Long lashes sans clumps!
Thickening? Meh, just a’ight.
Yay! No flakes, smudges.

Rimmel Volume Flash Scandal Eyes in Black

What about the shades?
There are two, both permanent.
Black and Extreme Black.

Brush comparisons from the left: Rimmel Scandal Eyes, Illamasqua Masquara, Maybelline Full ‘N Soft, MAC Zoom Fast Black Lash, Hourglass Film NOir and Tarte Lights, Camera Lashes

Sculpts, lengthens and plumps.
The brush is larger than most,
And easy to use.

Bare lashes

Flexible bristles,
They squeeze into corners well.
They waste less product.

Front view after two layers: some thickness, but not nearly drag-queen worthy as I’d like

Curled lashes relax.
Boo! That’s the biggest bummer.
I can live with it.

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Green Safari

I dream of a world where every eyeshadow on the market lasts from dawn till dusk! A world where shadow pencils like Milani’s purposefully misspelled Shadow Eyez 12 HR Wear Eyeshadow Pencils last long enough to make it through three cups of ginger tea (two words: tummy troubles) spaced four hours apart, and Aquatic Style, my favorite of the six shades, glows strong through six spontaneous chair dance sessions spread out across the entire day … because there’s nothing quite like seeing that electric teal flashing back at you in the mirror as you rock out to that part at the end of Wanna Be Starting Something. “Mamma say, mamma saw, mamaco saw!”

And most of all, I dream of a world where these $5.99 pigmented pencils last long enough to endure a full 12 hours of being ignored by the huskiest tabby in Novato, who, yes, is back to hating his gravy chef/admin assistant once again.

A full 12 hours? Do dreams really come true?

Like a powerful pegasus sweeping down from my multi-colored makeup dreams, Milani’s Shadow Eyez Pencils deliver saddlebags filled with pigment and shine, and a texture so smooth and soft that it makes baby bunnies envious.

Shadow Eyez Pencils from the left: Winter White, Brown Deluxe, Champagne Toast, Green Safari, Aquatic Style and Royal Purple

Green Safari

Aquatic Style

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Shortly after finishing college, I started working a regular job — not an amazing job, but it was enough to allow my beauty habit to go somewhat unchecked for a while. Then, everything changed when life happened, and I quit my job and moved to the U.S.

It took me a while to find another job; my days of carefree shopping sprees were over, and to be honest, I didn’t take to beauty budgeting all that well. If you had called me a pampered brat, I would have had to agree.

But something very good came out of that time. I discovered some excellent wallet-friendly beauty and skincare products, and not just those tempting cute packages strategically placed beside the checkout counter, or the last-minute dollar deals I add to my cart to reach the free shipping threshold (don’t tell me I’m the only one who does that!), but products I’ve consistently purchased over and over, just because I love them.

Here are 10 of my favorite skincare treats, each of them $10 or less, to leave your skin healthy, glowing and fresh, without making your wallet unhappy.

1. Shiseido Facial Cotton ($9.50)

I know, fancy facial cottons might be the last thing on your mind when you’re on a budget, but hear me out. Shiseido’s version is thicker and softer than the average drugstore cotton, and it doesn’t leave behind any stray fibers on my face.

But those aren’t even the reasons it’s on my must-have list. What I recommend using this for is something called “the lotion mask.”

It’s an idea I picked up from a book called the Japanese Skincare Revolution, by Chizu Saeki, and it’s a fabulously simple way to healthier skin. Here’s a video from the author, but to break it down…

Shiseido’s cotton is much thicker than regular drugstore cottons and withstands a little stretching. It also separates easily into thinner layers.

Start by taking one of the cotton pads, soak it in water, and squeeze out most of the water by pressing it between your palms.

Then, pour a few drops of any alcohol-free toner on it (I think rose water works great), stretch the cotton a bit, and separate it into three thinner layers.

Next, place them over your face, and relax for about 10 minutes. When you’re done, even after just one use, your face will feel hydrated, smooth, and have a noticeable glow.

Try it! It could be the best $10 I’ve ever spent, and if you have a Japanese store nearby, you might be able to find an even less expensive version of a similar idea.

2. Olay Daily Facials Cleansing Cloths ($7)

These are carried in most drugstores, and having tried many different cleansing cloths and washes — including some crazy expensive ones — I have yet to find one that leaves my skin in a condition as good as these.

If you’re new to them, here’s how they work: They’re small square towelettes that you wet, and when you rub them against your skin, they work up a lather. Just gently scrub with them to cleanse.

I use them like a washcloth, and then use lukewarm water to rinse off most of the lather from my face, before rinsing any residual cleanser with cooler water.

There’s not a lot to them, but I think these cloths really work only up to their potential if you follow the directions.

Thrifty tip: Half a towelette should be sufficient in most cases (unless your normal day involves mud-wrestling alligators). Just snip them in half and store. The smaller size makes them easier to use, and this way they last longer. Store in any air-tight container, so they stay moisture-free.

3. Lush Toner Tabs ($2)

I’ve tried just about every Lush product out there and have loved most of them. I’m a Lushie. My favorites, though, are their fresh face masks, which are made with natural ingredients. Pair them with one of Lush’s Toner Tabs, and you’ve got yourself a nice relaxing at-home facial, all for less than $10.

First the toner tabs, which look and feel like macro-versions of regular tablets (some have petal bits in them).

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Sunshine tested, pool approved. Neutrogena’s nine glistening MoistureShine Lip Soothers are some of my favorite glosses to bring to the pool (or the beach!).

Each lightly tinted tube contains a super moisturizing, minty formula with SPF 20 and soothing cucumber, chamomile and glycerin. The lovely, light cooling sensation also feels fantastic on my lips when it’s hot outside.

Best part yet? For only $5 each (or thereabouts), I don’t have to trip if I lose my tube at the beach…

…or the pool, whichever the case may be.

Here’s a close look at all nine lip soothing, high-gloss shades…

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Drugstores are gonna be hoppin’ over the next few months, babe. Milani, for one, plans to launch a new line of eye shadows, a new shadow pencil and new shades of Crystal Gloss for Lips, Glitzy Glamour Gloss, Color Perfect Lipstick, and some new Nail Lacquers, too.

I’m still tracking down exact release dates for these, but here’s a look at everything Milani has lined up for the rest of the year.

Powder Eyeshadows, $4.49 each (a brand new product; will be available in 12 shades, exclusively at select CVS/Pharmacy stores)

More Powder Eyeshadows, $4.49 each

Powder Eyeshadows from the left: White Lie, Pitch Black and Shocking Pink

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