Hello Beauty Junkies-
Remember that line from Shrek? Donkey says to Shrek that "Everybody loves Parfait."
Well, in the beauty product world everybody loves Votre Vu's Parfait Nuit (or Perfect Night, in English.) Parfait Nuit is a night creme for dry and aging skin. Badabing. That appeals to me on two counts! I bought it and loved it but just decided to write about it when my friend Julie called me to rave about it also.
Pafait Nuit is said to stimulate cell regeneration with Vitamins E and A, rosewood oil, jojoba oil and wheat germ oil. With all these oils, you might think the creme to be greasy. But, I promise you, it is not. In fact, what Julie and I liked about it was its light texture. Not heavy or thick like La Mer. And, of course, no where expensive as La Mer. The cost is $69 for 50 ml. Preferred members can save 10% to 50%.
You may think this price is still high for Beauty on the Cheap, but remember, that night cremes usually always cost more than day cremes because of the luxe and powerful ingredients found in them. Night cremes work especially well because your body warms up while sleeping, thus helping the product to absorb more deeply into your skin cells. And with Parfait Nuit, you wake up looking like a princess, not Shrek.
So, if you want to give it a try, you can find it on votrevu.com/productpeddler. The item number is 2035.
Enjoy this yummy, calorie-free parfait and have sweet dreams!
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Eye Shadow that Lasts!
Hello Beauty Junkies-
It has been a while since I have written as I have been in search of a good, reasonably priced eye shadow. I finally found one on the Revlon rack at Walgreen's.
It is called ColorStay Mineral Eye Shadow. It comes in a bunch of different color combos, but I bought Tiger's Eye. It is a domed circle divided into three colors so that you can mix them all together or apply each separately. It doesn't come with a sponge applicator which is fine by me, because those usually stink anyway. And then they get all yucky and germy after using every day. I prefer just to apply with my finger or maybe you are good with brushes. The color does last a long time and because it is made with minerals, it is supposed to be better for your delicate eyelid skin. It was about $8.99 so it is definitely worth a try!
If you aren't one my followers getting email alerts to my updates, you can also follow me on Twitter.com.
It has been a while since I have written as I have been in search of a good, reasonably priced eye shadow. I finally found one on the Revlon rack at Walgreen's.
It is called ColorStay Mineral Eye Shadow. It comes in a bunch of different color combos, but I bought Tiger's Eye. It is a domed circle divided into three colors so that you can mix them all together or apply each separately. It doesn't come with a sponge applicator which is fine by me, because those usually stink anyway. And then they get all yucky and germy after using every day. I prefer just to apply with my finger or maybe you are good with brushes. The color does last a long time and because it is made with minerals, it is supposed to be better for your delicate eyelid skin. It was about $8.99 so it is definitely worth a try!
If you aren't one my followers getting email alerts to my updates, you can also follow me on Twitter.com.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
No More Raccoon Eyes!
Hello Beauty Junkies-
I can't believe it has taken me this long to write about one of the greatest inventions in the cosmetics world: "tube" mascara. I first tried tube mascara about three years ago. It was an English brand packaged in a gorgeous gold tube. If I remember correctly it was about $30 at Sephora. I loved it because it was the first mascara I had found in about 10 years (I am not exaggerating. I literally tried about 20 different brands/kinds of mascara!) that didn't give me raccoon circles under my eyes. It also didn't flake off and bother my very dry eyes. After a while that brand disappeared, but I found a new tube mascara at Sephora called Kiss. Unfortunately, it was still $27. I bought it because I knew the tube technology worked for me; but it still killed me to spend that much on a cosmetic you are supposed to throw away after three months.
Then, about three months ago, I found out Clinique was making a tube mascara. It is called "Lash Power Mascara" and is in a metallic grey tube. It has a tiny little brush that reaches all my tiny little lashes making them longer and fuller. It stays on all day (let's say 10 to 12 hours)and does not rub off. You just remove it (as you do with all tube mascaras) with warm water when you are washing your face. No eye makeup remover needed! Clinique's Lash Power Mascara costs $16.
That's still about $7 or $8 more than the drug store brands, so in the spirit of Beauty on the Cheap, I decided to check out the new L'Oreal brand I had seen on display at Walgreen's. It is called "Double Extend Beauty Tubes Technology." You will find it in a red and white package. What is really cool about the L'Oreal brand is it is basically two products-in-one. One side of the packaging holds a "nourishing basecoat" and the other side holds the "ultra-lengthening tube topcoat." According to the package, this combo gives you 80% longer lashes. I have to say my lashes were certainly thicker using this product vs. the Clinique. However, if you have tiny little lashes you may have a harder time applying the two coats of L'Oreal as the brush is much larger. If you like a larger brush, then L'Oreal's DoubleExtend Beauty Tubes Technology is definitely a winner! And what a great deal especially compared to the earlier tube mascaras priced at $30.
Now, go try some and bat those long beautiful lashes at your significant other this Valentine's Day!
I can't believe it has taken me this long to write about one of the greatest inventions in the cosmetics world: "tube" mascara. I first tried tube mascara about three years ago. It was an English brand packaged in a gorgeous gold tube. If I remember correctly it was about $30 at Sephora. I loved it because it was the first mascara I had found in about 10 years (I am not exaggerating. I literally tried about 20 different brands/kinds of mascara!) that didn't give me raccoon circles under my eyes. It also didn't flake off and bother my very dry eyes. After a while that brand disappeared, but I found a new tube mascara at Sephora called Kiss. Unfortunately, it was still $27. I bought it because I knew the tube technology worked for me; but it still killed me to spend that much on a cosmetic you are supposed to throw away after three months.
Then, about three months ago, I found out Clinique was making a tube mascara. It is called "Lash Power Mascara" and is in a metallic grey tube. It has a tiny little brush that reaches all my tiny little lashes making them longer and fuller. It stays on all day (let's say 10 to 12 hours)and does not rub off. You just remove it (as you do with all tube mascaras) with warm water when you are washing your face. No eye makeup remover needed! Clinique's Lash Power Mascara costs $16.
That's still about $7 or $8 more than the drug store brands, so in the spirit of Beauty on the Cheap, I decided to check out the new L'Oreal brand I had seen on display at Walgreen's. It is called "Double Extend Beauty Tubes Technology." You will find it in a red and white package. What is really cool about the L'Oreal brand is it is basically two products-in-one. One side of the packaging holds a "nourishing basecoat" and the other side holds the "ultra-lengthening tube topcoat." According to the package, this combo gives you 80% longer lashes. I have to say my lashes were certainly thicker using this product vs. the Clinique. However, if you have tiny little lashes you may have a harder time applying the two coats of L'Oreal as the brush is much larger. If you like a larger brush, then L'Oreal's DoubleExtend Beauty Tubes Technology is definitely a winner! And what a great deal especially compared to the earlier tube mascaras priced at $30.
Now, go try some and bat those long beautiful lashes at your significant other this Valentine's Day!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Parlez Vous Francais? Votre Vu Speaks It Beautifully
This past Thursday night, I attended a launch party for a fabulous new line of skincare, bodycare and haircare products called Votre Vu. The products are made in France but the company is based here in the good ole US of A. These products are made with the same fine, natural ingredients that you would find in other luxury products sold at high end department stores like Neiman's and Nordstrom.
However, mes amies, Votre Vu's products are priced at a fraction of the cost of those other French lines. The products range anywhere from $19 to $165...at least half the price of Sisley, La Mer and Clarins. Now, I will admit the base price of each item is higher than the other products I've reviewed so far in Beauty on the Cheap, however, there are some awesome deals to be had!
First of all, Preferred Members can take 10% off every retail priced purchase AND for every two items purchased at 10% off, you can choose a third item (even the most expensive one!) at 50% 0ff. There is a cost of $29.95 to become a Preferred Member but you can easily earn that money back in savings with your first order.
Here are a few of the best products I tried at the launch party:
Fleur Blanc Tonic - a moisturizing toner with gentle astringent properites of the White Lily. The scent and the feel of this product are heavenly. Retail cost (before any discounts) is $25.
Attentive Lait Pour Le Visage for Sensitive Skin - this creamy blue cleanser will remove makeup and other impurities while leaving your skin clean and fresh but not tight or red. This cleanser is $29 before discounts.
Luxee Yeux Eye Beauty Balm - this miracle worker promises to battle the three prominent signs of aging: moisture loss, collagen breakdown and free-radical damage. It is too early to tell if this indeed will help my aging orbitals, but I will tell you this balm soothed the fine lines under my eyes and over my lips immediately. (It is also great for cracking cuticles.) I love its consistency versus eye creams that are so heavy they migrate into the eyes and irritate them. Luxee Yeux costs $69 but if you are a Preferred Member, you could get it for half off as your third product!
Last but not least is Portrait Collar Restorative Neck Creme. Once you get to be on the back nine of your 40's, your neck starts to sag worse than the rest of your body. If you don't want to look like a turkey by next Thanksgiving, then I recommend you start using this product tout suite. The skin on your neck is thicker and heavier than the skin on your face, so you need a richer cream to do the heavy lifting. Don't worry though, it absorbs quickly so you won't have to worry about any residue on your turtleneck. This gem is $49 before the Preferred Member discount.
You can view the entire line and order products from this website: www.votrevu.com/productpeddler. If you really need cash to support your beauty habit, you can sign up to sell Votre Vu too.
Have no fear, Beauty Junkies, I will continue to review all the great, cheap products I find at the drugstore including cosmetics.
Please post your response or questions. I love to hear what you think or to hear what products you like!
However, mes amies, Votre Vu's products are priced at a fraction of the cost of those other French lines. The products range anywhere from $19 to $165...at least half the price of Sisley, La Mer and Clarins. Now, I will admit the base price of each item is higher than the other products I've reviewed so far in Beauty on the Cheap, however, there are some awesome deals to be had!
First of all, Preferred Members can take 10% off every retail priced purchase AND for every two items purchased at 10% off, you can choose a third item (even the most expensive one!) at 50% 0ff. There is a cost of $29.95 to become a Preferred Member but you can easily earn that money back in savings with your first order.
Here are a few of the best products I tried at the launch party:
Fleur Blanc Tonic - a moisturizing toner with gentle astringent properites of the White Lily. The scent and the feel of this product are heavenly. Retail cost (before any discounts) is $25.
Attentive Lait Pour Le Visage for Sensitive Skin - this creamy blue cleanser will remove makeup and other impurities while leaving your skin clean and fresh but not tight or red. This cleanser is $29 before discounts.
Luxee Yeux Eye Beauty Balm - this miracle worker promises to battle the three prominent signs of aging: moisture loss, collagen breakdown and free-radical damage. It is too early to tell if this indeed will help my aging orbitals, but I will tell you this balm soothed the fine lines under my eyes and over my lips immediately. (It is also great for cracking cuticles.) I love its consistency versus eye creams that are so heavy they migrate into the eyes and irritate them. Luxee Yeux costs $69 but if you are a Preferred Member, you could get it for half off as your third product!
Last but not least is Portrait Collar Restorative Neck Creme. Once you get to be on the back nine of your 40's, your neck starts to sag worse than the rest of your body. If you don't want to look like a turkey by next Thanksgiving, then I recommend you start using this product tout suite. The skin on your neck is thicker and heavier than the skin on your face, so you need a richer cream to do the heavy lifting. Don't worry though, it absorbs quickly so you won't have to worry about any residue on your turtleneck. This gem is $49 before the Preferred Member discount.
You can view the entire line and order products from this website: www.votrevu.com/productpeddler. If you really need cash to support your beauty habit, you can sign up to sell Votre Vu too.
Have no fear, Beauty Junkies, I will continue to review all the great, cheap products I find at the drugstore including cosmetics.
Please post your response or questions. I love to hear what you think or to hear what products you like!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Awesome Shampoo and Conditioner
Hello Again Fellow Beauty Junkies!
While flipping through a national beauty magazine earlier this week, I saw an ad from Organix for a line of shampoos and conditioners that are made without sulfates (I think I have the word correct.) Anyway, sulfates are added to provide more fluffy lather but it has been found that this chemical is a toxin. In addition, to not being good for you, it actually strips your hair of color. The product is also not tested on animals.
With all that being said, what really caught my attention was the yummy scents that Organix offers. So, I went to Walgreen's to check them out. First of all, I was pleasantly surprised to see the wide selection carried. Best of all, the shampoo and conditioner were $6.99 each. Certainly more than Suave but a heck of a lot less than my salon shampoo.
I chose the Pomegranate Green Tea Shampoo and the Shea Butter Conditioner. According to the shampoo bottle, the Pomegranate Green Tea will "Revitalize your senses with sensual and exotic antioxidant rich organic pomegranate extracts and green tea which target dry and brittle hair while awakening follicles to create a clean and rejuvenating experience, adding a brilliant and luminescent shine." Wow, that is a big promise!
The Shea Butter Conditioner promises to "Indulge your senses with this weightless creamy blend of shea butter and ultra whipped yogurt proteins to nourish and smooth your hair with avocado oils to crate somooth frizz-free shiny hairy." Holy cow!
I couldn't wait to find out if this was just marketing drivel or for real. Well, I'm here to tell you that I loved it! And so did my teenage daughter. First of all, the scents were amazing. Showering was like a mini-vacation to Hawaii. Ok...that is an exaggeration but the fruity and coconut smells were reminiscent of a trip to the islands. The fragrance lasted until the next day. Every time I swished my hair, I got a nice little lift. Best of all, my hair was smooth, shiny and manageable.
Bottom line: I highly recommend Organix Shampoo and Conditioner. Let me know if you try any of the other shampoos or conditioners in their line.
While flipping through a national beauty magazine earlier this week, I saw an ad from Organix for a line of shampoos and conditioners that are made without sulfates (I think I have the word correct.) Anyway, sulfates are added to provide more fluffy lather but it has been found that this chemical is a toxin. In addition, to not being good for you, it actually strips your hair of color. The product is also not tested on animals.
With all that being said, what really caught my attention was the yummy scents that Organix offers. So, I went to Walgreen's to check them out. First of all, I was pleasantly surprised to see the wide selection carried. Best of all, the shampoo and conditioner were $6.99 each. Certainly more than Suave but a heck of a lot less than my salon shampoo.
I chose the Pomegranate Green Tea Shampoo and the Shea Butter Conditioner. According to the shampoo bottle, the Pomegranate Green Tea will "Revitalize your senses with sensual and exotic antioxidant rich organic pomegranate extracts and green tea which target dry and brittle hair while awakening follicles to create a clean and rejuvenating experience, adding a brilliant and luminescent shine." Wow, that is a big promise!
The Shea Butter Conditioner promises to "Indulge your senses with this weightless creamy blend of shea butter and ultra whipped yogurt proteins to nourish and smooth your hair with avocado oils to crate somooth frizz-free shiny hairy." Holy cow!
I couldn't wait to find out if this was just marketing drivel or for real. Well, I'm here to tell you that I loved it! And so did my teenage daughter. First of all, the scents were amazing. Showering was like a mini-vacation to Hawaii. Ok...that is an exaggeration but the fruity and coconut smells were reminiscent of a trip to the islands. The fragrance lasted until the next day. Every time I swished my hair, I got a nice little lift. Best of all, my hair was smooth, shiny and manageable.
Bottom line: I highly recommend Organix Shampoo and Conditioner. Let me know if you try any of the other shampoos or conditioners in their line.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Cutting back on beauty products
Hello fellow beauty junkies:
Last month I lost my job. The upside is that I already look a little better now that I don't have work stress making my skin break out. However, there are some beauty problems that only a great product can solve. Unfortunately, given the lack of a paycheck, I know I am going to have to cut back on my beauty spending. Not so uncommon these days so maybe many of you can relate.
Here's how my beauty shopping used to work. I'd go troll the aisles of Bloomies or Sephora or if I were feeling really ritzy Neiman's. I'd go from counter to counter looking at all the gorgeous jars and bottles until some salesperson noticed that I was an easy (very easy) sell. Then I'd let them try anything on me and would end up spending anywhere from $50 to $300 for products that promised to erase wrinkes, diminish brown spots or add glow to my lackluster skin. Ahh, those were the days!
But fear not, beauty junkies, hope can also be found in the aisle of Walgreen's and CVS! It had only been about two weeks since I had lost my job when I felt the old familiar urge to buy some new product. Given the austerity program by which my husband and I now must live, I decided to check out what was available at the drugstore right in my own neighborhood.
Lucky for me, and now lucky for you, I found two great products from Aveeno. The first is Positively Ageless Daily Moisturizer with SPF 30. This is a great day creme: it smells nice, goes on smoothly and easily and it seems to be working on my skin! The SPF 30 is key! My dermatologist told me never to leave the house without a minimum of SPF 30...even if it is raining! That is what keeps the wrinkles and brown spots away! I got this product on sale for $14.99.
The second product from Aveeno is for night. It is called Positively Ageless Lifting and Firming Cream. It comes in a nice little jar and smells divine! Just a little bit goes along way. You will wake up in the morning looking like a new woman! The night creme was $19.99 but seems to be working just as well as any of those $100+ night cremes I used to buy at the department stores.
Try them and let me know what you think!!
Stay tuned for more beauty on the cheap.
Best in beauty,
HP Girl
Last month I lost my job. The upside is that I already look a little better now that I don't have work stress making my skin break out. However, there are some beauty problems that only a great product can solve. Unfortunately, given the lack of a paycheck, I know I am going to have to cut back on my beauty spending. Not so uncommon these days so maybe many of you can relate.
Here's how my beauty shopping used to work. I'd go troll the aisles of Bloomies or Sephora or if I were feeling really ritzy Neiman's. I'd go from counter to counter looking at all the gorgeous jars and bottles until some salesperson noticed that I was an easy (very easy) sell. Then I'd let them try anything on me and would end up spending anywhere from $50 to $300 for products that promised to erase wrinkes, diminish brown spots or add glow to my lackluster skin. Ahh, those were the days!
But fear not, beauty junkies, hope can also be found in the aisle of Walgreen's and CVS! It had only been about two weeks since I had lost my job when I felt the old familiar urge to buy some new product. Given the austerity program by which my husband and I now must live, I decided to check out what was available at the drugstore right in my own neighborhood.
Lucky for me, and now lucky for you, I found two great products from Aveeno. The first is Positively Ageless Daily Moisturizer with SPF 30. This is a great day creme: it smells nice, goes on smoothly and easily and it seems to be working on my skin! The SPF 30 is key! My dermatologist told me never to leave the house without a minimum of SPF 30...even if it is raining! That is what keeps the wrinkles and brown spots away! I got this product on sale for $14.99.
The second product from Aveeno is for night. It is called Positively Ageless Lifting and Firming Cream. It comes in a nice little jar and smells divine! Just a little bit goes along way. You will wake up in the morning looking like a new woman! The night creme was $19.99 but seems to be working just as well as any of those $100+ night cremes I used to buy at the department stores.
Try them and let me know what you think!!
Stay tuned for more beauty on the cheap.
Best in beauty,
HP Girl
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