When it comes to concealer (one of the most essential necessities of life, am I right?), I don’t think there’s any reason to spend more than $11. I tend to go for Covergirl stuff, but I’m also a fan of the surprisingly cheap (and healthy!) Neutrogena cosmetics line. Here’s why:

1. It lasts long, but not TOO long: It’s true, drugstore goodies usually come in small packages, but I tend to get a least a few months use out of a single product. When it runs out, yes, I have to buy a new one, but frequently shopping for new make-up gives me the chance to explore different brands and tones.

2. It does the job: Sure, maybe some Dior concealer or some no-name, all-natural Sephora exclusive might cover up my blemishes with more perfection than I ever thought to be possible, but my Covergirl basics still do the job. It’s almost like your first car- it might be 15 years old and falling apart, but it gets you from Point A to Point B. I don’t need to look like a Photoshopped supermodel- I just need everyone to look past a few red spots.

3. It’s much easier to get: I know some people who order all their cosmetics from online boutiques overseas, but what happens if you have a blemish emergency when you’re at work, school or somewhere else important and suddenly notice you’ve forgot your make-up bag? Sorry to burst your bubble, but your designer favorite probably won’t be available at the Rite-Aid around the corner.

How about you- when it comes to make-up, are you a splurger or a spender?

Being a girl has its perks, especially when it comes to scoring free drinks at the bar. But being a girl also takes a lot of work and costs a whole lot o’ cashola. Just think about all the things we need to pay for that guys don’t: waxing, haircare, makeup, Spanx, the list goes on.

Yeah, keeping ourselves groomed and primped is not easy on the wallet, but it doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg (or a month’s rent).  Here are some of my favorite beauty products that all come in under 20 buckaroos. These things are just as fabulous as the expensive stuff and, hey, anything that’ll make me feel purty without making me cringe at the price is good by me. (Side Note:  You can get a lot of this stuff on Drugstore.com, an awesome website that carries nearly every beauty item you can imagine and has great deals on ‘em too.)

I am one of those girls who looks dead without a little gloss smeared across my lips and MAC’s lipglass is one of my personal faves. It’s ultra glossy, which is ultra sexy, and it lasts a really long time. There are tons of color options but  “Looks Like Sin” and “Lust” are by far my favorites.

Okay, so maybe you’re thinking, “This is supposed to be an article about beauty products, what is chafing gel doing on the list?”  Well, here’s a tip: this chafing gel does the exact same job as those super expensive-o make-up primers (like Smashbox’s oh-so-popular Photo Finish, which costs at least $36), and it costs under $8!  And – bonus! – for us curvy girls, it does its job and works wonderfully against that frustrating and painful chafing you can get in the summertime.

After years of buying uber-expensive mascaras and still having a hard time finding one I totally love, I discovered Lash Blast by Covergirl.  For under $10, it gives you gorgeous thick lashes without clumping. It even won an Allure Editor’s Choice Award, so you know it’s gonna rock your socks.

Unless I’m going out on the town, I usually only put on powder to smooth out my skin, rather than clogging my pores with foundation on a daily basis, and I love Loreal’s True Match.  They have a wide array of colors and it gives great coverage without feeling thick.

Blush is another one of my daily essentials; it gives me just enough color so I look so fresh and so clean and, you know, alive. I love Sephora’s line; it goes on nicely and naturally, there are a number of colors perfect for different skin tones, and it’s totally budget-friendly.

I’ll be honest, I was skeptical when I first heard of this product a few years back. I mean, the ’80s-looking bottle is enough to scare anyone off. But I decided to give it a go (my legs looked nearly transparent) and I loooooved it.  It’s not like self-tanner so if you end up streaked, it easily washes off. Really, though, it’s quite easy to do without looking streaky or blotchy, and it truly does smooth out my legs significantly.  Perfect for short shorts, skirts and dresses in the summertime.

There’s really not much that makes me happier after a long week than going to get a mani-pedi with the latest OPI shade. They definitely have the highest quality polish (the stuff lasts over a week) and an insanely large collection of colors ranging from the most basic nudes to gorgeous reds to everything fun & funky in between.  This season they introduced the Hong Kong collection, which I’m totes feelin’, especially this beautiful blue that looks splendid on my freshly pedicured toes.

I will never understand how companies can charge up to $30 for a shine spray. I mean, how hard is it to make?! That’s why I’m head over heels for this Matrix Shine Mist. It gives my hair a lovely shine, helps with frizz and fly-aways, and is made especially for all of us color-treated ladies out there. Oh, and it’s under $10.

It may not always be easy being a girl, but these products certainly help. And with all the money you save, you won’t even need boys to buy you drinks at the bar.

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 (like Dior’s Skinflash Primer) and which are not.

What it is: Covergirl Lashblast Volume

Why this should be in your bag: Cuz Drew Barrymore says so in the commercial.  Okay really though, while this is what initially enticed me to buy it (who doesn’t trust Drew?), homegirl was right.  This mascara is under $10 (awesome), it’s waterproof (fantastic), and the brush is packed with tiny bristles to make sure that every lash is covered (hollaaa!).  Drew called it the most successful mascara launched in recent years, and it’s easy to see why.  It covers completely with great color and volume (I tested the very black option).

How to use it: Curl your lashes with a curler, holding down for several seconds.  Start at the base and wigggle the brush back and forth until you reach the end of the lashes.  I like to use the curler again before applying a second coat.  Then, pointing the wand at your eye, swipe back and forth lightly on your bottom lashes.

Could my money be better spent on a cheeseburger? Nope. This mascara is great and so reasonably priced! Plus, it won’t clog your arteries. I’d definitely pass up a dinner on the town for this stuff; you won’t regret it.

Well, now you can get them WITHOUT MASCARA. Yeah, you heard right.

The FDA has recently approved a new drug called Latisse, brought to you by the same pharmeceutical company that gave us Botox: Allergen Inc. They promise “longer, fuller, and darker lashes” with daily use on the upper eyelids for 16 weeks.

Who wouldn’t want that?

But beware of the caveat manufacturers don’t want you to know about. Possible side effects include a gradual darkening of the iris and a darkening of any portion of the surrounding area where the drug touches your skin. Not to mention the possiblility of looking like Chewbacca if it gets anywhere else on your body, since Latisse is merely a hair-follicle stimulant.

Oh, and if you still want to try it? It’ll make a dent of $120 for a 30-day supply. The effects aren’t permanent either, so your lashes will return back to their genetically-determined length after a few months of discontinued usage.

So, let’s get this straight: black irises and the potential for black and hairy eyelids?

I think I’ll just stick with my $20 mascara for now. I want long lashes just as much as the next girl (or as much as those beauty companies tell me I need them), but I just need to know there’s absolutely no chance of me looking like the girl in the picture before I take my chances with Latisse.

But for the more daring (and possibly wealthier), I want to know: will you try it?

So here are my 5 spring makeup l-o-v-e-s.

1) Every season Bobbi Brown comes out with amazing limited edition lines and this Blushed Pink collection takes the cake. The shimmery shadows are a must-have. Seem pricey? Well, Bobbi’s shadows last so long that its totally worth the splurge. Hell, sometimes (when I pass out before I can wash that stuff off!) it even lasts through brunch…the next day. (What? I also love sleep!)

2) I l.o.v.e. Loreal’s HiP line. And color is not just a trend in clothes this season; it’s also a trend for your cute little punim (that’s Yiddish for face). The good news is you can add a pop of color without looking like you are wearing your old school Wet and Wild shadows circa 1998. I love the Kohl liners, especially in gold, for that spring time look.

3) Oh Petunia. how I love thee. When I don’t get enough sleep, when I am a tad (or a lot) hungover, when I look as pasty as the walls in my cubicle, you take me from lifeless to actually kind of cute! This is the best cream blush out there because it’s non greasy and gives that great springy pink look.

4) Covergirl Outlast Lipstain – We’ve all seen the Drew Barrymore ads where she looks perfectly fresh faced and springy. Yeah, well thanks to the new lipstain line, you can have perfection, too! No shine, and no hair getting stuck on your lips when the wind blows. That I LOVE.

5) Looking good is only half the battle. Well, 1/4, really. The rest is all up to your spunky personality, intelligence… and fresh and springy scent. Enter Daisy by Marc Jacobs. Seriously, I sometimes spray it before bed just so I can smell it while I sleep. It’s that good.

CoverGirl has a new mascara comin’!

First Kelloggs, now Subway drops Phelps. Looks like I’ll be satisfying my munchies elsewhere!

Valentine’s Day outfit ideas.

25 Things About Barack Obama.

Who knew Heidi Klum could ever have a fashion miss?

Ideas for lookin’ better on this World Nude Day.

Isla Fisher lookin’ hot on the cover of Allure.

We love low rise thongs.

Why is Taylor Swift on CSI? The girl can barely sing, let alone act.

10 couples that will be dunzo in 2009.

Mmmm Prince Harry.

Fashion for your body shape.

Nice pants, Mama Cyrus.

The worst things about New Years.

Is Jessica Simpson trying to bake a bun in that oven?

Check out some hot new CoverGirl products.

Another memoir faked!

Tara Reid gets her rehab on the house.

[Welcome to my Weekly Love List. A list, on all things I love. Because if I love them - well then obviously you may (and should) love them too. As the Backstreet Boys song says (and yes I am actually quoting them) “My Love is All I Have To Give.” So with that throwback, here are this week’s list-worthy things…]

1. Cover Girl Last Blash Mascara. Until this moment I have been shelling out prime dollars for department store mascara. But with one stroke of this bad boy I was hooked. Hooked and fluttering my eyelashes all night long!

2. Astrologyzone.com: Maybe I’m a sucker, but I am addicted to this site that gives you a detailed (we’re talking like 3 pages baby!) horoscope for the month. I had a chance to hear the astrologist who runs the site, Susan Miller , speak once and I was hooked. Yes I’m into things like The Secret and all that other new-age stuff, but even if you aren’t there is something just so fun about horoscopes. It’s like playing M.A.S.H. when you were a kid. (Although that was never fun if you ended up in the shack married to Steve Urkel).

3. Shutterfly photo books. You have thousands of pics on your computer, but now because of all this digital stuff no one prints their photos anymore! Shutterfly makes it easy to put your best pics on display by putting them in these cute little hardcover plastic books that YOU can design. A great gift idea; after all, who doesn’t love having pics of themselves in their Halloween costume doing a kegstand on their coffee table for all to see? Only everyone worth being friends with.

4. This video. because it never gets old and I never stop loving it.

5. Hautelook.com. Sample sales from your favorite designers – from Ella Moss to Elizabeth and James – and just about everyone in between with prices as much as 70% off! Heavenly and Love List worthy – that’s for sure.

What are you loving this week?

The drama began almost as soon as the girls arrived, when the six of them fought over the five beds in their penthouse. And by “fought,” I mean that Saleisha grabbed a bed for herself that was clearly huge enough for at least two people or an orgy or something. She refused to share it with Heather, which the rest of the girls, namely Bianca, found soooo funny.

Heather failed to get the joke, as did I.

The models head to movie studio where the girls are taught martial arts, and then are immediately put to the test when they have to do the poses…on wires, suspended in air. Bianca continues to annoy me when she manages to come across bitchy talking about her fear of heights and how she’d rather be shopping.

I guess I agree with her on something—I’d rather she was shopping than in the competition too! She refuses to go up and it’s Heather that wins the challenge. And her prize, ironically, is a shopping spree.

The next morning, the girls head to shoot a CoverGirl ad and commercial, which always makes me cringe with second-hand embarrassment. Saleisha is first shooting the commercial, and totally kills it. Heather fell flat, even with Mr. Jay feeding her the lines, and I died a little bit inside watching it. Chantal makes it work too, but when Lisa gets up there, she looks like she’s about to cry.

And then she does. I wish I could make fun of her, but I’ve been known to throw up from nerves before reading a speech in class, so I’m not really one to talk here.

I usually don’t root for girls to go home, but I’m kind of hoping it’s Bianca and her permanent bitchface this time. The judges go through everyone’s commercial and photo shoot, and almost all the photos are a million times better than their commercials, which the judges call “a mess.” Lisa pulls it together after crying during the commercial and turns it into a hot mess and looks radiant in her picture, and Heather’s photo has a sweet intimidating-girl-next-door vibe.

Chantal gets called up first, followed by Saleisha, and it’s down to Heather and Lisa in the bottom two. So is it the girl who “can’t handle critique” or the girl who “fails to deliver (her lines)” that gets to stay in China?

In the end, the judges decide to give Heather another shot—because hey, they both bombed the commercial, but at least she didn’t cry!

Next week on ANTM…go-sees! Stay tuned!