We made it to Friday, WOOT!

I wish we could ditch everything and take a trip together. I’ve got an itch for adventure, and I think it has something to do with this note from Lizz:

Hi Karen!

Since I’m going to Vietnam and Cambodia for three weeks, I would like a few tips to keep my skin in perfect shape.

I normally use Clinique’s 3-step action plan along with an eye cream, a moisturizer and night cream, but since we’ll be traveling every day (we’re going on an adventurous tour), I don’t want to take a lot of stuff in my backpack.

Any tips? I do want to take a good cleanser and a moisturizer with me…

Thanks a lot!

Hi Lizz,

How exciting! Have yourself a great trip. I’m totally jealous!

For me, traveling light means paring down my usual skin care routine from six products (cleanser, toner, eye cream, moisturizer, acne treatment and sunscreen) to three.

1. Cleanser: On trips I like gentle cleansers that can also double as makeup removers, like Philosophy Purity Made Simple ($10 for a 3-oz travel bottle). It removes everything and doesn’t sting my eyes.
2. Moisturizer: I’ll ditch my eye cream and moisturize both my face and eye area with a basic face moisturizer (right now I like both the $6 Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture for Sensitive Skin and $42 Kiehl’s Abyssine Cream+) to conserve space and lighten my load. Side note: I’ve read some beauty experts who recommend *always* using a separate eye cream, but I don’t see a problem with using a regular face moisturizer around the eyes while traveling. I’ve used ‘em and have always been fine. I figure it’s only for a few days, right?
3. Sunscreen: Gotta protect that skin from the sun! Two of my favorite products are Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion 55 ($38) and Clinique Sun SPF 30 Face Cream ($18).

Since you’re a Clinique girl, here’s a cool tip I learned from reader Megan (thanks, girl!). If you have any of those lil’ samples of Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion that they give away in their gift with purchase sets, bring one along on your trip because it doubles as eye makeup remover. Apply a small amount to a Q-Tip or cotton pad, and gently wipe away any eye makeup that didn’t come off with your regular cleanser.

Have fun and be safe!

Chicas, when you want to pare down and pack light, which skin care products do you bring?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Essie Canyon Coral

They say “it’s the little things,” and I think they’re right.

A fresh coat of nail polish always improves my outlook, no matter what’s bringing me down. An at-home manicure is an easy, affordable way to brighten even my dreariest days. When I’m feeling out of sorts, I’ll plop down on the floor in front of the TV to give myself a manicure.

Be good to yourself and your nails with the help of these 21 nail polish tips.

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1. Whitening Yellow Nails: Prolonged use of dark nail polish colors can cause nails to turn yellow. By following the tips in this post, you can get your nails back to their natural color.



2. Fingernails FAQ, or Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Fingernails but Were Too Afraid To Ask: Did you know that nails are 10 times more porous than skin or that nails get thinner as we age?



3. Nutrition for Strong Nails: In this video nutrition expert Carla Kay dishes on what to eat for strong and healthy nails.



4. How to Avoid Bubbles in Your Nail Polish: All it takes is one little bubble to ruin a great manicure. Keep these tips in mind.



5. 11 Tips for a Perfect Homemade Manicure: Get great looking paws with this awesome step-by-step.



6. 5-Minute Nail Polish Routine: This isn’t a long blog post, but I think it’s an overview that hits the nail on the head (LOL!).



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It’s that time again, girls. Another Friday means another week for the history books, le sigh!

I don’t know what kind of mood you’re in today, but I’m NOT in the mood for stress. I feel like I need a casual Friday, something fluffy and light.

You might have a busy day ahead of you — life doesn’t seem to care when we say we need a break — but I hope these 21 drugstore beauty tips help you keep your morning light.

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1. How to Wear Bright Eyeshadow (Drugstore or Not): This article refers to spring trends, but I think bright shadows are perennial and can be worn any time of year. Don’t miss the section at the bottom about getting the most out of drugstore eyeshadows.



2. DIY Home Remedies and Beauty Treatments: We’ve all seen other articles or blog posts with lists of home beauty treatments, but this one’s more extensive than most. Some of the suggestions here are drugstore, but others may require a trip to your local grocer.



3. Luxury on the Cheap: Quality Beauty Products at Drugstore Prices: This article with slides provides a fairly comprehensive list of suggestions for beauty products (hair, face and body) currently available at most drugstores nationwide.



4. DulceCandy87’s Fav. Drugstore Makeup and Beauty Tips: Dulce’s quite a character. She has an entire series of makeup and beauty videos on YouTube. This one’s sure to save you some dough.



5. Bodycology Lotions: Find out how these over-the-counter creams compare to bigger name brands.



6. Protect Your Skin From the Cold With Vaseline: It’s hella greasy, yes, but women have been using it as part of their beauty regimen for decades. Read on to see how Vaseline can help.



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Happy Sunday, ladies! I hope yours got off to a good start. Today is Father’s Day here in the States, and what better way to celebrate than with a post highlighting something dads often preach: fiscal responsibility.

Here are 21 more drugstore beauty tips to help keep that budget on track.

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1. Crest Advanced Seal Strips: A good pros/cons review with a glowing endorsement of the product from a top beauty blogger.



2. Dove Beauty Bar: A drugstore beauty staple for generations, it’s always there in a pinch.



3. Nadinola Cocoa Butter Cream: It’s hard to believe, but this highly-rated moisturizer often sells for under $1!



4. Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse Foundation: Some beauty tips actually warn AGAINST a product, like this one does for a popular drugstore foundation.



5. Sally Hansen No Chip Polish: I love chips, but not on my nails. In this post Blogger Vanessa gives a glowing 5/5 review to a can’t-miss $4 nail polish.



6. Biore Skin Preservation Line: Here’s a look at a drugstore skin care line for women 25-35, with skin that’s out of the “acne/breakout” phase but not yet ready for wrinkle fighters or thicker night creams/moisturizers.



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The cosmetics industry calls it “trading down,” but most women call it common sense. The economy is prompting women to look more closely at budget alternatives to many of their favorite department store products.

Here’s a quick look at 21 budget beauty resources to help us save some scratch without having to sacrifice too much on quality.

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1. Beauty on a Budget: Advice from a Stylist: From the Fashion & Style pages of The New York Times, makeup artist Ann Orcutt shows how to “trade down” from department store makeup and drugstore without sacrificing on quality.



2. What’s Your Favorite Drugstore Skin Care Buy? Don’t miss the comments on this Glamour mag post with suggestions on top drugstore skin care buys.



3. 8 Eyeshadows Under $10: Glamour’s Beth Shapouri links to a gallery of 8 pretty eyeshadow palettes and quads worth checking out.



4. Boots Amazon Forest Brazil Nut and Vanilla Selection: I love Brazil nuts. If you do, too, then check out the Boots aisle at your local Target.



5. Kiss Manicure Salon Kit: Here’s a fantastic $10 kit with eight items for manicures on the go.



6. Sally Hansen Miracle Cure: Where the heck has Sally’s Miracle Cure been all my life? I have GOT to get myself a bottle of this stuff.



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