Now that we're past Thanksgiving and it's full steam ahead to Christmas, there are several gift guides floating around. I don't know about you, but the number of people I need gifts for seems to outgrow my wallet every year, so here is a roundup of my ten favorite beauty items from the drugstore, all $12 and under, that you can gift yourself or others.
Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay
While you can purchase this on Amazon for around $13, I got my jar from Whole Foods for $7. This mask is everything I would ever want a clay mask to be - deep cleaning without stripping my skin, and all-natural. It claims that your skin will "pulsate;" and while I didn't have that experience, it was slightly tingly in a good way. I've tried a few other natural clay masks, and they irritate the daylights out of my skin, but this one is gentle enough to use daily. I'll even mix in a bit with my a.m. cleanser to add a layer of exfoliation.
RCMA No Color Powder
Technically, this isn't a drugstore item, but since it's the best loose powder on the market and you get so much of it, $12 is very fair. Head over to Beautylish.com and pick up a bottle so you can prep your eyelids, pour a little in a travel container for on-the-go touch ups, and, of course, set your makeup when you're buffing.
Weleda Skin Food
This super product is popping up everywhere now - like Target - even though I used to only find it at Whole Foods or Amazon.com. For $11, you get a skin-saving moisturizer models swear by during fashion week when they have makeup applied and removed multiple times in a day. As the weather gets colder, I use it on top of my nighttime moisturizer and as a body lotion. Another use I accidentally stumbled on during a recent weekend getaway: a very small amount warmed up in your palms and applied just to the ends of your hair keeps flyaways and frizzy ends under control. And, oh by the way, it smells amazing.
Glossier Balm Dot Com
Another multitasker, this $12 goo comes in five "flavors," my favorites are mint and coconut, and I have found myself stashing them all over the house - and in every purse - because I miss it when I don't have it. Hang nail? Chapped nose? Dry cuticles? Lip balm? Illuminator? Lip gloss? I could keep going, but this does it all. (For 20% off your first purchase, you can go through this link.)
Maybelline Brow Pencil, Gel Liner and Mascara
This is a 3-for-1 because each of these products can stand right next to high-end versions and you wouldn't know the difference - even though they are each $7 and under. The Brow Drama pencil is waxy enough that you don't need a separate brow gel, comes in several shades and has a built-in spoolie brush at the end so you can comb the product through the brows.
This Eye Studio Lasting Gel liner comes in several shades if you want to be adventurous, but I love Blackest Black for a long-wearing liner that's easy to apply.
I feel like I've written or spoken about Falsies mascara way too much, but that's because it's legit. Love the curved brush, and I stick with Blackest Black.
Dr. Bronner Castile Soap
So, obviously, I use this multi-purpose solution for cleaning makeup brushes, but starting at $2 for a travel size of the liquid (you can also get bars of soap), this miracle product can be used for everything from cleaning your floors, to cleaning your expensive jewelery, to cleaning your face. There are several scents - my favorite is almond - and it's a must try.
Thayers Witch Hazel
The best astringent I've ever used costs $90. Not joking. The second-best is this one, and it's around $8. I use the alcohol-free versions, but if you're super oily and/or acne-prone, you can get away with their awesome astringent.
NYX Butter Gloss (or blush, lipstick, bronzer, etc...)
NYX is such a great company because they provide quality makeup at incredible prices, and they're cruelty-free. My favorite is the Butter Gloss in Creme Brulee ($5!), but it would be tough to find something from the line that doesn't meet your needs.
Almay Makeup Eraser Sticks
I am shocked by the number of people who don't know about these little magic wands, but for less than $5, you can do everything from cleaning up a cat eye to removing mascara smudges at the end of a long day. These are so, so good - they're in my purse at all times, and on my makeup table, and they'd make a great stocking stuffer.
KISS Cluster Lashes
These. are. amazing. Also around $5, these are the lashes you wish you had growing out of your eyelid. They are super easy to apply - unlike individuals - and you can customize them for as little or as much fringe as you please. And, unlike strip lashes, you don't have to worry about the corners of these little nuggets popping up at the wrong time. Maybe it's because they sit flush to your lash line, but I feel like these wear longer than other lashes, too. (I use the clear DUO gel, also a drugstore product for about $6.)
~~~~~~~~
There you have it! Make sure to subscibe to this blog, as well as my YouTube channel, and follow @ElectraLane on Facebook and Instagram so you get all kinds of sweet makeup knowledge flying at you from all directions. Thanks so much for stopping by, and I can't wait to meet you back here next week.
Images: Author, Google Images, Target.com, Birchbox.com, Glossier.com
