The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

Ask BB: Troubadour 'Cap Cana' Dress for Less

Pink Cap Sleeve Dress

Where can I find a cheaper version of this darling dress I just found on Troubadour Clothing? (shown above, Cap Cana Dress, $345 at troubadourclothing.com) —@MB_Hamilton on Twitter

From the blush pink hue to the cap sleeves to the circle cut-out detailing in back, I can see why you've fallen for this gorgeous spring dress. Here are some more affordable lookalikes that might work in its place:

Option 1: At $220, Ted Baker's cap sleeve skater dress is the closest facsimile and will save you $145:



Option 2: Topshop's cap sleeve skater dress is more coral in color but still flirty and fun ($100):



Option 3: ASOS' cap sleeve skater dress has a similar hue though it lacks the full skirt, but at $25.77, it's a steal:



Have a suggestion for @MB_Hamilton? Let her know in the comments!

60 Second Beauty: Aveeno Clear Complexion BB Cream


Aveeno Clear Complexion BB Cream Review

I was late to the BB Cream party but have been searching for the perfect one for about two years. I mean, who doesn't want to find the perfect BB Cream? As you've probably heard, BB Creams, also knowns as Blemish Balms, have been widely used in Asia for their all-in-one skin perfecting benefits - it's a moisturizer, it's a tint, it helps soothe or even prevent blemishes, it's a sunscreen, it's everything! So naturally, when I was approached to try new Aveeno Clear Complexion BB CREAM, I jumped on the opportunity. Could it be the miracle product I've been searching for?

What they say: Aveeno Clear Complexion BB CREAM ($14.99-$16.99 2.5 fl. oz) contains ACTIVE NATURALS® Total Soy Complex to help even tone and fade marks, revealing more flawless, naturally beautiful skin. This multi-benefit BB Cream provides treatment to past, present and future skin imperfections:

  • Past—helps blend away imperfections from breakouts and fades the look of marks from past breakouts

  • Present— instantly evens, brightens, moisturizes and nourishes complexion with lightweight coverage

  • Future—broad spectrum SPF 30 protects skin from sun’s harmful rays and helps to prevent further damage

  • Oil-free, hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic



What I thought: I was so excited to try this product and I really wanted it to work, so I tested it multiple times because I couldn't make up my mind. I love the packaging and I love all the wonderful claims. But ultimately it fell short.

Beauty is such a personal thing, so I should start by saying this was just my experience, and you might totally disagree. But my first problem is the scent - this product has a noticeable, lingering, makeup-y almost-floral fragrance. This bothers me.

Second, I'm pretty certain I'm allergic to this product - if I'm wearing it and sitting at my desk, my eyes start to water and my nose gets a little runny shortly after application. It could just be the fragrance but for whatever reason, my body's reaction to this product is unpleasant. If I'm running around, the product seems to irritate me less, probably because the bothersome particles are more dispersed or something than if I'm just sitting still in one place. Just my theory!

Thirdly, this product provides so little coverage, it's almost imperceptible. I tried to take before and after pics but you couldn't even see the difference. If I'm going to slather something on my skin, I want to look better. I mean, it does give my skin the slightest glow and sort of evens the tone, but the effect is almost negligible.

On the plus side, unlike other BB Creams I've tried which made my skin really oily and shiny, Aveeno Clear Complexion BB CREAM keeps my skin matte all day. If anything, it's a bit too drying. I reapplied after wearing it for a few hours and that seemed to help.

At the end of the day, my pores were noticeably "clogged" although not as bad as some products I've used. I still had to remove the product from my skin completely - it's not something you want to sleep in.

I don't want to single out Aveeno, but in general, it seems like BB Creams are just slightly reworked concoctions of existing products that a beauty company already makes with a new name and new packaging. It's probably just based on market research - what do women want? Oh, an all-in-one magic product that does everything? We can "make" that! And so on.

I will, however, single out Aveeno for using words like "Active Naturals" - what's that supposed to mean? I'm no beauty saint, I use plenty of chemicals and I love modern science, but don't try to label something as natural followed by a "registered trademark."

The bottom line: This wasn't my miracle product or even a "good enough" BB Cream, so my quest continues. However, if you're prone to breakouts and generally not too sensitive to fragrances and such, you may have an entirely different experience and end up loving this cream.

Shown above: What you see is the product blended on my skin as well as a thicker dollop of the product to show you the consistency.

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