Tag: drugstore

Budget Beauty

Simple Beauty on Belle Belle Beauty

Everyone loves a deal. And a beauty steal is even sweeter. Here are some of my favorite budget beauty buys I’ve discovered lately:

Hada Labo Tokyo Ultimate Anti-Aging Facial Mask – Sheet masks are all the rage and this one has a great price if you are ready to dip your toes in. For around $1.50 per mask, the 100% cotton adjustable facial boosts hydration, smooths fine lines and firms skin. The scent is refreshing but not overwhelming. And Hada Labo’s proprietary Super Hyaluronic Acid™ plumps  skin and strengthens skin’s natural moisture levels.

Softlips Cube Lip Protectant – While my love of these cubes isn’t new, I did just discover my favorite new scent, Vanilla. This Shea Butter packed formula nourishes my lips and leaves just a bit of shine. And the cozy but still tropical scent is delicious. Bonus points for included SPF 15 protection.

CoverGirl Intensify Me! Liquid Liner – My eyeliner collection is borderline obsessive. It is probably the product I enjoy trying out most – it gives my bigger eyes much needed definition. My former favorites have always skewed luxury, so I was surprised to find my current favorite in the drugstore aisles. This paddle-shaped felt liner in Intense Black is inky, easy to apply and stays on like a champ.


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New From Burt’s Bees

New From Burt's Bees on Belle Belle Beauty

Burt’s Bees in not only a favorite drugstore brand but my definite pick when it comes to budget natural goodies. They hit shelves before natural was an official buzzword (over 30 years ago). And each of their products is carefully crafted from their iconic lip balm to their newest products.

The newest collection is designed to fight wrinkles with Hibiscus and Apple Rejuvenating Complex. I am dying to try the whole line, but for now I can report on the Renewal Refining Cleanser. I actually prefer this as a scrub – a creamy base has larger granules so make sure not to apply too vigorously. The ingredients work to plump and hydrate skin and after using my face is calm and incredibly soft. And I love the refreshing apple scent, especially for the coming summer!

Also new from the brand, Sheer Body Lotion is lightweight and not heavily scented. The formula contains Safflower Oil to smooth skin. I like to spray on right after the shower and let it soak in before I towel off. I can envision this being perfect on hotter (stickier!) days this summer.

Of course, my favorite launch was promptly chewed by my two (lucky they are adorable) puppies. I couldn’t find my new Squeezable Beeswax Lip Balm for a couple days. Lo and behold, it was located in Tink’s bed slightly gnawed on but a goner nonetheless. Sigh.

A version of my favorite original lip balm, Squeezable Beeswax Lip Balm uses the same beeswax and vitamin E but is slightly more nourishing. The slanted tip made it a breeze to use. And the peppermint left the best, subtle tingle.

All products available at burtsbees.com.

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The Caress Forever Collection

The Caress Forever Collection on Belle Belle BeautyMy good friend, Gretchen, has raved about Caress body wash for ages. While I have loved the Caress Emerald Rush Body Wash (which is her favorite) I tend to get distracted by testing other body washes and soaps. But the new launches from Caress have made me sit up and pay attention. By that I mean I need to always have a bottle of Caress in my shower.

The new launch brings romance and fancy to the table. The Caress Forever Collection is the first of its kind with Fragrance Touch Technology. The Caress Fragrance Release Pearls™ releases bursts of perfume with each touch of your skin. Given, it is subtle effect, I love that little note that reemerges upon touch for about 12 hours after my shower.

Floral notes were designed by perfumer, Loc Dong who has close to two decades of experience crafting more than 40 renowned scents for major fashion and fragrances houses.

“Fragrance is emotion brought to Life. The Caress Forever Collection evokes love, passion, sensuality, and elegance.”- Loc Dong

  • Love Forever
    • Top Note: Mandarin Orange and Peach
    • Heart Note: Scarlet Red Rose, Peony and Freesia
    • Base Note: Sandalwood and Vanilla Musk
  • Adore Forever
    • Top Note: Raspberry and Cassis
    • Heart Note: Angel Face Rose and Muguet
    • Base Note: Amber, Honey and Vanilla

Available at your local drugstore or at drugstore.com.

Thank you, Caress, for sponsoring this post.

Budget Lip Balms for Winter

Budget Lip Balms for Winter on Belle Belle Beauty

I am always reaching for a lip balm, but this time of the year I seemed to constantly have one at arm’s length. No wonder I fly through them in a jiff. So I always appreciate a good value. These three are my three recent favorite budget buys:

Softlips Cube Lip Protectant: My high school favorite reinvented. This little cube houses a dome of pure goodness. I keep Fresh Mint at my blog desk and Pomegranate Blueberry at my desk desk. They are chic but affordable and keep my lips hydrated but not sticky all day long.

Carmex Lip Balm Jar: I haven’t grabbed this classic in years but there was something that was so appealing about this throwback. And it works just as wonderfully as ever. I know the scent is unique, but if can get on board, this really is a workhorse healer for seriously chapped lips.

Burt’s Bees Lip Balm: These formulas are natural and paraben-free and feature nourishing beeswax. I love all the flavors but Vanilla Bean is especially cozy on winter days. And when I need a perk up, I grab Coconut & Pear for a tropical escape. Wild Cheery is actually clear and will please any lover of fruity scents.

Note: Don’t miss Burt’s Bees’ fun event now featuring original songs on Vine and Twitter – share yours with the tag #UnCapFlavor.

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AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE MAY HAVE BEEN PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

Neutrogena Pore No More

Neutrogena Pores No More on Belle Belle Beauty

I went through a phase where I was testing a ton of luxury cleansers a while back – I know, I know… tough life. But as I was working through the group to select my favorites, I noticed that my skin was missing a deep clean. Many of these luxury cleansers are designed for more mature skin. And while my complexion is on the dry side, I still needed a deep clean to keep those pesky blackheads at bay.

Enter a little trio from Neutrogena. All three #PoreNoMore products use alpha and beta hydroxy acids to deep clean skin, rejuvenate and minimize the appearance of pores. Read: younger looking skin. The cleansers both had my beloved foaming action. Because they are soap-free, I did achieve that deep clean without any tightness. I will say there was an ever so slight chemical smell, but I chalk that up to drugstore goods – great price point and something has got to give somewhere, right? See note below

First up is the Pore Refining Exfoliating Cleanser which I’ve found I like using just once or twice a week. Those who are slightly oilier or who have very problematic pores might be able to indulge in this a little more often. My skin is relatively soft and this cleanser really shines with rough and uneven skin. The granules are fairly small and would work on even acne-prone skin. Don’t expect a huge foam here, but it was enough to get my juices flowing.

Something that suits my drier skin everyday: Pore Refining Daily Cleanser. While this is the formula that I get most of the chemical smell (see note), I did love to foaming action and refined finish of my skin. My skin was exfoliated without being red whatsoever. And all my makeup was removed.

And last but not least comes my biggest surprise. I absolutely fell so hard for the Pore Refining Toner. This totally shocked me as I expected this toner to leave my skin tight and dry. But the topical application of the alpha and beta hydroxy acids really retexturized my skin and left it feeling really clean. I loved the refreshing scent and “wipe the day away” effect. And the active ingredients really penetrated my pores but didn’t dry out or anger my skin.

Leave it to Neutrogena to come up with something that can shore up my pores without leaving my redness prone skin irritated. If you are going for a deeper clean this fall, don’t hesitate to check out the #PoresNoMore collection.

Note: this chemical smell is likely attributed to sulphates. I know many people feel strongly about the use of this ingredient. While I am still researching myself, I generally try to stay away for long term use out of an abundance of caution. But I also know many readers rely on drugstore brands that I love like Neutrogena who frequently includes sulphates in their products. If you are trying to avoid sulphates – either short or long-term – please be aware.

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE MAY HAVE BEEN PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

Drugstore Beauty Buys

Drugstore Beauty Buys on Belle Belle Beauty

I’ve been so focused on luxe products lately that I decided it was time to revisit some of my budget favorites. I scoured the aisles of my local CVS and found some winners I’d love to share with you. Can you possible imagine a better thing than a beauty buy that works and is at a friendly price-point? I think not…

My skin is irritatingly dry this summer. I am not sure if it is the air conditioning or just the fact that we have had a bit of drier weather lately. Either way, I am trying to remember to slather on lotion day and night. Curel Daily Moisture Original Lotion for Dry Skin certainly doesn’t feel like budget. The formula is rich but still absorbs quickly. And this dermatologist backed line is clinical proven. Plus the straightforward formulation keeps my skin from getting irritated.

The shape might be wacky but it works. NYX The Curve Felt Tip Eye Liner is ergonomically designed for a steady, even application. The formula is a balance: quick drying but nimble and water resistant. Are you a liquid liner beginner? Look no further than this unique low-commitment drugstore version.

The new Reach Complete Care Triple Angle Floss Soft Toothbrush got me to stop reaching for my beloved electric toothbrush. Why you ask? I am hooked on the angled bristles and the way they get my teeth feeling ultra-clean without irritating my gums. And after some research, I am convinced that tongue cleaning is an integral part of tooth care and keeps my breath smelling great (there is a built-in cleaner on the back of the brush). Strange, I know. But try it! World of difference.

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AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE MAY HAVE BEEN PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.