The Budget Fashionista

What: Karie asks Lumene Vitamin C+ Radiant Beauty Drops to snap her tired skin out of its slumber; $21.99 for 28 capsules.

The Lowdown: Lately, my insomniac ways have been catching up with me; my skin isn’t zapping back to its resilient, vibrant self like it used to after only three hours’ worth of zzz’s. What sleep deprivation robs my skin of Lumene’s tiny Vitamin C+ Radiant Beauty Drops claim they’ll restore. Each tiny… Continue reading "Lumene Vitamin C+ Radiant Beauty Drops: Product Review"

What: In the quest for a wallet-friendly, all-natural shampoo and conditioner, Karie lathers up with Cristophe Beverly Hills Purely Natural Clarifying Shampoo and Conditioner; $2.99 to $7.99

The Lowdown: I’ll admit: I’m a pretty simple person when it comes to shampoo and conditioner. They should leave my hair feeling soft and manageable, and should smell divine. I’ve never actively sought an all-natural formula before—probably… Continue reading "Cristophe Beverly Hills Purely Natural Clarifying Shampoo and Conditioner: Product Review"

What: Christiana tests skin iD, a new product by Neutrogena Dermatologics, is a personalized acne solution system that’s clinically proven to treating and preventing acne.

The Lowdown: I don’t have much of an acne problem (well, at least not since 8th grade, in which acne + frizzy hair combined for a wide range of issues) but I duly filled out the evaluation. A few days later, I received a cream cleanser, an anti-acne treatment,… Continue reading "Neutrogena skin iD: Product Review"

What: Christiana tries out Dove Energizing Ultimate Clear Deodorant. At a suggested price of $4.99 ($4.24 at drugstore.com), the scents of grapefruit and lemongrass try to keep the user smelling fresh and so clean in this heat and humidity.

The Lowdown: The pros first: I’ve always been dedicated to clear or gel deodorants for fear that solids would smear on my clothing. This deodorant, however, didn’t appear even on my… Continue reading "Dove Energizing Ultimate Clear Deodorant: Product Review"

An eyeliner is one of the essential eye makeup products along with eye shadow and mascara. It enhances the shape of the eyes while also giving them an edgy appeal. The ancient Egyptians were among the first to outline their eyes with pigment for beautification, but also for spiritual reasons. Today, eyeliner is mainly used to accentuate the eyes, and to create that ultra sexy smokey eye look. You can find numerous brands at drugstores for under… Continue reading "High vs. Low: Eyeliner"

What: Karie hopes that the expression “out, darn spot��? comes true with Olay Definity Deep Penetrating Foaming Moisturizer; $24.99.

The Lowdown: A few years ago, a momentous event happened to me: I got my first age spot. Smack-dab on my forehead, and not at all in a location where my bangs can hide it. Each month after that first arrival, a new discoloration laid claim to my facial skin—whether an acne scar from too much picking,… Continue reading "Olay Definity Deep Penetrating Foaming Moisturizer: Product Review"

What: Karie works to salvage her aching, breaking feet with Farmhouse Fresh Honey Glaze, $24.

The Lowdown: Strappy summer sandals: cute. Calluses and blisters: Not so cute. For me, the two go hand-in-hand, and I can’t rub two pennies together for a monthly pedicure, let alone a much-needed weekly one. So I flipped head over callused heel when I came across Farmhouse Fresh Honey Heel Glaze. Before even opening the cute-as-can-be country… Continue reading "Honey Heel Glaze: Product Review"