I am obsessed with mascara primer. One of these magical tubes will make your eyelashes longer, more voluminous, keep your mascara from flaking and conditions your lashes. It’s magical I tell you! I have long used both the Lancome CILS BOOSTER XL – Enhancing Mascara Base – $25.50 and the Dior Show Maximizer 3D Triple Volume Plumping Lash Primer – 29.50, both I have equally loved. Although I have always found the cost offensive I just couldn’t give them up, until now. I have discovered a dupe that is worthy of replacing both the Lancome and Dior versions…
Yes, the title is true, I have found a dry shampoo dupe – cornstarch! I know, it’s weird…cornstarch? This is the stuff that hangs out in my pantry and every so often I will bust it out when a recipe calls for it, but really that isn’t too often. The thing that cornstarch is amazing at doing is absorbing oil. Oil absorbing? Sounds like something my dirty hair could use. I also have to add that I in doing my fair share of research corn starch is one of the main ingredients in numerous dry shampoos on the market. Dry shampoos that are wayyyyyyyyyyy more pricey.
Now let me back up on how this trick was first mentioned to me. I was shoe shopping and the girl helping me was wearing this amazing hat, which I quickly complimented her on. She mentioned that she didn’t have time to wash her hair that day and she couldn’t find her cornstarch. I must have given her an inquisitive look because she quickly followed up by telling me what a great alternative cornstarch was to dry shampoo. I took note and decided to try it. I have to say that I now almost exclusively use corn starch as my main dry shampoo source because it works crazy good. Not to mention the price difference is an added bonus. A container of corn starch usually runs anywhere from $3-$5 for a 16 oz container, while higher priced powder shampoos run anywhere from $20-$30 for 2-3 oz. of product. Here are a couple of examples where corn starch is one of the primary ingredients, Alterna Cavier Anti-Aging Dry Shampoo and Bumble & Bumble Pret-a-Powder Dry Shampoo.
Here are some of my tips on how to use this stuff. I keep a tub of Argo cornstarch in my vanity along with my other makeup essentials. Whenever I use it, I simply dip three fingers into the powder, shake off any extra and dab it into the roots of my hair making sure to blend it in well so you don’t see any white powder. I continue this process until I am happy with how it looks – sometimes this is a 30 second process and other times it takes a bit longer. It all really depends on how dirty my hair is, but don’t judge – we have all been there. 🙂
I have to admit that I was hesitant to try this since I was so in love with mainstream dry shampoos, but I highly, highly recommend that you try it. Remember to utilize the tips noted above and hopefully you will fall in love with the results as much as I have.
I have a love affair with my Beauty Blender. I am always switching up my beauty products, however I rarely stray from my beloved Beauty Blender for long. I have tried numerous imposters, but nothing has come close to this magical sponge, until now. Beauty Blender Dupe, I have found you…
The dupe is the new H&M Precision Makeup Sponge that retails for $3.99. The cost of a Beauty Blender is $20, making the H&M version 80% less, a HUGE savings!
The H&M Precision Makeup Sponge is identical in size to the Beauty Blender, however when dampened the H&M sponge is about 15% larger. The actual dampened size doesn’t make a difference in the end makeup result, however I thought I would mention it.
In checking what each of the sponges was made of, the Beauty Blender states that it is made of non-latex foam while the H&M sponge is made of 100% polyurethane, which does not contain latex as well.
All in all, I would definitely give the H&M Precision Makeup Sponge a try. Even if you hate it you are only out $4 (there is a $5.95 shipping fee, but shipping is free on H&M if you spend $50+). I definitely think it is worth a try. I would love to hear how you like it.
I love Kat Von D’s Tattoo Eyeliner. It is definitely one of my holy grail products that I always have on hand. However, as with all high end department store products I try, I always like to attempt to see if I an find a more reasonable drugstore dupe. This Kat Von D Tattoo Eyeliner, which retails for $19 was no different.
The Kat Von D formula is great, it doesn’t smudge, stays put all day, yet still comes off easily with eye makeup remover. My favorite part of this high-end liner is the super fine brush applicator. Whether you want a very thin, dainty line or a dramatic cat eye, this eyeliner will complete the look flawlessly every time.
Enter the dupe…meet the Maybelline Precision Eyeliner, which retails for $4.79 . The similarities are quite remarkable. Here is my breakdown:
I have an unhealthy obsession with nude-pink lipsticks. I have so many from different brands that resemble one another, however my favorite without question is Tom Ford’s Spanish Pink.
I stumbled upon this color by total accident. I was racing through Nordstrom and was sidetracked by the gorgeous display of Tom Ford lipsticks. I swatched several shades but was instantly enchanted with Spanish Pink. I told the gal at the makeup counter I would take it and proceeded to fork over my credit card. I didn’t think to ask the price but was expecting to spend anywhere from $25 to $35. Imagine my shock when, with tax the total came to $54 and change. OMG, I was stunned, but rather than part with this stick of pink perfection I paid and went on my way.
Truth be told if I knew the cost I am not certain I would have made the purchase. I mean $49 before tax is outrageous for a lipstick. However, since I do have it I must admit that I really love it. The color is creamy, opaque and the perfect shade of pink. This stuff is also super moisturizing. My lips tend to flake quite a bit and get very dry and I have no bleeding or feathering with this stuff. Yes, for this much I do expect perfection and I will say this stuff definitely delivers, but I have been looking for a dupe and until recently I was not able to find one.
Fast forward several months later…I am in Wal-Mart and come across the Milani lipstick in #26, Nude Creme. This is almost an exact color match for the Tom Ford Spanish Pink. In terms of creaminess and opaqueness they are a replica. As much as I love my Spanish Pink now that I have a great dupe and can save myself close to $50 I am going to stick with my Milani Nude Creme.
I recently posted some fabulous looks featuring women wearing this nude-pink lip on Glaamspot. Here are some of my favorite celebrity makeup looks featuring this lip:
