Review Tuesday: Make Up Edition

For many of us fashionable ladies we get up in the morning, eat our breakfast, and drink our tea or coffee and begin to get ready for the day. We match up a great ensemble to wear. Then we fix our hair and head out the door to work or school. Hey! Wait a minute! You forgot to put on your makeup!

Sometimes it is hard to find that perfect make-up that lasts all day. It seems like every single brand runs ads and commercials claiming that their products lasts the longest and wears the best, but which ones really are the best? Which ones do last the longest? It is almost impossible to find the perfect lipstick, or eyeliner that last all day. It could take years and a lot of money to figure out this mystery. Guess what folks…that is just what I did.

I have tried pretty much every brand of eyeliner that Wal-Mart and CVS carry. I have also tried at least 10 brands of foundation including specialty brand Lancome and Mary Kay. I am constantly on the lookout for new shades of lipstick. (If you know me you know that I am the queen of bold lip color.) I also never leave the house without eyeliner on.  So now readers I present you with the Fund-Friendly Fashion Make-up Awards! (**APPLAUSE**)

Best Lipstick:

Revlon Matte Lipstick-

I love this lipstick for more than one reason. I’ll sum it up for you. I apply it once in the morning, and I then sometimes have to retouch it after lunch. That is it. For a $6.00 lip color that is fantastic! One of my favorite brands of lipstick is Kat Von D’s Lipsticks. They run $18.00 per tube at Sephora. I compare this Revlon Matte Lipstick to it. It lasts just as long, it has a great matte look, and it feels smooth and doesn’t dry out your lips. I have found that many matte lip colors will leave your lips dry and you must put Chap-stick over them in order to feel comfortable. Revlon’s lipstick is nothing like that. The colors are vibrant and apply easy. I give this lip color two thumbs up! Sip away…kiss away…whatever strikes your fancy. This lip color is here to stay.

Best Eyeliner:

Loreal HIP Crème Liner-

Eyeliner was one of the first make-ups that I started wearing. My parents didn’t particularly like it, but I loved the way it made my eyes pop. The only bad thing was I couldn’t find a liner that was smooth and lasted all day. I remember carrying around my eyeliner with me in my purse and I would reapply literally every time I was in front of a mirror. It was annoying constantly seeing it fade away through out the day. I also hated the “raccoon look” I would accomplish by 5 o’clock. My junior year of high school I finally found what I had been looking for. Black eyeliner that stayed. I didn’t have to touch up after two hours. Loreals HIP crème liner comes in a small pot along with its own mini liner brush. You can find this liner at Wal-Mart, Walgreens or any Loreal makeup retailer. Depending on where you purchase the product you will be paying approximately 11 dollars. This price might seem more expensive to you, especially if you currently use a stick style liner made by Covergirl or Maybelline. I will have you know that the small pot of liner lasts me at least 3-4 months. You don’t need a lot to get the job done. The brush that is included is easy to use and perfect for thin lines or thicker lines. (Depending of how you hold the brush.) 

When I recommend this liner to people 98% of ladies say, “I don’t think I can put that type of liner on…it seems difficult.” The liner is actually not as difficult as it seems. It is really smooth and dries almost instantly. The first time you apply might not be perfect, but by the third time you will likely form your own strategy and find that the task is simple and easy. Another thing that I love about this liner is it lasts throughout my workouts. I am an avid runner, so when I run I sweat. One thing that stays is my eyeliner. It will not budge until you wash it off.

Best Foundation:

Neutrogena Skin-Clearing Foundation-

My skin is so stubborn. It is sometimes unbelievable how sensitive my skin is. I can only use certain brands of sunscreen, I can only use certain kinds of face wash, and I can only use one brand of foundation. Neutrogena Skin-Clearing Foundation is one thing I seriously don’t think I could function without.  It smooths out any skin imperfections and makes skin look super soft and flawless. I have really fair skin as well, so it has always been difficult for me to find a color that actually matched my light complexion. Luckily Neutrogena’s Classis Ivory is perfect for me. I’m sure you can find your perfect color as well. One of the reasons why I like this product so much is the fact that I know it is good for my skin. It will not clog your pores. Another great aspect is if you do get a spot on your face you can just dab a little extra foundation on and it hides the redness completely. I also dab a little under my eyes to hide any dark circles. This foundation works like a concealer, foundation and power all in one. It dries matte so there is no nasty shine factor. When blended correctly it looks clean and natural. It doesn’t look or feel like make up. It is heaven in a foundation bottle! Trust me!

Just like the eyeliner you can find this product at Wal-Mart, CVS, or Walgreens. Depending on where you purchase it you will be spending $10.00-$12.00 per bottle.

So there you have it! These products won’t let you down. They are all long lasting so you can apply once and you are ready for the day ahead of you. Plus they are all budget friendly. These products also come in a variety of different shades and colors, so you are bound to find your perfect palette. Treat your face like a canvas. Paint away and have fun while doing so!

Happy Savings!

A Super School Spirt Sale

Many of you may have noticed the sale tables right inside of the bookstore before the summer began, but what you might not know is those sale tables are still there with tons of great buys on them!

Not only will these clothes make your TLU spirit shine, but they will also make you feel great every time you wear them. Why you may ask? The answer is because every time you wear that shirt you will remember that you only paid $5.00 for it. That is practically a steal!

Here is what’s still available:

Nike Sweat Pants:

These pants are great for lounging around the house on a lazy summer day, or you can even wear them to the track once the weather cools down this winter. Nike makes this product so they are sure to be great quality. At the moment there is only two pairs left, so hurry before someone else beats you to them!

Regular Price: $40.00 Sale Price: $25.00 You save: $15.00

Nike Women’s Mesh Basketball shorts:

These shorts are great for those who want to stay cool and classy while in the gym. These shorts will seriously never go out of style. That is one of the great things about gym and workout wear. They stay fashionable for years and years to come. These shorts are also made my Nike. We all know that is a brand that we can count on. These shorts are black, which is great color for any body type or skin tone. Black in my opinion also matches anything. They have our favorite bulldog Lucky embroidered at the bottom of the right leg in our well-known bright gold color. Lucky is sure to stand out so everyone knows what great university you go to.

Regular Price: $32.99 Sale Price: $15.00 You Save: $17.99

Women’s Tommy Hilfiger Button Up:

After you graduate you will (hopefully) have tons of job interviews. We all know that we have to look our best while looking professional at the same time. This top is what all you TLU ladies need. It has a great cut to give your body shape. It is white in color so it will go great with either a black pencil skirt or khaki slacks. Plus here is the best part…it’s only $5.00! No, your eyes are not playing games on you. These button ups are only five bucks. Now if that is not a great deal then I don’t know what one is!

Regular Price: $25.00 Sale Price: $5.00 You save: $20.00

Along with these great buys we also have some TLU hoodies that are only $15.00 (Regular price was $39.99,) Alumni sweatshirts for $10.00 (regular price was $18.99,) as well as stylish slim fit long sleeve shirts made my Jansport. This shirt is made from thin cool cotton. It is a dark grey with black horizontal stripes with TLU across the chest written in old English style font. This top was regularly priced at $18.99 and is now on sale for $11.00.

So next time you are passing through the ASC this summer make sure and take advantage of the sale table located right inside of the bookstore. (Make sure to say hello as well since I’m the full time bookstore employee this summer!)

Happy Savings!

Super Saving Stores

Within some of my past posts I have suggested some of my favorite places to shop. This guide will inform you of the best stores to get more for your money. I mean we do work our booties off to get that money...why not make those booties look good in affordable clothes?

Forever 21:

Forever 21 is a great store all around. This is personally my favorite shop simply because you can find unique items as well as the "basics" that we need in our wardrobe. If you are in need of a simple tank top or leggings I recommend you to head straight to Forever 21 because they are usually always in stock and they range from $1.50-$5.99. I also recommend to stock up on these items, especially if they are only $1.50! You never know when you will need an extra white tank or black leggings. Forever 21 also has a great selection of dresses and tops usually running for $9.99-$29.99. I rarely see anything in this store that is above $29.99. They really know what people want, and they know they want it on a budget. Forever 21 is your go to place for any outfit you are in need of. With their diverse supply of clothing you will be able to find attire for a business meeting, nightclub or the gym.

Closest Locations: North Star Mall (This is the biggest store in our area. It is two stories and has different sections for everyone. This location also has a section for the fashionable males.)  There is also a Forever 21 at The Shops at La Cantera. Both of these malls are in San Antonio.

Bling: 

This is a great jewelry store located right down the street from TLU. (It is located on King Street) Bling has anything from jewelry to scarves to boots. They also have a great selection of hair accessories as well as bags and luggage. The jewelry sold in Bling is reasonably priced. There are pieces that are under 10 dollars and then there are also some that reach 25 dollars. Whatever you budget is you should be able to find something that is just your style.

Charlotte Russe and Agaci:

I put these two shops in the same category because they are very similar stores. They both have a great selection of clothing, jewelry, purses and stunning shoes. Clothing ranges from $12.99-$35.99. They have tons of great club wear as well as whimsical dresses and tops fit for a tea party or lunch date with your girls. The jewelry selection is great because they have something for everyone. Unique rings and necklaces are available as well as traditional simple styles. The shoe selection seems to be a bit better at Agaci; however they both have a great selection depending on your style and what season it is. They have a bit of everything. They have heels and platforms, sandals, boots and feminine flats. You are sure to find some slippers that are practically a steal! 

JCPenney:

Finally I list JCPenneys for one reason and one reason only. SALE RACK HEAVEN. When I enter JCPenney I go straight to the sale section and not just because that is what I recommend to everyone (See my blog post on shopping sale items for more tips!) I have found that JCP has the best selection when it comes to sale racks. They always have all sizes and many different styles available on sale. I have found 2 of my favorite dresses at JCP on sale. One of them was only $3.95 (regular price was $50.00!) I know I still can't believe it! They usually have a 60-70% off rack but if you are really lucky they will have an 80% off rack. (Now that's what I'm talkin' about!) 

If you have never shopped at these store I 100% recommend you to check them out. You are sure to find some cute (affordable) additions to your wardrobe! Now, go on! Get to shopping!

Happy Savings!

Review Tuesday: Hair Products fit for a Queen

Dyes, brushes, hair sprays, gels, conditioners and serums oh my! The hair products aisle is always jam packed with different products that make your hair manageable. Something so simple shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg though.

I have used it all. When I went though my “big hair” phase I swear I tried every hair spray on the market. Then of course I went though the hair flat as a board stage. Which is where I experimented with serums and leave in conditioners. Then there was the part of my life where I dyed my hair literally every two weeks. I have been a red head, a brunette, a blonde and a brunette at the same time! I was also once a pink haired lady as well as some lime green in there somewhere kind of gal for a good year of two of my life. (Thank God I grew out of that one, huh?)

Two of my favorite products that have seemed to stick with me are Organix Nourishing Coconut Milk Split ends mender and the fairly new Garnier Fructis Color Shield. Within my quest to find these perfect products I tried a bit of everything. Designer brands that would cost me at least 20 dollars for a 4 oz. bottle, to the cheapest products on the market. Finally I reached a happy medium. I found the products that worked that were not too expensive, but not so cheap they did nothing.

The Organix Coconut Milk I compare to Biolage Age Rejuvenating Leave-In Densifier made by Matrix. While the Biolage product cost about 25 dollars per 4.2 oz. bottle. The Coconut Milk Split Ends Mender only costs 6 dollars for a 6 oz. bottle. The Coconut milk claims to nourish your hair and I have found that it does just that. The product is not too thick but also not too thin, it acts as a leave in conditioner that brings life back into your hair. I have tried tons of leave in conditioners and what I find I don’t like about them is that they weight my hair down. This coconut milk does the exact opposite. I have found that this cream actually leaves my hair lighter and fresher. I love how bouncy and soft my hair feels after using this mender. The scent of this leave in treatment is also a perk. It leaves my hair smelling like a tropical paradise. The scent stays throughout the day as well. You may not continuously smell the coconut throughout the day because you get use to it, but when you get close to someone trust me they will compliment you. (At least that what always happens to me!) The final perk of this hair treatment is that although the bottle seems small you only need a small amount. My hair length is a few inches past my shoulders so I use about 5 pumps of the cream a night. I apply it to towel dried hair. (Meaning you should leave your hair slightly damp, but not drenched.) The product is not sticky so it is easy to apply to your hair. Once your hair is dried you will immediately feel a difference. Another thing that is handy about this product is if you are having a bad hair day you can work with this serum to stop the fly away hairs. I apply about half a pump to my palms, rub it in between my hands and then gently apply to help fix my hair. Let you hair dry and wah-lah! No more crazy ends, no more stray hairs.

The second product is Color Shield by Garnier Fructis. This is for those that dye their hair. Including high lights to crazy colors to someone like me that dyes their hair every six months just to refresh their natural color. This serum is intended to help seal in the color to delay fading and make your dye job last as long as possible. For only $4.00 a bottle it is a deal hard to pass up! Even permanent colors fade so this is a must for those that want to stay away from the chemicals as long as possible. The serum is colorless and is rather thin. The consistency allows the product to go farther which is great detail. You don’t need a lot of this sealer; think of it as applying a clear topcoat like we would apply to our nails once we have painted them. After using different color sealing shampoos and conditioner I have found that this product works better. I use to use Redken Color Extender Shampoo and Conditioner. While I did see how this shampoo and conditioner benefitted me, however with the price being $20.00 a bottle I didn’t see how I could continue to shovel out the money. So I searched around until I saw a commercial for the Color Shield. I added it to my grocery list and I’ve been in love ever since. The serum is very lightweight so like the coconut milk is does not weight down my hair. It has a very light fresh scent, that is not overpowering and it even adds a bit of shine to my hair. I really like this product and I’ll continue to use it until it goes off the shelves.

When buying the Coconut Milk rather than the Biolage Densifier you save $19.00; and if you purchase the Color Shield rather than the Redken Color Extender you save $16.00. In the end you save a grand total of $35.00. (Ya’ know that dress you saw the other day at the mall? Yeah you can go get it now! Thank you bargain hair products!)

Taking care of your lovely locks doesn’t have to be expensive, and now you don’t even have to get stuck with the sticky gooey products that make your hair look oily and bog you down. Stay fresh with the Organix Coconut Milk Split End Mender and feel like you are lying on the beach with a great book (of fashion magazine.)a Also protect your dyed hair from fading away too soon, enjoy the “just left the salon look” longer!

Both of these products can be found at your local Wal-Mart, CVS, or Walgreens!

Happy Savings!

(Left Garnier Fructis Color Shield; Right: Organix Nourishing Coconut Milk Split Ends Mender)

Trend Report: Cool and Comfortable Summer Fashions

It’s officially summer time in Texas. Why you may ask have I officially declared this? Well because it is 102 degrees outside.

At temperatures such as this being fashionable can be difficult. Nobody wants to be out in this heat wearing heels and a red carpet gown. Let’s face it, some of us want to have the least amount of clothing on as possible. We want to look cute and we want to be cool and comfortable all at the same time, but we also want to accomplish what we have been talking about all along. We want to save money.

Some of the hottest trends this summer are high waisted shorts and shorts that tie around the waist. Eyelet style tops and dresses are also a pretty feminine way to stay cool as well. To top it all off, or maybe I should say to end it all off the perfect pair of flats adorned with bows or other dainty accessories are the way to go.

High waisted shorts have been around for decades, women in the 1920’s even wore high waisted shorts. This style came back heavily in the 70’s and now again for this summer. High waisted shorts are fun and flirty, as well as easy to move around in. They are really versatile and can be worn in many ways. With this style coming back many stores have been featuring them in their summer collections. Urban Outfitters is one of the stores that I have found have the widest selection. However on a tight budget you might not find your match. Urban Outfitters has many high waisted shorts that range anywhere from $29.99-$59.99. I found a pair that was $49.00. (See the shorts here.) They come in different colors including kacki. After searching for another pair that was cheaper I found a pair from Forever 21. (See the shorts here.) They have the same design and are also kacki, but wait…I haven’t even gotten to the good part. This similar pair from Forever 21 is only $19.80, saving you $29.20! Now that is a no brainer, extra money for dinner and a movie here we come!

The second style of short I would like to cover is tie waisted shorts. These are a more casual carefree look. These are perfect for a day at the beach or a shopping trip to the outlet malls. I found a pair at Guess running for $59.00. (See the shorts here) after the sticker shock I found a similar pair (which I even think are cuter) at Charlotte Russe for $22.50. (See the shorts here.) By purchasing the shorts from Charlotte Russe you save yourself $36.50. Think about it, you can buy two pairs of shorts for the price of one.

The next trend is eyelet style clothing. You can find anything from shoes to dresses to tops that is in this style of clothing. The eyelet style has been seen on the runway recently as well as in stores such as J. Crew and Free People. Free People had a pair of eyelet style pants for $128.00. (See the pants here.) I found an eyelet style top at Forever 21 for only $19.80. (See the top here.) That saves you $108.20, and guess what? You are in style and can still afford rent!

Finally flats with bulky bows and frilly flowers have been seen in many fashion magazines. These shoes fit any occasion and they are also comfortable enough for all day wear. Recently Steve Madden featured their newest bow flats ranging from $45.00-$79.95, (see the shoes here.) but why would you purchase these for that price when you could purchase some from Target for only $17.99? (See the shoes here.) This is saving you $61.96!

So after all of this fabulous shopping is done and paid for you would have saved a grand total of $235.86! What could you do with that extra cash? I think I can hear the spa calling your name!

So now that I have done the hard part for you get to shopping!

Happy Saving!

Review Tuesday: Katy Perry OPI Mini Nail Lacquers Kit

Have you ever found a product you wanted to try, but didn’t want to risk spending the money on a full size bottle? Possibly you have come across a new nail polish or make up and just couldn’t pick one color. Then buying travel size, or a sample pack is the way to go.

Why is buying travel (or sample size) the smart route? This will let you try out the product without putting too much money on the line. Most of the time sample packs come with multiple shades so you can try out more than one. This is perfect way to find your match.

The world known nail polish brand OPI is often coming out with new lines of pretty and daring shades of color to give your hands a sparkle. Some of the most recent lines are the Katy Perry line, Texas line and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides line. I found myself at Merle Norman over the weekend with my mom looking through some polish waiting for her to finish her shopping. My eye was caught by the Katy Perry OPI display showing 4 glamorous bottles of paint, 2 of which contained glitter (how could I not be drawn in?) I normally do not listen to music that plays on the radio, but I have always had a love for Katy Perry’s music, fashion and attitude. Naturally I had the urge to buy a bottle, but how could I just pick one?

I turned around to ask the worker how much the nail polish cost. After she said $8.50 per bottle my frugalness kicked in. Did I really want to buy a bottle of nail polish for $8.50? I mean I could go to Wal-Mart or CVS and get a bottle there for 3.99, but I knew I wouldn’t be able to find a shade even close to the colors that Katy Perry designed. Luckily I turned around to find another shelf with some OPI products. Among those I found the “Katy Perry Mini Nail Lacquers.” This pack includes all four of the limited edition Katy Perry shades for only $12.50. Sure they are not full size bottles but when buying something such as nail polish one must remember this is one of the few products that go a long way.  

The four polishes include two glitter paints and two metallic shades. The first color in the box is “The One that Got Away” (mind you all of the shades are named after songs off of Perry’s lasted Album, Teenage Dream.) “The One That Got Away” is a deep plum magenta. It has a great glimmer to it as well as glossy shine. I would not consider this a glitter polish, however in the bottle the polish looks as if there is extra fine gold glitter. When the polish is applied to the nail you will find that the paint simply looks metallic (not glittery) and does not have a gritty texture much like how many glitter polishes feel.

The second polish in the set is named after her second single off of the album, ‘Teenage Dream.” “Teenage Dream” is one of the two glitter polishes. It appears as a light champagne pink in the bottle with chunky round dots of silver glitter, however when painted on the clean nail the pink barely shows up. When painted on top of a white nail polish is a different story. The white polish lets the pink come out. The more layers of polish you apply the more the color will pop out. “Last Friday Night” is the second glitter polish from the collection. This is my favorite color Perry designed. Similar to the other glitter polish (“Teenage Dream”) “Last Friday Night” is an electric blue shade with larger round specks of silver glitter. This polish goes on clear on top of the naked nail, just like “Teenage Dream.” When applied on top of white polish this color literally glows a blue/purple shade. This would be the perfect shade for a Friday night, especially if you are planning to go to a club with your friends. It truly is unlike any other shade that I have ever experienced (and trust me, I have a HUGE collection of nail polish.)

The final shade is “Not Like The Movies.” This is a classy silver color perfect for a date out on the town or a simple daytime look. This silver polish has a sea foam green tint to it as well as tiny flakes of gold.  It goes on smooth however to get the most out of this shade I recommended applying at least two layers of paint.

I purchased this kit for $12.50 at the Merle Norman store located in New Braunsfels. Sure you might be thinking $12.50 is more than $8.50 per bottle, but you must remember that I got a travel sized pack of all four colors. This is a great way to save money. You get four colors instead of one. You don’t have to go through the agony of picking just one shade (when lets face it, deep down inside you want all four) and you also have more to experiment with. The bottles may be small, but like stated above nail polishes go a long way if used correctly. Also if sealed correctly the polish should store well and last for years to come.

So let’s see how much I saved. If I were to purchase a full size bottle for $8.50 a piece I would have spent $34 dollars on all four colors (not including taxes). I purchased the mini nail polishes for $12.50 for the pack (also not including taxes). 

I saved a grand total of $21. 50.

All in all I recommend the new Katy Perry line from OPI. They wear well and they wear for a long time. When applied to clean nails I experienced no chipping of the polish for a week and 2 days. If none of these colors strike your fancy check out the other new lines out right now from OPI and find your true match!

Happy Saving!

From Left to right: The One That Got Away, Teenage Dream, Last Friday Night, Not Like The Movies

(Click photos for a larger view)

The Art of Sale Shopping

I thank my beautiful Mother for teaching me the art of smart shopping. I remember I was so stubborn when we would go shopping when I was younger. She would always go directly to the sale racks and I would head for the new items. She would always make me try stuff on before we bought anything and I just found that so

annoying! Thankfully I have gotten smarter and I have learned my own tricks of the trade.

Shopping the sale items might not sound like a difficult task, but sometimes it can be. Usually stores will put their sale items in the very back of the store. The reason for this is because they want you to pass by and get distracted by all of the other new items, which are full priced and sometimes over priced. You have to be smarter than the store. Don’t let them trick you into buying new expensive items when you could possible get something just as good, if not better, on the sale rack.

When you enter a store first thing you should do is go directly to the sale items. If you cannot find any clearance section or sale section ask a worker for direction. Try to stay focused. When you are looking for the sale section you might see things that you like, but just wait and come back to it later. Most of time, at least in my experience, you will find sale items that satisfy you and your shopping needs so much that you will forget about the new items all together.

Once you find the sale or clearance section remember to be patient. One reason why sale items stick around the store for so long is because people want to shop fast. They don’t want to spend time sifting through piece after piece trying to find a winner. Sale sections are often not very organized. They are usually separated by size however, by people going through them, things get put out of place. Another reason why people feel like they don’t have the time to go through sale racks is because sale items are not organized like non-sale items. The new things are all together, separated by sizes, usually on a front display and possibly even shown on a mannequin. This attracts people because of the ease of the shopping. You see the items because they are in front. You then see how it looks paired with other clothing, and the fact that all of the sizes are in order by size making it an easy grab and go shopping item. Sale items again are normally located in the back of the store (or section…if it is a department store such as JCPenney’s or Macy’s) therefore they are not easily seen. They are also no longer displayed on mannequins so the buyer cannot easily imagine what it will look like on them, or paired with other clothing. So when going through a sale rack be patient and look at every item. This might be time consuming and you may not find something every single time, but trust me, it will be worth it once you find a 50 dollar dress for $3.97 (no joke, I’m living proof!)

Another important detail of sale shopping is to look in ads, online and signs announcing sales. By doing this you will know when you need to hit the sale to make sure you have a better chance of getting the stuff you want in your size. Looking through the sale items is always easier at the beginning of the sale as well because they tend to still be in some sort of order.

My next tip is to completely look through and try on everything you find on the sale racks before you go to the full priced sections. Normally after trying on clothes at stores we go straight the register with the items we want to purchase. By trying on the sale items before heading to the new sections of the store you are more likely to be satisfied with what you found for yourself on sale. In my shopping adventures I have found that I am content and happy with what I have found on sale. I’m also happier once I get to the register. Purchasing five items for 50 dollars is way better than buying one item for 50 dollars.

So let’s review. Head for the sale section immediately, be patient, look through everything, try on sale items before you head to the newer sections (if you even decide to go to the new sections), and most importantly enjoy yourself! Remember shopping should be fun, it is how we spend our hard earned money, do all you can to save as much for other things in life.

Happy Saving!