Drugstore Find: Maybelline Color Tattoo Metal in Barely Branded

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Maybelline’s Color Tatoos are a fantastic drugstore find. These cream eyeshadows last just as long as any other more expensive version and are just as vibrant and pigmented. Constantly creating new colors and finishes, my current favorite is  Maybelline Color Tattoo Metal in Barely Branded.

Barely Branded is a warm champagne tone with a metallic/frosted finish. A great dupe/alternative to MAC Bare Study Paint Pot (one of my favorites). A very versatile shade, Barely Branded can be warn on it’s own or as a base to brighten and make shadow stay-put. It has a wonderful creamy consistency that is great for quick and easy application and does not crease or fade, hour after hour.

For a great basic cream shadow that is easily accesible and inexpensive try Maybelline Color Tattoo Metal in Barely Branded.

Drugstore’s Finest: CeraVe

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Recommended by dermatologists everywhere, the CeraVe line of skincare products are all non-irritating, non-comedogenic and fragrance-free. Better yet, they are all available at a drugstore near you.

The CeraVe line was created in conjunction with dermatologists and was intended for use in the treatment of dry skin and other conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, acne, rosacea and atopic dermatitis. CeraVe is the first brand to contain essential ceramides, cholesterol and fatty acids that healthy skin needs. CeraVe uses a patented “multivescular emulsion” or MVE® system that was only available through prescription not long ago. This system consists of a controlled and steady release of various ingredients over time allowing skin to be hydrated longer and more efficiently with one application. The daily regimen of cleansers and moisturizers helps repair, replenish and protect the skin’s barrier to leave it looking and feeling soft, clean and healthy.

The CeraVe line of skincare products are drugstore’s finest. Here is a review of the first few products I have tried and tested:

CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser: Gentle yet powerful, this cleanser removes makeup, dirt and oil like a champ. It leaves the face feeling soft and clean, not stripped or dry. It contains the brand’s signature ceramides and hyaluronic acid – two ingredients that help lock in moisture so your skin will never feel tight or dry.

CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion AM SPF 30: A great daytime moisturizer that feels light on the skin but wards off UVA/UVB rays with it’s standout broad-spectrum sunscreen. It keeps skin hydrated and restores the skin’s barrier with Niacinaminde (vitamin B3) making it less vulnerable to the elements.

CeraVe SA Renewing Lotion: This body lotion does it all – exfoliates, smoothes and softens. Skin can only be truly hydrated when the top layer of dead skin cells are removed. This allows moisturizing ingredients to penetrate the deeper layers of the skin. The Renewing Lotion does all of this for you. Formulated with both salicylic acid (used for epidermal exfoliation) and ammonium lactate (a mild exfoliant and humectant) this lotion gently removes dry, scaly skin. While, vitamin D, glycerin, ceramides and hyaluronic acid smooths, firms and hydrates the skin.

CeraVe, in my opinion, is the best affordable line of skincare products. All of the products are gentle, fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, non-irritating and readily available at mass retailers and drugstores nationwide.

Drugstore Find: Spoiled Nail Color

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While picking up a few necessities at CVS, I stumbled upon a promotional stand for Spoiled Nail Color. Manufactured by Wet-n-Wild Cosmetics, these polishes are exclusive to CVS and retail for $1.99…

I was immediately attracted to a color called Flamingo Pink. The formula is opaque and very true to color. One coat was all that was needed, but due to the price point I thought two coats might have more staying-power. Applied on toes and fingers, one week later, my toes are unblemished and my fingers are just now beginning to chip.

The only setback is the brush. A thick brush, (similar to Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure) but with a weird tapered end. The edge of the brush can be a little awkward, but ignored, due to the $1.99 price tag.

Available in 72 colors, Spoiled Nail Color is truly a great buy. From trendy neon shades to glittery sparkles, one is bound to find a shade worthy of the $1.99 investment.

Drugstore Find: Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter

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Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter

Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butters are Revlon’s newest lip creation. Currently available only on promotion at certain drugstores, these lip butters come in 20 amazing shades that are incredibly pigmented.

Formulated with, mango butter, shea butter and coconut butter, the gel formula naturally boost lip’s moisture which decreases the need for reapplication. The color is vibrant and glossy and the staying power is excellent.

These are my absolute favorite drugstore lipsticks at the moment. The reds are great for winter and the Lollipop shade is a fun and bright fuchsia shade.

Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butters will become part of the permanent collection, January 2012.

Drugstore Find: GUM Go-Betweens Proxabrush

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GUM Go-Betweens Proxabrush

To be honest, I use these proxabrushes when I am too lazy to floss. But recently, I have found a new use for these little gems… mascara wands.

These tiny brushes are the perfect size to separate and coat each lash. After applying mascara, go back in with the proxabrush to define and perfect each lash. Dip a brush into the mascara and apply to the bottom lashes for a mess-free finish.

These brushes are incredibly inexpensive and can be cleaned. Give GUM Go-Betweens Proxabrush a try… to use on teeth OR lashes.

Drugstore Find: Goody Spin Pins

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Goody Spin Pins

These clever little styling tools are quick and easy. Marketed to “do the work of 20 bobby-pins,” Goody Spin Pins help create simple up-dos in seconds.

Simply gather hair into a high or low bun and spin pins through the hair to secure. It’s that easy. The hold is tight and secure and easy to take out (just spin pin in opposite direction).

After a stylist informed me of a substantial amount of breakage at the crown area, due to securing hair in high-ponytail with elastic while sleeping, I thought I would give these a try. They keep hair out of my face all night and in the morning, I wake up with nice wavy hair.

Try out these little inexpensive hair savers for yourself.

Drugstore Find: Maybelline Great Lash Mascara Royal Blue

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Maybelline Great Lash Mascara Royal Blue

When experimenting with bright colors and new trends, purchase an inexpensive version to test. Blue mascara is a fun and beneficial option when exploring bright colors.

Inadvertently recognized as 80’s makeup, blue mascara has come a long way. This intriguing color and technique has many benefits and uses.

Most people have yellow and red tones in their sclera (whites of the eyes). The color blue counteracts these colors to make the eyes look whiter, brighter and wide-awake. Blue mascara will also enhance any eye color. Primarily, green and blue-colored eyes but it will also bring-out the gold flecks in brown eyes as well.

Maybelline Great Lash Mascara in Royal Blue is an inexpensive option to test this technique. But, it is also simply a great mascara. I use this on just the bottom lashes for a slight hint of color. It is a beautiful royal blue that makes any eye pop.

Drugstore Find: Palmer’s Skin Therapy Oil

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Palmers Skin Therapy Oil

Palmer’s Skin Therapy Oil is a multi-purpose moisturizer that improves the appearance of scars, uneven skin tone, stretch marks, aging, dry and damaged skin.

The oil formula is non-greasy and lightweight. The oil soaks into the skin immedietly and leaves the skin with a soft glow. Skin feels instantly hydrated and incrediably soft.

When I first tried this product, my initial thought was… average moisturizer/nothing special. After a weekend baking in the sun, I used this oil twice a day and noticed my skin was incredibly hydrated, radiant and dewy. Even a couple areas where I had failed applying sunscreen, healed almost instantly.

Palmer’s products use a Cocoa Butter Formula that smells reminiscent of sweet chocolate. The fragrance is a little potent but does not last on the skin.

This is a great summer moisturizer to replenish the skin from the sun’s harsh rays. Palmer’s Skin Therapy Oil is an inexpensive option for healthy skin.

Drugstore Find: Milani Baked Blush

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Milani Baked Blush

Milani Baked Blush is a finely-miled powder that provides a luminous glow to the cheeks. Infused with a multifold of shimmering tones, these blushers contain swirls of complexion brighteners.

Dolce Pink (pictured first), is my recommendation. The baby pink color is emphasized with bursts of gold and yellow undertones that provide an angelic glow to the skin.

These baked blushers can be comparable to MAC Mineralize Blush and Skinfinish. Both products have the same appearance with a much different price tag. The Milani products produce a glowing sheen on the skin while the MAC products tend to look more frosted and glittery. The Milani Blush also feels lighter in texture on the skin.

Milani Baked Blush is a great drugstore purchase, however, with the affordable price tag comes quality issues. There is a lot of fall-out to these products. The finely-milled powders are quite fragile and should be handled with care.

Drugstore Find: Revlon ColorStay Brow Enhancer

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Revlon ColorStay Brow Enhancer

Revlon ColorStay Brow Enhancer is an exceptional 2-in-1 brow product on a budget. The dual-ended wand supplies the user with a tinted wax formula on one end and highlighter on the other.

The tinted wax is easy to apply and adds definition to the brow-line. It’s wax formula glides on smoothly sans any sticky residue. The staying-power of this product is phenomenal, all day, no touch-ups needed.

The highlighter-end accentuates the brow bone with it’s light-reflecting properties and sheen. The luminous cream formula brightens and lifts the eye area.

The Revlon ColorStay Brow Enhancer is available in four shades. Each shade provides a different highlight color to enhance a particular skin-type. This inexpensive brow product is an unrivaled drugstore find.

Tip: Apply tinted wax with a light-hand. Product is extremely pigmented.

Drugstore Find: Rimmel London Stay Matte Pressed Powder

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Rimmel London Stay Matte Pressed Powder

Rimmel London Stay Matte Pressed Powder is an inexpensive drugstore product that works wonders. This oil-absorbing pressed powder leaves the skin shine-free sans any cakey residue.

Since I lust over face products that finish the skin with a radiant glow, over time my T-zone can appear oily. An impulse purchase at a local drugstore was an inexpensive and absolute solution. This product is sheer and translucent and it’s staying-power compares to nothing else I have tried. For a whopping $4.99, this mineral-based powder left me shine-free all day with no touch-ups needed.