Bettie's Bargain Beauty Buys!

 After 26 years of being a gal, I finally feel like I'm settling into a beauty routine and am finding my Holy Grail products; products that I depend on and will never live without!  I've been beyond happy to find that lots of my favorites have been from the drugstore, or I'm able to get them from Harmon's (I am the QUEEN of that $5 off of $10 coupon!).  These products are just so divine and are at the perfect prices that I'd figure I'd share them all with you, and about how I use them!  Keep in mind I am NOT a professional by any means, but I think every woman should feel beautiful and healthy, and these products make me feel that way!

1.) Neutrogena Naturals Fresh Cleansing + Makeup Remover ($5.99) I've come to find that my face reacts much better to simple products, preferably organic or natural.  I'm a huge fan of face products at Lush, but this Bargain Bettie only splurges so often!  I tried this product on a whim, literally because it was on the only thing in the store aside from Burts Bees and Yes to Carrots that had the least amount of crappola in it. Since I've been using it every day, I can't tell you how much my face has cleared up!  It also does truly thoroughly remove makeup.  Who doesn't love killing two birds with one stone?
2.) St. Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub ($3.19) I've been using some version of this scrub for the past 8 years; I started using the Acne Clear version in college, and this product has been a bathroom staple since.  I just love how gritty it is!  It's on the rougher side, which I like- just under being too much for my face.  I also like using it all over my body (again with the 2-for-1!).
3.) Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion ($9.79 for 16oz.) Not going to lie, I'm still not sure how to pronounce this guy! (Seht- a- fil?  Seat-ah-fil? I give up!) However, after trying DOZENS of lotions (both drugstore and not), this has been my hands down favorite.  Simple, scentless, affordable, lightweight....I could go on and on!  I use this every day underneath my primer before makeup.  Also, a little bit goes a LONG way.  The bottle in the picture is the travel size, and I've had it for at least two months!
4.) Laura Geller Spackle Under Make-Up Primer ($30.00) Okay ladies, have you been keeping this from me?!  Where has this primer been all my life!? I recently stumbled upon a primer display at Ulta, and saw this one featured.  I did some recon online and saw rave reviews, so I decided to give it a try with my Birchbox points (I essentially got it for free!).  Oh my heavens!  I love this primer!  My makeup goes on smooth, and stays all day.  No matter which foundation of mine I use, the are no patchy areas, pores are minimized, and my makeup just stays looking great!  The price itself is on the higher side, but I decided to include it because of what and how much you get for that price.  The bottle is 2oz; around the same price point Benefit's Porefessional is .75oz, and Smashbox's Photo Finish is 1oz.  You're getting double the product!  Definitely worth the investment.
5.) Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder ($3.99) When it comes to my face makeup I usually prefer a dewy look; matte tends to look too flat and dried out on me (or maybe I'm doing it wrong!).  However, if I ever want to purposely mattify a particular area or if I'm feeling kinda oily, I grab this fella.  I also use it to set my eye shadow primer.
6.)  Revlon ColorStay Makeup (not pictured -  $12.99) I have a confession to make - I'm a little obsessed with foundation!  I wish I could easily try every single foundation out there; I'm always looking for the perfect coverage with the perfect finish for my skin type.  Even though I'm always dabbling in new brands and types, I always have this foundation on hand.  It has amazing staying power, gives me the buildable medium coverage I like, and leaves my skin looking natural.  Not to mention, it comes in tons of shades!
7.) NYX HD Eye Shadow Base ($6.99)  Before I was obsessed with foundation, I was obsessed with my oddly greasy eyelids and how no matter what, my eye shadow always creased. I tried all of the reputable primers, but none seemed to do the trick.  I read about NYX's Eye Shadow Base, and figured for that price, why not give it a whirl?  When I set it with the Matte Pressed Powder, my shadow stays better than with anything else!  I've got my mom hooked to; I'm already looking forward to one being tucked in my stocking this Christmas (momma if you're reading this- hint hint!)
8.) Covergirl Lashblast Volume Mascara ($8.99) My gorgeous momma also happens to love playing with makeup, and she introduced me to this mascara a few years ago.  I feel like whenever I may wander off to different mascaras, I always end up back with this one.  It gives great volume without getting clumpy and I never have fallout or smudges throughout the day.  My mom uses this in tandem with their lengthening formula for extra umph!
9.) Lush Mint Julips Lip Scrub ($9.95) & Smith's Rosebud Salve ($6.00) These two are a must-have combo for soft, moisturized, flake-free lips.  I'll scrub my lips before I put on my foundation, then put on the salve while I complete the rest of my makeup.  By the time I'm ready to do my lips - voila!  The perfect canvas for any type of lipstick!
10.) Colourpop Cosmetics Lippie Stix ($5.00) These lipsticks and liners are seriously like winning the lottery.  If you don't know about Colourpop yet, go check them out right now!  They have so many colors, and for each Lippie Stick there is an exact liner to match.  Did I mention they were just $5 each?  Since I've bought these, Colourpop has also branched out into more shadows, blushes & highlighters, eyeliner, and now an ultra matte creme lip color.  Can I have them all please!?

There are always new products to try, and I'm always scouring the internet for other suggestions!  What are your favorite beauty products?  Are any of them bargain buys?  Share with all of us in the comments below!

Until next time!

xoxo, Bettie 

Happy Halloween!

 Happy Halloween darlings! I hope your day is full of fun, sweets, and a few scares for good measure!   I celebrated at work yesterday by adding a $5 witch hat to some items I already had in my closet.  What are you dressing up as this year?  I'd love to hear about your DIY and/or bargain costume - let me know in the comments below!

xoxo, Bettie 

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!: The VNA Rummage Sale

It's beginning to look a lot like fall outside; the leaves are turning, air conditioners have been turned off, and Halloween decorations are going up.  Every time a season changes I find myself saying "THIS is my favorite!", but I really think that fall may take the cake.  Pumpkin and apple flavored everything, that crisp fresh air, getting to pull out my favorite sweaters...I love ALL of it!  The beginning of October and the season bring another one of my absolute FAVORITE things, the Visiting Nurses Association (VNA) Rummage Sale.  I took Friday off of work this last week to spend three full days shopping this sale inside and out, and I'm so excited to share my finds with you!  But first, for those of you who are seriously missing out and don't know what I'm even talking about, here's the skinny on the host, the Visiting Nurse Association, and the sale!

The Visiting Nurse Association is a non-profit that provides home health and hospice care, adult day services, and community wellness programs in Morris and Somerset County NJ.  Their mission is to "provide their services to all those in need, regardless of their ability to pay or insurance coverage."  Twice a year, once in the fall and once in the spring, the VNA holds a huge rummage sale, where the proceeds go towards home health and hospice care to families in need, along with other wellness services not covered by insurance.  Volunteers begin collecting donations at the rummage sale site a month prior to the sale date; people drive up with car and truckloads of items to donate!  The sale is organized into categories that are divided by tents.  For example, there is a tent for Kitchen items, a tent for boutique clothing items, a tent for sports equipment, etc.  They seriously get SO MANY items to sell!  The sale runs Friday to Sunday, and good thing, since it's almost impossible to go through everything in just one day!

This year I decided to take off of work to attend first thing Friday, aiming for the better selection of items.  I also ended up going later in the day on Saturday with my honey, and then returned Sunday with my mom and stepdad.  Each day was a different experience, with great finds along the way!

Inside the Boutique Clothing tent on Day 1.

MUD.  And it was just day one.

Chairs Chairs Chairs galore!

My honey, the undercover bookworm :)

Some helpful things to note about the sale, and some tips I think may be useful :)

• The sale is rain or shine.  Seriously.  Friday was an absolutely miserable day: cold, windy, and downpour rainy. Saturday was the aftermath; even muddier than they before, damp and chilly.  None of this stopped anyone from coming out! Come prepared for whatever weather, and don't wear any shoes or clothing you don't want mud on!

• If you're considering shopping for clothing for yourself, layer up!  Mirrors are hung up in clothing tents, so if you wear tight fitting lower layers, you have the ability to try on clothing before you purchase.  I wore skinny jeans and a cami every day, and simply layered thermals/fleece/my rain jacket on top.  Other women did the same, and some would even drop their pants to their ankles to get an idea if a skirt or dress really fit.  I shared a mirror with a lovely woman on Friday while trying on items; we ended up picking out items for each other and asking each other for opinions on what we were buying!
• Keep your eyes peeled at all times.  Sometimes items get placed in a tent or location you wouldn't expect.  For example, there was a section of leather shoes, bags, and boots in the Vintage tent - I spotted a newer pair of Frye booties, and an Isabella Fiore handbag there, though I would think they would be in the Boutique Clothing tent.  
• Save room for Sunday!  To clear as much of their inventory as possible, each tent has a different deal on the last day.  Tents with smaller items sometimes have fill-a-bag deals, where you can stuff a brown bag with whatever you can for $10 or $15.  Other tents are 50% off.  I made out like a bandit on Sunday!  
• and related to those notes...don't hesitate to go through tents more than once!  You can easily overlook something and spot it the second time around.  It works out even better when you come across it on Sunday...that's how I came to own this Valentino blazer....for $25 :)

That's also how I got this chair for my little vanity table for $6 instead of $12!

I really made out like a bandit this sale!  Here are a few of my other favorite finds:

The cutest mid-century kitchen canisters; and they stack! Set of 3 for $12.

My haul from Boutique Clothing!  Highlights were the turquoise Tahari dress for $8 and the 90's does 50's floral dress for $5.

The VNA Rummage Sale is really something not to miss.  If you missed this fall's sale, join me in May for the spring edition!  I'll be sure to post reminders well in advance!

How have you been spending your fall?  Did you attend the rummage sale?  Anything else fun going on?  Let me know in the comments below!

Until the next adventure...xoxo, Bettie