$1 *GEM*

I know it's been a while since I bought you guys a $1 *GEM*. As a matter of fact this item was not even really $1, it was a $1.19.
But these AMAZING storage containers are worth WAY more than that!
As you may know I frequent discount and dollar stores looking for steals, and this time I TOTALLY lucked out! I have been looking for good, convenient,  cheap and kinda cute storage for a while, and I found it on my way to work in the morning. These storage bins are a godsend! I bought as much as I can use, but I am thinking of hoarding some for future use. They are cute, stackable, don't take up a lot of space, yet they are surprisingly roomy! Plus there is no assembly required. 
They come in 4 colors and 5/6 different styles. I chose the boat style for my collection of items waiting to be tested and the front loading box style holds  my collection of products I use everyday.
The 4 on my desk cost a total of $4.80
My collection storage cost a whopping $12.00!! (Tax not included)
Check your local stores and see what available,  there is ALWAYS something good!

AT HOME SPA DAY!

     Hey everyone!!!  As promised, here are some ideas on how to do an at home spa day. You can do them all in the same day or do them piece by piece during the week.
I usually pick Sunday as my spa day, but that only included my face. Now I included body care into the equation as well.

 

Step 1* I recommend for everyone, exfoliation. You have to exfoliate!! Although apricot scrub isn't the worst thing to put on your face, I wouldn't recommend it. I too, use to be an apricot scrub junkie, but I have since moved on leaving me with an overstock of the product that I bought when it was on sale. I used it to exfoliate my body!       Every part but the face. And I only use it once a week. I have excema  on my legs,  I apply lotion twice a day, morning and night, but by the time I get to work, I'm dry and by the time I go to bed I'm dry again. Exfoliating helped my lotion to actually absorb into the skin. It is moisturized and my skin not only feels better, but it looks better too. I also use the scrub on the back of my arms, where the skin is rough and bumpy. I could feel the difference after 1 use. I have also used it on my chest and you can even use the apricot scrub to your hands.
      Exfoliation is great before shaving. I like to do it the day before I shave, just to minimize the "trauma"  I put my skin through in a day.
      Exfoliation is great for dark areas, like the knees and elbows. And when you're done scrubbing just rinse it off in the shower. Be sure to follow with a lotion/cream.
I usually exfoliate my legs before I get in the shower and everything else while I'm in the shower. I also use a moisturizing bodywash.
My faves: Bodywash-Nivea touch of smoothness or St. Ives college elastin Body lotion-Nivea smooth sensation or St. Ives collagen elastin
(These lotions are the only ones that work of me, but use your favorite)
Exfoliators- St. Ives apricot scrub
Or make your own salt/ sugar scrub using sea salt, or table sugar and olive oil, or your favorite oil.

Step 2* At home facial- For this I use several steps
1. Initially I apply oil to my face and remove it with a hot wet towel.  An oil that doesn't clog the pores (coconut oil, olive oil, vitamin e, etc...)
2. Exfoliate (boots botanics microdermabrasion scrub)        
3. Mask- I use one that fits my needs that week, but on a regular basis I use the charcoal mask by origins. 4. Cleanser- again on that fits my needs and you can check my article on cleansers here.
5. Toner- I use boots botanics  shine away toner, for mattifying the skin
6.Treatments/ serums- I use a serum for dark spots and an eye serum/cream.
7. Moisturize- always moisturize using no spf ( boot botanics shine away moisturizing gel cream)
Step3- relax, drink tea, wine or whatever relaxes you and sit back in your face mask and just relax. I take this time to catch up on my shows I missed during the week.

*For spa quality hair care use a deep conditioner or treatment.*
If you really want to fancy, put your hair treatment in, and your face mask on and exfoliate while those other things are working.
We are all about multitasking here at beauty on a budget.
 

This I exactly wet hat I do on my spa day. These simple step will have you looking radiant and beautiful in no time!

Good Luck and Happy Relaxing!!!

MY BIRCHBOX!!

     So this month I got this amazing birchbox! I always like my boxes, but this month was exceptional! It's well worth ( and beyond) my $10 I pay each month!
Inside is :
-Avene Cleanance gel cleanser
-Macadamia healing oil spray
-Tocca hand lotion
-Temptu highlighter
-Chapstick hydration lock lip balm
-Harvey Prince Hello perfume
I can't wait to try every single thing!

BEAUTY NEWS!!!

     OMG I'm back again with more and more sales!
     But first- NYFW and for everyone who doesn't know "New York Fashion Week" I posted the fall trends last week. A good on trend lipstick is "Di-Vinely Chilled"  from the Fergie Wet n Wild Collection. It's a metallic brown, with a little red in it. And don't forget to check out their 4 new fall palettes too!
     This week is a pretty good week, but like I told you last time, it is back to school, which for some reason is "back to sales".

Walgreens/Duane Reade
BOGO 50%- Revlon, Cetaphil, Maybelline, St. Ives, Covergirl face/lip/nail, Neutrogena
20% off Olay
25% Wet n Wild lip/nail

CVS
BOGO 50%- L'Oreal hair color, Eucerin, NYX, Wet n Wild, Olay, Roc, Aquaphor
BOGO FREE Got2B
Buy 2 Get 1 FREE Almay, Clean & Clear

Rite Aid
BOGO 50%-Revlon, Garnier hair care, Neutrogena cosmetics, Covergirl face, Cetaphil, Ponds,
St. Ives, Simple, Noxema, L'Oreal, Maybelline, Aveeno
BOGO FREE- Got2b, Organix, Marc Anthony, Finesse
40% off Almay

Ulta
Ulta is bringing back their 21 Days of Beauty. Everyday until September 27th, Ulta will have a sale on a different item and host an different event each day.
Also there are other deals such as
30% off Hydratone, Kinerase
Buy 2 Get 1 Free Joico, Sexy Hair, Matrix, Sebaastian
It's a 10 promo packs
BOGO 50% - Aveeno, Roc, Nivea, Neutrogena, Boots No. 7, Select Brushes, NYX, Almay, Revlon, Rimmel, Red Carpet

I promise, promise, promise, promise! Come back later on in the week for my at home spa article!
Until then, happy shopping!

BEAUTY NEWS!!!

WELCOME BACK! Since I've been absent I hope you've enjoyed working your way around my blog. Today I am here to bring you not only the sales, but the fall trends.
Which one to do first...HMMMM

Let's start with the trends
Fall Trends
Metallics- metallics all over!! Lips, eyes and even glowy skin. What's especially hot is the brown metallic lip.
Lashes- lashes, lashes and more lashes. Bring 'em on!
Quirky color- neons, metallics, bold, bright colors on the eyes in the form of eyeshadow or liner.

NYFW trends
Bold brows (obviously)
Berry lips
Red jewel toned lips
Brown smoky eye
Jewel tone eyes

SALES
*side bar about sale- not all sales are great every week, some weeks it isn't even work reporting. This week because of the back to school season, there are quite a few.*

Rite Aid
BOGO 50%- Covergirl, Rite Aid skin/bath care, Olay, Sally Hansen, Revlon, Maybelline, L'Oreal eye, Neutrogena, Clean&Clear, Garnier
Revlon Super Lustrous Lipsticks $4.99
Rimmel 30% off
Almay face $8.99

Walgreens/Duane Reade
BOGO 50%- Covergirl, Rimmel, Revlon, L'Oreal, Broadway and Kiss Nails
20% off L'Oreal skincare
Sally Hansen gel polish $7.99
Pantene 3/$5

CVS
BOGO 50%- Covergirl, Revlon, NYC, Neutrogena sun products, MUA academy, Maybelline, Jergens, Garnier, CVS products, Nuance, Cetaphil, Trim, Curel

Also don't forget about Sephora's 75% off sale.

That is all I have for today, but stay tuned during the week for more info, coming your way!!