Makeup Dupes

Some makeup items we've come to love and rely on can be pricey. I've found and use these 'dupes', so i can vouch for them personally. There are tons of dupes out there, so if you are looking to save a bit (and honestly, who isn't?), and still look fantastic, I encourage you to do some research and find your own dupes!


 Makeup Primers make your face smooth and flawless.  Your makeup will stay looking fresh and 'just-put-on' all day when wearing one. I wear mineral makeup and it's works wonderful for those of you that also wear minerals. Smashbox primer is well known, but it's also well known to be quite pricey, coming in around  $17 for the travel size! The full size runs about $36.  Granted, primers last for a long while because you only use a tiny amount for your whole face; approximately the size of a pea.  What I use?
Lanacane Anti Chafing Powder Gel which comes in at around $6 for a full 1oz.  You cannot beat that. It works just as well, is made for the skin and is fine to use anywhere on your body, face included. Why pay more for the same thing? 

 People love and rave about Nars The Multiple sticks..and with very good reason, they are gorgeous!  But the price? Ouchie. They run around $39.  What I use instead?  NYX Tango With bronzing Sticks  which run about $9.  Big difference for same thing. Shimmery, gorgeous glowing skin with a few swipes and you're out the door! I can't say enough good things about these. NYX carries these in a few colors, the one I use is Tango & Highlight.  Try it,  you won't be disappointed!

Eyeshadow Primer -- Urban Decay Eyeshadow primer is legendary and very well known. They run around $20.  Tubes are small, and they are just a base to ensure your eyeshadow stays in place all day with no creasing or fading.  Primers are wonderful if you are interested in longevity of your makeup.  What I use?  E.L.F Eyeshadow Primer  which runs around $2.  Works fantastic and you can buy a few, keep one in your makeup stash, another in your purse, etc.  

Clarifying Shampoo  -  DIY version:  squirt normal amount of any shampoo in your palm and add a spoon full of baking soda.  Wash hair as normal.  No special pricey shampoo required!

I hope this post has helped you save a few bucks, or inspired you to find your own dupes for things you use everyday.  Keeping more money in my pocket always makes me happy, and i hope I've encouraged you to do the same!  

What are some of your favorite dupes? Share in the comments below!

Doll Eye Mascara (Review)

NYX is a line of affordable, quality cosmetics that can be purchased via their website or in all ULTA stores. (Also the normal other places such as eBay and amazon).

I will fully admit here for the world to see that I am a mascara junkie. Yes, I said it - there is a 12-step program for mascara junkies isn't there?! I can't live without it and there is a never-ending quest to find the perfect mascara for me. I currently have 11 mascaras in rotation if that tells you anything!

I've had this mascara on my list of beauty items to try, as I've heard a lot of great things about it. I finally ordered one last week and received it within 2 days, so the service is fantastic! I paid less than $8 for it including shipping, which is a steal.

The mascara arrived promptly and was packaged exactly as you see in the pic. The box is cute and the tube is cuter. It's narrow on the top and bottom, and wider in the middle, if you lay it on its side, it is eye shaped! The brush is actually opposite of the tube shape: It is narrow in the middle and fatter on the top and bottom end. The brush appeared to be coated well, and is a dark glossy black color.

I couldn't wait to get this on my lashes and have gorgeous, fluttery, long lashes. Sadly that was not to be. The formula applied well, the brush separated my lashes well and it went on with no issues and dried in a normal amount of time. What was missing, however, was the DOLL EYE look. It didn't do anything special, or make my lashes especially long, fluttery or doll-like in any way at all.

In fact, this mascara was unremarkable in every way. Don't get me wrong, its not a bad mascara at all, it just doesn't do what is advertised. Well, off I went with my mediocre lashes to face the day, and though this mascara does nothing extraordinary, it DID last all day and it didn't flake or sweat off. I had no issues with the wear factor - It stayed on until I took it off that night, so that is a definite plus.

Removal was no fuss as it came off easily with my normal makeup remover/cleanser (olive oil).

Overall, a decent mascara but I wouldn't buy it again. The price is great, it coats well and doesn't clump and seemed to have good staying power. But if you are looking for mascara to give yourself incredibly long, fluttery WOW! lashes, keep looking.