Thrifty Thursday # 4 | Dollar Tree

 

THRIFTY THURSDAY # 4 | DOLLAR TREE

This week, I found such a random assortment of items, I'm not even sure where to start.  So, let's just focus on beauty items.

First up:  I purchased two Greenbriar products.  The jumbo elastics don't have any metal pieces to get stuck in hair, so I love using them for hair styling, like bantu knots.  I'm going to be doing a tutorial on this, but bottom line - it's a great way to "cheat" effortless curls. 

I haven't yet tried the Sassy + Chic beauty blender-style sponge, but since I'm not familiar with the official Beauty Blender, my standards are lower.  ;)  I'll be sure to come back with a review.

 

Next, I found a couple of LA Colors products.  The first were Color Craze nail polishes.  These are a standard fixture at Dollar Tree, but this was my first time seeing these shades.  They swatched beautifully, and I'm so glad they came home with me!

 

I also found several LA Colors Glitter Pop polish kits.  It looks like I'm missing one, and I'm not sure whether I'll go back for it.

 

 
As you can see from the swatches below, these swatched pretty sheer in one coat.  They did build up nicely after a second swatch, and I'm curious to see the coverage on an actual nail.

Above, I swatched one coat of polish and dusted the top with the corresponding glitter for each shade.  The glitter-topped swatches are just one coat.

Next up, I found several Milani products!

As I shared in my Swatch Sunday video, I found several Shadow Eyez eyeshadow pencils in neutral shades. After doing some research with Miss Clearance, we determined that  09/Café Au Lait is a good cheapie substitute for Mac Stone.  It's not quite as deep, and it does have a different finish, since it is matte and Stone has a sheen.  All in all, I think it's a great way to get the look for less. :)

 
I also found one lone Milani Smoothé base coat. I've been looking for this product for years, and now that I've fallen in love with Revlon's base coat, I'm on the hunt for similar products.

 

Smoothé is a milky polish that dries clear and helps to fill in ridges on nails to provide a smooth surface on which to paint. 

According to Milani, Smoothe is “A ridge-filling base coat designed to prime your nails for the perfect color application. This formula was created with a combination of Okoumé AE and Botanical Extract of Bamboo to fight ridged weak and aged nails.”

 

I also hoped to find the Glossé top coat, but I didn't see any.  I'll continue to keep my eyes peeled- it got rave reviews and was compared to Seche Vite because of its high-gloss finish and staying power.

 

Next up from Milani, I found several lip products from different collections: Haute Flash, Crystal, and Glitzy.

 

 

 

My favorite of these three are the Haute Flash lip glosses. They are on the thicker side, but the pigmentation and shine is amazing.  Perfect if you want to make a bold statement.

 

The Crystal lip glosses are great all-purpose glosses in a variety of finishes (jelly, frosted/shimmery, cream) and opacities.  However, you're taking a bit of a risk with these because some of them can skew close to the sticky side of the spectrum.  Just a warning!

 

Last, these Glitzy lip glosses are my runner-up faves of the bunch.  The packaging is adorable, and the pigmentation is good, but not too bold.  Perfect as a standalone lippie for understated- but glossy- color.

 

I haven't yet tried these mini perfume and lotion sets, but let me just tell you why I'm excited.  Typically these Dollar Tree fragrance sets are packaged as mini lotions and rollerballs, and it's really the only negative thing I've had to say.  I've had some issues with rollerballs not dispensing the perfume properly, so I'm really hopeful about these! 

 
 
I picked up just a couple more Revlon Nearly Naked foundations - a couple for me (Caramel), and a couple for a YouTube buddy who is looking for backups in her shade (Chestnut).

 

I also found another satin pillowcase to add to my stash.  I currently have these on my bed's pillows, and I've been super happy with them.

 

I also found the following Studio C products:

This ID pouch is labeled "Rock Star" and is a textured quilted faux patent leather entirely in black.  It has a key ring (to attach to a lanyard or retractable badge hook), and- in addition to the ID window- has a zippered pouch to put in a few essentials.  The zippered section is just slightly too small to hold my iPhone 4.

I also received the middle pattern from my good buddy @thriftysaving and the black pattern from my YT homegirl Miss Clearance.

These Yes to Carrots facial wipes typically retail for $2.99 per 10-count package (this is the travel size), so I purchased a few. 

As soon as I got home, I used one to remove my makeup and it did an awesome job of retaining its shape while still removing tons of makeup. It was also nice and moist, and thick enough that you can actually use both sides. 

Check out the YouTube video to see the pull-test in action.



Next up, I found a few NYC Liquid Lipshine glosses.  I've purchased these at Dollar Tree in the past, and I know that the pigmentation varies based on the collection. 

I'll be swatching my updated (to include these) NYC gloss collection in a future Swatch Sunday.

The last beauty item I found were from Maybelline.  There were tons of these Perfect Pastels eyeshadows, but just in these two colors. 

I have purchased Maybelline eyeshadows at Dollar Tree in the past, so I'll include these in a collective switcheroo in the future.  Stay tuned to my channel for more!

Thanks for reading - I'll see you next time!

 

Thrifty Thursday # 3 | Big Lots Beauty Haul

 THRIFTY THURSDAY #3 | BIG LOTS

  

In the last few years, I've become a big fan of Big Lots.  In fact, it's among my top 5 discount makeup haunts (the others being Dollar Tree, Walgreens, Target, and ShopMissA).  Although the stock typically consists of discontinued- or as I call them "don't fall in love with me"- products, they occasionally carry items that haven't yet been pulled from production.  Typically, these are products that went through reformulation or repackaging.

 

Well, this week, I hit the nail polish jackpot!  I found some well-received nail products, including polishes and nail strips from Sally Hansen, Revlon Parfumerie polishes, and more.

 

First up: Sally Hansen Salon Complete Manicure nail polish.  These retail $7-12 and are currently in stores.  These were just $1 each at Big Lots.  I don't know how many polishes are in the complete collection, but I found over twenty shades. 

 

 

Here are swatches of all the shades I found, including the shade name and number:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next: Revlon Parfumerie nail polish.  These retail for $5-7 and are currently in stores (they've been spotted on clearance at Walgreens- $1.79 and Rite-Aid- $1).  They were just $1.50 at Big Lots, so I picked up one of each shade.  I'm not sure how many are in the complete collection, but I found 16, some of which are pictured below.

 

 

 

 

These scented polishes actually do give off a scent that's specific to the shade name.  I think my favorite (based on swatch alone) is Autumn Spice.  I don't know how long the scent lingers- again, I am basing this off my experience through swatching these polishes.  I was very impressed with the formula, but the brush seemed a little dinky after using the Sally Hansen polishes.

 

Here are swatches of all the shades I found, including the number:

 

Next, I found Revlon Gel Smooth Base Coat.  There were only three on the shelf, so I got all of them.  I've been using this as part of my nail strip application process, and I wonder if they might be partially responsible for how well my nail strips have applied and lasted.

I found four different Love & Toast body lotions. 

I went out to the website and found that these have been repackaged, which could explain how they got to Big Lots.  They retail for $10, but were only $2 at Big Lots, so you can get all four scents for less than the price of one!

Lastly, my beloved Clairol hair products are still on the shelves for just $1.50.  I only use the leave-in conditioner, but I can confirm that it's excellent.  If you see these in your store, pick one up and give it a try.  If you'd like to know more about the leave-in conditioner, check out my July Empties blog post.

Have you tried any of these products?  Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!  And don't forget to check out my YouTube haul video and thumbs it up.  :)

 

Thrifty Thursday # 2 | Dollar Tree

 THRIFTY THURSDAY #2 | DOLLAR TREE

  

There are lots of reasons that I love the Dollar Tree.  It started off just being a great party planning resource, then a makeup treasure trove, then a surprise couponing haven, and then an amazing book store.  It's hard to choose which of these categories is most exciting to me.  Until I see makeup.  :)

 

This week's haul features nail products and cosmetics. First, for the odd one out:

 

 

 

I was able to find my shade of the Revlon Nearly Naked foundation, so I purchased several.  Additional information about this product can be found in yesterday's Wish List Wednesday post.

 

I also found the complete list of shades from the vendor's product pamphlet.  Those are all shown in my YouTube haul video, so be sure to check it out!

 

 

Next up:  Kiss Gel Dress nail strips. 



$1 per box at Dollar Tree

 

 

I tried these out, so I actually have some pretty clear feelings about the quality and value.  Overall, I would say they're worth a dollar, but you really do have to insinuate them onto your nail.  To me, it's worth trying again because of all the positives, but it's really a matter of personal preference.  If you're willing to spend a little extra time on the front end to save time throughout the week, then definitely give these a try.  Mine lasted a week before I removed them!  I'll share my one-week update video in the next Mani Monday video on YouTube.  If you're not already subscribed to my channel, please check it out!

 

 

 

Next up: my beloved Sally Hansen nail strips.

 

First: the brand's Insta Gel strips are marketed to be used with a gel topcoat and an LED lamp (which cures the topcoat and increases the shelf-life of your manicure).

 



Left to right: Get Juicy, Commander in Chic, Back to the Fuchsia, Punch Drunk

 

I've actually always been afraid to use gel polish because of how damaging acetone can be to natural nails.  I've also heard way too many stories about literally pulling off bits of the nail when the polish won't come off easily.  So, I didn't use the (included) gel topcoat.  Instead, I used a regular cheapie topcoat.  And the nail strips still held up wonderfully!  They didn't buckle when the topcoat was applied, they didn't chip off within days of application, and- best of all- they removed easily with non-acetone nail polish remover.  Super win!  I'll continue to purchase these and will definitely use the gel topcoat when giving myself pedicures (I don't update my toenail polish often, anyway).

 

Next up: my holy grail nail product!  Sally Hansen Salon Effect nail strips. 

 



Left to right: Mod About You, Sweet Tart-an, Kitty Kitty, Check Please



Left to right: Stripe Tease, Hear Me Roar, Wild Child

 

 

These are made with real nail polish, which means that they'll remove with non-acetone nail polish remover.  It also means that they are very easy to manipulate on the nail and they tend not to react negatively with topcoat is applied.  The negative is that, once opened, these dry out very quickly.  Otherwise, I find these to be a complete game-changer for me.

 

 

Finally, I found (and swatched!) a bunch of polishes across different brands. I was really happy with the selection.  Take a look at what I found.

 

 

From LA Colors:

 

 

From Milani:



Left to right: Fast Fuchsia, Power Periwinkle, Sugar Coated




Left to right: Move on Mauve, Blue Zoom, Bet on Red



 

 

From Revlon:

 

 

 

 

 

From Maybelline:

 

 

What do you think?  Have you tried any of these polishes?

 

Please let me know your thoughts about these products in the comments below.  And don't forget to check out my Instagram and YouTube pages. 

 

Thanks for reading - see you next time!

 

Wish list Wednesday # 1 | Dollar Tree

 WISH LIST WEDNESDAY #1 | DOLLAR TREE

  

If you're anything like me, you've probably made mental lists of all the awesome finds you've seen hauled at Dollar Tree in hopes that one sweet day you'll find them, too.  I'm no different - except I actually make visuals to help me keep track and I update them every week as new sightings occur.

 

Before we move into this week's wish list, take a look at last week's finds.  These are still trickling into stores across the nation, so if you haven't found them yet, never fear!

 
On each of the items, I listed the Instagram account of the person who found them.  I also linked all the accounts in the caption so you can check out their other posts and follow them!

 



Instagram: @dollarrtreee, @rosie316, @jessikaslove, @thethriftychica, @thatgalrebecca, @kymmiekewpons, @dollartree123, @bargainbeauty

 
Here's a closer look at the Revlon Nearly Naked foundations:

Pictured: 190/True Beige, 210/Sun Beige, 220/Natural Tan, 230/Nutmeg, 240/Toast, 260/Caramel, 280/Chestnut, 290/Cappuccino

 
My store didn't have a good selection of fairer shades, but the selection for women of color was EXCELLENT.  I know different stores have totally different inventory, so definitely stalk your store if you're on the lookout for these.
 
I did some research online to find out what people think about this product and it led me- as it often does- to Makeup Alley.  To condense what I read:

  

Major pros: light finish, dewy, good staying power, good color selection
Major cons: packaging (no pump), stings, enlarges pores, causes breakouts
 
Retails for: $10-20. Currently available at Ulta for $9.99

 
 
Next up: Ty Beanie Ballz.  I did a quick online search and found that these little cuties currently retail for $5-12 each. 

The Dollar Tree appears to be carrying a few Alvin and the Chipmunks designs as well as a turtle, an owl (both pictured above), a monkey, a puppy, a lizard, and a fish.  I'm looking for these for my daughter - if found, I'd like to get one of each. 


Next up: L'Oreal Colour Fresco cream eyeshadows!

Photo courtesy of L'Oreal  cosmetics



These shadows are creamy, retractable, and well-pigmented.  Check out TheThriftyChica's IG page for swatches. 

I read through some of the reviews on Makeup Alley and condensed them into common themes:

Major Pros: doesn't crease, feels cool when applied, compact, pigmented
Major Cons: wish the color selection was bigger
*A major con that wasn't listed is that this product is unfortunately discontinued and therefore very hard to find.  Definitely worth picking up if you see them, but be aware that the product may be dried out when you purchase it.
 
These got an overall rating of 4.7 out of 5.  That's UNHEARD of.  Definitely, check these out.


Mariposa cosmetics

Amazingly, I can't find ANYTHING online about this company.  I believe, because of the location of the IG user who postd this that it may be a Canadian company.  For swatches of the items above, check out Rosie316's Instagram page, linked above.


L'Oreal nail polishes

These are, unfortunately, also discontinued.  There's a great range of shades and they get good scores on Makeup Alley.  The overall feedback on the Steel Colour line is:

Major pros: great formula, very shiny, great staying power
Major cons: takes a long time to dry

This is another product that got great reviews- an overall 4.1/5 with an 85% repurchase rating. 

Because this line is discontinued, it's tough to accurately price it; however, these tend to be priced at around $5 on eBay.


Thank You Notes 2, by Jimmy Fallon

I took a look at the Amazon book listing and read through many of the reviews to get a sense of the general buyer perspective:

Major pros: very funny
Major cons: very short for the price (retails at $12)

It sounds like the price issue will go away with the smaller price tag, so I'm still in, Jimmy!  I'll see you at Dollar Tree!

--
Now for this week's finds:

Instagram accounts: @sensationalfinds, @nenitalinda, @throughtheeyesofjayde, @daniellecent517, @pghmommyshops, @dollartree123, @soleiluna09, @leeleedollartree

There are actually MANY more books than are pictured here - mostly about cooking, organizing, gardening, or crafting- so I'm not going to go into detail about those.  Just be aware that about a billion awesome books are popping up at Dollar Tree. :)

The makeup find that I'm on the lookout for this week is the NYC Mosaic eye shadow that PGHMommyShops (link in caption above) posted.  Apparently, this went floating around various Dollar Trees a year or so ago, but I've never come across it before. 

Photo courtesy of MakeupAlley.com

Once again, the harsh critics of Makeup Alley have smiled upon this product, giving it an overall rating of 4.4/5 and a repurchase rate of 75%.

Major pros: great formula, well pigmented
Major cons: poorly packaged

These were retailing for about $5, although some are currently priced much higher. 



Photo courtesy of Walmart.com

I'm definitely willing to take a gamble for $1, and if I come across these, you know I'll share swatches.  :)

Thanks so much for reading.  Please leave any questions or comments below, and I'll see you next week!