Favorite (Affordable) Beauty Products

It sounds like this is the last day of the work week for many of you out there!  Only a few more days ’til Christmas!  Wowee, I can’t believe it.

Today I wanted to feature a few of my favorite beauty products.  I recognize this isn’t a “fashion focused” blog, but these products that I’m sharing are still ways that help me feel good about myself each day.  I think feeling good about yourself leads to self confidence, which in turn causes you to want to continue to take care of yourself.  It’s a positive cycle!  I could go on and on about this, but let’s get to the products, shall we?

Let me first tell you really quickly that I do not like to spend money.  I’m Dutch, what can I say?   In all honesty though, I really don’t spend much money on beauty and make up products.  If I can find a product by Maybelline and love it, then why would I go buy the same product that is MAC and pay 5 times as much for it?  If I find a quality product that is a little more money, and I feel like it’s worth it to splurge on it a little, then I absolutely will.  But only if I feel as though it’s worth it.  Ok, here we go!

Burt’s Bees Chapstick

I’m a huge chapstick gal.  I put it on all.the.time.  Burt’s Bees a little more expensive than your average “Chapstick” brand, but I think it’s totally worth the extra buck or two. 

Bodycology Body Lotions

I just discovered this brand of lotion within the past year, and I love them!  I’ve tried two different scents that are subtle but heavenly.  I really like the fact that they truly do help moisturize my incredibly dry skin.  Some “cheaper” lotions just don’t moisturize well, but I think this brand is great. 

Kirkland Signature Professional Salon Formula Moisturizing Shampoo & Conditioner

I LOVE this stuff.  The smell and everything it does for my hair is miraculous.  I get it in the huge bottles at Costco which makes it more affordable. 

Equate Naturally Beaming Daily Moisturizer

This is supposed to be comparable to the Aveeno Daily Moisturizer.  I love Aveeno products, but they are often a little more expensive than other brands.  I decided to try the Equate brand one time to try it out, and I didn’t notice any difference between the Equate and Aveeno brands!  I also like that this has SPF 15 in it to help protect my face from the sun. 

It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-In Product

This stuff is a little more on the pricey side, but one of those products that I believe is well worth it.  This stuff claims to do (and it does!) 10 things instantly: repairs dry, damaged hair; adds shine; detaingles; controls frizz; seals & protects hair color; prevents split ends; stops hair breakage; creates silkiness; enhances natural body; flat iron spray & thermal protector.  All of this in ONE bottle?!  Perfect!

Maybelline Great Lash Mascara

This is the mascara my mother introduced me to when I first started wearing makeup.  It’s the only mascara I’ve used ever since!  I love it, especially for four bucks a tube.

Revlon ColorStay Eyeliner

This is the only eyeliner I’ve ever used that actually stays put and doesn’t smear throughout the day.  I have people ask me all the time what eyeliner I use because it looks fresh all day. 

Questions:

• What are some of your favorite beauty products?
• Do you try to buy the less expensive versions of specific beauty products?