The idea behind this feature is not to discredit luxury items. But tough times call for tough choices. However, that doesn't mean bad choices.
Today's topic is the makeup and cosmetics counter. Our expert -- Jessica Dana of jessicadana.com is a hairstylist, body art and makeup artist. She's worked with professional grade and bargain products, and she has some smart tips about going cheap. One of her best tips was that people should start with proper skin care. Three of the biggest skin offenses are using drying cleanser, not exfoliating and not applying sunblock.
CANDICE M. SMITH, 29, SOUTH CITY, MO.
Problem -- Loves the vivid M.A.C eyeshadow colors and cream eyeliners, but says they slide off her face or settle into creases, and she's eager to find another foundation and concealer that won't pinch her wallet quite so much.
Cheap trick -- First, Dana suggested that Candice start her makeup regime with oil-free eye-makeup remover. Heavy eye creams, face creams or natural oils from the skin create a slippery surface on the face if you don't start the day with a clean slate. A swipe of oil-free eye-makeup remover remedies that.
Secondly, Dana said that Candice's problem is not in the products, but in her application. Candice was using cream types of product on her face, but she wasn't setting them with a powder.
Then, Dana recommended the L'Oreal Paris True Match super-blendable powder in cocoa ($10.49) paired with the L'Oreal Paris True Match super-blendable compact makeup with SPF sunscreen in soft sable ($12.99) and L'Oreal Bare Naturale, gentle mineral blush, in bare honey ($14.99). The powders can each be applied alone for lighter coverage, but for blemishes and uneven skin the products can be combined for full coverage. Dana suggested the L'Oreal line because she said it had the best range of colors for Candice's darker skin tone. She noted that darker skin is harder to match with drugstore products, so don't be shy about returning a product that doesn't suit your complexion. (It's hard to judge a product without trying the shade on your skin.) Candice's verdict -- The compact didn't seem to blend as well initially, "but as I put on the powder and finished the look it seems just fine. It seems to streak a little bit when I put it on, but it could just be my technique." "The blush is wonderful! I asked her about using a bronzer, and she came up with this blush that seems pretty good applied as a bronzer. It has light coverage and I choose not to layer it too much so the glow is just right for my taste. People have noticed the 'glow' and commented that it looks nice.
The powder seems to set the foundation well. I told her I had a problem with oil and eye shadow collecting in the crease of my eyelids and the powder seemed to mitigate that fairly well. I put on my eye color after using the powder and it even makes the color pop a bit more. I'm satisfied with the products. It takes a bit longer than my normal routine, but I can deal with that." KAREN WALSH, 55, KIRKWOOD, MO.Problem -- Karen is looking for an alternative to her pricey under-eye firming creams and wants some makeup tips to make her eyes look more alert. Cheap trick -- Dana suggested L'Oreal Advanced Revitalift, eye lift gel ($16.49) because it combines an upper-eye lifting gel and an under-eye antiwrinkle cream that has been well-reviewed. To "wake up" tired looking eyes, Dana suggested Neutrogena Mineral Sheers, a concealer kit with SPF 20 and a translucent powder in light ($13.79). The product is one shade lighter than Karen's skin tone and foundation color. Dana said that too often people go for undereye concealers that are too dark, and instead of camouflaging, it creates a darker shadow. She told Karen to brush it lightly under the eye in an upward stroke from the lower eye area in a C-shaped swoop up to the tip of the eyebrow. A small amount can also be dotted onto the inner corner of the eye to enhance brightness.
When applying the product under her eye, she warned her not to look up or down, but straight ahead. Looking up stretches the area so people tend to apply too much and it can settle into lines and accentuate them. Looking down compacts the area and leads to poor coverage. If you finish and it doesn't look natural, blend lightly with the pinkie finger or a fluffy brush until you are satisfied. Karen's verdict -- "I am using the L'Oreal product daily and I like the results. My eyes look brighter and small lines are diminished. On the other hand, I tried the concealer kit a couple of times but it was not the right color for my skin tones. Jessica warned me that was one of the big drawbacks to using foundation from the drug store. You can't try it on before you buy it so you just have to guess that the color will work. Despite her best efforts, the color just didn't work. "I took her advice about summer being a good time to try color around my eyes and purchased a couple of eye liners in green and lavender. I use them only on the lower lids and the effect is subtle and pretty." Karen also had a problem with mascara and eyeliner bleeding into other areas around her eyes, but she's been using translucent powder as a finish and, "true to what Jessica advised, I don't have a problem" anymore.
ALLISON BABKA, 32, ST. LOUIS Problem -- She likes to alternate wearing her hair curly and straight, and she's looking for products that aren't as expensive as those she gets at salons. Her hair has a heavy frizz factor. Cheap trick -- Dana suggested John Frieda Collection Frizz-Ease Heat Defeat Protective Styling Spray, Straight ($6.99). She told Allison to look for key words such as "thermal heat protection." Those products contain starches that will help slick the hair down and protect it from damage, especially because Allison has long hair which needs more care because it tends to be years old. To help with moisture-retention, whether her hair is curly or straight, she suggested Frizz-Ease Hair Serum ($9.99). When it comes to keeping curls groomed as the humidity rises, Dana said Allison will need a curl enhancer that is alcohol-free that she can scrunch into the curls. Allison might also consider a wet set on the curly days for the most gentle results. Dana suggested cutting up a T-shirt and using it to wrap hair in coils overnight with a setting lotion like Motions Foaming Wrap Lotion Regular Hold ($4.49). Dana said that curly girls often overlook products in the ethnic section where the products often are cheaper and offer better results.
Allison's verdict -- The oil made her ends feel soft and made her hair feel smoother in general. It was not greasy on her hair or scalp, but she had to wash her hands after applying it. The straightening spray helped create a straighter style when blow drying and felt a little lighter than other sprays she's tried. The biggest problem was deciding how much product to use. Both had a scent that she wasn't crazy about, but in the end, she said that she "probably would buy the oil again. I'm not so sure the straightening spray added tremendous value."
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