Friday, January 18, 2008

Budget beauty

This year I'm coming to terms with my frugal frumpiness. I've upgraded my undergarments and added accessories.

Now, I'm rethinking my carefree makeup routine. (Of late, who needs lipstick?)

I dumped all my leftover beauty products on the dining room table. What's worth saving? What needs using?
I create order from chaos; the toddler creates chaos from the last of my blush.

I briefly debate funneling it back into the jar. See? I sharpened my lip pencil! Much nicer than scratching the bare wood against my lips.

I washed the brushes in hot soapy water. I'm ready for a fresh start.

Moneydummy says Paula Begoun's taught her a few budget beauty tips. I need a cheaper version of Bare Escentuals mineral veil. Has anyone tried L'Oreals Bare Natural powders?

39 comments:

Leigh Ann said...

Can I send you a container of the bare essentials mineral veil? I don't use it and it came with my start up kit. I have tried several similar products but haven't been able to find one that works for me as well as the bare essentials. If you want it you can e-mail me your address at mlabockle@juno.com.
P.S. I am not a weird person. Well, not that kind of weird. I am just a faithful reader who is not very frugal but working on it:-).

Anonymous said...

Hey! Thanks for the linkage! I also just did a post on five ways to save money on drugstore cosmetic lines.

But the reason I'm really here is that I looked up the L'Oreal foundation in my Paula Begoun book for ya. She gave it a neutral face, and said that the titanium dioxide and the zinc oxide make it look "opaque and heavy-looking, no matter how you blend." She also warns that although the "look" makes skin look moist, skin actually looks dryer the more this powder is worn.

(That's just what she says. I've never actually tried it, and she could be totally wrong.)

Christina said...

love your blog, been lurking for quite a while so i thought i would finally post a comment. i havent tried loreals version but i have tried avon's minerals and found they arent worth the money bc they dont provide good coverage and dont stay on for very long. in the past i used b.e. and was happy until i found everyday minerals. they are great products! the coverage is nice and it feels way lighter than b.e. plus they have more choices of foundation colors. you can order a free sample kit, but you have to pay like 3 bucks for shipping. and the plus to everyday minerals is that they are natural and do not contain bismuth something-another that is in b.e. (and can feel kind of ichty to the skin). here is the link: http://www.everydayminerals.com/g?t=kits
hope this helps! and btw, i have three lip pencils that scratch my lips with the wood since im too lazy or busy to find a sharpener.

carol said...

I've never tried the loreal but I did see that NYC has added some mineral makeup to their line and it is reeeeallly cheeeeap. No idea how good it is thought. Also Jane has some mineral makeup too. Both of those lines are extremely low priced.

I use, love and choke at the price of BE. I know it works and I've noticed that in the long run, I buy LESS makeup. I can save up for something that I know works for me rather than endless waste $$ trying to find something cheaper at the drugstore. Even my kids have noticed a change in my makeup spending habits since discovering the BE line.

Jenni said...

I'm in a yahoo group called Crunchy Co-operative, and we are currently doing a co-op for KT Naturals mineral make-up - www.ktnaturals.com. They sent me some samples and they were awesome! Very inexpensive, too. The co-op is for 20% off with free shipping, and it closes next week, so come join the co-op if you want to get in on it! I'm excited!

bonnie: said...

I love everyday minerals, and they are inexpensive. There samples are generous, as well (only $5 for shipping for 5 samples). Their "intensive" formula stays on my pimply face all day.

The Chatty Housewife said...
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julie said...

the loreal is pretty good. i have both, the loreal and the b.e. stuff. personally i think the loreal gives better coverage. just my opinion though. good luck!

Jane said...

I actually spent a good deal of money (for me) on a makeup consultation & make up with a Mary Kay rep.The $40 got me a consultation, some makeup that really works for me, and my makeup done on the day of my SIL's wedding. I consider it money well spent. Since I learned how to use the makeup, I do use it with greater confidence. Getting my makeup done on the wedding day was a great stress reliever. In the long run I think I saved because I am not tempted to buy cosmetics that I may or may not like.

Anonymous said...

I second the everyday minerals. I tried their sample pack and it lasted about 2 months for me. And lots of color options. It is worth a try and sometimes they run specials, like free shipping, etc.

I enjoy your blog! Thanks!

Jenn @ Frugal Upstate said...

hmmm, I've been wondering about the whole mineral makeup thing. Maybe I'll check out that sample pack and see what it's about at Everyday Minerals. . . .

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

I've used the L'Oreal stuff, and I really couldn't tell much, if any, difference. However, please also note that I've never used BE, but I have used Arbonne minerals, which are also expensive. I used the L'Oreal stuff first, and I do think I like the more expensive stuff better, but the L'Oreal might still be a good alternative for you.

mama k said...

Have you heard of http://www.sheermiracle.com/
I just ordered some from them. I too am a Bare Minerals fan and was looking for a cheaper alternative.

Kate said...

I use L'oreal mineral foundation and it's good. Mary Kay also has mineral make-up now. I'm guessing it'll be less expensive than Bare Essentials and a better quality than L'Oreal.

Jan/lost-strayed-or-stolen.blogspot.com said...

I keep one of those little plastic pencil sharpeners in my cosmetics case, always handy for sharpening lip and eyebrow pencils. That wood is not only hard on your skin, but small splinters can actually get into your skin.

Anonymous said...

I also love BE and have been looking for something cheaper. I haven't tried Loreal's mineral makeup, but I did just buy Jane's version a few weeks ago and it is great! It actually covers better for me than BE. Plus, it is usually on sale at drugstores, and I can always find coupons floating around for it.

Anonymous said...

I've read about mineral makeup but never used it. I'm not a fan of allover foundation or powder - I use my old-but-perfect Mary Kay foundation around my eyes as coverup and powder on my cheeks, forehead, and neck. I save eye makeup for public occasions, not just everyday living. This routine is very similar to what I did as a professional before I was a SAHM. For the same reasons, I wear decent clothes around the house and only indulge in sweats for exercise or Sunday lounging.
Hope your beauty updates make you feel healthy and pretty, Meredith!!

GingerSnaps said...

This post was so motivating! I'm going to go and sharpen all of my pencils and clean my brushes...something I haven't taken the time to do in ages...

Anonymous said...

I've never tried the mineral cosmetics. Have seen them advertised...maybe I should give them a try, there are so many positive comments here! My own routine is very simple, & I do tend to focus on the eyes. If I do nothing else to my face (for around the house) I feel I have to groom my eyebrows, & put on some lip gloss (or even just Vaseline!).

Brenda

P.S. It's a good thing, getting those brushes washed out now & then...thanks for the reminder, Meredith!

Bonnie said...

I like Physicians Formula mineral powder- it works great, and I bought it over the summer, and even after nearly everyday use, I still have over half my tub left. $10 was steeper than I would have liked to pay, but it was worth it, and I'm not breaking out nearly as much, even in hot, humid weather.

April said...

Have you heard of mineral basics? I've not used their foundation, but I like their eye stuff. They also list ingredients and offer VERY inexpensive sample sizes.

April said...

Sorry, that link is here.

Anonymous said...

try the jane mineral make-up at walgreens. I love their line of make-up and I am a model so I use alot of different brands.

Anonymous said...

I haven't tried any of the mineral products. On my oily skin, I fear it would become one smeary slick by day's end. However, I have found what works for me among MaryKay products, which aren't exceptionally frugal. I fix that in two ways... 1) I ask for MK products as birthday gifts from my in-laws. Most products last me almost a year anyway, and almost everyone knows someone who sells it. 2) I have a good friend who is a MK consultant and we trade for products. I sew Easter dresses for her girls, and she gives me products I want but don't have cash to splurge on.

Grace in Nashville

Anonymous said...

This was a good post Meredith. :) I need to work on my beauty routine. I rarely wear make up. I got a small set of B.E. that I feel great in when I use it. I also have some Mary Kay from when a friend was a consultant. It will last forever at this rate. :) I am inspired to use what I have and wash my brushes! Thank you!

Anonymous said...

Glad you asked about this Meredith, because I have yet to find a mineral makeup that I love. Tried BE and it made my face itch-that or the sunscreen in my moisturizer compounded by the summer heat. I don't know...Tried L'Oreal's version and it seemed to cake a bit. Then tried Jane, which for the price was okay, but it did not come with a brush applicator but a sponge and you have to shake it on, I guess. I am going to check out the other brand that several other commenters suggested.
Elise

Carrien Blue said...

I wear make-up so infrequently that I still have a compact from when I was in high school, almost 15 years ago.
I did get a burt's bees creme blush compact for birthday a few years back, and when I do wear blush I use that one now. I am no help I suppose.
But I do wear moisturizer and I spend enough for the good stuff cause when I look back, at the rate I use it $20 is a good price if it lasts me two years or more.

What about sales or free samples?

Amanda said...

I haven't tried either, but I saw Avon now offers their version for $7.99. I think that's the cheapest mineral makeup I've ever seen. Here's a link http://shop.avon.com/shop/product_list.asp?level1_id=300&level2_id=301&cat_type=C

Seis said...

CVS is changing over all their make-up this month. Walgreens will also be doing the same. I got alot of new stuff for free after coupon. The most I paid before coupon. 2.50. This happens the last two weeks in January every year.

Anonymous said...

I live a whole 4 miles from a Revlon Factory that comes complete with an outlet store... they offer deep ( and I do mean deep) discounts on certain days of the week... if you use a certain Revlon product let me know the name and product and I can check it out... I would love to bless you with what I could fine... usually Mondays are lipstick days .. hot off the factory line for around .50 cents to a dollar a tube.. same with eye shadow and blush...

Me said...

My husband has just asked me recently to make sure that all of my makeup and skin care products have safe ingredients.
For most things, I love Burts Bees makeup. For mineral coverage I love Physicians Formula. It is fantastic. Now I just need to find non toxic eye shadow and mascara that I like!

Anonymous said...

I loved BE mineral powder but just switched to Mary Kay's version as it is $18 vs the $25 BE cost. I am oily and it has def helped with break outs!

Kimi Harris said...

I really like everyday minerals makeup. They last a long time (at least they have for me) are WAY more natural than a lot of other brands, and work well. You can order free samples as well. here is a post, were I talk about it, if anyone is interested. http://womanlypursuits.blogspot.com/2008/01/facial-products-are-healthy-and-frugal.html

Mrs. Fussy Fussypants said...

Loreal mineral- cakey & dry

Physician's choice minerals- GREAT! No sunscreen in the formula- only draw back.

Anonymous said...

Southern Magnolia Minerals on Ebay has both the veil and a perfection powder that are great. The seller seems to be very reputable and has been good to deal with imo.

Unknown said...

If you're wanting to try some new makeup, this is a great week to do it. There are some awesome deals to be had on Jane makeup, and some decent ones on HiP products, too. I've posted the info on my blog.

Anonymous said...

I've used Bare Minerals/Essentials and I currently use L'oreal's version. I MISS BM/E. The L'oreal stuff works but it is heavier (goes on darker and thicker) and does dry my skin out pretty good. It works but it just isn't as good as BM/E.

Simonne said...

Hi, I'me new to mineral makeup . Can i actually use my normal TBS brush ?
I've order a kabuki brush from EDM anyway.