Last Sunday it was unpredictably hot and sunny here (finally, summer!), so I took my camera and a bottle of Vaseline Aloe Fresh Protecting Lotion with me to the nearby town of Tiburon, a seaside hamlet and tourist stop about a 20-minute ferry ride north of San Francisco.

On a sunny day (that is, when the fog stays out to sea), Tiburon’s within sight of some lovely landmarks like Angel Island (formerly known as the Ellis Island of the West), Alcatraz (formerly known as Al Capone’s beach house) and the Golden Gate Bridge.

I spent about an hour walking around outside, cruising along the waterfront and pier in a sleeveless sundress, snapping pictures of sailboats and seagulls, and thanks to the Vaseline Aloe Fresh Protecting Lotion SPF 15 ($8) I was wearing, my skin didn’t burn at all.

One of three new moisturizers in the Aloe Fresh line released earlier this summer, Vaseline Aloe Fresh Protecting lotion’s lightweight and absorbs fast.

Because it absorbs so quickly, it takes me about half as much time to apply as the Aveeno Active Naturals Daily Moisturizing Lotion SPF 15 I’ve been using since June.

It definitely feels moisturizing (not sticky or greasy), without leaving a film, and I love the fact that it doesn’t smell like sunscreen; instead, I think it smells just like it should (like fresh cut aloe Vera).

On top of everything else, it’s priced right, costing a third less than Aveeno ($8 vs. $12).

Yea! Another pleasant surprise from Vaseline… I’m always glad to find a new budget body lotion with SPF. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

I’m riding a wave of nerdiness right now, loving the clever wordsmithery that went into naming Eye Love Cucumbers Soothing Eye Gel ($15).

Eye Love Cucumbers… Get it?

My name is Karen, and I’m addicted to puns.

(HI, KAREN!)

Okay, so the name was the real reason I wanted to give the product a try.

Cucumbers: not just for salads anymore

One of several natural skincare goodies in the Yes to Cucumbers line, Eye Love Cucumbers Eye Gel is a highly-absorbent, moisturizing gel with some great things to offer.

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I feel so secret squirrel when I’m browsing beauty aisles at the drugstore, like I’m always just moments away from a huge discovery and the unearthing of some ancient treasure lost to womankind for centuries.

Case in point: CoverGirl Exact Eyelights Eye-Brightening Eyeliner ($7).

Because it’s from a big brand like CoverGirl, the logical part of me knows I’m totally late to the party. It’s been out for months. Millions of women are well aware of the product, but such is the power of the major budget beauty score!

I’ve been wearing Exact Eyelights all weekend long, and if you don’t throw one in your basket on your next trip to Walgreens, I may have to come over to wherever you are and shake you silly.

This. Stuff. Rawks.

Exact Eyelights Eyeliner twist-up pencils don’t require sharpening and come in four shades, each designed to complement a different eye color:

• Vibrant Pearl: a deep black for girls with brown eyes
• Radiant Sapphire: a dark navy for blue eyes
• Vivid Ruby: a dark reddish brown for green eyes
• Majestic Jade: a dark green for hazel eyes

Lasts and lasts

CoverGirl claims Exact Eyelights Eyeliner “brightens eyes by 4x.” I didn’t notice particularly brighter eyes, but I like it as a basic liner that stays put for a *very* long time.

I’ve been using the Vibrant Pearl pencil for the past few days, and this puppy stays put like nobody’s bidness.

When I’ve worn it along my lash and water lines, it hasn’t migrated, smudged or disappeared, even after 12 hours of wear. It’s not marketed as waterproof, but it might as well be.

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Seriously, let’s just hand Sonia Kashuk the keys to the drugstore makeup queendom already.

SK consistently creates quality makeup able to pass for department store stuff, and the best part is it’s *always* affordable.

Like her $8 Velvety Shine Lip Crayons from last spring…

They’d be almost dupes for Bobbi Brown Lip Crayons ($22) if it weren’t for the fact that they cost a fraction of the price.

Swatches from left to right: Sonia Kashuk Pale Pink, Bobbi Brown Posey, Sonia Kashuk Luscious Pink

Sonia’s lip crayons even feel like their far more expensive Bobbi cousins, with a similar non-sticky texture, opaque coverage and super shiny finish. Plus, like Bobbi’s crayons, Sonia’s last all day without drying out my lips.

Sonia Kashuk Velvety Shine Lip Crayon in Luscious Pink

Sonia Kashuk Velvety Shine Lip Crayon in Pale Pink

Luscious Pink

Pale Pink

Bobbi’s lip crayons do come in a wider selection of colors, though, and I like the faint cooling sensation they produce.

But I’m not sure those make them worth the extra cost…

Sonia Kashuk’s Velvety Shine Lip Crayons come in three shades (Hot Pink, Pale Pink and Luscious Pink). I’ve tried Luscious Pink (a creamy rose) and Pale Pink (a creamy pinkish coral).

I’m totally in love with Pale Pink; it’s almost twins with Bobbi Brown’s Posey, which I wore a few days ago in my look for Ivy League. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A-to-the-PLUS!

I didn’t see the Velvety Shines available on the Target website, but they should be carried in your local store.

Saturday plans?

It looks like the fog took a day off today here in the Bay Area, so we just might get a sunny day.

No big plans for me other than a run around the neighborhood, and then maybe a trip to the mall to do some window shopping.

I promised myself that I couldn’t have any fun, though, until I got my laundry done, boo! The only clean shirts I have left either have holes in ‘em or look like they’re made out of cat fur.

Four loads o’ laundry, here I come!

What are you up to today?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. For more on Sonia Kashuk’s recent spring makeup line, check out Face Candy’s review here.

Drugstores are treasure troves of fantastic makeup bargains, like my current favorite, Sally Hansen Diamond 12-Hour Lip Treatment (the shade above is called Flawless).

The product comes in a ton of vibrant (and highly moisturizing) colors, feels thin and non-sticky on my lips and packs *lots* of eye-catching shine.

Plus, at $7 a tube (sometimes less on sale), they don’t break the bank.

NOTE: Walgreens has Diamond 12-Hour Lip Treatment on sale now for $4 each!

What’s your current favorite drugstore makeup product, and why has it stolen your heart?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. I just found out that Sephora online is now selling Illamasqua. Woot!