Beauty bargains that won't break the bank!

I used to spend lots of money on expensive beauty products because they made me feel somehow more pampered than regular drugstore goods. I love browsing a beauty counter, and getting to try on many items before committing to a purchase. I love the sleek, fancy packaging of chic department store lines. I just don't love the price tags!

Since y'all seemed to appreciate my Smart Chicks advice last week, I thought this week I'd share some of my favorite bargain beauty products that I've found to replace my older, more expensive brands. These little wonders are all under $7 and have transformed my bathroom from high-end moneypit to wonderfully sensible and effective pamperpit! Sometimes, there's a lot of money to be saved between feeling fancy and being smart!

First up: Palmers Cocoa Butter Lotion

I've always had moderate-to-dry skin on my body, and on my arms I've got those permanent goosebumps also known as Keratosis Pilaris, so I need a hearty, emollient body lotion to keep me soft, smooth, and glowing. I am super picky and generally find store-bought lotions to be too watery, too waxy, or just plain lame. I used to swear by Body Shop Coconut Body Butter, but at $20/tub, it just felt exorbitant. I picked up a bottle of Palmers a couple of months ago and loved it! The formula is just right - not too thick, not too thin. It absorbs nicely but leaves a softness behind that feels natural, not chemical. And the best part? It smells like cocoa! For a food-scent lover like me, its bliss in a bottle. Palmer's is best known for being the anti-stretchmark creme, for those of you out there who might be expecting! Money saved = $13 or more!

Next up: Organix Hair Care products
I used to get so frustrated with my hair lacking lustre, despite my fancy hair products. I've tried everything from Aveda to Alterna White Truffle Shampoo (seriously!), sparing no expense to attain the softness and shininess I always desired. Then I learned about using Sulfate-free shampoos. Basically, these formulas lack the stringent detergents that common shampoos use, and are much gentler on the hair. There are plenty of expensive options in the sulfate-free market. I've tried one, and was a bit nonplussed by it, despite its $40 price tag (!). But then I stumbled across Organix at my local drug store, and now I am a true convert.


Organix comes in 11 delicious formulas, from hydrating Coconut Milk to Revitalizing Pomegranate/Green Tea. The ingredients are organic, and the packaging is certified eco-friendly. Its no wonder they won 4 beauty awards last year, they're just fabulous! I use the Coconut Milk shampoo with the Vanilla Silk conditioner, and my hair is now softer, shinier, and more manageable than ever. Its also great for those of us with color-treated hair, since there are no harsh detergents to strip out the color faster than necessary. Money saved = $5-85 dollars. (yes, I once spent $55 on shampoo, and yes, there is shame in that game).

Next: Boots No. 7 Restore & Renew Anti-Aging Serum

Now, I know, I said $7 or less, and this one is closer to $20 - but bear with me. This little baby is one of the few products on the market that's been proven to work at reducing the signs of photo-damage from the sun and wrinkles by a preeminent British study. After the study was released last year, anxious ladies snapped up every bottle, selling the brand out for a few weeks. Spread a little of this silky smoothness on your skin before you apply your lotion and sunscreen, and you can rest assured that it will combat your fine lines and dark spots all day long. Compared to similar products which often cost 3x as much, and lack the cred of a proven study, this is a steal of a product! I just love this stuff! Available at Target. Money Saved = loads.

Next: Jillian Michaels 30-Day Shred
you: "But Broke-Ass, that's not a beauty product!"
me: "Oh ye of little faith, but it is!"

Regular exercise keeps the grey away! You know, that greyness that your skin takes on after hours at the desk in your office? That ashy pallor that makes you look tired and undernourished? Well, I finally realized that keeping up with an exercise routine has helped my skin enormously! Not only does it get the blood circulating (good for rosy cheeks and lips, and brighter, clearer eyes), but the sweating helps us release toxins and naturally exfoliate as well. My love for Jillian is no secret, and this 20-minute/day badboy has improved my skintone as well as my muscle tone! Oh yeah, and its $7 -woot!

Finally: Good ol' H2O

That's right... this one is FREE, and you've already got it readily available! 2/3 of our body weight is water. It is the eternal spring of life, which feeds our bodies, and our earth... so why not use it to your benefit? Staying hydrated helps your skin in so many ways - it keeps the cells plump and healthy (no gauz-y crepe paper here, thankyouverymuch), it flushes the toxins out to keep skin (and eyes) clear and radiant, and it stimulates circulation. Many of us don't get enough water on a daily basis, so aim for those 8 glasses a day! Another way to gauge your hydration (albeit semi-gross) is to check in with your pee. It should be clear or very pale... anything darker and you should get chuggin! this one is also key for managing weight and hunger - hooray for double duty!

I hope this helps you navigate the aisles and make some smart choices the next time you shop for beauty products! I'm thinking of making this kind of Smart Chick advice a regular installment here... what do you think? What are your favorite beauty bargains... inquiring minds want to know!