Product Review: Best Beauty Bargain Buys – 6.09.2013

The last few weeks I have been doing a post on Best Bargain Beauty Buys, and thought I’d continue this series, as I use so inexpensive products on a daily basis, so here are my picks this week;

 

*Colgate Optic White Toothpaste – RRP: $7.99 (110g) – Available from Priceline, pharmacies, and supermarkets

 

 

I stopped drinking coffee over a year ago, when I got pregnant. I’d gone from drinking countless cups (actually mugs) a day of strong coffee, and then I went complete cold turkey. It was tough, but I somehow survived. I had thought that I’d get withdrawal headaches etc, but actually I didn’t, rather I was quickly feeling so much better for not drinking that much coffee. But drinking all that coffee had caused one thing, my teeth were no longer as white as they used to be. But being pregnant, I didn’t want to turn to teeth whitening, I didn’t even feel like using whitening toothpastes, so I had to live with it. After now having given birth 10 weeks ago, I have started using the Colgate Optic White Toothpaste to see if Colgate could live up to the promise of three shades whiter teeth after four weeks use – and while I am not sure that my teeth are three shades whiter (how are you supposed to measure that!!), they do seem whiter, brighter and less stained. And nothing brightens up your face more than a pearly white smile!!

 

*Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Scrub – RRP: $13.95 (140g) – Available from Priceline, pharmacies, and supermarkets

 

If you have seen my previous reviews, you’d know that I love the Aveeno Positively Radiant product range, and this Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Scrub is no exception. Like the rest of the Positively Radiant product range, this scrub smells amazing and it has superfine beads, that are so tiny that you can hardly feel that it is a scrub, - until you’ve rinsed your face. Then you realise how effective they are, as your skin is left so soft and smooth and glowing, without causing any irritation or redness. And because the beads are so fine, it is so gentle too, so suitable for daily use, even for those with sensitive skin.

 

*Models Prefer Moisture Lust Lipstick in Fairy Floss – RRP: $11.99 – Available from Priceline

 

 

This lipstick from Models Prefer is like a lip butter, offering the benefits of a lip balm, yet giving the lips a sheer tint with a glossy sheen at the same time, but while it is sheer, the colour can easily be built up a little. It is so smooth to apply to the lips. It has a good wear of a few hours, and once it has worn off, the lips feel soft and moisturised, no doubt due to containing Vitamin E.

 

 

I love that It is paraben free, and also contains UVA and UVB filters to protect the lips from sun damage. The colour Fairy Floss is a subtle pink colour that just highlights the colour of my lips, and adding the sheen too. At just $11.99 this lipstick is a bargain buy with great quality comparable to other more expensive but similar products on the market.

 

Nivea Pure & Natural Body Lotion - $7.99 (400ml) – Available from Priceline, pharmacies, and supermarkets

 

 

I have a fond relationship with Nivea. I have grown up using the products, and to this day I find that you can always rely on their products being efficient and great value for money. What excites me about this body lotion is that it unlike other Nivea body lotions is made 95% natural ingredients, and it doesn’t contain any chemical nasties including parabens, colourants, silicones or mineral oils. And usually Nivea products have this special Nivea scent, but not this body lotion, as it has the most gorgeous fresh green scent. The body lotion comes in an easy to use pump bottle, and is light and absorbs easily leaving the skin thoroughly moisturised. At just $7.99 for such a large bottle, this is a bargain find!

 

*Dove Pure Roll-On Anti-Perspirant Deodorant - RRP: $3.89 – Available from Priceline, pharmacies and supermarkets

 

 

 

Like everyone else, I rely on a deodorant to keep me fresh and sweat-free, but would prefer to use a more natural alternative, without quite going to the extent of waving a crystal rock under my armpits. So I love the fact that Dove has launched an efficient deodorant free from parabens, colourants, alcohol and fragrance, but at the same time still containing 1/4 moisturising cream to continuously care for and moisturise your armpits. I have previously reviewed the Dove Pure Roll-On Anti-Perspirant Deodorant, but have repurchased several times already, at just $3.89, this is truly a bargain buy!

* Products were kindly provided for consideration, and have reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

 

So there you go, these are my bargain beauty picks for this week.

Have you tried any of these? Which bargain products do you swear by?

 

Product Review: Best Bargain Beauty Buys – 23.08.2013

Last Friday I did a post on Best Bargain Beauty Buys, and while I have to be completely honest and admit that there are some products where I do splurge on higher end products, there are just as many products, that I use on a daily basis that are inexpensive, yet are very efficient and fantastic products that I enjoy using, so I thought I’d make the Best Bargain Beauty Buys a regular feature on my blog, so here are this week’s picks;

 

 

*Palmolive Collections Liquid Hand Wash in Grapefruit & Lime Tonic – RRP: $5.99 (420ml) – Available from supermarkets

 

 

Who else thinks that hand washes always come in daggy and cheap looking bottles? Often I will pour them over into a nicer pump bottle, but usually it’s a messy affair, and one I’d rather be without. And now Palmolive has launched the Collections range, which comes in beautiful bottles that will look stunning in the bathroom too. I have the Grapefruit and Lime Tonic, and let me tell you, it has the most gorgeous citrus scent (my favourite scent!), that lingers nicely on the hands after you’ve washed them, and without drying the hands out too. Hubby likes this one too, so it will definitely be replaced when it runs out, but with such a large bottle it will take some time!

 

Dove Colour Radiance Shampoo & Conditioner – RRP$6.79 (300ml) - Available from Priceline, pharmacies and supermarkets

 

 

This shampoo and conditioner have a "colour revitaliser" technology to help keep coloured hair look more vibrant. The shampoo has lower sulphate content than no usual Dove formulations. In spite of containing less sulphate, the she shampoo foams up easily making my hair feel clean and soft after just one wash. The conditioner is thick and creamy and absorbs quickly into my hair, and it is easy to rinse out, leaving behind no residue that weighs down my hair.

Once dry, my hair feels so soft that I can’t help but keep running my hands through it, and it is very shiny and looking so healthy. The annoying frizz is reduced and my dry ends have been given a moisture boost. Both have a nice sweet fruity scent, and once the hair is dry this scent still lingers faintly. And as for my colour, it has been quite a few months since I had my hair coloured, but the shampoo and conditioner has brought the shine again. These are fantastic products at supermarket prices.

 

*Models Prefer Indefinite Colour Lip Liner - RRP $7.95 – Available from Priceline

 

 

This little beauty is amazing. Gone are the days of having countless lip liners to match every single lipstick in your collection. This lip liner from Modes Prefer goes on clear to the lips. It is so soft and smooth that it almost feels like it’s a lip balm in a pencil form. I have been using it will a variety of lipsticks and also lip glosses, and it helps them stay put for longer, and I avoid the unsightly bleed when wearing especially darker colours. A bargain must have. I wouldn’t be without it.

 

*St. Naturally Clear Ives Green Tea Cleanser – RRP: $9.95 (200ml) – Available from Priceline, pharmacies and supermarkets

This oil-free cleanser from St. Ives contains 2% salicylic acid to help treat and prevent acne breakouts, as well as green tea to help soothe the irritated skin. It easily removes all makeup, and leaves the skin feel clean and refreshed deep down every pore, clearly removing excess oils, dirt and grime, yet without making the skin feel tight or dried out. It has the most gorgeous fresh scent, and I love that it has been made without parabens or phthalates.

*Australis Voluptulash - RRP: $11.95 - Available from Australis Cosmetics, Priceline, Big W, Kmart and selected pharmacies nationally.

 

 

I love how this Voluptulash Mascara from Australis has a silicon-curved brush, or rather comb, which allow you to brush through the lashes building up the desired volume while separating the lashes nicely and avoiding clumps. And because of the curved shape of the comb, it easily gets into the hard to reach lashes too.

The comb also has a curling effect allowing you to ‘shape’ the lashes as you go. Two coats of this tubing mascara gives the lashes a nice day-time look, with long, thick and glossy lashes, that still looks very natural. It stays put all day without smudging or flaking, which is important to me with sensitive eyes that easily water, yet it is fairly easy to with water (although I still prefer to use an eye makeup remover).

It is great mascara that is perfect for wearing to work or during weekends for casual outings, and it won't break the bank.

*These products were kindly provided for consideration, and have been reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

 

What do you think of this weeks’ Best Bargain Beauty Buys? Have you tried any of these? Or keen to? Which products do you splurge on, and where do you opt for bargain buys?
 

Product Review: Best Bargain Beauty Buys

Every day when I empty the mailbox there seems to be more bills. And big bills. All the big ones always hit us in August. Water bills, Gas bills, Electricity, home and contents, and well, the remainder of the bills from giving birth to our little boy 8 weeks ago keep coming too… aaarrrgh, just one day without bills in the mailbox would be nice. So when things are a bit tight, and you still need your beauty fix that’s when budget beauty products are handy… Here’s a selection that I’ve put under the test recently;

*Palmolive Neutrals Extra Volume Shampoo & Conditioner

(RRP: Shampoo (400ml), conditioner (375ml), $4.99 each)

 

This shampoo and conditioner from Palmolive promises to give extra volume to the hair. I have quite long and thick hair, and a lot of it too, so it takes a lot to give it extra volume, and I have to say that I also did not notice any difference in volume after using the products several times. The shampoo is very concentrated and froths up easily and even though I only wash my hair every second day, one wash is more than sufficient to make my hair feel clean. The conditioner absorbs quickly into the hair and is easy to rinse out without leaving behind a greasy residue, and without weighing the hair down. Afterwards my hair is easy to comb and is left my hair soft, shiny and healthy looking. The shampoo and conditioner both contain mango extract (one of my favourite fruits!), but unfortunately they don’t actually smell of mangoes as such, but rather they have a nice fruity floral scent, which lasts throughout the day in my hair. Fantastic budget buys for those with fine.

 

*TRESemme Ultimate Hold Platinum Shine Lacquer (RRP: $7.99, 360g) - Available from Priceline, pharmacies and supermarkets.

One of the few hair styling products that I use is hair spray. With my long hair, not that I have a hairstyle that needs to be kept in place, but because I have a lot of those annoying shorter flyaway hairs around my face, and using a quick mist of hairspray helps keep them under control, especially when I have my hair up in a pony or a bun (which I have mostly at the moment as my 7-week old son has discovered how fun it is to pull mummy’s hair!).

The TRESemme Ultimate Hold Platinum Shine Lacquer sprays in a super fine mist over the hair, and dries quickly and invisibly, controlling frizz and flyaways without clumping the hairs together. It comes in a huge can that will last you forever.

 

*The Pro Select Wet Comb (RRP: $3.95) - Available from i-glamour.com

 

Honestly, I have never liked brushing my hair with a comb. I know all the professionals say to comb wet hair to avoid damage, but I find that it just takes too long with my long thick hair. And not to mention, I feel that I pull out so many hairs while doing it. So I’ve relied on my trusted paddle brush, which I’ve found much gentler on my locks. Until now. The Pro Select Wet Comb claims to be the ‘Best Detangling Comb Ever’ and it can be used in both wet and dry hair. And I have to say that I am impressed. With an 8-week old baby I am very overdue for a haircut, and consequently my ends are getting a little dry, which usually results in more tangles and knots in the hair. But the Wet Comb has a ‘wave tooth design’ so it just glides though the hair, without the need to pull, and it’s done so much faster too. Brilliant! It comes in a range of cool colours, and the best thing is that its only $3.95. How cool is that!

 

*Models Prefer Runway Shine Lipgloss in Fall Collection (RRP: $7.99) - Available from Priceline.

 

This lipgloss in the colour Fall Collection is a lovely pinky peach tone, which looks nice and subtle on the lips, giving them a nice shine. It is perfect to wear on its own, but as the colour allows for the colour of your lips shine though, it is perfect to use both on its own, but also on top of a lipstick for extra shine.

The lipgloss is nice and creamy and feels comfortable to wear without being sticky. It has a reasonable wear of a few hours before it needs to be reapplied. It has a foot doe applicator, and a subtle scent of vanilla, and at just $7.99 its an absolute bargain!

 

*Neutrogena Extra Gentle Cleanser (RRP: $12.99, 200ml) - Available from Priceline, pharmacies and supermarkets.
 

While I don’t have particularly sensitive skin, during winter my skin gets a lot drier. It simply doesn’t like the constant change between being inside with the heater going, and the cold chilly winds – and that’s when using a gentle cleanser that won’t strip the skin for further moisture comes in handy. The Neutrogena Extra Gentle Cleanser comes in an easy to use white pump bottle. It is a cream cleanser that is both soap free and also fragrance free, and hence has next to no scent.

yet it is so effective at removing makeup (although it does struggle with waterproof eye makeup, but then again, most wash cleansers do!), and afterwards my skin is left so soft that it feels like I’ve just been using a moisture mask. During summer when my skin is oilier, I am not sure if this will be sufficiently deep cleansing of my pores, but in winter this is perfect. All year round this cleanser would be great for those with sensitive, dry or ageing skin.

*Products were kindly provided for consideration, and have been reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

 

So there you go, effective, but cheap beauty products.

Have you tried any of these products? Which products do you turn to when money is tight?