Urban Decay 30% Discount

It's that time of year! Enter code FNFS9 at checkout, and get 30% off your entire order from Urban Decay.

If you've signed up to receive newsletters from other skincare/cosmetics companies, you probably noticed that many of them are having similar discount events right now. These are tough times for many, so it's that much more important to shop wisely. Of course, not spending your money at all is the best way to save, but these discounts are great for those things that you "just need to have". They come about twice a year (one right around now and another around Fall), so plan wisely!

Too Faced Vintage Sale

Get all of the older Too Faced items at close to 75% off in their Vintage Super Sale. Lip glosses, eye shadows, brushes, palettes - all for under $20 (and many for under $10)! Can't beat those prices!

The sale ends April 6.

Prescriptives Friends & Family 30% Off

Use promo code FRIEND9 to get 30% off and free shipping on your Prescriptives purchase. This offer is good through Saturday, 3/21.

* And don't forget to hit up Ebates for your 6% cash back!!!

Budget-friendly Beauty: DIY Body Scrub

A day late, I know. Sorry! :-I

Anyway, this time, rather than highlighting a product for purchase, I thought I'd share a little do-it-yourself project with you. I know; very "Martha Stewart" of me.

If you are like me, your bedroom/bathroom/storage closet is abundant with various body creams, butters, milks, and/or lotions. Birthdays, Christmas, random "Thank You" gifts - there's always at least a few people who decide to give you random skin care gift baskets. The problem is, it's always more than you could ever use in your lifetime.


So, what to do with all these bath and body goodies? Well, other than re-gifting them, you can actually put them to use!

You know all those body scrubs you find at the store? Yes, exfoliation is key to good-looking skin, but that stuff is not cheap! Now, you don't have to bother wasting your money on that stuff. You can make your own at home at little to no cost. All you need is that bottle or jar of whatever moisturizer you're trying to get rid of and some sugar (you can use salt if you want, but sugar doesn't sting or irritate your skin like salt can). Some people recommend raw sugar (the stuff that's in those brown packets at Starbucks), but plain white sugar is better for your skin since it's finer in grain (won't be as rough). And, last time I checked, a pound of white sugar only cost a couple of bucks.

In regards to the recipe: mix sugar and moisturizer, and apply like any other body scrub (massage onto skin and rinse). Most recipes recommend one part sugar to one part moisturizer, but since you're the one making it, feel free to use as much of either as you want. Also, I usually mix enough for one application at a time, so I don't know how long it'll keep if you mix the entire thing (although, I assume fairly long due to the amount of sugar needed).

And voilà! Good looking (and feeling!) skin, and you barely have to open your wallet! Happy mixing!

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.

Find the Right Foundation Shade

It may be because I'm a makeup newbie, but I feel like finding the correct foundation shade is becoming something akin to a spiritual journey. When you find that perfect match, it'll be as if you've just discovered the meaning of life.

One of my many searches led to a five-year-old post on a message board. The following is a recommended guide written by user "pbsadhaka" (one of the most in depth guides I've come across so far):

OK girls, here is a non-fail formula to find your true skin tone, and to match up what color of makeup and also hair color best compliments your skin tone. Save this, b/c it is always true, and failsafe!

Skin tones can be broken down into 4 categories: olive, red/pink, golden, & neutral. The easiest way to find your true skin tone is to hold a piece of white paper up to the skin where your neck meets your collarbone.

Olive skintones have an underlying tone of green, gray, or yellow. Olive people look best in either cool or neutral colors. Warm colors should usually be avoided unless it is of a darker value.

Makeup shades for cool/neutral skintones include: blueish reds (not orange/reds), plums, violets, silvery greens (evergreens), grays, and deep mauves. Haircolors that compliment olive skin are: blueish blacks, auburns, chestnut brown, dark golden brown. If you go lighter, you should never go lighter than a level 4 with a golden tonality.

Red/Pink skintones have an underlying hue of reddish brown, red, or blue-red. This skintone also looks best in cool or neutral colors. Warm colors are not recommended for this skin type. Complimentary hair colors for this type are any ashy or sandy blonde, burgundy browns, light cool blondes, avoid reds - it will make your skin look ruddy. If you want a red tone, go with a very light auburn or strawberry blonde.

Golden skintones have an underlying tone of golden-brown, gold, or peach. This skin tone looks best in warm colors. Makeup colors should include: grays, tan, browns, bronze, gold, grassy & mossy greens, warmer orange-reds, and corals. Complimentary hair colors should include ash and golden blondes, aubruns, neutral browns, and warm dark browns/blacks.

Neutral skintones have a balance of pink and gold undertones. You will have a hard time finding a dominant undertone in this type. Tis skin tone is usually described as ivory, beige, or brown skin. Neutral skintones can wear either cool or warm.

Taking your eye color into account can also help you decide your skintone:
Warm Eye Colors:
-Brown with red, orange, yellow or gold flecks.
-Blue with yellow or gold flecks.
-Green with reddish-brown, orange, yellow, or gold flecks.

Cool Eye Colors:
-Brown with black, gray-brown, gray-green, or gray flecks.
-Blue with white, blue, gray, or violet flecks.
-Green with blue or gray flecks.

When choosing makeup, there are other factors that you must take into consideration too. Women often choose a foundation that is too light for their skin. This gives you a pasty, pale "canvas" of a face. Then any makeup that you put on looks overly done - painted on. The other danger is going too dark with your foundation and ending up with an orange "mask". NEVER go more than 1 shade lighter or darker than your natural skintone. Also, don't rely on the names that the companies give to their foundations - look at the actual color of the product. What Revlon calls "golden", L'Oreal might call "beige". But whatever foundation you choose make sure that you BLEND and feather it from under your chin down onto the neck and behind the ears. But if you are choosing the correct level & tone, you should not see a line where your foundation stops anyway.

Eyeshadows can really compliment your eyes. Choosing a deeper/darker shade of a color will make the iris of your eyes appear lighter & brighter. A lighter eyeshadow will usually make your eye color deepen.

Sorry this post is so long, but there is a lot of info here. I use this guide all the time with clients, and there have been only maybe 2 or 3 times when someone did not fit this formula exactly!

If that doesn't get you closer to your "perfect" shade, then I don't know what will.

Budget-friendly Beauty: Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser

Although I love working for myself and being able to create my own schedule, I do find myself with a lot of down time every so often. A lot. And, unfortunately, this happens to be one of those times. So, to help me keep my hands from being idle, I've decided to start a new biweekly series here on my blog: Budget-friendly Beauty (yeah, no clever title here). In this series, I'll feature some of my favorite inexpensive products - a perfect complement to current times. Many of you may already be familiar with the products I'll be discussing, but for those of you who aren't, this is the place to familiarize yourself.

First up is the Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser for Normal to Oily Skin.


Cetaphil's Gentle Skin Cleanser is already a big favorite among many people (and multiple beauty award winner). Unfortunately, I find it a little too creamy and moisturizing for my oily skin (it's probably great for people with dry skin or those who live in extreme winter climates). Unlike the Gentle Skin Cleanser, the Daily Facial Cleanser is more like a face wash gel: it lathers up and rinses off clean. What I like about this particular cleanser, however, is that, while it's gentle and doesn't leave your skin tight and dry, it's still able to take off most, if not all of the grime on your face.

Now, many of you who are used to department store stuff probably shun the idea of using drugstore skin care products. And, for the most part, I would agree with you. Most of my forays into drugstore skin care has left me SORELY disappointed. And not just in a snobby sort of way. Most of that stuff has so much alcohol, fragrance, and other chemicals in it that it really does leave your skin for the worse. Cetaphil, however, is one of the few exceptions.

No, it doesn't contain all those fancy vitamins and minerals that promise to leave your skin looking fresh and radiant and a thousand years younger. ... But, guess what. All that stuff, when put in a face wash, is useless anyway. Why? Because you end up washing it all off before it has a chance to do anything for your skin. Your money is literally going down the drain. In the end, all you really need from a face wash is something that will leave your face clean and ready to go, and Cetaphil is something that will give you that at a decent price.

So, the next time you're looking to invest in a face wash, head over to your local Target, drugstore, etc., and give Cetaphil a try.