4.3.12

dirty dozen: the sequel

My "Dirty Dozen" was a post I did awhile back
about my favorite items that you can find at a typical drugstore.
This sequel steps it up by telling you my favorite beauty products
followed up by their comparable drugstore beauty buy.
All the research was done by yours truly, Mama Kat.
And, YES, I have tried all of them myself!
(I stand behind all of my recommendations and no one has paid me a penny for my opinion.)
In this never ending recession
a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do,
so here's a few ideas to cut beauty corners whithout
compramising on quality.

The FIRST beauty buy was L'Oreal Infallible 24 hour eyeshadow.
I just posted about this, but I had to include it.
I compare it with Chanel's Longwearing Luminous shadow
and you save almost $20 for a very similar quality product.
I even like L'oreal's dark brown better than the Chanel color!


Second is MAC's 213 brush,
my very favorite for laying on the eyeshadow,
verses the elf "C" brush.  And this pains me to say but
very similar product and the elf brush is only $3!
I'll take a few of those!


I've loved Estee Lauder Bronze Godess for years! 
Yet, I am finding it hard to justify the price, especially
 after I tried Jergens Natural Glow Healthy Complexion.
It has a little less pigment but I kinda like that.

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair is an expensive luxury.
I've cut back and tried the Olay Regenerist Night Resurfacing.
I like it and Olay has a comparable product
but I am going back to Estee Lauder
as soon as I finish the Olay Regenerist bottle.
I just wanted a little more from Olay but it's great
for when your budget is a little tight.

never suggest using a shampoo and conditioner
from the drugstore - NEVER!
But for the sake of research I tried the L'Oreal Sulfate Free
shampoo and condition.
I usually only use Pureology.  It is always sulfate free,
always color safe, and always clutch.
I will say, the L'Oreal Sulfate Free is pretty good,
especially the Keratin smoothing impressed me the most!

I love i.d. essentuals mineral blush in True!
I tried Revlon Colorstay Mineral Blush in Roseberry.
I'm happy to say the price was better and so is the "colorstay".
I also like that Revlon's blush is a pressed powder,
it's a lot less messy!

Pond's Cold Cream was a "game changer"!
I am never spending so much money to buy
Lancome's Bi-Facil makeup remover ever again!
Pond's is great to remove ALL my makeup and so hydrating!
Revitalash is so amazing and it's only purpose it to GROW
your eyelashes.  Revlon Grow Lucious Plumping is mascara
and stimulates growth.  Two in one!

I just tried Revlon's lipstick in Siren.
I love it and it reminds me of my MAC Vegas Volt,
but it's half the price and the color is so retro.
Philosophy's Microdelivery Peel kit is SO pricey,
and delivers great results.
Olay Regenerist Cleanse is so inexpensive,
and delivers great results.
You do the math :)
I tried this primer after Carmindy
(the creater and famous makeup artist)
explained that the ingredients in her drugstore primer are the same
as her department store competitors.
I looked up the ingredients and she is right!
I love primer and NEVER go without.
I would totally use the Sally Hansen Face Primer when
my Smashbox Photo Finish Primer is outside my budget.
Threading at the salon verses an at home hair removal
kit by Olay......
Not too bad but I think threading results have more longevity
than this Olay Hair Removal Duo.
If you don't like pain I highly suggest trying this kit.
I also think Olay's kit is WAY over priced for the
limited results it delivers.

Hopefully you find this helpful and
remember that just because you pay MORE for
a beauty product it doesn't always mean it's BETTER.