Community Knowledge Project
Best Summer Fragrance?
Question: What’s The Best Summer Fragrance?
We’ve all got our own personal perfume standby’s, but whenever the season changes, we feel primed to experiment with some new scents. Just like our clothes, we’ll want a lighter fragrance to help us officially say goodbye to spring. Probably a good chance our body sprays and perfumes from winter have only just now run out. From Sephora to your local grocery store, there are all kinds of fragrance temptations. But the aroma is only one part of it, isn’t it? We want something that will last, too.
So, what’s the verdict? Are you a Bath & Body Works fanatic or are you into Dolce & Gabbana’s Light Blue Perfume, or perhaps CK One Summer?
Our Favorite Summer Scents
Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Perfume (1.7 OZ), $39.41, from PerfumeDistributor.com
CK One Summer, $44, from Sephora
What Do You Think About Celebrity Fashion Lines?
Question: What do you think about Celebrity Fashion Lines?
Celeb fashion lines seem to come and go with the seasons. We keep thinking that they’re on their way out for good, but some new pop singer or reality TV star always comes around ready to clothe us, all the while ensuring they’re property overexposed. Most of the time, a fashion line with a famous name behind it is just that… it has little more purpose than to rip off shoppers. In the past year, some celebs bowed out before it got too embarrassing - like Mandy Moore - while others managed to churn out some crappy albeit creative ideas, like Katherine Heigl’s hospital scrub line.
Are there celebrity fashion lines out there that inspire, rather than sicken? Have you bought something from Averil Lavigne’s line at Kohl’s, or tried on one of Taylor Swift’s sundresses at Wal-Mart (assuming you’re petite and can wear stuff in the Juniors section)? What do you think of Celebrity Fashion Lines?
Best Budget Spray Tanner?
Question: What’s the Best Budget Spray Tanner?
Remember that time you got all spray tanned up before an impromptu party, ended up an ugly orange, and had to take a panicked shower with baking soda? Self tanners are an awesome alternative to painful sunburns, peeling (yuck), and scary skin cancer, but they can also be nightmare in a bottle. It’s really difficult to achieve an even golden tan with a spray tanner, especially if you’re on a budget. We don’t even think the movie stars and models have the art form down yet.
So, where can we find the best spray on tanners? Do you prefer organic products over those with chemicals? After all, isn’t that one of the major advantages of spray-on tans - that they’re safe?
If you’ve found a self tanner that’s easy to apply, gets you consistently good results, and also fits into your budget (Lindsay Lohan’s Sevin Nyne is a tad too pricey for us), us pale people want to know…
Try these budget friendly spray tan brands-
Aveda Sun Source, $18.00, from MakeMeheal.com
Kiss My Face Instant Sunless Tanner, $8.55, from eVitaminStore.com
Best Budget Underwear
It seems that undies are a lot like high heels. When they look good, they don’t feel good. And when they look bad (or just plain boring), they feel awesome. So, lingerie makers - why can’t you seem to mass produce a pair of underwear that’s cute and comfy? Oh and also, here’s the real kicker, affordable? Ladies who want seductive, stylish, and/or snug panties are forced to search high and low for the right pair at the department store. And then, shudder, they may just feel compelled to try on several pairs in the dressing room before checking out!
We already know to buy the bulk of our undergarments at Wal-Mart, Kohl’s, and Target, and we love online warehouses like BareNecessities.com, but we want your opinion - what brands and what stores deliver high-quality, low-cost underwear?
Best Lipstick on a Budget: Community Knowledge Project
Browsing the makeup aisle of your favorite grocery or drug store can be intimidating. Especially when there are no samples out - we all know the color that appears on the lip stick bottle does not look the same when applied on your lips. But you’re right to steer clear of the snooty beauty shops; sure they’ll give you a complimentary makeover, but they’ll also give you a guilt trip when you realize how much you spent. So, the key is to know exactly what to look for.
From Rimmel to Revlon, there are tons of cheap options out there. But products that easily wipe off, on your significant others’ check or your wine glass, just don’t cut it, no matter how affordable. No one wants to take several trips to the bathroom in one evening for a simple touch-up. Another lipstick requirement, of course, is color - too bright and you’ll look like a clown, not bright enough and you’ll look like you’re not even trying. So, the shade of red’s gotta be just right.
Here’s Some of Our Top Budget Lipstick Picks:
1000 Kisses Stay on Lip Liner from Rimmel, $3.19
L’Oreal Colour Juice Sheer Lip Gloss, $8.48
Patent Lips Liquid Lipstick from Black Opal, $6.75.Especially good for women of color
Revlon Super Lustrous - Creme Lipstick, $7.00-$8.00
L’Oreal HIP High Intensity Pigments Intensely Moisturizing Lipcolor, $8.46-$10. Especially good for women of color
Who do you turn to for budget lipstick?
Best Place to Buy Budget Eyeglasses: Community Knowledge Project
**The community knowledge project is an ongoing project to gather the collective wisdom of the TBF community on a budget related topic. Please add your wisdom below.**
When it comes to eyeglasses there seems to be only two options: fashionable, designer frames that drain your wallet dry or plain-Jane, drugstore frames that look like they came right out of the movie “Tootsie.” But relief is in sight. EyeMasters fulfilled our eyeglass wish-list: we found name brands like Nine West and Liz Claiborne, and a budget-friendly price tag of $99 for two pairs of eyeglasses. At Eyeglasses International we found designer-looking frames and trendy styles for as little as $30. And LensCrafters has a variety of frame styles in cute colors for just $100.
Where do you set your sights when searching for eyeglasses on a budget?
Best Place to Donate Clothing: Community Knowledge Project
**The community knowledge project is a an ongoing project to gather the collective wisdom of the TBF community on a budget related topic. Please add your wisdom below.**
When you haven’t worn that dress hanging in your closet in over a year, or when your favorite pair of jeans just don’t fit anymore—no matter how hard you try to squeeze into them—it’s time to bid them adieu. But don’t send your fashion cast-offs to the trash bin—bag them up and donate them. Give causal items like jeans and t-shirts to the YWCA to help clothe women and teen girls in need. Donate business casual clothes and suits to Dress for Success or Bottomless Closet to provide underprivileged women on the job-hunt with professional attire. What are some other great places to donate items? Please post your suggestions below.
Interview Looks on a Budget: Community Knowledge Project Wrap Up
A great interview outfit can only help your job-hunting odds, so we asked you for the best stores to find interview looks on a budget, and you came through with plenty of helpful suggestions.
-Many of you said it’s all about eBay and Overstock.com for separates and suits from name brand stores.
-Discount stores like Ross, T.J. Maxx, Filene’s Basement and Marshalls were some of your favorite resources for separates and accessories like tops, belts, bags, and shoes—though you said the selection of suits in these stores can be limited.
-For suits, you hit department stores like JCPenney and Herberger’s when they have sales.
-At Benetton Outlets readers found items for 50 to 60 percent off, and bought an entire suit (blazer, white shirt, skirt/trousers) for under $100.
-For younger, trendier-cut suits readers head to J. Crew, Banana Republic, Ann Taylor and Express—but for the best deals you shop these stores’ outlet locations, where you can score deals up to 50 percent off.
-Target is your never-fail source for trendy pieces, though you thought their quality could be disappointing.
-You said New York & Company is a great place for interview pieces, like neutral pants and white shirts, at a great price, especially if you scour their clearance racks and sign-up to for their mailing list to receive coupons.
-Susie’s Deals was a reader’s favorite for professional pieces for men and women, all for $5.99 or less.
-And you said thrift stores are always an option for suits and separates—just find quality pieces and have them tailored to fit. Check out TBF’s guide How to Shop a Thrift Store for shopping tips and advice.
Know a store that isn’t on the list? Add it below
Best Swimsuits on a Budget: Community Knowledge Project
With the start of summer just a few months away, it’s time to start thinking about our warm-weather uniforms—a.k.a. our swimsuits. Aside from the self-inflicted torture we endure in trying on a variety of swim suit styles (in dressing rooms with yucky lighting, to make it worse), there’s also a matter of price: it seems even itsy-bitsy bikinis can carry a big ol’ price tag. So, where can we find swimsuits that will make us feel fab all season long but will still leave us with some cash for a summer getaway? We found cute mix and match bikini tops and bottoms at GoJane.com for as little as $20 a piece. What’s your go-to source for swimsuits on a budget?
Interview Looks on a Budget: Community Knowledge Project
**A Note from Kathryn: Hey all- this is the first in a series of posts, called the Community Knowledge Project, where we ask you to help fellow readers live the best life possible on a budget. Please submit your tips below and we will compile them into a round up post. **
Topic: What are the BEST stores to find interview-appropriate looks for less?
Aside from a killer resume, a great outfit can be your key to success. But appearing polished, professional and put-together on a budget can be a tough task—many work looks can easily set you back an entire paycheck. You can go the ultra cheap option, heading to stores like Old Navy, which offers low cost (and sometimes low quality) suit collections. Or shop thrift stores like Salvation Army and Junior Leagues Thrift Shops, where you can find high quality suits at low prices—if you’re okay with wearing used clothing. Department stores are another option, especially if you can hit them during a sale.
So we want to hear from you dear reader—what are the BEST stores to find interview-appropriate looks for less? Let us know below.
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