Lisa Michelle Beauty & Hair, Fashion, Lifestyle & Health, Uncategorized

Yes, You Should Buy That Knockoff Brand, Here’s Why:

 

 

The allure of the iconic brands like Ugg, Victoria’s Secret, and The North Face can be tempting for even the most fervent bargain shopper, but for those of you are interested in quality products at a third of the price, keep reading.

When one usually wants to buy a sexy piece of lingerie, Hanes isn’t the first brand they think of. Sure, its cheap and most of their products don’t look half bad; but what about a nice pair of pantyhose from Victoria’s Secret, right? They’re the made by the same factory. Specifically the pantyhose, which can cost almost half the price if purchased under the Hanes brand.

I used to be hooked on high end salon brand hair products, eventually I got tired of shelling out upwards of thirty dollars on serums and shampoos when I’d  eventually just end up drowning in empty bottles of Redken and Paul Mitchell anyways. To get that mirror shine on a dime I started doing something so brilliantly simple I seriously regret not starting sooner-I started reading the ingredients on the back of the bottle. Every. Single. One. After reading the various hydroxypropyltrimonium’s and hexylene glycol’s I started to notice how identical most shampoos actually are. I found out that one of my go to brands, Paul Mitchell, uses the identical formula as the Harmon discount “Awapuhi Botanical shampoo”, the only difference being that the latter costs roughly half of the former…

There are some product brands that are virtually identical, like Emu and Ugg. Both are made in Australia and have virtually the same designs made out of the same materials. I did a blind try (basically mixed up the shoes and put them on without looking at the brand) at Nordstrom’s and ended up finding the Emus more comfortable, so I got those and saved my forty dollars. Basically the same situation with North Face and Columbia, when it’s below freezing outside I love the Columbia Women’s Varaluck™ III Long Down Jacket, right now on their website its about $130. A North Face coat of this ilk costs roughly between $270 and $340, and to be honest feels exactly the same.

In reality you wear clothes for you, if it makes you feel fabulous having a logo that comes with a price tag, go for it. However, if you just want to find quality products that are almost identical and won’t break your bank there are plenty of great options out there that should definitely be explored.

Happy Shopping!

 

 

 

Lisa Michelle Beauty & Hair

Four Most Underrated Eye Products

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Here are some unsung, gentle and long lasting products that won’t break your bank:

  1. Almay Crayon Eyeliner- This is my number one choice for covering my waterline, its light and smudge- resistant. Get it here for less than ten dollars.
  2. Mac Espresso Eyeshadow- Its the second most expensive item on this list, but it lasts forever and offers natural pigments that blend well to make any smoky eye pop. Get it here for sixteen dollars
  3. Makeup Revolution London Essential Matte Palette- Yes, there is some overlap in terms of color between this and the Mac Espresso eyeshadow but this is on the list for its price and its ability to cover up dark circles naturally. I managed to get it for seven dollars at Ulta.
  4. Kat Von D Tattoo Liquid liner- We’ve all at some point rubbed our eyes with makeup on and ended up looking like a sad raccoon, with Kat Von D’s liquid liner that just doesn’t happen. The brush is very fine so you can show off your cat eye skills, just remember to use makeup remover to take it off at night instead of just water which won’t do the trick without tugging at the delicate skin around your eyes. You can pick up a tube here.

 

Lisa Michelle Beauty & Hair

The Best Lotion For Acne Prone Skin

If you’re prone to breakouts moisturizing can be a dangerous pastime, between balancing oily skin and treating acne, finding the right lotion can be difficult. As any dermatologist has probably told you: sun protection +moisturizing = healthy skin. As someone in a constant struggle with breakouts I’ve searched far and wide for the least oily moisturizer and last month I finally found it. Scouring the halls of Ulta Beauty, I came across Neutrogena Age Shield Face Sunblock Lotion SPF 110 with Helioplex for less than $15. Yes, it’s branded as a sunblock but it does a knockout job revitalizing and protecting delicate and oily skin. Coupled with a daily face wash of gentle, unscented face soap and water my acne actually started to fade and my skin felt much softer. This great moisturizer leaves little residue,  feels light and can be incorporated into any morning beauty routine for those with sensitive or acne-prone skin.

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Lisa Michelle Beauty & Hair

The One Lip Product You Never Knew You Needed

No, this will not be yet another article praising EOS, though I am quite fond of their tangerine flavor which if you haven’t tried you really should. This product really caught me by surprise, I first came across Molton Brown Vitamin Lipsaver when I was on vacation in Georgia, I got a 7ml tube of the stuff and became instantly hooked. All my life I have had extremely chapped lips, I tried Chapstic, Neutrogena, and Burts Bees to no avail, the only product that could even slightly soothe was EOS, but on those cold winter days even that didn’t help. I started using Molton Brown’s Lipsaver when I had forgotten to bring some EOS on vacation and the little tube was one of the hotel samples. Two days and my lips were the smoothest they’ve been in years. I could finally wear matte lipsticks without my lips  looking like peeled paint and the damage from cracks and splits had completely gone away, making my lips appear fuller. It is long wearing and leaves little residue, leaving lips feeling less greasy without sacrificing protection. The cost is a little high ($18), but if you use the right amount the tube lasts forever and the results turn out to be priceless.lips.jpeg

Lisa Michelle Beauty & Hair

Four Insanely Underrated Hair Products

We’ve all been to the salon and had serious hair envy over the silky waves that only last until the next wash, but those professional shampoos may not be so easy on your wallet so here are some hair products to help you look like a million bucks even if you have none.

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  1. Mane n’ Tail-

I’ll admit I was a little apprehensive about using horse shampoo for  the first time, but this is a great alternative to expensive salon brands and leaves hair feeling clean and smelling great, its also said to promote hair growth which is perfect if you want to grow out short hair or bangs.

Get it here for $3.49: http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=345199&catid=183498&aid=338666&aparam=345199&kpid=345199&CAWELAID=120142990000046453&CAGPSPN=pla

2.Garnier Fructis Style Sleek & Shine Flat Iron Perfector Straightening Mist-

This product is a godsend for those of us who have an unhealthy relationship with our straighteners. I usually spritz a little on a wide tooth comb and gently stroke though my hair to cover all of my locks evenly. This is one of a few products that doesn’t leave my hair feeling fried and helps retain its shine even after heat. The best part? You can find it here for less than $4.00!

https://jet.com/product/detail/330290af47f1420c80e6d73e1a0973cd?jcmp=pla:ggl:cwin_jd_health_beauty_a3:personal_care_hair_care_hair_styling_products_a3_top:na:na:na:na:na:2&code=PLA15&k_clickid=b3591974-72cc-4371-8c7e-b69b2ddfd1af&abkId=405-1160080&gclid=Cj0KEQjw5Z63BRCLqqLtpc6dk7gBEiQA0OuhsKhWxcJFrD9qMCwPU-IAczVxZNG4aOFanzmFSj9-WdEaAtpX8P8HAQ

3.DevaCurl No-Poo and DevaCurl Condition-

Curly hair needs curly care, this duo uses gentle cleansers and doesn’t strip hair of its natural oils so your curls stay bouncy and don’t get weighed down. I’d recommend for those with oily hair, but it really does wonders for all hair types.

Get it here for under $10: http://www.devacurl.com/no-poo-curl.html

4. Redken All Soft Shampoo and Conditioner-

This is the most expensive product on this list, but its worth it. I’ve used a lot of shampoos in my life but this is a literal panacea for split ends and dry hair. If you use heat tools regularly, get this shampoo. The other quality that makes this pair amazing? These are the best smelling products I have ever purchased and leave hair with a fragrance that smells gorgeous and lasts until the next wash.

Get them both here for under $30 :http://www.amazon.com/Redken-Soft-Shampoo-Conditioner-10-1/dp/B002X31FUG

Happy Hair!