Bargain Beauty

Who doesn't love a good deal on a great product? Some of my favorite beauty products are actually super affordable (and often better than their high-price counter parts).  Here's a list of my can't-live-without, must-have picks!

Queen Helene Cocoa Butter Hand and Body Lotion I have a confession to make; I pretty much never wear perfume.  The thing is, I get headaches really easily, and perfumes can trigger them.  Luckily, this lotion has a light, beachy scent that's just perfect to me.  It's a very subtle scent, but it lasts.  As for moisture, this lotion absorbs very quickly and doesn't leave your skin feeling sticky or slick.  Sometimes in the winter I do wish it was a bit more moisturizing, but most of the year, it's just right.  Best of all, you can find it at pretty much any big box or drugstore and a huge bottle of this as cheap as about $3! 

Freeman Facial Charcoal & Black Sugar MaskWhile it may seem a little strange to put black goop on your face, this mask is awesome.  I've never used anything that makes my skin feel so soft immediately.  I don't find this to be overly drying, and the sugar in it isn't too rough of an exfoliant.  I've even used this as more of a face scrub when I didn't have time to use it as a mask.  Either way my skin comes out super smooth.  This can be a bit difficult to find in store.  I paid $3.50 for a large tube of it at Bed Bath & Beyond (with an extended beauty section), and I think I've also seen it at Christmas Tree Shop, but I haven't been able to find anywhere else, other than online.  If you see it, grab it!

Turbie Twist 

If you have long hair, these towels are a must! I have the microfiber version, but I assume the cotton ones also work well.  These are so much more comfortable than wrapping a bulky towel around your hair after getting out of the shower.  They really help absorb a lot of water and definitely speed drying time.  Mine have held up well to repeated washings, and I find that they dry pretty quickly after each use.  I even bring one with me when I travel since it's so small.  You can find these in any drugstore or on Amazon for $5-7 a piece or sometimes even less! 

Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque

Yes, another Queen Helene product.  But, it's hard to beat a huge tube of this super effective mask for less than $4.  In fact, I've had the same tube of this stuff for years and it's still going strong.  It hasn't even dried out at all.  Speaking of drying, I use this when I feel like my pores are getting clogged and it does a good job of clearing them.  I have normal to dry skin, and have no problem tolerating it.  If you have super dry skin, this may be a bit too strong for you.  This is another easy product to find at pretty much any big box or drugstore.

The Wet Brush

Usually you're told that brushing your hair while it's wet is a big no-no, but this brush is made exactly for that purpose.  It really does detangle my hair, even if it's dry.  My mother has fine, fragile hair and had always sworn by combs.  After a decent amount of coaxing, she finally gave this brush a try.  I think her combs have been retired.  At about $8 this is the most expensive item my list, but if you buy it at Ulta, you can use one of their frequent $3.50 off coupons on it!  I haven't seen this at drugstores, but if you live near a Christmas Tree Shop, they also carry them.  You can also order one online at Amazon or thewetbrush.com.