30 Responses to “Contest #3: Steals and Splurges”

1. Beaded Trim says:

   March 6, 2010 at 9:14 am

   Nice post. I put you in my RSS reader now so I can read more from you down the road.
2. MAC Too Fabulous Collection: Lip Pencils Review, Photos, Swatches | Cosmetics Beauty Wisdom says:

   March 5, 2010 at 3:08 am

   [...] Contest #3: Steals and Splurges | Bitches on a Budget [...]
3. Kayren says:

   February 28, 2010 at 2:50 pm

   Also wanna say thank you to Andrea for the heads up on ELF…Just made my first order from them!!
4. Mary says:

   February 23, 2010 at 2:10 pm

   Splurge (and can also be a Steal) would be Ulta Minerals loose powder foundation. It lasts forever, doesn’t look “cakey” and it comes in about 14 different colors – unlike the more expensive Bare Minerals loose powder foundation. It costs $14 a jar (splurge) but Ulta usually has it on sale, sometimes as low as $5 (steal!) And, when you toss in the weekly coupon from Ulta (usually they are either for 20% off one item or $3.50 off a $10 or more purchase), it’s a BIG steal!
5. Liz B. says:

   February 18, 2010 at 9:49 am

   Splurge: MAC foundation, it works so much better than the stoer stuff.

   Steal: Wet N Wild nail polish! Cheap so you can buy lots of colors!
6. Patricia Krueger says:

   February 16, 2010 at 4:41 pm

   SPLURGE: I can’t live without my Garnier eye roller, which is about $13 at Walgreen’s.

   STEAL: I bought OPI nail polishes on sale, 2 for $3 at the Sally Beauty Supply in my town.
7. Peldyn says:

   February 16, 2010 at 2:41 pm

   Ack, forgot to post my favourite steal. Max Factor Volume Couture mascara. It performs just as good as my Smash Box for a fraction of the cost esp when I buy it at Walmart. I hope it lasts through the lock out!!!!!
8. Peldyn says:

   February 16, 2010 at 2:35 pm

   I never found a great foundation and now I can’t even afford to replace the inexpensive ones I used to use. Anyone know of a place that gives out free samples? Until unemployment kicks in or the mine decides to end the lock out I am S.O.L.

   Bare-faced in Boron
9. Kryssa says:

   February 16, 2010 at 2:23 pm

   My steal? I save on skin care treatment by using grape-seed, extra -irgin and castor oils with a little bit of vitamin E oil (with different essential oils for scent) as a face wash., then I steam my face right at my kitchen stove and use Thayer’s Rosewater and Witch-hazel toner to tighten my pores after. My skin is always blemish free and I have no discernible wrinkles, though I am turning 40 tomorrow! I also make my own sugar-based body scrubs.
   My splurge? I use only Bare Minerals makeup…and while they are pricey they last forever. I get lots of compliments on my skin and honestly, I think I probably spend less that $10 a month on it!
   I love D.I.Y. beauty treatments. Who needs expensive, 500 ingredient laden products when nature has provided us with everything we need to be our healthiest and most beautiful? And I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE ‘Bitches on a Budget’! (My mother asked if she could borrow my only copy and I had to say “Sorry, but I covet that book almost as highly as ‘The Joy of Cooking’ and higher than ‘The Joy of SEX’!!!)
10. Rhonda says:

    February 15, 2010 at 2:59 pm

    STEAL:

    Based upon the BEST advice I ever got from a friend (who was an exec at L’Oreal/Lancome):
    If you usually like Lancome, watch for identical products in the L’Oreal version. Buy L’Oreal when you can. Lancome is the department store version (and price) while L’Oreal is the drug store price. Example: My fave eyeliner is Lancome’s Artliner $29. The L’Oreal version is the same formula, nearly identical in appearance (different color packaging), and is called “Lineur Intense” – it’s about $8.50.

    Check out the comparisons between Lancome and L’Oreal across the line. There are a ton of “Lancome” products that you can buy at L’Oreal prices. I kick myself for the years I paid over three times the price for the same product.

    SPURGE: Still buying any Lancome products that don’t have a L’Oreal version. I just wait until “Gift” so that I get a bunch of free items along with my purchase.
11. MaggieM says:

    February 14, 2010 at 7:55 pm

    Splurge: Bare Escentuals foundation, definitely. Nothing else comes close, and one $25 jar lasts me about a year. I’m hooked on their eyeshadows, too. But again, $13 a pop for a jar that will probably last over 5 years.

    Steal: Wet ‘N’ Wild waterproof liquid liner is the BEST, and it’s dirt cheap (like everything else Wet ‘N’ Wild makes). It absolutely will not budge, and has a felt-tip rather than a brush applicator, which makes it much easier to apply. Also, Revlon ColorStay lip gloss. Great colors, great texture, and lasts really well.
12. Polly says:

    February 14, 2010 at 7:12 pm

    I have tried literally every cream on the market to target lines and wrinkles, but to little avail. Spending $50.00 on a wrinkle cream isn’t my cup of tea, but it’s even worse to spend the money on a product that doesn’t deliver!
    I finally found something that actually delivers-much more than I expected! Beauticontrol tight firm and fill is the most wonderful product on the market! It’s like an underwire for your skin
    Sure it costs more than off brands and generics, but you truly do get what you pay for!
13. Michelle says:

    February 14, 2010 at 7:05 pm

    Splurge – Designer Shampoos that are suppose to make your hair look like you just stepped onto the red carpet.

    Steal – When the above mention doesn’t do as promised, I dump the extra unused shampoo in my handsoap dispenser. I haven’t wasted the expensive shampoo and my “new” handsoap” smells good and leaves my hands clean and soft.
14. Sarah Murrill says:

    February 14, 2010 at 6:59 pm

    Splurge= Clairol Performance 10 (10.00) My new splurge. Works awesome. Great shine and color.

    Some splurges are still steals…Burt’s Bees facial cleanser from Swanson online SAVE lots of $$$. Organic conditioner from Desert Essence that REALLY works and has no perfumes… ($4.52) and 18 oz Nature’s Gate Baby smoothing shampoo ($3.54)
    http://www.swansonvitamins.com

    Steal= learning to cut and trim my own hair w/o making it look like crap (0.00)
15. Cynthia says:

    February 14, 2010 at 6:46 pm

    steal- Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Stick…this has been a lifesaver for my face and body when I get out of the swimming pool as well as i use it on my legs in the winter. it has been just as good as any other moisturizer.

    splurge- urban decay’s eyeshadow primer…i worked at a cosmetic store eons ago as a second job and i used to have to be at work by 6am…I had another job where i worked from 2pm-11:30pm…one night i took a power nap which turned into 4.5 hours of sleep with my makeup on (i don’t recommend this at home kiddies)…and when i woke up, my eyeshadow was still in place.
16. Margaret says:

    February 12, 2010 at 3:48 pm

    For your daily or overnight moisturizer:
    STEAL: Olive oil, Vitamin E oil or Jojoba oil – these are main ingredients in many products, but if you go right to the source, they work just as well, if not better than pricier alternatives with a list of chemical ingredients.
    SPLURGE: I found this product a couple years ago-COQ10 wrinkle defense cream by Avalon Organics-it’s a pricey little bottle, but really works. I used it for two months and it actually started reacting to precancerous skin cells on my forehead, it was the first to let me know, after that I went to the Derm and they took care of it!
17. Lisa says:

    February 12, 2010 at 2:18 pm

    I love the way unwashed hair styles and looks…but I still want my hair to LOOK clean!

    When I want to splurge I buy Rene Furterer’s dry shampoo ($24). It smells great and works soo well–only problem is it doesn’t last too long.

    However, when I want to get a similar effect I use baby powder…you have to be a lot more careful so you don’t end up messing the look up, but it’s wayyy cheaper (price depends on the brand, sales,etc. at your local drugstore).
18. Ratosha says:

    February 11, 2010 at 9:32 pm

    I love make-up but I hate to pay full price. Stores like the dollar tree carry Lo’real and Maybeline especially when they are trying out new make-ups. I bought three eyeshadow and lip gloss for four dollars.
19. Rhonda says:

    February 11, 2010 at 5:50 pm

    Splurge- Too Faced Primer $30 Lasts a long time though and covers even the largest of pores. Smashbox high def foundation stays put, and I love that they always have box sets at cheaper prices. Loreal Elnett $14.99. The large can lasts about a month and I love the 60′s vibe from the large can. Also you can have a Victoria’s Secret hairdo without even curling your hair. Sexed up! I love it!

    Steal Covergirl lash blast length. Get it in the Blackest Black. NYC nailcolors 99cents last forever and the best colors, I normally like Essie, but for the price and how long it stays on it is perfect, and comes off really easy. New Covergirl foundation w Olay in it ROCKS, smooth pretty skin, and very natural. Also Revlon super Lustrous lip glss is the BEST, and I have tried all of the very expensive ones. Once you lick your lips after putting on it does not stick, not to your hair nothing. Great colors too. I like Cover Girls new lipstains., if you think too dark put on a qtip with a little visine and then put on your lips for a lighter effect.
20. JoAnn says:

    February 11, 2010 at 5:26 pm

    I LOVE gliitter esp glitter eyeliner! But for the good ones you can pay over $20 for it & I found that the cheaper ones arent as glittery or last as long! Last march @ A belly dancing convention a vender was selling Glitter Eyeliner( more like a kit I guess cuz she had 1 tiny ass bottle of loose glitter, a lil bottle of clear fluid & a lil thin sample eyeliner brush) for $30~ $5 more for any additional color of glitter u wanted. You dip brush n2 liguid then in2 glitter & apply. I LOVED IT~ went on great, looked beautiful ~Lots better than store bought in a tube glitter eyeline!! Was jst about 2 buy me the kit & some additional colors when my friend said “your goin2 pay that price for a pinch of glitter!” I agreed & knew I could make it myself probably! On my home that evening I went 2 walmart & bought Pure Clear Aloe Vera Gel ($.99), Thin craft paint brush ($.99) & 19 colors of embossing Glitter kit ($20.99 & 10x amount of glitter per color than what she was giving in her kit!)&& lil plastic bead holders from craft dept ($2.99)! Works great! Dip brush n2 Aloe,Then glitter & apply! SUPER PRETTY,EASY & CHEAP!!! Add water 2 aloe to thin if you like. I get sooo many compliments when ever I wear it for belly dancing performance or just out at night!!!!!
21. Joanne says:

    February 11, 2010 at 4:59 pm

    There’s one more HUGE steal I forgot to mention in my previous post. TWITTER! Join Twitter and follow different Beauty companies and bloggers. They have Twitter contests VERY often. I have won items from several different companies and all I had to do was retweet their original posts. This savings has allowed me to spend money on splurges.
22. Joanne says:

    February 11, 2010 at 4:48 pm

    Splurges = I love my MAC lipsticks at $14, Too Faced Shadow insurance $17 and I swear by StriVectin $135. It keeps my face in such good shape and is probably why I appear younger than I am.

    Steals = Any products from Spell Cosmetics, they are just as good as department store products but with an outstanding price. Plus they are cruelty free and work very well on my sensitive skin. I love that they run specials quite often and include free samples in with every order. I also LOVE checking out clearance at drug stores. Rite Aid has a 75% off section and I grab great items there such as Revlon colorstay products. The items change weekly.
23. Sara says:

    February 11, 2010 at 3:06 pm

    Total Steal: The Hard Candy make up line at Wal Mart. Classic Hard Candy Make up at Wal Mart prices. Nail polish and lip gloss for a mere five bucks a pop. Curl up and dye mascara in all the fun, trendy hip now colors: seven bucks a pop! Can’t beat it, can’t go wrong at those prices. Love, love, love it. Love Hard Candy and Wal Mart for teaming up!
    Total splurge: Lancome Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover $26 a pop, bottle lasts a while though. Best eye make up remover I’ve ever discovered, gentle enough for contact lens wearers, gets even the most difficult water proof mascara off and NO raccoon eyes left over.
24. Lora Crider says:

    February 11, 2010 at 2:37 pm

    using baby shampoo to remove eye make up…very cheap and keeps your eyes clean too….an eye doctor told my mom to do this and I have been doing it for 3 years now myself…works lke a charm!
25. Annette says:

    February 11, 2010 at 2:27 pm

    Mascara- Marathon, as a nurse I need something that will not leave black circles under my eyes when I get stressed. Foundation- Bare Essentials foundation and mineral viel. I have oily skin and at $25 for the foundation every 3 month and $40 for the Mineral viel once a year it is slurge worthy to me when I can walk out of 10 hours of crazy and not look like I have been behind a deep fryer for that whole time. The rest, I go for cheap. They all are the same in my book, I have never found anything that is worth the $$$ for eye shodow or blush. Once or twice a year I will go to a department store and when a brand like Lamcome is giveing away gift with purchase I get a product for the min purchase ( usually a $20 moisturizer that lsts me 6 months) and get the gift. Makes me feel like I have a new toy to play with for another month or so. But nothing evey messures up to my stand by’s!!!!
26. Andrea Wrentz says:

    February 11, 2010 at 2:18 pm

    eyeslipsface.com is a wonderful place for a Bitch on a Budget to buy makeup! As seen on the hottest magazines, ELF (for short) is super affordable. Lips gloss, shadows, and nail polish $1!!…I buy elf products often and use them along with the items I splurge on. They look great, feel great!!… Also Incolor by Jordana lipgloss ($1.99). Super shiny with a hint of color. At these prices you can have more of a variety in your makeup collection. Another fabulous product to have on hand is Aquaphor (by Nivea;Beiersdorf)…this product is a multi purpose product, wonderful for soothing dry cuticles (soak hands, then apply) and removing eye makeup, soothing cracked and dry winter skin (feet and hands), and great for chapped lips!…My big splurge is Creme de la Mer (moisturizing cream) at $130 per oz. this cream is fabulous on the face and gives me a radiance and a glow.
27. Andrea Wrentz says:

    February 11, 2010 at 2:14 pm

    eyeslipsface.com is a wonderful place for a Bitch on a Budget to buy makeup! As seen on the hottest magazines, ELF (for short) is super affordable. Lips gloss, shadows, and nail polish $1!!…I buy elf products often and use them along with the items I splurge on. They look great, feel great!!… Also Incolor by Jordana lipgloss ($1.99). Super shiny with a hint of color. At these prices you can have more of a variety in your makeup collection. Another fabulous product to have on hand is Aquaphor (by Nivea;Beiersdorf)…this product is a multi purpose product, wonderful for soothing dry cuticles (soak hands, then apply) and removing eye makeup, soothing cracked and dry winter skin (feet and hands), and great for chapped lips!
28. Nicole says:

    February 11, 2010 at 2:08 pm

    Splurge = my Make Up Forever HD Foundation
    Steal = My NYX espresso lip pencil (Price $2), its a dupe for MAC’s Chestnut lip liner.
29. Michele says:

    February 11, 2010 at 1:42 pm

    Splurge= Would have to be my MAC Prep and Prime.. .its fantastic (and boarderline steal)
    Steal= Love My Eyes, brow pencil… it rivals all others and at around $1 for 2.. you cant go wrong!!!
30. Maggie says:

    February 11, 2010 at 12:41 pm

    test test test test