Okay, so you've gone through the mounds of makeup in your bathroom, your makeup bag and your purse. You've covered the basics, discarded out of date products and you're ready for the next step. Still feeling as if somethings missing? Time to explore the "extras", those little things that give you added oomph. Take a look at these possibilities:
EXFOLIATE
If you're dealing with dry patches or clogged pores, you might need to exfoliate to help slough away dead skin cells. Don't exfoliate more than once a week, though. Use a gentle scrub that contains microbeads on your face. Try a sugar or salt formula for your body.
Great Bargains: Bath and Body Works has a Lemon & Orange Moisture Rich Body Scrub for about $15.
TINTED MOISTURIZER OR FOUNDATION
Concealer goes a long way toward evening out your complexion, but for a flawless finish, you'll want a tinted moisturizer (for sheer coverage) or foundation (if your skin has areas of blotchiness or discoloration). The right color disappears into your skin with one swipe-even before blending.
Great Bargains: Target has Sonia Kashuk Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 for about $13: Sephora Perfecting Tinted moisturizer is about $21 (try sephora.com).
EYE CREAM
Experts say eye creams can be tricky, so look for a formula that addresses your primary undereye concern. Caffeine helps reduce puffiness; niacin amide and retinol smooth fine lines.The best treatment for pigment related dark circles is sunscreen. Use an eye cream that contains a physical sunblock (like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide), which is potentially less irritating than one containing a chemical block (like avobenzone).
Great Bargains: Philosophy Eye Hope Advanced Anti-Aging Eye Cream for about $48 at Sephora: ROC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream-about $22 at drugstores.
EYELINER
While curling your lashes and using mascara will make you more bright-eyed, adding eyeliner emphasizes your eye color. Pencils are the most foolproof, and dark brown is the most universally flattering shade. Once you try the basic dark brown eyeliner, don't be afraid to experiment.
Great Bargains: Avon Glimmersticks Diamond Eye liner in Brown Sugar-$6 at avon.com; MAC Eye Kohl in Teddy ($14.50 at maccosmetics.com)
BRONZER
Try a bronzer, it adds warmth to your skin and creates a flattering contrast with your eyes. Apply it after blush, dusting the temples, cheekbones, and tip of the chin. Powder formulas are easier to use than gels and sprays. never go more than two shades darker than your complexion
Great Bargains: Physicians Formula Healthy Wear SPF-50 Pressed Bronzer (about $15 in drugstores)
DEEP CONDITIONER
A deep-conditioning treatment contains higher concentrations of moisturizer than most regular conditioners and seals the shaft of each strand to leave your hair healthy and beautiful. Use once a week, but only on the ends if you have fine hair.
Great Bargains: Nexxus Humectress Hydrating Treatment at drugstores for about $15.
TEETH-WHITENING STRIPS
A White smile isn't just youthful, it brightens up your whole face. you don't need to drop hundreds of dollars to whiten your smile. New York dentist Jeff Golub-Evans says "drugstore whitening strips get your teeth almost as white as a treatment at a dentist's office. You must use them religiously for a couple of weeks." Here's a quick test to find out if you're a good candidate. Hold a piece of white paper up to your teeth. if they look yellowish, they'll lighten pretty easily. If they're gray-tinged, you have more than surface stains and strips won't do much for you.
Great Bargains: Rembrandt Whitening Strips- about $24 at drugstores; Listerine Whitening Quick Dissolving Strips-about $15 at drugstores.
Try something new and get a new lease on life. Don't be afraid to experiment. Call a few of your closest girlfriends and make it a party (light snacks only, every one's on a diet). Most of all, have fun!
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