The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

Win Cool Stuff: Softlips Lip Balms


I've teamed up with Softlips to offer one lucky Budget Babe reader the chance to win an incredible lip balm prize package featuring all the latest Softlips winter "flavors"! I got to test the Vanilla and the Wintermint, and I love them both. The scents are very subtle and I like the slim tip applicator. While Softlips leaves lips smooth and moisturized, I did find that I had to keep reapplying it with some frequency, but it wasn't because it dried my lips out - it just wears off easily. Having said that, it's a good lip balm and I'd definitely use/buy them again in the future.

Ok, on to our giveaway!

Your prize package will include all six of Softlips' new varieties:
  • Softlips® Jack Frosting
  • Softlips® Peppermint Stick with bonus Pearl
  • Softlips® Raspberry with bonus Softlips® Sugar Cookie
  • Softlips® Raspberry with bonus Softlips® Sugar Plum Berry
  • Softlips® Vanilla with bonus Softlips® Sugar & Spice

Add it all up and that's 14 irresistible lip balms, enough to last you all winter and beyond!

To enter, please use the Rafflecopter widget below. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Peep Sketches of the Third Banana Republic 'Mad Men' Collection




Clearly, fans can't get enough of Mad Men, and neither can Banana Republic shoppers. The clothing chain is creating a third capsule collection inspired by the hit AMC show, which is coming back for a sixth season on Sunday, April 7 at 9 p.m. I'm only on Season 3 via Netflix so I've got some catching up to do, but I keep watching the show for the amazing acting and the fashion. The Banana Republic "Mad Men" collection channels the mod vibe of the late '60s and features more than 50 pieces of apparel and accessories for men and women. Look for it in select BR stores and online at bananarepublic.com on February 27, 2013.

Peep one more sketch by Banana Republic Creative Director Simon Kneen after the jump. Have you purchased anything from the past two Mad Men collections? Looking forward to the next one?


My 7-Day Hair and Scalp Challenge with Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy




Earlier I introduced you to the 7-Day Hair and Scalp Challenge with Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy, and now I'm sharing the results! The three products I tested courtesy of Clear included Clear Scalp & Hair Therapy Damage and Color Repair Nourishing Shampoo, Nourishing Daily Conditioner and Deep Nourishing Treatment Mask.

I typically shampoo my hair every three days because otherwise it gets too dry, but due to some extraneous circumstances, I found myself washing my hair much frequently during the 7-day challenge - and my hair actually stayed soft and silky throughout. Let me explain: First of all, I was in Chicago for my sister's wedding, so I was going out more and hence washing my hair more (because it just looks better right after a fresh wash and blowout). The second very unglamorous reason I was washing my hair more often was because I got the flu, so I was taking lots of hot showers to help clear congestion and relieve pain from headaches.

All in all, I'm really happy with this line of products and plan to continue using them. First of all, a little goes a long way with both the shampoo and the conditioner. Both products have a subtle scent that's pleasant and doesn't linger, and nice, thick, creamy consistencies to the product. The shampoo lathers quickly and washes out just as easily. The conditioner spreads quickly and effortlessly through your hair and leaves hair super soft and manageable. Ditto with the deep conditioning treatment. I was able to skip the usual anti-frizz cream I use before blow drying with this stuff.

After the first few uses, I thought my hair was a bit less "voluminous" but let's face it, my "volume" was nothing more than frizz anyways, frizz that needed to be tamed. I had a few inches of dry, dead split ends cut off about a month ago and that's helped my hair look healthier, too. I've also stopped highlighting my hair for the time being, so it's felt healthier to me for that reason as well.

The main reason I'm loving Clear is that you can apply the conditioner to your whole head from the scalp to the ends - without weighing it down or leaving it limp or "greasy" feeling. And considering the below freezing temperatures I experienced in Chicago, I'd say it's pretty impressive that my hair felt silky and my scalp felt moisturized, not dry and irritated (which can sometimes happen in cold weather).

You can find CLEAR SCALP & HAIR BEAUTY THERAPY products for about $4.99-$14.99 at mass retailers, select drugstores and supermarkets nationwide. For more info visit www.facebook.com/clearhaircare.

Have you tried Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy? What did you think?

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by CLEAR Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy and Style Coalition. Opinions expressed are entirely my own.