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Shopping for a New Face

Most women think that they need a facelift or drastic cosmetic measures such as botox and costly facials. However, being shopping savvy we can truly save a lot of money, skip the knife, dodge the needle but still show off a flawless face. The secret is purchasing the right products and the best makeup. And this does not have to cost a lot at all. As a matter of fact, by shopping around and utilizing coupons you can be well on your way to a brighter, younger face for next to nothing.

Although it has been kept a big secret by the cosmetic industry and plastic surgeons and the expensive spas and even high end cosmetic counters--your general run of the mill drug store cosmetics can have the same effect on a woman's face as those ultra expensive facials and face lifts, not to mention those overly expensive department store face creams. The truth of the matter is that you can achieve all the effects you want with the right makeup products. Therefore, you can keep your arms and your legs to have a beautiful face.

The secret to firmer skin is in moisturizers. By using several at a time you plump up the elasticity in your skin instantly and creates natural firmness. Try Dove Deep Moisture Facial Cream which retails for only $7.49 in your local drugstore. Also, for added smoothness and firmness, try Olay's Total Effects face lotion beneath the Deep Moisture and watch your face instantly lift within a matter of weeks. Both of these inexpensive moisturizers also work miracles on dullness and facial imperfections, however, if you still would like to improve the texture and clarity of your skin opt for a whipped foundation. The pudding-like consistency of whipped foundations acts like putty; therefore, it naturally fills in uneven spots. Not to mention, the thin, whipped texture of this light foundation appears more natural and gives you a flawless appearance. A good choice would be Cover Girl's TruBlend Whipped Foundation that is a steal for only $7.99 a bottle. And believe me, a little of this product goes a long way.

As we get older, we lose the natural luster and light of our face. However, if we pack the right things in our cosmetic bag we can get our youthful luster back again. The first step is to make sure our cosmetic bag has a white or bone eye shadow and a bright pink or mauve blush. The eye shadow should be used only on the lids to brighten the eyes. For even more boost, dot the same powder on the sides of your nose near eyes, this gives a bright and awake look for your face. If you have problems with dark circles or truly have a dull face, apply bright pink or mauve blush to the apples of your cheeks. By adding color to this focus point, it takes away focus from the eyes. A good option is…believe it or not, Wet n Wild Mega Shimmer in White Lotus that is only $2.99 or e.l.f. blush in flushed which retails for only a dollar.

If Angelina Jolie is your idol and you are contemplating injecting your lips, skip the expensive procedure and get the illusion of plumper lips with a quick four step procedure that cost less than twenty dollars. First choose your favorite light or medium lip color with a creamy consistency. Then, with a deeper shade than your lipstick. Afterwards fill in your lip color. For severe plumping add you favorite gloss. But don't forget; always start with a moisturizer first for added softness and fullness. Try Maybellline Shine Seduction Gloss for $8 to achieve this effect.

For undefined eyes and dull lips look to Wet n Wild again and pay your $2 at Walgreen's for their Dark Brown eyeliner pencil and Lip Liner Pencil in Berry. Try lining the top of the eyes directly at the lash line and watch your eyes pop open with instant definition. Make those dull, lifeless lips vibrant with a bright cherry colored lip stain and lip pencil. And last but not least, save your high fees for the tanning salon and pick up Jergens Natural Glow Face Moisturizer for only $7 and watch how beautiful your new sun-kissed skin glows.

Let's just face it; it does not have to cost a lot to achieve beauty at any age. The best thing about filling your cosmetic bag with drugstore and supermarket cosmetic goodies is they are so much cheaper and usually they have coupons in each Sunday circular. Try using some of these products and watch yourself grow more vibrant and of course, more shopping savvy.

by Tiffany J. Prewitt

Makeup Essentials: Looking Perfect for Less

I get a little too preoccupied with other finances to blow a lot of cash on cosmetics, but that doesn't mean I don't want to! For image and budget-conscious individuals, we've got to do our best with lower-end products sometimes even if we crave top-of-the-line.

Luckily, cosmetic quality has gotten better, and there are deals to be had after all. Ditch chalky blush, streaky eyeliner, cakey pressed powder and sticky lip glosses for dream products at a fraction of the price.

Because spring is here and we're downgrading the cosmetic routine to a light touch of color, try these products for a fabulously successful effect with no compromise in quality-finally!

Essential moisturizer
For a dewy glow without much effort, wear Eucerin Extra-Protective Lotion. It's fantastically cheap at only $10 for an SPF 30 lotion. I love, love, love my Eucerin. For anyone who has year-round dry skin or who hates to shell out extra cash for good SPF moisturizers, try some today. Another good lotion to try is Dove Sensitive Essentials. It leaves your skin visibly moisturized and soft, and you can hide the bottle in a desk drawer for touch-ups.

Barely-there foundation
If you haven't tried mineral makeup, you have to! It has been touted as actually being good for your skin, and they don't have the synthetic additives of usual drugstore makeup. Mineral foundations are good to use when it's getting hot, because they will not succomb to humidity and begin "melting" like other makeups. Try i.d.bareMinerals, one of my favorite brands, for around $25.

Fresh brown mascara
Try a switch to brown mascara to look more natural for spring. I've actually been using N.Y.C. Mascara, which I picked up on an emergency trip to the drugstore and then fell in love with. The brush is just right to define lashes without looking too "done." N.Y.C. mascara is under $5.

Perfect lip moisture
For lip gloss on the cheap, Wet'n'Wild has basic gloss sticks in clear for $1. For a treat, buy MAC lip glosses in a light, smooth tint for about $14.

Shop for your spring makeup online at BuyBeauty, Beauty.com and Avon today.

by Meieli Sawyer Detoni

Why Eyelash Extensions Aren't Necessarily Frivolous

Eyelash extensions have been catching my attention, and as a budget shopper, I'm feeling pretty guilty. Eyelash extensions aren't necessary and seem like a slightly silly way to spend your cash, but I can't stop thinking about them. False eyelashes, although a lot easier to use, can get boring every day to wear-and to buy.

Eyelash extension have some serious pluses that have gotten me interested lately. They look incredibly fabulous for the first two weeks of wear. You can't get lashes that full, that thick, or that sexy even with the best mascaras and a nice hot eyelash curler. You can forget about mascara and eyeliner after you get your eyelash extensions, because you'll get that natural definition that will save you time and still looks "done" in the morning. For someone who wakes up late, has children, or has a very hectic schedule, eyelash extensions can save you time.

Plus, you can choose from full eyelash extensions or just extra individual lashes added. Your salon technician can work with the shape and thickness of your existing lashes to get maximum impact, and fast!

The bad part? Eyelash extensions are expensive, hence my super-guilt about wanting them despite my budget ways. They can cost about $300 per treatment and up. If you are careful with them, they can last up to two months. You shouldn't wipe your eyes with a towel after swimming or showering to keep them in peak condition for as long as possible. Even if they are pricey, they're worth it if you never have time for makeup and primping, and are looking for a change.

If you insist on your false eyelashes, try semi-permanent ones, which can last for 10 days. They cost just $50 for a set, and that's an excellent bargain for someone who needs quick full lashes. For day lashes, try any of MAC's false ones, which are an excellent length but don't have the thick adhesive that can make them actually look fake.

If you still aren't sold on the whole eyelash extension thing and you hate fake ones, you can always stock up on some of the best mascaras to help you get super lashes. If you do use false lashes and you like to add a coat of mascara, remember that the waterproof solutions can be drying, and regular water soluble mascara is ideal for those with adhesive lashes and extensions alike.

My favorite mascaras include:

Rimmel Volume Extend Mascara: Use the white coat to pump up your lashes, and then apply the black layer of mascara directly after. I love Rimmel because it works, and it's cruelty free! The brush gives fabulous definition.
Maybelline XXL: Fantastic effect for the price. Get lots of length from the white pre-coat and then add the black for volume. It's similar to Rimmel, with the same fabulous false lash look without the fuss. Try Maybelline and Rimmel and see which you prefer-I'm at a tie.
Avon SuperFULL: This brush is perfect for separation, and it really does make your lashes look thick. I love it in the deep brown color.

by Meieli Sawyer Detoni

Drive Them Plain Batty

Luxe lashes have always been the crowning glory of Hollywood beauties from great sex symbols of yesteryear like Marilyn Monroe and Josephine Baker to the heavy laden lashes of new beauties like Jennifer Lopez, Tyra Banks and Katherine Zeta Jones. It has been long been said that the eyes are the window to the soul; therefore, it is only natural that we would want our window to have a beautiful, uxorious frame that stands out and salutes to give notice to our soul.

For years, celebrities have used various expensive enhancement techniques to play up their natural-born scrawny lashes. However, in the real world these techniques are not only expensive, but not realistic due to time restraints and recovery conditions. But never fear, with today’s new products the average female can bat her long, full eyelashes with pride even in the presence of superstars.

Instead of opting for drastic eyelash enhancement surgeries that break the bank and cause for unnatural up-keep we can become a true bat woman in a more natural approach. The first step is to pump up sparse, thin lashes by conditioning. This process will promote longer, stronger, thicker lashes that are able to bat and wave and beg others for their attention. Creating naturally dramatic lashes takes only a modest amount of money and time; however, it must be a consistent practice.

We all condition our hair on our head constantly, correct? We buy protein packs and moisturizers to ensure that our hair is in excellent condition. So why not take the same precautionary steps for our eyelashes? Are lashes not hair? Of course they are, so now it’s time to treat them the way they deserved to be treated and they will thank you for this by supplying you with the best set of shiny, thick lashes that would be the envy of your entire circle.

First you have to understand they need to be conditioned with the right products. No, mascara and primer and lash base and extenders and boosters are not conditioners, they are actually just the opposite. Those products promote style stress on your lashes and cause them to be damaged, dry, brittle and break. Instead opt for such lash conditioners as RevitaLash that boast long, healthy, thick lashes within weeks. Developed by an eye doctor, this intensive lash conditioning treatment is strong enough to revive even those who are on chemotherapy. But, with help from RevitaLash available at RevitaLash.com, anyone can have sky-high curves from their eyes…that is if you can afford it. Although this conditioner gives a portion of its proceeds to breast cancer research, it is still hard to offset the high price of $149.95. Nonetheless, there are still great products that condition for more than half that price.

A great mid to inexpensive conditioner can be ordered from skymall.com which is Eyelite’s DoubleLash. Very accommodatingly priced between $25 to $30 per bottle this product is one of the best for rapid growth, strength and nourishment of brittle, short lashes. With so many great conditioners, and not so great ones, it’s important that you try a couple and decide which works best for you. Like your hair, your lashes may need to be infused with more keratin and protein like in StarLash’s eyelash enhancer that is available at StarLash.com and has a retail price of &35. But if your needs are more on the moisture and shine side, then Paula Dorf’s Perfect Lash conditioner and thickener just maybe the perfect remedy for your dry, brittle lashes. Perfect Lash states that they will add thickness, strength and shine with this moisture intensive lash conditioner that has a very inexpensive price of only $19.

Now as a rule of thumb, don’t forget the eyebrows. The perfect frame of your face the eyebrows need the same nutrients the eyelashes thrive for; therefore feel free to use the same products on skimpy brows. Another necessity for bold, beautiful lashes is a good eyelash curler. Try opting for a heated curler to make sure you tame unruly lashes. Sephora has several heated lash curlers from $16-$35. To make a very natural and lengthy eyelash look, try applying a good coat of clear mascara and then use the curler to make a wide-eyed natural glamorous look.

If you have already exhausted all conditioners and curlers and still have not achieved the perfect bat, then have no fear, just try a faux lash starter kit that includes the glue, lashes and positioning tools. But, if you have seen some growth from conditioners, but not as much as you would like, try using a few individual lashes right on the outer ends of your lashes. By following these quick steps you’ll be able to drive them just plain batty in just a matter of weeks.

by Tiffany J. Prewitt

Makeup Deals!

When you're on the search for affordable makeup, it's hard to cut corners. Poor quality cosmetics can lead to skin irritation, blocked pores, and dryness, so it's a bit of a gamble trying cheaper lines without risking your looks.

But when I heard about E.L.F. (Eyes Lips Face), I had to give it a try. It's hard to resist makeup that's so affordable, especially when you're buying something that you need to throw away after a couple of months anyway! E.L.F. comes in smaller sized containers, which makes it less guilt-inducing to replace, easier to carry in our purses, and simple to replace after each season.

E.L.F. cosmetics are an incredible deal for those of us who love makeup but are on a tight budget. But for makeup that costs just $1.00 a pop, how good can it be?

Eyeshadow: Beware of creasing! These eyeshadows, which are available in vibrant colors, tend to be a little on the dry side. To help prevent your fun little eyeshadows from slipping about on your eyelids, I recommend investing in a high quality eyeshadow base or use a foundation set with powder over your eyelids prior to applying E.L.F. eyeshadow.

Lip gloss: If you're not addicted to designer plumping glosses, then E.L.F. lip glosses will suit you well. I would recommend using only a dab, as some of the glosses have a slight scent. Their Super Glossy Lip Shine in SPF 15 is a nice basic to toss in your purse, especially during the summer when you may be in the sun too long without lip protection.

Mascara: By far the best product I tried was the Crystal Wet Gloss Lash and Brow Clear Mascara. It has a separate brush for brows and lashes, which makes it feel more hygienic and generally more tidy. It's incredible what shaping your brows can do for your eyes.

Blush: The blush comes in a surprisingly small little packet, but I like E.L.F.'s All-Over Color Stick. It's even more of a bargain because you can use it on your eyes, lips, or face, and choose from four different shades.

**My Top Pick**
E.L.F. Brushes: Seriously, stock up on these brushes if you have a chance. They are very good quality for what you pay for, and produce pretty professional results. The eyeshadow brush was soft and perfectly shaped. I recommend buying their Complete Set (nine brushes), because you'll definitely use them!

Where can you find E.L.F.? It's available through their website at www.eyeslipsface.com, Ebay, or Drugstore.com. Have fun experimenting!

by Meieli Sawyer Detoni

Lip Gloss: A Year-Round Essential

While many people have wildly varying opinions about what the most important year-round beauty essential, the simplest and most correct answer is undoubtedly lip gloss. Lip gloss plays a number of roles for your lips no matter whether the sun is shining or the cold winter winds are blowing. Every type of weather can be hard on your lips. Plus, lips are something that people notice, and if you have dry, chapped lips, people are going to notice. What do lips that are not soft and luscious say about you? We don't really want to know.

The good news is that there are so many different types of lip glosses out there. For myself, I never wear lipstick, so lip gloss with a hint of color tends to find its way into my purse and makeup bag. I also like moisturizing lip gloss because I live in the Wild West where we are in the throes of winter. That frigid winter wind can dry out my lips in no time at all. However, there are also lip glosses that are supposed to plump your lips. I haven't personally tried these, but my best friend swears by them, and she is the pickiest makeup person ever.

If you are one of those people that like to be eco-friendly, you can choose lip gloss that is made from beeswax, such as the Burt's Bees line. I love their basic lip balm. The eucalyptus oil and other natural oils give you lips a little zing, while the beeswax treats your lips to some tender loving care.

Lip gloss has come a long way since we all got those plastic tubes filled with flavored Bonne Bell lip gloss. (I still love their watermelon flavor)! Lip gloss comes in so many forms so you are bound to find at least one or two to suit your needs. Plus, lip gloss is so affordable, you can get one to stash in your purse, you glove compartment, your medicine cabinet, in your bedside table and anywhere else that seems convenient for you.

Keep your lips looking lovely and luscious today and go out and get yourself some lip gloss for year-round lip care!

by Christena Palmer