Claustrophobic Lips (is that even possible?)

Oh Revlon. You very rarely let me down, but when you do, it's BIG TIME.

Now, I heart the Revlon ColorStay line. I love the ColorStay liquid foundation so much I could write a song about it. I also wouldn't know what to do without my ColorStay eyeliner or ColorStay Soft & Smooth Lipcolor.

So it brings me much sadness to tell you that ColorStay's newest and most promising product, ColorStay Ultimate Lipcolor, totally and completely blows.**

Now, I'm sure we've all tried our fair share of two-part long-wear lipcolors. Every line's got one, and the formula's basically the same for each product. You get one tube of color (usually with a wand applicator) and one clear gloss (sometimes it's a wand applicator, sometimes it's a clear balm). The clear topcoat is designed to give your lips back the moisture that the color part is slowly sucking out of them. The end result is color that stays on forever, but the side effect can (and usually is) parched lips. Oh how we suffer for our art!

So I was as excited as a kid on Christmas to try this new ColorStay product because the big claim is that it's the only long-wear lipcolor to have EVERYTHING, all in one tube. No two-part system needed because the "ultra-conditioning topcoat" is built-in! Also, they claim that your lipcolor will last 12 hours with ZERO touch-ups required, even through meals.

So I took a trip down to the drugstore today because I saw that Rite-Aid was having a BOGO for all Revlon products. I figured I'd buy an Ultimate Lipcolor and get my beloved foundation for free (foundation is $9.99 and Ultimate Lipcolor is $10.99).

When I got to Rite-Aid I saw the counter display with about 8 colors to choose from (the website says that this product is available in 20 shades, so I guess they're slowly rolling them out). I wasn't impressed in the slightest with the color selection because they all seemed pretty dark for spring (deep reds, browns, rusts, and berries). But I did manage to find one color that I thought might work on me: "Prized Peach." In the tube, this actually looks like a nude, pinky-brown with very subtle shimmer. Perfect!

Well I went to my Lipstick Fitting Room (AKA, my car) and from the moment I put it on, I knew I was in trouble. "Prized Peach" actually turned a rather bright shade of pink on my lips, not anywhere close to the neutral pinky-brown I've come to worship thanks to Bobbi Brown.

Do you remember those Avon lipsticks from the 70s? The ones in little white tester tubes that they'd give to you with purchase of an Avon product? The colors were so one-dimensional and flat that, upon application, it looked like you took a magenta-colored piece of chalk and swiped it on your lips. So...um...yeah. I felt like I was having a flashback to 1978 playing with my mom's Avon testers again. This pink was so flat, so dated, and so utterly awful, I could barely believe my eyes. I mean, it was worse than the first-generation long-wear lipcolors, and those were BAD.

Don't get me started on the actual texture of this product. When I rubbed my lips together, I seriously thought someone at the factory messed up and put crazy glue in the tube. My lips stuck together like I had just used a glue-stick as lip balm.

After some panic, I decided to just start my car and drive home. Maybe the warm afternoon breeze would make things better. Well, by the time I was halfway home, I suddenly felt like my lips were suffering from a case of claustrophobia. I mean, they felt trapped in this heavy, sticky, tacky, one-dimensional-color mess of a product. I finally had to get a baby wipe out of the glove box and set my lips free! And let me tell you, it felt like I was wiping off a lipstick straight jacket.

So I really can't recommend this product, but if you're brave enough to try it, leave a comment here and tell me if you have a better experience. I'm sincerely hoping you do...but we'll see.



** It should be noted that this is merely my humble opinion and your mileage may vary.

THE best drugstore product for men (and one that they'll actually buy)

The Recessionista's boyfriend and brother both agree: The gold standard for men's hair product is American Crew Fiber. Now, my brother and my boyfriend couldn't have more polar opposite hair (in texture, length, etc.) but they both agree that this product is the best when it comes to giving them texture, control, and most importantly, no crunch. Crunch, to men, is what frizz is to women. Avoid at all costs.

But since the Recessionista's boyfriend is also feeling the effects of this economy, he doesn't want to spend $15-$20 (the price of American Crew Fiber) on a jar of hair product, no matter how awesome the results. Who can blame him? I mean, have you seen a person with short hair use texture paste? They can blow through a jar in like, two weeks, and that's from using it sparingly.

Anyway, here's a drugstore dupe for American Crew Fiber that has been tested by both the boyfriend and brother, and they both swear by it:

L'Oreal Studio Line Unkempt Out of Bed Texturizer

For about $5, this product really delivers. According to the men in my life it fits their strict criteria (the following comments are verbatim):

1) Not greasy
2) Smells decent
3) Cheap
4) Can find it anywhere
5) Gives texture, not crunch
6) You can touch your hair throughout the day and it will still hold your style
7) No white flakes

So there you go. Pass this along to anyone who might need it...I'm not pointing fingers but you KNOW that you know someone who needs it.

My Top 10 Favorite OPI Names of All-Time

It's springtime and I'm feeling a little cheeky. Thinking about spring colors for pedicures always makes me think of OPI and their clever, hilarious names for colors.

I think every one of us has probably owned a bottle of "I'm Not Really a Waitress" at one time or another, but I'd like to give you a list of my other favorite names.

My All-Time Favorite OPI Names:

10) Don't Wine...Yukon Do It

9) Curry Up! Don't Be Late!

8) Don't Be Koi With Me

7) You're A Pisa Work

6) A Rose At Dawn...Broke By Noon

5) Don't Socra-tease Me

4) My Auntie Drinks Chianti

3) Miso Happy With This Color

2) I Don't Do Dishes


And drum roll please...

1) Who Comes Up With These Names?

(By the way, "Who Comes Up With These Names?" is in the pic above, in case you were curious.)

L'Oreal Colour Juice Stick

Here's a quick follow-up to my Five Dollar Shopping Spree post. I just wanted to show you, with my CBC (Crappy Blackberry Camera), what the Colour Juice Stick in "Island Punch" looks like on! Soooo pretty, and I think that this shade would look fantastic on both cool and warm-toned ladies because it's got such a good balance of berry and coral. Anyway, let me know if you own or go out and buy this, because I'm telling you it's my new favorite lippie!

PS: The top pic is after the first application. Then I saw on the box that it said "Buildable Color" so the second pic is after a second application.

PSS: The spots on my lips in the first pic are the specs of gold in the product (not some weird skin condition).

My Awesome Five Dollar Shopping Spree!!

I struck gold today, ladies! And I'm so excited to share it with you!

I went to my local Big Lots to check out the Easter stuff but decided to do a quick cruise of the beauty aisle. While the pickins were slim, I did find a great deal on a Revlon ColorStay eyeshadow single in "Champagne" for $1.50 (retail price $7). I think they're phasing these out in favor of the quads, which would explain their appearance at Big Lots. I love this color (the pic is actually pretty true to life) because it's a perfect base for one of my many dark brown crease colors.

Next, I went over to Long's Drugs because, with the changeover to CVS, I'm always curious about the latest clearance sale.

ALERT: While I was at Long's, I struck up a conversation with one of the employees who told me that they are in the process of getting rid of everything that CVS doesn't carry. In other words, any items that you know are specific to Long's will be deeply discounted in the days and weeks to come (note to self: Keep an eye on NYX).

So today when I walked down the makeup aisle at my Long's, I discovered that over 50% of the ENTIRE L'Oreal section was SEVENTY-FIVE PERCENT OFF! I'm talking lipsticks, nail polishes, foundations, powders, eyeshadows, you name it! Even some HiP stuff!

I managed to exhibit some restraint and only purchased two items! But let me tell you, these are items that I had been eyeing forever but just could never justify paying full price for because they're not "necessities".

First I got a L'Oreal Wear Infinite eyeshadow single in "Glistening Sea" for $1.07 (retail price $4.99). So unbelievable! I had been wanting to try this shade of shimmery light green for so long and I am chomping at the bit to put it on ASAP.

Second, I picked up a L'Oreal Colour Juice Stick in "Island Punch" for $2.45 (retail price $10). Again, this is a product I've been wanting to try for so long, but I could never justify spending $10 on another liptint/balm (my current obsession).

I have to say that if you were a fan of L'Oreal's Shine Delice line, you will LOVE the Color Juice Stick. It's sheer, like Shine Delice, and the flavor tastes like Shine Delice (think tropical punch). The color of "Island Punch" is just gorgeous. It's a berryish-coral with flecks of gold. So pretty! It's not a lipstick, but not really a balm either...I'd say it's somewhere in between the two. It's sheer, but not too sheer, and you really get a good color payoff.

So there you have it! I spent $5 today and I got about $22 worth of product. I hope I'm inspiring you to get out there and look for these types of bargains because, believe me, they're out there!

I can't believe I haven't talked about this yet

I'm going to tell you about a product that I should have mentioned here weeks ago. Seriously, this one's a no-brainer for my fellow budget makeup mavens.

N.Y.C. Smooth Skin Loose Face Powder

Now granted, this loose powder is not T. LeClerc, but if you're looking for a good, solid workhorse, and you're not a mineral-only powder user, you can't go wrong with this one. At $2.99, this product will last you a long time and the results are better (in my opinion) than any other loose powder I've tried from the drugstore. I use "Translucent" which actually looks like a fair, cool-toned color in the container but it goes on clear, sets my foundation perfectly and leaves my skin looking smooth and flawless. It's finely milled, it doesn't look chalky or cakey, and the only thing I need to do for midday maintenance is use a blotting sheet on my nose and forehead.

Now the cons: The container ain't too pretty to look at, but hey, we're all about function here, right? Also, the holes in the sifter could be smaller, so beware that you can have a small mess on your hands the first few times you use this (but you'll easily get the hang of it). Also, the lid isn't too secure, which means don't travel with it in your purse. But seriously, who travels with loose powder in their purse?

Oh, and throw away the useless pink sponge that comes with it and just use your regular powder brush (I probably didn't even need to tell you that but I'm sort of neurotic if you haven't figured that out yet).

Next time you need some powder, give this a shot and tell me what you think!

Bargain of the Day: Marshalls alert! Marshalls alert!

The Recessionista has had a long-term love affair with fragrance, bath, and body products at Marshalls. Sometimes you can find deals so great, you think you're committing a crime when you buy them.

Case-in-point: Right now, Marshalls has Korres bath and body products for $3.99 and $4.99!!

Korres is one of those lines that I would kill to be able to afford on a regular basis. I could probably use their products every single day and not get bored or dissatisfied. For those who aren't familiar, Korres is a Greek company that is 100% devoted to using Greek herbs, plants, and even Greek yogurt in their products and they take great pains to keep everything as natural as possible and avoid harsh chemicals. You can read more about their history and products here: Korres.

I'd say that the superstar product of their line is their Body Butter (which has an average rating of 5 stars with 132 reviews at Sephora). And Korres Body Butter just so happens to be at Marshalls right now for $4.99 for an 5.07 oz bottle (retail price $21). Insane! I spotted the following scents at my local Marshalls: Fig, Vanilla Cinnamon, and Cedar. I'm thinking they must be changing the packaging because I just don't understand how a product this great can end up at Marshalls for 1/4 the retail price.

In a nutshell, Korres Body Butter is thick and rich yet, when applied, it feels as if it's melting into your skin and you're left with no heavy or greasy feeling. You just have exquisitely soft skin that stays that way for hours. From the very first time I tried the tester at Sephora, I was hooked. It's unlike any other lotion or cream I've ever used. Yes, it's THAT good.

Anyway, I also spotted a ton of Korres Body Washes (Basil Lemon, Spearmint, Fig, Cedar, and Vanilla Cinnamon), which are also fantastic, and some shampoos too (8.45 oz bottles for $3.99, retail price $13).

Seriously, if you're in need of a great body butter right now, get in your car and drive to your local Marshalls and look for these. I promise you won't be disappointed.

Last change for a while...

I'm sorry for making two changes to my blog template in the past few weeks, but I think I finally settled on the one you're looking at now! I am loving the design and colors (thank you, Lena!) and I hope you enjoy them too. If you like (or dislike) anything specific, please comment here. I would LOVE some feedback!

Yours truly,
Recessionista

Update!

UPDATE: When I originally wrote this post back in April of 2009, there were rumors flying about that Jane might be closing its doors. I'm pleased to report that this is very much NOT the case, and Jane Cosmetics is still very much around and available at Rite Aid, Target, Walmart and other retail locations (just not Walgreens). So that said, here are some of my favorites from Jane:

Jane Be Pure Mineral Lip Balm
I looooove this balm because it is so buttery and smooth on the lips, and the colors are fantastic. My fave is Pink Quartz, which leaves your lips looking like you just ate fresh strawberries.

Jane Eyeshadow Duo
My fave is Brownie Points/Hazelnut, which is a fantastic neutral matte brown with a shimmery tan/peach. They look awesome layered (apply Brownie Points to the lid, then do a wash of Hazelnet over the lid and into the crease)

Jane Blushes
All of them. Seriously, you can't go wrong with any and all of them.

Jane Aguaceuticals Lipstix
Click here.

New blog

GOTCHA!!!!

I LOVE MY DRUGSTORE COSMETICS and I will ALWAYS review them here on Nouveau Cheap! This blog isn't going anywhere and I would never change my budget-beauty theme in a MILLION YEARS!!!

I hope you got a little chuckle out of my little April Fool's Joke. Have a wonderful day, lovelies!