Here’s my makeup box. Can you tell it’s a tackle box? My sister started this WAY back when we were young. She bought a tackle box to put all her makeup in and I followed suit. It makes a perfect box for all those little containers. And you can tuck it out of the way in a closet or armoire. I don’t use nearly all of this and I’ve even cleaned it out many times, but can’t seem to get rid of all the eye shadow kits and other things I don’t always use. My routine for makeup is much more simple these days.
Back in my 20’s, I was so into makeup and fashion. I still love makeup and fashion, but not nearly like I did then. I loved it all and was a real beauty products snob and always shopped at the department store cosmetics counter. Estee Lauder was my choice of cosmetics for the most part and I ventured out with Clinique, Lancome, and Ultima III. I lived for the free gift with purchase events. That’s when I’d stock up on foundation or loose powder or whatever else I needed to get one of those free gifts. Those days, I’m afraid, are over. I think I’ve gotten a little wiser over the years and realized that just because a beauty product costs a lot of $$, doesn’t mean it’s the very best OR that I can’t find something just as good for less. So, let’s talk money-saving beauty tips, shall we? 
About 3 or 4 years ago, I discovered Bare Minerals (or Bare Essentuals) mineral makeup and I haven’t looked back since then. I think it works great with my aging skin and seems to give an overall better glow, rather than the heavier foundations I was using previously. I have tried many liquid foundations over the years, from Estee Lauder, to Lancome, to Revlon and Loreal. All of them were fine for the most part, but as my skin has aged, I felt the need to lighten up on the foundation. Mineral makeup works great for me! It goes on lighter, still covers enough and let’s your skin show through without looking cakey or too made up. I have rather oily skin, especially the T-zone and the mineral foundation keeps me from looking like a grease pit at the end of the day. Of course, summer is still the worse for my oily skin, but overall I think mineral makeup is a big find for me. Have you tried it yet? I now purchase mine on Ebay. I’ve found several sellers on there and you can get some pretty good discounts if you shop around. The good thing is, one container lasts at least 6 mos. for me, so I don’t have to buy that often. I use Fairly Light for my rather fair skin. I also use the bronzer called Warmth. It adds just the right amount of blush and if I want more of a bronze look in the summer, just add a bit over my whole face. Bare Minerals is not particular cheap, but I like it so much, it’s worth it to me. 
Back in the 70’s and 80’s those huge makeup cases were all the rage too. I can’t tell you how many Estee Lauder and Ultima III eye shadow kits I bought. There were so many colors in there…wild, beautiful colors, but really how practical are all those colors? Not very. I’ve narrowed down my best colors to the ones above. These look the best on me with my blue eyes….pinky browns, russet browns, golden yellow, and creamy white for accents. I love these eye shadows from Ulta. We don’t have an Ulta store here in Birmingham, but I can always stock up when I go back to Atlanta. These eye shadows are very reasonable too and they often run Buy One, Get One Free promotions. Very practical!
Have you ever heard of Wet & Wild? I’ve been buying their lip liners for probably 15 years now and my favorite one is #666 (I know, strange), but it’s also called Wine. It’s a great pinky-brown shade for all of my lipsticks and that’s the only one I use now. Best part is, they sell for about $1. I see that Walmart carries them now, as well as Target used to and I just saw this shade touted by a makeup artist from NY in a magazine recently, so I see I’m not the only one who’s found it. Also picked up a dark blue eye liner for the same price and it works well too. Now, that’s budget makeup! I’ve also found that when I’ve picked up Clinique or Estee Lauder lipsticks over the years in those freebies and find a shade I like, I can check Ebay and find lots of the brand new sample sized ones for sale for much less money than going to the department stores. I just put in the name I like and do a search on Ebay. Very cost effective!
I‘m all over the board too with skin care products. Right now, I’m using Oil of Olay cleanser with microbeads (for anti-aging), Aveeno moisturizer, and some Boots of London aging serum, which I keep hearing lots about. Have you heard of Boots?? They are a low-cost botanically based skincare line out of the UK. I checked the line out at Target and it looks pretty good, so I think I’ll try more when I run out of what I have currently. I got persueded last year to try Arbonne anti-aging skincare products. They were expensive and I really couldn’t tell any difference in my skin, so I’ll never do that again!
Here’s another good hair product that I found at Walmart. Hask Spray-On Illuminator, one of those shine sprays with silicone to give a lot of shine to your hair. This one works well for me and I know there are much more expensive ones out there, but after I tried this one, I’m happy with it.
I‘d love to find some good recommendations for hair products. I’ve gone back and forth over the years buying expensive shampoo and conditioner and cheap ones. Paula Begoun (The Beauty Bible lady) says that cheap shampoos are just as good as the salon products. I think when I was younger, I could get away with the cheaper ones, but now that my hair is getting more gray and coarse, I really need something that will keep it hydrated, soft and shiny and it seems the more expensive ones do that better. I know my hair feels better after I leave the salon! Tell me what you’ve found for hair products that work for you. I have really thick, coarse hair with lots of natural curl and a tendency towards frizz. I’ve always said it is just like a horse’s mane and that’s about the truth. Right now, I’m using a Redken smoothing shampoo for dry hair to keep it softer and tame the frizzies. I also picked up a deep conditioner for colored hair at Sally’s by Ferria that works pretty well too, but
I’d love to hear from you about your shampoo and conditioner favorites. If I can find some that are less expensive, but still work great, I’m all for saving money.
Do you use cheap shampoo and conditioner or expensive and why? Can you really tell the difference? I’d love to find some good ones that are maybe in between really cheap and really expensive. We don’t have any good places to shop for the salon products over here except at a salon (or at least I haven’t found one yet). I used to shop at Ulta all the time in Atlanta, but we don’t have them over here.
So, let’s hear your recommendations! The girl who cuts my hair (and I’m still going to the Supercuts girl) said we should change up our shampoos and conditioners very often, as hair gets used to the same products and it’s better to mix it up. Maybe we’ll all get some good ideas! Feel free to offer any other good tips on makeup and skin care products too. What can’t you live without?
Rhoda, I, too, have dry, coarse gray hair that I keep colored and so I will be checking back for tips. I use BM makeup and love it, so I will be checking Ebay for it, always ordered from QVC. Thanks for the tips on makeup, I will also check them out. I don’t have a blog yet, but am thinking about trying one out. I love to read yours and check it daily! Bleessings, Linda from WV
So funny to me that you would post about the mineral products. I’m 44 have been thinking also that I would like to try them. I’ve been hesitant because I wanted to hear what someone had to say – so thanks! I do use Suave shampoos mixed in with others. I agree that you need to switch around. I usually have 2 or 3 in the shower at once.
Rhonda,
Like you I used to spend a good chunk of change on cosmetics. Those days are over…and now my makeup bag is VERY simple. I don’t have a tackle box or anything of that sort. And I carry my makeup back with me in my car – ha! I’m a working mom on the run 🙂
I buy a mixture of products, and so far they’ve worked for me, nothing specific. But I enjoyed your post…and have been thinking of getting the bare minerals cosmetics, I’ve been reading about them too. Thanks for sharing.
Hugs,
Rose
Oooh, I love this topic! Rhoda, I have very thick, coarse hair as well. One of my absolute favorite hair products is a deep conditioning masque for thick hair by Kerastase. It’s expensive but I buy it by the tub on ebay and it lasts forever. I use it once a week – I bought one of those old-fashioned bonnet hairdryers on ebay, and I slather my hair with it, and then put on the bonnet and heat it up – it’s amazing!
I’m all about Aveda products right now, and am using their Shampure shampoo and conditioner, as well as their botanically based skin care products.
Hi Rhoda……..I use Vivid Color Lock Shampoo since my hair is highlighted. It makes the color not fade & I really love it. I bought it in the salon the first time but you can pick it up at “Trade Secrets” in the mall if you have one near. Also VO5 “Shower Works” conidtioner is one I love. YOu buy it at WalMart. YOu put it on for a minute in the shower , then rinse & shampoo as usual & your hair is like brand new when you finish. Thanks for sharing your tips! Bonnie
I have not tried the bare mineral products. They are available close to me in a nearby mall. I used to buy expensive department store makeup but now my makeup is generally a light foundation from the the drugstore, a little blush, and mascara. Simple, simple. I have not even been wearing fragrance lately. I guess I’m just kind of an Ivory soap kinda gal.Well, actually, I’m a Dove soap gal.
I do buy better hair products. Redkin is a good line of products.
Cheaper products seem to build up on my hair.
Hugs,
Nan
Rhoda, how funny that you posted about this today. I had lunch with a friend yesterday(it was her 40th birthday and I am next). Before we had lunch we rushed to JC penneys because their hair salon was having a sale on hair products. Our favorite, Biologe colorradiance. and when those big bottles go on sale, I am there. Also love to switch and use Paul Mitchell (for color hair or tea tree shampoo with a leave in conditioner) AGain, I wait for the sales and buy a few to last me til the next…… (PS, I have more and more gray and now am coloring my hair every 5 weeks. It has started along my face and is slowly beginning to spread up my crown! Yikes!!!!!
Rhoda,
You can buy Ulta products online at their website – and they’re having a BOGO sale now!
Hi Rhoda,
I too use the bare minerals makeup, fairly light and the warmth…I really like them! I recently moved and discovered I have an Ulta store right across the street in a big shopping center, I’ll take your advice and check out the eye makeup!
Rhoda, I have used Bare Minerals for several years. I love it! My favorite eyeshadows are Mary Kay. They go on wet or dry and can be used as an eyeliner too. Lately, I have been using Herbal Essences-Color Me Happy shampoo for color-treated hair. Lipsticks change, I’m always on a search for something better. I will try the Wet & Wild Lip Liner. Love to talk about beauty products!
Hi Rhoda, I guess I’m in the minority here but I hardly wear makeup! I’ve never used a foundation – only a moisturizer with sunblock and I own 2 eye shadows (BM), 1 eyelash curler and some maybelline mascara! Usually it’s just lipgloss and mascara when I go out. Although I am thinking that I need to buy some blush.
I do spend on skincare products and have my share of anti-aging products!
Manuela
My hair is like yours – thick, coarse, wavy, tends to frizz. Plus color over the gray. I’ve been using Purology (Pureology?)for the past few years and love it. There are different types – I use the ones in the purple bottles – I think it’s a hydrating formula. It’s expensive, but I found a site on e-bay that sells a big bottle for about half the normal price. It’s made my hair a lot softer. I found using the “good” stuff really makes a difference. It’s worth the extra money.
Rhoda, love your product suggestions – I love mineral products as well. I’m looking for a new fragrance for spring – any recommendations of perfumes you particularly like?
Hi Rhoda,
I have had a strange thing happen with my skin as I’ve gotten older…I’ve gone from totally oily to rather dry – even my hair. I can’t use the BM but I love the way it looks on everyone else 🙁 I use the same wet and wild pencils that you do and rather than liquid make-up, I use a tinted moisture cream — and I hate to admit it because I know it’s damaging but I tan about once a week to keep from looking too pastey. I’m always on the hunt for a perfect product so I’ll be looking in to see what the gals are using! Great post!!!
Hugs,
Dena
You don’t have to go all the way to Atlanta for Ulta. We have one here in Columbus, GA, which is WAY closer to B’ham than Atlanta. I’m betting Auburn/Opelika has one although I’m not sure.
As for shampoo, I use Suave. It’s cheap and it works. I don’t use foundation, it bugs me even if it’s just powder. I put my make-up on in the car after I drop my daughter off at school. I’ve gone cheap on almost everything but lipstick…can’t stand the smell, taste or feel of cheap lipsticks so I use Chanel for that.
OH, Rhoda…….one beauty product that I wouldn’t be caught dead without is All-day lipstick by Estee Lauder. It stays on forever & one tube lasts forever…….pretty shades also! I have coral, red, pink & fig shades….LOL!
Bonnie
Great post….I too am a girly girl..don’t even go to the mailbox w/o my make-up lol.
I can’t use BM it breaks my face out…I use Sheer Cover which is a mineral product and can now be bought at Bed, Bath & Beyond. Sephora (we have one at our mall) now carries BM…they also have a website.
Hair products..I have just started highlighting my hair (I am a natural blonde) I use Garnier Fructis/color shield and for a conditioner I buy at the salon Pureology/purple bottle. I agree you have to mix up your shampoos after a bit..so I will go to Herbal Essence. Once a week I use VO5 Hot Oil Treatment, I have been for years.
I use a Chanel eye liner.
Lipstick I use L’Oreal #417 from WalMart, CVS I like it alot and it’s inexpensive.
I can’t wait to read what everyone else uses.
Thanks for this post Rhoda,
Kathy 🙂
PS just saw Bunny’s post on perfumes….I LOVE Light Blue by Dolce & Gabbana. I also love Allure by Chanel.
Kathy 🙂
WOW! I can see I have a lot of girly-girl readers out there who love makeup & hair tips! This is fun…keep em coming. I am writing down some of the shampoo/conditioner tips & will definitely try some of them. We’re all in the same boat, trying to slow down the signs of aging!
Bunny, I haven’t shopped for new perfumes in a long time. I pick up most of my bottles at yardsales. I can’t tell you how many good ones I’ve found over the years, from Beautiful (one of my faves, BTW!), to Eternity and all the other small sample bottles from Estee Lauder. I can pick up those small Estee samples for about 25 cents, so I am stocked up for some time on perfume.
My old standbys are Beautiful & I also like Cool Water for Women, and Sunflowers (light & fresh) by Eliz. Arden.
I’m so glad y’all are enjoying participating in this one. Maybe we can all get some good tips. It’s great to find out what everyone else is using & can recommend before we go out & spend that money on something that might not work! I’ll take tips everyday!
Rhoda
What neat helpful hints you have given today. And I love the tackle box idea.