The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

Deal du Jour: Smashbox Try Me Kit

There's nothing worse than dropping a big wad of cash on pricey makeup, only to discover the colors make you look jaundiced or the fragrance triggers an anaphylactic shock.

That's precisely why we think the idea of an affordable trial kit is so fantastic, like this one from Smashbox for $29. Voted "Best Cruelty Free Cosmetics Company" by PETA, Smashbox is a also beloved by celebs and a well-known leader in cutting edge cosmetics.

Another plus: Get FREE standard shipping when you order from Smashbox.com. Score!

The kit includes a 10-well Brow Tech & Cream Eye Liner Palette (0.05 oz.), Photo Finish Primer (0.3 oz.), Under Eye Brightener (0.13 oz.), Lip Enhancing Gloss Crystal (0.12 oz.) and Double Ended Brush (Shadow Liner #9 and Angled Brow #12) AND a tips and tricks DVD.

Bitten SJP End-of-Summer Update

As the saying goes, "You can't beat a dead horse." But let's do it anyway, shall we?

Here are some of our most recent disappointing finds from SJP's Bitten line at Steve and Barry's (What can we say, we're gluttons for punishment)...

Bitten SJP

The Good: Doesn't bode well for a fashion line when the best you can offer is a solid-color tee (and no, not Adam + Eve superluxe tees). We finally caved and spent our gift card on the tee on the right (nice color for fall, good for layering).

Bitten SJP

The Bad: We were going for that nautical-chic look with the red & navy top on the left, but the fit was awful and the seams along the arm were stitched crookedly. The coat on the right looked promising from a distance, but when we got up-close and tried it on, we noticed that the "wool" was wrinkled in places. Looks cheap, and we question the warmth factor.

Bitten SJP

The Ugly: These two items do not belong in any woman's closet. The short-sleeved blouse on the left employs a blue/white check print appropriate for a picnic tablecloth, while the leotard on the right bunched up around our bottoms and was made from swimsuit fabric (and just try going to the ladies room in that thing).

So there you have it. Poor quality, poor style. They could be handing this stuff out for free and we'd still pass. But will we be back to see the fall collection?? You betcha!