Winter Drugstore Finds

In almost all scenarios, you get what you pay for – especially when it comes to the wondrous world of cosmetics. But sometimes a drugstore brand will come out with a product that wows without the hefty price tag. During these chilly (yet still snowless) winter months, there have been a few products that have dug me out of the cold-weather blues:

Psst! Dry Shampoo

This is my favorite cheap-y dry shampoo. Amidst this dry atmosphere, static wreaks havoc on my hair (like, mad scientist-scale havoc). So shampooing every day is sooo not an option. This stuff gets rid of the grease and adds a ton of texture and grit – perfect for chicks who like volume or beachy waves. Just makes sure you REALLY rub it in so you don’t get any tell-tale white spots or the formidable George Washington wig effect…

Con Air Bun Maker

I hate wearing my hair up, but when the weather outside is frightful, it’s often a must. Instead of just throwing my hair in a bun, I like to look like I’ve put at least SOME effort into my updo. Enter the hair donut. Slide your ponytail through, wrap around, pin – and you’ve got yourself a picturesque ballet bun. I also use this little guy as a base to make for more volume on other such updos. It’s the easiest way to get perfect buns (at least of the hair variety).

NYC Lipstain

I’ve found that this cheap-o lipstain lasts longer and looks better than so many other brands. And I’m particularly fond of the color spectrum it comes in. The more opaque ones last a lot longer than the sheerer shades, but all in all I usually only need to reapply once a day (after lunchtime). My favorites are: Endless Spice, ____ Red, and ____ Nude.

Milani Blush in "Luminous"

This Nars Orgasm knock-off is the closest to the real thing I’ve found thus far. It’s pinky-peach color with gold-toned shimmer mixed in gives a nice rosy cheek in lieu of the natural frost-nipped look only achieved by walking around Boston in January. Since the price tag is about ¼ the Nars price, this is one of the only times it’s a good idea to “fake it.”