Drugstore Cowgirl IV: Skin That Glows

Since Sabine came into the picture, my previously decent complexion has taken a turn for the worse. Is it the lack of time and care? Is it hormones? Is it age and fatigue? Is it the use of different, inexpensive products? Ugh. I have no idea, but it has tortured my reflection in the mirror--until now.

I made many visits to the drugstore and tried many different affordable products, but I've finally found the right, corrective combination. I have super sensitive and dry skin, but if I wash my face only once a day with Aveeno Positively Radiant facial cleanser ($7.49 at Rite Aid), and then apply Neutragena Healthy Defense daily moisturizer for sensitive skin ($12.99, also at Rite Aid), I have the smooth, dewy skin that I used to. No other steps or products are required. Hooray.

Drugstore Cowgirl III: Summer Lovin'

Did you know that Essie nail polish is available at your local drugstore? It's no more than $8.00 per bottle and offers the best color selection I've seen. The beauty company recently released a summer collection of new pinks and oranges that my little toes are eagerly awaiting. So deliciously candy-colored, I can't take it.

Essie Nail Color: Meet Me at Sunset orange and Super Bossa Nova hot pink.
(Not pictured: Too, Too Hot, the perfect shade of pinkish-red, is my favorite)

Drugstore Cowgirl II: Rimmel London

Blogger lost its mind last week. It was frozen in "read only" mode for two days. This meant the deletion of some posts and comments. One comment I received that was unfortunately lost in blog space, was on my Drugstore Cowgirl post from last week. The commenter, Maria, asked about Rimmel London products. Since I'm trying to make Drugstore Cowgirl a regular blog subject, I thought I'd answer her question using today's post.

Part of me loves Rimmel. Mostly because when I think about the company, I think about Kate Moss, their former spokesperson, who undoubtedly has the best style in the whole big fat world. And their new spokesperson, Zooey Deschanel, is ever so adorable, too. When it comes to this British beauty company, I think some of their products are great, but there are some that don't quite work for me.

The lip liners or pencils are good (I like Pure and Red Diva). They have more moisture and a wider pencil tip than most, so you can actually use them as a lipstick (I would suggest still using a base coat of lip balm). I also fell in love with their eye pencils (Sable). They are not chalky, nor do they smudge easily. And they feature a just-the-right-size blending sponge at the other end of the pencil. The blush is better than a few other drugstore brands I've tried and is the one I'm currently using on my own cheeks. I like the color choices of the lip gloss and the fact that they have an SPF. They're moist and not too gooey, but one kiss on a baby's cheek and you need to reapply that sucker.

I'm not in love with their mascara (I'm forever faithful to Maybelline New York) or their lipstick (it's a little watery or not thick enough for me so that it rubs off and smudges too easily). One thing I've discovered is that you should check the color of the actual makeup beneath the packaging, which is often quite different than what's inside. Oh and how I wish I could give their packaging a mini makeover (I love the crown logo but am not loving the club-y, 1980s iridescent purple of everything). Because as you may consciously or subconsciously know, packaging can make or break almost any purchase.

Drugstore Cowgirl I

As I mentioned in my bio, I used to edit and write for Allure magazine in New York. In the area of the editorial offices, we had a room that was perhaps the size of a master bedroom called the beauty closet. The space was home to every beauty product that was sent to the magazine that we either did a story on or that a company wanted us to do a story on. There were rows upon rows of every hair product you could imagine. There was every brand of sunscreen, self tanner, skincare product and makeup, including lipstick, mascara, foundation, blush, bronzer and false eyelashes. There was every color of nail polish, makeup bags, cases, compacts, brushes, tweezers, mirrors, blow dryers and flat irons. You get the idea. I didn't pay for a beauty product for two years. And I did so many stories on treatments and procedures that I didn't pay for a haircut or color or facial or massage for two years either. I was taking bottles of Creme de la Mer home for free, and even had my teeth whitened as research for a story.

Needless to say, things have changed. Since I no longer work for a beauty magazine and am a stay-at-home mom, I went from using Chanel, Shisedo and Yves Saint Laurent to wearing Covergirl, Revlon and L'Oreal. I cruise the aisles of Rite Aid and CVS, looking for my next makeup fix or the perfect shade of lipstick. And shockingly, it's kind of fun. The stores and these brands are so affordable and I've no one to impress other than Sabine and Kadin, who are very forgiving. This allows me to buy often and experiment. If it doesn't work, I toss it or give it away to my teenage neighbor. And if it does work, I just paid $7.99 for my new look.

Recently, I've discovered that the new Covergirl Lip Stain that everyone is talking about lasts about five seconds and then it looks like you have no lip color on at all. I've discovered that NOBODY makes better mascara than Maybelline (look for the pink-and-green application tube, which I promise gives you longer, thicker lashes than any department-store brand). I found that L'Oreal Paris's Infallible Never Fail Lipcolour Compact lasts FOREVER (if you don't take it off before bed, your lips will be rosy in the morning...highly recommended for an early relationship sleepover, when you want to wake up looking as good as you did the night before). And lastly, Maybelline New York makes the most wonderfully forgiving Dream Matte powder, giving the MAC powders some serious competition.

Again, no one is paying me to say any of this since I don't have any advertisers. I just feel like I need to share my secrets and let you know that having been on both ends of the beauty spectrum has taught me that you don't have to spend a million dollars to look and feel gorgeous.

L'Oreal Paris's Infallible Never Fail Lipcolour Compact
lasts forever and comes in this vintage cigarette lighter-like packaging.

Maybelline New York makes the most
wonderfully forgiving Dream Matte powder