Ante Up or Pinch your Pennies
Today I thought I'd share some beauty products in my arsenal that are worth the splurge and others that are shockingly chic considering their low price point. Without further ado, I bring you WestCoastWive's first edition of...
BINGE OR BARGAIN
Binge #1: Yves Saint Laurent ROUGE VOLUPTÉ Silky Sensual Radiant Lipstick
For me, this is the end-all-be-all of lipsticks. Not only is the packaging amazeballs, the shade is everything. There's a reason this is frequently sold out- it is the perfect nude with just enough pink and when layered plays well with just about every other lip color out there.
Bargain #1: NYC Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder
I happened upon this bronzer after reading an article on the best drug store beauty products and was pleasantly surprised. At just $3 bucks a pop I wasn't expecting much, but it's got just enough pigment, isn't orangey (or shimmery), and impressive staying power.
Binge #2: Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion
If I am wearing eye shadow, you can bet your bottom dollar this bad boy is underneath it all. I tend to be on the oily side and apparently my eyelids are in on that fun. Not only does this primer keep everything in place and crease free allllllll day, it also makes bargain eyeshadows much more doable.
Bargain #2: Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Moist Deep Conditioning Treatment
Even though this hair mask incorporates the abominable 'm' word in it's name, I am able to pretend not to notice considering just three minutes of this $3 elixir smooths frayed ends, amps shine, and leaves my strands silky soft.
Binge #3: tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Airbrush Foundation
I was turned on to this foundation by my hometown bestie (shout out Pinky Chop Chop, hey girl heyyyyy!!! xoxo). I had been dealing with a major breakout sitch and was in a cycle of "I need to cover up this shit but my cover up is giving me more shit to cover up" and this has been a god-send. It provides coverage, but isn't heavy or clog pores. It can be layered to build coverage and used with a concealer brush to target specific areas that might need a bit more camouflaging. I've been using this brush with it lately and think these two are a match made in heaven. I HEART TARTE.
Bargain #3: Rubbing Alcohol
Alcohol. Not the drinking kind. For me at least (no judgement). Did you know this is THE best blemish fighter I've discovered to date?? Yes, it's harsh. Which is why a dab will do ya and it WORKS. Just soak a cotton ball and lightly dab that jerk once in the AM and again in the PM and watch it dry up and disappear in record speed.
Binge #4: DryBar Triple Sec 3-in-1
I have tried a gazillion dry shampoos (Big Sexy Hair, Batiste, Tresemme, Caviar... just to name a few) but had yet to find the 'one' until my last visit to Drybar and an impulse purchase. Dry shampoos typically leave my hair... icky. The only way I can think to describe the overly-dry, dull, and sticky sensation that I loathe. Triple Sec is the anti-icky. It's light, provides just enough hold, and smells ermerzing.
Bargain #4: Wet n Wild MegaLast Lip Color in Pinkerbell
I can honestly say I never thought I'd be singing the praises of my pre-teen baby-sitting income affordable go-to, but I tried this shade after hearing about it as a hack for MAC's Viva Glam Nicki and have never looked back. I'm proudly packin' this crappy plastic tube because the shade is uber hot and universally flattering.
This product possesses all the qualities I could ever desire in an eye-liner: it glides on smoothly but is still easy to apply, it is smudgeable but doesn't budge once set, and it's SUPER water-proof, as in it can be used on your waterline without pooling in the corner of your eyes (aka that gross mascara goop, remember the Friends episode??? bleck.).
Bargain #5: Yes To Grapefruit Daily Facial Scrub
I loooooove this face wash. It's got just the right amount of grit to leave your face feeling scrubbed but not scraped off, it's got a bit of lather so you can spend some time working it in, and it smells refreshing, leaves skin glowing, and is made with healthy, skin-nourishing ingredients.
Happy shopping.
~Jeanie