Drugstore Beauty Finds

Boots vs Blacktrack: How Do Expert Sensitive Cleansing Wipes Fare Against Long-Wear Eye Makeup?

February 26th, 2010 by Karen 29 Comments

I try to wait until I finish a pack of cleansing wipes before looking for a new one to try, but I’ve been wearing a lot of long-wearing eye makeup lately (MAC Blacktrack!!), and the Physicians Formula Organic Wear Towelettes I’ve been using just haven’t been up to the task.

Perusing the beauty aisles at Target the other day I noticed Boots Expert Sensitive Cleansing & Toning Wipes ($4.50) 1) because I like the font on the package (LOL!), and 2) because they’re made for sensitive skin (mine’s been extra sensitive lately).
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Rough Cuticles Don’t Stand a Chance Against Sally Hansen Maximum Growth Cuticle and Nail Moisture Treatment Pen

February 21st, 2010 by Karen 21 Comments

I’m so glad I picked up the Sally Hansen Maximum Growth Cuticle and Nail Moisture Treatment Pen ($6) on a run to Target a couple weeks ago. It basically does the same thing as the Sephora Cuticle Pen I’ve been using (and liking) but for half the price.

Like the Sephora doohickey, it’s a clicker pen filled with an oil for softening and moisturizing cuticles, and it totally works.

How about making nails grow faster?
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If It Doesn’t Clear Up in a Week, Try Physicians Formula Organic Wear Makeup Remover Towelettes

February 18th, 2010 by Karen 14 Comments

You know that old saying, “Third time’s the charm”? It came to mind when I started putting Physicians Formula Organic Wear Makeup Remover Towelettes ($7) to the test.

They’re the third products I’ve tried so far from Phys Formula’s line of Organic Wear makeup removers (check my first attempts here and here).

Like the lotion and eye makeup remover pads I tried, these towelettes look *faboo* on paper, with excellent bona fides. 🙂 Bio-degradable, with a soothing lavendar scent, and manufactured without the use of funky chemicals or animal testing — yay, right? They look good both for peeps AND the planet.

So, do they hit it out of the park?
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I’m Hooked on Sonia Kashuk’s $6 Bent Eyeliner Brush

February 17th, 2010 by Karen 100 Comments

Lately I’ve been hell bent on finding a new eyeliner brush, one that gives good cat eyeliner flicks and costs less than the MAC 209 ($17.50) and Laura Mercier Flat Eye Liner Brushes ($25) I’ve been using for a while.

They’ve been fine brushes for lining my lash and water lines, but I’ve never been completely happy with either of them (for one, they’re kinda expensive).

Enter Sonia Kashuk’s $6 Bent Eyeliner Brush.

I picked it up from Target last week, and I’m already hooked. 🙂
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Physicians Formula Organic Wear Facial Makeup Remover Lotion: Should You Marry This Doctor?

February 15th, 2010 by Karen 21 Comments

Even though Physician’s Formula Organic Wear Eye Makeup Remover Pads didn’t knock my socks off, I really tried to keep an open mind when I tested the doc’s Organic Wear Facial Makeup Remover Lotion ($10).

Like the pads, this lotion has all the makings of drugstore greatness — affordable, no sketchy chemicals, cute (always a plus), and it wasn’t tested on animals. My picky nose loves the real deal lavender scent, too, and the lotion feels silky soft against my skin.

So far, so good…

Will it be the organic drugstore lotion of my dreams?

To give it a fair shake and prepare my skin before testing, I stopped using my trusty Clinique Cleansing Balm a few days beforehand.
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Should You Make an Appointment with Physicians Formula Organic Wear Eye Makeup Remover Pads?

February 12th, 2010 by Karen 16 Comments

Today I had one important question for my can of Physicians Formula Organic Wear Eye Makeup Remover Pads ($7): Is the doctor in the house?

Seriously, this can has *so many* good things going for it I don’t know where to start!

This might just be me, but I get an outdoorsy girl vibe from the packaging, like a gang of cute ponytailed camping chicks trekking through the woods wearing waterproof mascara and gloss. Fo’ reals, it emanates waves of potential drugstore beauty greatness. I mean $7? Dressed like that? Are you kidding me!?

So what stands out when I look at the can? How about all of the ingredients the pads DON’T contain. Physicians Formula left out the harsh chemicals and synthetic preservatives, colors and fragrances, and they did it without animal testing. Yup, they’re even cruelty-free (Tabs approved).

As for the pads…

Made from 100% natural, biodegradable fabric, they feel velvet soft against my eyelids, and the lavender scent soothes my savage beast.

All the right ingredients for a fantastic, blow-your-mind drugstore product, right?
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A Healing Drugstore Haul: Can I Get an Amen?

February 9th, 2010 by Karen 40 Comments

Nothing hits the spot like a drugstore haul, and since I was a little cranky this afternoon, I decided to stop by Target to cheer myself up.

I started with anti-cranky essentials like candy (see above) and magazines (see below).

But I found the REAL hard core healing in the beauty aisle. That’s where it usually happens for me, ha!

Physicians Formula, Sonia Kashuk and Sally Hansen? Check, check and check. 🙂

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15 Reasons to Love Drugstore Beauty Products

February 6th, 2010 by Karen 47 Comments

DAMN! Drugstores rock… Imagine how much damage you could do with $150 at a CVS, Rite-Aid or Walgreens. You could get all 15 of these drugstore beauty gems and still have a little left over for candy. 🙂

Here are 15 of my favorite drugstore beauties. Each of these gets an A+ from me.

Yes to Carrots Lip Tints

“They cost a mere $4.50 each (that’s my mid-morning latte, yo!) but have a super smooth, buttery texture that makes ’em feel a lot more expensive than that. Texture-wise they remind me of the $22 Guava lipsticks by Korres. That’s how slick and creamy they feel.”

Full Review | $4.50

Johnson’s Body Care 24-Hour Moisturing Body Wash and Lotion

“Moisturizing Body Wash … rinses clean and doesn’t leave a noticeable residue. Now, the humungo 20.3 fl-oz. bottle is bigger than Ernest Hemingway’s ego, but because it’s so big I feel like I’m getting a good deal. I even tried to see how it would work as an emergency shave cream, and it worked great.”

Full Review | $6

EcoTools Bamboo Bronzer Brush

“Compared to department store brushes costing $20 and up, it’s a bargain superhero — affordable, with dense, super-soft bristles that deposit just the right amount of color on my skin. Not only that, but it’s quite the multitasker, too…”

Full Review | $12

Sonia Kashuk Synthetic Flat Top Blusher Brush

“BOW DOWN before the mighty Sonia Kashuk Synthetic Flat Top Blusher Brush. Marvel at its multi-tasking prowess and how it applies blushes and foundations with ease. And don’t be surprised if you find yourself trembling — with glee! — at the cash register. Not only is this brush amazing, but it’s also cheap — $14.99. Holla!”

Full Review | $15

Soap and Glory Off Your Face Cleansing Cloths

“These wipes work overtime! You know how after you use some wipes you feel like you have to rinse? Like they’ve left a residue? I don’t feel that way after using Off Your Face. After wiping down with one of these … my face and neck feel squeaky clean.”

Full Review | $7

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