beauty swaps, part 2

And finally, part two of my beauty swaps. The less expensive versions have really become my staples (even though I do also love my expensive versions too!)

Eyes:

Urban Decay Naked 3 to Physician's Formula Shimmer Strips = save $37

 

Stila Eye Shadow to L'Oreal Infallible = save $10

  

Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner  to Rimmel Scandal Eyes Eyeliner = save $15

 

Benefit They're Real to Maybelline The Rocket = save $15

 

Lips:

Sugar Lip Treatment to ChapStick Hydration Lock = save $19

Clinique Chubby Stick to Almay Liquid Lip Balm = save $12

 

Dior Addict Gloss to NYX Mega Shine Lip Gloss = save $24

 

beauty swaps, part 1

I have to admit, while I love reading blogs sometimes updating mine can feel like a total chore. I like to feel that I'm posting stuff actually worth reading and not posting random things just to post something. Anyways, I decided to post a round up of some of my favorite high-end beauty products and the less-expensive alternatives that I have found to be just as good { if not better! }. I'm a girl on a budget and I wanted to share some good ways to save money - while still looking great. Lately, the drugstore has been killing it in the beauty department. I've been really impressed and have been slowly starting to replace some of my high-end favorites with less expensive alternatives. Too keep this from being overwhelmingly long, I'm just posting my hair & face picks in part 1 and will post eyes & lips in part 2.

Hair:

Klorane Dry Shampoo to Batiste Dry Shampoo = save $12

Big Sexy Hair Hairspray to Pantene Pro-V Hairspray = save $12

 

Face:

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish to Bioré Steam Activated Cleanser = save $17

Embroylisse Lait Creme Con Centre to Olay Fresh Effects = save $15

 

Clinique Foundation to CoverGirl 3 in 1 Foundation = save $15

 

Benefit Watts Up to Elf Whips = save $29

 

Too Faced Blush to Body Shop Blush = save $23

 

bareMinerals Touch Up Veil to Rimmel Stay Matte Powder = save $16

 

fall nail inspiration

Pinterest has been killing it with some fabulous nail inspiration lately...

fall crush: cranberry

One thing I love about fall... fall clothes and fall colors. I am a sucker for cardigans and jackets and coats. And I really love the cranberry / mulberry / deep red that is so popular in the fall time. It's festive and warm and just looks good on everyone since there are so many shades.

Right now I'm on a shopping fast { my idea of being a good little wife and saving money } but I'm liking the idea of a cranberry colored scarf for Christmas *cough husband cough*

Also my favorite nail color for fall and winter is that beautiful deep red. It's the falls equivalent of the summer neon. And deep dark lipstick? So beautiful. It's sultry and I love it. Husband, not so much. He just isn't a huge fan of lipstick anyway.. something about being too dressy for casual everyday wear.. What do you think? Yay or nay on the dark lipstick?

*All images via Pinterest

five tricks for faking it

Mostly, I love getting dressed. But let's face it, some days you didn't get a lot of sleep. Some days the last thing you want to do is get dressed. Some days you look at your closet and think, "I don't have any clothes". Some days you just have to fake it. So these are five of my favorite tricks for the days I have to fake it.

one: Blush. Now, while you can achieve an instant put together look with lipstick, blush gives you a super effortless look that you won't have to touch up throughout the day. My current favorite right now is this new body shop blush in 04.

two: Jewelry. For quick glam that dresses up even the most plain outfit, add a bunch of arm candy. I made a big chain bracelet like the one pictured using supplies from hobby lobby for about $5. Super easy and super cheap. I've had my eye on this diesel watch for a while now.

three: Bows. When you don't feel like getting dressed you usually don't feel like doing your hair either. So throw that mane up into a top knot or a messy bun and add a bow to make it look a little more polished. Plus they'll distract people from your less than awesome outfit and make you feel girly, which is always a plus!

four: Scarves. Adding a big chunky scarf to your jeans from yesterday and that staple tee [that you just might have slept in, possibly] is just enough to make your boring outfit look cute and laid back. You don't sacrifice comfort but your plain tee sure looks a lot better. Loving this airy one from Nordstrom for the warmer weather.

five: Patterns. Wearing patterned pants will take the focus off plain shirt and messy hair. They add just enough spice to make your outfit look fully planned without the planning. It's the fastest way to add that little something and people will be complimenting you all day long. How fun would these Cotton On pair be for the 4th of July?

a story about dry shampoo

Once upon a time, I used to wash my hair everyday. I have somewhat oily hair and I didn't think I was one of those people that could just skip out on shampoo. One day as I was browsing the beauty aisle, I stumbled upon this TRESemmé dry shampoo and thought 'huh, this might help me do the every other day thing or be a quick fix on mornings I'm running late'.


While I'm sure that this product is great for some people it did not work on my hair. It kinda turned my hair gray and it didn't really cover up the grease that much. I also wasn't happy with the weird texture I was left with. All in all, if I used this then I would have to put my hair up for it to look ok, but if I left my hair down ... yikes! I had these sort of clumped and dry looking roots with smooth and shiny ends ... odd.

So I decided dry shampoo was just not my thing and I started braiding my hair or just putting it up into a top knot on my in between days - you know the drill.







Fast forward to a few months later when I was watching some youtube beauty videos and came upon a review of hair products. According to the video I was watching (I don't remember which one it was!) the dry shampoo I should have been using all along was the Big Sexy Hair Volumizing kind.

This product was better than the first stuff I tried. It did cover up grease and add a ton of volume, which is great for a fine & thin haired girl like myself. However, again I wasn't happy with the texture I was left with. Definitely not as bad as the first stuff I tried, but I'm not one to use a lot of product in my hair and this dry shampoo left my usually silky hair feeling super stiff and product-y.

This dry shampoo is also a little more expensive for a smaller bottle. So I was fine with this, but I still wasn't in love. It was definitely better than the first product I tried and I used it all up.







So like I said, I used up all of my BSH dry shampoo and I wanted some more cause some days you're just in a rush and need a time saver. I for sure didn't want to use the TRESemmé again cause it was so bad on my hair so when I was at the grocery store I decided to take a shot with Suave Dry Shampoo cause it was so. dang. cheap.

This product totally surprised me. I was a bit judgmental and thought 'no way can a $3 dry shampoo be very good'. But, I was also scared of spending a fortune on more dry shampoo when I'd had such bad luck with the product. I just needed some for the days I'm in a rush so I figured, what the heck, can't be that bad. 

Wow was I wrong for judging this! This is the best stuff I've tried. It covers up grease nicely and the texture is actually not that bad, it feels practically like normal.

So I really liked this stuff. Best I've found. I recommend it - it works and it's dirt cheap.





But, I'm one of those people that always buys new shampoo and conditioner when I run out. I just like trying new brands and scents and all that. I do occasionally repurchase my favorites, but mostly I like to mix it up. So I'm in the market for some new dry shampoo. And here's a few I've been eyeing...

Pssssst! Instant Dry Shampoo | Aveeno Pure Renewal Dry Shampoo | Blow Pro Faux Dry - Dry Shampoo

Anybody know anything about these brands? Have you used them before? Are there any other brands out there you recommend? Help a sista' out! Thanks lovelies :) Have a great Thursday!