Last week I briefly mentioned Trader Joe’s Nourish Spa Conditioner during my top {cheap} beauty product reviews. But since then I’ve used the conditioner several times and I must elaborate on this gem…and it’s only $2.99.
I have naturally kinky, curly hair and I constantly battle dryness. This creamy, lightly scented conditioner is free of sulfates, which strip hair of moisture, and chocked full of organic ingredients, including rosemary, mango, lemongrass, ginko biloba and echinacea. Actually, all but the last six ingredients are organic.
It’s described as a “hair moisturizer…infuses moisture and exceptional shine without weighing hair down.”
All I can say is, I agree 100%. My hair feels soft, silky and moisturized without being greasy. This conditioner is officially a part of my hair regime.
It ain’t easy being green a girl. Maintaining hair, makeup, nails, etc can get pretty expensive. But here are some tried and true {affordable} products that solve any beauty dilemma.
Band-Aid Blister Block, $7.49
I started using this about two years ago and it’s literally brought me great comfort. There’s nothing worse than having a great pair of heels or sandals but the straps rub against your skin causing blisters. The wax-like portable stick forms a barrier between your shoes and your skin so there’s no longer a love hate relationship between you and your favorite pair of stilettos.
Bio-Oil, $11.99
A great multi-use product is something everyone loves. This non-greasy oil does everything from aid in healing scars, reduce the appearance of stretch marks and moisturizes dehydrated skin. It doesn’t take much for an insect bite or mark to leave a scar on my skin, but when I had a slight burn from getting my eyebrows waxed (that’s a story for another day), I applied the oil immediately and my skin was like new. And a little of this stuff goes a long way so a bottle will last for a while.
Too Faced Shadow Insurance, $17
This is another product that lasts forever. Every lover of eye shadow has had the dreaded experience of it creasing or fading only hours after it’s been applied. A small dab of the primer keeps shadow looking perfect from day to night. I love this product so much I gave it as part of a Christmas gift.
St. Ives Apricot Scrub, $4.29
Besides the yummy smell, the small granules exfoliate skin without leaving it feeling dry or irritated. Years ago my dermatologist recommended this as a cheap facial cleanser that would even out my skin. I’ve been using it every since.
And an honorable mention has to go to Trader Joe’s Nourish Spa Conditioner. I just started using this creamy conditioner and my dry strands instantly felt moisturized and soft to the touch. It’s free of sulfates and the top ingredients are all organic. At only $2.99, it’s a product that will be getting heavy rotation in my hair routine.
What are your cheap beauty finds that you swear by?
Drugstores are great for little items like nail polish or eye liner, but for other items, I only go to Sephora or Ulta. These shops and their online counterparts are beauty meccas.
Why I love them:
Selection: Pretty much any brand you could want is available. Makeup, fragrance, skincare, you name it and it can be yours.
Super Convenient: It can be tricky purchasing makeup, especially if you’re trying out a new shade. Luckily returns, either to the store or website, are easy and no questions asked. And delivery is super quick. Ulta and Sephora offer free shipping with a minimum purchase of $25 or $50, respectively.
Discounts/Perks: I’m a Beauty Insider member at Sephora where I earn points for every dollar I spend and have access to deluxe samples. I placed an order this week after they sent me a $15 gift certificate! And if you read women’s magazines, I’m sure you’ve seen the $5 off coupons for Ulta.
Deluxe Samples: Both stores offer three samples with every online purchase. And these aren’t some crappy samples, I’m talking L’Occitane, Murad, Dr. Brandt and more. They’re great to pack when traveling and a cool way to test out a product before fully investing in it. Ulta even has a deluxe sample bag with 8 items, which is free when you place an order of $35 or more.
So indulge in some retail beauty therapy without straining your purse strings.
In the quest for clear, perfect skin, I’ve tried it all: peels, cleansers, toners and darn near anything a beauty company can bottle. And I can’t tell you how many co-pays have been handed over to my dermatologist. But…I’m done with all of that foolishness. A few months ago, a friend tweeted about Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay. I immediately googled it and read positive reviews about this 100% natural product that removes toxins from the skin.
Priced at about $8 for 16 ounces, I figured I’d give it a shot. The clerk at Whole Foods told me I’d love it! I went home, mixed it with apple cider vinegar and slathered the clay on my face for 20 minutes. The instructions inform you that you’ll feel a “pulsating” sensation, and I did. Or it’s more of a tightening feeling as the mask hardens and the impurities in your pores are drawn out.
I started using the mask twice a week and after a month or so, I noticed few (if any) breakouts and radiant skin. And the jar has lasted quite some time, so it truly gives a lot of bang, for not so much buck.
I’ve tried it all when it comes to skin care, and lo and behold, an $8 product seems to do the trick!
It seems like more and more members-only online sites are popping up each day. I’ve told you about Jetsetter, Gilt Man and now there’s The Skinny.
Launched last week, the online beauty destination offers discount prices for luxury brands like Perricone MD, Bare Escentuals and more. The Skinny has weekly sales with up to 75 percent off, as well as recommendations for your specific skin type and educational videos on the brands being sold.
Your skin is the body’s largest organ so why not treat it to something luxurious once in awhile? So far I haven’t seen any sales I’m super excited over, but give it a try and join! When asked who invited you enter LivingFlyonaDime [at] gmail [dot] com.
This post is for all the single ladies, all the single ladies (just kidding, it’s for attached chicas as well). It’s expensive being a broad, especially if you’re “high maintenance.” Between hair, nails, clothes and killer heels, the bills can start racking up. Of course we know true beauty is on the inside and all the good stuff, but what do you do when you wanna put your best face forward but your funds are practically nonexistent?
Hair: No look is complete if your ‘do isn’t done. Cuts, colors, perms any other chemical treatment you can think of costs more than we’d like to spend. Years ago I got the bright idea of dying my own locs. It resulted in orange hair. Well, not my entire head, just the roots and the rest was auburn. Not cool. I’m a DIY type girl but when it comes to chemicals, I’d rather stick with the professionals. But the pros are too frickin’ expensive. Bumble and Bumble and Aveda Institutes have cosmetology schools that offer free or low cost services. You won’t be assigned a world class colorist but they’re supervised, advanced students nearing the end of their course work. And if you’re in certain “urban” areas, then you know all too well about the Dominican salons. For $20 to $40 you can get the best blowout of your life. Whether you have the kinkiest kurls or straight strands, these mamacitas can do it all and you’ll walk out looking like a Pantene commercial.
Makeup: Cosmetic companies make a killing off of a woman’s need for the latest and greatest mascara, foundation and any other doohickey we’re convinced will make us beautiful. If you’re prepping for a night out, hit up a high end department store beauty counter for an expert makeup application. I have friends who’ve done this but I’m always so paranoid they’ll get ticked off if I don’t buy the products. When you do decide to actually purchase makeup, sites like Sephora and Ulta always some kind of promotion going on that offers free shipping, deluxe samples with your purchase and other goodies. And don’t forget your local drugstore pretty much has anything you want (who really needs to spend $25 for Dior mascara anyway?). The Sunday paper is chock full ‘o coupons for Maybelline and L’Oréal and the company’s individual sites often have coupons you can print. If you’re super cheap (like me!), you can’t go wrong with Wet n Wild. Seriously, one of the best eyeliners in my beauty arsenal is from their line. At around $1 a pop and in a ton of colors, can you really go wrong?
Mani/Pedi: The summer season is over but that’s no reason to slack off on taking care of your digits. In most areas you can find a salon that offers a $20 mani pedi combo on certain days. There’s nothing like being pampered, but on days where 20 bucks is still too much, once again, your local drugstore is your BFF. A bottle of polish costs a few bucks, divide that by the number of applications you can get out of it and your mani or pedi is only a few cents, versus $20. You can even get creative with designs, like this funky leopard print mani tutorial below.
