Lovelyish

wet & wild lipstick is actually awesome!  I picked up a purpleypink one at the grocery store recently, it was actually on sale too, I think it was 1.99 on sale for like 1.40ish… and I’m wearing it like everyday. there are definitely some really good finds with drugstore makeup

I would rather research a product to get what works best for me for a reasonable price for the amount given than blindly shop for the cheapest stuff I can get. I’m okay buying something more expensive as well even if it is more expensive than it should be if it works for me. And I’m okay buying something cheap for the same reasons. 

So no, I probably can’t top your cheap shopping, but I can surely top your overall satisfaction with your results/purchases. 

Actually, I can top your cheap shopping. I get amazing deals in the dollar tree. You can get sally hansen, maybelliene, fake lashes, etc all for just a dollar. My favorite lipstick actually was only a dollar and I like it more than my favorite Too Faced lipstick in nude.

Heres a pic of me wearing it. http://i49.tinypic.com/28jimo5.jpg

@ashleynicole - I agree with you. Why go through 5 drugstore products that are probably subpar, around 6 bucks, when you can invest in something that you’ll like, wear, or can take back if you don’t like it. Also drugstore makeup is so damn expensive. I’ve seen lipglosses for around 9 bucks. I’d rather just pay the 5 dollars more and get something MAC.

That sounds fun! Although there are some products I refuse to go cheap on and others I don’t care to spend too much. Skin related products I usually try to do my research on, while everything else i’m open to experimenting. 

@ShimmerBodyCream@xanga - Our drugstore return policies are actually really good here – I’ve returned SO many things lol. But yes, exactly. Price really doesn’t matter to me in the long run unless it’s something super expensive that lasts like, a month. Then I would look for cheaper things. But if it’s on the pricey side and lasts a long time even with regular use then it’s worth it, especially if I’ve done my research and looked up reviews, swatches, and ingredient-checked. When I do all that I’m very likely to enjoy a product. Whether it’s something pricier at a drug store or from a high end brand though doesn’t bother me as long as its results are what I want, the product is reasonably priced for what you get and for how long it will last, and that it isn’t making insanely outlandish claims that would make anyone feel disappointed when they don’t pan out. 

Makeup is the one thing I tend to go middle ground on. I found that eye shadows don’t work nearly as well as I’d hope. I can’t always do touch ups during the day. Mary Kay and Clinque are pretty much the only brands I’ll pay top dollar for. I wouldn’t/won’t trust anyone else (at least, at the moment) for my makeup and skin care.

If I weren’t allergic to everything, I’d get a lot of stuff at the Dollar Tree.  Like, @ShimmerBodyCream@xanga - said, you can get decent products for $1.  I would definitely attempt your challenge, if I could.

Holy shit your sales tax is 8.25%?

@ask_ashleyyy@xanga - does that seem high or low to you?  haha just wondering

As a makeup artist, I’ll usually think that for daily makeup, use something which is more affordable and comfortable for yourself.
Most people will not be able to handle the high cosmetics costs every month if they were to use high end brands all the time.

I’ll suggest that we can mix and match our cosmetics. For my daily makeup, I’ll choose better brands for my foundation, eyeliner and eyeshadow. Although they can be slightly expensive, it save a lot of time applying and blending them. As for the rest, use something simple.

However, if I am attending an event or it’s for my clients, I’ll use brands like urban decay, smashbox etc for better pigment and effects.

In short, using a variety of brands for cosmetics will help as not every brand’s cosmetics range is suitable for everyone.

Have fun exploring, ladies!

@ask_ashleyyy@xanga - The tax rate is not surprising to me.

@corporatecrow@xanga - The sales tax in the county I live is is generally 8.75%, some cities might be higher, like the city next to the one I live in, the sales tax is 9.75%.

I do love a good bargain!  However, I find results to be more of a concern than the price alone.  There are some drugstore winners–inexpensive and effective, but you might have to try many products until you find the right one.  If the return policy allows you to return opened makeup, that’s great, but if not, then it can get more expensive than just going with the more expensive product you know will work for you.  Also, I find that with many pricier products, you can use them sparingly and lasts a long time.  There are low-end items in my makeup kit–lipliners, mascara and lipgloss.  Either I lose them or they need to be replaced frequently, it’s not worth the money to spend top dollar.  And like some of the others mentioned, keep your eyes peeled for big brands in the dollar store.  So I may be able to spend less than you did, but I may not find satisfactory products.

@ask_ashleyyy@xanga - I think that depends on different parts of Cali, SD is 7.25%, whereas most other parts are 8.25%. There’s actually talk about raising it.

I bought a Covergirl blush and I was not happy with it so I threw it out. Might save my money for Nars Orgasm because I hear it compliments everyone.

I’ll go to the drugstore for mascara, glosses, lashes, and pencil eyeliners (things I like to change up anyway). I tend to stick to high end for the other products.

I always buy drugstore makeup, but I try to look for good quality as well as good price. I don’t buy eyeshadow anymore, since I have an 88-color palette ($25 and it’s lasted me a year and a half; it isn’t even close to being finished yet!), but I do buy the other essentials: foundation, blush, mascara, eyeliner, and lip gloss. I can go cheap on eyeliner and lip gloss, since those are the least of my worries, but for the first three, I don’t mind if the price is higher than usual. Probably the most I’d ever spend on foundation would be $30, and for the other two maybe $20. I don’t have any money right now though, so I try to stick in the $10-$15 price range. It really all depends.

I have vitiligo and need real good coverage so drugstore makeup is out for me.

@corporatecrow@xanga - Haha yes it seems high. I live in Maryland and our sales tax is 6%

@ask_ashleyyy@xanga - woah, nice!

@babybug329@xanga - yeah, that’s about how it is for me.  it’s about 10% in the major city i live by.

lol i HATE the way cover girl powder smells! Ew! 

@ask_ashleyyy@xanga - In Canada we have GST of 5% but provincially in Ontario (PST) it’s another 8%… a total of 13%.  Fantastic, right? Hahaha

@theUglyDucklingEffect@xanga - Wow, 13%!

@bAbiiExxPiNay@xanga - I had the same experience with Cover Girl blush.  I did splurge on a Nars blush, I love it.  They have many colors to choose from if Orgasm isn’t your cup of tea.

@ask_ashleyyy@xanga - Our taxes in Ontario are 13% -_-

In response to the article, I agree with you about Covergirl concealer. It’s one of my favourites.

@ask_ashleyyy@xanga - I’m in FL and our sales tax is the same as yours.  

@theUglyDucklingEffect@xanga - This explains why so many Canadians vacation in FL!!  Lower sales tax!! 

I always say go drugstore on mascara, eyeliner, and eyeshadow for everyday.  You should be replacing your mascara and eyeliner every 3 months anyway (because it does get colonized with bacteria and can cause eye infections and sties).  You also should clean your makeup brushes with mild shampoo (rinse well and let them air dry…I wash mine once a week).  I never apply makeup to my face unless it’s clean.  And never share your makeup. 

@ShimmerBodyCream@xanga - dam gurl u fine

I always buy clinique. But I rarely wear make up, for certain reasons, so I can afford it, as I don’t have to get new make up but every 6 months. And I have an 88 color pallette. But I need more lip stuff.

I think I would be concerned with this type of make up looking fine at first, but smudging and generally looking like crap after an hour or so.

@ask_ashleyyy@xanga - Yes, Texas sales tax is 8.25%, but we don’t have state income tax. Just property and sales taxes. 6% would be pretty sweet though!

@ShimmerBodyCream@xanga - It’s really hard for me to find good makeup at a cheap price, let alone a dollar! Where do you get your cosmetics? On the internet? 

@LegendaryMonkey@xanga - Try your local dollar stores. They have stock from other drugstores that couldn’t sell. CVS, Walgreens, Wal-Mart, etc. Dollar General can be expensive, but actual Dollar Stores that sell everything for only a dollar can be a great way to experiment.

LA colors nail polish is a great polish for only a dollar. It’s better than spending the $8 on Essie, etc. I think the most important thing is to research, research. Foundation I usually buy from Estee Lauder.

I usually go to Ulta or Sephora for other high end stuff (blush, eyeshadow) and then the dollar store if I want to splurge. (lipsticks generally)

Also, research which companies own what brands. Hard Candy is a good brand from Wal-Mart that is made by Urban Decay (a higher end brand) so I have found they have high quality products at cheap prices.

Also learn when companies have their sales. EX: Sephora and Mac always have friends and family sales. Mac also has really cheap brush and makeup sets available around Christmas time. etc

Hope that helps!