[Is it just me or is there another “revolutionary” new makeup product introduced every freaking day?! Just walking into Ulta or Sephora (or even Walgreens!) sends many chicas into fits of hysteria, reaching for the nearest brown bag to regulate their breathing. It’s all so overwhelming. So how can you know which product – among the sea of thousands – is the best? Which does what you need it to do? Which ones are worth the extra money? Let me help. I don’t know every beauty product out there, but I’ve tested a lot of them and I’ll let you know which are worth the money and which are not.]

(Disclaimer: This product was provided to me for review purposes)

What it is: NYX Single Eyeshadow in Champagne and Iced Mocha

Why this should be in your bag: Eyeshadow is the perfect way to highlight a gorgeous set of peepers or just enhance your look. It instantly steps-up your makeup and gives you a little bit more “oomph”! I find wearers of eyeshadow are usually split into two categories: ones who stick to neutrals and ones who love colors. I’m personally more of a neutral kind of gal, so my eyeshadow drawer is overflowing with all sorts of taupes, browns and bronzes. Even though neutrals sound boring, they are so far from it. Read More »

Is it just me or is there another “revolutionary” new makeup product introduced every freaking day?! Just walking into Ulta or Sephora (or even Walgreens!) sends many chicas into fits of hysteria, reaching for the nearest brown bag to regulate their breathing. It’s all so overwhelming. So how can you know which product – among the sea of thousands – is the best? Which does what you need it to do? Which ones are worth the extra money? Let me help. I don’t know every beauty product out there, but I’ve tested a lot of them and I’ll let you know which are worth the money and which are not.

(Disclaimer: This product was purchased by me for review purposes. Because I can never have too much makeup!)

What it is: NYX Girls Round Lipgloss in Whipped

Why this should be in your bag: A nude lipgloss is a must! It’s perfect for when you’re rocking a dramatic eye or just feel like a change from your usual pink lip. I also find that a nude gloss is a lot softer and easier to wear than lipstick. Whipped is a great nude shade with some hints of pink in it rather than brown, making it good for fair and dark-skinned girls alike! Oh, and it’s cheap, and since I don’t like to wear nude gloss as often as pink, I don’t want it to break my bank. Read More »

For me, shopping for makeup is like a bargain scavenger hunt. Whether I’m using coupons or waiting for a Friends & Family sale, I’ll do whatever it takes to save money. To be honest, I often hesitate to buy high-end products because I know I can usually find a substitute from a drugstore brand.

You know you have discovered gold when you find a great drugstore substitute for a cult product. Over the years of scouring the aisles at Target and CVS, I’ve learned that there are some amazing high-end product replacements out there – you just have to seek them out! Here are 5 of my favorites. Read More »

Let me start off by saying that I am a firm believer in spending money on quality makeup.  Oftentimes well-trusted and expensive brands of makeup are more effective, longer lasting and – shocking – a much better product all around.  However, there are times when buying the expensive stuff is just stupid.

Case in point: when new makeup trends come along. It is silly to spend a ton of money on something without knowing if you’re really interested in the product or if it’s just all the hype. This is the perfect time to invest in the cheaper version to see if it’s something you want to incorporate into your makeup routine long-term. If it is, you can fork over the cash for the better stuff later.

Below are some of the major makeup trends happening right now that (if you get inundated with the ads as much as I do) you’re probably dying to test out. I included the expensive version and the cheap(er) version so you can try them on for size without going for broke. Read More »

Maxim’s #1 hottie is, well, hot.

The Gosselin cheating frenzy continues…

Paris Hilton’s frat party gets out of hand.

Annoying things girls do.

Hellooooo, cheap makeup!

10 ways to survive post-graduation summer.

Like everyone these days, it seems I am living ever so slightly north of broke. Thus, I collect a running list in my head of the best and cheapest cheap-o finds around, so I can maintain a lifestyle I can both enjoy AND afford (and because credit card debt has taken on a new place in my nightmares).

Below are some of my absolute faves. Got some of your own? Please, please please, let me know!

1. Two Buck Chuck: Well, in the case of my Trader Joe’s, it’s Three Buck Chuck – it seems to vary depending on where you are. BUT $3 for totally decent wine is aces with me! As a sidenote, the genius wine guy at my local shop told me that anything between $5 and $20 is generally not worth it. The cheap bottles are every bit as good as the mid-range ones (like $7-$15) so don’t bother! Cheap wine can be good wine!

(1B. I’ve got to give a shout out to Trader Joe’s in general. I cannot get enough of this store, because it has delicious bargains, and makes my goal of cooking my meals at home to save money totally attainable. It also has so much awesome frozen, pre-diced, pre-cooked food. Excellent finds for those of us both poor and busy!)

2. e.l.f. (or Eyes, Lips, Face, if you want to get technical about it): Go to eyeslipsface.com for THE BEST beauty bargains around. I’m not exaggerating; it’s genius. It is to my adult self what Wet ‘n’ Wild was to my elementary school self. All their stuff is well-formulated and pretty, and it is all….wait for it…..$1!! That’s right, one dollar! Eyeshadows, liners, mascaras, nail polish, you name it, all in a huge range of irresistible shades. And I do mean irresistible; the hardest part is not going insane and buying everything you could ever want, because you think, “hey, it’s only a dollar!” and then you’ve spent $50. Oops. Read More »

So if you are like me, you’ve been eating more ramen, wearing last year’s winter coat and squeezing every last drop out of the lip gloss tube. In these tough economic times almost everyone is tightening the belt and, sadly, our beauty regimens are one of the first luxuries to get cut. Penny pinching can be depressing, but finding small ways to treat yourself can really boost your spirits. There is a beauty brand out there the really understands this fact and could prove to be our savior!

e.l.f. – eyes lips face Read More »

So it’s no secret that I love makeup, especially quality brand-name makeup. What I don’t love is the high-end prices (duh, who does?). While I’m not trying to cheat on my bffl Sephora, I’ve made a couple of discoveries of places where you can get the same brand names…for less! A lot less.

Want your Lancome Juicy tube for half the price? How about a Stilla liner on the cheap? Check out these discount stores and you might just get lucky! Read More »