, but it sort of smells like crayons.
My favorite lip liner is Maybelline Color Sensational. I use Toast and Plum, depending on my lip color. These are all I wear. They go with everything.
I admit, my favorite lip gloss is Urban Decay Lip Junkie in Peroxide and it is NOT cheap. But,my price per use is very low because I wear it EVER DAY. I wear it alone and over every lipstick, so for me, it's not expensive. It also has made my lips a bit more pigmented and plumper, even when I'm not wearing it, so I love that. L'Oreal Color Juice and Cover Girl Wetslicks Fruit Spritzers are good choices, too.
Now For Skincare!
1. Makeup Remover: Scrimp
You can make your own with Alcohol-Free witch hazel and extra virgin olive oil, mix a 1:1 ratio of oil to witch hazel in a travel vial (you can get these in the travel size section of Target) or a small glass apothecary bottle (I got mine at Sprouts). It will look like a lava lamp. Shake it up before you use it, or else you will get all oil. You CAN use this for eye makeup, but please only use alcohol free witch hazel, not the normal 14% alcohol type.
2. Cleanser: Scrimp
Most dermatologists suggest you cleans with something soap free and gentle. This means cleansing with either Cetaphil or Purpose soap. I use Neutrogena Oil Free Acne wash, but I use either the green one or the grapefruit one. No sense in shelling out tons for cleanser. Any antioxidants or anti aging properties won't matter in a cleanser; the product isn't on your skin long enough for any ingredients to absorb into your skin so paying more for cleanser is a waste of money.
3. Toner: Scrimp
Alcohol Free Witch Hazel or lemon juice. 'Nuff said.
4. Moisturizer: Scrimp
Surprised? Well, 10 or so years ago this would have said "Spend" but nowadays, drugstore moisturizers are just as good as department store moisturizers and have just as much science behind them. Case in point, L'oreal has a serum called "Youth Code"; Lancome has a serum called "Genifique". Lancome is a L'Oreal brand. The difference between these two serums? One ingredient, and this ingredient is pretty worthless in the formula. Aside from that, they are identical. And, neither actually works. So, why is Genifique over $50 for a small size and Youth Code around $20? Don't even get me started on "Creme LaMer".
The best drugstore moisturizers are: Cerave (it has high end humectants in it and is super moisturizing), Eucerine Redness Relief SPF 15 (my fave), Garnier Moisture Rescue Gel Cream, and Eucerin Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Sensitive Skin Creme.
5. Zit Cream: Scrimp
Clean and Clear PersaGel 10 is the best. Hands down. Better than literally ANY high end zit cream.
6. Under Eye Cream: Scrimp...sort of.
It depends on what your definition of "spending a lot is". I get millia and styes from really rich eye cream, but my genetics say I need one. The best I have tried is about $13, which in "Eye Cream Land" is pretty cheap. It's by Kiss My Face and called "Eye Witness". You can get it at Whole Foods or really any health food store. I love it and it really works well.
7. Serums: Again...scrimp...sort of.
The trick here is not to spend tons on a serum, but to buy a serum that is in an airtight container, with a pump. Once antioxidants hit the air, they start to become unstable (they also start to become unstable when they hit sunlight, so it's best to use serums at night). There are plenty of great (and terrible) high ends serums you can buy. Kiehl's makes a great one called Acai Damage-Repairing Serum. However, Olay just came out with one called Olay Regenerist Night resurfacing Elixir. It's about $23 (but, if you get coupons from Ulta you can save some money on that) and is magic. Don't think that just because you splurge on a serum it is somehow better. A LOT of high end serums on the market are actually mostly silicone.
8. Body Wash: Scrimp
Body wash is easy. Just use what you prefer, but make sure it isn't detergent based and stripping your skin. Dove Sensitive Skin is a good one.
9. Body Lotion: Scrimp
My fave is Burt's Bees Milk and Honey Lotion and I use Neutrogena Age Shield SPF 30 on my hands. You can tell a woman's age by her hands. Nivea just came out with Express Hydration, which is good and St. Ives came out with a Coconut one that I hear is pretty good, too.
10: Nail Polish: Scrimp
I adore OPI nail polish, but they are like $8 a pop. My second favorite? Rimmel London Lasting Finish Pro Nail Enamel. This is the polish that comes in the square bottles and is about $3 a piece. They have great colors, great brushes, great formulas and last forever without chipping. I would say they are as good of quality as OPI, but lack the extensive color selection OPI offers. My secret weapon to a manicure that lasts is Sally Hansen "Hard as Wraps" in clear (don't get the one in the blue bottle though. It's different somehow and the plain old clear one works way better).Hard as Wraps comes in pink, tint, buff and clear, just FYI. I start with a coat of that, then do 2 coats of the Rimmel, then finish with a coat of the Hard as Wraps, again. Done and Done. The Sally Hansen One Step Manicure polishes are rubbish, by the way. My fave Rimmel polish colors are Purple Rain, Steel Gray and the navy blue one I can't remember the name of. Sigh.
Thanks for reading and please post any questions you have.
Warmth and Peace,
The Thrift Store Barbie
It seems that a lot of people nowadays are pretty confused about what they should spend their hard earned money on and what they should scrimp on. Some items are ok, or even preferable to scrimp a little on, but some products are worth the higher price tag. So, what should we spend on and what should be scrimp on, and why? Here is a list of some of the most used products and where to allocate your money.
1. Foundation: Spend
You know you need to spend a bit more on foundations the same way you need to pay a bit more for a good bra. Think of it as the foundation of your house. If you have a bad foundation, it doesn't matter how expensive or artfully crafted the rest of your house is. It's the same with cosmetic foundations. Most drugstore foundations look cheap because they are very, very pink. Why? Because, pink pigment is much cheaper to produce and buy than yellow pigment, so most drugstore foundations use a lot of pink. You CAN find decent foundations in drugstores, but it is worth it to spend a bit more on a really good one. That way, you can spend less on everything else.
Some decent drugstore foundations are:
L'Oreal True Match Liquid (doesn't photograph well)
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind
Some great department store foundations are:
Chanel Vitalumiere (for every skin but oily)
Too Faced Amazing Face
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer
Chanel ProLumiere (for oilier skin)
2. Eyeshadow: Scrimp
There's no need to spend a ton on eyeshadows as long as you know which low-end shadows have great texture and color payoff. My favorites are by NYX and are as good as or better than most high end shadows. If you use a good eyeshadow primer first, then your shadow savings are even better because you won't use as much to get the look you want and your shadow will stay on all day without fading or creasing. Urban Decay Primer Potion and MAC Paint Pots are great. Try NYX HD Eye Shadow base. It's amazing and it's cheap. To me, shadow primer is an essential step, just make sure to dust a powder or flesh toned eyeshadow over your primer before doing eye makeup or blending will be impossible.
3. Mascara: Scrimp
It is a little known fact that most of our mascaras come from one of only 3 different manufacturers. There isn't a lot of difference between most formulas AND you are supposed to throw it out after 3 months, so why spend $30 for a mascara that you need to throw out in 90 days? Especially if the mascara is no better than a $6 brand? Some great mascaras are : Prestige My Longest Lashes, Prestige My Blackest Lashes, and Prestige My Biggest Lashes.
4. Blush/Bronzer: Scrimp
As long as you know which brands sell highly pigmented, smooth formula blushes, absolutely scrimp on these! NYX makes fantastic powder and cream blushes, but La Femme makes the most pigmented powder blushes I have ever seen and average about $5. You can buy them on Amazon.com.
5. Concealer: Spend
More expensive concealers are better pigmented and grab the skin better. You don't have to spend a mint but, you do need to spend something. MAC Studio Finish Concealer is great and you can use it all over your face.
If you simply can't shell out the money, then Maybelline Dream Matte is also amazing. The Instant Age Rewind Double Ended Concealer by Maybelline is great for the undereye. NYX Concealer in a Jar is amazing, too.
6.Eyeliner: Scrimp
Just buy Le Grand Kohl by L'Oreal. It's inexpensive and fantastic. Don't cheap out more than this, though. You will get into "really squishy and hard to work with" or "really hard and doesn't draw" territory. If you WANT to spend more, I recommend the 24/7 pencils by Urban Decay, but it isn't necessary. It's personal preference.
7. Makeup Brushes: You really should SPEND
A few good brushes will cost you a lot less in the long run then tons of crappy ones you don't like and will never use. Sigma makes great quality brushes for a very moderate price but, sometime you can buy one pricey brush that does the work of 10 brushes. The MAC 217 brush, for example, can do your entire eye look by itself, so it really is a good investment. It's up to you though. Good brushes= the best application and blending, which ends up being less work for you and your makeup will look 100x better than with bad brushes. Bad brushes can leave streaks, scratch your skin and make your makeup patchy.
8. Lipstick/ Lip Gloss/ Lip Liner: Scrimp
Yup, you can scrimp on all of these. As long as the pencil isn't so hard that it "drags" (meaning you have to really push hard to get any color) and the lipstick isn't too drying, you will find that a LOT of high end lipstick brands are no better than lower end. Why? Because, there aren't that many ways to formulate lipstick!
My favorite lipstick is Avon Ultra Color Rich. It's super hydrating and creamy. I like the "sheer" colors. Maybelline Color Sensational lipstick is also great and I love Maybelline Moisture Extreme lipstick in "Born With It" but this lipstick is verrrryyyy hard to find. Rimmel Moisture Renew is a runner up, but it sort of smells like crayons.
My favorite lip liner is Maybelline Color Sensational. I use Toast and Plum, depending on my lip color. These are all I wear. They go with everything.
I admit, my favorite lip gloss is Urban Decay Lip Junkie in Peroxide and it is NOT cheap. But,my price per use is very low because I wear it EVER DAY. I wear it alone and over every lipstick, so for me, it's not expensive. It also has made my lips a bit more pigmented and plumper, even when I'm not wearing it, so I love that. L'Oreal Color Juice and Cover Girl Wetslicks Fruit Spritzers are good choices, too.
Now For Skincare!
1. Makeup Remover: Scrimp
You can make your own with Alcohol-Free witch hazel and extra virgin olive oil, mix a 1:1 ratio of oil to witch hazel in a travel vial (you can get these in the travel size section of Target) or a small glass apothecary bottle (I got mine at Sprouts). It will look like a lava lamp. Shake it up before you use it, or else you will get all oil. You CAN use this for eye makeup, but please only use alcohol free witch hazel, not the normal 14% alcohol type.
2. Cleanser: Scrimp
Most dermatologists suggest you cleans with something soap free and gentle. This means cleansing with either Cetaphil or Purpose soap. I use Neutrogena Oil Free Acne wash, but I use either the green one or the grapefruit one. No sense in shelling out tons for cleanser. Any antioxidants or anti aging properties won't matter in a cleanser; the product isn't on your skin long enough for any ingredients to absorb into your skin so paying more for cleanser is a waste of money.
3. Toner: Scrimp
Alcohol Free Witch Hazel or lemon juice. 'Nuff said.
4. Moisturizer: Scrimp
Surprised? Well, 10 or so years ago this would have said "Spend" but nowadays, drugstore moisturizers are just as good as department store moisturizers and have just as much science behind them. Case in point, L'oreal has a serum called "Youth Code"; Lancome has a serum called "Genifique". Lancome is a L'Oreal brand. The difference between these two serums? One ingredient, and this ingredient is pretty worthless in the formula. Aside from that, they are identical. And, neither actually works. So, why is Genifique over $50 for a small size and Youth Code around $20? Don't even get me started on "Creme LaMer".
The best drugstore moisturizers are: Cerave (it has high end humectants in it and is super moisturizing), Eucerine Redness Relief SPF 15 (my fave), Garnier Moisture Rescue Gel Cream, and Eucerin Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Sensitive Skin Creme.
5. Zit Cream: Scrimp
Clean and Clear PersaGel 10 is the best. Hands down. Better than literally ANY high end zit cream.
6. Under Eye Cream: Scrimp...sort of.
It depends on what your definition of "spending a lot is". I get millia and styes from really rich eye cream, but my genetics say I need one. The best I have tried is about $13, which in "Eye Cream Land" is pretty cheap. It's by Kiss My Face and called "Eye Witness". You can get it at Whole Foods or really any health food store. I love it and it really works well.
7. Serums: Again...scrimp...sort of.
The trick here is not to spend tons on a serum, but to buy a serum that is in an airtight container, with a pump. Once antioxidants hit the air, they start to become unstable (they also start to become unstable when they hit sunlight, so it's best to use serums at night). There are plenty of great (and terrible) high ends serums you can buy. Kiehl's makes a great one called Acai Damage-Repairing Serum. However, Olay just came out with one called Olay Regenerist Night resurfacing Elixir. It's about $23 (but, if you get coupons from Ulta you can save some money on that) and is magic. Don't think that just because you splurge on a serum it is somehow better. A LOT of high end serums on the market are actually mostly silicone.
8. Body Wash: Scrimp
Body wash is easy. Just use what you prefer, but make sure it isn't detergent based and stripping your skin. Dove Sensitive Skin is a good one.
9. Body Lotion: Scrimp
My fave is Burt's Bees Milk and Honey Lotion and I use Neutrogena Age Shield SPF 30 on my hands. You can tell a woman's age by her hands. Nivea just came out with Express Hydration, which is good and St. Ives came out with a Coconut one that I hear is pretty good, too.
10: Nail Polish: Scrimp
I adore OPI nail polish, but they are like $8 a pop. My second favorite? Rimmel London Lasting Finish Pro Nail Enamel. This is the polish that comes in the square bottles and is about $3 a piece. They have great colors, great brushes, great formulas and last forever without chipping. I would say they are as good of quality as OPI, but lack the extensive color selection OPI offers. My secret weapon to a manicure that lasts is Sally Hansen "Hard as Wraps" in clear (don't get the one in the blue bottle though. It's different somehow and the plain old clear one works way better).Hard as Wraps comes in pink, tint, buff and clear, just FYI. I start with a coat of that, then do 2 coats of the Rimmel, then finish with a coat of the Hard as Wraps, again. Done and Done. The Sally Hansen One Step Manicure polishes are rubbish, by the way. My fave Rimmel polish colors are Purple Rain, Steel Gray and the navy blue one I can't remember the name of. Sigh.
Thanks for reading and please post any questions you have.
Warmth and Peace,
The Thrift Store Barbie
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