Budget Beauty

by The Budget Babe's Beauty Expert
I was really excited to try those new Listerine Whitening Quick Dissolving Strips because I thought that the concept was great—after all, who wants to have to take out that spitty strip of plastic post-whitening? But after trying the product, I'd have to give it a thumbs down.

Overall I would have to say I was really disappointed with this product, to the point where I dreaded using it (and often skipped sessions because I really couldn't force myself to do it.)

Let me tell you why. First off, getting the strips out of their wrappings was a PAIN! The thin, clear, delicate strips stick to one side of the metallic silver packaging and have to be peeled off (if you manage to see the strip, or haven't already torn it in half trying to open the package). Putting them on is standard, however what happens next made me cringe just thinking about it. The strips tasted vile—they're extremely bitter and just all around gross.

And then there's the whole "dissolve" thing. The package claims they dissolve and are gone in around 5 minutes. Hours later I still found myself picking out from between my teeth what looked like mini jellyfish and had the irritating properties of corn stuck in your teeth, yuck!!!

The combined taste and then tooth-picking really grossed me out. Not to mention I have to admit I'm a little afraid of something that completely dissolves and I'm consuming, how healthy can that be?

And the icing on the cake? I wasn't even impressed with the whitening. I can honestly recommend any other whitening strip on the market over these (and I have tried them all).

If you want whiter teeth without getting them professionally cleaned, opt for an electric toothbrush and some Arm and Hammer toothpaste. Combined, they create and maintain the whitest smile you've ever had on a daily basis—and on a budget.

Listerine Whitening Quick Dissolving Strips are available at Drugstore.com; $26.99 $23.99

Receive a fashion-forward collection of great beauty portables with your $35 Lancôme purchase. Choose a Warm or Cool Color Collection, packaged in a signature train case. Gotta love the leopard!

To receive your gift, enter promotional code WARM or COOL in Checkout. Includes a Color Design Sensational Effects Eye Shadow Quartet, full-size Color Design Sensational Effects Lipcolor, Cils Booster XL Super-Enhancing Mascara Base, Définicils High Definition Mascara, High Résolution with Fibrelastine™ Intensive Recovery Anti-Wrinkle Cream and Wide-Tooth Comb in a signature train case. Online and in store.

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.

It's like they read our minds—E.l.f. cosmetics just started carrying nail polish. Yay!

At just $1 a pop, you can afford to try all 12 colors (but not all at once...let's see if this stuff is any good first!)