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Fabulous finds for beauty addicts on a
budget.
Stealing
Beauty Everyone
loves a bargain. We flock to sample sales and risk injury by stampede,
razor elbow, or worse. (I saw far more of a famous columnist than I cared
to once when she bent over to try on a pair of five-inch pythons at a
Manolo Blahnik sample sale. Unfortunately, she wasn’t wearing underwear,
and equally unfortunate, I was wearing my best glasses.) We swoon over
the sales clerks at Kiehl’s and Sephora hoping for free samples,
we never miss the gift bags at charity events, and for the right price,
we can sometimes be tempted away from our tried-and-true cosmetics. When
it comes to discovering new, effective, and sweet-smelling potions, the
adage “You get what you pay for” need not apply.
Product perfection is in the eye of the beholder—not in the holder
of the biggest wallet.
The following affordable products live up to their promises. Too good
to be true, you say? I encourage you to look in your medicine cabinet
where there lurks a low-priced gem that you can’t give up—and
why should you? From Colgate shaving cream ($1.96) to the tooth-brightening,
skin-softening magic of baking soda ($0.69), there are hundreds of products
that do what they say and don’t cost much. We’ll review them
all, one by one. —Amy Mack
Just when you thought you’d seen every fringe-boosting innovation imaginable, scientists recently unveiled a new advance: eyelash transplant surgery. But the procedure isn’t for everyone—it requires anesthetics and about $6,000, as well as some maintenance. Fortunately for the scalpel-shy, there’s Cover Girl LashExact Mascara ($7.50; walgreens.com), a tried-and-tested formula that lengthens, thickens, and defines. Because its injection-molded bristles are short and tapered, the brush offers complete control and precision (no clumps, smears, or flakes). Plus, the formula is ideal for contact-lens wearers and easy to remove with just a swipe of soap and water. —Tara Mattarazzo
Skinny eyeliners offer pinpoint accuracy, but they’re not too adept at creating a smudgy look; jumbo pencils are perfect for shading but don’t deliver much precision. Fortunately, there’s an option beyond the standard thick and thin—Styli-Style’s Flat Eye Pencils ($7 each; cosmeticmall.com). With their innovative design, the liners offer the best of both worlds: Apply them one way, and they’ll yield sleek, super-accurate lines; hold them at a slightly different angle, and they create a softer, blurrier look. In addition, the pencils are long-wearing, blendable, and come in 20 ultra-flattering colors, from neutrals and jewel tones to brights and metallics. You’ll need a separate sharpener to keep your pencils in pique condition, but at just $4, it’s well worth the investment. —TM
Contrary to popular wisdom, NYX’s name isn’t a nod to New York City (the cosmetics company is based in L.A.); instead, it refers to the Greek goddess of night. The daughter of Chaos, Nyx was one of the first creatures to emerge from the void, and like their mythological namesake, the brand’s products are some of the most goddessworthy goodies ever to materialize from the bargain bins. Our favorite divine offering? The eye shadows—wonderfully blendable pressed powders packed with intense pigments The brand’s Single and Ultimate Pearl Eyeshadows ($4 to $5 each; drugstore.com) come in a spectrum of shades from sweet pastels to warm neutrals to rich jewel tones. But for even more value and variety, check out the NYX’s 3-Color Trios ($6 each, shown), stunningly well-coordinated palettes that ensure that their wearers will rule both the day and night. —TM
When a company offers hundreds of dreamy polishes, from classic colors to quirky hues, beauty addicts take notice. When it lasts for weeks without chipping or peeling, we stock up. And when a bottle retails for less than a Starbucks Frappuccino, we tell everyone we know. The wonder formula we’re raving about? China Glaze Nail Lacquer ($3.99; folica.com). Smooth, quick-drying, and highly pigmented, the polish delivers a flawless finish and, unlike lesser enamels, doesn’t separate or get gooey in the bottle after only a few applications. With virtually every color and finish imaginable, the only downside to China Glaze is figuring out which shades to choose. Our picks for summer? Sex on the Beach, a silvery pink; Crème Couture, a peachy nude; Awakening, a golden rose; and Tequila Toes, a limited-edition coral shimmer. Once fall arrives, opt for richer hues, like Ruby Pumps, a sparkling scarlet; Patent Leather, a dark cherry red; and Bohemian Chic, a deep berry wine. Or, if you’re planning to partake in fall’s black-polish trend, check out Liquid Leather, a glossy noir. —TM
Investing in a new blush is always a crapshoot: If it looks amazing, you’ve hit the jackpot; but if it’s too bright, too dull, or too shimmery, you’ve gambled away your hard-earned cash on nothing. Want to stop throwing good money after bad? Check out NYC’s Color Wheel Mosaic in Pink Cheek Glow ($3.32; ulta.com). Containing three different rosy shades, the powder is richly pigmented, so you can achieve any look from subtly radiant to boldly flushed (for the most natural effect, use the blush sparingly). With just a single swirl and sweep, the formula goes on silky smooth and lasts all day without caking or fading. And if you prefer a more sun-kissed or au natural take, you’re also in luck: New York Color offers two other dizzyingly beautiful spins, Bronze and Translucent. —TM
If bleach, hot tools, or other chemical crimes have left you with serious fryage, you’ll need to start dousing your strands in the deepest, richest conditioner money can buy. Fortunately, a dollop of Neutrogena Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Mask ($6.50; drugstore.com) delivers intense weekly hydration at a steal. Made with olive, sweet-almond, and meadowfoam-seed extracts, the treatment renders even the most frazzled tresses smooth, silky, and shiny. In fact, it’s so effective that once they’ve tried it, most consumers refuse to stray—even women with money to burn. —TM
For chronic lip-smackers—those addicted to the texture, color, and smell of a great gloss—few products are more tempting than Bonne Bell Lip Lites ($4 each; drugstore.com). Sheer but with serious staying power, the glosses go on smooth, impart a sweet scent, and come in a rainbow of scrumptious hues. Some of our favorites include Champagne Frost, a neutral peach; Vanilla Swirl, a pinky beige; and cappuccino, a mocha with rosy undertones. The best part? Lip Lites are so deliciously affordable, you won’t feel guilty about collecting them all. —TM
If you assess an eye shadow’s worth based on its color, texture, and staying power—and we really recommend that you do—furnishing your makeup case with high-quality shades can be a costly prospect. The good news? Jane Eye Zing Super Smooth Shadows ($3.49 each; walgreens.com) deliver all the advantages you’d expect from pricey pigments at a fraction of the price. Colors like Sungloss (a shimmery beige) and Rock Star (a warm matte brown) are versatile everyday staples, while hues like Clubbing (a glittery black) and Hi Ho Silver (an eye-popping metallic) create a sexy, smoldering look after dark. Silky and blendable, the shadows can be applied with a finger, sponge tip, or, for maximum impact, a damp brush. —TM
Those who’ve been burned by drugstore bronzers in the past (and who hasn’t?) may feel like they’ll never be able to trust again (after all, that "bargain" formula left you looking like you hadn’t washed your face in a month!). But Caboodles Sunkissed Face Pressed Bronzer ($6; caboodlescosmetics.com) is the perfect rebound product—a finely milled powder that, instead of making skin look streaky or dirty, imparts a dependable golden glow. Unlike glittery or matte formulas, it comes with just a hint of shimmer so you don’t look too shiny or flat, and it’s available in Hawaii and Tahiti, skin-flattering shades that get girls of every complexion back in the game. —TM
Searching for a good low-cost lip gloss is like trying to find a prince—you’ve got to kiss a lot of frogs. Most formulas are either too sheer or too sticky, or infused with some cloying aroma. Fortunately, Rimmel Vinyl Lip ($5.29; drugstore.com) delivers high shine for a steal without the unwelcome side effects. The smooth, non-sticky formula creates a lasting luster; its mild citrus scent is pleasing, not unpleasant; and the gloss comes in a pretty palette of colors that can be worn alone or layered over lipstick. Standouts include Snog, Cosmic, and Eastend Snob—three skin-flattering shades that brought our search to a swift end (for the gloss, that is, not the prince). —TM
Long before high-tech microdermabrasion kits and pricey sandblasting gadgets, many of us relied on St. Ives Invigorating Apricot Scrub ($3.29; drugstore.com) to slough off dead cells, banish blackheads, and keep our skin looking radiant. Since then, the market has been flooded with sloughers, but the humble scrub in the telltale peach packaging is still going strong—and it’s no wonder. Made with 100 percent natural exfoliants, it’s abrasive but non-drying, lathers like a champ, and washes off effortlessly. Although St. Ives has introduced several variations on the original, even those with sensitive skin (like moi) often find that the signature scrub leaves their skin supersmooth without residue or irritation. —TM
Drugstore fragrances have come a long way since the ’80s, and although you might think of Calgon as the harried housewife’s bathtub escape, the brand boasts an array of scents that are wooing all sorts of fragrance fanatics. One of the highest notes in the Calgon collection is the Body Mist in Hawaiian Ginger ($6; drugstore.com), a refreshing, fruity blend of pineapple, melon, apple, watermelon, jasmine, rosebud, iris, pink cyclamen, ginger, vanilla, and musk. Reportedly, even A-list actresses with money to burn, like Brittany Murphy, eschew the expensive “It” fragrances in favor of this affordable escape. —TM
Now that blush is officially back, beauty enthusiasts will be hunting high and low for formulas that impart a sexy, realistic flush, as opposed to garish racing stripes. But at more than $20 a pop, the premium brands can get pricey, which is why in-the-know addicts opt for Milani Powder Blush in Luminous ($3.50; walgreens.com). A peachy-pink shade with a hint of golden shimmer, Luminous adds a sheer veil of flattering color to all skin tones with a single sweep. Just be prepared for the inevitable: Everyone you know will ask why you’re glowing. —TM
These days, a single pot of eye shadow can set a girl back $20 or more. But fortunately, there’s a more sensibly priced solution right at your local drugstore. Prestige Eyeshadows ($4 each; walgreens.com) come in a well-curated range of 64 matte and shimmery discs that are heavy on pigment and wearability yet remarkably light on your wallet. With their silky texture, the shadows are supereasy to apply, and Prestige also offers its shades in complementary quads, making the perfect blend a cinch. —TM
Edible beauty products usually leave me feeling queasy, but Blistex’s Fruit Smoothies set ($3.31; drugstore.com) is one flavored cosmetic that actually tastes good. The pack includes three fragrant, creamy balms that soften and moisturize lips with natural fruit extracts and vitamins A, B5, and C. Plus, they’re packed with SPF 15 to safeguard pouts from sun damage. Best of all, the price of these balms—which come in Berry Explosion, Triple Tropical, and Melon Medley—breaks down to only about a buck apiece. —TM
If you’ve ever run out of cash and eyeliner at the same time (who hasn’t?), you know how hard it can be to find a pencil in your price range that doesn’t smear, skip, or sting. Thankfully, there’s an easy way to hit the eyeliner jackpot: Just recycle a few cans, take a trip to the drugstore, and invest in a Jordana Eyeliner (two for $1; walgreens.com). Available in an array of neutral and vibrant hues, the pencils are easy to apply, last all day, and unlike some of their budget counterparts, are gentle enough for sensitive peepers. For added drama, check out the brand’s shimmery Jumbo Eye Pencils ($2.23; houseofgable.com) in Hazy Sky or Winter Frost; not too hard or too soft, they create an instant eye-brightening effect. —TM
What’s silky, sheer, and infused with sex appeal? An Agent Provocateur corset or Cosabella thong would probably fit the bill, but there’s also a far more affordable accoutrement guaranteed to up your come-hither quotient: Wet ‘n’ Wild Lipstick ($0.99; walgreens.com). A longtime staple of starving students and budget-beauty seekers, the formula goes on smooth, is surprisingly long-lasting, and comes in a range of high-impact shades; our favorites include Breeze, Retro Pink, Seville Sangria, and Just Garnet. And if you’re as hooked as we are, be sure to try Wet ‘n’ Wild’s coordinating Lipliner Pencils for extra staying power (they’re also less than a dollar a pop). —TM
I remember my dentist telling me that hydrogen peroxide was the best mouthwash ever. It kills the bacteria that cause bad breath and infection, it whitens (don’t ask me how), and it’s about a buck a bottle. One problem: It tastes disgusting. I just couldn’t use it, until Listerine busted out its new white knight of fresh-tasting, tooth-whitening mouthwash. The new Whitening Pre-Brush Rinse formula ($5.59; drugstore.com) is so loaded with cool mint that you'll barely notice the peroxide, except for the crazy foaming that happens when you swish (but that means it’s working!). Here’s what it says on the bottle: “Floss, swish the whitening formula for a minute, and then brush.” Here’s what it doesn’t say: “Your teeth will look and feel like you’ve just been to the dentist.” —AM
Virtual Trainer
The feel of toned, taught, silky skin isn’t just for 18-year-olds.
Jergens Skin Firming Moisturizer ($5.99; drugstore.com) provides a one-two
punch that keeps skin hydrated and glowing. When used directly after showering,
the moisturizer prevents skin from drying out and looking dull, while
toning agents such as seaweed and Centella asiatica work in tandem
to promote skin circulation (bye-bye, sandpaper elbows). Better circulation
keeps skin nourished, preserving elasticity, and we all know what that
means: fewer wrinkles and better tone. It’s like a gym workout for your
skin, without the membership fees. —AM
Whole
Goodness
A beauty product that costs less than a ride on the NYC subway? It’s Whole
Foods Botanical Shampoo ($1.99; Whole Foods Market) with arnica for normal
to oily hair—and my strands haven’t squeaked this much since I got a rubber
ducky stuck in them. I love a luxury product as much as the next label
whore, but there’s something about this kind of affordable quality that
makes me want to kiss the feet of my local grocer. Botanical Shampoo also
comes in versions for fine, dry or coarse, and thinning hair. And of course,
there's an inexpensive conditioner, too. —AM
Subtle
Shimmer
It may be November in Michigan, but that doesn’t mean you have to
resemble Casper. Jergens Soft Shimmer ($5.99; drugstore.com) moisturizer
delivers the look of sun-kissed summer skin year-round, sans the tanning-salon
price tag or the nasty aging effects of le soleil. The lotion enhances
natural pigmentation, helps camouflage blemishes, and contains subtle
golden light reflectors and silk (which allegedly reflects rays of light
and adds to the shimmery effect)—all without the chemicals or artificial
tanners that cause color changing. Rub on some of Soft Shimmer’s
sun rays, and you’ll look like you spent the day lounging poolside
in Deauville, not shoveling snow in Detroit. —AM
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