Beauty bargins

Michelle Resendiz – Chicago, Il.

Have you ever really really wanted something, but you couldn’t see yourself spending that much on it? I feel that way all the time, and I decided that in my travels I was going to document my findings so that my lovely pupils could also do the same thing. My beauty lovers out there will tell you it’s easy to drop a lot of money on cosmetics, and clearly with the way that the economy is right now no one has the money for that. SO, in today’s version of Make-up Tips with Michelle, we are going over the Splurge and the Steal so you don’t have to hunt for it. Here we go!

Make-up: Personally I’m a total snob when it comes to make-up, I really enjoy my name brand stuff. It could be my background in the business, maybe it’s the things I’ve used as I’ve grown as an artist, but I can’t even begin to tell you the countless trips I would make to my local MAC Cosmetics (Pro store) to get some new replenished stock.

The money I spent on MAC I could have spent elsewhere, and I’m telling you that now because I’ve fallen in love with someone else, and they are way better. These boots are made for walkin sista!

Right now they have this collection at MAC. The VERA: Flashy florals, butterfly brights, punchy patterns, and a light-as-air spirit fuse in a collection inspired by the art of textile designer, Vera Neumann. For fashion fanatics everywhere. Limited edition. Things in this collection range in price, but the price that you are going to pay for this… you could go over to Lumiere Cosmetics and get THE SAME THING IF NOT BETTER for half the cost. Take a look at the comparison…

This collection has 3 different kinds, and there are 4 loose pigments in each collection. They are $32.00. SO, if you like all the colors here that’s basically $100.00 with tax to get the eyeshadows in this picture (above).

Lumiere Cosmetics has the same vibrant colors that everyone loves, and you can pick whatever colors you want! Make your own little quad, for $20.00! Take a look at all the colors they have, and get the 1 gram (small jar) in you favorite colors for $5.00! I love them… I would buy Lumiere over MAC any day.

Michelle's Lumiere Quad using her own color choices

You can also compare the foundations while you are there… MAC has a mineral Foundation on their site for $30.00. Instead of spending that much on a foundation why don’t you go here, and get a better one for $18.00? AND that’s the largest size!

The other thing I liked about Lumiere’s Foundation, there are 4 different blends to try. Each one is formulated to fit your face, and your preference. They even have a ‘full coverage’ available. People often times don’t get the coverage that they are looking for out of mineral foundations… so I say try Lumiere, you can definitely see the difference.

Nail Fashion: I love these dry nail polish strips, but I also don’t like spending a ton of money on them. I was at the store and I saw Sally Hansen made some cute ones… then I went over to see if they were on Incoco’s website, and of course THEY ARE! Take a look at what I found, and what’s online.

Sally Hansen Salon Effects

Incoco Nail strips

Look at that! Basically the same thing, but better at Incoco. Thank you very much… I would rather buy Incoco anyway because they are better quality and stay on better for me. I really like those a lot better than Sally’s.