by cheapchica11 on August 16, 2010
This summer has been one of the worst on record for me…in terms of breakouts. I don’t know if it’s because of my age, hormones or what but I feel like every week I have a new breakout. I started getting facials on a very regular (and expensive) basis to help calm down my overly active skin and I threw out all of the “bad” make-up that my dermatologist thought might be the culprit. The actual zits were pretty mild, but they left unsightly red spots once they were gone and that’s what drove me crazy!
I’m like a skin sergeant when it comes to AM/PM cleansing- I don’t go to bed without washing my face (ever) and I always treat the slightest sign of an oncoming pimple with my Dermalogica drying cream, but no matter what I was doing, it wasn’t good enough!
Thankfully, for the last two weeks all of this skin stuff has started to calm down significantly and the only thing that changed, was adding a Clairisonic Mia to my cleansing routine.
The spin brush helps get rid of all the make-up, dirt, oil and more importantly the dead skin cells (exfoliating is what’s making the biggest difference for me) that regular cleaning left behind. It’s so easy to use and you can even use it in the shower…and I love the 1 minute timer! I doubt many of us wash our face for one whole minute so this makes sure you do! My skin feels so much cleaner, softer and best of all it looks so much better. I’ve even noticed that my pores look smaller and my skin is less oily throughout the day.
The Mia has become an essential part of my skin care routine and for the first time in months, I’m finally happy with the way my skin looks. Thank God! I have this kit and while I know $149 is not cheap, it’s an investment in good (clear) skin and is there anything more important? Considering I was spending about $100 for my monthly facials, I see this product as a total steal!
If you’re on the fence about this, just get it…trust me, adding it to your skin-care routine will visibly improve the look and feel of your skin!
by Ann on July 25, 2010
So I am all for smearing yourself with sunscreen any time of year to avoid skin damage but being careful definitely has its drawbacks…namely, the smell.
The worst is the sour scent that sets in about an hour after you put sun block on. Ugh. But never fear, Hawaiian Tropic has totally saved summer with their new Exotic Tropic Sheer Touch Lotion sunscreen.
This stuff smells like heaven ie. Hawaii, and stays fresh all day regardless of your activities. I’ve had countless women come up to me and actually ask me what scent I am wearing. Uhm, Hawaiian Tropic Sunscreen?!!?!?!
Yes ladies, it is that good. I actually look forward to putting this stuff on. It feels just like normal lotion with the durability of a good sunscreen. It ranges from SPF 15-50 and its also comes in a spray which I haven’t tried but sounds equally as lovely.
The best part is (drum roll) for an 8 oz bottle it only costs $7.00! Target and Wal-Mart have also been running a special where you get a small bottle free with the purchase of a regular sized one! So love your skin, love the summer and fall in love with this crazy awesome sunscreen lotion!
by Jean on July 3, 2010
This is the best shave gel ever.
It is inexpensive, you can buy it in-store at Trader Joe’s, or you can also buy it online here…
I buy them two at a time, and I’m set for a while…
I really have yet to find a similar product at this price point that works this well… this sizable tube is only about $8.00… !
The forumla leaves my skin post-shave smoother than any other product I’ve tried… and the smell really is heavenly (mango, honey!).
Added bonuses: it’s 100% vegetarian and paraben-free…
Let me tell you this: my boyfriend tries to steal my tube from me all the time… and let’s be honest, guys definitely know their shaving products!
by Monica on June 26, 2010
Solerra Tanee Tan Line Corrector: $5.99
Click it/Skip it: Skip it, unless you’re a pro with using tanning products.
I saw this featured in InStyle Magazine recently and said FINALLY! When I have a strapless dress to wear and those pesky tanlines I tend to use a pound of bronzer (which usually ends up on my dress as well..oops) covering up those lines. When I saw this I had to try it!
I have never used any sunless tanning products so I was skeptical. I also didn’t have any tanlines right now so I tried it out on my sister. She is fare skinned but she does tan and she has those awful sports bra tan lines so we tested it out.
The product was sticky and smelled like a tanning salon. We squeezed it (as the instructions said) and this brown, thin, liquid poured rapidly from the sponge causing me to spill it on her shirt her shirt.
On the second try we applied it with the sponge, and blended it in but it just seemed to fade away–not fade her tan lines. Basically, the company packaged up the product you use all over your body in a small tube. Getting rid of her lines took multiple applications and it looked very orange.
I was disappointed because I thought this product would be different, but the application was difficult and time consuming. I think I’ll go back to my bronzer for now!
Shopper’s Notes: The product is only $5.99, but the shipping is $8. If you see this in your local drug store, (check out local retailers here) I would say its cheap enough to try it yourself.
However, one of the biggest pulls for me to try it was that the website described it as an “instant tan”. On first application it didn’t seem to make a big difference, but it says to reapply in four hours (if necessary), so we did. It still didn’t do much more colorwise and it actually became really streaky. Luckily, we were able to wash it off with soap and water before it dried.
Has anyone tried it or something similar? Has anyone had better results?
by Monica on June 25, 2010
I recently got a hold of these new Tastee lip balms that looked (and smelled) good enough to eat! I have to say I was skeptical at first b/c I’m have a pretty simple beauty routine and I’m not a big fan of putting much on my lips.
In my makeup drawer I have 1 sheer lipgloss, and a few tubes of Bert’s Bees. I just don’t like a lot of color and I really don’t like glosses or balms that have a strong smell or flavor…but I am seriously loving these glosses!!
They have a hint of flavor, that I could probably do without, but they are called Tastee! I tried the Berry Baby and the Sugar Rush, and preferred the Berry flavor. Neither has the that overwhelming sugary/candy flavor that gives me a headache.
What I also love is that they’re an all-natural, eco-friendly product with SPF 15 built it. Also, unlike my Bert’s Bees, you can actually tell that I am wearing it. The color is super translucent but its subtle…perfect for summer! My lips feel fantastic and the balms don’t leave a sticky or greasy feeling.
If you’re looking for a great lip balm to add to your beauty routine, you can order yours on Amazon.com!
by cheapchica11 on June 22, 2010
I love having long hair and honestly can’t imagine what I would look like without it! Call it my signature! But in the summer when it’s blazing hot, this mane can be a little too much to handle, which is why I always end up pulling it back into a ponytail…
Now it’s not like I want to wear it that way but my hair is thick and I have a lot of it-so its always been really chanllenging to get it to do much else.
See this pic above…that’s the “look” I’ve always wanted, but I could never get my hair to stay in a bun for very long and actually look pretty. I could wrap it and it would stay for a little while, but it would eventually fall out and back to my pony tail I go.
Well, then I met the Goody Spin Pin! This new hair tool does the work of 20 bobby pins- so it really supports and locks in the style without having to do much work yourself.
The key here is that unlike regualr straight bobby pins, these pins are coiled (like a double helix) so they spin into the bun to hold it! Just pull your hair back (you can use a ponytail holder or not-but I do for extra support) twist it, wrapt it around to create a loose bun and then “screw” the pins in from opposite directions to hold it. After it’s up, I pull out some shorter layers around my face and some pieces on the under side for that “messy” look!
These pins cost about $6.00 and you can get them anywhere from Walmart to Walgreens–and considering the only thing that used to tame my hair was a $50.00 blowout, these are going to be my summer staple!!
by Jean on June 19, 2010
Am I the last to know about this, or what? Why is it always those two or three days that you—God forbid—neglect your email, something of note happens? Ah, c’est la vie, I guess.
Anyway, apparently, a few weeks ago, Urban Outfitters started carrying beauty!
And guess what, there are some awesome (and adorable) buys.
First, let me say that there is a pretty wide variety of brands available (some you might recognize, some you might not, and there is also an Urban brand for some categories), and many of the items are ‘online only’…
I will also say that the selection is pretty good, and they even carry Anna Sui, which, surprisingly, isn’t as expensive as you’d expect compared to many department store brands (all her items are under $30.00, most around $20.00)…
But my two favorites are definitely amazing buys…
First, there is this NYX 5-color eye shadow palette, sold at $8.75, which features this season’s hottest colors (love that jade color!), and perhaps the cutest of them all, this adorable pack of lip gloss, nestled literally in … cupcakes. Four of them, for $10.00! Kitch-y, I love it… and what a fun (and affordable) gift! Psst: they also carry a the infamous Rosebud Salve I wrote up a couple weeks ago!
Overall, I was pretty impressed. Good job, Urban!
by cheapchica11 on June 16, 2010
Turning 30 this year meant a lot of things, but the one thing that meant most–making a BIG commitment to healthy skin by seeing my dermatologist, going for regular facials and NO MORE TANNING!
I was never a big baker (minus those high school years)…I’m half Mexican and half Puerto Rican so I always have a nice glow, naturally! But like all women, I look better with a tan and in the Summer it’s so hard to say no. But what most people don’t realize is that sunscreen isn’t just for beach days, it should be a regular part of your make-up routine and going outside without it is the fastest way to wrinkles!
I have very sensitive skin and it’s been a real challenge to find a sunscreen that doesn’t cause my face to break out so when I started seeing all of the powder sunscreens I got really excited. I splurged on this one by Peter Thomas Roth ($30) and it was money well spent! My moisturizer has SPF 50 so that works first thing, but as the day goes by I use this instead of powder–it kills the shine and protects my face against the sun’s harmful rays!
I love it b/c it’s light, easy to use (hello, built in bush!) and it doesn’t mess up my make up like a cream/lotion sunscreen would!
And if you’re worried about spending so much on a new product, Physician’s Formula also makes a powder with SPF 50 built in for only $14.95. I haven’t tried this one yet, but if it’s anything like the rest of their line of bronzers and powders, I’m sure I’ll love it!
by cheapchica11 on June 7, 2010
Life really is unfair sometimes…
Jessica Biel is not only dating my crush, JT, but she also managed to look AH-mazing at the MTV Movie Awards last night! Below, her hairstylist Mark Townsend explains just how he got her gorgeous hair look …
“For the MTV Movie Awards I wanted Jessica’s hair to be cool, modern, and beautiful, just like her. We were very inspired by Brigitte Bardot with her loose, full hair and sexy vibe so we added a spritz of Dove Heat Defense Therapy Mist to protect her hair from heat styling, then we used bit of Dove Body & Lift Volumizing Mousse to her damp hair. I absolutely love this mousse because it gives the hair body that I know will last all through the evening and I don’t have to worry about her hair falling flat before the awards show is over.
I then blow dried her hair with a large round brush to give the hair some lift and movement, When all her hair was dry, I sprayed a good amount of Dove Flexible Hold Hairspray with Natural Movement all over to give the hair hold, but still allow movement without becoming too stiff or sticky.”
Mark, I adore your work–can you please come do my hair?? Oh and did I mention you can get everything you need to do your hair just like this for less than $15! Love it!
by cheapchica11 on June 5, 2010
When it comes to make up, especially concealer and foundations, I do tend to splurge. Not because I think department store make up is better (it’s usually not) but mainly because my skin tends to be really sensitive and breakout most, from these two items.
I’ve been breaking out more than usual lately and my aestheticism said the culprit was my Clinque concealer–so for the last two months I’ve been on a mission to find a new concealer. I felt like I had tried every brand out there (Bobbi Brown, Laura Mercier, Chanel, etc.) and none really did the trick. My skin tends to get very red after a breakout and all of these concealers did nothing to help that…they were too light, too thin, to dry/cake-y or just not the right formula.
Then I found this concealer palette from Sonia Kashuk…let me just say, it’s AMAZING! It has a green-ish color that kills the red, two shades of concealer that can be custom blended to match your skin tone and a powder that sets all of your hard concealing work. It was only $9.99 and it’s seriously one of the best product in my make up kit!
I’ve been using it for 3 weeks and so far, no breakouts…and I love that it goes on so smooth and blends invisibly into my skin!
by Jean on May 30, 2010
This is one of my favorites.
In fact, this might be the most affordable beauty item in my makeup bag.
Sold for in and around a whopping $6.00 (depending on where you snag it), Rosebud salve… is so, so awesome.
Let’s face it, everyone wants supple, glossy lips.
I mean, who could say no to this dewy look? But put DOWN the 30-dollar lip-gloss, girls, and for God’s sake, pick up some Rosebud salve.
RS has the texture of a petroleum jelly, but pink, and with an extremely faint floral scent. Wear it alone (my fave), or wear it over your favorite shade, this stuff is versatile...
Have a patch of flaky skin? Yup, you’ve got Rosebud salve for that too. Dry cuticles? No problem…
Yikes, spilled hot coffee and got a burn (yes, speaking from personal experience)? RS is the answer. Seriously, keep this stuff in your bag, use it as you please… it’s a lifesaver and a supersaver at the same time.
Call it jazzed up Vaseline (in an adorable tin and also available in flavors like strawberry and minted rose, might I add!) if you must…
I call it the go-to beauty product for a fabulous gal on a budget…
by cheapchica11 on May 23, 2010
My hair is long–really long–and lately it’s gotten to the point where it won’t even hold a curl or anything for that matter, so I decided to cut off 3 inches. Now for most people, that might seem like a lot, but let me tell you, you could barely tell!
I went to Prive in Orlando for a cut and my stylist Kendra did a truly fantastic job (ask for her if you stop in)! But the best part of my whole haircut, the blowout. She pulled out these big velcro rollers and told me that for serious volume, these were her secret weapon…and they were about to be mine too!
Here’s how she did it: she used 4 rollers around the crown of my head (one in the front, one in the back and one on each side) to create a square. Next, she shot each section with some HOT air, held it straight up in the air and rolled the hair down around the roller. At the end she wiggled the roller so it would hold without having to use a clip. After all four were done, she went over them with hot air again and then finished by shooting them with COLD air to set.
When she took them out I had WOW volume and there was no teasing required…my hair felt light, bouncy and very Victoria’s Secret like! She said I could do this every morning to get the same effect and it totally worked! I did it myself the next day and she was totally right…you can click here to see how my hair looked the next day when I did it!
After my cut, I went straight to CVS to pick up a set for myself–and the best part, they only cost $10.99! So get yourself some sexy Summer hair with this quick and cheap hair trick!
by Jean on May 20, 2010
You know you’re in for some fun when you’re makeup starts to resemble art supplies… but seriously, can we just deem this beauty deal of the century?
This amazing mega-kit from Sephora, aptly named Color Play 5-1, is an incredible deal, packing in (deep breath… ready now?):
Five “sub-palettes” or “looks” (see one example below) with names like Dinner in Paris and Coffee in New York (how can you not love this), each of which contain ten eye shadows, two lip colors, and one blush.
Ummm yeah, let’s do the math… in total, that makes fifty eye shadows, ten lip colors, and five blushes! Are you kidding me? And it only gets better, because the whole thing only costs $29.99. So amazing!
I can’t wait to start playing around with and mixing shades, trying new looks; because let’s face it… thirty bucks buys you all of a stick of lip gloss at most department store counters…!
Seriously… you can never complain about not having that perfect shade of shadow again!
by cheapchica11 on May 16, 2010
While flipping through the new issue of Marie Claire Magazine I came across the advertisement for the new LashBlast Fusion Mascara by CoverGirl and I literally screamed out loud.
Lately I have been so frustrated with all the mascaras promising me long or lush lashes…but why can’t I have it all? I want length, I want volume, and I don’t want it to clump, or look like I am heavily made up…is that too much to ask??
Well, the mascara gods heard my prayers and I am happy to report that CoverGirl has finally given us a product that is designed to give volume and length in a formula we know and love for being clean and flake-free.
Their new fiberstretch formula and oversized brush work in unison to elongate your lashes while building dramatic volume…and at only $9 this Cheap Chica couldn’t ask for a better deal (until it goes 2 for 1 at CVS)! After trying it out for the last week, I’m happy to say adios to my tried and true favorite Diorshow Iconic Mascara ($27) and say hello to Lash Blast Fusion!
by Ann on May 14, 2010
Nowadays, come Tuesday night I am firmly planted in front of MTV. I watch The Hills mostly to feel smart and like I have my life together but The City, now that’s a good show.
I shamefully replay episodes On Demand just to get outfit ideas. But, hello, why isn’t Olivia given the boot? I mean seriously, Joe, why?
Well, I think we all know why, the girl has “an eye” for style. She is clearly not afraid to throw any social punches but what I actually love most about her style right now is how she incorporates a tropical punch of nail color with almost any outfit.
The aesthetic of bold tropical colors kind of embodies her style; it is girly without being too girly and sophisticated with a little more playfulness than your average red.
The color is not so much new, like the lavender and taupe seen this spring, but that it can be used as a sort of unexpected accessory. The pop of color with an otherwise complete outfit gives this old fashioned color a modern twist.
Honestly, Olivia’s budget must be endless but the nails are one thing about her that is easy to emulate on the cheap!! The first time I wore this Revlon color, Hot Tamale, I seriously didn’t think I would last more than a day with it on. But I love it and it strangely goes with almost anything!! I have found my summer alternative to dark nails…I am a total convert.
