1. Completely Bare Numbing and Cooling Spray ($10) // 2. Conair Infinity Cord Keeper Dryer ($34) // 3. Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush ($6) // 4. L’Oreal Colour Riche Lipstick in Fairest Nude ($6) // 5. Frizz Ease Serum ($10) // 6. Say Yes Blueberries Wipes ($8) // 7. TreSemme Climate Control Mousse ($5) // 8. CoverGirl LashBlast Volume Mascara ($8) // 9. Instant Age Rewind Concealer ($9) // 10. Aztec Secret Healing Clay ($7) // 11. Seche Vite Topcoat ($5)
Last week, I shared some of my favorite Sephora products. This week, I thought I’d post about some of my favorite drugstore items, including some news ones that I just purchased this week.
One. If you wax or use depilatories to remove hair, you know how painful and irritating it can be. This spray from Completely Bare numbs and cools the skin pre- and post-hair removal to ease the pain.
Two. Last year, I picked up a T3 Blow Dryer for a song and quickly fell in love. That is until the thing blew up in my hand 12-months later. It was then that I decided that it was time to go back to the drugstore blow dryers. This Conair is a great choice, and I also like this John Frieda Volume Hair Dryer ($43).
Three. I decided to try this blush on another blogger’s recommendation. I like it for days when I don’t want to wear much more than foundation, blush and mascara. But it’s important to apply a little at a time and blend as you go, since it dries so quickly.
Four. I’m one of those rare women who really likes my natural lip color, so I don’t wear a lot of lip color. I do like this lipstick in Fairest Nude, it gives a natural look with just a hint of pink.
Five. D.C. humidity is nothing to sneer at, even those of us with stick-straight hair end up with frizz on damp days. And boy, is that annoying. Frizz Ease Serum helps fight the follicle-lifting power of humid weather, and their styling cream helps keep my coif smooth.
Six. I love Say Yes to Blueberries Makeup Removing Towelettes. They remove most of my makeup (waterproof mascara needs special care), and unlike most makeup removing wipes, they don’t strip my skin.
Seven. My hairstyle lives and dies by a good can of mousse. I’ve tried every pricey salon brand imaginable, but I always go back to the drugstore. There is very little difference between a $30 mousse and a $5 one. I also like Pantene Maximum Hold Volume Mousse ($4).
Eight. I’m addicted to MaxFactor 2000 Calorie Mascara, but since you can’t buy it in the States, this Cover Girl LashBlast Volume Mascara is my backup choice. IT makes my lashes fuller and darker without clumping.
Nine. If you struggle with under-eye circles, this oscillating concealer covers darkness with very little effort. It also treats with goji berry extract and haloxyl to reduce puffiness and fight wrinkles.
Ten. Expensive clay masks abound on beauty department counters. And while I like Glam Glow and Fresh’s Umbrian Clay Treatment Bar, this $10 wonder last forever and produces nearly identical results.
Eleven. Need a fast drying top coat that helps your polish hold for days? Then, this Seche Vite top coat is for you. It dries in a flash and has virtually no smell.
I keep going back to the Dream Bouncy Blush on days when I don’t wear powder over my BB cream (the blush looks cakey with a finishing powder over it, on my skin at least). On dewy (post-moisturized and BB’d) skin, it looks natural and youthful and pretty.
For some reason, I could never make the Dream Bouncy Blush look good when I applied it with my fingers. I apply it with a brush. It works great and gives it a natural looking application.
I had a T3 hair dryer short out (permanently) in my hand, too! Right after the 12-month warranty expired. It was great while it lasted.
I have that hair dryer and I love it! I chose it because I needed one that came with a diffuser and Rite Aid was selling it for $29.99 if you had their rewards card. I didn’t even notice the cord keeper feature but it’s now my favorite part, especially since I travel often. Bonus, I once dropped it, knocking the diffuser off, and everything still works fine
I have had that hair dryer for 5 years! Love it. I knock it around quite carelessly and never have a problem.
I also use the Maybelline concealer and love it! Just a quick swipe and blend makes all the difference. I purchased the brightner version and really like how I’m not only gaining a concealer and treatment for my dark circle and bags, but also an illuminate to mask my tired eyes.
I can definitely vouche for the Cover Girl LashBlast volume mascara. I have used nothing else for over a year now. I also have that Conair hair dryer with the diffuser and it dries my long thick hair under 20 minutes. That is a feat.
There was an article a week or so ago about drugstore favorites of celebrities. It was mentioned that Victoria Beckham uses Weleda Skin Food lotion. I saw some at Target over the weekend and picked it up. I have used it once overnight on my feet and could NOT believe the difference it made on my not-quite-ready-for-sandals heels and toes. It’s definitely rich and has an ‘organic’ smell but really worked!
Here is the product on Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Weleda-Skin-Food-2-5-Ounce/dp/B000ORV3NC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1366740981&sr=8-1&keywords=weleda+skin+food
Belle – I know you love some volume in your hair. Have you tried the new mousse from Bumble and Bumble? I have baby fine, stick straight hair, and, with it, I get mega (for me) volume, and great hold. It also seems to smooth the frizzies for humid days. It’s pricey, but worth it, especially since, unlike a lot of mousses, it’s not drying at all given the alcohol content.
I was looking at that the other day, maybe I’ll pick some up.
I feel the same way about hair dryers. I much prefer my Conair over my T3. The T3 dryer gets way too hot. I was so upset when my Conair died on me a few weeks ago and I had to go back to using my T3.
Belle–Can you talk about how you style with mousse? I’ve always been hesitant to try and use it.
Thanks!
I second that request! To me, mousse is what I used to style my awkwardly curly teenager hair circa 2003. Now that my hair is more on the wavy side and I blow it out for work, I think I need a mousse refresher course.
Belle- Do you have any words of wisdom on mascara with the gel applicator brush tips? I love when you recommend products and I usually either completely agree or run out to try the products but I have such a hard time with that type of mascara wand. I typically use the standard brush, even wipe some of the mascara off on a tissue to avoid clumps. Anytime I use a gel brush, I tend to get clumps. Thoughts?