Beauty on a Budget

Alright readers, I’m just going to throw this out there – being on a budget is NOT fun. Whether you’re paying back student loans, starting out at a new job with a tiny salary or trying to save for your first home (or all of the above!), being in your twenties is a time where money matters. For women, cosmetics and beauty products can be so frustrating; not only are they huge money-suckers, but half the time you feel like they don’t give you the results that you anticipated. I’ve put together a list of some great products that are inexpensive and will cover most elements of your beauty regime – in fact, you can purchase everything on this list for under $100!

1. Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse Foundation ($14.99)
Used by multiple nuts, Maybelline’s Dream Matte Mousse Foundation is creamy and leaves a nice matte finish on your skin.

2. Physician’s Formula Shimmer Strips ($19.99)
These shimmer strips are great because they are multi-purpose. Use each shade individually as eye-shadows and then use them together for a great, shimmery bronzer or blush

3. MAC Fluid Line ($18)
This gel is by far the best and longest lasting eye-liner I’ve ever used. Once you get used to applying it with a thin-angled brush, it will change your life. Perfect for creating a dramatic cat eye or a simple every-day look, this eye-liner is great on both upper and lower lids and is definitely a staple of mine. (Plus, it doesn’t smudge constantly like some pencils do!)

4. L’Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara ($10.49)
This mascara is a fan-favourite. Kate mentioned it in the past and I have since converted to it after trying it once. Use one sweep for a simple look or load it on for dramatic lashes.

5. Rimmel Vinyl Lip Gloss ($6.49)
One of inanutshell’s #1 supporters, Kelly, went on a quest for lip gloss and after trying multiple expensive brands, decided to give this a shot. After trying it over the weekend, we’re glad she did – it’s awesome and a great value!

6. Treseme Volumizing Dry Shampoo ($5.49)
I’ve blogged about dry shampoos in the past and at the time I wasn’t impressed. But, after trying Tresseme’s Volumizing Dry Shampoo, I can say that it’s now a staple in my beauty regime. Not only useful if you sleep in and have to skip a full wash, but also a great tool for creating a bit more volume if your hair falls flat.

7. Mini Body Shop Almond Hand & Nail Cream ($10)
This hand cream has been a staple in my purse/home/office for as long as I can remember. A light moisturizer with a sweet fragrance, this product not only targets dry hands, but moisturizes your nails as well! The mini size is perfect for taking on the go.

8. Essie ‘Fiji’ Nail Polish ($10.99)
It’s no secret that we nuts LOVE Essie nail polish. And now, you can get the look that Emily Maynard rocked all season as The Bachelorette by sporting the shade ‘Fiji’. It’s a light pink that’s great for everyday because it goes well with just about anything!

And there you have it nuts, some great bargains that will keep you looking great on a budget. Happy shopping & happy saving!

Putting Your Best Face Forward

Even though we have been having unseasonably warm weather this fall, it would be naive to believe that winter is not on its way. And with cold weather comes my most frustrating beauty problem: dry, flaky, dull, winter skin.

When we’re beaten down with Arctic feeling winds every time we step out, it takes a toll on our complexion. After working at The Body Shop for 4 years, I picked up some tips and worked out a system that helps to eliminate this problem and banish winter skin, no matter how sub-zero the temperature gets!

First and foremost, trust in a 3-step DIY facial. (This goes for all you oily and combination skin types as well!) With so many options for skin care, sometimes it can be overwhelming to try to figure out what you actually need. I am a firm believer that you can get great results with 3 products: a face wash, a face scrub and a good moisturizer.

I enlist The Body Shop’s Vitamin E Cream Cleanser, Vitamin E Moisture Cream & Vitamin E Nourishing Night Cream as part of my daily regimen. Vitamin E is one of best ingredients to have in a moisturizer, as it nourishes skin and is easily absorbed. These products are recommended for normal to dry skin, and leave skin feeling silky smooth. Known as The Body Shop’s best-selling line, Vitamin E is a safe bet if you’re looking for a reliable, every-day product.

My miracle worker is their Vitamin C Facial Cleansing Polish. You know how you to take Vitamin C to help you feel better when you have a cold? The same concept applies for your skin. Camu camu berries, grown in the Peruvian Amazon are the main source of natural Vitamin C found in this product, which leaves your skin looking radiant. Additionally, this product contains Jojoba Esters as the primary exfoliant. These little guys are the perfect texture to slough off dry and dead skin. I rely on this scrub about 3 times a week to keep my skin looking it’s best.

I can’t rave enough about a simple 3-step facial. It will, undoubtably, leave your face feeling amazing. I’m telling you, it takes less than 10 minutes to use all three products and your skin will feel so nice for the rest of the day. They say that you should always put your best foot forward – well, I think that putting your best face forward will be far more beneficial…in a nutshell.