Drugstore Deals

Gigi here! I'm not certain why I disclose major embarrassments of my life in this forum, but perhaps it is because I am so very comfortable with and trusting of you wonderful women.  Seriously--I never dreamed a group could be as supportive, brilliant, hysterical, and kind!

Let's rewind to my teen years.  I was a majorette and going to perform in one of the larges t parades in the area.  Everyone went--my boyfriend was going to be there with his friends (okay, I was in love with him but always believed in keeping my options open).  I was decked out in a black mini skirt in size "Malibu Barbie" and had a black top adorned with gold sequins.  My boots were polished and my tassels perfectly fluffed.  I had the dance routine perfected so that I didn't hit myself in the head yet again with the baton and cause a concussion.

I saw my sister immediately after a flawless performance.  She is a short woman, barely five feet tall, but she still wields a lot of power because of her being older.  I asked how I did, expecting her to fawn.  Her reaction?  "Gigi, what the heck did you do with your mascara?  There are tarantulas on your eyes and I don't know how you can hold head up without being a hunchback."  I wish she had told me what she really thought!  Actually, I was a spiked Goth before it was fashionable or Scarlett O'Hara with her lashes on steroids!  I realized what she meant--more is not necessarily good.  I had kept applying coats before the parade.

Gigi here! Okay, let’s be candid and have a “Dr. Phil moment" now.  I’ve cheated several times throughout the years.  It wasn’t always pretty and there were repercussions and damage control to do afterward.  I didn’t discuss my episodes with others but wondered how many others did what I did.  Some were brief dalliances, and then I had full-throttle love affairs whose pleasures nearly justified my deceit.  Before I go further, I’m talking about using different facial soaps and skin cleansers throughout my life, never staying loyal to just one—what were you thinking?  For shame!
 
In high school, Cuticura’s deep blue and Neutrogena’s golden bar soaps kept my skin clear.  Another wonder?  Ivory soap, pure and simple.  Before I am run out of this site by a group of wilding Megheads, please listen.  I’ve had more women with flawless complexions tell me that they have used only Ivory and that less is more.   My only question with the brand is why a bar that is 99 and 44/100% pure stings my eyes so viciously.  It must be something in the missing .56%.
 
A wise reader of this site, hao9703, e-mailed me and mentioned that she has run the gamut when it comes to cleansing, from Kinerase (can you say “mucho dinero down the draino?”) to Cetaphil® and asked if there is much difference between drugstore and department store formulas.  She is a wise steward of her resources.  Her message told me that she fully comprehended why I try to point out that women often—not always—pay mainly for name recognition and packaging and I did a dance of joy.  Without a dissection of formulas, more products than you know have the same key ingredients and only the names and places where they are purchased differentiate them.  Thank you for writing and allowing me to come clean, literally and figuratively.  My favorite all-time cleansers have included Cetaphil® for years now and I was ecstatic that you mentioned it.  I had meant to critique it a long time ago.  Their slogan is “Every Age.  Every Stage.  Every Day.”  Gee, I wish I had thought of that because it’s absolutely true.

Meg here! Compacts in theory are so convenient. Everything that you would need to put your best face forward right at the tips of your dainty fingers? All in one in a gem of pink and mesh lace? The only problem is when companies just don't get the shades right. The value goes away when you only are using 2 of the 6 eye shadows because-Magenta for everyday eyes? Really.

I'm trying to help you all out that got the "Secret Santa" bug and when the budget is under $20 I have got a goodie that will make you the beauty hero! "Bella's Powder Room" gets it right. Each pan of color is wearable for everyday for anyone. NINE EYESHADOWS that can be mixed matched and blended to make endless combinations! SIX LIPGLOSSES that are flattering shades that you'll actually want to wear! FOUR CHEEK COLORS from pinks to bronzes.

The presentation is fit for a queen's powder room and it would look amazing in my boudoir! Yes, I admit, my bedroom is all pink and mirrored furniture and girly FABULOUSNESS! It takes a very secure man to be able to handle spending time in my art deco lair!

Gigi here! I must admit that I am just becoming a devotee of natural and organic beauty products, our focus for today, for one particular reason.  Actually, I "went green" long before it was in vogue and it did not have a happy ending.  This true story is on my profile here, remains etched in my mind's all-time moments of humiliation,  and bears repeating for those of you who most likely haven't read it.

My auburn hair is probably one of my best features.  Some years ago, I went to a stylist.  As he trimmed my locks and admired the color variations of my virgin strands, he suggested that I strip it entirely and then dye it to make it even more glossy, more eye-catching.  I plead temporary insanity as I followed his advice.  Horrors.  Horrors beyond horrors!  I didn't dream of what would happen, but wound up sobbing a new river into existence.  My hair was white--not blonde.  My husband tried to be sincerely sympathetic but guffawed instead.  I went to my sister's for empathy, needing to cry on her shoulder.  Her young sons laughed themselves silly, rolling around on the carpeting, squealing in their high-pitched voices, "Mommy!  Daddy!  Aunt Gigi looks just like Billy Idol!"  The problem was they were absolutely precise with their description.  All I needed was a spiked dog collar, brass knuckles, black leather everything, and a slew of heavy chains to be his groupie.  This couldn't be happening to me . . . someone wake me when this is over.
So another brilliant scheme came to mind--I would travel to my local beauty store and purchase a few bottles of hair dye to mimic the multi-tonal hues of my natural hair.  I bought several different shades and was assured that I could undo the damage by the saleswoman (also supposed to be a beauty advisor).  What I was not told is that these colors have base undertones and I chose some with yellow and others with blue.  Recall the Zip Lock commercial?  Yellow and blue make green!  Goodbye Billy, hello leprechaun Gigi!  My hair rivaled the emerald hills of Ireland.

Meg here! I know Costco isn't a drugstore but it does have a drug section. I found a great deal, even better then 100 rolls of toilet paper for $20.00!

It's funny how you hear something once and then you notice it everywhere. It's not like you ladies don't know that I'm a total sucker for a bargain! So of course I own a Costco card. Why pay $4.99 for 6 pickles when I can pay $7.50 for 60 pickles! I mean, right?

We had this amazing review of Natural Upper Canada Salt Scrub written by Goddess Granny. Before I had published it I had gotten another one (underneath) from Sweetassgal. The reviews were both singing the praises.

I'm in Costco and then I spot MORE Natural Upper Canada. Two Hand Repair Balms and a Body Lotion for $13.99!! Full Size! I threw a few into my cart-Buying in Bulk Never Felt So Good! I asked the manager and it appears that this is just a deal for the Los Angeleno's. However, read Sweetassgal's review below and fall more in love with the line.