Budget-friendly Beauty: N.Y.C. Ultra Moist LipWear Lipstick

If you're like me, you barely look twice when you walk past those non-mainstream brand cosmetics in drugstores. Unfortunately, it's true that many of them are geared towards the younger crowd (an age group that many of us have outgrown lifetimes ago), but there are a few hidden gems there that deserve our attention.

I don't know about you, but drugstore lipsticks turn me off in a major way. Many of them are waxy and hard to apply. Even though they're extremely inexpensive, it's almost a waste of money to even try them out. The Ultra Moist LipWear Lipstick by New York Color (N.Y.C.), however, is in a league of its own.


These lipsticks offer a nice, sheer (but buildable) color. Yes, they are shimmery, but not in that "OMG the prom is 2nite!!!" kind of way, with the big, grade-school-arts-and-crafts glitter - it's a nice, subtle shimmer. And, true to their name, these lipsticks are one of the more moisturizing lipsticks I have ever tried. It's like putting butter on your lips - it pretty much blows other drugstore lipsticks out of the water! Seriously, the quality of this lipstick is great; this is on par with higher-end brands! And its fruity scent/taste is an exact match to that of Shu Uemura lipsticks (which, incidentally, cost $23 each, compared to that of these N.Y.C. lipsticks, which are 99¢ each).

I own two colors from this line: Café (301) and Violet Shine (319). Unlike the swatches on their website, Café is a sort of sheer bronzey brown, while Violet Shine is a nice, sheer raspberry. Both colors are extremely wearable for all occasions.

Unfortunately, since this isn't Maybelline or Revlon, it's kind of hard to find this brand at every drugstore, let alone find every color of this lipstick. I think I went to a Walgreens, an Ulta and two different Targets before I found a tube of Café.

In any case, next time you're looking for a new lipstick and happen to be in the vicinity of a N.Y.C. display, check out the Ultra Moist LipWear lipsticks. At 99¢ each, you can afford to give these a try.

Valentine's/Presidents Day Weekend Deals

Heads up on a few online deals:

• ULTA: Free shipping on orders over $25 (normally $50). Use promo code 22519 at checkout.


• Shu Uemura: Free shipping on orders over $35 (normally $75). Use promo code FEB09 at checkout.


• Belli Skincare: 20% off all online purchases. Use promo code VDAY20 at checkout.


• Benefit: 14% off all online purchases. Use promo code BEMINE09 at checkout.


• Clinique: Free shipping on all orders. Use promo code WEEKEND at checkout.

Remember, many of these online retailers are affiliated with various cash back services (such as Ebates), so be sure to take advantage of that.

Also, Glen Ivy gift cards are also on sale again. Get a $100 gift card for only $75 (offer good until Valentine's Day).

To get news about more online deals, be sure to sign up for the email newsletters of your favorite beauty companies.

It's HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERE!!!

The MAC Hello Kitty Collection has finally arrived!


Well, actually, it's been here since yesterday.

I've already picked up something from the collection: a lipstick in "Cute-ster." Very, very nice. In the tube, it's a light, pearly pink, but it's pretty sheer (Lustre finish), so it doesn't show up that bright on my lips.

As an Asian-American feminist, I'm well aware of the socio-political debate surrounding Hello Kitty (a gentle, cute Asian female with no mouth (although, it's important to note that Sanrio's backstory for Hello Kitty states that she's English...)). And I'm also aware of the existence of general Hello Kitty hate. What can I say? She's my guilty pleasure. Some people have drugs; I've got a mouthless cat and her arsenal of cute, little animal friends (actually, my favorite character is My Melody). Incidentally, I'm deathly allergic to cats.

Anyway, these suckers are going fast (the salesperson at the store, when I went to buy the lipstick, said to me, "You got the last one here! People are going to hate you!!!"), so if you plan to purchase, better act now.

Budget-friendly Beauty: Vaseline

That's right. Vaseline. Petroleum jelly, for you non-brand-loyal folks.

And no...



...Tyra isn't its only fan.

Vaseline has many uses, but the one I'll be talking about here is as a face moisturizer. Well, that's not technically correct. Vaseline, due to its inherent properties, can't be a moisturizer.

I know many of you scoff at the idea of putting Vaseline on your face. You may think that your face is too good for Vaseline, but you may want to think again. Next time you reach for your (expensive) face moisturizer or eye cream, try reading the ingredients. You may see that Vaseline (a.k.a. "petroleum jelly", a.k.a. "petrolatum") is listed as one of the main ingredients.

Because it feels so greasy, you may think Vaseline is an instant recipe for breakouts. You couldn't be farther from the truth. Why? Because Vaseline cannot be absorbed into your skin. Its ingredients just sit on top of your skin to create a layer (albeit a layer of grease). I guess the easiest way to explain it is that Vaseline is to skin as oil is to water; it just sits on top and never mixes.

So, if Vaseline never gets absorbed, how exactly does it help your skin? Well, by sitting on top of your skin, the layer of Vaseline creates a sort of barrier. What does this barrier do? It protects your skin from the elements (minus UV protection), but it also seals things (such as moisture) in. By preventing your skin from losing too much moisture, it helps keep your face nice and hydrated. Not only that, but you know all those expensive serums and other things you put on your face? A little bit of Vaseline will help seal those goodies in, too.

Now, the important part is how much Vaseline to use. Lucky for us, a little goes a long way. Just dab a little with your fingertips, rub between your hands, and pat onto your face. There will be a slight greasiness to your skin, but nothing unbearable. Usually, I'll do this as the final step in my nighttime skin care routine (after applying my moisturizer). You can also mix in a little bit of Vaseline with your moisturizer (à la Aquaphor), but I prefer to know for certain that my moisturizer will be doing its job (who knows where it'll end up sitting once it's all mixed up).

The results? Well, there's really no need to shell out extra $$$ for a heavier winter moisturizer. $5 (or less) at your local drugstore will help your face stay moisturized even in the coldest of weather. Also, as someone with frequent breakouts, I find that the Vaseline helps my pimples heal quicker (the barrier/seal it creates aids in the healing). It also keeps my skin soft, allowing for easier "extractions" (though I know that isn't really recommended, I just can't stop myself sometimes).

So, next time you're in need of a good moisturizer, don't hit the mall. Just collect all that loose change around the house and go to your local drugstore or supermarket and buy a jar of Vaseline. You won't be sorry.