I know that BGG oftentimes encourages you to run out and buy a luxurious lipstick, or a pricey compact, but I know that times are hard. With the stressful economic struggles that we’re currently facing it can be unwise to make unnecessary expensive purchases; that’s why I’ve found these great beauty buys for under $5. Drugstore brands are usually just as good as the department store kind. Being beautiful doesn’t always have to break the bank.

Do you prefer purchasing drugstore brand cosmetics or higher-end makeup lines?

Check these out:

Covergirl Wetslicks Lipstick available at www.drugstore.com for $4.74

Jane Blushing Cheeks available at www.drugstore.com for $3.32

Max Factor Eyelash Curler available at www.drugstore.com for $4.29

Maybelline Shine Free Foundation with H20 available at www.drugstore.com for $4.49

Milani Lipsticks available at www.drugstores.com for $3.49

Physicians Formula Mineral Eyeliner Pencil available at www.drugstore.com for $4.17

Revlon Fabulash Mascara available at www.drugstore.com for $4.93

Say Yes to Carrots Lip Butter available at www.drugstore.com for $3.69

I am definitely a self-proclaimed beauty junkie, but there is one product that I rarely use – eyeshadow. I don’t know why, but I never seem to apply it properly so that it actually accentuates or enhances my eyes. After recently viewing the beautiful photos of my fellow beauty bloggers like B, PJD and Yummy411’s eyeshadow applications, I am determined to give my eyes some much needed sparkle and shimmer! I like the smoky eye effect and gold tones the most.

Do you wear eye shadow? If so, what are your favorite brands and color combinations?

Check out these pretty palettes:

Jane Iredale “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes” Eyeshadow Kit available at www.janeiredaledirect.com for $46

The Balm Shady Lady Eyeshadow Paletter available at www.sephora.com for $38

Lancome Color Design Eye & Face Paletter in “Runway Temptations” available at www.lancome.com for $50

Sephora Colorful 9 Eyeshadow Paletter available at www.sephora.com for $28

Lancome Color Design Artist Palette available at www.lancome.com for $70

Calvin Klein Grey Variation Eyeshadow Quad available at www.sephora.com for $35

Kat Von D True Romance Eyeshadow Palette in “Ludwig” available at www.sephora.com for $34

MAC Cult of Cherry in “Spiced Chocolate” Eyeshadow available at www.maccosmetics.com for $36

Revlon “Copper Spice” available at www.drugstore.com for $6.29

T. LeCler Sunlight Palette available at www.eluxury.com for $60

Stila Backstage Beauty Eyeshadow Paletter in “The Runway Look” available at sephora.com for $40

Now that the summer is slowly, but surely winding down, so are the summery shades of beauty products. That means it’s almost time to ditch the sun-kissed beachy cheeks for a more refined, matte look for fall. So now’s the perfect time and excuse to buy a new cosmetic bag to house your new arsenal of deep hues and lush palettes that only the fall can bring.

Do you use a cosmetic bag or simply toss your must-haves loosely in your purse?

Coach Legacy Stripe Large Cosmetic Bag available at www.coach.com for $128

Sephora Make-up Bags available at www.sephora.com for $16-38

Norina Cosmetic Bag available at www.bebe.com for $32

Michael Kors Malibu Cosmetic Bag available at www.bloomingdales.com for $29.99

I Love My Earth Cosmetic Bag available at www.forever21.com for $12.80

Marc by Marc Jacobs Pretty Nylon Cosmetic Case available at www.bloomingdales.com for $58

Juicy Couture Beauty Jacquard Cosmetic Bags available at www.neimanmarcus.com for $45-$75

Furla Violet Leather 3-in-1 Cosmetic Bag available at www.bluefly.com for $57

Blue & Silver Yves Roche Cosmetic Bag available at www.yvesrocheusa.com for $1.58

Sonia Shuk Double Zip Folder Cosmetic Bag available at www.target.com for $9.99

Just when I was about to toss my gloss, I received a complimentary tube of Smashbox O-Gloss last night. This lipgloss claims to be intuitive and reacts with our personal skin chemistry to transform from clear to our own custom shade of pink. Being the lipgloss addict that you know I am, I was super excited to try it. I really didn’t think that it would work, but I was so wrong. After using it, my lips turned my ideal shade of pink that I usually only achieve by applying a mixture of several glosses. Needless to say, I’m a fan. Although those darker lipstick shades are tempting, it looks like I still won’t be tossing the gloss just yet!

Available at www.nordstrom.com for $22

Have you ever tried this product? I hear that they have a similar formula for cheeks. Would you try either? For one lucky BGG reader, she’ll get the chance. Just shoot me an email and the first reader to tell me the year that my favorite TV show “A Different World,” aired will win her own tube of Smashbox O-Gloss!

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m a gloss girl, but this upcoming fall season I want to give my gloss a break and give lipsticks a go! For years I’ve been applying shiny glosses with a barely-there tint on my lips. This time around I want to vamp it up a bit by trying a few deeper berries, browns and burgundies and possibly even some subdued red shades. My husband thinks that red lips are a no-no for women of all shades, but I’m going to try to prove him wrong! It’s going to be hard giving up the gloss, but as I said last week, change is good! If I don’t like it, I can always go back to my favorites.

Do you prefer gloss or lipstick? Are you going to wear darker matte hues this fall and winter?

Check out some of these lush lip colors:

Bobbi Brown Lipstick Color Palette available at www.saks.com for $40

Nars Afghan Red available at www.beauty.com for $24

L’Oreal Colour Rich Lipstick in Chocolate Truffle available at www.drugstore.com for $8.06

MAC Viva Glam available at www.nordstrom.com for $14

Clinique High Impact Colour in Red-y To Wear available at www.saks.com for $14

Wise Lip Paint by Peacekeeper available at www.smallflower.com for $14

CoverGirl Continuous Color in Bistro Burgundy available at www.drugstore.com for $5.13

When it comes to cleansing my body, I’ve always preferred liquid soaps and shower gels over bar soaps. That was until the other day when I ran out of my tried and true Suave Tropical Coconut shower gel and was forced to use my husband’s regular Irish Spring bar soap. To my surprise, it lathered well and actually had a refreshingly pleasant scent. Plus, it left my skin feeling clean and soft.

Since I was so pleased with the results, I’m now considering giving my fruity-smelling favorites a break and picking up a few bar soaps instead. Hey, change is good!

Do you find that you get stuck using your favorite products without giving new ones a try?

Check out some of these bar soaps:

Avon Moisturizing Cleansing Bar Soap available at www.avon.com for $4

Bliss Serious Seaweed Cellulite Soap available at www.sephora.com for $14

Clinique 3 Little Soaps with Travel Dish available at www.sephora.com for $15

Dove Go Fresh Cool Cucumber and Green Tea Beauty Bar available at www.drugstore.com for $3.49

Fresh Mangosteen Soap available at www.sephora.com for $14

Indigo Wild Mumosa Soap with Bow available at www.smallflower.com $5.60

Pangea Organics White Sage Bar Soap available at www.tobi.com for $6

Kiehl’s Non-Soap Water Bar available at www.saks.com for $9.50

L’Occitane Shea Butter Extra Gentle Soap avaiable at www.loccitane.com for $10

Origins Gloom Away Grapefruit Bath Bar available at www.dillards.com for $13

Red Flower Soap and Dish Japanese Peony Set available at www.beautyhabit.com for $18