8 CHEAP BEAUTY GIFTS YOU CAN BUY AT THE DRUGSTORE

If year-after-year you find yourself taking part in the last-minute shopping scramble (guilty!), we’re happy to report that scooping up amazing beauty gifts on a time crunch — and on a budget — is easier than ever. Enter, the drugstore, an around-the-corner destination with a well-stocked beauty section to boot. So, stop panicking and check out our favorite, affordable holiday gift sets below.   

NYX Professional Makeup Holiday Love Lust Disco Suede Matte Lipstick

Red lips and the holidays go together like milk and cookies — it’s an automatic crowd-pleaser. Take it from us, this lipstick and liner duo is a guaranteed win for just about anyone. Plus, the gold packaging is so festive, you can even skip the wrapping paper. The combo is available in Munchies, a soft gray; Spicy, a true red; and Cherry Skies, a deep berry. All the shades are perfect for a holiday party beat or warm, winter makeup look. 

Essie Gel Couture Holiday Set Diamond in the Cuff 

Give the gift of a long-lasting manicure with this Essie polish set. The bundle comes with Essie Daring Damsel, a gold champagne shade, and the Essie long wear Top Coat. Metallic nails are definitely having a moment, so whoever receives this gift will be turning heads through the new year. 

Maybelline New York Winter Wonder Glam Total Look Kit 

If you’re anything like us, over packing for holiday travels is a hallmark of your personality. Who doesn’t pack three bags for a weekend trip? To help scale back the baggage, throw in this all-in-one gift set that has everything you need for a holiday-approved face beat. It includes the Color Sensational Made for All, a universal red lipstick, Master Precise All Day Liquid Liner, Lash Sensational Mascara and Lasting Fix Setting Spray

E.l.f. Cosmetics Eye Candy Eyeshadow Duo Set 

E.l.f.’s candy-themed holiday collection has us drooling  — literally and figuratively. We’re especially loving this eyeshadow set and not just because of the creative play-on-words. With three different eyeshadow duos, this gift has it all to create a festive holiday eye or muted, natural everyday look. Not to mention, they’re super-pigmented shades and easy to blend. 

L’Oréal Paradise Lash Paradise Gift Set 

There may be snow on the ground (depending on where you live, of course), but this Lash Paradise mascara set will transport anyone to happy thoughts of warmer weather. Scoop up the iconic mascara and primer at your drugstore for a quick, save-the-day present. Whether you’re treating yourself to holiday glam or gifting this iconic duo, you can’t go wrong. A quick swipe and you’ll have crazy long lashes

Maybelline New York Countdown Holiday Mini Mascara Kit 

TBH we don’t know why, but for some reason travel-sized beauty products are just so adorable, right? This Maybelline mascara sampler is an automatic add to cart because how cute? The set contains Total Temptation, Lash Sensational, The Colossal and Great Lash in mini-versions. We love this gift set for the friend that’s always on-the-go because the minis are great to toss in a carry-on bag.  

Kristin Ess Style Reviving Dry Shampoo and Pin

We’d prefer if greasy hair didn’t make an appearance at our family holiday reunion, please and thanks. So, if you’re stuck at the office and need a little refresh before running to an after-hours party, look no further than this dry shampoo and accessory set. There’s no need for a blowout, just spray a little dry shampoo, fasten the rose gold pin in the front of your hair and voilà, a total hair makeover. 

Garnier SkinActive Micellar Makeup Remover 

Whether you broke out a new red lip or a sparkly eye, chances are you may be wearing more makeup than usual this time of year. Make sure your face is makeup-free post-party with the Garnier SkinActive Micellar Makeup Remover Set. It has cleansing water (in full-size and travel-size) and on-the-go makeup removing wipes. 

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Hype or Not: Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay Review

While there are hundreds (if not thousands) of face masks options available, you’d be hard pressed to find one that boasts more five-star reviews and celeb love than the Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay Mask. Amazon customers are practically writing novels about how it has transformed their skin, sharing astonishing Aztec Clay Mask before-and-after photos.

Since going viral a few years ago, the mask has racked up over 13,000 positive reviews from Amazon shoppers who have referred to is as the “holy grail of face masks” for acne—and it makes sense because it’s made with 100 percent bentonite clay, which helps to draw out the skin’s impurities. Unlike most face masks—which come ready to apply—you’ll have to whip up your own concoction using equal parts Aztec Indian Healing clay and apple cider vinegar or water. Yes, it’s a little extra work, but reviewers and stars alike agree it’s totally worth the time because it leaves their pores feeling so refreshed.

WHAT IS IT: AZTEC SECRET INDIAN HEALING CLAY is natural Calcium Bentonite Clay from Death Valley, California, where it is sun- dried for up to six months in temperatures that sometimes reach 134 degrees. The unique structure of the molecules in Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay carry a negative electron charge. This comes from the valance electron count from the specific minerals found in Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay. This Indian Healing Clay lifts the pimple and blackheads into the clay bed to cause accelerated healing and nourishment to the skin with over 50 minerals.

  1. 100% NATURAL
  2. Deep pore cleaning with 100% natural calcium Bentonite Clay
  3. Does not contain: additives, fragrances or animal products
  4. Use for acne and blemishes. Use it once per week

HOW TO USE: After mixing with vinegar, apply the smooth, paste-like substance to the skin using your fingertips or, as reviewers recommend, with a silicone brush applicator, and allow it to dry for up to 20 minutes. (Note: Dry time can vary depending on your skin’s sensitivity.) As it dries, you’ll feel a pulling and tightening sensation, which is just the deep pore cleansing in action. The mask is so powerful that many customers recommend only using it once a week and moisturizing right after, as it’ll leave your skin feeling a tad on the dry side.

WARNING: Please note that when you rinse off the mask your face may be red and this is normal with this clay mask. This redness will be gone within 20 to 30 minutes.

PRIMP TIP: It’s easy to customize this clay mask depending on your skin’s mood. If you want a shot of moisture, add a teaspoon of raw honey to your mixture. For a more soothing formula, add some Aloe Vera gel, and if blemishes are an issue, a few drops of Tea Tree Oil will do the trick. Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay is as powerful as it is versatile.

“This product is AMAZING. It’s an official Holy Grail product of mine,” another reviewer wrote. “I ideally use it once-a-week, and it feels as if angels themselves have taken the time, to delicately renew my skin with the magical touch of their wings.”

Dramatic, yes, but the mask is so popular, it even has a long list of celeb fans, including Kourtney Kardashian—the latest A-list to chime in on her love for it. In a recent post on her website, Poosh, she shared that the Aztec clay mask is one of three products she rotates in her “self-care Sunday masking routine.” As it turns out, her sister Khloé Kardashian is also a huge fan, along with Mindy Kaling and Lili Reinhart.

In 2015, Kaling shared a photo on Instagram wearing the Aztec mask that she mixed with Bragg’s organic raw apple cider vinegar (also available on Amazon).

PRIMP TIP: I learned from some people that you should spray a hydrating facial mist on your face while the Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay is on your face. That way it will be kept moist and easier to remove and the clay will not take moisture off from your skin. It’s the same logic with sheet masks.

MY EXPERIENCE: This pulsating sensation is pretty intense as the clay mask is working hard to rid your skin of all the dirt and grime. You will feel some tugging! After the recommended 20 minutes, the clay concoction hardens and makes your face feel a little tight. That’s your cue to wash it all off. I was left with slightly reddish skin, but this dissipated after five to ten minutes. I looked in the mirror, and an unbelievably squeaky clean face greeted me. “Is this really MY skin?” I marveled.

That’s not all. After prolonged use, you will find that your skin is no longer as prone to breakouts. And there’s still so much clay left in the tub!

This clay mask is truly no joke. It leaves a wonderful sensation on your skin but more than that, it is healing. It heals by getting rid of all the grit and sebum that causes breakouts. With a great price to boot, great reviews by thousands of users and some pampering time on offer, you can’t go  wrong with this one.

*This product may or may not help you. If the pimple persists, you may need to know the type of pimple you have or better, consult a doctor.

Did you try the Aztec Secrets Indian Healing Clay Mask – the world’s most powerful facial!? Lemme know about your experience….

This Is The Easiest Way To Get Glowing Skin

Who doesn’t want to get that glow? It’s basically the definition of having healthy skin. The thing is, it can be difficult to achieve with skincare alone, and it can be tricky to find the right balance between glowy, not shiny, with makeup. Highlighters are great, but if you want to look like you’ve just spent three weeks in the Maldives with an all-over-glow, you need to go further than the standard pressed highlighter on your cheekbones.

I recently came across the ultimate glow game-changer, and it’s really coming through for us. The L’Oréal  Shimmerista Highlighting Powder, $15, my new best friend. The formula comes in two blinding finishes: Moonlight and Sunlight. Moonlight is a stunning iridescent formula that’s great for fair to light complexions while Sunlight works beautifully for light to deep complexions.

But I’m not using this highlighter how the product page tells us to. Instead of using this like any other highlighter and applying it to the tops of our cheekbones and the high points of our face, I decided to do something different with this very finely milled shimmering powder!

By taking a tiny amount and combining it with a little loose setting powder in my setting powder lid, I’ve basically made the ultimate glow-giving setting powder. But seriously guys, this highlighting powder is so lit that a little goes a very long way, so the ratio should be two parts setting powder to one part Shimmerista highlighter! Dust your new formula across your face to set your foundation as you usually would, and be prepared for the glow-up! I’ve been doing this highlighter hack for weeks and have been getting compliments left, right and center!! It adds a subtle luminosity all-over, one that’s more popping than you’ll get with any ‘illuminating’ face powder but more subtle than using highlighter all over your face – so you won’t look shiny. It’s my new staple makeup must-have.

You don’t wear setting powder? Try mixing it in a tiny bit with your foundation and get instant glass-like skin. To up your glow game, you can add a little highlighter to your cheekbones – but honestly, just dip your brush into the excess powder that sits in the lid, because this really is so intense!

At $14.99, this is definitely on the more expensive side for a drugstore highlighter, but as it’s so powerful, you won’t be hitting pan on this for a very long time. Are you guys going to try this out? Let me know in the comments below.

WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK?

Three Hacks to Hide Fine Lines With Makeup

Fine lines: a beauty guru’s worst enemy as we mature into our grown-up skin. These teeny tiny creases creep up on us at the worst possible makeup moments, making foundation look cracked and less-than-perfect, and we’d do just about anything to make them disappear for good. Of course, more power to you if you wear your fine lines with pride — but sometimes you just want your makeup to look flawless, and they get in the way. Don’t you think?

Rule 1: Always, Always Moisturize and Prep

Fine lines look so much more obvious when skin is dull and dehydrated — that’s why Thompson’s first rule of thumb is to always hydrate the skin. “Moisturizing very well before applying makeup always help diminish the look of fine lines,” she says. “In addition to that, opting for a primer that has a blurring or smoothing effect not only helps the appearance of pores but fine lines as well.” We love a hefty moisturizer like the Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Moisturizer for this step.

Rule 2: Blurring Sticks Are Your BFF

The Lancôme Blur and Go Priming Stick and Milani Instant Touch-Up Blur Stick are my absolute favorites when blurring out fine lines! It sits beautifully under makeup, and works well on top of moisturizer. A priming and smoothing stick will do wonders to make your fine lines less visible. It truly gives you the airbrushed look with little effort before applying foundation.

Rule 3: Set Before Makeup

My final golden rule is actually a bit counterintuitive: I suggest you set your face before you reach for that foundation. A little trick I like to do that works wonders for creasing is after applying your moisturizer and primer to the face, lightly set any area with powder before applying your cream or liquid foundation. This way, your face will be extra protected from creasing makeup: This really locks in what was underneath and prevents a barrier from your foundation seeping into those lines.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE HACK?

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PRODUCT TO HIDE AWAY THOSE FINE LINES?

( If anyone have any tips that they would love to share, leave it in the comments!