Poise in a Pinch: Best Beauty Products & Secrets for Cheap

As an emerging personal stylist, I get asked all the time where I shop. I also get asked about my beauty products just as often. This is where it's at! Beauty products are the finishing touch to your overall look, that extra sparkle that makes people stop and stare. So obviously it serves you well to keep them a secret. Right? Well, I've been contemplating sharing my trade secrets with others for a few weeks. And it occurred to me that the only people who should know what's inside Bree's beauty bag are our loyal and lovely readers of The Gathered Lady! As you know I'm all about PINP'in (Poise in a Pinch), so these beauty finds will yield fabulous results without busting the bank!

HAIR

1. It's a 10 Leave-In Conditioner Plus Keratin
   • Approx. $15-$20 for 4oz bottle.  CVS, Online, Beauty Supply Stores. ABSOLUTELY WORTH IT.
   • This product is a MIRACLE worker. I have curly 3c/4a hair and I would always have to chop off an inch or two when I straightened it due to split ends and pixie knots from drying and wear and tear. After implementing this spray, as well as the next product, I have not had to trim my ends again. It's a phenomenal product. My hair detangled so much easier with this product, and it smells good. 
   • This product also works wonders on straight hair. My old roomie initially put me on to this product and she has long bone straight hair. She reported the same findings, that her hair was much stronger and had better ends and more damage-resistant to constant flat iron use.
2. Moroccan Argon Oil
   • Approx. $6-$10. CVS, Target, Online.
   • Another MIRACLE worker. This light oil makes me hair smooth and shiny and it retains water better because of the moisture locking properties. I use the Organix Moroccan Argon Oil type.
3. Silkology
   • $9-$20 depending on size. Online Silkology.com or Sleekhair.com. Independent distributors.
   • When I straighten my hair I SWEAR by this line of shampoo and conditioners. It can only be purchased online or from a distributor, but I ordered mine from Sleekhair.com. The Silk-It line makes your hair uber satiny and sleek. Here's the proof: Picture on the left is how my hair always came out when I straightened it by myself. Picture on the right is my hair after silkology. I straightened both times by myself with my non-professional flat iron and mediocre hair styling skills!!(L) Before silkology, (C& R) After Silkology,

 SKIN

1. Hot Water
   • Free! Everywhere!
   • Yes, you read that correctly. This is one of my favorite secrets. I read this in a self-help book written by a man. He said after years of working with models, it's an industry secret. Don't wash your face with anything but hot water. Seriously, it doesn't matter how much make-up I have on, this works. I will remove waterproof eye make-up with olive oil on a cotton ball, but that's it. I even wash the oil residue off with more hot water and a face cloth. I haven't used soap on my face since Feb 2013 and I've had no more pimples. Period. Amazeballs.
2. Cortisone Cream
   • $1-$4, drugstores, dollar stores
   • This can be bought at any drug store or dollar store for a few bucks. It works wonders on any possible zit or bump. It helps lock moisture in your skin and reduces swelling and redness for any pimples. Caution: don't use everyday or multiple times per day as your skin will get used to it and it will lose it's effectiveness. I use it 3xs per week at night after washing my face before bed.
3. Baby Oil
   • $1-$3, drugstores, dollar store
   • This is great for removing waterproof eye make-up or face stains. But this old school product is best for making your legs have celebrity status shine. I apply some down my calves right before I step out the door. It makes a total difference in pictures. Bonus use if you're prone to visible cellulite or stretch marks,etc. The light reflects away from scars and helps create flawless looking skin.

 MAKE-UP

1. ELF Brushes
   • $1-$3 Target, Big Lots
   • This line is made specifically to save money. I love it!
   • I use the powder brush to apply foundation. It creates a more even & buffed appearance in your foundation coverage, rather than a traditional paint-brush shaped foundation applicator.
   • The stipple brush is amazing for adding highlights to your cheeks and contour lines of the face. I swirl it in my gold shimmer dust, then swipe across my cheeks and Tzone. It captures the perfect wispy amounts.
2. Wet & Wild Matte Lipsticks
   • $1.99 at CVS, Walgreens, various stores
   • This line of lipsticks is potent and full of beautiful colors. The lipstick applies smoothly and richly. It lasts on your lips for hours (more than 4). I always get compliments on these shades. My favorite shades are "Bare It All", "Sugar Plum Fairy", "Purty Persimmon", "Wine Room", and "Mauve Outta Here"
3. Gold Shimmer Dust
   • $5-$10, various drugstores and make-up outlets
   • This adds highlights to your face, making you camera ready. It also gives you a healthy glow that makes people think you drink gallons of water!
   • I swipe it on the high angles of my cheeks and across my T-zone.
4. Careprost (Generic Latisse)
   • $30-$40, online
   • I saved the best for last. Latisse works! BUT it's almost $100 a pop. Boo! Luckily, there's a generic version called Careprost.
   • I coughed up the $100 for Latisse last winter as a bday present, and sure enough my lashes grew waaaaayyyyyyyyyy longer and fuller than any length they had been my entire life. But once I caught wind of Careprost, I hopped the PINP train and I'm totally satisfied and have maintained my Latisse length.
   • Be sure to order enough applicators. Try Amazon as they are only $3-$5.(L) before Careprost (Latisse); (R) After Careprost (Latisse)

Do you have any PINP beauty secrets? Have you tried any of these products and had great results? Share your pics and products with us, and if we like it, we'll share! Connect with us at Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter @ Thegatheredlady.

Fashionista Feature: Gathered Lady Bree!

First things first! We sat down and interviewed our very own Gathered Lady staff to share their fashion lives. Check out our 21 questions for founder and co-owner Bree Jenkins! 

1. Name/Age/City? Bree. 25 on repeat. From New Orleans. Living in Los Angeles.
2. Describe your fashion style in 5 words? Feminine, trendy, vintage, flirty, colorful, sophisticated-- I know that’s 6!
3. Who are your favorite style icons? Coco Chanel, Solange Knowles, Kelis, Audrey Hepburn, Gwen Stefani, Victoria Beckham, Khloe Kardashian, Rihanna, my bff, cousin, a few aunts, mom and sister.
4. Finish this sentence. I can’t help but buy more gold accessories for my jewelry menagerie
5. Surprise! Impromptu interview with Vogue in 2 hours! What do you wear? Black leather pencil skirt, cream and sheer blouse, floral blazer, D&G strappy heels, and gold accessories
6. Most expensive item in your closet? MK leather purse or vintage black and gold sequin jacket
7. If a natural disaster wipes away your entire closet except for 3 pieces, what would you save? Good Lord- Provided I can save some accesories first: vintage black and gold jacket, "cats in pajamas" comfy pj shirt (sentimental value- it's been through hurricanes, cross country moves, break-ups, and sick days), vintage catsuit
8. Favorite stores to supply your fashion habit? Loehmann's, Nordstrom Rack, TJ Maxx, Runway Boutique, Goodwill (select cities), H&M, Forever 21, Buffalo Exchange, ASOS, Nasty Gal, Fashion Q, CrossRoads, Fashion District in LA, Ross, Marshalls, JCPenny, Target, and RichBitch
9. Best fashion advice you live by? Don’t work with it if it won’t work with you.
10. Worst fashion mistake you ever made? White/grey snakeskin pants with matching blazer in high school. Soooo ostentatious and ridiculous. I was doing the most.  *cringes*
11. Favorite childhood fashion item? Mardi Gras beads to make tons of pretend necklaces and jewels.
12. Secret fashion look you wish you could pull off? Crop top shirts with low rise jeans. I don’t have  it like that.
13. Fill in the blank. If I were small chested, then I would wear NO BRA MOST DAYS!
14. What traits make up a gathered lady to you? Which do you have?  Gathered ladies are stylish, sophisticated, like nice things, fun, intelligent, successful, down to earth, cultured, and classy. I’m a work in progress, but I have traction with most of those qualities, so I’m going to cop to being a gathered lady. I think everything you wear should be tasteful. It can be funky, trendy, masculine, sexy, sultry, cutesy, or any other fashion style, but it should always ring of taste!
15. Favorite asset to accentuate? How? I love to make my curves pop. Good undergarments, forgiving fabrics, good fit, colors, and cut help for an expensive look. Also, I love things that are right on the border of “too-short, but she has fierce legs, so it’s all good!”
16. How do you dress your body concerns? An eagle eye for detail. I don’t buy anything that doesn’t work with my body to make it look good. That’s the first and best line of defense. Why have a bunch of stuff in your closet that makes you work to wear it, when you should wear it because it WORKS!
17. Best fashion steal you snagged? High fashion waist belts- 3 for 75cents. Yes, you read that correct... it’s this place Down South. No ambiance, but CRAZY hit or miss finds. And you can get a major hit.
18. Which celebrity closet would you love to raid? Any of the Kardashians. Beyonce or Solange. Gwen Stefani
19. Lazy day- what are you wearing? Stretchy striped cotton/lycra dress with tights and riding boots, messy high bun, and gold hoops.
20. Fashion trend you want to go away? I wish all things Nikki Minaj fashion-inspired would die a fast brutal death. She looks kray.
21. How has your culture influenced your style? I’m a city girl at heart, so I like a little flashiness with my clothes. My black girl culture loves color &  big earrings. My family is full of women with multiple closets, so fashion is in my blood!

 

Stay tuned for posts on our other Gathered Lady staff Charity and Danni!