Free Victoria's Secret Pink Tote with any Pink purchase

With the holidays rapidly approaching, it's time to start thinking about getting the maximum amount of presents with our dollars, right? So I wanted to make sure you knew about this deal:

 

 image source: victoriassecret.com

Receive a FREE Victoria's Secret Pink Tote with ANY Victoria's Secret Pink purchase. Click here, add the bag to your cart (you can chose between pink or black) and then be sure to enter code PINKTOTE11 at checkout for the price ($15.50) to be deducted!

 If you're unclear which products qualify, you can see the list here and yes, it includes beauty products!

It's tea time with iherb!

I realize this is a bit outside the normal range of topics that I cover on Nouveau Cheap, but please allow me to explain. Back when I did the review and giveaway for Madre Labs courtesy of iherb.com, I was given some additional samples of some of their other, non-beauty-related, products. One of the samples was a packet of tea from St. Dalfour, and when tried that particular tea I could not get it out of my mind. 

I immediately wanted to share this tea with you, but I figured I'd ask the folks at iherb.com if they might be interested in sending a box for a proper review. They were kind enough to allow me to select a few other teas for a possible future review, so I decided to hold off telling you about the St. Dalfour tea until I received the additional teas.

So after much indecision and LOTS of research (products on iherb.com are reviewed by customers, which is always so helpful), I narrowed it down to four teas. Now that I've had a chance to brew several cups of tea from each brand, I'd like to share my thoughts with you. I know that many of you are fellow tea-drinkers, so hopefully the next time you plot an order at iherb, you can also consider trying a new tasty tea!

I thought I'd start my tea journey with a nice oolong:

 Prince of Peace Premium Oolong Tea

(iherb price: $5.01, 100 tea bags)

Jordana at Walgreens Part 5: Easyshine Glossy Lip Colors

Continuing my series of products that you can now find at Walgreens (click here to see the other posts in this series), today I'd like to show you six of the Jordana Easyshine Glossy Lip Colors. There are twelves shades in this range, and I received the following six for review:

Jordana Easyshine Glossy Lip Colors 

(retail: $1.99 each, .07 oz)

Swatches: City Color GLO Collection Red Glitter Polish

When I first spotted the City Color GLO collection at Rite Aid, I gravitated toward the sparkly red shade (you can see the display with all of the shades in this collection here). A little while ago, City Color sent me this very polish for review, and today I'd like to show it to you in case you've had your eye on it as well:

 City Color GLO Collection polish in Reddish Purple

(retail: $1.99 each at Rite Aid, 0.17 oz)

The Lipstick League – week of 10.31.11

Lipstick League Question of the Week: 

Is there a part of your beauty routine that you absolutely will not skip, even when pressed for time?

G's Answer: Moisturizer! My skin just does not feel right when I skip this step.

Links of the Week:

Ulta, Target and Kmart beauty sales (11/6 - 11/12)

As always, this is a round-up of the best sales (in my opinion) going on this week at Ulta, Target and Kmart. Please refer to your local circulars for the complete listing of sales this week.

Not on sale, but the OPI Muppets Collection is now at Ulta ($8.50 each) and the Muppettes mini set is $12.50

New printable Wet n Wild and Maybelline coupons (and more!)

NOTE: I can't stress this enough! If you want any of these coupons, PRINT THEM NOW because coupons like this have a tendency to go away quickly.

A HUGE thanks to reader joni for this one:

There's a new $1 off Wet n Wild coupon on RedPlum that you can use in so many ways! First, you can print it and hold onto it for the Black Friday sales at CVS or Rite Aid (see my posts from yesterday for details), OR can use in conjunction with the Walgreens coupon booklet coupon (click here for details on that) to receive TWO DOLLARS off a Wet n Wild product at Walgreens! Print this coupon ASAP because I guarantee it won't last long. Thanks so much, joni, for the heads-up about that one!

Here are some additional ways to save BIG at the drugstores this week:

• There's a new $2 off any Maybelline face cosmetic coupon that you can use during this week's 40% off Maybelline sale at Rite Aid!
• Here's a new $1.50 off Eucerin coupon that you can use with the BOGO1/2OFF Eucerin sale at CVS this week.
• Here's a new $1 off any Garnier cleanser coupon and a new $1 off any Garnier moisturizer coupon that you can use with the BOGO1/2OFF Garnier skincare sale at Walgreens this week OR the sale at CVS, which is spend $15 on Garnier skincare get $5 Extra Bucks.
• Here's a new $1 off any L'Oreal Studio Line styler coupon which you can use with any of the three sales going on this week: Studio Line products are $2.99 each at Walgreens AND Rite Aid or BOGO1/2OFF at CVS.
• Here's a new $1 off any L'Oreal cleanser coupon that you can use with your choice of two sales this week. AT CVS, L'Oreal Go 360 Clean and RevitaLift cleansers are $4.99 each this week. At Rite Aid, all L'Oreal skincare is BOGO1/2OFF and if you spend $15 you get $5 +UP.
• You can use this $2 off Cetaphil coupon this week at CVS (all Cetaphil is BOGO1/2OFF).
• And finally, if you have the November issue of All You Magazine (click here for details about how to get it), you are IN LUCK this week if you live near a Rite Aid. All Queen Helene, Alba, Jason and Avalon skincare products are BOGOFREE this week, and there's a coupon for $3 off 1 Alba, Jason or Avalon product in the November issue of All You. WOW! So let's say you buy two $9 products during this sale. Full price would be $18, but with the sale you're down to $9 for two products. Add in that coupon and you're down to $6 for two products; just $3 per item!

The Weekly Drugstore Makeup Sales (11/6 - 11/12)

For a listing of the beauty sales going on this week at Ulta, Target and Kmart, click here.

The coupon match-ups that I've featured in past Weekly Drugstore Makeup Sales posts have become quite overwhelming for me to continue to do (as it stands, it takes me hours to compile this list every week) so I've come up with a solution. Each week I'll just include the coupons tag on my blog in this post. That way, you can just click on this tag and see if there are any recent coupons you can use in combination with the sales each week. Hope that works for you!

Walgreens Black Friday Sale Sneak Peek (are you tired of "wow" yet?)

If you've seen my Rite Aid and CVS Black Friday posts today, then you know that the Black Friday sales this year at the drugstores are going to be GREAT for beauty lovers! Iheartwags.com has posted the Walgreens Black Friday circular (11/24 - 11/26) and it doesn't disappoint! Some highlights:

• EOS Shave Cream 2/$6 with $5 Register Rewards (I believe this is a typo because the ad says the final price is 2/$2, so I think you actually get $4 back in RR, not $5)

• CoverGirl Wet Slicks or Shine Blast Lip Color $3.99 with $2 Register Rewards

• Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick $5.99 with $4 Register Rewards (wow!)

• Scunci 18-pk hair elastics 2/$3 with $3 Register Rewards (two packs for free!)

To see the full list of all the Black Friday deals at Walgreens this year, click here. As I said in my previous two posts, it's a good idea to get to Wags as earlier as you possibly can on 11/24 for the best selection.

Rite Aid Black Friday Sneak Peek (again, WOW!)

More great Black Friday news! Iheartriteaid.com posted the Rite Aid Black Friday circular (11/24 - 11/26) and just like with CVS, there's lots of great beauty deals this year! Some highlights:

• The Wet n Wild Little Luxuries nail polish mini set that I showed you here will be $3 with $2 +UP Rewards. Wow, $1 for nine minis (the retail price of this set is $4.99)!
• BOGOFREE all Borghese nail polishes and Sally Hansen Diamond Strength nail polishes!
• All Revlon nail color (no exceptions) $2.99 with $2 +UP Rewards (limit 2). And if $0.99 nail color isn't good enough for you, it gets better! You can print the $2 off Revlon Top Speed coupon from the Video Values site and that makes it FREE (you'll actually make a buck after the +UP Rewards). Thanks to reader Zadidoll for the reminder about that coupon.
• Get an 18-pk of Scunci hair elastics for FREE ($1.99 with $1.99 +UP Rewards).
• Vo5 shampoo or conditioner 3/$2 with $1 +UP Reward. 3/$1 is the lowest I've ever seen these go.

For the full list of everything that's on sale this Black Friday at Rite Aid, click here. As with the CVS Black Friday sale, I suggest getting to your local Rite Aid as early as you possibly can on 11/24 for the best selection.

CVS Black Friday Sneak Peek (one word: WOW)

Iheartcvs.com has posted the circular for the CVS Black Friday sale (11/24 through 11/26) and there are LOTS of great beauty deals! Some highlights:

• First, you'll be able to get that Wet n Wild Fast Dry mini set I showed you here for $2.88 with $2 back in Extra Bucks (limit 1). Just $0.88 for all those minis!! The regular price of this set is $5.99 so that's a fantastic deal.

• Second, Revlon nail color (excludes Top Speed) will be $4.99 with $4 back in Extra Bucks and the limit is six!

• Third, PRINT THIS COUPON FOR $0.30 OFF CARMEX and save it. Why? Well I'm sure it will be taken down soon and from 11/24 - 11/26 Carmex lip balm will be $1 with $1 back in Extra Bucks which means you'll make $0.30!

• Fourth: Free Softlips! Softlips 1-pks will be on sale for $2 each with $2 back in Extra Bucks (limit 1).

Click here to see all of the beauty products that will be on sale for Black Friday at CVS. If you're interested in getting any of these deals, get to your CVS as early as you possibly can on 11/24 for the best selection!

New Shea Moisture Kits at Walgreens (on sale for $14.99)

If you've seen my recent Shea Moisture reviews and you're interested in trying some of these products without committing to full-size products, I just received this press release from Shea Moisture which includes info about some new Walgreens-exclusive kits that are ON SALE throughout November and December ($14.99; regular price is $19.99). Some readers have already spotted these at their local Walgreens locations (thanks to everyone who mentioned that!) so be on the lookout.

From Shea Moisture:

Give the Gift of Great Hair This Holiday with
SheaMoisture Organic Repair & Transition and Curl & Shine Hair Kits

Whether you’re looking to maintain curls, transition, or treat dry, chemically-treated hair, SheaMoisture provides an all-natural comprehensive solution with Organic Hair Kits, now available at Walgreens.  Affordable and available at your local Walgreens at a special price during the holidays, these kits are the perfect gift for hair care enthusiasts and those with chemically treated, damaged, curly, natural or transitioning hair.

SheaMoisture Repair & Transition Kit 

Beauty coupons in the November issue of All You Magazine

There are some GREAT beauty coupons in the November issue of All You Magazine (which I'll get to in a second). For those new to All You's printed magazine, you can get this at your local Walmart (cover price: $2.49) or via subscription for less.

New printable beauty coupons, offers and freebies

As always, online offers and coupons never tend to last long so if you're interested, ACT NOW and don't wait. They could go "poof!" at any moment.

• International offer: get a free fragrance sample of your choice: Boss Orange Woman, Boss Orange Sunset or Boss Orange Man. Click here to fill out the form to receive.

• Become a Self Magazine beauty tester! Click here to apply.

• Get a free sample of the new Oscar de la Renta fragrance Live to Love (click "request sample" and fill out the form to receive)

• There are some new L'Oreal cosmetics coupons up on the L'Oreal site (must register to print)

• On AllYou there's a new coupon for $1 off any 2 Tree Hut products. Also, the Specific Beauty and AmLactin coupons I blogged about previously are still up if you want 'em.

• If you get your hair done at an Aveda salon, print this coupon to receive a FREE Botanical Hair Therapy Treatment at your next appointment.

More coupons:

$1 off any Gold Bond product and $1 off any Gold Bond Ultimate Deep Moisture Body Wash

$0.30 off 1 Original Carmex lip balm

$1 off one Carmex skincare product

$2 off 1 Cetaphil skincare product

$1 off 1 Garnier shampoo or conditioner

$1 off 1 Sally Hansen Beauty Tool (w/ retail price $2+)

$5 off any S by Shakira Eau Florale fragrance

$1.50 off 1 Axe shower gel product

Mail call!

Guess what, lovelies? I FINALLY got my Target Beauty Bag in the mail today! Sheesh! (Note: this bag is no longer available, so apologies if you missed my original post). I thought you might want to see what I got, as well as another freebie I received a few weeks ago (which I have been saving to show you, thinking that my Target bag was going to come at roughly the same time). So I might as well show you both--better late than never, right?

Review: Bodycology Healthy Kiss Lip Glosses

Debuting this past summer at Walmart, I was excited to see that Bodycology was branching out into lip products when I first spotted these a few months ago. Today I'd like to show you the shades I recently received for review.

So do these lip glosses pull their weight or are they just a novelty? Find out after the jump!

 Bodycology Healthy Kiss Lip Glosses

(retail: $2.99 each, 0.3 oz)

HauteLook deals!

As I mentioned yesterday, Rock & Republic cosmetics are on HauteLook.com today, and as of the time of this post, there are still PLENTY of deals to be had. Lots and lots of eyeshadow singles for $7 each (regular price: $28) and some glosses too.

But I also want to thank  Ratherbedancing3 (who happens to be running a Wet n Wild giveaway right now!) for the heads-up that Demeter is also on HauteLook right now (how did I miss that??) and the sale runs through Saturday!

If you haven't spotted the Demeter holiday scents at your local drugstores, this would be a wonderful time to pick some up. They've got my all-time favorite scent, Snow, for $10 and lots of other edts. They also have their yummy candles for $8 (regular price: $16.50) and bar soaps for $6 (regular price: $12.50).

If you're planning a HauteLook haul, Ratherbedancing3 also gave me a tip that you can grab the Southern CT livingsocial.com deal, which is a $50 HauteLook voucher for just $25 (click here for more details). Nice!!

Thanks so much, Ratherbedancing3 for the great scoop!

PS: If anyone's doing some Christmas shopping, I could always use an extra bottle of Snow. JUST kiddin'!

Kmart Friends & Family Sale this Sunday, 11/6

This just in from Kmart:

The annual Kmart Friends and Family event is on Sunday, November 6^th, which means you'll be able to take 10 -20 percent off of nearly everything in the store including sale and clearance merchandise.

Perfect for getting a head start on holiday shopping, Friends and Family customers will receive 20 percent off all regular and clearance-priced apparel, accessories, jewelry, footwear and infant hardlines such as cribs and car seats. What’s more, regular and clearance-priced sporting goods, toys, seasonal items, hardware, home goods, electronics, health and beauty, entertainment and automotive items will be 10 percent off.

Did you see that? Healthy and beauty products will be 10 percent off, including sale and clearance merchandise! This would be a nice time to stock up on some new Jordana, e.l.f., Milani, etc.

Do you plan to pop into your local Kmart this Sunday to pick up a few new beauty products?

Review: Shea Moisture Organic Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie

Completing my series of reviews of some of the Shea Moisture products you can find at Walgreens, Target and select Walmart locations, I wanted to get my last review up while you still have time to take advantage of the BOGO1/2OFF sale at Walgreens this week (ends Saturday, 11/5). If you'd like to see my review of the Curling Souffle click here, and if you'd like to see my review of the Curl and Shine shampoo, click here.

Shea Moisture Organic Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie

(retail: $9.99, 12 oz)

Swatchfest: Wet n Wild Limited Edition Ice Baby Collection

This post completes my coverage of the Wet n Wild Holiday 2011 Collection and, for some of you, I might have saved the best for last! (If you'd like to see my swatches, reviews, etc. of the eyeshadow palettes that Wet n Wild has released for the holidays, click here.) Ice Baby is a Walgreens-exclusive collection. To see if this collection has been spotted in your area, click here.  

NEWSFLASH: reader appletwo just informed me that Scrangie did a dupe comparison post today of some of the shades in Wet n Wild Ice Baby ($2.99) to the Nails Inc. Special Effects 3D Glitters ($9.50). Check out Scrangie's post here.

*TIP: all of the polishes in this collection are glitters, so I suggest using the foil method (click here for details)  for removal. It makes the removal process 100 times easier.

Wet n Wild Coloricon Ice Baby Nail Color Collection

(retail: $2.99 each, 0.34 oz)

Beauty Deals & Steals

The You Tell Me Page has been blowin' UP lately with lots of great deals! Thank you so much, everyone, for continuing to make that page such an incredible source of information. 

Some recent highlights!

• Reader Margaret gave us the heads-up that livingsocial.com has a deal where you can get $40 worth of products from Bloom.com for $18 + FREE SHIPPING. I found a blog that explains the deal in detail so check it out here (FYI, Bloom.com sells EcoTools, Zoya, Essie, OPI, Ardell, etc. etc.). 

• Reader Ann said that there was an e.l.f. deal on livingsocial.com as well (get $30 worth of e.l.f. cosmetics for $15), but as you know, livingsocial deals vary from region to region so hopefully you can find it in your area!

• Reader sabrinaj99 just reminded us that Rock & Republic Cosmetics is on HauteLook.com tomorrow, 11/4. The sale starts at 8AM Pacific.

Thanks so much, Margaret, Ann and sabrinaj99, for the great scoop!

Nouveau Cheap readers have spoken! Your favorite drugtore lipgloss brand is...

It's the beginning of the month so you know what that means: time for the results of last month's reader's poll! After 1,073 votes, here's how you weighed in:

FIRST PLACE

Revlon 

(467 votes)

SECOND PLACE

NYX

(264 votes)

THIRD PLACE

e.l.f.

(180 votes)

Also earning a considerable amount of votes:

Maybelline (117)

NYC (103)

Wet n Wild (96)

Geeze, ladies, why don't you tell me how you REALLY feel? Ha! I'm guessing that Super Lustrous glosses are probably the main reason why so many of you voted for Revlon. Would this be a fair assumption?

No matter how you voted, I'd love to hear what particular glosses from these brands are your favorites. Also, if you voted other, I'd love to know which brand you would have voted for if it had been an option.

This month's poll is a little bit different: for November I'm asking you to vote for your favorite overall drugstore cosmetics brand. I included some brands that haven't really been options in the past, but for this poll I wanted to feature not just drugstore but mass-market brands that you can find at drugstores, Target, Ulta, dollar stores and beauty supplies. Basically it's every affordable brand I could think of! I will feature the results in my year-end Cheapie Awards, so please, please take a second to vote. Thanks so much!

Review: L'Oreal Voluminous False Fiber Lashes Mascara

I've been testing out the washable version of this new mascara for well over a month now (I purchased it back when I first spotted the counter display at CVS) and I'm finally ready to give you my thoughts. 

NOTE: If you want this mascara for FREE, The L'Oreal Facebook giveaway is still underway (it ends Nov 9th). So if you haven't already won a free tube of this mascara, you still have plenty of time. I've heard from several of you who have won by entering just two or three days in a row, so don't stop until you win one!

L'Oreal Voluminous False Fiber Lashes Washable Mascara in Blackest Black

(retail: around $8.99, 0.34 oz)

Review: Wet n Wild Limited Edition I Heart Matte 8-Pan Eyeshadow Palette

Part of the Wet n Wild 2011 Holiday Collection (click here for info, swatches, maps, etc. of all the other Holiday 2011 goodies), the I Heart Matte 8-pan is probably the one holiday product from Wet n Wild that has received the most buzz on this blog and elsewhere.

I'm sorry it took so long for me to review this palette, but this time of year is crazy for new releases and I'm working my way through everything as we speak (Ice Baby review to come!). Also, since matte shadows are near and dear to my heart, I wanted to spend some extra time and create an eye look to go along with this review.

NOTE: The I Heart Matte palette is part of the Walgreens Beauty Bar (along with the baked palettes). This is a Walgreens-exclusive. If you'd like to see if this palette has been spotted in your area, click here.

 Wet n Wild I Heart Matte Palette

(retail: $4.99, 0.3 oz)

BREAKING: NARS eyeshadow duos for $10

A huge, whopping thanks to blogger Destinee of Love, Destinee for this one!

Get over to Sephora.com RIGHT NOW if you want these, because I have a feeling they'll sell out quickly:

Thanks SO much, Destinee, for the heads-up about this. Whoo hoo!

e.l.f. 40% off sale

A huge thanks to reader Elsa's Daughter for leaving this on the You Tell Me page! Now through Monday 11/7, receive 40% off e.l.f. holiday gift favorites when you spend $25 by entering code GIFTFAVES at checkout:

So basically, put $25 worth of Holiday Gift Favorites merchandise in your cart, enter code GIFTFAVES and you'll get your order for $15 (before shipping). There is also a free shipping code (these codes cannot be stacked) for orders $25+. That code is SHIP25 and is also good through 11/7.

What's important to note is that many of the products I showed you in this post are included in the 40% off sale. If your Target doesn't have this end-cap, this is a great opportunity to pick up some of those cute pink brushes, etc. I'm eyeing that polish set!

Thanks again, Elsa's Daughter, for the heads-up!

Urban Decay Friends & Family Sale going on NOW

A huge thanks to reader sabrinaj99 for leaving a comment on the You Tell Me page reminding us that the Urban Decay Friends and Family sale is going on NOW through Saturday 11/5. Enter code FFHOLIDAY11 at checkout:

And in case you didn't hear:

AND:

I think that's pretty much all you need to know. Happy shopping!

Thanks again, sabrinaj99!

The Wednesday Question

Do you own any higher-end beauty products that you believe are absolutely worth the splurge?

For me, it would be Bobbi Brown powder blushes. There's something about Bobbi Brown's blush shades that simply can't be duplicated. Every one I've ever owned seems to give me a glowing-from-within quality that I can never quite duplicate with drugstore blushes.

Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butters: official information and swatches

 Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butters

(retail: $7.49 each, 0.09 oz)

If you caught my original review of the new Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butters (I reviewed the shade Red Velvet, which you can see here), you know that I'm in love (be sure to read that review to find out why). In fact, I can't remember the last drugstore lip color collection I was this crazy about. So crazy, in fact, that I went right back to Rite Aid to buy two additional shades immediately after my review of Red Velvet.

I was initially going to show you those two additional shades, but then I actually received three other shades from Revlon recently, so now I can show you FIVE shades (in addition to Red Velvet)! I also received official info including a listing of every shade in the range (a few of you asked if I had that info, so I'm very happy to now be able to share that with you!).

From Revlon:

L'Oreal Owl's Night vs. Sally Hansen Sequin Scandal

Aaaah. There's nothing like comparing two limited edition and hard-to-find nail polish shades on a Tuesday morning!  Well, that's my idea of fun...I don't know about you!

But seriously, I owe this entire post to my pal and makeup artist Maria, who saw the much-coveted L'Oreal Owl's Night (from the Project Runway Collection) and, knowing my obsession with nail color, bought it for me (this polish was sold out at all my local drugstores). Maria, you are one in a million and I thank you SO much for your thoughtfulness and generosity!

I would also like to thank reader Hana, who asked if I could do a comparison post of Owl's Night and Sally Hansen Sequin Scandal (from the Tracy Reese Fall 2010 collection). She said that since she already owns Sequin Scandal, she's hoping that they're close enough to kill her lemming for Owl's Night. Well, Hana, this one's for you!

One more thing before we get to the pics: Sequin Scandal is obviously no longer available in stores, but if you can't find the L'Oreal Project Runway collection near you, it's available for purchase at Ulta.com, including Owl's Night. Yay!

 Sally Hansen Sequin Scandal (left), L'Oreal Owl's Night (right)