Dr. Jekyll to Mr. Hyde: "Makeup, Please"

Am I a cosmetic Jekyll and Hyde? Well, not really but I'm so tired of the phrase "High-Low Buying" that any image is better than using that tired cliche.
Better an unexpected and slightly frightening cliche instead, eh? But I am a shapeshifter when it comes to buying cosmetics, sometimes spending absurd money on one product while I spend absurdly little on another. So I thought today I'd take a stroll through some of my recent, favorite makeup and skin care buys. And no, I don't get paid for endorsements, more's the pity, so this unsolicited advice doesn't get me or you much of anything.

First some of the high priced spread:
Dior Diorshow Iconic Mascara: Only comes in Black but what other mascara color do you need? Even blondes look better in black mascara. And save me from the current "fun" colors. Lordy, who needs purple butterflies on their upper lids? Certainly no one our age when it just draws attention to every crevice and crinkle. But Iconic goes on easily, coats well, doesn't get clumpy and either I have curlier lashes than I knew or it does a mighty fine curling job too.

ZO "Oclipse" Foundation Primer: My current amour. I got a sample of this in some swag bag from Nordstrom and fell headlong in love. ZO is a new line by dermatologist Zein Obagi and is hard to find anywhere, no doubt adding to its sex appeal--like these guys aren't good at marketing. It's all outrageously priced but this primer is almost worth its $$$$ rating. Not only does it go on like velvet but it has an SPF 30 that is all physical sunblock: titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. I find I'm reacting badly to some chemical sunblocks these days but I'd prefer not having lifeguard nose. Not a problem with "Oclipse." Its slight tint makes it disappear; I even use it when I'm not putting any makeup over it.

One more through the stratosphere expensive recommendation: Any of Giorgio Armani's foundations--especially the Shaping Cream Foundation. I have not a clue what it's claiming to shape; I haven't noticed that I've gained cheekbones or lost my double chin. But if you ignore the stupid name, you'll end up with a very light, creamy foundation with an SPF 20 that can be very sheer or give more medium coverage without looking like you're wearing foundation. I asked my husband one time whether he thought I looked more "glowy" after I started using it. "No," he said, squinting at me,"but you don't have that line between your face and neck anymore." My God, he could have told me I looked like the Phantom of the Opera!

On to the cheapies:
Favorite go-to for a variety of less expensive items that other lines overprice: Sephora. Their nail serum and cuticle oil saved my shattered nails and scraggy cuticles. And the Sephora by OPI line of polishes has tons of colors to choose from and just like OPI's main line of nail polishes, they don't contain nasty toluene and other chemicals. And the names are irresistable: Let's Do Lunch; Wardrobe Change; Nonfat Soy Half Caff--absolutely no logic to most of them but you'll love the quizzical looks if someone asks the color. I also like some of the Sephora Tricks of the Trade line, especially their Lip A-Peel, an exfoliator for chapped lips that's a kick to use. You spread some on, let it dry, then rub with the ball of your finger and most of it peels right off, just needing a little water to take off the rest. If you press your lips together and then open your mouth while it's drying, you get these great Dawn of the Dead zombie strings. Hey, I guess Mr. Hyde is apt after all.

And when you really want to talk "how low can you go" with prices: E.L.F. (stands for Eyes, Lips, Face) cosmetics. Target ("tar-zhay" if you like) sells them and they sell on their own website too. They just rolled out a new "expensive" Studio line and mineral makeup line in which each item sells for a whopping $3. Their regular line? $1 each. That's right, a buck apiece. Not everything from them is grand but they do great lip glosses that even have sunscreen of SPF 15 and aren't goopy. And their "liquid lipsticks" are light and don't settle into creases. (Who me, lip lines? Just because I'm 55?) The eyeshadow quads are a bit tough to apply without some errant flakes (at $1 for four colors, I can deal) but the eye shadows that go into the custom compact are soft, velvety and apply smoothly. And can we repeat one more time? THEY COST A BUCK EACH! What a mitzvah!

Wow, I think I made it through a whole post with almost no snarkiness. Time to reward myself by splurging on a half dozen new glosses. Oh, and if anyone does want to pay me to endorse. . .oh, never mind, I just can't get over being ethical, damn it.