ProductWhores

New Fave Drugstore Hand Cream

 

As I ushered in 2011 I realized that I needed to commit myself to being cheap (frugal is much too classy a phrase for the likes of me) because, well, much like everyone else right now my income and expenses are not playing well together.  This said, I cut coupons and skipped into Target to only get the essentials and ended up coming home with the greatest hand cream!  Neutrogena's Fast Absorbing Hand Cream moisturizes hands without any stinging (you know how that can happen in winter when you have chapped hands) and without any greasiness at all.  This stuff is seriously amazing.  Smells fresh, super-affordable ($5.99) and you can get it anywhere (drugstores, supermarkets, online).  Maybe this year-of-the-cheap won't be so bad, afterall.

Frugal Finds

Okay, technically this might not be a frugal find in the sense that it's not like, $5.99 or something, but it definitely is an amazing deal, so I think it counts.  The Korres Vitamin E 10-Color Pencil Kit is a limited-edition available only at Sephora and for only $32.50, you get a crazy TEN eyeliners in various assorted shades.  (It's a wide variety too, from Golden to Blue Petrol).  I'm totally blanking on whether or not I've ever used a Korres eyeliner before - I can't remember ever buying one, but it seems kind of crazy that I wouldn't have at some point.  But it has almost a perfect 5 star rating on Sephora's website, which definitely makes me want to purchase the set.  (Especially because it works out to only $3.25 per pencil.  That's insane!  You can't even buy most drugstore makeup for that!)  Now I just have to figure out which Sephora near me carries Korres and it will be all mine...

Double Dutch Apple Detangler

So I am at Target waiting patiently for my prescription when I remember that I need a leave-in conditioner.  Okay "need" is not really the right word, more like "really, really want", so I perused the hair aisle to find something.  Waaaaay down low (kid level, clearly) I saw the funniest spray bottle with a little irritated-looking octopus (I mean, why wouldn't an octopus be irritated - they live in darkness, awkwardly squirming around with 8 arms and this particular guy has an apple resting on his head and is all tangled in a jump rope).  Anyway, I picked it up, smelled it and was instantly in love.  Suave Detangling Spray for Kids (whatever, I'm a kid at heart) smells deliciously of apple, detangles like nobody's business, leaves my hair shiny and only costs $2.50.  Done and done - wouldn't even consider something else.  This is definitely my new go-to for leave-in and I'm not ashamed at all.

Frugal Finds

Maybelline mascaras aren't usually my favorite (although I do really like the Lash Stiletto ones) but when I saw that they had a new one out for the summer, I kind of wanted to try it.  (I find it impossible to go to CVS and not buy a makeup item.  It just feels... wrong somehow.  That is why I'll never be a millionaire.  Unless I win the Mega Millions.  Which is going to happen).  Anyway, last week I was at CVS and saw a display of Maybelline's new The Falsies Volum' Express.  Not only did it look intriguing, but there was a 40% coupon, so I was all over it.  Best $4.75 I've spent recently!  I love the way it makes my lashes look.  The brush isn't super big and it's curved, which I always like because I think it's just easier to work with.  On me, the formula goes on really well and it makes my lashes look long and thick.  (I usually put on two coats).  I mean, I wouldn't say it makes me look like I'm wearing false lashes, only because those are SO noticeable, but I also can't be bothered to put those on unless I'm going to a big event, so this is a nice compromise.  I definitely look in the mirror when I'm wearing this and think, "Hhhm, my lashes look good" and notice how much they stand out, which is kind of my own personal "Do I need it?" test.  It also doesn't flake a lot, which is another one of my requirements for a mascara because I never remember to look in the mirror during the day and if I wear a mascara that flakes, I walk around looking like a raccoon.  Not good.  

I don't think The Falsies has been "officially" released yet because it's not on Maybelline's website, but I've seen it at a few drugstores in L.A., so I assume other cities have it, too.  Has anyone else bought it yet?  What do you think?       

Frugal Finds

I've been finding a lot of great products in the drugstore recently, so I decided to start writing about them in a new column called Frugal Finds.  Because nothing makes my day better then when I have to go to CVS to pick up something I need and wind up also coming home with something fun!

I don't think I even knew that Dial made body wash until recently, but now I'm all over it.  There are actually a ton of different scents, but I tested out the NutriSkin Ultra Hydrating Body Wash Grape Seed Oil & Lemongrass.  The scent is interesting - it's kind of light and fruity, but you can smell the lemongrass as well.  It's sort of an energizing scent, but it's not overwhelming, more like something to use in the morning to wake you up without shocking your body.  The formula itself is nice, too.  It lathers up nicely and it doesn't dry my skin out, even when I use it twice a day.  (I'm one of those people who has to shower again before bed if I've been running around all day and gotten sweaty at all.  I just hate getting into bed dirty, but sometimes that can really make my skin dry.  My moisturizer purchases go way up during the summer!)

The great thing about the Dial body washes is that they're super affordable.  The one I tried is only $5.49 for 16 ounces, so you'll get a lot of bang for your buck.  (SO important at the moment for most people).  It also comes in a ton of different scents - I'm definitely going to pick up the Spring Water scent to see if it compares to my beloved Bath and Body Works' Dancing Waters.  I'd also like to try Soy & Almond Milk and Cranberry & AntiOxidant Pearls.  How good do they all sound?  And at less than six dollars a bottle, there's no shopping guilt involved.  See?  Frugal CAN be fun! 

Note:  A sample of this product was sent to me by a PR representative working with Dial