SHOPPING TIPS

Look for quality. Judging by price is not the key to finding quality products. You must examine each product individually. That line could have great blush, but not great foundation colors or brushes. Your needs will be best met by not limiting yourself to buying everything from one line.

Always buy your drugstore products at a store with a good cosmetics return policy. I would feel terrible if any of you bought something I had suggested, didn't like it, and then couldn't return it!

Keep in mind that even some of the more expensive drugstores sometimes carry some very low-priced obscure brands and products. You just have to look for them. I found an excellent quality retractable lip brush for under $2 at my local Long's Drugs. They carry many interesting low-cost brands and products you have never heard of. Save-On also carries some interesting, inexpensive and obscure products.

More unusual sources to shop. Scour beauty supply stores, $1 stores, discount stores, your local swap meet/flea market, any warehouse stores you belong to, and any old-fashioned five-n-dime's in your area for more bargains. For the not-so-easily-embarrassed, check out play make-up for children. At Pic N' Save I found a $2 compact that had about 12 eyeshadows and 3 blushes and they were actually rather adult colors and fairly matte. Some discount clothing stores in strip malls also sell very inexpensive make-up.

You can also purchase name brand cosmetics at a discount through mail order. I learned about this from a very good book Miserly Moms: Living On One Income In A Two Income Economy by Jonni McCoy. She has many great tips on how to cut expenses in all areas of your budget (many of them painless). She focuses mainly on cutting down the grocery bill. What I really like is that she only gives advice that saves a significant enough amount of money to make it worth your while. If you are interested in her book, her web site is on my links page. Anyway, she says most of the large cosmetics manufacturers sell the remainder of a certain lot or color to surplus houses. They are then sold for up to 90% off retail. Here is a company you can get a free catalog from:

Beauty Boutique
P.O. Box 94519
Cleveland, OH 44101-4503
(440) 826-3008

Look for brushes in craft and art supply stores. You can get very high quality brushes for very little money! An added advantage of shopping the craft and art supply stores is that if you need a brush of a more unusual shape or size, you have much more variety to choose from. You can choose how long you want your bristles, how thick or thin the brush, how firm or soft, and you can feel them before you buy. These stores have a great assortment of brushes for every purpose. Sometimes the handles are very long but you can cut them down. I'd seek out a male friend, relative or neighbor with a good set of tools to do it for you. They usually love any chance they can get to use their toys-I mean tools. If you don't know what shapes and size brushes to look for, study the brushes at the department stores first. I just bought some art brushes at a craft store and I am now convinced that all the brushes for make-up and art come from the same manufacturers. I bought an extremely soft goat hair blush/powder brush which compares to Bobbi Brown's for $6.50. I bought an excellent concealer brush comparable to any $16 brush, for $3.00. I bought a square-shaped eyelining brush (great for making a defined line with shadow) like Stila's and an eyeliner brush shaped like Bobbi Brown's (great for making a thicker, softer line) for around $5 each. In a department store these brushes would be anywhere from $16-$40 and up. The shapes and quality of the artist's brushes are the same as the very expensive make-up brushes at the department stores.

Buying supplies. Be cautious about buying supplies like make-up sponges, powder puffs, and sponge-tip applicators from well-known cosmetics companies at the drugstore. You can buy these items for much less. At the drugstore, look for generic and obscure brands at the ends of the wall of the famous brands, and check the aisle end-caps.You can also search your area for beauty supply stores. Many have become high-end and overpriced. You have to hunt for a good one. Like a not-so-fancy, hole-in-the wall,  Mom & Pop store with a bit of dust on the shelves. Maybe in a not-so-great neighborhood. These are where you find the deals.

Generic Brands. These can be real money-savers. Drug Emporium has a line of skin-care knock offs. The ingredients are the same as the national brands they are copying, and they tell you right on the label which brand to compare it to. I use the Cetaphil skin cleanser copy, the fragrance-free copy of Lubriderm, and the copy of Eucerin's heavy cream. They also have their own cold cream. These products are priced at generally less than half the price of the national brands, and they often come in larger containers. Drug Emporium also has their own generics of many other supplies such as baby oil, petroleum jelly, hydrogen peroxide, cotton swabs, baby powder, and much more. I love this store. They have a large selection and very low prices. They are in about half the states in the U.S. Check out their web site on my Links page for the location nearest you. I can't wait to get a Wal-Mart in my area!

One of my viewers, Kimberly, has brought to my attention that Long's Drugs, Rite-Aid, and Save-on all sell a generic Cetaphil. They are more expensive than Drug Emporium's, but if you don't have a Drug Emporium in your area, they are still cheaper than buying Cetaphil in these stores. Rite Aid is the cheapest, but keep an eye out for Long's half-off coupons.

Shopping for color products at the drugstore. If you fall in love with the color of a product at the drugstore and it happens to be from one of the more expensive brands, carry it around with you and compare the color to products in the lower-priced lines. They often have the very same shades. I find this especially true with blush, although you can also find very similar and sometimes the same eyeshadow and lipstick colors. For example, a Revlon powder blush can cost $9 or $10, but Prestige has some very similar (if not some of the same) colors for around $3 or $3.50. Here is another trick I use when shopping at the drugstore: When I find myself attracted to a color, I go get off the shelf the ones that I already have at home. I compare them in the store, and I often discover that I am picking out the same color I already own, again and again, just from a different brand. This saves me money by keeping me from buying things I already have.

How to free yourself from sales pressure while shopping.  I have a rule. I never buy anything the same day I test it. In fact, I often test a product several different times before I buy it. I suggest that you at least commit to always wearing a product for at least an hour (preferably several) before you buy it. This will save you from disaster many times and puts you in control. After you or the sales associate has applied the product and she's fishing for you to commit to making a purchase decision, simply say, "I'm going to wear it for a few hours and see how I like it." Thank her for her help and just walk away. You're Free! Now you can evaluate the product objectively and completely on your own and  in the daylight. Freed from sales pressure to decide quickly on the spot, you will be able to think more rationally and clearly about your needs. You will make a much better decision for yourself, be happier with your purchases, and of course-Save Money! You can see how the product wears over the next hour or two or more. You will be amazed how different a product may seem once it is alone on your skin and separated from the beautiful environment of the counter displays, the fancy packaging, and the enthusiastic sales associate. The effect is even more pronounced if you get a sample and try it yourself at home or if you test the product several times.

Department Store testers can be your friends! Take some time to take advantage of store testers and free make-overs so you can learn what colors look best on you. Study and educate yourself about the nuances of colors and develop your eye. Ideally, you want to get to the point where you can just look at a color in a blister pack at the drugstore and know what it will look like on you (I don't mean foundation. That would be nearly impossible). This will save you money and time in the long run. When cosmetic companies come out with new lines and new colors, you will be able to separate yourself from all the "sales fluff" and see the products more objectively. You will immediately recognize various standard shades and remember where you have seen them before, again and again. You will recognize when a new shade is truly unique.You can then easily select the same or similar shades for less at the drugstore, and you can also avoid the common mistake of purchasing the same color you already own but in different packaging. This kind of "self-training" will help immensely with custom mixing your own colors. If you have no self-control when you enter department stores, then you are better off staying out of them and taking advantage of lenient drugstore return policies.

How to select the right foundation color. When shopping for foundation at the drugstore without testers, keep in mind that the color will appear darker in the bottle than how it will go on your skin. The Makeup Diva suggests that you bring along a favorite foundation from home to compare the colors. This will still be a "hit or miss" process, and may require returning several bottles before you find the right shade. You may also find that you are in-between shades and then you will have to do your own custom mixing (see Foundation for detailed instructions). The ideal way to shop for foundation is with testers which usually means at the department stores. If you can afford it, I suggest you spend the extra money here to save yourself from the drugstore hassle. Its difficult enough to find a perfect match even with testers.When testing foundation, put a swipe on your face near the jawline and don't blend it in. Let it dry, because the color will darken. Look for a color that matches your skin exactly and "disappears" into your skin. If your face and neck are two different colors, you may have to find a compromise. For example, my neck is lighter than my face. All my dark freckles make my face look darker. If I match the color at my jawline to my neck, the color looks too pale on my face. I have to go a touch darker. If you have ruddy areas on your face, make sure you match the color to your jawline. You want your foundation to cover any redness, not match it.

With your final selections, always check the color in daylight. When you decide you have found your match, always wear it over your whole face for at least a few hours to make sure the color and formula are right for you before you buy it or decide to keep it. Some foundations (especially oil-based) can change color after being on your face for a while. Make sure you do this if you have oily skin.

When you shop for foundations and concealers, don't just compare the prices. Also write down how many ounces they give you and figure out the cost per ounce to accurately compare prices. If you don't do this, the prices can be deceiving. For example, Stila sells a foundation for $40 a tube, but it contains 1.4 oz. Most foundation bottles hold around 1oz., and some .5oz. The Stila foundation works out to $28.57 per ounce. Zhen makes a stick foundation that is $18 for .5oz. That's $36 an ounce. Zhen's other foundations at $15.50 and $22.50 per ounce are a better deal. I was thinking of trying L'Oreal's cream to powder foundation for the summertime. It looked like a decent price until I noticed the net weight. It is $7 for .17 oz. That's $41 per ounce for a drugstore product! I also suspect that I would use up a cream to powder faster than a liquid foundation. If you can, try to consider how quickly you will go through a particular formula. Beware though, salespeople will always tell you that their product lasts longer than others. My guess is that you would go through a stick foundation quicker than a liquid. You will also go through a liquid foundation faster if you apply it with a sponge rather than your fingers, because a sponge soaks up some of the foundation.

Always consider the amount of make-up you are given for the price. This is important not only when shopping for foundations and concealers, but also for products like blush and eyeshadows. It is important whether you are shopping at the department stores or the drugstores. Sometimes the price may be low, but the container is so tiny it turns out to be no bargain at all.

Most lines will give you samples of products to try at home in little containers if you ask. I discovered this because I got so frustrated trying to shop for concealers by trying them on in the store. I really needed to try them at home with the rest of my own make-up and in good daylight to really see how they looked and performed. I started asking, and I was given samples so generous, that I could take my time and try the product for days. I could put it on one eye and use my own on the other. I have also been given foundation samples. What a great way to shop and really make sure you will be happy with the product before you hand over your money! Remember, a product will usually go on differently when you apply it, than when the make-up artist does. Sometimes this is a good thing.

Important Information About Shopping for Sunscreens. This is one of the most important things I learned from Paula Begoun's books. I highly recommend her book Don't Go To The Cosmetics Counter Without Me as a shopping guide. I hope she doesn't mind me paraphrasing her here, because it is so important to spread this information. In order for any sunscreen to truly protect you from both UVB rays (cause sunburn) and UVA rays (cause skin cancer and wrinkles), a sunscreen must contain either titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, or avobenzone. If one of those ingredients is not listed on the label, don't buy it. Be very careful, because the labeling on the packages can be deceiving. A sunscreen can legally say on the package that it provides broadspectrum UVA/UVB protection, but in reality provide you very little UVA protection. You must check the ingredients list for either titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, or avobenzone. Those are the only ingredients that can give you decent protection against both UVA & UVB - no matter what claims are on the label. Remember to also check for these ingredients on the labels of any make-up products, foundations or day creams containing sunscreens. Also, price has nothing to do with effectiveness. Paula recommends not spending a lot on sunscreen, since you are less likely to use an expensive sunscreen as liberally as necessary to give you adequate protection. When they test for SPF, they use 1oz. of sunscreen to cover an adult's body. That is 1/4 of a typical 4oz. bottle. In addition to checking the ingredients list, don't forget to pick a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, and get a waterproof formula if you will be swimming or exercising.

Don't let the sales associates talk you into purchasing additional "special" products other than the basics. Special eyeshadow bases and  primers for under concealer, foundation, or mascara are all unnecessary and a waste of your money. Foundation and concealer alone should be sufficient, or you haven't picked a product with enough coverage or the right color. Foundation and liquid concealers (the ones in the tube) can be used on the eyelids under shadows (if it is not a matte formula, dust powder over it).Foundation and all types of concealer can be used on the lips under lipstick. Concealer or foundation  applied first to the edges of the lips works great if you need to correct the shape with lip-liner pencil. Foundation on your eyelids works much better than shadow bases to even out the skin tone and help your shadow colors look "true." Most eyeshadow bases I have tested did funny things to the color of my skin and the eyeshadows. My naturally dark skin under my eyes extends onto my eyelids and a foundation works best to lighten this area before I apply shadows. Some women with normal to oily skin who have trouble with eyeshadows creasing, prefer to use just face powder, baby powder, or a light colored eyeshadow as a base. Some lines sell little concealer pencils for cleaning up make-up smudges or applying concealer to recessed lines on the face. Nice idea, but you can just as easily use your regular concealer on the end of a fine eyeliner brush to do the same thing. The one exception is anti-feathering lip primers. I have read that some of these work very well to solve the problem of bleeding lipstick. Consult Paula Begoun's book Don't Go To The Cosmetics Counter Without Me for specific low-cost product recommendations.

Here are some examples of  weird products they have tried to sell me. One line had this light, frosty pink, moisturizing cream/stuff. It was hard to get a really clear explanation as to what exactly this product was. It was supposed to go under my concealer to help it work better by "deflecting the light." I took the sample she handed me and tried it at home. It was an utterly useless product. Another line tried to sell me this stuff with all these plant extracts that is supposed to go over your concealer to keep the area moist and keep the concealer looking good and any lines smooth. All it did was make the concealer disappear quickly and crease into my lines. It is a good thing I didn't have an allergic reaction to this stuff. She was only supposed to be doing my make-up and she threw this stuff on me before I knew it and could tell her that I'm allergic to most plant extracts!

Don't let the sales associate or make-up artist sell you a different brush for every purpose under the sun. Most women only need a few brushes (see brushes for more detailed information). Concealer brushes and many others are optional. It is a matter of personal preference. Don't just let the make-up artist apply the make-up and tell you how great the brush is. Take the brush out of her hand and try it for yourself! You decide if you want a concealer brush or if you do better with a finger or a sponge tip for the purpose. What application tool works best will also be determined by the particular consistency of the make-up formula you are using. However, with a synthetic hair concealer brush, you will not use up the product as quickly as you will applying it with your finger. Sometimes you can get double-duty out of one brush such as using an eyeliner brush for eyelining with eyeshadows and also for filling in your brows with powdered brow color or eyeshadow.

The following shopping tips are brought to you courtesy of Jennifer:

1. Plan your drug store purchases carefully.  Check for sales, specials, and coupons so that you can save even more money on the products you love. Many fashion magazines or Sunday papers have coupons and drug stores often have in store sales, coupons and specials.  However, you should resist the temptation to buy something you normally don't simply because it is on sale or you have a coupon.

2.  Time department store purchases right. Many times, department store cosmetics brands offer free gifts. The best gifts I find are offered in the early fall and early spring. If you buy your department store products when they offer a free gift, you can get some nice goodies to try at home for free. Or, like me, you can use these trial sizes when you travel.  I also save the containers and fill them with my own drug store makeup and skin care products when I travel.  However, you should look at the gift and see if the products would work for you or would work with your coloring. If most items in the gifts are not useful, you may want to wait until the next gift.  Also, you should resist the temptation to buy something you don't normally buy just because you get a free gift.

3. Keep organized and go through your makeup and skin care products periodically.  Pitch products that are too old or do not work for you and when you go to buy makeup, keep a list of what you need so that you avoid accumulating 5 tubes of the same burgundy lipstick.  By doing this, I have saved a lot of money and I have a lot more room to boot!