Top 3 Under $3

 

N.Y.C. Applelicious Glossy Lip Balm $2.99

Words cannot express how much I love these lip balms.  Currently I own 4 of them, but eventually I'd like to own every shade that is offered in the line.  They are rich with moisture, subtle in pigment, and delicious smelling and tasting! 

Wet N Wild Megalast Salon Nail Color $1.99

As a former nail polish prude, I used to use OPI and Essie nail polishes exclusively.  When I heard that these polishes were just as good (if not better) I was skeptical, but for $1.99 a piece I figured it was worth a try.  Sure enough, I'm hooked on this nail polish now! It goes on so smoothly, the colors are thick and creamy, and it takes several days before any chipping starts to happen.  Plus, you can get 4 bottles of this stuff for the price of just ONE Essie or OPI polish!

e.l.f. Mineral Eyeshadow Primer, Blush $3.00

I recently took advantage of an e.l.f. studio 50% off online sale, and I ordered a ridiculous amount of products.  I am actually planning to post some reviews on the massive e.l.f. haul soon because the experience really helped me sort out the hidden gems and duds of the e.l.f. makeup line.  It was also nice to be able to purchase all the products I've been wanting to try from the line in one complete transaction.  I feel like I'm never able to find everything I'm looking for in stores.  That being said, the e.l.f. mineral eyeshadow primer in the shade "blush" is most certainly a hidden gem.  I'm pretty picky about primer and I don't particularly LOVE the standard elf primer,  but the unique color of this one is what really caught my eye.  It's sort of a mauve color with some very light shimmer, and I'm really a big fan of this stuff.  This is a very unique product, I love the concept of a colored primer.  I've even worn this primer alone on my lids a few times because it's just that awesome! 

That's a wrap on this little series!  If you end up deciding to try any of the products mentioned, I hope you get as much satisfaction from the quality and savings as I did.  :)

Top 5 Under $5

Wet N Wild Eyeshadow Collection Comfort Zone, $4.99

 This palette is often compared to Urban Decay's Naked palette and I must say, that's a pretty accurate comparison.  True to all Wet N Wild eye shadows, the formula is amazing!  Especially considering the unbeatable price tag.  I've been having a blast with this palette... Isn't it perfect for fall?!

Rimmel London Scandal Eyes Waterproof Kohl Eyeliner Nude, $4.49

Wearing neutral tones on my lower waterlines is new to me.  For years and years I wore black liner on my lower lids almost daily.  Finally I realized that wearing black under my eyes every-single-day was a bit harsh.  Plus, wearing a natural skin color on my waterlines makes my eyes look bigger and makes me look more awake and less "emo."  Not sure if I would agree with the waterproof description, but nonethless this pencil rocks and I use it frequently.

Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder, $4.99

I can't tell you how many face powders I've tried in an effort to get the effect that this one so seamlessly gives.  I was ready to shell out big bucks for a matte powder that would get rid of my shininess once and for all, but fortunately I found this one first.  I swear by this product, and I definitely foresee myself repurchasing it again in the future.

Nyx Cosmetics Automatic Eyebrow Pencil, $4.99

I definitely don't use this brow pencil on a daily basis, but it is a great brow solution when you're traveling, in a rush, or when you simply need to get your makeup done on the run.  I tried this on my mom (who typically does not fill in her brows) and she loved it. 

Covergirl - Eye Enhancers, Shimmering Sands, $4.99

This is an oldie, but a goody.  It's just a standard neutral palette, but again... it's one of those products I typically reach for when I'm in a rush, doing my makeup in the car, or just trying to save room in my suitcase.  It's a good staple to have in your collection and you can't beat the price!

What are your favorite products under $5?





(Top 3 under $3 coming to a blog near you!)

Top 10 Under $10

Real Techniques Setting Brush $7.99

I use this brush every day! I mainly use it with a finishing powder to set my under eye concealer.  Occasionally I use it for a defined contour on my cheeks.  This is a very unique brush and I haven't really seen anything else like it around. 

Revlon Photo Ready Primer + Eyeshadow Bohemian $9.99

This is a newer product to my makeup collection, and my first impression of it totally proved my expectations wrong (in a good way!).  The shadows are creamy and easy to blend.  I also love the diversity of colors it offers for being such a small palette.  You can pull off easy every day neutral looks OR spunky colorful looks.  

Almay Get Up and Grow Mascara $7.99

I'm not a huge fan of Almay products, but I love this mascara.  It's the perfect every day mascara.  It has a drier formula, but that seems to really help with thickening my lashes.  It doesn't really clump or flake either which can be very hard to come by in drugstore mascaras. 

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circle Treatment Concealer Brightener $8.99

By itself, this concealer is not thick or dark enough to completely eliminate under eye darkness (or mine anyway).  However, this has an amazing brightening effect.  I use this product on a daily basis.

Loreal Voluminous Smoldering Eyeliner Black $8.99

This eyeliner rocks!  It's shorter and chubbier than your standard eyeliner pencil, but it works great on the waterlines! I typically reach for this when I'm trying to achieve a smudgy, smokey look.  

Milani Baked Blush, Luminoso $8.99

It's no secret that this blush is totally amazing and one of a kind.  It's not overly pigmented and it appears on the cheeks exactly how it looks in the pan.  It's easy to blend, and it's safe to say that this is my go to blush! 

NYX Eyeshadow Base $6.99

I've never been able to achieve the kind of brightness on my own that this product provides.  It has multiple purposes for me (primer, highlighter, inner corner color) and I've yet to experience any other product quite like it.  This has been a game changer for me, and I use it for a variety of different eyeshadow looks. 

SOHO Beauty Sponge, $7.99

Just when I thought all hope was lost for finding a beauty blender dupe, I stumbled upon this baby at Walgreens and it changed my foundation forever. 

Maybelline Lash Discovery Mascara, $7.99

Nothing is particularly outstanding about the formula of this mascara, however the brush is the reason that I'll probably be using and repurchasing this product forever.  It's the only mascara brush I've ever encountered that is small enough to allow me complete control while applying mascara to my bottom lashes.  

Maybelline Color Tattoo by Eyestudio Eyeshadow, $6.99

True to their name, once you put them on your lids they don't move! These are great on the go...I grab these when I'm extremely late and usually apply them with my finger while driving (not suggesting this approach).  The color pay off is really good, they're long wearing, great stand alone shadows AND they are easy to blend!

So there you have it... my top 10 under $10!




(Tomorrow I'll be posting my top 5 under $5)

Revlon Sale at CVS!

It's a brand new week, which means CVS has new deals going on and there is one exceptional sale that I feel compelled to share! 

From now through Saturday, September 28th, you can earn $7 ExtraBucks at CVS for purchasing $15 of Revlon Cosmetics.  Revlon just so happens to be one of my favorite drugstore products, so I made sure to hit up this sale as soon as it hit shelves :) 

Just to offer a little background, I live in an area where there are about 6 different CVS stores within a 3 mile radius.  So my love for CVS originated from the convenience and quantity of stores in my proximity. 

Once I discovered the in's and out's of their ExtraBucks program, I became a full blown CVS enthusiast! In addition to the ExtraBucks that can be earned in a variety of different ways, this drugstore is also great about offering a plethora of additional coupons and savings.  

Not to brag, but it's a pretty common occurrence for me to get my cosmetics and toiletries for rock bottom prices or even completely free, and I have CVS to thank for that! :) 

Here's an example of an outstanding deal I got yesterday: 

 Revlon Nearly Naked Pressed Powder in the shade "Light" retails for $9.99

Revlon PhotoReady primer-shadow palette "Bohemian" retails for $9.99

The last time I shopped at CVS, I earned $9 ExtraBucks and I saved a very important coupon that printed with my receipt... it was a "spend $15, get $5 off deal." One important thing worth mentioning... ExtraBucks are considered cash at CVS, so when you "spend $15" whether that's with real cash or ExtraBucks, it counts toward that $15 you have to spend in order to get the $5 off. 

In addition, I'm signed up for CVS email discounts.  They often send me emails with 25% off your next purchase.  When I see these emails, I click the link that says "send to your CVS card."  I typically forget about these, but sure enough when I hand the cashier my CVS card, 90% of the time they'll ask, "Would you like to redeem the 25% you sent to your card?" 

All that being said, when it came time to check out with the 2 products featured above, my original total rang up to a total of about $20.  I chose to redeem the 25% off that I had completely forgotent about. I also cashed in my $9 ExtraBucks and my $5 off of $15 coupon.  

My final total (drum roll please)...

$1!!!!!!!!!!!

What made this deal even sweeter was the $7 ExtraBucks that printed as a result of spending $15 on Revlon products. 

And, my opinion on the actual quality of these products?  Outstanding!  The pressed powder is ACTUALLY nearly naked.  I set my foundation with it this morning, and was pleasantly surprised with the soft and "un-cakey" finish.  And, the eye shadow palette definitely exceeded my expectations!  The colors are beautiful, creamy, thick, and easy to blend. 

I hope this post was helpful! Happy shopping :) 

 

Amazing New Lip Products!

Happy Friday everyone! I've been experimenting with some great new lip products recently...

I am head over heels IN LOVE with the Nivea lip butters! I own every flavor they offer, but the raspberry rose kiss is definitely my favorite. As if the taste and texture is not enough to make you swoon, the baby pink pigment it leaves on the lips is adorable! This product retails for about $4 at most drugstores.

NYC Applelicious Glossy Lip Balm in the shade "blushing golden." If you're looking for a frosty, light coverage, and moisturizing lip product, this one is awesome! I've used this almost every single day since I purchased it. It only cost $3, but it was somewhat difficult to pin down a drugstore that actually carried the full line of NYC products. Needless to say, this is a new favorite of mine, and an added bonus is that it tastes just like Swedish Fish candy.

Major shout out to e.l.f. cosmetics! A variety of their products have been rocking my world recently, but this dynamic lip duo I accidentally discovered, will be a look I wear over and over again this fall! The matte lip color is in the shade "Tea Rose," and the gloss is simply called "Pout Perfecter." Both descriptions of these products are very accurate to the actual finish they leave on the lips...

The swatch on the left is the matte lip color and the swatch on the right is the pout perfecter. The matte product has a very pointed tip, so I start out by lining my lips with it. Then I coat the center of my lips with it. Lastly, I put a little bit of the pout perfecter on the center of my lower lip for a pop of shine, and BOOM--> a gorgeous lip look that is unique and very appropriate for the fall season!

I purchased both of these lip products from:  www.eyeslipsface.com

e.l.f. Studio Matte Lip Color

e.l.f. Studio Pout Perfecter

So affordable and SO gorgeous!

Have a great weekend everyone!