maxfactor lash lift mascara and loreal true match foundation, powder, and blush and Tresemme shampoo and conditioner.

1. Almay Amazing Lasting 16 Hour Concealer - I replaced Clinique Line Smoothing Concealer with the Almay and it's WAY better
2. Almay Bright Eyes Defining Color Duo Eyeliner (Almay was having a buy one get one 50% off sale) - smoothest applying eyeliner I've ever used

1.I recently discovered Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle INTENSIVE Serum for Deep Wrinkles and really like it. It smooths my skin and helps shrink my pores and does not make my sensitive skin freak out.
2. The Deep Cleaning mask by Oil of Olay. Got a sample in the mail, which I loved. When I went to the store to purchase it, three stores were sold out!!
3.Those are the items I've discovered. Items that I'm looking for but not yet reviewed:
-a good blush,
-always looking for sheer, long lasting fountation (liked the cashmere from L'Oreal. Thanks for the review)
-things for senstive OILY skin (it does exist)
-volumizing hair products

I'm sure there are more. None come to mind right now.

Love your site. It has saved me so much time and money. I'm telling everyone I know about it!!

okay, i'll say it a thousand times...Maybelline Full 'n Soft Mascara!!! it's the best, best, BEST for me. i get the waterproof black, it will. not. budge, but comes off easily with a makeup remover wipe. and it just isn't as hard a clumpy as other waterproof versions. i LOVE it!

oh my GOSH christian!
i also use faithfully the almay amazing lasting concealer and the almay bright eyes duo. in fact, both are constantly in my purse...i even touched up with the bright eyes eyeliner duo during my lunch break just now. i get the one with brown on one end, peach on the other. it's a no-brainer that wakes up and defines eyes quick and easy.

I have recently discovered 2 things at my local drugstore/chain that I LOVE!

1. Olay Body Quench lotion. I HATE to put on lotion every single day...I just do. After using this on my poor dry legs for just 2 days, I can now go every other day with it. And it adds just a little bit of sparkle to your legs which is kinda fun. It's not really noticeable so you can still be an undercover princess.

2. Aveeno Intense Relief Foot Cream - this has worked wonders on my poor neglected heels. I put it on the first time before bed - when I woke up it looked like my feet had been pampered all along. It soaks into your skin very quickly, too, which I like. It doesn't have a lasting effect, though. But I should admit that I haven't used it every day so maybe it would eventually have a lasting effect. But it does seem to last the 24 hours that it claims to.

Question: Anyone have any comments on John Frieda's Brillian Brunette shampoo and conditioner?

I cannot live without Max Factor Lipfinity lipstick. Seriously. Best stuff evah!

Andrea, the Brilliant Brunette line is pretty nice, depending on which shampoo I use. Right now I'm using the Shine Release Shampoo and the Light Reflecting Conditioner. The shampoo is extremely drying and completely strips my hair. Previously I used the Shine Release Moisturizing Shampoo which was much better. With the non-moisturizing shampoo, my hair feels like straw. The conditioner definitely helps, and is a very good product over all. I definitely think that these products enhance my hair color by adding a ton of shine (they also smell really nice), but I'm not entirely convinced of the need for two separate color choices...I lightened my hair significantly for the summer but continued to use the "darker" shampoo until it ran out and it didn't make a bit of difference in my hair color.

I also found that the Brilliant Brunette shampoo did a horrid drying number on my hair. The conditioner...eh, it's fine, but I've really prefer Aveda Brilliant or the Biosilk knockoff (the latter from Sally).

My favorite drugstore find is my solution for wintertime skin in the cold, dry north. I can't beat a $2 bottle of baby oil in the shower--I rub a thin layer over my whole body right before I get out of the shower, do a quick rinse, and hop out. Sounds kind of messy, but it's not. I even managed to get my boyfriend hooked on using it, and we both saw better winter skin in under a week.

I love the Brilliant Brunette line but like many of you, I've found that all the shampoos other than the moisturizing version strip my hair. And sadly, the last tube of the moisturizing shampoo I bought made me break out. I think they've changed the formula, though I don't have any proof of it.

My favorite under $10 drugstore products:

1. Rimmel blushes, both the powder and new cream ones. Dirt cheap and gorgeous with really elegant textures.
2. Rimmel Vinyl Lip glosses - I like them better than MAC Lipglass and they're a fraction of the price.
3. Maybelline Age-Rewind Concealer, though now I'm keen to try the Almay one!
4. Sally Hansen Beyond Perfect nailpolish - lasts at least as long as OPI.
5. Sally Hansen Power Shield top coat, which I like better than Seche Vite for fingers because it's not thick and goopy.
6. Jergens Natural Glow lotion for fair skin - best self-tanner I've ever used, period.
7. Dove Flexible Hold aerosol hairspray - the only hairspray that doesn't give me a horrible headache, and the hold is really soft.
8. Wet 'n' Wild powder blush in the All Over Shimmer shade, which is a lovely fine-milled champagne highlighter that looks amazing on cheekbones.
9. SoftSoap Milk & Honey body wash - smells absolutely delicious and moisturizes without leaving me greasy or filmy.
10. Aquaphor as an overnight lip treatment - awesome!

I know there are tons more, but this is a novel already and I don't want to monopolize the conversation. ;)

Couple more of my favorites...

1. Revlon ColorStay Nail Enamel. This is the one that is packaged with color and top coat. Seriously, the last time I used mine, it lasted 15 days before it started to chip. I've never had any other polish last that long and since I HATE to paint my nails, it is perfect for me.

2. Coppertone for Faces Daily Self Tanner with Retinol (I use the light formula since I'm fair). This is a light, sheer tanner that is in a dual pump that squirts out tanner and moisturizer at the same time. I mix it together in my palm then apply to my face with my fingertips. (wash your hands right after, although it won't turn you orange if you forget.) It soaks right in, never streaks, and NEVER looks like tanner-people ask me if I was at the beach over the weekend. Apply make-up as normal...this takes the place of moisturizer. Just makes me look like I have a healthy glow. PS...it says you can apply it daily, but I find every other day is fine to maintain natural color.

Milani. Eyeshadows and blush. Inexpensive, nicely pigmented and come in a wide range of colors. When I hit a special, I can get a shadow at my local CVS for $1.99. They are the same size as MAC e/s, even fit in a MAC palette. Some of the shades are dead ringers for MAC as well. Milani Storm is almost identical to MAC Black Tied.
Also, I'm probably in the minority here, but I love Rimmel's Volum'Eyes mascara with the funky comb. I know it gets lots of bad reviews on other sites because it takes some getting used to, but well worth the $6.50 I pay.

Bria, thanks for the baby oil tip! I hate ashy winter skin.

Hibicleanse is my favourite thing in the world. It's an antibacterial soap that a lot of doctors use to scrub up before surgery. It helps keep my skin in line, but it might be a bit harsh for some people. (It also helped my navel piercing heal in 4 months instead of the standard 9.)

Cetaphil SPF 15 Moisturizer. Love this. Better than "Hope in a Jar" by Philosophy. Not greasy at all and doesn't make me break out.

Corn Silk Loose Powder in Transluscent/No Colour is just about my favourite thing in the world. It sets my make up like whoa.

Badger, you've made my day - I had no idea SoftSoap made a milk and honey bodywash. I am obsessed with the milk and honey handsoap.

I'm a huge fan of Maybelline Expert Eyes Oil Free eye makeup remover - it's not greasy, so it's great for correcting minor mistakes and also great at the end of the day. Plus, it lasts a long time and is under $5. Another great makeup remover is the Neutrogena Cleansing wipes - I wash my face after wards but the towels do a great job removing foundation and they're not drying at all.

Any Maybelline masacara - I'm not sure of the name but I have been using the one in the white and blue tube that has the white base coat. I don't always use the white but I find the mascara part to deliver a soft, full lash - perfect for everyday. And waterproof, of course.

Nivea is great all around but I really love the Nivea Soft cream. It smells clean and really is soft (although probably better for the summer if you have dry skin).

Final tip for dry skin - totally coat your body in Vaseline and take a warm bath. Wash it off very gently with a little soap and then dry off. You're skin will feel great. But be careful not to slip and to wash the tub out after so no one else does!

Mascarawise, I like Neutrogena Weightless Volume wax-free mascara. It's not waterproof and it doesn't make any special claims, but I think it looks completely natural, and I never have problems with clumping or flaking. It doesn't hold up when I cry, but even when it smears, it's easy to get off my face with just a wet tissue (or even finger).

I love the Frizz Ease Dream Curls spray. It makes doing my hair really easy.

And Carmex. I can't think of a better lip balm.

I'm a big fan of the following:

1. Maybelline Express Finish Nail Colors. I have at least 10 different shades, and I love them all. They dry fast and stay shiny for quite a while. Some chipping can occur, though, after a couple days of wear.

2. Citre Shine Polishing Serum. I cannot live without this stuff, especially during the summer. It takes care of my frizz like nothing else.

3. Physique Scrunching Foam. For those of us with curly locks, this is a must-have. Makes the hair smooth, defines curls, and leaves a soft, nonsticky finish.

4. Cover Girl Perfect Point Plus Eye Liner. Because I hate-hate-hate having to sharpen liner pencils, and because this one is really great. One of the few items I've been using since I started wearing makeup.

5. Revlon New Complexion One-Step Makeup. Fabulous coverage and stay-put ability. Even my hubby uses it to cover up blemishes (but don't tell him to told you so!).

forgot to tell you all earlier, i am in LOVE also with:
Cetaphil Cleanser
Sally Hansen's Beyond Perfect nailpolish (actually, Jen turned me on to this and now I am a freak about it) - it's truly got a better finish than any other drugstore polish as well as most salon ones that i've tried
Bonne Belle Lip Smackers in all the fun flavors
Johnson's 24-Hour Softlotion
Revlon Colorstay eyeliners
L'Oreal Cashmere Perfect foundation
Revlon Super Lustrous Lipsticks

Emily, Bria, and Badger:

Thanks for the comments on the Brilliant Brunette shampoo and conditioner. I'm finding that it's making my hair less manageable...a lot more tangles than my Aussie shampoo. But I do think it's had an impact on lightening my hair a bit.

Thanks again!

Almay One Coat mascara...My #1 mascara. I've tried the other "tried and true" makeup artist fave [maybelline] but found it too goopy and clumpy...my beloved Almay, though never requires serious unclumping after application. AND--after years of allegiance, the product is still the same! More then I can say for my former favorite blush, Loreal's Translucide blush gel [in deep red]...best blush ever, better then my current blush [Benetint] and easier to apply. But they didn't just change that one, the eliminated it completely. I hate it when cosmetics co's do that. Jerks.
Oh? Was I ranting? Sorry.
Other cheap-o fave: Sonia Kashuk makeup brushes, from Target, as well as the nailpolish.

I have a few favorites of my own:

1.) Dove Extra Hold Hairspray. It it the go to hairspray for when I wear my hair down and need something to hold my curled under hair in place, even in humidity. Never has it left my hair crunchy or hard. It actually adds volume and movement. LOVE IT.

2.) Nivea Body Skin Firming Moisturizer. I have some cellulite and stretchmarks, and after applying after my morning shower for two weeks, I'm seeing great results. It feels great, smells great and does what it promised to do.

3.) Almay Nearly Naked foundation and blush. I have used it for a year now, and it is amazing. It evens my dry skin's appearance, gives me light coverage, yet hides small imperfections. I've let my sister and my grandmother use my makeup, and they both looked fabulous in it. If it will work on dry, and oily, and the skin of a 78 year old woman, you know it's good.

4.) Neutrogena Weightless Volume mascara. It isn't clumpy or heavy. It makes my lashes look like better versions of themselves. I have sensitive eyes, and I wear contacts and it doesn't burn after a few hours of wear, nor does it flake or rub off. Haven't tried the waterproof version, but this does just as well.

5.) I too use the Sonia Kashuk makeup brushes, from Target. They are a vast improvement from the dumb little things that come with makeup, and you don't feel like you got robbed when paying for a few makeup brushes. Must have.

Hi! Has anyone tried the Pantene line for Brunettes/Blondes/Reds? I heard that it is a lot more moisturizing than the Brilliant Brunette.....

Lioness,

I have not personally tried the Pantene line, but one of my friends uses the Brilliant Brunette, and she finds it very comparable to the Aveda Brilliant shampoo that she has used for years. She is a big fan.