Look Gorgeous - SAVE $$$ - The Secret to Cosmetic Outlet Shopping!

by CountryDutchess.com

Are you still spending half a paycheck on foundation? Rent money on your lipgloss? Blowing your Christmas Club savings account by mid July for that bronzer to die for? Uh huh, we thought so.

But hey, no one loves make up more than we do, so we feel the need ...and the pain!

But we also have the antidote - because the truth is looking good does not have to cost a lot. And no, we're not talking making your own lipgloss out of beet juice and Vaseline, for heaven's sake!

What we are talking about is the amazing, too fabulous, money-saving extravaganza known as Cosmetic Outlet Shopping!

And yes, like you, we also ADORE places like Sephora and even QVC where the selections are amazing! But really, have you seen the prices? YIKES! And it's really DOUBLE YIKES when you realize how many of the same products sold at these and other top beauty bodegas can be in your hot little hands at 30 %, 40%, 50% less !

How do you find these bargains? It's all in knowing where to shop! And... we're going to tell you! In fact, to help get you started we are are going to let you in on some of our very favorite secret cosmetic outlets - places where you can absolutely get the beauty bargains of a lifetime ...and still have enough left over to pay a bill or two! But you have to promise ...shhhhh ! Only tell the girlfriends you really, really like!

Now that we have your sacred promise, get ready to save and be gorgeous! :)

1. CosmeticsAndMore.com - Amazing, we mean AMAZING buys on everything you can think of from Revlon, Almay and Vital Radiance -at prices that equal less than the tax you'd pay in most retail stores. We' re talking lipglosses for 99 cents, blush for $3.00, those pricey make up primers for under $5.00! The selection changes weekly (sometimes daily) so shop early and often to get the best deals.

2.SallyBeauty.com - Hair care, appliances, skin care, make up - if you wear it Sally sells it - and she sells it at a discount that's hard to beat! All name brands, the hottest new looks - all at HUGE savings!

3. Perfumania.com - Most of you may be already familiar with this discount fragrance outlet. But did you know you can also find some amazing cosmetics at prices that are hard to believe?
Lip glosses for under $3.00, a too-fabulous creme blush for $2.99, amazing nail polish colors for just $1.99 - well you'll just have to visit to believe it!

4. EyesLipsFace.com - Okay...the make up here is just so inexpensive it's almost silly! Truly, every single product is .....get ready...$1.00! Yes, you read right - one buck lets you try out that new lip gloss shade, that sexy new bronzer, a crazy new eye shadow color ... it's like a penny candy store for beauty addicts! And amazingly, the quality of the products is a whole lot better than you might expect for the price. In fact, it easily compares to "drugstore" brands at 10 times the price, and some products (particularly the glosses) are equally as good as those that sell for $25.00 in department stores! Seriously, 10 bucks will net you an entire new make up bag full of goodies - and add another dollar and you'll get the bag too!

5. The Cosmetics Company - For those of you who would rather nab your bargains in person than on line, then The Cosmetics Company outlet stores are for you! Here you will find MAC, Estee Lauder, Origins, Prescriptives, Bobbie Brown and , our very favorite Clinique - at discounts from 30% to 50% OFF RETAIL! And this is for the top of the line, brand new, hottest colors/products/styles from all the companies ! Like any other outlet, stock changes frequently, so it pays to make more than one visit! To search for the Cosmetics Company outlet in your area, click here.

PHOTO: Model is wearing lipgloss, blush and eye makeup from EyesLipsFace.com.
Turquoise Chandelier Earrings are by CountryDutchess.com

Coming Soon : Where to find designer shoes at savings of up to 75% ! Stay tuned!

For round-the-clock fabulous time & money saving beauty and style advice visit CheapChicDiary.com - or visit us anytime at CountryDutchess.com - Your Source For Fabulous!

Copyright by Colette Bouchez 2009 - All Rights Reserved.
In addition to US Copyright, the text of this CheapChicDiary article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License. All Formatting and style elements of this page are not available under this license and Colette Bouchez retains all rights in those elements.

Money Saving Natural Hair Highlights

By CountryDutchess.com

Okay, so the economic crunch means that spending money on hair dye is no longer tops on your list of must-haves. We understand completely.

But that doesn't mean you've got to head into summer looking mousy and drab! ( Or heaven forbid, wispy gray around those "wish-I-could-afford Botox" temples! ).

Well fortunately my economic little divas, there is an answer! And who has it ? Well none other than Mother Nature herself! ( And you thought she just made flowers and trees!:)

To make your own very inexpensive, but ultra safe (you can even use them if you're pregnant) and snazzy hair highlights, try the following recipes.

·
For red highlights or to enhance red hair : Mix ½ cup of beet juice with ½ cup of carrot juice and pour on dampened hair. Let sit for one hour , then washing out. If you also spend that hour sitting in direct sunlight, (put sunscreen on your fevered brow!) the effects will be even more dramatic. ( Test mixture on hair sample first - this can be a powerful red tint! )

·For blonde highlights : Mix 1 cup of lemon juice with 3 cups of chamomile tea that has been brewed, cooled, and strained. Pour over damp hair and let sit for one hour - again sunlight will enhance the effects. Wash out and follow with a conditioner. For significant blonde color use daily for up to three weeks. Use conditioner after every use, and stop if hair begins to look or feel dry.

For brunette hair prepare strong black coffee or tea. After washing hair, pour the mixture through hair 15 times, re-rinsing using the same liquid. ( You can do this by placing a large pasta or soup pot in the sink to catch the rinse, then pour into a large jar for the next rinse). On the final rinse through, leave on hair for 15 minutes, then rinse with clear water. Again, test it first on a swatch of your hair to make sure the color isn't too dark or deep.

For Natural Highlights To Any Color Hair : Add 1/2 cup o f champagne to your favorite shampoo!

For Instant Body : Stir 8 ounces of beer until it's flat ( no more bubbles) and then microwave it on high for 1 minute. After washing hair, rinse it with the beer solution, and let set on hair for up to 10 minutes. Follow by a rinse with clear water. The yeast in the beer will add instant body to your hair, but the microwaving will remove all the alcohol, so you won't get that drying effect.

Now that you saved all this money you can afford a brand new pair of summer chandelier earrings ( like the ones pictured above) to show it all off! You'll love the look!

Photo and jewelry courtesy of CountryDutchess.com

For round-the-clock fabulous time & money saving beauty and style advice visit CheapChicDiary.com - or visit us anytime at CountryDutchess.com - Your Source For Fabulous!

Copyright by Colette Bouchez 2009 - All Rights Reserved.
In addition to US Copyright, the text of this CheapChicDiary article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License. All Formatting and style elements of this page are not available under this license and Colette Bouchez retains all rights in those elements.

Budget Beauty Substitutions: What To Use When You Run Out!

by CountryDutchess.com
Okay so you have to make that choice: Do I buy make-up? Do I pay the rent? And in today's world, sometimes, in fact, you can't swing either one .

And although we love you like crazy, we can't really help you on the rent part. :(

But ... we can tell you what to do when you just need to look fabulous...on a not-so-fabulous budget!

What's the secret? It's called Budget Beauty Substitution - the clever art of "making do" with products you already have to create the products you need. In fact, by adding just a little bit of creative thinking, you'll not only figure out to get what you need from what you have, you'll also find a ton of new ways to use everything in that overloaded bathroom vanity drawer
( Okay, we peeked!).

If fact, you might end up saving so much money, you'll be able to buy those too fabulous new shoes you've been coveting. Or, pay the rent - up to you entirely!

To help get you thinking in the right direction, here are a handful of Budget Beauty Substitutions that will start saving you money instantly!

Cheap Chic Lipstick: Scape off a few grains of powder blush , combine with a dab of petroleum jelly and voila - lipstick! For gloss use less powder, more jelly.

Cheap Chic Foundation: Combine a tiny dab of concealer with your favorite moisturizer.

Cheap Chic Make Up Remover: Try a dab of olive oil on a cotton ball - or pop open a capsule of vitamin E and apply direct to skin. For travel try unscented baby wipes - make-up off in one swipe!

Cheap Chic Toothpaste: Combine baking soda with water.

Cheap Chic Eyelash Curler: Heat a spoon for 5 seconds with a hairdryer set on medium, then press lashes against the back of the warm (Not HOT) spoon. Be sure to touch it to the back of your hand before you put it near your eye.

Cheap Chic Hair Control : Lightly wipe any brand of cling free dryer sheet over your hair to cut static electricity and offer up a great shine!

Cheap Chic Nail File: Use the abrasive end of a book of matches ( where you strike it).

Cheap Chic Nail Polish Extender: Try a drop of olive oil to rejuvenate the sticky dried polish and get a few more manicures before the bottle's done!

You might also enjoy reading:
Give Thin Hair Instant Body - Plump Lips Naturally!
Budget Skin Care: Spend Less, Get More!

For round-the-clock fabulous time & money saving beauty and style advice drop by anytime at www.CheapChicDiary.com. Or visit us at CountryDutchess.com - your source for all things fabulous!

Copyright by Colette Bouchez 2009 - All Rights Reserved.
In addition to US Copyright, the text of this CheapChicDiary article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License. All Formatting and style elements of this page are not available under this license and Colette Bouchez retains all rights in those elements.