Being Beautiful on a Budget?

glitterhips started this discussion · 11/17/2010

Ok ladies, who has any good tips/tricks/ideas for those of us who want still want to look fabulous but not spend a ton of money? I am always looking for sales/coupons/etc so much so that my boyfriend calls me the crazy coupon lady 😀 What are your favorite inexpensive beauty products? How can you make your manicure/pedicure/blowout last longer so you can wait longer between trips? Etc...things like that. When I have more time I will make a list of my personal favorite drugstore beauty products, a lot of namebrand lines like MAC have duplicate products from other lines that are carried at Walgreens and they are almost identical!

22 replies

chemgoddess1 · 11/17/2010
Sally Beauty has really nice products and are a fraction of the cost of the high end stuff. I know that their finger paints line is comparable to OPI. Also I LOVE their Never Chip if/when I paint my nails. The stuff really does make my polish last a long time. I bought an Ion straightener from them a few months back and swear by it. Their Sally card is only $5 a year and gets you discounts on all of their products, plus I am constantly getting coupons from them. Products that I love from Sally: Pretty much the entire line of Beyond the Zone. I have not tried anything in this line that I was unhappy with. Oh, Sally's also has a great money back guarantee. Finger Paints nail polish Never Chip Ion hair color I have also had luck with a lot of the Rimmel line. I swear by Revlon's ColorStay Overtime lipcolor...the stuff stays and stays and stays. Best advice I can give though is to never sleep with makeup on, get at least 7 hours of sleep a night and eat properly. I am 41, tan regularly, have smoked and don't have a single wrinkle. Yes, I have good genes but on top of that I always have taken my makeup off and moisturized my face since I started wearing makeup (in my teens).
luvlee · 11/17/2010
Also, I saw that you mentioned making your blow out last longer. You could use the Treseme dry shampoo to get a couple more days. I have tried it and love it. Make sure you get the one that is a spray though if you have straight hair, There is a whole line if stuff so you really have to read the can or lift the lid and look for the spary nozzle.
Charley · 11/17/2010
I am so excited for this to come out!!!!!! I really wanna know which otc cosmetics are good and bad. I am so make up and beauty illiterate!
MommaBear · 11/17/2010
I'm a drugstore make-up kind of gal. I hear lots of rave reviews about Mac, but going into a department store bare faced to make sure I get a matching shade is just not happening. So, for now I use Loreal True Match. Foundations seem to come with peachy (almost pink), orange or brown undertones and I feel I have more of a yellowly undertone and this is the only foundation that seems to match me. In my opinion, the True Match powder doesn't seem to coordinate correctly with the foundation. But I do like Loreal Translucience powder. I also LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Loreals Double Extend Mascara (with beauty tubes) - this stuff is just plain awesome, first you put on white stuff that lengthens the lash, and then add to black mascara. I think it looks great and does the job of giving you bigger looking lashes. But, the best thing about it is that is washes off with water, you don't have to scrub and scrub and you don't get raccoon eyes - but you have to make sure you pick the version of Loreal Double Extend that says "beauty tube technology" on the package. As for lip stuff, I usually pick up 89 cent Chapstick on my way out of Marc's 😂 Best advice I can give though is to never sleep with makeup on, get at least 7 hours of sleep a night and eat properly. I am 41, tan regularly, have smoked and don't have a single wrinkle. Yes, I have good genes but on top of that I always have taken my makeup off and moisturized my face since I started wearing makeup (in my teens). Chem, you are totally a beauty freak of nature 😂 Every time I see you I am just in disbelief because the face (and body) definitely do not match the age. Kudos to you girl, you look awesome!
verucablue · 11/17/2010
not that this is a product but I LOVE Groupon and Living Social for great deals...they always have cheap spa things, mani pedi's, massages, yoga and even pole classes!!!
Charley · 11/17/2010
LOL! I am so addicted to groupon! 🥂 🥂 🥂 I just saw laser hair removal - 6 sessions for $99 🥂
amy · 11/17/2010
LOL! I am so addicted to groupon! 🥂 🥂 🥂 I just saw laser hair removal - 6 sessions for $99 🥂 i HEART laser hair removal. and i'm in the midst of getting it done-- BEST money i have ever spent on hair maintenance (loL) but BE SURE to research the place that is doing the deal. laser cosmetica did a groupon deal out here in NYC and they have a 1-star rating on yelp and over 50 complaints filed with the BBB. i let three or four deals go by before i found a place that i was confident in. so be careful and do your due diligence because groupon doesn't distinguish when they make these deals! just wanted to throw this out there-- if you're asian (which i'm not sure many of you are), or you don't have an eyelid crease, the makeup application is super different than if you have a crease! i just learned the proper technique literally this year and it has CHANGED MY LIFE! well, my makeup life anyway. this is the trick: if you have no crease-- you build the color in a triangle up your eyelid, instead of winging it out to the corners (which makes asian eyes look even smaller). and make sure that if you're doing a smokey or dramatic eye, you balance the color on your lid by putting a littel bit of smokiness on bottom. 🤸 i can't suggest makeup because i'm a sephora-whore-a and i looove their return policy (return any product in any condition, even fully used, and you will still get store credit/refund). so even though they are more expensive, the peace of mind i have buyingfrom them-- that if i don't like the color, i can always return it- makes it worth it to me =)
MommaBear · 11/17/2010
a lot of namebrand lines like MAC have duplicate products from other lines that are carried at Walgreens and they are almost identical! Can you reveal the secret product? 😀 I always hear about how great MAC products are, and I'm not opposed to trying the cheaper drug store version!
glitterhips · 11/18/2010
There are TONS of drugstore colors that could be identical/almost identical to MAC products....too many to list here really but if you go into a MAC store and find an eyeshadow or lip color you like you can probably find the same one at the drugstore. NYX and Milani are two really good lines that have a lot of MAC copycat shades but sadly they don't carry them at stores in my neck of the woods so I haven't used any personally but I've heard a lot of good things. Also L'Oreal collagen volume mascara works way better than the $18 super fancy pants mascara I got at MAC, I ended up returning that one and buying another bottle of the L'Oreal stuff because the MAC one didn't work the way it was supposed to at all! I have had good luck with most L'Oreal products, they make a fabulous eyeshadow primer that is around $7, and as of right now I don't know of any other drugstore brands that make an eyeshadow primer which is a necessary item for every girl's makeup bag IMO. The only drawback to the drugstore brands is that sometimes they don't have quite as much pigmentation as the more expensive brands but a little eyeshadow primer will fix that immediately so you don't have to keep slopping on more and more color. Using eyeshadows wet will increase the pigment but that makes it harder to blend them so it does take a bit of practice. I do think it's worth it to splurge on a few expensive makeup items now and then especially if they are skincare related, but buying more expensive products that help enhance other products (like foundation primer, etc) can make your drugstore foundation look like a million bucks for practically nothing.
minicoopergrl · 11/18/2010
I normally swear by Mary Kay. I used to sell MK for a few years (which I stoped this year and I have plenty of stuff that needs good homes). Before MK, I wore the Mabeline Mascara (green cap, pink bottle) and that was it. Occasionally I wore color but I worked at a gym and had a young child - no reason for me to look pretty. I always got the giant makeup kits and the dollar store make up and used that. Now I wear foundation, mascara, eyeliner, one eye color and a cheek color. Im trying to get myself into lip gloss again. I love MK products - especially the skin care. I have very oily skin, so bad you could fry an egg with it. MK was the first product that helped my skin overall. I love getting my makeup done and they mention how nice my skin is. I use the 3-n-1 cleanser, day solution with spf 25 and mosituriser. Its a bit pricey retail but to piggyback on Glitter's post, I would rather have a better quality skin care regime than any thing. Its the foundation to your look. You dont build a house with an uneven foundation. Im a huge fan of mineral makeup! I love the mineral foundation from MK, I use it as a powder to set my foundation when I go out. MK color is now all mineral, its long lasting and is great to apply wet or dry. Im going to be checking out the MAC counter for the first time in a week - im having them do my makeup for my photoshoot on the 28th. Ive never been into the higher end makeup, but I want to give it a shot.
MissKitty83 · 11/20/2010
First let me say that I LOVE SALLY'S. Their Finger Paints line is fabulous, with TONS of colors. I've never tried OPI nail polish, i just can bring myself to spend that much on it, but I do like the selection and quality of the Finger Paints. I usually pop a coat of Sally's Gelous clear coat as a base coat, two coats of color, and then add Sally Hansen's Advanced HARD as NAILS Strengthening Topcoat. The color on my toes lasts at least a month, and when it comes off, it's usually in one or two big pieces that just flake right off and don't leave my nail damaged! I'm super hard on my hands, so polish on them doesn't last as long - I usually get about 2 weeks before small chips and cracks start to drive me crazy. I really am going to have to go try the Sally's Never Chip you were talking about, Chem. I also color my own hair, and use the Clairol color and creme developer. Also, because I color my hair every 8 weeks, I've started to get coupons for BOGO on the Clairol color. I love it that I go, buy 2 for the price of one, and after I use the second one (16 weeks later) I usually get another coupon for another BOGO!!! 😀 I really don't wear much make-up. I am lucky to be naturally pretty, and usually all I go out in is Maybelline Great Lash waterproof mascara (because I wear contacts...) and some chapstick. Lipgloss and a trio of brown eyeshadows if I want it pop it up a little. I don't like foundations or powders; I don't like the way they feel on my skin. I have combination sensitive skin, so I try to avoid putting crap on my face. And, I hate spending $7-15 for a foundation that makes me break out after the second application. 😠 I've had the most luck with The Body Shop's cream-to-powder foundation. It's good quality, good coverage, lightweight - I forget I'm wearing it. I haven't tried the mineral foundations yet. As I said, I don't wear makeup unless I'm going out, and I hate experimenting. Any suggestions/recommendations? Anyway, there's my 2 cents. ^_^ ~Miss Kitty 🐱
chemgoddess1 · 11/20/2010
I am going to throw this up here....may not be "on a budget" but I can tell you that the color and health of my hair is incredible since I started doing this. First, for EXTREMELY DAMAGED hair, ApHOGEE is the best thing I have ever used. The stuff stinks to high hell and is a mess to use but really works wonders. It is hydrolyzed animal protein that you put in your hair and then let dry. Your hair basically is a solid mass of extreme stinkiness for several hours. After you wash it out and apply their balancing moisturizer. My hair has been to the point of rubber after perms (seriously, THAT damaged) and this is the only thing that helped me keep my hair. I am a fan of their Keratin Recontructor and their leave in Green Tea and Keratin spray also. Again, this is for hair that has been so damaged that it is breaking and falling out For lightly damaged hair I swear by the Ion 3 step emergency service. When I used to chemically color my hair I would do this prior to coloring to get a more even processing and coloring. HOWEVER...I have not had to use any of these products in the last 3 years because of my new love, which is henna. I am not talking the compound stuff that you hear horror stories about, I am talking the pure ground leaves of henna that is used for tattoos. I found Henna for Hair when my hair was so damaged that it stopped accepting color and it was 2 different colors. Using cassia you can get strawberry blond, using amla you can get brown and using indigo you can get black. There are also several shades of red depending on the region that the henna is grown. The process if kind of long and your hair smells like wet hay for about a week after but the color NEVER washes out. NEVER. This is the "problem" with henna...it does not come out so you have to be committed to it. BUT, my hair is healthy, shiny and the most gorgeous shade of auburn that I could never get out of a box. And the grey coverage is out of this world. In the sun my hair pretty much glows. This pic was taken a few weeks ago with a friend of mine:
anngiern · 11/21/2010
88 color eye make up palette for $25 http://www.coastalscents.com/cfwebstore/index.cfm/product/1677_122/88-piece-makeup-palette.cfm http://www.coastalscents.com i got this from many makeup artists on youtube..they were always raving about it..i was skeptical at first b/c i luv MAC and Sephora, but it was only 20 bucks so i thought i give it a try. this palette is awesome! now you must use an eye primer ( i use MAC paint bare canvas) otherwise the colors will not go on good. but this is a great starter to play around with eye makeup. it has all kind of colors. once you find which colors you like then you can go to mac or sephora and buy the higher end if you desire. but this is a great way to test the waters. personally i use this palette all the time and its great for travel. want free lessons??? get on youtube. there are a ton of people who post lessons on makeup application and fun looks. i luv make-up...it truly is artistry. i will have to post some pics of make-up that i have done with this palette. hope that helps 🙂
Coastal ScentsCoastal ScentsCoastal Scents
benicebehappy · 11/21/2010
This will prob be more use to the girls in the UK (although I think you could get them on ebay) but sleek eye shadow pallettes are fabulous. Very pigmented, blend easy and have good staying power without a primer. Think there only about £6 for a pallette of 12 colours. Also from the same range is the contour pallette although the highlighter isnt brilliant if your stupidly pale like me as its more of a gold shimmer to it which look odd on really white skin, but they come in light, medium and dark so somthing for all skin colours. An eyeliner ive found recently is from avon, and its there supershocks gel eyeliner and its fab!! And on offer for £3 atm i believe.
Mindy4pole · 11/22/2010
I DEFINITELY second the Coastal Scents palettes for eyeshadow. I have one of the neutrals and one of the bright colored ones. NYX is a good one, too. I got an intense blue from them and it is SUPER pigmented. For cheap eyeshadow primer, get Palladio at Sally's. It's about $7 a tube and works well. I like Wet N' Wild's waterproof liquid liner. It goes on smoothly and really lasts. A really cool cheap-but-good makeup is using Monistat's Anti Chafing gel as a face primer. I hardly ever wear foundation, but when I do, I use this stuff. It makes your skin really smooth, and a tube will last FOREVER! I found most of this info on http://www.makeupgeek.com. Marlena has lots of suggestions for cheaper makeup, plus tutorials and product reviews. I've really branched out as far as using color based on her ideas. There is a message board (similar to this one!) on her site, too. Mindy
Makeup GeekProfessional Quality, Cruelty-Free Makeup, Brushes & Beauty EducationMakeup Geek Cosmetics offers professional quality, cruelty-free, ethically-made makeup for all skin tones. Find expert advice, tips and recommendations just for you.
PoleDanceABCs · 7/13/2011
"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.
JennyBacardi · 7/13/2011
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.
Mechie · 7/13/2011
@ 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 ^_^
Runemist34 · 7/13/2011
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! :)
PlatinumAni · 7/13/2011
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.
JennyBacardi · 7/13/2011
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)
nymphdancer · 7/14/2011
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.