Drugstore Dupes Part 2

Thursday, July 7, 2016

Originally I had all of these included in my first post, if you missed it you can find it here but I got so excited writing this I may have gotten a tad carried away with the length. I really wanted to go more into detail on these products, so I decided to break the post into two parts. Part one was all makeup and part two includes cleansers, makeup removers, brushes and sponges. I have suffered with breakouts and Rosacea on and off my whole life. As a result, I have tried nearly every face product on the market.So after much trial and error here are the Lindsey approved products and tools. 

Enjoy!

Cleanser

Instead of Tula Purifying Face Cleanser  try CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser

Price Difference: Tula $28 

CeraVe $10-12

PLUS I found a coupon for $2 off CeraVe products!

This cleanser was recommended by my dermatologist and I have been using it for years now. Like I said earlier, my skin is very sensitive. Young Linds thought I needed to strip my face of all oils to get rid of any acne. I would use harsh scrubs, three different acne cleansers, a toner, AND a spot treatment and my skin would end up SO irritated. CeraVe has never caused any sort of irritation or dryness and is gentle on all skin types. It takes off all the makeup, dirt, and excess oil but without totally stripping the skin of all the good oils the face needs.

From CeraVe's website:

Its unique, patented MVE formulation releases ceramides and other essential ingredients throughout the day, so they penetrate deep into skin to hydrate and nourish. While hyaluronic acid (a humectant) attracts moisture to the top layer of the skin, ensuring skin remains hydrated after washing.
  • Ideal for use on the face and body
  • Ceramides help repair the skin barrier
  • Hyaluronic acid attracts needed moisture
  • Emollients moisturize and soften very dry skin
It's inexpensive, the bottle will last me for months, AND it's great for your skin. I recommend this cleanser to all my friends and family. 

Clinique $39 

Garnier $7

When my mom decided I was finally allowed to wear makeup, after endless begging, she took me straight to the Clinique coutner in Dillards and had me matched for base, powder, and blush. If you've ever shopped with Clinique then you probably know about their amazing bonus gifts. If you spend a certain amount, you get an adorable makeup bag filled with a variety of samples. One of the samples is almost always a moisturizer and this is how I discovered the holy grail that is Clinique Moisture Surge. I don't wear Clinique makeup anymore but I am a big fan of their skincare line. However, $40 for 1.7 oz of product did NOT fit a college budget. So I scoured the Internet for a dupe and came across Garnier's Moisture Rescue Gel. Y'ALL. This is probably the best copycat I have ever come across. At around $7 for the same amount this moisturizer gives me the exact results I loved from Clinique. So far the only difference I can tell is it's blue instead of pink, ha! It's a gel so I just scoop out a little bit and it covers my whole face and neck. It dries fast so you aren't left feeling greasy, yet it keeps my skin moisturized the whole day. I use it for both day and night. When I put it on my face feels so FRESH. I love that this comes in a screw on jar, because you can just every. last. drop. No fighting a squeeze tube! And maybe I'm just weird but I really like the smell of it.

 I also love Eucerin Redness Relief Soothing Night Creme $15

This moisturizer costs a little more, but I wanted to include it for anyone who also suffers from Rosacea. This is a super thick night cream that really calms my skin.It helps soothe any redness and that burning feeling that can happen in your cheeks. I especially love this cream because I know that it wont cause me to break out.

Makeup Removers

Instead of Simple Micellar Cleansing Water try e.l.f. Studio Makeup Remover Cleansing Cloths

Micellar Water $6

e.l.f. Cleansing Cloths $3

So for makeup removers, I won't be comparing any products. But I really wanted to include these two in the post because the world needs to know about their greatness!
First off, Micellar Cleansing Water. When I first heard about micellar water I didn't fully understand what it did. It's basically made of teeny tiny balls of oil and water, and these tiny balls attract all the nasty gunk off your skin. Technically micellar water can be used as a makeup remover, cleanser, AND moisturizer.  Like not possible right? Well it actually is! (I included it in this section because I use it as a remover for any leftover makeup) Since I am fairly new to this product I still feel like I need to wash my face the old fashion way to really get clean. So what my nightly routine consists of right now is remove majority of makeup with e.l.f. makeup wipes, wash my face with CeraVe, and pat dry. Then I take a cotton pad and soak it with micellar water. I used this to make sure I really get all the stubborn eye makeup off and then rub my whole face with it. Now here is the crazy part to me. After you use it all over your face, your skin will dry to normal. No oily residue left over, no tight dry skin that most toners leave  you with. Your face feels clean and moisturized. If you have dry or normal skin and don't wear heavy makeup you can honestly skip my routine and go straight to the micellar water. But those with oily skin or those who coat mascara on thick like me will need a little extra help removing everything. I can see this being most useful if you need a quick way to clean your face after the gym, while you're traveling outdoors, or if you just want a fresh face before you reapply your makeup.

Makeup wipes are, in my opinion, one of the greatest inventions of our time. Too tired to wash your face after a late night? Makeup wipe. Need to do your makeup on the go but still hoarding last nights eyeliner? Makeup wipe. Need to take off your foundation before the gym, but don't dare use the locker room sink? Makeup wipe! I have always used Neutrogena's cleansing clothes to take my makeup off, but I go through them so quick, and they run at normally $6 or $7 a pop! These e.l.f. cleansing cloths work just as well for half the price. I also love that the e.l.f. wipes have a snap shut lid instead of a sticky lid to keep them from drying out. Most Targets carry these, but never have that many. So stock up when you find them!

Que Bella Face Masks

 Que Bella Purifying Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Mud Mask 

Que Bella Pore Minimizing Mud Mask

Que Bella Dead Sea Mud Mask

Que Bella Coconut Cream Brightening Facial Treatment Mask

Que Bella Deep Cleansing Aloe Vera Mask

So I found these masks at Target in the section with all the loofas and bath soaks and cute stuff you want, but refrain from buying (usually). Now I am very skeptical of cheap face masks because if they costs next to nothing how can they be good?? If something is going on my face I need to know it's not going to cause a crazy reaction. These babies are only $2. TWOOOO DOLLARS. And they are now my absolute favorite masks. Even better, each packet has enough for two uses. So share it with you girlfriends and have a mask party, your sister, your mom, or ziplock it to keep it from drying out and use it within a couple days. I linked the different types I have tried so far, but there are tons of different ones that each have specific benefits. My favorite is the tea tree oil and witch hazel. I feel like my pores just took a spa vacation and bathed in magic spring waters. These are $2 in store or $10 in bulk online. I also really want to try the Que Bella under eye masks and foot treatment.

Blenders

Instead of Beauty Blender try Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge 

Beauty Blender $20

Real Technique Sponge $6 

Same sponge, different color, but only $6! I am a huge fan of Real Techniques products. Their blender is orange and features a flat side, which makes it easier to get into your under-eye area. Make sure you are always getting the blender wet before using it to get the best results.  

 

Brushes

Instead of Sephora Advanced Airbrush Set try Real Techniques Deluxe Gift Set 

Real Techniques 5 Brush Set $30 

Sephora Advanced Airbrush Set $65

So I will say this, makeup brushes are the one part of your collection I would suggest investing in. They will last so long and the tools you use really do impact how your makeup is applied. With that said, I still have not found the strength within me to splurge on a good brush set. But so far I am perfectly OK with that. Maybe, just maybe I will look into gift sets during Christmas sales. As I said before I am a lover of Real Technique! You can literally swing into a Walgreen's or Target for these bad boys and pick up a killer brush set for under $50. I got the set I linked last Christmas, use them daily, and they are still in great condition.

With both brushes and blenders, be sure you take the time to deep clean them often. I am as guilty as anyone about waiting wayyyy too long between cleanings. You should at the VERY least be cleaning your brushes once a month. As for the beauty blender, I rinse it after every use and try to deep clean it at least once a week. It's a sponge, so it's forever sucking up all your makeup, oil, hairspray, etc. Basically a little ball of bacteria. If you use a blender daily, you should be replacing it with a fresh one every three months. My favorite way to clean my tools is so easy. Just pour equal parts Dawn dish soap and olive oil on a plate or in a cup of water. Swirl around or let soak. Rinse and repeat until water runs clear and then set on a paper towel (or hang if you can) to air dry. And remember NEVER share your beauty products! That's how breakouts, sties, and fever blisters happen.

Keep in mind that everyone's skin may react to products differently. These are what work for me but not all of them may work the best for you. Remember to always do a spot test when trying out a new product. What are your must-have skin care products? Let me know in the comments!

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