Cosmeceutical Skin Care ... Say What?

Photo by Osmosis skin care

Cosmeceuticals is a new vocabulary word I leaned by picking up a street copy of a magazine called Image.  The free monthly is published by plastic surgeons, and according to them cosmeceuticals are the new wave in skin care.

 Let me sum up the article for you.  Our new word is a hybrid of the words cosmetic and pharmaceutical.  Cosmeceuticals are key ingredients with anti-aging benefits that can be bought without a prescription.  Common over the counter cosmeceuticals include glycolic cleansers, anti-aging moisturizers, skin lightening serums and skin tightening creams. 

Skin ages due to oxidation and free radical damage.  Sun exposure is a major cause of free radical damage.  Free radicals breakdown the skin's molecular structure leading to wrinkles and the loss of elasticity and resilience.

According to the article, studies show that antioxidants slow down free radical damage and can improve the skin's appearance.  Cosmeceuticals contain high doses of antioxidants, plus complementary ingredients like phytochemicals, enzymes and essential oils so that your skin can absorb the anti-aging ingredients.

Here is a list of cosmeceuticals -- 10 Active Ingredients -- to look for in high tech youth serums:

1. Retinoids (such as Retinol, a vitamin A treatment) speeds up the skin's natural exfoliation process, lessening the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by thinning and flattening the top layer of the skin.

2. Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) – Exfoliates the skin.  Encourages cell turnover.

3. Alpha Lipoic Acid – Erases fine lines and wrinkles, shrinks pores and reduces under-eye puffiness, improves circulation; brightens your complexion.

4. Glycolic Acid – A fruit acid that exfoliates the skin and speeds up the growth of new skin.  Promotes a smoother, fresher looking complexion.

5. Antioxidants – Look for vitamin C (aka ascorbic acid), vitamin E, green tea, Q-10, Vitamin B Complex. They have anti-inflammatory properties and help build collagen.

6. Peptides – Are tiny protein molecules used to slowdown the loss of collagen, as well as, stimulate skin repair.

7. DMAE – This ingredient may or may not be effective in lifting and firming sagging skin.  There is no consensus on whether it works.

8. Epidermal Growth Factors (EPG) – Fights the loss of skin elasticity and discoloration.

9. Hyaluronic Acid – is a protein that keeps the connective tissues of the skin moist; makes your skin look soft, supple and smooth.

10. Enzymes – remove dead skin cells.

To zero in on specific anti-aging skin care products to try, click the links below.  The first link explains face serums.  You can also peruse THE SAVVY SHOPPER's many posts on good skin care by using the "Search This Blog" box.  It's located at the bottom right-hand corner.

You many also enjoy:

The Skinny On Face Serum ... And Skin Care

The Collection: Healthy Anti-Aging Skin Care

Go On A Skin Diet

Drugstore Beauty Buys To Beat The Winter Doldrums

Jaclyn Smith's Anti-Aging Skin Care



Photo: Jaclyn Smith

Staying abreast of new skin care brands is smart. Not only is it good for your epidermis, it is good for your wallet.

Jaclyn Smith, with the help of medical researchers including her husband, Dr. Bradley Allen, developed her own high end products that she sells at K-Mart. Her skin care line, while not dirt cheap, is budget friendly. You will pay 3 to 4 times more for comparable products that are sold in luxe department stores. I love finding cheaper alternatives on good skin care. Since these products are used every day, the savings really add up!

What makes Jaclyn Smith's brand a contender is her serums and moisturizers contain lots of ani-aging properties. When shopping for remedies for your beauty routine be sure to look for four key anti-aging ingredients:

1) Antioxidants - Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Coenzyme Q10, green tea.

2) Glycolic acid - a/k/a hydroxyacetic acid

3) Peptides

4) Retinols (over the counter) - or retinoids (prescription strength)  

Beauty experts agree that these four ingredients are top performers in slowing down the aging process by either preventing skin cell damage, speeding cell turnover or helping to rebuild collagen.

It's never too late to begin taking care of your skin. So the next time you are shopping at K-Mart, take a stroll down the personal care aisle to give the brand a browse. 

Finally, Jaclyn Smith's website gives useful tips on good skin care, as does THE SAVVY SHOPPER. Start with the links below, or enter "skin care" in the blog's search box.

You may also enjoy:
Atoxelene Line Wand
Cosmeceutical Skin Care ... Say What?
The Skinny On Face Serum ... And Skin Care
Drugstore Beauty Buys To Beat The Winter Doldrums

Glow With Natural Skin Care

An average person uses 10 personal care products each morning.  That's a lot of chemicals.

Your skin is a barrier that acts like a sponge.  As time goes on, I've learned a few lessons about lotions, potions and beauty products.  More and more, I prefer natural skin care that is free of parabens, phthalates and other chemicals you are better off without.  But regardless of how beneficial a beauty regiment is, if it's crazy expensive, what good is it to you?  So I'm always on the lookout for outstanding personal care products that won't break the bank.  Fortunately, there are green-minded companies who get it right at reasonable prices.  Here are two, available at Whole Foods and in drugstores:

 J.R. Watkins prides itself on being “America's original natural apothecary” company.  Since 1868, Walkins has used the finest natural ingredients in its diverse lines of skin care, home cleaners, and pain relief liniments.  That's 142 years of remedies and skin care, listing natural ingredients that my grandmother would recognize like aloe vera, green tea and shea butter.  And recently Walkins launched new face care products, including a cleansing cream, exfoliator, and day and night creams.  Plus they offer your best weapon against aging skin -- a natural sun screen.  Costs: $3.49 - $13.99.

Kiss My Face, another company committed to caring for your skin “the way nature intended” has a complete skin care system called, Potent and Pure, that is free of synthetic preservatives, additives, chemicals and artificial fragrances.  It uses the highest quality and most effective ingredients in nature, such as sunflower seed oil, basil extract and hibiscus  flowers, to name a few.  You'll find everything you need to fight blemishes, dryness, oiliness and aging.  Their other moisturizers and personal care toiletries are "obsessively natural" too.  Costs: $1.29 - $23.00.

Both companies combine beneficial botanicals and natural emollients, which really work.  You get fresh and clean scents.  Between them, discover creams and ointments formulated with vitamins, minerals and herbs for all your skin care needs.  And you''ll like the prices.  Healthy green ingredients that leave some green in your wallet.

You may also enjoy:

Mean, Lean And Green

When Is Organic Necessary?

Watches, Tales And Sprouts

Creamery Creek Goat Milk Soup, A Review

Anti-Aging Face Serum For Less

You won't need to rob a bank to buy anti-aging skin care that really works. After sunscreen, face serum is the most effective weapon in your beauty arsenal. One of my most popular blogs discusses the importance of face serum, plus lists a number of budget friendly options. Because. Regardless of how good a luxe face serum is, if it's too pricey to use everyday, it's of no use to you! You don't want to find your pretty, unwrinkled self standing in a bread line, do you?

Face serum should perform the following anti-aging vital functions: (a) add hydration to the skin; (b) reduce the appearance of fine lines and winkles; and (c) encourage the production of collagen and new skin growth. 

Three ingredients in skin care products help to slow down aging, and/or repair skin damage by promoting the grow of collegan: 1) retinols; 2) alpha hydroxy acid (glycolic acid, lactic acid and citic acid); and 3) vitamin C. 

Face serums have smaller molecules than lotions and creams and so penetrate deeper layers of skin. The newest trend is to layer a face oil loaded with antioxidants and omega acids over your face serum, an influence of Korean and Asian skin care. Like you, I think, another product, another step, nooo! Stop the madness!!! ... but I loved how the face oil moisturized my skin (without the grease) over the winter ... and looking good is what it's all about!

Here are 4 Highly Effective Face Serums (+1 oil) priced at $20, or less:

1) Emu Oil All Purpose Moisturizer - This is the +1 on the list: No, it's not a serum, but Australian Aborigines have used emu oil for thousands of years to do wonders for the skin. Containing high levels of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, it absorbs easily into the skin, never clogging pores. Emu oil is an anti-inflammatory. (It's inflammation that causes aging.) Emu oil stimulates the growth of collagen, helping to repair sun damage. Plus, you can use emu oil as a rub to heal sore joints and muscles also!

2) Now Hyaluronic Acid Firming Serum - Suitable for all skin types. With age our skin loses moisture, but hyaluronic acid is a super moisture binder. The serum contains antioxidants to fight free radicals along with collagen building agents to soften lines and wrinkles.

3) Derma E Firming Serum with DMAE Alpha Lipoic and C-Ester - An intense hydrating formula to tighten, tone and promote skin elasticity. DMAE lifts and tightens skin. Alpha Lipoic Acid stops free radicals from aging skin, and C-Ester improves skin texture by helping to build collagen and reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Vitamin C also helps sunscreen work better. At $18, you get lots of bang for the buck!

4) Baebody Retinol Serum - This has 2.5% retinol, hyaluronic acid and vitamin E to smooth, firm and moisturize the skin. Retinol is the non-prescription strength of Retin-A (tretinoin). Avoid the side effects of redness, dryness and rawness by starting with over-the-counter (retinol) and building up to the prescription strength (Retin-A). Use retinol at night to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, not during the day as sunlight destroys it.

5) Olay Regenerist Night Resurfacing Elixir - (This is being discontinued so online prices are rising fast! If you find it for $13 or less, buy several!) It has glycolic acid which speeds up cell turnover. Glycolic acid brightens your skin by helping you shed dead skin and bringing new skin to the surface. Many women alternate their use of serums, using a retinol based serum one night followed by a glycolic acid serum the next ... back and forth. Once this product is gone, you'll spend over $20 for glycolic acid elixirs. Olay rocks!

Use these budget friendly youth potions every day and night and still have moola left in your wallet!

You may also enjoy:
End Of Summer Skin Care
Jaclyn Smith's Anti-Aging Skin Care
Cosmeceutical Skin Care ... Say What?
Drugstore Beauty Buys To Beat The Winter Doldrums

End Of Summer Skin Care

As much as I try to protect my fair skin from the sun, it gets exposed to plenty of golden rays by virtue of being outdoors. Unless you are in the habit of hiding in the house, it's probably true of your epidermis too. 

So come fall, many of us have more freckles and brown spots, as well as, dryer skin in general.

As much as possible, I try to (1) prevent and (2) undo some of the wear and tear of summer with a few over-the-counter skin products in my arsenal, including:

1. Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Advanced Face Serum - It moisturizes and has anti-inflammatory properties. When temperatures are boiling outside, the serum calms and soothes the skin. Pricey, yes ... but, worth the splurge. I buy a bottle every year to use, starting in July until the bottle is empty.

2. Herbal Authority Double C (Vitamin C Serum) - I dab a few drops under my sunscreen and makeup each morning. Many skin care experts claim that a good vitamin C serum helps to shield your skin from sun damage, helps your skin produce new collegen, as well as, brightens frickles and brown spots caused by sun exposure. That's all good!

3. Olay Professional PROx Deep Wrinkle Treatment - I use it a few nights per week to encourage "youthful" cell turnover. Hey, can't hurt!

4. Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Serum - On nights I don't use item #3, I alternate with Olay's Rigenerist Micro-Sculpting Serum. It contains concentrated amino-peptities to hydrate and brighten the skin and encourage cell turnover. Ditto, can't hurt!

5. Olay Complete All Day Moisturizer With Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 15  - Nooo I don't work for Olay, but I do use many of the products in their excellent skin care line. They are budget friendly and readily available at a corner drugstore. So why pay more, when these affordable, good-quality-products work? I use Olay Complete on a clean face every morning before applying makeup. In summers I also use it as a non-sticky body sunscreen. I love one-stop-shopping personal care products! If I can get one multi-tasking product to do several jobs, I'm in!!

Just a final word about sunscreen overall. Skin doctors are mostly in agreement that the benefits of using a sunscreen far outweigh any side effects. So until the scientisfic evidence suggests otherwise, I apply it to exposed skin all year around. I sometimes leave my legs bare for 15-20 minutes a few times per week in order to get the recommended vitamin D doctors now say is vital to good health. Apparently, we are doing such a great job in wearing sunscreen, that many people have become vitamin D deficient. Oh, boy, it's always something!

Also if you read my blog  you already know ... in the best possible world, I adore organic products. I am very mindful of unnecessary chemicals when selecting food and personal care items. Nonetheless, everything in life is a balance: Costs verses science verses known benefits verses possible risks verses practicality. 

Knowledge is always influx. One can never fall asleep at the wheel. Aim to make the best choices within your budget based on the latest scientisfic data we have now. Save your money unless a claim is supported by a credible source. Filter scientific information with what your grandmother did for her skin. That's the best we can do. As Maya Angelou said, when we know better, we will do better. For sure!!

You may also enjoy:
Cosmeceutical Skin Care ... Say What?
The Skinny On Face Serum ... And Skin Care
Going Organic: Face, Body And Hair
Kiehl's Super Multi-Corrective Cream

Planet Eden Organic Skin Care

Photo: Photo: NewHealthGuide.org

Good skin care is an ongoing topic on THE SAVVY SHOPPER. Although we can't stop the march of time, we can strive to have "glowing, radiant skin'' at every age. And ... we don't want to go broke doing so.

Plant Eden is a company offering the best quality organic serums, moisturizers and treatments without the expense of the luxe brands. What an amazing find!: You get top-notch skin care at affordable prices, which is why the retailer began in 2009. Plus, the products are cruelty free, none are tested on animals.

Here are some of the crème de la crème Planet Eden anti-aging potions to try:

1) Eden Skin Retinol and Hyaluronic Acid Serum - Reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Protects against inflammation and stimulates the growth of collagen. Lightens freckles and age stops. (Apply the serum at night.)

2) Miracle C Serum With Cam Camu Berry - Cam camu berry is a natural source of high potency vitamin C. It improves uneven skin tone and helps your sun screen work better. The serum has ferulic acid which doubles the benefits of vitamin C to protect skin against free radicals, as well as, produce collagen. It also contains hyaluronic acid, a vital component in skin. The serum boosts elasticity and keeps your skin healthy, moist and supple. (Wear it day or night, but not with a retinol. The 2 ingredients, retinol and vitamin C cancel the benefits of the other.)

3) 20% Gly-Lactic Exfoliating Lotion with Glycolic and Lactic Acid - Has 10% glycolic and 10% lactic acid for cell turnover. There are no harsh chemicals, but tons of moisturizers. Your skin plumps up with dewy moisture -- derived from hyaluronic acid and sealed by exotic oils and butters -- while shedding a layer of dead, dull skin over a short period of time to revel fresh skin. (Use day or night.)

4) Antioxidant Recovery Cream for Stressed Dry Skin And After Skin Peels - Loaded with organic botanicals, such as rose hip oil, evening primrose oil, grapeseed oil, caledula, frankincense, macadamia nut oil and many other ingredients, including Anica and vitamin B5. It sooths, moisturizes and heels the skin. (Apply day or night.)

5) Dermaneedle Skin Roller (540 needles) - Using a skin roller reduces pores, acne scars, pigmentation and wrinkles. The motion of the needles stimulates collagen. It can be used on the face and other parts of the body.

The serums, creams and treatments have a pleasant, clean scent (very faint), a smoothing effect and are filled-to-the-brink of their containers. Value without compromise; plus all items ship for free.

With the cash you save on Planet Eden's youth elixirs, you can splurge on a useful tool like the skin roller. In a nutshell: This highly effective brand is a bargain!

You may also enjoy:
Cosmeceutical Skin Care ... Say What?  
Health Care Reform: A Doctor Weighs In
The Best Anti-Aging Face Products For Less   
Essential Oils Are A Household ... wait for it ... Essential

Kiehl's Super Multi-Corrective Cream

There's a new Kiehl's face moisturizer out on the market. It's lightweight and non-greasy -- an all-in-one cream that does the job of several products. As the jar says, the moisturizer contains beech tree extract, jasmonic and hyaluronic acids to lift, firm and smooth the skin. At $62 for a 1.7 ml size, it isn't cheap, but it is created to reduce the number of separate anti-aging face products you need to buy.

Kiehl's is famous for its skin care products. According to industry reports, half of its clientele in Los Angeles and New York are men. The company began as a 19th century homeopathic pharmacy in New York's East Village. The original store at 109 3rd Avenue still exists, and the lotions, creams and toners are still made from botanicals. It's a great line for sensitive, dry or problem skin.

Other Kiehl's skin care products I like include their face serum, Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate, which brightens your complexion and the Midnight Recovery Concentrate, which is nice to slosh on right before bed. I can also recommend Kiehl's Ultimate Strength Hand Salve. It's rich, protective and healing, yet absorbs completely into your skin.

The cost of good skin care can take a big bite out of your budget. A face serum and moisturizer are probably your bare bone essentials. (I usually forgo the face cleanser, exfoliator, toner and eye cream. I don't want to empty my wallet, nor spend all my time in the bathroom! I use Noxzema as a cleanser and Olay as a sunscreen.) You can save a few bucks by choosing and using products wisely. Figure out what you really need, what works and never waste a drop of product.

By the way, I have my morning routine down to 30 minutes. That includes showering, hair washing, blow drying and styling, makeup and dressing. I've gotten it done in 14 minutes after oversleeping (MANIC!), but would rather ease into the morning. Multi-tasking skin care helps speed up getting ready. Sometimes a lush body lotion smoothes dry hands and tames a mane of flyaway hair. What? You've never tried it? Trust me ... just as good as John Frieda.

Kiehl's gives out tons of free samples for you to see which targeted treatment is best for you. Their staff is knowledgeable and helpful. You can buy their products online, but it's worth a trip to the store.

Photo: Kwame J - Kiehl's original store

You may also enjoy:
The Skinny On Face Serum ... And Skin Care
Never Underestimate The Value Of A Free Sample
A Stop At Henri Bendel's NARS Counter
Cosmeceutical Skin Care ... Say What?

Drugstore Beauty Buys To Beat The Winter Doldrums

Photo by Duane Reade

Baby, it's cold outside ♬♪♪ and dreary.  Time to hydrate skin and wake-up your features with color.  Have you checked the aisles of a drugstore lately?  You will find a treasure trove of affordable beauty products.  If you need help to battle Old Man Winter, then try a few of the top-notch products listed below.  Pamper yourself with:

Skin Care: Face (formulas with retinols and rich moisterizers)

1. L'Oreal Paris Revitalift Triple Power Concentrated Serum

2. L'Oreal Paris Revitalift Triple Power Deep-Acting Moisturizer

3. Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Night Moisturizer 

4. Neutrogena Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream

5. Olay PROx Intensive Wrinkle Protocol - a kit that includes (1) Age Repair Lotion with SPF 30, (2) Deep Wrinkle Treatment and (3) Wrinkle Smoothing Cream

6. Roc Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Serum

7. Roc Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream

8. Roc Retinol Correxion Max Wrinkle Resurfacing System - to remove old, dry skin and encourage the growth of collagen.

Skin Care: Body
1. Aveeno Daily Mosturizing Lotion
2. Cetaphil Moisterizing Cream - hidrates chapped, sensitve skin; 
no fragrance to dry skin.
3. Bio-Oil - moisturizes dry skin and smooths stretch marks. Apply after a shower.
4. Nivea Smooth Sensation Daily Lotion - with Shea Butter.  Nivea has a new line of skin care just for men. [Or try Neutrogenia just for men].
5. Tree Hut - Certified organic shea is infused into the body scrubs and body butters.

Makeup
1. Physicians Formula - Includes (1) organic wear mascara, (2) shimmer strips eye liner, (3) ph matchmaker (all-in-one) lip and bronzer.
2. Cover Girl - Blast Flipstick Lipcolor - 13 duo shades: the 1st side is shimmer,  the 2nd side is cream, which you blend together to create polished looks.
3. Presitige - a full line of (1) face primer, (2) lipsticks and (3) mascaras.
4. Neutogena - Shine control (1) face primers, (2) foundation and (3) powders - they contain a rice protein complex.
5. L'Oreal - (1) Infallible 24HR Eye Shadow, (2) Magic Lumi Light Infusing Primer, (3) Infallible Le Rouge 12HR Lipcolour - created to last.
6. Black Opal - a full line of True Color (1) lipsticks, (2) face power and (3) blush.
7. Revlon Just Bitten Kissable lip balm stain in 7 pretty colors.

Nails - For all you nail fashionistas.  (Personally, I'm slacker: buffed nails or one coat of shimmer nail polish is what I do.  Still ... it looks like fun!)
1. Revlon Colorstay - new bright colors with gel-like shine that lasts up to 11 days.
2. Sally Hansen (1) Gem Crush (for glitter) and Sally Hansen (2) Magnetic Nail (nail art).
3. imPress - 20 press-on nail colors; no messes, no waiting to dry.
4. Kiss Nail Dress - fun press-on jeweled nail strips.

Hair Care
1. Ren - A shampoo so gentle it's called a "cleansing conditioner."  Contains coconut oil, karatin and shea butter.

2. L'Oreal Ever Sleek Intense Smoothing shampoo and conditioner - Turns frizz into smooth.
3. Pantene Expert shampoo and conditioner - (2 formulas: Keratin Repair and AgeDefy) - Prevents and retores damaged hair to health.
4. Organix - Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner.
5. Clear Scalp And Hair Therapy shampoo and conditioner - I received a sample and like this new brand.  It's rich, gentle and smells nice.

Beauty products are expensive. Drugstores offer variety and bargains.  If you watch for sales (buy one, get one free) you can walk out with some steals.  Use your rewards card for extra savings.

You may also enjoy:
The Skinny On Face Serum ... And Skin Care
Where Value And Convenience Converge
Booths No 7 Is Coming To Walgreens
Personal Care Products: Get Steller Results For Less

The Collection: Healthy Anti-Aging Skin Care

Many skin care products in today's market can leave you broke, especially those claiming to have anti-aging properties. A line I favor, Dr. Andrew Weil's for Origins, is a superior – and expensive line. How I get around paying a ransom, is to assess the line and whittle down the choices until I'm left with the 2 to 3 products I truly need for my skin. For me it comes down to three Plantidote Mega-Mushroom products: Face Serum, Face Lotion and when it's part of a kit, Face Cleanser. Next I wait for them to appear as a special promotion, usually called a "starter-set." This happens several times a year {often Mother's Day and Christmas} at a special money-saving price. Then I buy one or two of the sets at $52-$60. It's cheaper – not cheap, but a reasonable value for an exceptional skin care line with healthy all-natural ingredients.

Dr. Weil, a Harvard Medical School graduate, is famous for combining mainstream and alternative medicine. To maintain healthy skin, he stresses good nutrition, drink lots of water and consume fatty acids. Along with other leading dermatologists and doctors, Dr. Weil recommends protecting your skin from the sun, and taking a daily, anti-oxidant, vitamin and mineral supplement. [Click here to read which vitamins doctors recommend.] 

He cautions against using harsh soaps. Such irritants can dry out and damage the skin. Inflammation is another cause of aging, says Dr. Weil. His mushroom-based skin care products are formulated to fight this problem. They are rich in multi-anti-inflammatory agents like ginger, turmeric, holy basil, resveratrol and argon nut oil. 

So the million dollar question is: Can you reverse aging? Unfortunately, no. You can't. But with good habits and proper skin care, you can maintain healthy skin at every age. All of the profits from Dr. Weil's line goes back into his foundation, which supports integrative medicine around the USA.

Top-Notch Skin Care And More At Your Drugstore

Like lots of women I sometimes browse make-up boutiques and the cosmetic counters of high end department stores. Sephora is like a candy store for grown women. But I'm just as happy to discover a quality skin care line or personal care item at a corner drug store. Drug store finds are convenient. Think one stop shopping. And, they are usually good values compared to their flamboyantly priced counterparts.

My drugstore picks are products that really work, as well as, measure up to their luxury cousins. They include:

1) Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream – The ad says it "hydrates better than European creams costing up to $700." While I don't know about that, I can verify it's an excellent overnight moisturizer -- with anti-aging amino-peptides.

2) Boots No 7 – This top selling skin care line in Great Britain is sold at CVS Pharmacies and Target here in the States [also Amazon]. The Intense Perfecting Serum is light and ultra moisturizing. It claims to "refine" and "rewind" the lines on your face.

3) Pentene Pro V shampoos and conditioners – The Beautiful Lengths variety is a new favorite I'm using to keep locks strong, healthy and long.

4) L'Oreal Cosmetics – L'Oreal owns the high end Lancome line too. – If you compare the product ingredients of each company, you'll notice the makeup is similar, if not identical, but L'Oreal costs so much less. L'Oreal's mascara is one of the best on the market.

5) Bourjois Cosmetics – is the sister company of Chanel, and although company executives deny a suspicion that the make-up comes from the same laboratories, I notice a striking resemblance in the lipsticks and eyeshadows. So if you're a fan of Chanel, give Bourjois a try and save a bundle.

Everyone needs good skin care, some hair TLC and a little make-up to look your best. What a fabulous feeling to save and splurge at the same time.

Bourjois's make-up is rich in pigments just like Chanel.

You may also like:

When The Price Is Right

Great Gifts For Mom And Everyone Else

For Skin Care Try Bath And Body Works     
Drugstore Beauty Buys To Beat The Winter Doldrums