Posts with tag drugstore

When it comes to hair products, our opinion is equally divided between "drugstore practical" and "pricey salon splurge". And given the state of the economy, we must admit that lately drugstore brands like Pantene have been showing up in our shower with increasing regularity.

Soon, being a "Drugstore Beauty Queen" might not have quite the same meaning.

By year's end, CVS will launch its new Beauty 360 concept, which means the drugstore will be carrying prestige beauty brands that were previously only available in department or specialty stores. These higher end items will be found in stores with an assisted-sell environment staffed with trained sales associates and licensed aestheticians. There's a possibility of having onsite manicures and massages available to draw in folks waiting to pick up a prescription.

When you shop for nail polish, are you a brand snob? Do you hit the cosmetic counters to purchase a $20 bottle, or are you more likely to scour the aisles of the local drugstore for a fabulous bargain polish?

We have an array of polishes -- some cheap, some a bit pricier -- and we truly believe they each have their strengths. Some of the pricier polishes have better staying power -- they don't fade or chip. However, some of our drugstore cheapy polishes are quick-dry, so when we're in a rush, there's no better option.

Short answer: No, not particularly.

Yeah, it's experience-sharing time. Recently, I decided to take a break from my drugstore nail polish and try out a taste of the good life, treating myself to a bottle of $20 Chanel "Black Satin" polish (yes, I like black nails). Since my usual nail routine consists of $1 NYC varnish and top coat, Chanel was a big step for me. I'm not entirely sure what I was expecting... Suddenly magical nails that never chip, always look perfect, and play Mozart's Clarinet Concerto in A Major every time I open my hands? Naw. I guess I just expected good quality... at least $20's worth of quality. To my dismay, the polish still chipped quickly and, most surprisingly, the coats wore thin and didn't hold up as well as my cheap drugstore polish. Looking at my nails right now, which I painted only two days ago, the solid black has faded to a strange deep brown. With my drugstore polish, it seemed to chip more easily, but at least the color held up very well and stayed an eternally abysmal black. Maybe this is why goths aren't known for turning to Chanel.

I suppose I just haven't stumbled across the right brand yet... I guess it's time for me to find the happy medium between the cheapest of the cheap and the high-end.

I wasn't planning on buying an new brush but this one tempted me from the drug store aisle. The hair-enhancing properties of crushed tourmaline have been well-documented in the past few years and many companies have created hair dryers and flat-irons involving the gem. Tourmaline is piezoelectric and when crushed it releases negative ions which have a beneficial effect on hair, increasing shine and minimizing brittleness. This is the first time I have seen a brush using the gem before so I had to buy it and test it out.

The verdict? I didn't notice a big difference in just brushing my hair with it. I brushed one side of my hair with a regular brush and one side with the tourmaline brush. I couldn't tell them apart. I did notice that when I used it with a dryer my hair did appear to be a little shinier and softer but not so much so that I might not have just imagined the increased shine. Either way, it's still a decent hairbrush and I dig the snappy red color, it matches my toes. The brush sells for around $8.

Sometimes it is difficult to find a good (cheap) eye shadow that will transform your eyes into the dramatic, attention-grabbers that are worthy of a night out on the town.

L'Oreal HIP eye shadow duo comes to the rescue by providing vibrant, dramatic colors in high intensity pigments. The shadows come in an array of vivid, rich colors, which are perfect for making those eyes of yours pop!

One of the great things about these pigments is that they really have staying power. The color will remain vivacious all night, and the powder will not fade from your eyelids. Since you never have to worry about retouching your makeup, you can instead concentrate on the more important things: like ordering another apple martini.

Shown: Playful $7.00

Given the travel restrictions that ban all liquids and gels in carry-on luggage, you might wonder if you'll have to go with the "natural look" while flying -- sure you can pack and check your liquid foundation, perfume, mascara, and lip gloss, but who the heck checks luggage for a quick weekend hop to Vegas?!?!

Not to worry, Glamour Globetrotter! Inspired by an article on USA Today, Styledash is here to pack your train case full of nonliquid cosmetics that are a-ok with the TSA.

1. Monday - Monday morning, gotta brush away all the red wine and vodka/cranberry stains from the weekend, but toothpaste won't fly because it is considered liquid, even if it's not a "gel." The best invention of the last five years? Oral-B Brush-Ups, available for under $2 for a six-pack at any drugstore. And while you're at it, don't forget the floss.
2. Tuesday - Facial cleanser is easy, just stick with a bar. Everyone's favorite Cetaphil comes in a bar format, and one of the most popular at the department store is Clinique facial cleansing bar. You can also go with cleansing cloths that are dry out of the package, but you moisten with water to activate and foam up the cleanser. Dove Cool Moisture cleansing cloths are $6 for a package of 30. That's enough for a two-week vacay!
3. Wednesday - This one is tough. Moisturizer -- does it come in any format other than liquid? Your best bet here is to go with a cleanser that has pretty heavy moisturizing properties. Abovementioned, the entire line of Dove Cool Moisture will do a good job.
4. Thursday - After the regular "clean-up" routine, it's time to actually apply your makeup, and what goes first? Foundation, of course. These days, though, you're going to have to go without, or else turn to a powder foundation. You can also make it easier on yourself overall and use a dual formula powder/foundation in a compact. USA Today recommends NARS, which can be applied sheer as a powder when dry, or for heavier coverage with a moistened sponge. It's $45 at Sephora. If the cost of your airplane ticket has cut into your budget, try Neutrogena Healthy Skin Cream Powder Makeup at the drugstore.
5. Friday - Party time calls for dramatic lashes, but you're going to have to take cake mascara, over which you glide a moistened mascara wand. USA Today recommends La Femme's Cake Mascara, available at Amazon for $6.95. Paula Dorf also makes a cake mascara for $20.
6. Saturday - Hitting the beach? Though you may be sitting under the shade of an umbrella, you still need to wear sunscreen! USA Today tips us off to SPF-50 bronzer from Avene Thermale. Because it's pressed into a compact, it's approved by the TSA. And why not go double duty? Make sure your powder foundation has SPF in it, too.
7. Sunday - Time to head back, and you need a little refreshing scent to make that last leg of the trip. According to the TSA, moistened towelettes are fine, so look for any perfumed cotton cloths. Bvlgari has 12 towelettes for $25 at Sephora. Marc Jacobs also makes a perfume solid, $55.