FOTD Using Only Drugstore Makeup

Allan and I got to have a date night on Friday!  We didn't do anything exciting AND after a couple glasses of wine I was beyond sleepy, but it was so nice to get out of the house sans Benjamin and reconnect.  What's even better was that I actually found the time to do my makeup!  Even better was all items were found at my local Shoppers Drug Mart.

I used Physicians Formula pH Matchmaker pH Powdered Blush in Rose, L'Oreal La Palette Nude 2, Maybelline ColorSensational Lipstick in Yummy Plummy, Essence Lash Princess Mascara, Maybelline Fit Me Powder in Classic Ivory and Almay TLC 16 Hour Makeup in Ivory.

I love the lip color and do wear it often.  I will also mention that the blush does color match well and picks the perfect pink for your skin tone.  However, the highlight for me was the liquid foundation.  I don't typically use foundation as it can feel cakey and too heavy but this one went on so nicely and I barely had to use anything to cover my whole face. PLUS, I didn't even need to use concealer.  Amazing.

The eyes.  I wanted to like this palette, I really did and when you first look at it, it's truly beautiful.  Unfortunately, there was so much fall out from the shadows that I had to use some additional foundation under my eyes just to cover it up.  The colors blended okay but the shimmer shades didn't show up at all.  Sigh, not a good palette.

Despite not being happy with the palette, the look was nice and I was happy with the outcome.  Maybe I was just happy to have put makeup on in the first place!

Do any of you have this palette?  What are your thoughts?
     
    

New Drugstore Beauty Products for 2015

Being a resident of Canada, new beauty products seem to be released much later than in the US.  This is typically why I scour the internet for all the "newness" we don't have here, make a long list and then go hunting across the border for all these great new buys we may or may not get.

My list this year is AMAZING.  Here's a few of the items I can't wait to get my hands on:

John Frieda Beach Blonde Sun Streaks Lightening Spray $8.99 from Target

I used to use Sun-In religiously.  As soon as the weather was warm, I would pull out my trusty bottle and lighten my hair to my heart's content.  Best part about this product, though, is the brand name as John Frieda's products are usually fairly good!

Rimmel London Show Off Lip Velvet $8.99 from Ulta

Rimmel has been a fall-back cheap line for me in the past and I am super stoked to try this out.  Supposedly, it will provide 8 hours of continuous color WITHOUT drying your lips.  Can't wait to put this to the test.

Flower Hollywood Secret Concealer Kit $12.98 from Target

Okay, I can honestly say I've never purchased a concealer kit in my life but this one has two nude colors, a green AND a brightening primer.  I mean, it doesn't get much better than that.

L'Oreal Brow Stylist Plumper $6.99 from Target

Bold brows, bold brows, ladies!  They are not going anywhere, anytime soon.  So, instead of fighting it, by the product and plump your brows like a crazy person.

Alba Botanica Fast Fix for Puffy Eyes $5.99 from Target

Love this line to start with and now they have a puffy eye product for under 6 dollars?  Amazing.  This cooling gel is said to remove the puffiness super quickly and works better than using cold spoons.  Much more discreet!!

Physician's Formula Super BB All-in-1 Cheek & Lip Beauty Balm $6.95 from Physcian's Formula

Looks like Eos lip balm BUT has color and can be used on your cheeks.  I say this is a win win product for sure.

E.L.F. Essential Lip Balm Tint $2 from Target

I love products I can put on with my fingers.  A tinted balm that only costs $2...I have a feeling this will become my favorite product this year.  Can't wait to see the other tints this comes in.

Garnier Ultra-Lift Miracle Sleeping Cream $16.99 from Garnier

There just aren't enough inexpensive anti-aging products on the market these days.  I do enjoy Garnier and am digging this new product, especially as it's supposed to make your skin look like a million bucks overnight.

Tresemme Expert Selection Perfectly (un)Done Sea Salt Spray $7.39 from Drugstore.com

I have pretty much tried every Sea Salt Spray on the market since my favorite Charlotte Ronson spray was discontinued.  So, why would I not try this one.  Plus, it's super cheap.

I can not wait to get my hands on these products!!  What are your faves of 2015??


    

Drugstore Beauty Must-Haves: Under $20

Drugstore Beauty Must-Haves by redlipgloss

I have slowly become a beauty product snob.

In my twenties I was MORE than happy to use drugstore beauty products for all my beauty needs.  However, since becoming a thirty-something gal, my skin is not as happy with cheaper products which can really put a dent on my credit card.  There are, though, some drugstore items I can not live without.

Batiste Dry Shampoo - This has been, and always will be, my go-to dry shampoo.  You don't need very much to have your locks smelling great and feeling less greasy.

Dial Coconut Water Body Wash - I love the smell of this body wash and how moisturizing it is.  But the smell, ladies.  If you like coconut, you will love this stuff.

L'Oreal True Match Foundation - I am a BB Cream girl but when I break out or need some extra coverage, this foundation has never steered me wrong.  So many colors to choose from, goes on silky smooth and just works for pale gals.

Vaseline Spray & Go Moisturizer - I bathe in this stuff during the summer months.  How great is it that you can smell like the beach by spraying your moisturizer on you.  So convenient.

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder - I have been using this stuff over my BB Cream for years now.  It's light, matches my white skin and seems to last a good couple months.  Plus it's a bargain!!

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Stain - Okay, so I call this a Chubby Stick because it reminds me of the Chubby Sticks that Clinique has, for half the price.  The colors are great and they wear well.  I keep about 3 on me at all times.

ELF Lipsticks -  The nude colors are brilliant especially when you have a smoky eye.  Plus, they cost about $3.  Amazing deal.

Rimmel Lash Accelerator Mascara - As you all know, I've raved about this mascara plenty and it's been in my roster for years (I've since discovered Younique and it's now my favorite).  This mascara though is perfect for traveling or if you are out of your go-to expensive brand.

L'Oreal Light Infusing Primer - Oh ladies, if you haven't mixed this with your favorite BB Cream or foundation, you have to. It gives you a bit of highlighting without looking like you're too made up.  I am such a sucker for shimmery things.

Soap & Glory Scrub of Your Life - I typically make my own body scrub as it's easy and natural but in a pinch, this is my go-to scrub.  It smells delicious and works like a charm.

ESSIE Nail Polish - Love this brand and the price point.  It's a polish that seems to last on my nails and the colors are brilliant.

What drugstore beauty products can't you live without??

    

Drugstore Shampoo Failure: Garnier Fructis Color Shield

If you couldn't quite tell from said haircut below, I have extremely thick hair. 

I am told, consistently, how "amazing thick hair is" and "how many fabulous hair styles you can do with thick hair."  Though that may be true, I have wanted nothing other than thinner, easier to manage hair.  Yes, I love that I don't ever have to use thickening creams or volumizing products and can go for three (even four) days without having to wash it BUT this is where the convenience ends.  I use a handful of shampoo/conditioner every time I wash my hair, it takes ages to fully blow dry and a straightener will only straighten my locks if it's on the hottest setting.  This means, you guessed it, that my hair is unbelievably over-processed and dry.  Hence my need for a great shampoo/conditioner.

Unfortunately, Garnier Fructis Color Shield was not it.

Pros:

Smells just like strawberry yogurt

Price is phenomenal at $5.99 per 750 mL

Prevents color from fading

Cons:

Shampoo doesn't lather well 

Shampoo doesn't fully clean the hair

Conditioner doesn't do anything, at all

Hair looks lackluster after use

Conditioner on the left and Shampoo on the right

Booo...I had such high hopes for this shampoo.  Not only was the price phenomenal but I adored the strawberry yogurt smell.  Trust me though, my friends, when I say to steer clear of this shampoo; try not to be sucked in with the fantastic pricing.  I should have saved the $12 spent on these items and purchased something from the L'Oreal EverPure product line instead.

**PS - I should probably mention that my hair stylist, Alicja, who cut my hair into a really cute bob nearly died when I told her the type of shampoo I was using.  She said that my hair was so dry because of it and ended up giving me a ton of salon shampoo/conditioner samples to take home.  Thanks lady!**