top nine beauty buys under $9
1. Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque: Smells like toothpaste, goes on like bathtub caulk. Rinse away, and GLOW. For oilier to normal skins, especially for random breakouts.
2. Carmex: The lip balm of champions. When I get down to half a pot, I often put in a chunk of lipstick (one that’s nearly down to the nub) and melt it together in the microwave (45 seconds should do it) with the lid off. Stir with a toothpick, and you have a nice, sheer gloss that your lips will love.
3. Mountain Ocean Skin Trip: This stuff smells like the best beach you ever went to, and sinks in fast to soften skin for hours. And there’s nothing weird or chemical-y in it.
4. Palmer’s Crack Butter: Really, the name is enough to make it onto the list. Ha! But seriously, folks… it heals my heels. And anyone who knows how much time I spend barefoot knows that this is ESSENTIAL.
5. Watkins Lemon Hand Salve: My cuticles never go astray with this salve. And it smells like sunshine itself.
6. St. Ives Microdermabrasion Scrub: Gentler than you might think, and really effective for keeping skin smooth and fresh. My trick is to mix a bit with my face wash every second day to exfoliate without getting too aggressive. In summer, I’d probably use it straight up three times a week.
7. L’Oreal Vive Pro Nutri-Gloss Line: Everything is under $9, and it really does smooth your hair. Not sure about the pearl thing, but hey… it’s pink! And it works!
8. Aveeno Body Washes: Awesome. All of them. I even make Gradon use them.
9. Blistex Original: My mom would poke me in the eye if this didn’t make it on here. There is no ailment she would not try to cure with Blistex. But seriously — the sore nose you get from a cold? Blistex it! Cut not healing? Blistex it! Lips beyond repair? Blistex them! Got a lame boyfriend? DUMP HIS ASS and then… uh… use Blistex.
January 2nd, 2009 at 4:49 am
Oh, Queen Helene, why are you so awesome? *And* why are you so cheap? So much sweetness, so little money.
January 2nd, 2009 at 7:06 am
Love the Aveeno body wash. I think I need to pick up some Carmex soon. :)
January 2nd, 2009 at 7:11 am
Skin Trip is one of my all-time favorite products. My mom has used it my entire life and my sister and I are now never without a bottle, in part because it smells like home but also because it’s such great stuff. They also have a Lip Trip lip balm, but sadly, it isn’t nearly so wonderful.
January 2nd, 2009 at 9:17 am
Making a list and checking it twice….thanks Meg :-)
January 2nd, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Thanks for the great tip on colouring your Carmex. It is THE BEST for avoiding chapped lips, but adding a little lipstick zing is brilliant!
January 2nd, 2009 at 8:58 pm
I have to agree with your Mom on the Blistex. Although the Original original had more ZingPowie, it’s still pretty good for all that ails ya.