Beauty on a Budget...All Under $14!!

I’m very excited to share with you 10 of my beauty on a budget favs!  All of these products can be found at Target and all are under $14.  Please feel free to comment with your favorite beauty on a budget favs!

 (1) Maybelline’s Baby Lips ($2.99): The bright graffiti-style packaging is just retro enough to make you reminisce about the days when lip gloss was all you were allowed to wear.  They come in 6 different shades and roll on like butta!  I’m currently using “Quenched” which gives you a subtle clear shine and baby soft lips. 

(2) e.l.f. Studio Makeup Mist & Set ($3.00) :  This is a line at Target that I encourage everyone to try out…with products at $2-3, what do you have to lose?  It’s a refreshing mist that sets your make-up for the day.  There is no smell, it won’t disturb your applied make-up and no residue or dried feeling left on your skin.  It really does make your make-up last longer and I’ve found when I use this product my skin is less oily throughout the day.  I don’t wear foundation but love the results when using this product just with powder & blush.  This is a great beauty secret for special events.

(3) Johnson’s Shea & Cocoa Butter Baby Creamy Oil ($3.64):  You would think a product with the word “oil” in the name would be just that…oily and greasy.  Neither is the case.  This rich lotion leaves your skin feeling replenished, smooth, silky and smelling of warm cocoa butter. 

(4) Physicians Formula pH Matchmaker pH Powered Blush ($12.95): I have been a dedicated user of Nars blush for years.  Yes, it’s a great blush that seems to flatter all skin types.  But it’s also $28.  I’ve found one that I love this one just as much for ½ the price.  This product claims to have Fluorescein-based dye that senses the pH level of your skin & adjusts within 60 seconds to create your perfect glow.   Couple this with it coming with a great brush, compartment to store the brush and a light-up compact and it’s well worth the heartfelt farewell to Nars.   

(5) Organix Ever Straight Brazilian Keratin Therapy Conditioner ($7.99):  I have yet to find a shampoo or conditioner that I use on a constant basis but this is definitely one worth throwing into the rotation.  I absolutely love the smell…especially this time of year…and while I don’t see a drastic difference in the texture or appearance of my hair, it does make for much easier blow drying, styling, etc.

(6) GermX Totally Tangerine Germ Blaster ($0.97): I don’t go anywhere or touch anything without some hand sanitizer.  There are a million varieties on the market and all seem to be the same.  And maybe they are.  But I am in love with this one because of the price (for the quantity) and the light fragrance that is refreshing but doesn’t interfere with any other scent you’re wearing.  I’m trying to sanitize my hands, not spray them with perfume!   You can find it in the travel section at Target.

(7) Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets ($4.49): An oily/combination skinned- girl’s best friend.  I have tried many varieties including rice paper but I always come back to this one.  It effectively blots away the oil without disturbing your make-up.

(8) Batiste Dry Shampoo ($7.99)—Comes in Original, Refresh, Blush & Brit (also available in Blonde & Brunette).  I have tried Original, Refresh, Blush and Blonde and would recommend all but Blush which has a bit too strong of a rose scent for my taste. 

 (9) L’Oreal HiP Studio Secrets Professional Metallic Shadow Duo in Electrified ($7.14): Rarely do I wear eye shadow but when I do, this is one of the few I opt for.  Every time I wear it I get asked if it’s MAC. 

(10) Scrunci No Slip Grip hairbands ($2.99): These work great for my thick hair and never pull any hair out when I remove.

Thanks for following!

Howell You Shop?
Erica

Look Good. Do Good.

Your beautiful smiling face is not quite enough to change the world.  I’m sorry.  :)  But purchasing these beauty products and retail items can make you look good and do good all at the same time.  I’m very excited to share some fabulous products that donate to amazing causes all year!  Please feel free to add any additional products you know of.  We can help make the world a better place...one glossy lip and moisturized body at a time.  ;) 

(1)    Mac Viva Glam Lipstick & Tinted Lipgloss ($14.50)—Donate every cent of the selling price to MAC AIDs Fund helping those suffering from the disease worldwide

http://www.macaidsfund.org/

(2)    Philosophy Shower for a Cure ($20)—100% of net proceeds to fight for a cure for breast cancer. 

http://www.philosophy.com/bath-bathandshowergels/shower-for-the-cure-shower-gel-product

(3)    Philosophy Green ($20)—Fresh pear shampoo, shower gel & bubble bath with 100% of net proceeds going directly to the rainforest foundation. http://www.philosophy.com/shop-for-a-cause/green-shower-gel-product

(4)    Lush Charity Pot ($21.95)—Luxurious hand & body lotion with all proceeds going to carefully-selected charities around the world that support animal rights, environmental protection & humanitarian concerns.

http://m.lushusa.com/Charity-Pot/02674,en_US,pd.html

(5)    Joan Hornig Jewelry (varied prices)—Celebrity fans include Tina Fey, Eva Mendes and Laura Graham.  Gold & gems are on the pricey side but silver stuff starts at $46.  100% of the profits are donated to the charity of YOUR choice.  What a great gift idea! 

http://www.joanhornig.com/

(6)    Clarins Feed 15 Set ($32.50)—Will provide 15 school means through the United Nations World Food Program.

http://www.clarinsusa.com/FEED-15-Set/0012009,en_US,pd.html?start=2&q=feed

(7)    Josie Maran Gogo Instant Volume Argan Mascara ($22)—For each purchase, the campaign will donate a mascara to a cancer patient or survivor along with $1 to City of Hope for cancer research & education.

http://www.josiemarancosmetics.com/shop/eyes/gogo-instant-natural-volume-argan-mascara-pitch-black

(8)    The Body Shop Stop Sex Trafficing Celebrity Bag for Life ($10)—Reusable bag made from organically grown cotton & watersoluble dyes will help toward building schools and providing a better education to children in India.

http://www.thebodyshop-usa.com/shop-by-line/support-a-cause/bag-for-life-sst.aspx

(9)    Tarte t5 Super Fruit Complex ($10-30): Variety of cheek stains and lip glosses that donate proceeds to helping preserve the Amazon Rainforest through the Sustainable Amazon Partnership. 

 http://tartecosmetics.com/tarte-t5-super-fruit-complex.php

(10)Dermalogica: When you buy one of the five best-selling products that come in specially marked Fite packaging, you can redeem the code on the website to donate $1 to the funding of a micro loan toward the poor starting a business.

http://joinfite.org/

(11)TOMS One for One: With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shows to a child in need. 

http://www.toms.com/

(12)Avon Breast Cancer Crusade products ($2-10): The line includes scarves, ear buds, pins, a tennis bracelet and nail polish.  Proceeds will be donated to the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade which has donated more than $700M to breast cancer programs since 1992.

http://shop.avon.com/shop/product_list.aspx?level1_id=300&level2_id=380&pdept_id=382&cat_type=C

Hey Bebe! How you doin'?

I love love love this store!  But I usually don’t love their coupons.  Most often you have to spend at least $150 to save anything.  But I just got notification that from 1-6pm PDT they are doing 20% off all regular-priced items online and in the store!  Go get your cute on…and hey, I’m a S in Bebe…just in case you see something cute for me too!  J

http://www.bebe.com/

Howell You Shop?

Erica

Making it Rain, Baby!

If Kourtney Kardashian does it, then it must be cool.  Clipping coupons that is!  If you’re anything like me, you get super bummed when you realize that you either forgot to use a coupon or that you left one at home.  Nothing gets me excited like saving big bucks with some good coupons.  Well maybe that and Channing Tatum.  J  I’m about to make it rain with savings, baby!  I am including a few websites that I have personally frequented over the years as well as some tips on where you can sign up for savings.  I greatly encourage any and all to comment on this post with suggestions on additional websites.  Happy “clipping”! 

Howell You Shop?

Erica

·         Wow Coupons:  http://www.wow-coupons.com/index.php

v  Retail stores including Aeropostale, Banana Republic, Bath & Body Works, Bed Bath & Beyond, Buy Buy Baby, CVS, Gap, NY & Company, Old Navy, Petsmart, Sally Beauty, Target and Ulta

v  Entertainment including AMC Theatres and AMF Bowling Center

v  Grocery

v  Restaurants including Arby’s, Baskin Robbins, Chili’s, Chuck E Cheese, Dunkin Donuts, Einstein Bros Bagels, KFC, Little Caesars, Long Horn Steakhouse, Maggiano’s, O’Charley’s, Olive Garden, PF Chang’s, Subway, TGI Friday’s and Wendy’s

·         RetailMeNot: http://www.retailmenot.com/

v  Printable coupons and online coupon codes for retail, grocery & restaurant including The Home Depot, Express, Shutterfly, Old Navy, Kohls, Urban Outfitters and Papa John’s

·         Coupons.com:  http://www.coupons.com/

v  Not as much personal experience with this website

v  Not as many retail stores but good grocery coupons

·         For Parents

v  Diapers

§  www.pampers.com : Register for Parent Pages e-mail newsletters & also receive coupons & info on promotions for Pampers & other Proctor & Gamble products

§  www.huggies.com : Coupons available online for select products and can sign up for Rewards program.  Can redeem points from purchases for toys, coupons, etc. from Rewards Catalog

v  Food

§  Gerber (www.gerber.com), Similac (www.similac.com), Enfamil (www.enfamil.com)

§  We use Similac and when we both signed up, we received a welcome package that including numerous $5 off coupons and several full-size containers of formula

v  Toys & Clothes

§  www.fisherprice.com : Check to see what toys are on sale and to cash in on special offers for free stuff

§  www.carters.com: Sign up for exclusive promotions and new arrivals to both Carters & OshKoshBGosh

You're Gonna Want to Show Some Skin!

 

Naked looks better tan.  Fact.  Cancer is not hot.  Fact.  So what’s a guy or gal to do?  Fake it before you bake it!  As someone who once spent a college summer going from a day at the pool immediately over to the tanning bed and who years later had minor surgery to remove pre-cancerous cells, I am no longer willing to sacrifice my health for golden bronze skin.  But I don’t have to now…and neither do you!  I have discovered a fantastic self-tanner that I am ecstatic to share with my blog family…L’oreal Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Towelettes!!

My friend, Narineh, introduced this little tanning gem to me.  Despite her rave review, I was skeptical at first.  I’ve tried numerous self-tanners on the market, I’m a veteran spray-tanner (both booth and by hand) and I’ve done the dreaded…dun dun dun…tanning bed route.  All brought frustration. While a tanning bed will give you a true tan glow, they take time, money and well…they’re not good for you, people!  I’m an advocate for spray tans but mainly for special events.  The best spray tan experience I’ve had is at Spa Sydell.  But those cost money, don’t last much longer than about 4 days (despite what they always claiming of lasting 1 week +) and involve you standing naked or at least half-naked in front of a stranger as they stand incredibly close to your nakedness while they spray you.  Spray tans also come with their fair share of inconveniences.  You can’t shower for at least 8 hours afterward and during that time you’re left feeling sticky and gross.  So that leaves this naturally fair-skinned girl with one last option…at-home self-tanners.  I’ve tried several over the years and all resulted in either streaks or an orange-glow.  Until I met and fell in love with L’oreal’s self-tanning towelettes! 

The towelettes come 6 to a box and can be found at Ulta for $10.99 or at Wal-Mart for $9.24.  I would recommend first purchasing them from Ulta since this retailer often provides coupons(http://search.ulta.com/nav/marketing/ultacoupon/) and you can return any item (used or not) if you are not fully satisfied.  It’s important with any self-tanner that you first shower and exfoliate.  Tan doesn’t like dirty skin, people.  It’s also important to remember not to apply any moisturizers.  My first test run with these towelettes was done just on my legs.  I figured if it revealed to be a streaky, orange disaster, I could at least cover with jeans.  I would recommend doing the same…choosing an area of skin to test first.  I used 1 towelette for both my legs from top to toe unfolding the square towelette as needed.  The directions couldn’t be more simple and this product really is near fool-proof.  You simply wipe yourself down with the towelette.  There is no special technique, no exact angle needed…it’s like wiping yourself with a baby wipe.   Just remember to go easy around your ankles, knees and crevices.  It takes only minutes to dry and won’t transfer on to your clothing.  You won’t see the tan right away.  In fact, I didn’t see any results until the next morning.  But boy was I pleasantly surprised!  There were no streaks or unevenness and I awoke to a beautiful, natural looking light tan.  Since I was so satisfied with the results but wanted a slightly darker tan, I applied a second towelette that morning to my legs and then tested it out on the rest of my body.  By midway through the day, I had a bronze glow that I’m quite happy with.  If you want real-life proof, come meet me at the pool this weekend!

Now in full disclosure of this beauty product I want to include not only all the hits but also the misses.  The only real miss to this product is the smell.  It’s not horrible but it’s there.  This is inevitable with every self-tanner, every spray tan and yes, even with the tanning bed.  In fact, there is probably no worse smell to me than running along side someone at the gym who is fresh from the tanning bed.  Yuck!  The good news is that there are plenty of products out there (such as the one shown below) that will help neutralize the smell.  And if all else fails, some good old-fashioned baby powder should do the trick! 

I hope this review proves helpful to you all.  I would absolutely love love love to hear your reviews of this product or other self-tanners, comments on my blog, suggestions for future topics, etc.  Happy Tanning!

Howell You Shop?

Erica

Christmas in July

Just in time for the holidays!!  Beginning December 1 (my birthday...a coincidence...I think not!), Neiman Marcus and Target will sell a limited collection of merchandise created by 20+ designers including Oscar de la Renta, Tory Burch, Carolina Herrera and Diane von Furstenberg.  The collection will include men's, women's and children's apparel ans accessories.  There will also be sporting goods, home decor, pet accessories and electronics available in the collection.  Prices will range from $7.99 to $499 at both chains.  It's reported that most items will be under $60 and that both chains will sell these items at the same price. 

So often Target's designer spotlight collection falls short for me.  But I think this one is sure to be a delight!  A special thanks to my friend, Jeanette, for alerting me to this awesome event.  Let the countdown to the holidays begin! 

Howell You Shop?
Erica

Virgin Blogger

Hi Friends! 

I am, in fact, a virgin blogger...so please be patient as I navigate my way through the blog world.  I wanted to create a blog to be able to share with all my friends & family on great buys and sales as well as fashion trends I love and beauty product hits & misses. A special thanks to my friends, Heidi and Megan, for their awesome blog name suggestions.  I already have several exciting things lined up to share!  Thanks for following me!

Howell You Shop? 
Erica