20 Things Under $25 I Love... Part 2 (Beauty)

Beauty: Part 2

This is the second in a series of posts on  20 Things Under $25 I love. In Part 1,  I featured five favorite foods and this post focuses on Beauty products. Look for my next post in the series on my Fashion loves under $25.

MadebyHank Makeup Purse

A few months ago, I won Fantabulously Frugal's "You Deserve the Best 2009 Holiday   Giveaway"  Thanks so much Lisa!! (You must check out Fantabulously Frugal's fabulous blog. You'll save yourself some money as well as get the best deals and bargains.) 


I've never won anything before! Who'd have thunk! One of my favorite things in the giveaway (besides the Gucci sunglasses! and so many other delightful surprises) is this beautiful makeup/pencil purse from MadebyHank. It just so happens, yellow is my favorite color. 

The "pencil" purse which I use to hold lipsticks is exquisitely crafted by Hank.  I admit I was impressed by "his" fine handiwork until I went to "Hank's" site and found out it was actually "her" handiwork. She is Katie. On her site, Katie says you can call her Hank and she  "sews all day long."


The front of my case is a beautiful sunshine yellow brocade. 

Turn it around and the back is a soft gray flannel material. 

All the little details add up--from the pinstripe lining to the little fabric tag ribbon and even the sweet madebyhank wooden button. Precious all-around.

You too can own your own madebyhank design. When I checked her blog I saw she offers a number of designs under $25. Go to www.madebyhank.blogspot.com. I saw a pencil purse for $20.00 and a small zipper purse for $18.00. 


You'll possess something that you'll treasure for a long time.

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream

I love this stuff. 


Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream is a 24-hour every day moisturizer. It is made of Antarcticine a glycoprotein extracted from microorganisms in sea glaciers. Huh? Well all I know is that this helps protect the skin from cold temperatures--so it’s perfect for these cold winter months. Plus it contains Imperata Cylindrica, desert plant extract, that helps with water retention in dry climates.

You don’t need to know all of this. Just try it. My skin is so much softer.


1.7 fluid ounces Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream: $24.50

M.A.C Cosmetics VIVA GLAM Gaga and Cyndi Lipsticks

Since 1994 M.A.C., through the sale of its VIVA GLAM lipsticks, has been helping women, men and children living with AIDS/HIV globally. The company has raised $160 million (US) to date for the M.A.C. AIDS Fund.

I love that Cyndi Lauper and Lady Gaga, the ultimate in glam are donating their time to support this incredible cause. You go Gaga and Cyndi!


You too can contribute to the M.A.C. AIDS Fund by purchasing one of the limited edition VIVA GLAM lipsticks: VIVA GLAM Cyndi or VIVA GLAM Gaga. 100 percent of the proceeds of the sale of a VIVA GLAM lipstick will go to the fund. 


VIVA GLAM Cyndi: A light coral red color with a high lustre finish. Hot!


VIVA GLAM Gaga: A cool blue pink shade with a high lustre finish. Way cool. I am lovin' that pink, Gaga! 


Each comes in a black container signed by the pop star. 


VIVA GLAM Cyndi: $14.00
VIVA GLAM Gaga: $14.00

Sprout Out Body Lotion

A friend from Philly and I recently went on an overnight excursion to hip downtown Brooklyn. We stayed at the eco-friendly Nu Hotel in BoCoCa the nexus of Boerum Hill, Cobble Hill and Carroll Gardens. What an oasis. Very cool, sleek white rooms. Chalkboard walls  in the bathroom that you can have fun writing messages. Most of all everyone was just so nice. It was a wonderful getaway.

Where am I going with this... ah, yes, well the Nu Hotel also provides you with some lovely free toiletries from Gilchrist and Soames.  The toiletries included: Sprout Out Body Lotion, Shampoo, Conditioner and Shower Gel. I took a liking to the Body Lotion right away and plan on ordering a bigger bottle.

Sprout Out Body Lotion has no sulfates, no parabens, no phlates, no DEA or TEA. Gilchrist and Sloames describes the scent this way:  "The green citrus and herbal fragrance perfectly captures the scent of a leisurely stroll through an English garden."
8oz. Gilchrist and Soames Sprout Out Body Lotion: $13.00

Giovanni Organic Hair Care: 

50:50 Balanced Hydrating-Clarifying Shampoo

50:50 Balanced Hydrating-Calming Conditioner

This is a great shampoo and conditioner from Giovanni. 


The Hydrating-Clarifying Shampoo has  a light lavender scent with a blend of rosemary and thyme. It is a gentle shampoo for normal to dry hair. The shampoo has no sulfates, no animal by-products and is cruelty-free. Use with the Hydrating-Calming Conditioner. My hair leans toward the dry side and after using feels wonderfully moisturized and clean.


Giovanni 50:50 Balanced Hydrating-Clarifying Shampoo: $8.49
Giovanni 50:50 Balanced Hydrating-Calming Conditioner: $7.99


photo credit of Makeup Kit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevendepolo/ / CC BY 2.0

6 Natural Beauty Products Under $25: Selected by Whole Foods Body Care Pro

I love browsing the natural beauty and body care products at my local Whole Foods store. Yet these unique beauty products are a mystery to me. There are jars and jars of organic body lotions that promise to make your skin silky smooth; tubes of lovely scented hand creams; row after row of lipsticks in fabulous colors and so many choices for shampoos. 


Where does a girl begin? 


So I decided to ask an expert. I spoke to Meghan Elliott, Whole Foods Body Care Buyer in West Orange, New Jersey. I told her I was intrigued by Whole Foods huge selection of natural products, but I didn't know much about them. In particular, I wanted to learn about some of the beauty and body care products under $25. 


Meghan was happy to share with me with some of her favorite picks. This is what she had to say:

Giovanni Grapefruit Sky Body Lotion 

This has a great fresh scent, not overwhelmingly citrus, made with certified organic ingredients and leaves skin super soft and smooth with no oily feeling.

Giovanni Lotion: $9.99

Hemp Organics Lipsticks

Certified organic ingredients, great color selection (my favorites are mocha and red earth), super long-lasting even after eating I rarely re-apply.

Hemp Organics Lipsticks: $14.99

Karite-Lips Shea Butter Vanilla Lip Balm

Best lip balm I've ever used. Heals dry/chapped lips within a couple days. Relieves discomfort. Really protective in cold weather.

Karite-Lips Shea Balm: $8.59

Earth Science: Apricot Gentle Facial Scrub 

Gently exfoliates without irritating or drying. Leaves my skin soft and smoother after use. Soap free and PH balanced at 5. It is my favorite thing to use at the end of a long day!

Earth Science Apricot Facial Scrub: $8.59

Nubian Heritage Bar Soaps

My favorite is the African Black Soap with oats, aloe and vitamin E. The soap deep cleanses and gently exfoliates while moisturizing. Black soap in particular is good for evening skin tone and healing any irritations.We carry 12 other varieties all unique and all smell amazing.100% vegetable based, no animal by-products or animal testing.

Nubian Heritage Soap: $3.99

Aubrey Organics Shampoos and Conditioners

Aubrey Organics makes many varieties for any hair type. 100% natural, no sodium lauryl sulfate, no parabens or petro-chemicals, vegan, no animal testing. Amazing line, great results. My favorite is the Primrose and Lavender scalp soothing shampoo. Leaves hair cleansed and hydrated.

Aubrey Organics Shampoos and Conditioners: $10-13 range

I've already tried the Giovanni Grapefruit Sky Body Lotion, and the scent is light and pleasing. Delicious!

Thank you Meghan, for the sampling of Whole Foods organic beauty care products. (And thank you Denise Dagnino for the photos.) I look forward to checking out more of your recommendations!

Note: Meghan recently took a position as ATL of Whole Body at the Whole Foods Madison, NJ store. 

Photo credits: Denise J. Danino, Whole Foods Marketing Team Leader 

Photo credit for lip balm: Mode de Vie

Illustration: www.imagezoo.com