One of my favorites types of articles in magazines or blogs are when dermatologists or make-up artists tell you what products they like from the drugstore.

Well, we here at The Style Chimera are not dermatologists or make-up artists (we’re molecular biologists, but that’s not important right now).  We are, however,  two ladies that like looking our best on a budget…which means we’ve tried a lot of products in search for the best ones for the issues we have.  And since I enjoy reading what products others have tried, I’d thought I’d share what I use every day and swear by.  Everything can be found at Target or Walmart or local drugstores.  I’d love to hear what you use.  I’m always on the look out for something new to try.  🙂

 

Here are my picks for the face.  First, I wash my face with Garnier Skin Active Blackhead Eliminating Scrub while I’m still in the shower.  I use the steam in there to open up the pores.  This scrub contains salicylic acid that keeps the pesky breakouts I get under control.  When I’m out of the shower, I moisturize my face (with an expensive lotion based on the season) and focus on my eyes.  Since having my son three years ago, I’m exhausted pretty much all the time.  I received the Olay Eyes Illuminating Eye Cream in a Target Beauty Box one month and it is amazing.  The slight tint and shimmer do a good job of helping with the dark circles I (permanently now) have.   It gives me that extra boost of confidence I need as a new mom.  I also use a product for puffiness but that is a specialty item.

For make-up, I can’t live without my expensive foundation I’ve been using for over 10 years (we’ll do a splurge post later).  When that’s on, I do spot checks with the Almay Clear Complexion concealer.   It also contains salicylic acid so it treats and conceals at the same time.  I dust my cheeks with Cover Girl Cheekers Blush in Rose Silk.  I featured this as a designer dupe here.  This blush looks good on everyone and it’s subtle enough to use everyday.

I just very recently got into my brows.  I never messed with them because they never looked bad to me and I didn’t want to over wax and stun them.  So, for years, I literally didn’t touch them.  Then I had my make-up done for a photoshoot and I liked the way my brows looked in the pictures.  She didn’t do a lot to them, just filled them in a little.  I thought I’d give it a try.  But since I’m cheap, I wasn’t going to spend a lot of money trying to perfect my technique.  So, I grabbed this $2 brow brush from E.L.F.  The Instant Lift Brow Pencil twists up instead of needing a sharpener (which I HATE) and has a brush on the end.  Perfect for getting the hang of brow grooming.  I love it so much, I probably won’t even upgrade.  When my face is done, I mist it with E.L.F Make-Up Mist and Set spray.   This is another product I’ve been using for years and costs $3.

After I set the make-up, I do my eyes, so they don’t smudge every where.  I’m not loyal to any particular mascara but lately I have really liked the L’Oreal Lash Paradise mascara that just came out.  It makes my lashes look really long.  My only complaint is that it can get a little clumpy coming out of the tube, so you’ll need a lash comb.  I like natural looking lips so I switch it up between two glosses from Drew Barrymore’s cosmetic line, Flower, found exclusively at Walmart.  The Color Proof Longwear Lip Creme is somewhat matte but doesn’t dry your lips out.  I wear the Dusty Rose color.  For more shine, I like the Hydrasilk Lip Butter in Rose Petal.

Can’t wait to hear what you guys recommend!