Welcome to the first ever Swatch And Learn 2010 Beauty Awards! Penny Pincher & Richie Rich is the 6th of 7 award posts.
In today’s economic climate, money talks and we listen. Beauty mavens try hard to find inexpensive dupes of lustworthy high-end products. And when you find a gem for a fraction of the price, you feel like you’ve won the Wallet War. But, of course, there are some things we just need to have at any cost. Self restraint? Sometimes!
Penny Pincher
This award is given to the products that are low-budget wonders.
Mary’s Winner
While I’m a fan of NYX Cosmetics, I’ll have to admit that I didn’t expect much from this drugstore lip gloss. Oftentimes inexpensive lip glosses smell, feel, and even taste like plastic to me. This one knocked it out of the park – goes on smooth, is very moisturizing, smells like candy, provides excellent pigmentation, and adds sexy shine! I also give it major kudos for its formula, which isn’t sticky at all and never feels thick or goopy. And for the inexpensive price you’re paying, you’re getting a fantastic product that not only performs like a pro, but also comes in cute packaging – there’s a bow detail on the end of the cap! Sweet!
Fiona’s Winner
e.l.f. Essentials Blending Eye Brush
The name e.l.f. Cosmetics is basically synonymous with ‘penny pinching,’ but not every e.l.f. product is worth even the dollar. This one, however, is worth that and more! The brush head is dense, the bristles are soft, the shape and size offer precision, and there’s no shedding – all this for a low price! How can you beat that? I have multiples of this brush, and I use it every day. It’s one of the best investments you can make with $1.
Richie Rich
This award is given to the products that leave our pockets full of lint.
Mary’s Winner
There are some wallet-draining beauty products you just have to have because you’ve wanted it forever. NARS Zulu nail polish was it for me. Haha, I couldn’t sleep the night before the resurrection date of this discontinued color! Alas, I didn’t have an elicit affair with this blackened green when I got my hands on it. It looks too much like black in most lighting for me to be ecstatic. I dig the shiny finish, superbly smooth formula, the rubberized handle, and even the cool square bottle shape. But this was a product I ended up buying to round out my nail-polish collection rather than to wear it and admire my nails. Too bad!
Fiona’s Winner
So far, this is the priciest single makeup item that I have purchased. I open the little box very carefully and relish in the sleek rubber-texture tube…every morning (I always put it back in the packaging when I’m done). Although very sheer, Orgasm is the most natural-looking blush I have ever used. It casts a soft radiance on my cheeks that makes it look like I’m really blushing a little. Not only is the soft, shimmery glow-from-within color simply orgasmic, but the price tag sends my heart racing, too!
Our 7-part series features other awards, including:
