The Budget Babe's beauty expert Kiki Bella shares her latest beauty-bag-must-have! —BB





by Kiki Bella
There are certain things in life you don't know you can't live without, and then you try them and you wonder how you lasted so long! A new day has dawned for my skin, no longer will I just pile on more loose powder in the afternoon when I notice a 4 o'clock shine creeping up. Today is a new day, and now I've got CVS Oil Absorbing Sheets ($4.49) in my arsenal.

Yeah, yeah, I know they've been around forever, but these are cheaper than the brand name ones and work great. They are also strangely very fun to use and slightly addicting (not gonna lie, I tried to blot my boyfriend's face while he was watching football! They work great on men btw).

CVS has some great quality products for your beauty routine, while you're picking up the sheets I also suggest you try the CVS brand Acetone Free Nail Polish Remover, and the CVS brand Cotton Swab travel case, both very handy for busy beauties.


Shop for CVS brand beauty essentials at CVS drugstores nationwide.

Still on the hunt for a great mineral makeup? The Budget Babe's resident beauty expert Kiki Bella suggests giving Smooth Minerals by Avon a try. —BB





by Kiki Bella
Avon's Smooth Minerals is a pleasant surprise. I have tested many brands of mineral makeup and nothing yet has knocked me off my Bare Minerals horse. But Avon's Smooth Minerals collection is definitely getting me to slow down and take another look.

Avon's Smooth Minerals foundation ($11.00) is getting top marks from me. It has fantastic coverage, great oil control and looks very natural. Avon's formula is one of the more admirable (not a lot of unwanted fillers like some other brands I've reviewed ::cough cough:: Maybelline Mineral Power ::cough cough::), and I think its reflected in the product. Great for all skin types, even sensitive skin.

I'm not a huge lipstick wearer (I'm a lipgloss girl myself), but the texture and lovely shades that the Smooth Minerals lipstick ($8.00) collection has to offer left me satisfied. It's a definite try if you prefer lipstick over lipgloss.

My favorite thing from the Smooth Minerals collection is the eyeliner ($6.00). It is superb. I love a great creamy, easy to apply eyeliner and this stuff really hits the mark. Rich color, great blendability and its made from minerals, with no talc or fragrance added. I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to use products with great ingredients on and around the delicate eye area. I'm loving Earth, Indigo and Iris for the fall, and Onyx is a yearlong must-have.


To locate an Avon Representative, call 1-800-FOR-AVON or visit www.avon.com.

Kiki Bella, The Budget Babe's resident beauty expert, says yes to Yes to Carrots. Will you? —BB





I am such a sucker for a great product in a great package. Yes to Carrots, a complete family of paraben-free skin and hair care products, has three lines of really awesome lipcare/color that I can't say enough about.

Yes to Carrots C Me Smile Lip Butter is touted as "the first 95% USDA certified organic lip balm available in drugstores" (like Walgreens). And, shockingly, it's a really awesome lip balm. I say shockingly because, I hate to say this, but many times products (and I'm actually thinking very specifically about lip balms, glosses and tints) that are labeled "all natural" and/or "organic" are kinda gross. I always hoped that someone would come out with products that are both good for us and look good on us.

Lip balm is the one thing I would want on a desert island, and I consume large amounts of it (I don't literally eat it, but you know what I mean). As a result, several of my health conscious relatives have made not so subtle remarks that I will end up with some kind of lip cancer (is there such a thing?) as a result of using so many chemical based balms. I am happy to have found Yes to Carrots C Me Blush Lip Butter ($3.69). Its got a lovely texture and makes my lips feel soft and my conscious clean. These lip butters smell awesome, and come in five delicious flavors including Berry, Citrus, Mint, Carrot and my personal fave Melon. They are all great flavors, Melon, Berry, Citrus and Mint are kinda self explanatory (although I have to say they are exceptional for what they are, none of that fake smell, these are clean and crisp and so fresh). Carrot is the odd ball out, but don't be turned off, it's got a light almost herbal scent that makes me think of summer gardening. (cont. below)

The Budget Babe's resident beauty expert Kiki Bella (an alias) gives us more must-have makeup options for Fall that won't break the bank. —BB



by Kiki Bella
Love high-end beauty brands but can't afford to keep up with high prices in today's economy? Head over to Target (our favorite place, like, ever) to pick up some awesome makeup from Sonia Kashuk. Pardon the long post, but there are so many note worthy products to mention it would be a shame to leave any out.

I am really, really picky when it comes to any kind of lipgloss. I have tried it all, and there is nothing grosser then a bad quality cheap-o lipgloss that some big chain is trying to pass off as designer (you know the kind, kinda stinky, really gluey and looks like you slathered on Vaseline and then dipped your lips in a garishly hued pot of glitter.) I shudder at the thought.

Sonia Kashuk for Target Ultra Shine Sheer Lip Gloss

These products are not even close to that. They are in fact at the other far end of the lipgloss spectrum. The Sonia Kashuk Ultra Shine Sheer Lip Glosses ($8.99) are soft and creamy, melty and gorgeous. They come in beautiful lady-like colors and in lovely packaging. They smell delish, and they are the perfect finish to a face sporting the latest fall colors on eyes. I tried Whisper and Flawless and they are both great colors that will compliment many skin tones and many different looks. (cont. below)

Tomorrow, September 17, 2009, go into Saks Fifth Avenue stores and give them a full-size bottle of ANY shampoo (even the cheapest Sauve or VO5 you own) and in exchange you will get a FREE bottle of Fekkai shampoo valued at $23.00. Call your nearest Saks store to find out if they're participating before you make the trip as not all stores are running this promotion. Thanks to Sweegies Swag for the tip!!