Beauty on the Cheap-Milani Lip Treatment--get picture still

I love the lip treatment from Milani.  It comes in a little pot...which isn't my favorite because I know its not that sanitary...but it smells SO good (like SWEET SUGAR) and its super moisturizing on my lips.  Plus it is only $10 at almost all local drug stores and with my CVS bucks or my Walgreens cash I always get it cheaper.  I have a pot next to my bed, in my car, and at work.  This is bang for your buck!! 

Watercolor

This is another one of my HOLY GRAIL products.  The ultra lightweight blushes from Daniel Sandler are amazing for older skin like mine because they are not shiny or frosty and don't accentuate my fine lines!  However, because they are so lightweight...I would recommend them for teenagers so they don't look overly made up!  

I discovered this product from Katie from Beauty and the Boutique.  They are available in 6 ultra sheer and buildable shades and can be purchased HERE for $22.48 each.  Super easy to use: On my "no-makeup" makeup days...I use the VEIL (see my previous post HERE) and then use just a dab of this on my cheeks, eyelids and lips.  YES...just one little dab will cover ALL those areas for a slightly flushed look.  It is super easy to add on more if you want some more color.  (Katie also has a great video tutorial HERE on how to use the product to look naturally glowing and beautiful.)

I got all the colors (I just couldn't decide!) but the GLOW is the one I use every day to add a little bronze color to my face.  I then pick between the other colors to add a pop of color to the apples of my cheeks, eyes and lips.  LOVE this product!! 

Window to the Soul

I do not use all the Rodan & Fields products.  And, I was skeptical, to say the least, about a product that claims to increase your lash length.  Especially for $150 dollars!  But...the eyes are the window to the soul (or so they say)...and as a blonde....I have never been blessed with long lashes.  So...I figured I would give it a go.  I ordered one from my friend Liz who sells the line and started using it.  Pretty easy...just use the eye-liner-like brush to apply the product at your upper lash line before you go to bed.  I have applied it with and without my contacts in and it does NOT irritate my eyes at all.  So, after about a month...Liz asked if I noticed a change.  "Nope," I told her.  But, a couple weeks later, another friend asks "are you wearing fake eye lashes?"  I gave her the same answer that I had given Liz a few weeks earlier...NOPE!  Those are mine!!  I still have light blonde eyelashes...but on days that I don't feel like wearing makeup...I just throw ONE coat of mascara on now and my eyes look amazing.  A tube will last you about 5-6 months...so it is costing me about $20 a month to have beautiful longer eyelashes.  I will definitely keep buying this product!  Let me know if you want to get in touch with my friend Liz who sells it.  I will stress here....I AM NOT being paid for this post.  I just really think this product works and if you want to see real results...it does work.  

Unfortunately...I did not take before and after pics...but here is a decent close up of my eyes with just mascara on! 

Kissable Lips

My lips are always so dry during the winter.  I found these lip scrubs by Beauty by Earth and bought some for me and my daughters for Christmas.  I liked them so much that I ended up placing a wholesale order for Blush!  The pots are small...but a little goes a long way.  I like all 3 scents but my favorite is the mint.  It is so refreshing!  I put a small dab on before I get into the shower...I lightly scrub my lips for about 45 seconds, then I rinse off.  It is completely edible as well so I will admit that I have tasted a bit before I was it off!!! We have them at Blush for $10 each.  

Illumanti!

I am a huge fan of the no-makeup makeup look...but as I am getting older I need to cover my age spots etc.  I discovered the Veil from Katie from Beauty and the Boutique.  It is literally my HOLY GRAIL product.  It is not quite a concealer or a foundation...but on my light make up days...it is what I wear!  One click of the product in five spots:  under my eyes, under my lips, the sides of my nose, down the center of my nose and in-between my eyebrows.  A little of the product goes a long way!  You just PAT the product in and it is never cake-y and never settles in my fine lines.  Click HERE to see how Katie applies the product...that is where I learned to use it.  I LOVE it.  It just makes my face look good without a heavy makeup look.  I use it EVERY day.  On days where I am going out or want a more "make-up' look I will apply foundation on top of it.  But, for an every day look it is perfect.  It would be great for teenagers just starting to wear makeup too because it looks so natural!  It is $40 on the Veil site but Katie sells it for $35.53 and free shipping.   

TAKE THE DAY OFF

I do not use Clinique Take the Day Off cleansing balm daily...but I find that if I have done a heavy coating of mascara...this is the best product to effectively take it all off!  It is a solid balm that transforms from a solid into a silky oil upon application.  I put a small scoop in my hands and gently massage it over my face and eyes for about a minute.  I then rinse with water.  Although it says opthalmologist tested...I always take my contacts off first so I don't know if it would irritate my contacts or not.  It is NOT a face cleanser...so I follow with my usual skin care regime after.  I have read some reviews which said it gave them acne...I have NOT had this problem with this product....but again...I do not use it daily and I follow with my usual cleanser and moisturizers after.  It is available at Sephora and Ulta as well as Clinique counters.  $29.50.

Unicorn Farts

Finally...someone has captured this magical scent.  And...now...you can get your very own Unicorn Farts Lip Balm for only $3.50.  Tastes and Smells like spearmint and pink cotton candy...of course...everybody knows that. 

Bright Smile

What is the first thing you notice on a person?  Me?  I look at a person's smile.  Not only does a nice smile make a person look better, but white teeth makes you look younger too.  Dr. Laura Torrado, a New York City dentist, gave me the following tips to make my teeth look whiter...without spending a dime! 

Make your own whitening toothpaste!:

A tablespoon of baking soda, a pinch of salt, and enough peroxide to make it into a paste. You want to brush this mixture for about two minutes. The longer the peroxide is on your teeth, the whiter your teeth will get! You should be able to see results immediately.

Lipsticks and Gloss:

First, you should choose a dark color lip shade with a blue undertone. Rose, reds, burgundy, and plum shades work well. Be careful when choosing a shade. An orange or a color with an orange undertone can make your teeth appear dull and yellow.  It is the shades with the bluest hues that really bring out the whites of your teeth. Look at a shade and try to determine if it is more purple or more orange. If it is more purple, it is a blue based color and will make teeth appear whiter. The best you can do is to find a red shade with a blue base.  A good raspberry color gloss also works well. It has the 'blue' undertones to it and is very complimentary to all skin tones and makes the teeth look whiter. Avoid the orange-y lip tones. Peach is pretty but sometimes it washes out the complexion and makes teeth appear less white.  A deep red, with no purple tint (very hard to find!) makes teeth look very white.

Also, snack on foods like apples and celery. These foods can help remove or eliminate plaque.

Finally, rinse your mouth with water after drinking dark colored sodas, red wine, coffee or tea.  This will eliminate the stain that comes from these products.  (ever leave a coffee cup in the sink for a day...you know that brown ring that stains the cup...but if you rinse it right away...no stain...same effect.)

Buxom

I love the whole Bare Escentuals line of makeup...but my favorite items are the lip products...all of them! My newest favorites are the Buxom Big and Healthy Lip Balms. Available in 5 sheer and wearable colors, they feel so soft and nourishing on my lips.   I got the Portofino (a sheer plummy wine) and the Boro Boro (a sheery cherry red).  I love the smell, a light vanilla-ish, and the pretty glimpse of color.  I am sure I will be getting one in every color!  Only $15...exclusively at Sephora.

Pixi

I have been using Bare Minerals liner shadows for the past few years because I don't like the way eye pencils tug on my eyelids.  But, the Pixi Endless Silky Eye Pen is totally different.  Silky smooth...it literally glides onto my eye lid in a single sweep motion and stays put all day.  It has an intense look like a liquid liner as well...rich and vibrant.   Available in some pretty fabulous colors...I got the black blue (a gorgeous rich indigo  color), the black cocoa (a dark rich espresso), and the deep plum (a pretty deep plum).  Available online at Pixi Beauty or at any Target store.

Covered Up

As I mentioned yesterday, I have pretty good skin, but even I have some problems that need fixing. I have been using bare minerals for years as my spot concealer, but just started using Benefit's Boi-ing, and I am hooked! This industrial strength concealer completely hides any skin imperfections that I have (minor red spots now and then, slight age (gasp!) spots) with no visible lines!  I have always liked Benefit's ad campaigns, but haven't always been as impressed with the actual performance of the products.  But, I really love this product and it is now a staple in my daily makeup routine.  $18 for a huge pot that should last me a long time!  Available on line or at your local Sephora.

All Clear Ahead

I am lucky that I have really good skin and don't have problems with acne.  But, with all the long distance running that I do...it never hurts to be extra careful.  I have been using the Clean and Clear Morning Burst Facial Scrub for the past few weeks and I just LOVE it.  The smell is invigorating and citrusy (but not annoyingly so!) and the scrubbing action is just enough...it doesn't feel like it is rubbing my skin raw.  Definitely gentle enough to use every day, or, even, twice a day.  Only $6.49 at most drug stores.

Wrinkle Free

I have been using the Deep Wrinkle Daily Moisturizer from ROC for the past few weeks.  Intensely moisturizing, the cream is thick and rich and has retinol which is know to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.  While I cannot say that I have noticed a huge difference in my wrinkles or crows feet...I am happy with how my skin has felt and looked.  Very soft and smooth.  And, it has an SPF of 30...which is great!  Available at any drug store. 

Baby Soft

I first saw the commercials for Olay Body In-Shower Body Lotion at least a year ago and remember thinking "Yeah, right...there's no way that works." Then, 3 weeks ago, my best friend tells me that she stocked up on the jumbo size of it because it is "the greatest thing ever." So, I was still totally skeptical, but curious too. She generously gave me one bottle to try...and, I have to say, I don't know how I have lived without this product! It is ingenius! Made with shea butter and petrolatum (I think these two particular ingredients is how the product works, because it leaves a film on the skin), you smooth the lotion all over while you are in the shower. Then, you gently rinse it off as you get out of the shower and pat yourself with a towel when you get out. I have been using it every day, in every shower, and it has done wonders for my dry legs and arms (from swimming in chlorine every day!) I swear...I don't even have to put lotion on my body after using this in-shower body lotion. I highly recommend this time saving product!!

Frizz Free

A friend of mine had a beauty product swap with me a couple months ago, and I have been using the Living Proof Straight Making No Frizz Styling Cream (one of the products that didn't work for her) for a few weeks now. A lightweight styling cream, with an amazing grapefruity scent, it leaves my hair pretty frizz free, and without any heavy buildup or greasy feeling. Which is really important to me since I have blonde hair that has the tendancy to look greasy with product in it. I am almost done with my bottle, and this is definitely a product that I will purchase on my own when it is done. Available HERE or at Sephora.

Glow, Baby Glow

Summer is all about bare skin and skimpy clothing. Unfortunately, its also about dry, and, in my case, sometimes ashy skin. The sweet almond dry oil body gloss by Soap and Glory is the perfect remedy to it. Makes my skin super soft, smells great, and gives a nice subtle, not over-the-top shimmer to my skin. Available exclusively at Target. Only $12.99.

True Shimmer

I wear lip balm all the time...especially in the summer when my lips feel extra dry. My latest favorites are the True Shimmers from ChapStick. ChapStick has been around forever...I used them as a kid. But, these new balms have been updated for easy summertime beauty. The moisturizing benefits of ChapStick for the protection my lips need, with the added bonus of a subtle shimmer. Subtle enough that my 8 year old can wear them, and perfect for me to throw on poolside to keep myself looking fabulous!! Plus, they are available in 4 fantastic flavors...Tropical, Botanical Berry, Peppermint Rush and Fruit Sherbert. Only $2.79! Cheap enough to buy all four and keep in all your beach totes, car, make up bags.

White Sands

If you have read any of my hair care product posts...you already know that I have some issues with my hair. But, I have realized that a little time, and a lot of good products, can make all the difference in the quality and style of my hair. I have been using Nourishing Shampoo and Corrective Conditioner by White Sands for the past month...and I love it!! Combining natural botanicals such as lemon grass and chamomile, the products are designed to shield your hair from UV rays and thermal stress while at the same time provide hair color protection and color enhancement. While I don't have scientific proof that the products actually do this...I do know that my hair feels soft and shiny without any greasy feeling or buildup. Plus, the scent is so pretty!! Available on line or at many beauty supply companies.

Ever Pure

I have always had a love/hate relationship with my hair. Actually, more of a hate/hate relationship...but I have been using some products lately that have literally transformed my hair. Okay...maybe not transformed...but, seriously, I have never been happier with my hair. I started using the new EverPure shampoo and conditioner from L'Oreal. Specially designed for color-treated hair, it is sulfate-free, which means that they do not contain harsh sulfates, surfactants and salts that can strip and dull your hair. I am not paid or endorsed by L'Oreal....I am just telling you that whatever this shampoo is lacking...it is working on my hair. It looks healthy and shiny, and people have actually been complimenting me on my hair!! Whoa. I got the rosemary and mint scent, which is a nicely aromatic smell, not too overpowering, and it has an amazing rich lather. The conditioner makes my hair super soft without any greasy or heavy feel. Available at any drug store or grocery store, I recommend this shampoo for anyone with color treated hair!

Pearly Whites

I went to my dentist a couple weeks ago and asked about the teeth whitening kits available through his office. Since he is a friend of my husbands...he didn't try selling me on any of their kits and he told me that my teeth were white enough that it wouldn't be worth the money to buy the expensive kits. Instead, he told me to try the Crest Whitestrips available over the counter. He told me that they contain the same ingredient (hydrogen peroxide) as the ones purchased from the dentist office...just in a smaller percentage...perfect for someone like me who doesn't want to transform their smile...just brighten up. I have used Crest Whitestrips before, but the new Crest Whitestrips Advanced Seal is really so much better! Truly a case where the "new and improved" really is!! Each kit contains 14 doses of the whitening. Each package contains a top and bottom 'sticker' of the product that instantly adheres to the teeth. Surprisingly comfortable, they stay on for a half an hour, and then peel off without any mess (totally different than the ones I used to use!). You are supposed to use them once a day for 2 weeks...but since I had a benefit to go to this past weekend...I used them twice a day for the past 4 days. I so regret that I didn't take before and after pictures...but, wow, my teeth look good!! Pearly white!! I could tell a difference after 2 days...2 days!! My teeth were a bit sensitive from using them twice a day...but that is the price you pay for beauty I guess!! I will continue using the rest of the doses, but just once a day as directed! Available at any drugstore or grocery store.