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Being Beautiful on a Budget?
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"Go cheap where you can…" However our bodies soak in 5 pounds of makeup and lotion per year so something I'm not willing to skimp on is quality or my natural products. The beautiful thing is that there are plenty of budget products that take care of both my requirements.
TOOLS – I tend to use brushes for almost everything makeup related… blushing, eyeshadow, eyeliner, foundation, and son on. Most of my brushes are cheaper EcoTools or Coastal Scents ones (I only go for fur-free versions). I have a few brushes that cost me more than $20 but they are the really good blending brushes from Urban Decay. My eyelash curler was a drug-store Maybelline one. If I use foundation sponges they are generic ones.
EYESHADOW & BLUSH – Most of my eyeshadows are from Silk Naturals or Everyday Minerals (not to be confused with Bare Minerals) just because I try to stay on the chemical free side.
PRIMER & EYELINER – This is where I think it is worth it to spend a little extra… MAC Paintpot for primer (I have three, one black, one matte skin tone, and one golden shimmer). I also have some of the Urban Decay ones but I don't like them as much as MAC. Eyeliner I use MAC Fluidline in Blitz Glitz.
PS – Do not go for MAC products on eBay… most of them end up being fakes.
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if you want to exfoliate your body but dont want to spend a ton of money on expensive exfoliation creams use SUGAR! it works wonders for me and its alot cheaper.
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@ amy – ME <— Asian over here!!! BUT, I'm one of the weird ones that have double eyelid so never really have an issue with eye makeup (Yes, I got my Mommy's pretty eyes and she got hers from GrandMa…LOL)
I'm huge on makeup, especially nauturally looking makeup, I tried A LOT of them out there, and I have to say, majority of the really good ones are brand name (Try D.J.V masaca and you'll NEVER go back to drugstore brand mascara…And La Mer foundation is just like 2nd skin…) …BUT, here are a few that I think they are a steeeeal!!
1) Physicians Forumla – Eye Booster eyeliner.
o I'm not sure if my eyelashes grow longer…but this eyeliner is THE MOST precise eyeliner I've ever had…It even beat MAC, Bobbi Brown and Chanel. Also, it is VERY pigmented.
2) Physicians Forumla – Stripes Blushes / Highlighter
o They color are soooo beautiful!! You can use them as a bronzer, highligher or just a blush. It has all day staying power.
3) NYX – eyeshadows
o I LOOOOOVE their eyeshadow!! In general, I'm a slave of Urban Decay, but they get pricey. NYX eyeshadow is compareable to MAC. I kid you not. They are just as pigmented but 1/10th the price. BUT, I would recommend using a eyeshadow primer with their eyeshadow so it will truly last all day.
4) NYX – cream blush
o If you have super dry skin, try NYX cream blush. The texture us creamy, last all day and look very natural.
5) Mayballine – gel eyeliner (in a pot)
o I found this gem in CVS on sale for $9. It has AMAZING staying power….I wore this to my 90min HOT YOGA class. But the end of the class NO SMUDGE whatsoever. It last!!! Originally I really wanted to get Bobbi Brown gel eyeliner but for $22 a pot and reviews aren't that great…eh. I'm glad I found a cheaper alternative.
6) Sigma – makeup brushes
o These brushes are compareable to MAC brushes. They are soooo soft and precise…I bought the professional brush set and I have to say…I won't be buying any brushes in another 10 years…LOL
7) St Ives – face/body scrub
o This is the best face/body scrub I've ever used. For $3 you get a HUGE tube that last forever. Your face and body wil feel soooooooo smooth and clean afterward. (Tips. GENTLY scrub on your face…don't need to apply tons of pressure or it'll feel too rough on face)
8) NYX – nail polish
o Their nail polish are truly high quality…I tried a lot of brand and they all end up peeling or chipping after a few days. But NYX nail polish really last..I mean weeks at a time…no chipping, no peeling and quick drying.
——————————Hope this helps ^_^
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I find that a lot to do with looking good is feeling good! If you’re confident, have good posture and take care of yourself, it does so much more than any makeup or manicure can give.
That said, there are some things I skimp on, and others I don’t. I don’t on makeup; I love MAC, especially because my skin is so very sensitive. I rarely wear makeup, but when I do, that’s the stuff. Although, I’m allergic to expensive mascara (don’t as me why!) So I go cheap on that, and I can’t wear eyeliner, so I use eyeshadow and do it that way.
I don’t buy very expensive body wash. I like stuff with shea butter in it, but I can pick up a bottle for $5. I don’t often wash my face with more than water, because it can get dry or worse.
Diet is a big one. I’m having issues right now because I’ve been having too much milk, and I’m a little lactose intolerant. Drinking more water really helps!
And, lastly, I don’t accept clothing that doesn’t fit me. As difficult as it may be, I insist on fit. Too small and youu look like a sausage, and too big and you look abnormally small. It should flatter your figure and be ina colour that looks good with your skin tone.
Otherwise…I don’t do a lot! I do my own nails, get my hair cut every six months or so…and don’t overdo it! 🙂 -
OH makeup talk on a pole site. I am in heaven. I literally have a makeup room. 🙂
I have a ton of high end products due to my obsession, but there are some drug store lines I love.
NYX-Eyeshadows, blushes (they make mattes!!), and mega shine lipgloss.
Sleek- Palettes (super pigmented) shipping is expensive here though. I have a friend in Scotland send mine.
Milani-Eyeliners
Loreal-Mascara (voluminous, carbon black)
Revlon- Matte lipsticks and Maybeline- color sensational lipsticks
I totally say splurge on eyeshadow primers (Too Faced Shadow Insurance or MAC Paint Pots are my personal fav) as they make any shadows look great and last all day. Also brushes, MAC is my fav and I love Too Faced teddy bear hair brushes. They last forever if you take care of them and make all the difference. Sigma is a more affordable option but do not last as long.
For sites:
Marlena at Makeup geek does the best tutorials and has a fab personality. Sweet Girl! Christine at Temptalia does the best and HONEST reviews high end and low end. Makeupalley is great for swapping as anything except mascara and lipgloss is able to be sanitized.
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for a manicure:
instead of splurging for gel and acrylic nails at a salon
buy stick on nails(Boradway) at the pharmacy, they look amazing, you can choose the length you want, different colours and designs, and their glue is amazing( i was able to do everything i wanted without ruining the nails and they stayed on for 2weeks)
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I can't even get through a night with stickon nails. I pop them off all over the dance floor or in the bathroom pulling up my pants lol!!!!
I do Shellac nails. No chips no breaking for 2 weeks. Some people get 3 weeks out of them, but between kids, horses, pole and busting open hundreds of boxes every night at work 2 is my limit. well worth the 30 bucks for them to look fab. I also get them done in vinatage half moons so you don't see the grow out line. in two weeks if I didn't do that I would have a quarter of an inch of white at the bottom of my pretty red nails.
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