Beauty

[FlowershopGirl]

My hair is very frizzy and wild so I found Avon's frizz control shampoo and conditioner and it works the best for my hair.  I am said they test on animals but its the only product that seems to really help my hair be manageable at times so I buy it. 

I love Maybelline Fit Me foundation too.  I tried a lot of expensive brands but this one sort of called out to me at the drug store one day so I tried it and loved it.  It adjusted to my coloring and it stays on all day long too and does a great job of covering. 

[Katcat1]

I was extemely surprised at two e.l.f. products.  1)  the clear lip liner for $3.00; and 2) the liquid foundation for $6.00 (has a beautiful finish; however, shades are limited). 

[151949]

I have baby fine , poker straight hair. I tried every shampoo out there and finally tried PERT shampoo with light conditioner. This has absolutely been the best product ever for my hair. Soft, shiny very lightly conditioned and just beautifully healthy looking. 

I found over many years of using everything on the market that any products that say they add body to hair are actually designed to coat the hair shafts with something - usually wax - to bulk it up. But those products build up on the hair and make it dull and lifeless looking.

[cerinthe]

My favorite "Least Expensive, but Biggest Bang for the Buck and Highest Quality" ARE:

(my products tend to be fragrance FREE and added color FREE)

Alpha Hydrox Line!

Alpha Hydrox foaming cleanser

Alpha Hydrox 14% glycolic wipes

Alpha Hydrox 12% glycolic moisturizing cream (in a tube)

Alpha Hydrox SKIN LIGHTENER! Awesome!

Alpha Hydrox retinol (in a tube. Only by if on sale.)

Alpha Hydrox 10% glycolic lotion (rarely use, and if I do, put on body.)

Cereve Line!

Cereve foaming and cream cleaners in the big pumps!

Cereve NIGHTTIME PM moisturizing lotion.

Anything Cereve is pretty decently formulated and their new sunscreens are good.

Paula's Choice Line!

Especially her retinols and beta and alpha hydroxy products.

Especially her skin lighteners.

Especially her "Resist" and "Clinical" lines.

Wait for sales to buy for best bang.

Try as many samples as you can before you buy, return policy is not so easy!!

Read all her information about the different products before buying. There is a lot to absorb.

Sunscreens!

Fallene COTZ 47

IT Cosmetics CC 50+ (in a tube/pump.)

I really need and prefer mineral based sunscreens as opposed to chemical. Try Cereve or Paula's Choice sunscreens if you can use chemical based products.

Creams and Oils (Body/Face)!

Anything from Shea Terra Organics.

Use monthly coupon for 30% off. Best Quality and unique formulations. A little goes a very long way.

Her new 'Milk' (there is one with maracuja oil and one with marula oil,) is WONDERFUL.

Other body:

Amlactin 12% Glycolic in Pump (costco has good discount occasionally.)

Amlactin foot (best foot cream if you need it!)

Hair:
I'm a WEN addict. Having eliminated everything else and using this has saved me money in my opinion. (And simplified my shower!)

Jojoba oil from my local Trader Joe's store. (Also great for body!)

Scrubs:
Make your own from soap/sugar/salt/oils (lots of recipes on line!)

OR

Accessories:
BODY CLOTHS from local Asian Grocery stores or Health Food Stores. Like nylon "SALUX."  No fancy scrub needed, cheap!

Pedicures:

Do your own pedicures with EMOJI pedicure and manicure items! Saves time and money and comes out much better imo.

Also: KISS nail buffing shine files.

[HappyDaze]

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@cerinthe wrote:

Sunscreens!

Fallene COTZ 47

IT Cosmetics CC 50+ (in a tube/pump.)

I really need and prefer mineral based sunscreens as opposed to chemical. Try Cereve or Paula's Choice sunscreens if you can use chemical based products.

You do know she makes mineral only sunscreens too, right? I wasn't sure if you were implying she only made chemical based ones or not?

[TY]

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@Trix wrote:

I really like Maybelline's Fit Me Foundation Stick.  It's a lightweight hint of color, but it's creamy gel texture stays with you for long wear.  I also like Maybelline's Color Sensational Lipstick. My favorite shades are both brown tones: Crazy for Coffee, and Touchable Taupe (from The Buffs collection).  

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Yes, the Maybelline Fit Me Foundation stick is nice. I just bought one today in the shade 120 to use as a touch up concealer. I also have 2 darker shades 330 and 340 to use as a contour stick on my jawline and under my chin. I prefer the 330 shade but both are nice and easy to blend with my fingers.

[CoG]

TY Cerinthe.  Spent a lot of time and money searching , test driving replacements for all the expensive items from prestige brands I was buying.  Foregoing the pretty bottles , ignoring the alluring advertisement, I decided on the very same products for facial skin care that you did. ( with the exception of Paula's Choice )   Had I had your list I could have tried these items first and been done .

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 The few items I have not found replacements for, that I think superior to any I've tried , include Peter Thomas Roth viz1000 and Philosophy Turbo booster vitamin C powder.

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Think I'll start with your finds for the rest of me.  This list is invaluable. 

[cerinthe]

Hi! I just am not keen on her mineral sunscreen formulations, I think her chemical ones are better, and many are skin care based, with an added sunscreen.  That's just my opinion, I prefer other's sunscreens for the buck.  

[cerinthe]

TY COG! I hope others chime in since I probably got most of the original suggestions from here. There is a big alpha hydroxy fan base here, especially since they're made right here in the U.S. ! I love that about them too!  I also really liked their blog where they discuss pH and its relevance and your skin's pH, etc. so interesting and factual.