e.l.f. Follow-up

Well, as promised, I’m back with some follow-up information on the e.l.f. cosmetics I've been testing out. My personal results are what matters most to me so I’ll share those with you now. Periodically I’ll be back to share some of the results of other testers.

Therapeudic Conditioning Balm (in Vanilla Crème)- This is my new favorite! At about a buck (before any discount) I’m impressed. It compares to other brands at way more moola. I found it felt so nice on my lips that I made it part of my bedtime routine too. I have really sensitive, dry skin. Shea butter pampers my lips and makes them feel soft and silky. If I had found just one item that did what it claimed and delivered a whammo savings to my wallet, this item would have been worth the search! But read on, because the fun is just beginning.

Plumping Lip Glaze (Oasis, and Fire Coral)- Whoopeee! Previously, I’d purchased my lip plumping products from a big time cosmetics store. You know the one. They have a location in Times Square with a ginormous array of beauty products for us to lust after. I’ve been (noticed past tense)the better part of a twenty dollar bill on my lip plumper of choice. NO more, I tell you! This stuff rocks! The clear base goes on easy and tingly with a hint of shimmer. Then the color glaze glides over the top. My lips still felt moist and they looked great. I had clients in the salon commenting on my lip color. The tingly sensation wasn’t too much and felt refreshing. I would continue to buy this item over and over again. And at the great price, I can try many colors instead of having to choose one measly tube. More for me.

Moving on… remember that e.l.f. has generously agreed to give a 50% discount (up to $7.50) on orders if you use the code BeautyWriter at checkout. No, I don’t get paid for this. In the interest of full disclosure I would let you know if I did. So, go to www.eyeslipsface.com for your discount.

Shear Foundation SPF15 (Tone 2)- The shear moisturizing foundation felt great on my skin. Virtually weightless and featherlight to blend. It has a light scent of oranges that is refreshing. Not as much coverage as I like, but an awesome choice for around town, working out, or for teens new to experimenting with makeup. The color was perfect. It did quench my thirsty skin.

Eye Primer & Liner Sealer (clear)- How cool is this. The liner sealer makes indestructible eye liners from your favorite shadow! And the shadow base keep shadow in place all day without budging. It adds a step to the routine, but I’m thinking this will be a step that is worthwhile when there is no time in the day for touch ups. I probably wouldn’t use it every day, but it’s a must for when I have speaking engagements. The shadow base is simple. Twist the stick up and apply, then smooth with your fingertip. Done.

That’s it for now. I still can’t believe that this stuff will be available in places like Target. What will I tell the gal at the makeup counter when I scale back? I’ll probably lean in and whisper, “check out my blog.” She knows I’ll be back to at least try every newfangled thing that comes along…at least once.

e.l.f. has generously agreed to give a 50% discount (up to $7.50) on orders if you use the code BeautyWriter at checkout. No, I don’t get paid for this. In the interest of full disclosure I would let you know if I did. So, go to www.eyeslipsface.com for your discount.

Santa's Helper Could Save You Big

Okay, most of you realize that I own a salon spa and write for the beauty industry. I'm not easily impressed and neither are my salon clients.

I spend time on twitter keeping track of trends emerging in the beauty industry. One of the trends is consumers trying to save money. During a twitter session I was introduced to a cosmetic line I hadn't heard of. You see, I spend a lot of time at the department store cosmetics counter. Enter e.l.f. (eyes, lips, face) on the scene with an impressive list of magazine spots and news coverage for doing just that--Delivering top quality cosmetics for rock bottom prices.

When I first went to the e.l.f. website I had to do a double take. Could that be? Is it on sale? No. I was certain that with prices that low there was no way it could be all that good. Wow. Was I surprised. The box arrived with the sampling of goods I ordered( Lip plumpers, conditioners, glosses, and eye shadows). It was becoming apparent I had hit pay dirt!

Whooo Hooooo! It was like Christmas for me and my clients who will continue to test and report on some of our findings.

I have a had a chance to use some of the products and so far I love them. Stay tuned for some in-depth reports on just what the testers find.

If you want to do your own test and jump-start your savings on beauty care, go to www.eyeslipsface.com and enter the code: BeautyWriter at checkout. You will get a 50% discount on purchases up to $15 (max discount $7.50) Make sure to sign up for their newsletter to get future discounts.

Disclosure: e.l.f. has not paid us in any way for this posting. In fact we paid to order and try the products. Being a skeptic, I didn't want it to cloud my vision of the product. They have provided the graphics and were nice enough to offer the discount!

When You Reach for the Switch

Oh yeah, you know what I'm going to say? Make sure you turn the lights out when you leave the room? Well, that's partially true. Turning out the lights when you leave the room, or better yet, use natural window light to see will save you a bundle. But that isn't what I was going to point out.

Behind that faceplate is a space that air can escape or invade. Light switches and outlets are easy to miss. They are small and unassuming. How many outlets and switches does your house have?

Insulators can be found at your local hardware store for a few dollars a pack. They are quick to install and over time the savings can add up.

One thing I found in this old home is that some of the covers were ill fitting and there were gaps in the plaster around them that could be sealed with patching medium.

I have no clue how much savings can be garnered. If anyone has a calculator for that I would love to post a link here, so send it on.

Power Tip #5 Pull on a sweater. Add a layer of long underwear. Shrug into a cardigan. Do whatever you have to do to mitigate the cold BEFORE turning the heat up.

Power Tip #6 Add more blankets to the bed and you may get away with turning the heat way down at night. If you live in a colder region a heated mattress pad or blanket may be in order. That's about eight hours of turning the heat down. That's 720 hours over a 90 day period. What could you save if you turned the heat back over time?

Stay tuned for more Power Tips over time. Each one, on it's own, may not lend a drastic change. Put them together and you will have a supercharged savings plan.