(CC)image by Akira Ohgaki/flickr
The Today show recently did a show segment about the best cosmetics on the market. The best part about it was that none of these products the prices that the rich and fabulous pay for their cosmetics. It is good to know that even those on a budget can look beautiful without breaking the bank. Here are some of the great products they mentioned plus a few of my own personal secrets.
St Ives Apricot Scrub is a product I have been using since my teenage years. I had no idea it was one of the best. I just thought it was what I could afford. For only $4.00, you get keep your face both clean and exfoliated.
Lip gloss can cost anywhere from $1.00 for e.l.f. plumping lip glaze (which I like) to $38.00 for Lip Fusion by Splurge. But why splurge when a jar of Vaseline will provide enough lip gloss for an entire year. If you like the idea of carrying around a large jar of Vaseline, you can get a travel size jar from the dollar store, or use an empty Carmex jar and refill it monthly with Vaseline.
Another product I used as a teen, but stopped because I decided it was cheap is Wet n Wild lip liner. Turns out that while it is cheap, it is also the best lip liner on the market. Not only that, it makes a great long-last lipstick. Just color in the entire lip, and add a little Vaseline. The color will last all day, and you don’t have to worry about your lips drying out.
While there are many $1.00 shampoos out there, they are considered so-so. The best shampoo according to the Today show segments is Aveda Shampure for $9.00. This gentle, pure, and dare I say green shampoo is great for any kind of hair, and is so natural, that it is recommended for use as a dog shampoo as well.
The other favorites are of the Today Show crew are Sila Kitten Eyeshadow for $8.00, Lipstic Queen Medieval for $20.00, and Lancome Bi facial eye makeup remover.
My personal favorite product, that is not on this list is:
Cetaphil which I found out was the equivalent of several high prices facial cleaners (in the hundreds of dollars). Most of these high prices cleaners contain cetyl alcohol as an active ingredient. It is also the main ingredient in Cataphil. I use the face cleanser and hypallergic lotion that costs less than $10.00 for a large bottle when most people pay $40.00 for a few ounces of comparable products.
You will also want to read: Skin Care Myths: More is Better
Stretching Your Makeup Savings
Should I Use Natural Beauty Products?
Andrea Hermitt writes for parenting (specifically teens), the home blog, and also the frugal blog, and homeschooling at families.com.