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Friday, September 14, 2012

Five Buck Friday


Five Buck Friday is a brand new series where, every Friday, I'll give you some recommendations for Nouveau-Cheap-Approved beauty products that you can purchase for just five bucks. In these posts, I'll be featuring items that you can easily buy at drugstores, Big Lots, Target, etc. and sometimes I might feature five $0.99 items, or maybe a few $1.99 items, or maybe even just one $5 item (it's gotta be super amazing if it retails for $5 and makes it into this series though). But regardless of how many products I feature, the grand total (before tax) will always be just five dollars. So if you're on a tight budget, this is the series for you! These are all products that I personally own, love and have repurchased over and over again, and I can't wait to share them with you here every Friday.

Here are my picks for the first installment of Five Buck Friday:

  • e.l.f. Eyeshadow Brush (retail: $1 at Target, Big Lots, Kmart and online). I've mentioned before that I've owned my current e.l.f. eyeshadow brush for well over five years now, and it's still going strong. I've since purchased back-ups, and even though the length of the bristles can vary from batch to batch, it's still a fantastic little multi-tasker. It's super dense and thus able to pick up lots of shadow in one swipe, and it's great for not just lid color application but also for the crease. It can also be used for blending when in a pinch. I really love this brush, and even though it might feel a tiny bit rough at first, it does soften considerable over time and after a few washings. If I could only take one eyeshadow brush with me on vacation, it would be this one, hands down.

  • NYC Extra Shiny Top Coat (retail: $0.99 at Rite Aid, Walmart, Kmart, select CVS and Target locations). In terms of  $0.99 top coats, this is the best I've ever tried. It truly makes nails "extra shiny" and it also keeps polish from chipping. Over the years, I've heard from readers who actually prefer this top coat to Seche Vite.

  • Vo5 shampoo or conditioner (retail: $1 at Dollar Tree; $1.99 or as low as $0.69 when on sale at stores like CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens, etc.). I like to call Vo5 the Wet n Wild of the haircare world. So cheap, so good and so easy to find. I've never met a Vo5 shampoo or conditioner that I didn't like. Granted, they're not the best shampoos or conditioners I've ever used in my life, but I'm constantly surprised by how soft and nice my hair looks every time I use them. Plus, they come in yummy scents like Strawberries & Cream and Kiwi Lime (which is a great clarifying shampoo, by the way). Also, many curly-haired folks love Vo5 Blackberry Sage Tea or Vanilla Mint Tea conditioners for co-washing. I just started testing out the newest Vo5 scent, Shea Cashmere, and will be reviewing it here soon (so far I love it).

  • Wet n Wild Coloricon Lip Liner Pencil in Brandywine 666  (retail: $0.99 at most drugstores, big box stores and grocery stores). Who hasn't tried 666 at this point, right? But it's one of those universal lip shades that looks great on just about everyone, so it bears repeating here. Part pink, part brown, part rose gold, part bronze...it's just a gorgeous and flattering color that works. Tip: apply a clear lip balm like Chapstick, etc. to your lips, then line and fill them in with 666. You'll be good to go for hours.

  • Infectiguard Hand Sanitizer with Moisturizer (retail: $1 at Big Lots and Dollar Tree; $1.99 - $2.99 elsewhere). Have you ever noticed that the hand sanitizers that smell good (like fruit, flowers, etc.) often are the ones that leave your hands the stickiest? If you don't like regular, clear sanitizers and the scented ones are too sticky for you, this is a nice alternative. It's got a milky white look to it, but it doesn't leave my hands sticky, and it also doesn't dry out my skin, which I love. The Moisturizing formula smells like vintage bar soap to me--it's a lovely, soft floral fragrance with notes of rose and maybe a touch of lily. Love it. (PS: the clear version is good too, but I just prefer the milky white Moisturizing version.)

That's it for the first installment of Five Buck Friday. Let's meet again next Friday for more beauty bargains!

Some of the products featured in this post were given to Nouveau Cheap for previous reviews.
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55 comments

  1. Great series idea! I'll definitely have to check out that top coat!

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  2. Good Idea G! Will be looking forward to more of these!
    I totally agree with that elf shadow brush. I use their concealer brush to clean up my nails/ cuticles after I polish. Ive had it for at least a year.

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  3. ooo I love this new series!! Thank you G!

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  4. What a fantastic idea for a series, G! I am one of those on an extremely limited budget, so a series of items that can be purchased for $5, but are worth so much more is great! :)

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  5. OMG what Kari Smits said!!! Ten times over!

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  6. Great ideas! I might try out Brandywine, since it's a universal color.

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  8. I like this series, G!! And as always I llke a sale. I will definitely be tuning in weekly for updates

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  9. Hey G! I'm not sure if you'll read this but I noticed that the hand sanitizer is only 62% alcohol. However, to be effective, a hand sanitizer should be 70% alcohol. Sure, the hand sanitizers at BB&W and the one you recommend may smell good, but it's not doing it's job by only being 62%. (I'm a microbiology student btw. ;P And I LOVE your blog!)

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    1. Emalyn, how can you tell the percentage of alcohol in hand sanitizers? Mine just lists the ingredients, but not the exact amount. By the way,I'm from Europe, so it might be because we have different regulations. But how would I be able to find just how much alcohol is in my hand sanitizer to know if it's effective? Thank you!!

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    2. Emalyn: Hum...thank you! I've always read that they must be above 60% alcohol to be effective, thus the odd "62%" listed in many formulas (*just* about 60%). Interesting...

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    3. I have BBW's PocketBac Anti-Bacterial hand gel in Bat Bite Apple (1 fl oz) and it has alcohol 68% as its active ingredient.

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    4. Emalyn: PS, I Just checked my Purell, and that's only 65% alcohol...so i'm wondering which antibac you use? Is it over the counter?

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    5. Soap and water are every bit as effective as hand sanitizer, so do your skin and your pocket a favor, when you have access to soap and water skip the sanitizer. Save it for times when it's your only option.

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  10. I absolutely love this new series!!!! I'm from Europe, so all of the products that you just recommended here (except for the ELF brush) are unavailable here. But I still love to read about cheap cosmetics that you (and others) love. Sometimes, a new brand or product pops up 2 years late to our little corner of the Universe, and then I already know if I "need" it or not :))
    Recently, the Essence brand made its way to our country. And I already had a shopping list the lenght of my arm :))) So: thank you!!
    I'll love to read about all your recommendations!!

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    1. I think Essence if from Germany. I love that brand. Their little round concealer trio is fabulous!

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  11. What a great new feature! Thanks for all your hard work!

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  12. I've never tried the NYC super shiny top coat... I wonder why. I just love their Matte Me Crazy for a base coat, and a glitter smoothing top coat (with a regular top coat to make it shiny). I'm gonna pick one up today and try it out :)

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    1. Hmmm. NOT a Seche Vite replacement. Still, it dries fairly fast, so you can use a few coats for thickness without having to wait forever for it to dry. I bought it at target, and used my 50 cent target coupon. So I paid about 49 cents for it! (pre-tax)

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    2. Does the Super Shiny Top Coat get goopy half-way through like Seche Vite?

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  13. omgggg! I LOOOVVE FIVE BUCK FRIDAYS!!! THIS IS FREAKIN AWESOME! you're the best!!!

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  14. What a great new series! Love it! I have to agree with your picks! There is never a time when WNW #666 lip pencil isn't within reach!

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  15. When I used shampoo I loved V05's strawberries and cream. It smells SO DAMN GOOD. They also have a really nice orange scented one.

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  16. What a great idea for a series G =)

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  17. You are just awesome! What a great idea.

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  18. Love this new series - can't wait to see what next week has in store. And thanks for the curly hair tip! I'm always looking for new conditioner options. :)

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  19. This new series is amazing! Please keep 'em coming!! :)

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  20. I washed with vo5 last night and was pleasantly surprised. I loved it!

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  21. WOW! Thank you SO much, everyone! This feedback is amazing and I'm absolutely thrilled that you're all on board with this ne series. You all just seriously made my day. Thank you, thank you, thank you! *big hugs and smooches to every single one of you* xoxo

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  22. I love this new series!! I'm always looking for a bargain. I'll be looking for the eyeshadow brush, NYC top coat, and definitely the V05 shampoo/conditioners. I haven't used those in forever and have always loved their scents, especially the lavender!!

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  23. Wooo! Thanks! I love this series and i cant wait to see what else u r going to recomend. I love the elf brush and i love the wnw lipstick and did i mention i love the nyc top coat too? =) now to try the rest of ur recommendations ^.^ cant wait!

    P.s. i have a confession to make G, i started a notebook w all the things u have recommended that i feel are a must buy to add to my collection and every time im on my phone and grab my notebook my busbad says "oh no, now what r u going to add? Im guessing ur reading nc again" lol. Thanks to u i have found a bunch of new hgs! ^.^ and it makes me so happy to cross out something new off my list. Thanks for all u do G.

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  24. Love this I was looking for a new shampoo to use so I wanted to try vo5. Well I went to dollar general and walgreens they didn't have it! I guess I will have to go to Walmart tomorrow.. love this new series!

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  25. Lovin' this new series! You've got some great picks. The e.l.f. $1 eyeshadow brush is a staple for me.

    Same goes for the VO5 shampoos & conditioners; they're cheap but they get the job done. My favorite scents are Vanilla Mint Tea and Kiwi Lime.

    NYC makes some of my favorite drugstore nail polishes but the 99 cent top coat doesn't work so well on me. It crackles all over on my nails as it dries. However, I haven't had any problems with the $1.99 NYC Quick Dry top coat in Grand Central. It's much better than Seche Vite in my opinion.

    I really wish 666 Brandywine worked on me but I think my lips are too pasty pale for it. 712 Willow works better on me. It's a pinkish brown like Brandywine but a little paler and without Brandywine's bronzey sheen.

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  26. Love this series!!! I've added the E.L.F Brush, NYC top coat, VO5 condioners and W&W lip liner to my long list. Thanks G.

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  27. Fabulous series idea, G! I'll definitely be looking for that hand sanitizer.

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  28. These are really awesome recommendations! I'm very curious to try the NYC top coat now. I heard the Vo5 clarifying shampoo is very good too and I need one.

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  29. Me likey! I may have to try out that top coat from NYC. I was using a speedy top with green tea in it and it caused my polish, especially the sparkles, to peel off and it was the worst! The only time it kept a polish on was WNW's Blue Wants to Be Millionaire. I should pick it up. And good idea on this series, it helps out.

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  30. I like this new edition to your page! Also, I really like elf brushes.

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  31. Hey G! Great idea with this series. I totally love this idea. Can't wait for the next one

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  32. Ha! I've been using NYC In A New York Color Minute Quick Dry Nail Polish (whew!) in Grand Central Station as my topcoat. It's $1.99, and I like it better than Seche Vite because it's just as shiny, it's a quarter of the price, and even if it gets a little goopy (like Seche Vite ALWAYS does when the bottle is half full), I can just add a little nail polish thinner and it's back to normal. But now you tell me I can get all of those benefits for $.99?!? HOO. RAY!

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    1. Okay, so I picked up two bottles of the Extra Shiny top coat, and I gotta say, I prefer Grand Central Station. But these will do, and I'll use them all up. Thanks for the tip, G.!

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  33. I agree 5 Buck Friday is a hit.
    Thank you for the suggestions, very helpful

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  34. G, will this be only items that normally retail for under $5? Or will you include clearance items for $5 and under that normally retail for more?

    I'm OK with either...just wondering.

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  35. i'm gonna go try that top coat tonight!, my seche has been very cranky lately (shrinking even when i thin it)

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  36. Oh god no, please don't buy the Extra Shiny Top Coat. It is THE WORST top coat I have ever used. If you want pretty nails for a day, okay. If you'd like them to last longer, stay away from it! I had actual cracks in my nail polish after one day. Spend the extra dollar and get the NYC $1.99 clear top coat, Grand Central Station. It's waaaay better.

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  37. Sad face. I bought the NYC Extra Shiny Top Coat based on this post, and it doesn't chip.... it shatters. I put it on my polish and it shatters both. I put it on by itself, and it shatters. Shatter and flaking off is a bad look imo. :(

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