Every time I walk into the drug store, I always look for something to make my day and lift my spirits. Something that makes me feel good about myself, but doesn't make my wallet feel bad. Something cheap. Something from the Beauty Department. On a recent cheapie splurge, I found some 

items that quickly turned into a regular staple in my beauty routine.

HERBAL ESSENCES SHAMPOO by Clairol For Fine | Limp Hair $3.79
"THICK" BY Rusk
"Body & Texture Amplifier"
BODY MIST in "Peach" by Calgon $5.95

To start off with.............my hair. I was in search for a new shampoo. And scent is a key thing I look for, running a close second to the #1 being performance. Okay, so I'm personally offended by the commercials of the orgasmic lady washing her hair in the airplane (yeah RIGHT, who's idea WAS this?) But I gotta admit, amongst the other contenders in the shampoo line up, CLAIROL'S HERBAL ESSENCE Shampoo's packaging did look appealing. So off I went..... and no, you won't hear any sounds coming from my bathroom......... I'm just washing my hair, what did you expect? The best part was that I didn't need a lot of product to lather up, and low and behold, it smelled heavenly, and really did give my hair more body.....for $3.79 this was a bargain. And it still is.

Looking for a lip base? You must check out Almay's "Color Grip" Lip Base. With a slightly waxy feel, when it first went on, this lip product worked miracles on keeping my dark raisin brown lipstick on. Though a bit much at around $6.00, it convinced me with the time I saved in having to keep reapplying lipstick. "Color Grip" Lip Base, by Almay $5.85

Looking for a fantastic mascara? Look no further. I can't say enough about this mascara.
"VOLUM" by Maybelline is everything it's advertised to be and more. Fantastic length, with it's very black pigment, it goes on extremely thick at the base and fades out. If you don't mind using a eyelash comb after using, this mascara really does do 'volumes'. It also came off fairly easily with a oil based eye makeup remover. Also, another test of mine, the feeling mascara on my lashes, and getting the urge to rub it off. With this mascara? A "no" on both counts....another great product to celebrate.
 
Always on the lookout for thickening products for hair, it's hard to find a product that doesn't add that gummy feeling. A no no in my book, at any time. You must try 'Thick" by Rusk. A clear alcohol free spray, it works great on either dry or wet hair, and then blow-dried for style. It really does work. It must be the "Thermplex" in it, a 'unique ingredient which activates with the heat of a blow-dryer to boost body and volume from the inside out.'

It also doesn't leave a sticky or tacky feel to the hair. After applying and reapplying countless times to my hair, it never gave a build-up. Wow....... a product that works.

Next, some more soothing scents for the soul. CALGON's new line of Body Mists, this one in "Peach" touts "special skin softeners to soften and smooth skin"...it smelled wonderful, without being overpowering, and it did leave a silky feel to the skin, without the least trace of oil. Other scents include "Pink Grapefruit", "Morning Glory", Vanilla" & "Herbal Meadows".
 
CREDIT BYLINE: Article written by E. Von Freudenberg, Editor of The Beauty Newsletter: http://www.beautynewsletter.gq.nu. For a free subscription, email BeautyNewsletter-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. Ms. Von Freudenberg is also a top celebrity makeup artist whose work has been seen in Allure, W, Rolling Stone, Paper, Detour and many more. Von Freudenberg Ent. © All Rights Reserved.