Drugstore Haul

For the past year couple of years, I’ve been extremely devoted to Sephora and high-end beauty products.  Smashbox 15 Hour Wear liquid foundation is my fave and I can’t get enough of Nars Orgasm Blush and Nars Laguna Bronzer!!  However, lately I’ve been thinking about how much money I actually spend on all of these beauty supplies and how I could honestly be getting better deals elsewhere.

YouTube has been such a great resource for getting reviews on good high-end makeup dupes and what the best drugstore products really are.  So I’ve made it my goal to add to my makeup collection mainly from Walgreens, Bartells, Target, or even the grocery store.  Now don’t get me wrong- two things from Sephora that I absolutely cannot give up are the Anastasia Brow Wiz Pencil (my shade is Brown Ash) and the Sephora Liquid Liner in black.  These two lovelies are my holy grail because they work perfectly, are long-wearing, and the shades are just right.  The liquid eyeliner is only $12 and it lasts me around 4-5 months.  The eyebrow pencil on the other hand...but it works amazingly (is that a word?) and is the perfect color!  :-P

  

OK, so let’s get started!

I have combination-oily skin and acne has been a struggle for the past 5 years.  It’s so weird- all throughout middle school and high school I never had pimples or blackheads, but once I turned 18 BOOM!  Acne galore!!  Finding a great face wash has just been a trial and error journey, but I think I may have found a small treasure in the Neutrogena Deep Clean Cream Cleanser.

I’ve read that for oily skin, you should try to stick to oil-free products and for dry skin, a creamy cleanser works best.  So since my skin is definitely a combination, I thought this would be a great pick!  My acne has been clearing up and I’m seeing fast results!

Now, you can’t forget to moisturize after you wash your face, right?  Since Neutrogena has been working well for me, I thought I’d keep it in the family by trying out their Oil-Free Moisture with Sunscreen.  It definitely has a fluid consistency, but after rubbing it in for a little bit, it starts to dry.  So far, so good!

Alright guys- I’m sorry I didn’t clean the dispenser before taking this picture, but I was just too excited to get this post up that I was impatient.  Please forgive!  J  I have been loving my L’Oreal Paris True Match LUMI Foundation (shade W4 in Warm Beige) and have been using it non-stop!  If you look up the best drugstore foundations, I’m positive that you will L’Oreal Paris True Match ranked at the top, however I think its sister, LUMI, might be getting forgotten!

The difference between the two is the LUMI foundation promises to provide a soft glow and illuminate your face.  This is great if you don’t normally use a highlighter or if you’re just wanting to have a healthy glow.

If you go with the LUMI foundation, I would highly recommend the L’Oreal Paris Magic LUMI Light Infusing Primer!  This...this...is just awesome.  Go get it.

Next up is my go-to concealer: the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind (shade Light).  This concealer works great to cover up any dark circles and doesn’t crease.  I love using a really light shade to add some highlighting dimension.  I only use this for my under-eye area, so if you're actually trying to conceal blemishes, I would just get this in the shade that matches your foundation.

For setting powder, I stay in the L’Oreal line once again and use L’Oreal Paris True Match Super Blendable Powder (shade W4 in Warm Beige).  This helps to balance out the illuminating factor in my foundation and creates a nice matte finish.

Let’s talk MASCARAS!!

I love doing a combo of L’Oreal (yes, I know, yet again haha) Voluminous False Fiber Lashes and Voluminous Full Definition.  These little guys act as my one-two punch to achieve the full and lengthy lashes that I love!

I also like to use Maybelline Great Lash in Clear as brow gel.  Don’t ever pay over $5 for brow gel.  Just...don’t.

Now for some hair love!!  If you know me, you know exactly how much I hate getting my mane cut (I’ll have to save my hair trauma stories for another day...), so I do whatever I can to help my split ends (except cut them tee-hee).  ACTUALLY, I did have my hubby cut off an inch and a 1/2 a week ago...my hair was starting to look pretty fracked, so I had to.  Don’t even ask me what that word means...when you see something that fits the word, you’ll use it, don’t worry. :-P  But I love the fact that you can find a great hair mask that can be found right down the aisle of your local grocery store!  

Aussie Moist 3 Minute Miracle is honestly the best reasonably priced hair treatment that I have found.  When using hair masks, specific to your ends, I recommend only using the product on the tips of your hair and then twisting it into a make-shift bun while in the shower and leave it on for a few minutes.  If you try using the deep conditioner all over your head and roots, you’ll end up with crazy greasy hair that’ll make you look like you haven’t washed your hair in two weeks.  Try this stuff pronto!!

To wrap up this drugstore haul, I’m reminding you beauty nerds to take care of your nails!  I recently started working for a cleaning company, so my hands are constantly getting dry, so not only do I use hand cream regularly, but I also like to use Burt’s Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream.  Be generous when applying and do it at least once a day.  You’ll be left with moisturized cuticles and a refreshing lemon scent to give you a nice pick me up just in time for those 3PM dozes.

Love.  Peace. And buttermilk biscuits.

Nadia