Wet n Wild sale this week at CVS

I'm not sure why CVS is still doing this but, in certain regions, they don't run Wet n Wild sales in the weekly circular, even if the store carries Wet n Wild. Back in the day, CVS stores carried both Wet n Wild and NYC cosmetics. Then, a few years ago, most CVS locations started carrying one brand, but not the other (in the San Diego region, NYC disappeared and a larger Wet n Wild display took its place). 

But then, last year, stores that previously only carried NYC started carrying Wet n Wild again (and vice versa). From what I'm hearing from a lot of you, many stores now carry both NYC and Wet n Wild. So I don't understand why sales for BOTH brands aren't running in the circular for all regions, but...that's the case.

All that to say that there's a Wet n Wild sale going on this week that I originally missed and did not mention in this week's drugstore sale wrap-up:

image source: cvs.com

From the CVS online ad for the San Diego region

I'm assuming that this sale is in reference to eye, lip and nail products that regularly retail for $1.99 (getting two $0.99 items for $3 wouldn't be that great of a deal, eh?).

I want to thank readers Kayte and christyxcore for bringing this Wet n Wild sale to my attention!

The Lipstick League – week of 3.25.13

Lipstick League Question of the Week

What’s the most expensive beauty product that you have purchased in the last three months?  

G's answer: I purchased a $30 leave-in conditioner at my last hair appointment. I loved the smell and how my hair looked after she used it, but when I got it home and started using it, I realized that my drugstore leave-ins actually work just as well on my hair. It was her meticulous blow-out that made my hair look better--not the product!

Links of the Week

Vampy Varnish - Is SURE you will find a few favorites with the new and previously exclusive Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil release!

we heart this - Have you tried MAKE UP FOR EVER Pro Finish Foundation yet? Umm, you might wanna...

Beauty Junkies Unite - You'll probably fall in love with the pretty pastels in the new L'Oreal Paris Versailles Romance Collection! See the review & swatches.

Clumps of Mascara - is just a wee bit amazed at this spray lotion thingy. It sounds just like what it is...lotion that you spray on. Whoa!

The Weekly Drugstore Makeup Sales (3/31 - 4/6)

Your weekly wrap-up of drugstore beauty sales and more...

NYC Liquid Lipshine for $0.49? Yes, please!

I totally didn't plan this when I included an NYC Liquid Lipshine in this week's Five Buck Friday post, but I love it when I can recommend something to you and then I can tell you how to score it for just pennies!

As you know, there's a new NYC display floating around in the drugstores right now that has a tear-pad coupon for $1 off any NYC cosmetic with a retail price of $1.99 or more (Liquid Lipshines retail for $2.49). Well if you can grab one of those coupons, take it to Target and stack it with this printable Target coupon for $1 off any NYC Liquid Lipshine. That would bring your grand total down to $0.49.

Enjoy your new lipgloss!

Hot Deal Alert: 50% off sitewide at theBalm

UPDATE, 4/1/13, 11:45AM Pacific: Please see theBalm's Facebook page for info about this sale. Apparently their server is down but when it's back up, you will still have 24 hours to place your order. Any questions, please leave them on theBalm's Facebook page and not here (I'm obviously not affiliated with theBalm and cannot answer any questions you may have. Thanks!).

A huge thanks to reader Susan on Facebook for this tip! On Monday, April Fool's Day, everything on the theBalm website will be 50% off (24 hours only!). theBalm is revamping their website and this is how they're celebrating the occasion (not an April Fool's joke!). 

I was lucky enough to find some theBalm products at Marshall's a while back and I've been in love with them ever since. If you're already a fan of theBalm or have been wanting to try some of their products, Monday is the time to do it!

Thanks again for the great tip, Susan!

Interactive Sightings Map: Jesse's Girl Limited Edition JulieG. Frosted Gum Drops Collection

If you follow Jesse's Girl on Facebook, Twitter and/or Instagram, then you know that there's been quite the buzz about the new Limited Edition JulieG Frosted Gum Drop Nail Color Collection (click here for swatches).

Jesse's Girl has done a great job at keeping fans updated on the distribution of this collection, but since we all know that limited edition collections like this don't show up in stores at the exact same time, I created a map to track sightings.

Keep reading to view the map or leave a marker...

Five Buck Friday

It's time once again for Five Buck Friday! For new readers, this is a series I created to showcase some extremely affordable beaty products that I personally own, love and recommend  All of the products featured in Five Buck Friday come to a grand total of, you guessed it, five bucks! So let's get started with this week's installment!

New Sally Hansen Sugar Coat Textured Nail Color Collection

Last week I showed you the new Fuzzy Coat textured polishes from Sally Hansen, and in that post I mentioned that there was a SECOND collection of textured polishes also due out this June called Sugar Coat. Well, I just discovered that the Sugar Coat polishes are now on the Target website (NOTE: they are not yet available for purchase) so let's take a peek!

 image source: Target.com

NEW Sally Hansen Sugar Coat Textured Nail Colors

(retail: $5.49 each)

Keep reading to see the other shades in this collection...

Maybelline brings back Limited Edition Spring 2012 Fashion Week Blushes

This one took some serious Google Ninja skills to figure out, but I finally did it! Reader Tara shared some pics today of a new Fit Me display that she spotted at Rite Aid. I don't believe the foundations in this display are new, but the blushes in this display are QUITE interesting...

image credit: Tara for Nouveau Cheap

Maybelline Fit Me display at Rite Aid

Keep reading for all the details...

Spotted: Maybelline Limited Edition Super Stay 24 Color Collection

Here's a surprising little display for you today. The Super Stay 24 Color lip colors  (longwear, 2-step lip colors) don't seem to get as much attention these days as other Maybelline lip colors, so I was surprised when reader Tara said she spotted a Limited Edition collection the other day at Rite Aid. Take a peek:

image credit: Tara for Nouveau Cheap

Keep reading for more pics and info...

Spotted: New collections from NYC

A huge thanks to two lovely readers for the following photos! Tara and Chele both spotted some new NYC collections at Rite Aid recently and were nice enough to share pics (I'm hearing from several of you that both of these displays have been in Rite Aid stores for about a week now, so if you want anything, be sure to stop by your local Rite Aid ASAP before everything's wiped out!).

First let's start with the Spring 2013 Limited Edition Let's Paint the Town Collection. Here are some pics from reader Chele:

 image credit: Chele for Nouveau Cheap

NYC Spring 2013 Limited Edition Let's Paint the Town Collection

Review: Revlon Nail Enamel in Trendy

Press Sample 

Continuing my series of reviews of some of the new-for-2013 nail enamel shades from Revlon, today I bring you Trendy:

 Revlon Nail Enamel in 590 Trendy

(retail: around $4.99, 0.5 oz)

Keep reading for swatches and a nail art look I created using some of the new 2013 shades...

Review: New Aveeno Skin Relief Healing Ointment

Press Sample

Let's face it: there are times when you may need a heavy-duty ointment. It's never pretty when the occasion arises but, as I found out recently, an ointment like this can come in mighty handy.

NEW Aveeno Skin Relief Healing Ointment

(retail: around $8, 3.0 oz)

I was given the new Aveeno Skin Relief Healing Oitment for review a while back, and I can't say I was "hoping" for an occasion to really test its abilities, but one did come up. So let's see how this worked for me when I needed it the most...

Now on Facebook: Revlon The Personal Style Experience

This just hit my in-box and I wanted to share it with my fellow Revlon fans who are on Facebook (freebie alert!):

REVLON and ELLE announce the launch of The Personal Style Experience, a brand new choose-your-own adventure Style Journey. Utilizing interactive technology, the Experience software presents numerous beauty, fashion, and lifestyle decision points to the viewer, who will direct the course of the journey and affect the outcome of the video. Based on the viewer’s decisions, a specific Style Personality will be revealed.

REVLON’s Facebook page will house a Personal Style Experience tab packed with beauty and style tips and recommendations based on the viewer’s revealed Style Personality. The tab will also feature exclusive interviews with REVLON’s Global Artist Director Gucci Westman and ELLE’s Creative Director Joe Zee, who share their insider secrets for defining personal style.

 To begin the journey and discover your Style Personality, please visit Revlon's Facebook page.

Spotted: Sally Hansen Mermaid's Tale at Walgreens

We know it's now at Target and I believe it's starting to show up at CVS, but now we can confirm that Mermaid's Tale (Deborah Lippmann Across the Universe dupe) is now surfacing at Walgreens too.

Thanks to reader Ann for this pic of a new counter display at Walgreens:

image credit: Ann for Nouveau Cheap

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure display at Walgreens

(retail: 7.99 each, 0.5 oz)

Notice the $2 off tear-pad coupons on this display too. Mermaid's Tale is on the far left.

Thanks so much for the great sighting and pic, Ann!

Bath & Body Works Spring 2013 White Barn Candles and Accessories

For Spring 2013, Bath & Body Works has partnered with event designer Matthew Robbins to create some  design ideas utilizing the Spring 2013 White Barn candles and accessories. If you haven't seen these new accessories yet, keep reading for lots of pretty pictures...

Target Exclusive: Zac Posen collaboration with John Frieda

For Spring 2013, Zac Posen has collaborated with John Frieda to create the Target-Exclusive Limited Edition Precision Foam Colour Collection. All four colors in this collection will feature limited edition packaging and each box will include a limited edition hair accessory in a Zac Posen print. Zach Posen selected each print to specifically coordinate with the accompanying hair color shade.

Spring 2013 Limited Edition John Frieda Precision Foam Colour Collection by Zac Posen

Keep reading for all of the details, including photos of the limited edition accessories that are part of this collection...

Wet n Wild adds 40+ new shades to the Megalast Nail Color line (pic heavy)

Before I even get into this post, I want to thank several of you for alerting me to these new additions to the Megalast polish line, and also for all of the photo submissions. I wish I could post all of your pics here but, as you're about to see, there are so many new shades that I just can't post every photo. I'm SO sorry about that!

Wet n Wild has added over 40 new shades to their core line of Megalast nail colors. These new shades are now popping up at Dollar General. If you're lucky enough to live in a state that has Dollar Generals, I'm betting you can find these there NOW, since I've received several reports from readers all over the country.

 image credit: Tara for Nouveau Cheap

NEW Wet n Wild Megalast Nail Color shades

(retail: $1.99 each, 0.45 oz)

As far as I know, these are not Dollar General-Exclusives. I'm awaiting confirmation from Wet n Wild about that and will update this post when I have more info.

UPDATE 8/1/13:  I have received official confirmation from Wet n Wild that these ARE Dollar General exclusives.

Reader Tara spotted these new additions at her local Dollar General and took the time to share some very detailed photos of the display, as well as bottle shots of all of the new shades (thanks so much, Tara!).

Spotted: Wet n Wild Hot Rocks Fastdry Nail Color Collection

A huge thanks to reader Margaret for this one! Margaret spotted the new Wet n Wild Hot Rocks collection at her local Rite Aid recently and was nice enough to share some pics (bottle shots!) with us.

Margaret pointed out that the words "Limited Edition" do not appear anywhere on this display, but that doesn't necessarily mean that these are not limited edition. They could be new additions to the permanent Fastdry collection though--I will let you know if/when I get more info about that.

image credit: Margaret for Nouveau Cheap

 NEW Wet n Wild Hot Rocks Collection

(retail: $1.99 each at Rite Aid, 0.46 oz)

Keep reading for bottle shots and more info...

The Wednesday Question (Palettes vs. Singles edition)

Do you prefer palettes or individual compacts? If you like palettes, do you like to make your own (by depotting pans or buying individual pans) or do you prefer to buy pre-made palettes?

I am generally an "individual compact" type of gal. A pre-made palette has to be pretty darned special for me to purchase it (i.e. Urban Decay Naked palette). But if the palette is a good price and it features a lot of shades I think I'll wear, I'll buy it. I never really got into making my own palettes (depotting pans from compacts and placing them into empty palettes), but I think it can be very handy and convenient, as well as a huge space-saver.

Spotted: Sinful Colors Buff to Bright Collection (new and rare polish alert!)

A huge thanks to my longtime Twitter pal @somecrazedlady for this sighting! @somecrazedlady spotted the new Sinful Colors Buff to Bright display at her local Walgreens recently and was nice enough to share some pics with us.

What's VERY interesting about this new display is that it contains just one new shade, but it also contains some rare and hard-to-find shades, as well as some core (permanent) shades. Take a peek:

image credit: @somecrazedlady for Nouveau Cheap
NEW Sinful Colors Buff to Bright display at Walgreens

(retail: $1.99 each, 0.5 oz)

Keep reading for bottle shots and more info...

Review: Milani Ultrafine Liquid Eye Liners

Press Sample

You've probably already heard lots of raves in the blogosphere about these new fine-point waterproof liquid liners from Milani. I received these a little while back from Milani and I've put them through some pretty rigorous testing (well, if you consider sleeping with my makeup on "rigorous") and I'm happy to report that I'm in agreement with just about everyone else when it comes to the awesomeness of these liners.

NEW Milani Ultrafine Liquid Eye Liners

(retail: $7.49, 0.058 oz)

Keep reading for my full review including swatches, before-and-after "rub tests" and more...

Dupe Alert: Comptoir Sud Pacifique Lait Sucré

Purchased by Me

Recently, one of my best girlfriends (who is way more into bath and body products than even I am, if you can believe that) asked me if I wanted to go in on a order she was placing at an indie etailer named Earthen Treasures. Never one to resist going half-sies on an order (splitting shipping is awesome!), I took a look at their extensive fragrance list and couldn't believe the large "Designer Type" section.

 I actually ordered several scents that are dupes of fragrances that I already own, thinking that I could compare and contrast them here for you in the future. But today, I'd like to show you my favorite of the fragrances I ordered, and you won't believe the price. Seriously, you won't believe it.

Comptoir Sud Pacifique Lait Sucré Eau de Toilette

(retail: $85, 3.3 oz - now discontinued)

Earthen Treasures Lait Sucré Type body Mist

(retail: $2.25, 8 ml)

Comptoir Sud Pacifique Lait Sucré is my all-time favorite CSP scent. Sadly, this fragrance was discontinued a few years back (those of you familiar with CSP scents will know that the bottle above is their old-style packaging). I think that CSP Vanille Abricot is probably the most popular and well-known of all the CSP scents and it's a lovely fragrance to be sure, but there's something about Lait Sucré that gives it a very special place in my heart. 

If you've never smelled CSP Lait Sucré, it smells exactly like its English translation: milk sugar. Some people have said that they get a buttered popcorn note from this fragrance, and I definitely can see that, but to me it smells like sweet cream that you've melted butter into--imagine what it smells like when you're stirring butter into a pot of sweetened milk, and you've got CVS Lait Sucré.  So if you were a  fan of Lait Sucré and you thought you could never get your hands on it again, I'm here to tell you that you can get a version of this fragrance for just a fraction of the (former) retail price and, to my nose, it's nearly an exact dupe. Intrigued? Keep reading...

Review: More milky glitter polishes from pa

Purchased by Me

If you caught my last pa polish review of shade AA66 (aka Cookies & Cream), then you know that pa released some milky glitter polishes several months ago. What I didn't know until a few weeks ago was that certain Japanese markets in my area offer even more pa milky glitters than what you saw in this display. So I'm not really sure how many milky glitters pa has in total, but I know it's over ten!

With all of these milky glitters on the market right now, I can actually be a little more discriminating in my choices (there was a time when I would buy any and all of them, out of pure desperation). Since Hard Candy unleashed a full line of milk glitters recently, I tried to select the milky glitters from pa that did not resemble anything I have seen before (there may be indie polishes similar to these, but I'm only referring to polishes you can find in retail stores here).

pa Premiere Lame Grande Nail Colors in AA59 and AA57

(retail: around $5 each)

I have yet to see a neon yellow/chartreuse milky glitter, or a straight-up red milky glitter (correct me if I'm wrong!) so these two polishes came home with me the last time I was a Mitsuwa.

As I mention in all of my pa reviews, there is no unit weight printed on these bottles, but pa polishes are very small and equivalent to a US mini polish for sure. The milky glitters fall under the "Premiere Lame Grande" collection which also includes lots (and lots) of other types of glitters, metallics, jellies, etc. The Premiere Lame Grande section of the Dear Laura site (makers of pa polishes) only shows a tiny fraction of what you can find in Asian markets.

Swatches, after the jump...

Spotted: Spring/Summer 2013 Spoiled by Wet n Wild Sets

Stephanie Louise from All Things Beautiful spotted some new Spoiled by Wet n Wild summer sets at CVS the other day and was nice enough to share some pics with us. Check 'em out:

image credit: Stephanie Louise for Nouveau Cheap

 Spring/Summer 2013 Spoiled by Wet n Wild Nail Sets

(retail: $9.99 each at CVS)

Close-ups of each set, after the jump...

New Jordana Sweet n' Smooth Nourishing Lip Balms

Jordana (sister company of Milani) really knows how to make lip colors that appeal to my weaknesses. Remember their Rainbow Sherbet lipgloss I couldn't get enough of a few years ago (and still love)? Well now they've got these:

NEW Jordana Sweet n' Smooth Norishing Lip Balms

(retail: $1.49 each, 0.135 oz)

Keep reading for more details...

New from L.A. Girl: Gel Liners, Textured Polishes and Holographic Polishes

I just received some info directly from L.A. Girl about some fun new products now hitting stores. I will be reviewing some of these products in the near future but, in the meantime, keep reading for all the details!

NEW TEXTURED NAIL POLISH GIVES NAILS UNIQUE SAND FINISH

Introducing Sand Blast Nail Polish by L.A. Girl

(retail: $5 each, 0.47 oz)

ONTARIO, Calif., March 1, 2013 – Textured nail polish has been making big waves this season. On the heels of this new fashion trend, L.A. Girl launches its Sand Blast nail polish collection that gives nails a unique textured appearance. Sand Blast goes on glossy but dries to a distinctive semi-matte finish with the textured look and feel of sand. 

With nails so eye-catching, people will wonder how you got such incredible looking nails. Luckily, this exciting new nail look is so quick and easy to achieve. Just apply two thin coats of Sand Blast polish for a fabulous sugar textured finish. Allow the polish to dry a little in between coats. No need for a top coat. It’s that simple.

Sand Blast Nail Polish comes in 8 one-of-a-kind shades that are so spectacular; you will have to collect them all! In the collection you will find: Quick Sand (matte purple), Sandals (coral), Green Sand (shimmery mint), Glissand (shimmery coral), Sandy Beach (electric blue), Sands of time (glittery gold), Sand Dune (red), and Sandstorm (nude). All colors dry to a semi-matte finish that reflects subtle glints of light.

Review: Naive Rose Facial Cleansing Foam by Kanebo

Purchased by Me

A top seller at Marukai (which is where I purchased this tube) and arguably a top seller at most Japanese markets, Naive Rose Facial Cleansing Foam by Kracie (a division of Kanebo) is an extremely popular drugstore-level facial cleanser in both Japan and the US.

 If you don't have a Japanese market in your area (for my fellow San Diego peeps, this product is sold at just about every single Japanese market in SD  including Marukai Living, Mitsuwa and Nijiya) you can also purchase it on sites like Sasa, as well as on Amazon, etc.

Naive Facial Cleansing Foam in Rose

(retail: around $7, 6.7 oz)

Naive Facial Cleansing Foam comes in several different scents/formulas, but the Rose formula is the most popular, so that's why I went with it (I had to see what all the fuss was about!). I've been using this product off and on for about three months now, and I definitely have a strong opinion about it. Keep reading for my full review, after the jump...

New Limited Edition collections from Wet n Wild

I know that many of us are just now starting to find the Spring Forward 8-pan palettes in stores (click here if you're still looking for them), but in case you haven't heard, Wet n Wild has just released some other Limited Edition palettes and also some Limited Edition colored mascaras. (They have also introduced a ton of new Wild Shine and Megalast polishes into their permanent line, but that's for another post!)

Reader Danielle was nice enough to share this picture of the two new Limited Edition palettes, which she recently purchased at Walgreens (they come with liquid liners):

image credit: Danielle for Nouveau Cheap

NEW Wet n Wild Limited Edition Eyeshadow Medleys

These are from the Limited Edition "Get Your Look" Collection, which I believe is exclusive to Walgreens.

The Lipstick League – week of 3.18.13

Lipstick League Question of the Week

Describe your everyday, go-to makeup look.

G's answer: Lately my everyday go-to look (which I equate with being in a hurry) consists of foundation or BB cream, a bit of concealer and setting powder. Then I'll use a cream blush on the apples of my cheeks, liquid liner (usually black) on just the upper lashline, lots of black mascara on just my upper lashes, and of course I'll fill in my brows with a pencil liner. Then I'll take a powder highlighter and run it across the tops of my cheeks and right above my eyebrows, just to brighten up my face a bit. I usually finish things off with a pinky-brown creme lipstick and I'm out the door.

Links of the Week

Phyrra - shares the Jesse's Girl Julie G Frosted Gum Drops Textured Nail Polishes!

Vampy Varnish - loves the new Deborah Lippmann Staccato Nail Collection for spring but it is a bit pricey compared to some other brands with similar shades...

we heart this - check out post 1 of 2 about Stef's Makeup Show haul; featuring Cult Nails, Kevyn Aucoin, Ellis Faas and more. That's right, 2 posts! She may have a problem...

Beauty Junkies Unite - Amber brings us 5 facial exfoliators that absolutely rock!

Clumps of Mascara - finally does an update on Baby Clumps. She is practically a big girl as the tender age of 2 months.

The Weekly Drugstore Makeup Sales (3/24 - 3/30)

This week's printable beauty coupons, drugstore sales, news & tidbits... 

Quick update...

I hope you're enjoying the new site while it's in transition!

There are some kinks that still need to be worked out and not all of the new features are fully functional yet, but we hope to be at 100% by Monday.

In the meantime, I want you to know that we're aware of the fact that the lower portion of the sidebar and the bottom portion of the blog are loading very slowly right now. It may take several minutes for you to see my blog roll and things like that, but I just want you to know that the blog roll didn't go away! If you don't see it immediately, it should appear eventually.

Please stand by...

UPDATE, 10:29PM Pacific, Friday: It's taking a bit longer than anticipated, so I want to thank you for your patience. I will do a blog post when everything is "official. " Until then...

It's 6:51PM Pacific on Friday evening here at La Casa de Nouveau Cheap, and I just wanted to let you know that things are about to change--BIG TIME--on the blog.

So if you're reading this right now (and for about the next hour) I want to warn you that the blog may look a little funky as we change over to a WHOLE NEW SITE DESIGN!

See you all on the flip-side!

G. xo

Review: Color Club Halo Hues Nail Lacquer in Eternal Beauty

The product featured in this review was purchased with personal funds.

When I first heard that Color Club released a new collection of Halo Hues for 2013 (not to be confused with the original 2012 collection), I sort of thought I didn't need them. But then I started to see swatches, and I quickly discovered that there were darker shades in this new collection (most linear holos tend to be lighter colors). And when I saw the shade Eternal Beauty, I knew it had to be mine. 

Since the 2013 Halo Hues are not yet available on the Color Club website, you have to look elsewhere for them. A friend of mine was making a large order for several of these shades on Amazon so I gave her my eight bucks (they retail for $7.95 on Amazon) and a week later, it was mine! Take a peek...

Color Club Holo Hues 2013 Nail Lacquer in Eternal Beauty

(retail: around $8, 0.5 oz)

Keep reading for my full review, with lots of swatches...

New Sally Hansen Fuzzy Coat Textured Nail Colors

This is just too exciting to save until after the Review Blitz is over, so here you go! 

A huge thanks to reader AS for this one! AS just told me that the new Sally Hansen Fuzzy Coat Textured Nail Colors are now on the Target website! You can't order them online yet, but there is a store locator. 

What's very exciting about this I didn't think the Fuzzy Coats were due in stores until June! There's another line in this collection called Sugar Coat (not yet on the Target website). My pal Mary of Body and Soul has a sneak-peek of both the Fuzzy Coat and Sugar Coat polishes here.

I could be wrong, but it appears that the Fuzzy Coats could be similar to the Nails Inc. Feather Collection polishes (small, matte bar glitter), and the Sugar Coats could be similar to the Zoya Pixie Dust polishes.

image source: target.com

Sally Hansen Fuzzy Coat Textured Nail Colors

(retail: $5.29 each at Target)

There are five shades in the Sally Hansen Fuzzy Coat Textured Nail Color Collection. 

Keep reading for close-ups of each shade...

Review: New CeraVe Renewing SA Cream For Extremely Dry, Rough, Bumpy Skin

The product featured in this review was given to Nouveau Cheap directly by the brand. For my full disclosure, please see the bottom of this blog post.

CeraVe has some new product for 2013 and one of them is this new, heavy-duty cream for extremely dry skin. Since I happen to suffer from the occasional patch of extremely dry skin, it was quite easy for me to test this product, and today I'd like to share my thoughts with you.

 CeraVe Renewing SA Cream

(retail: around $20, 12 oz)

CeraVe products can be found at most major drugstores and mass-merchandisers. This product is a bit high, price-wise, but it's currently on sale at CVS.com for $17.59 (normally $21.99). If you'd like to purchase it in-store, you can print this $1 off coupon to help bring the price down a bit.

Keep reading for my full review...

Review: Revlon Nail Enamel in Enchanting

The product featured in this review was provided to Nouveau Cheap by the brand. For my full disclosure, please see the bottom of this blog post.

Continuing my mini-series of reviews featuring some of the new-for-2013 Revlon nail polish shades sent to me for review, today I'd like to show you Enchanting:

Revlon Nail Enamel in 220 Enchanting

(retail: around $4.99, 0.5 oz)

Keep reading for swatches!

Review: Yves Rocher L'Eau Comme une Evidence

The product featured in this review was purchased with personal funds.

NOTE: There are two version of Yves Rocher Comme un Evidence. There is the original Comme une Evidence, and there is also a lighter, updated version called L'Eau Comme une Evidence. This review is for the lighter, updated version, which I actually wasn't even aware I had purchased (I just went for the travel size since I had never tried this fragrance before) until I sat down to write this review!

When I was a little girl, my mom wore a perfume called Sweet Honesty by Avon. I know that this perfume is still available through Avon, but I've heard that it's not quite the same as the original version which launched in 1973. Anyway, I haven't sniffed Sweet Honesty in decades, but when I ordered L'Eau Comme une Evidence from Yves Rocher back in December, I had no idea that it would evoke such wonderful childhood memories and take me right back to my mom wearing Sweet Honesty when I was little girl.

I have been searching for a fragrance that's in the same vein as Sweet Honesty, but somehow updated and more modern. And this, my friends, is it:

 Yves Rocher L'Eau Comme une Evidence Purse Spray

(retail: $12.50 on the Yves Rocher website, 0.5 oz)

This fragrance, along with everything on the Yves Rocher website, often goes on sale. It's not on sale now, but I would wait for the next sale to swing around if you want to try it (the 2.5 oz bottle IS on sale right now for 45% off--$30 instead of $55, but I think that's a lot to spend on something you may have never tried before, so that's why I'm suggesting to wait until the purse size bottle goes on sale again). As you can see, I didn't photograph my bottle before I started wearing it, and I'm about halfway through this bottle now (purchased in December).

When I wear this fragrance, sometimes women stop me on the street to ask me what I'm wearing. I've had a waitress in a restaurant beg me to pull up the Yves Rocher website on her smartphone so that she would know exactly how to buy a bottle. It's definitely one of those fragrances that people gravitate toward because it's soft, feminine, and for lack of a better word, addicting. 

Keep reading for my full review...

Review: Lumene Vitamin C+ Illuminating Anti-Age BB Cream SPF20

The product featured in this review was given to Nouveau Cheap from the brand. For my full disclosure, please see the bottom of this blog post.

So I think I finally figured out where BB creams fit into my makeup routine. When I'm in a hurry, I find myself reaching for my BB creams as a quick "I just need something to make myself look presentable" type of product that can give me some light hydration, SPF and coverage.

This probably isn't big news to most of you, since I think that BB creams fit this purpose for a lot of people but, for a while there, I was trying to find a BB Cream that could totally take the place of my favorite foundations. American drugstore BB creams can't quite give me the coverage of my favorite foundations and I've finally come to terns with this. They DO, however, have an essential place in my makeup routine now, and it's with that declaration that I bring you this new BB cream from Lumene.

 Lumene Vitamin C+ Illuminating Anti-Age BB Cream SPF20 in 01 Light

(retail: around $14.99, 1.7 oz)

I'm a longtime fan of Lumene skincare (look for this product in the skincare aisle, not the cosmetics aisle) and so I was really excited when I first posted the news that Lumene was coming out with a BB cream.

You can purchase this product at Ulta, Walgreens and CVS (it's actually on sale for $11.99 at CVS as of the time of this post). I think that the full retail price of $14.99 is a good value consider that you get nearly two ounces of product (most drugstore BB creams are closer to one ounce and retail for about the same price). Like many other BB creams, this product comes in two self-adjusting shades: 01 Light and 02 Medium. 

Keep reading for my full review...

The Wednesday Question

Happy First Day of Spring!

What's your favorite affordable springtime fragrance, lotion, or body wash?

It seems like every year around this time, I love to bust out my fresh, floral-scented products. Right now I cannot get enough of Demeter Magnolia. It's Spring in a bottle! (Demeter did not give me this product -- I am just a huge fan.)

Spotted: Sinful Colors at Dollar Tree

We interrupt the Review Blitz to bring you this very important message...

A couple days ago on Facebook, readers Maria and Amanda gave us the heads-up that Sinful Colors polishes are now starting to show up at Dollar Tree for, of course, $1 each. That's a great deal since, as you all know, Sinful Colors polishes retail everywhere else for $1.99 each.

Today, reader Allison of the blog Alli McBally shared some pics of the Sinful Colors polishes she spotted at her Dollar Tree. Take a peek!

 image credit: Allison for Nouveau Cheap

Sinful Colors nail polishes at Dollar Tree

Keep reading for more pics...

Review & Swatches: Pure Ice Nail Colors

The products featured in this post were provided to Nouveau Cheap by the brand. For my full disclosure, please see the bottom of this blog post.

Recently I received some older and new-for-2013 shades from Pure Ice for review. Today I'd like to show you swatches of all seven shades I received, plus my thoughts about each color. 

For those of you unfamiliar with Pure Ice, these polishes are made by the company Bari (recently purchased by Revlon). Their formulas are Big Three Free and not tested on animals (per their website). You can purchase Pure Ice polishes here and they retail for $1.99 each. You can also purchase Pure Ice in stores like Walmart and select Walgreens locations.

Let's take a look some swatches...

Review: Prestige Primed & Ready Eye Primer

The product featured in this post was purchased with personal funds.

A while back, I was able to pick this product up at one of those crazy Rite Aid clearance sales for 75% off. Sometimes drugstores put brand new products on clearance when they need to get rid of the counter display, but they don't yet have a spot for the product in the permanent wall display. I call this the "sweet spot" when it comes to hunting for discounted cosmetics, so I naturally purchased this ASAP when I spotted it on clearance. Who can resist a new eyeshadow primer for $2.50, which it regularly retails for $9.99? I sure can't!

 Prestige Primed & Ready Eye Primer

(retail: around $9.99, 0.5 oz)

In addition to Rite Aid, you can also purchase this primer at Ulta (it retails there for $9.49). I think $9.49 is a bit steep for drugstore primer, however Ulta always offers $3.50 off a $10 purchase coupons on their website (which you can use in-store or online), so that could help bring the cost down a bit if you find yourself wanting to try this one.

Keep reading for my full review...

Review: NYC Sparkle Eye Dust in Golden Champagne

The product featured in this post was purchased with personal funds.

I purchased one of the new NYC Sparkle Eye Dusts a while back at CVS (not to be confused with the older style Sparkle Eye Dusts that came in jars like this) and today I'd like to share my thoughts with you.

New NYC Sparkle Eye Dust in Golden Champagne

(retail: $2.99, 0.074 oz)

There are ten shades in the new Sparkle Eye Dust collection. 

Keep reading for my full review...

Review: Revlon Nail Enamel in Eclectic

Some of the products featured in this post were given to Nouveau Cheap directly from the brand. For my full disclosure, please see the bottom of this blog post.

I received some of the new-for-2013 Revlon polishes for review a while back, so today I thought I'd kick off this mini-series of reviews with the new shade Eclectic. Since Minted (the other minty-green creme in the permanent Revlon Nail Enamel lineup) was discontinued, and I happen to own Minted, I'll show you some comparison swatches at the end of this post.

 Revlon Nail Enamel in 580 Eclectic

(retail: around $4.99, 0.5 oz)

Keep reading for swatches...

St. Patrick's Day 2013 Manicure

Well I totally dropped the ball this year, Nouvettes. I really, REALLY wanted to do another reader-submitted St. Patrick's Day manicure round-up, but I've got so much going on behind the scenes right now (which will be revealed soon, I promise) that I just couldn't get it together. Hopefully we can do one for Easter though, like last year's!

And speaking of last year's reader-submitted manicure roundups, take a peek at the 2012 St. Patrick's Day manicure roundup here if you need some "nail-spiration" today!

 I did a quick and easy manicure for St. Patrick's Day 2013. Here's what I used:

Polishes used:

Santee Vikini Green (base color)

Nailene French Manicure Polish (small polka dots)

Zoya Ivanka (large polka dots)

Out The Door Northern Lights Holographic Top Coat (top coat)

Tools used:

LA Girl Dotting Tool (reviewed here)

e.l.f. $1 Concealer Brush (for clean-up)

Keep reading to see how it turned out!

The Lipstick League – week of 3.11.13

Question of the Week

What’s your current favorite face powder and why? 

G's answer: Oh don't make me choose just one! I love three right now, for different reasons. I love the Physicians Formula Super BB Powder because it gives my matte foundations a slight shimmer/sheen. I love Revlon Nearly Naked Pressed Powder because it gives my skin a beautiful, natural look while still controlling shine. I also love my Neutrogena Shine Control Pressed Powder because it controls oil better than any other pressed powder I own. It's seriously hardcore if you need heavy duty oil control.

Links of the Week

Prime Beauty - dishes on the new Laura Mercier Smooth Creme Lip Colours--there are 14 of them, see two of her favs! 

Phyrra - shares several brands from The Makeup Show LA. Check it out! 

Vampy Varnish - shows you several options for bright lips in the hotter Spring and Summer months! 

we heart this - Stef shares one of her favorite bright eye shadow palettes, AND you can get it for under 5 bucks! 

Beauty Junkies Unite - Curious if the new Miracle Blur Instant Line Smoother from L’Oréal Paris really works or not? Check out this review with before & after photos, then decide for yourself! 

Clumps of Mascara - tested a makeup remover that just wasn’t up to par. In fact, it just, well...it sucked.

EauMG - The 1920’s are going to be a big trend this year thanks to The Great Gatsby movie coming out this spring. Instead of trying a perfume inspired by flappers, try one actually worn by flappers! Victoria reviews her favorite carnation perfume. 

Gouldylox Reviews - Love the YSL Rouge Pur Couture lip stains? Don't miss these at the drugstore - some of the colors are an amazing dupe! 

Lipglossiping - deploys her taste buds as she gets to grips with Jo Malone’s limited edition Sugar & Spice fragrance collection.

Nouveau Cheap - has been testing the new CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation for a while, and finally has her verdict.

Pink Sith - has three of the new NARS Satin Lip Pencils to share with you and a question about lip swatches 

My Beauty Bunny - shares her cruelty-freee dupe for Covergirl Mascara. 

Guest Post of the Week, as chosen by Prime Beauty - I don’t have a discerning nose but love perfume so I go to Cute and Mundane to read fragrance reviews. Dovey doesn’t only review fragrances though, she’s all about the makeup too.

What are YOUR current favorite face powders?

The Weekly Drugstore Makeup Sales (3/17 - 3/23)

This week's printable beauty coupons, drugstore sales, news & tidbits... 

Spotted: New permanent NYX display at Target

Hold the phone! NYX at Target? How did I not know this was happening? Reader Jeni from Facebook just spotted a large, permanent NYX display at her local Super Target and was nice enough to share a pic with us.

Want to see what's in the display? Take a peek at Jeni's pic, after the jump...

Revlon to bring back Skinlights?

It's difficult to keep to the rules of my Review Blitz (nothing but product reviews for two weeks straight) when I keep getting news that I want to share with you immediately!

You all remember Revlon Skinlights, right? If you don't, let me refresh your memory a bit. I believe this line of illuminators came out in 2001, and it had almost a ten-year run at the drugstore, finally being discontinued around 2008-2009. The Skinlights line included liquid illuminators (I think there were seven shades released over the course of their lifetime--here's a review of two of them, to refresh your memory). The Skinlights line also included some illuminating loose powders like this, and in the UK they even had twist-up creme sticks (I don't think those ever made it to the US, but I could be wrong).

Anyway, the liquid illuminators were a HUGE hit here in the US. In fact, if you do a simple Google search for "Revlon Skinlights" you'll find many questions on beauty boards about finding a good dupe for Revlon Skinlights--people were really displeased when these were discontinued. They still have a large following to this day, and tubes of the original Revlon Skinlights are selling for upwards of $80 on sites like Amazon and Ebay.

Well, today my pal Halifax over at Sparkled Beauty brought to my attention this review of new Revlon PhotoReady Skinlights that are debuting in the UK in April. I have no idea if Revlon is bringing this new PhotoReady version to the US, but if you're a Skinlights fan from back in the day, I wanted to let you know that there's at LEAST a possibility that we may see a PhotoReady version here in the States at some point.

Were you a fan of the original Skinlights? Are you hoping to see them back (in new form) here in the US?

Thanks again, Halifax, for the heads-up about this one!