Poor economy no excuse for looking bad

Photo credit: Urbanite

By Mina Hochberg

If your beauty regimen is burdening your purse, it might be time for an overhaul of the products you buy. To help you out, here are 20 worthwhile finds ranging from $1 to $20.

$1

e.l.f. shimmering facial whip, $1; at Target

It will give your cheeks a natural glow that’s just as rosy as pricier blushes.

$2

Tropez two-timers eyeshadow, $1.99; at drugstores

Two shadows in one palette make this a true bargain buy.$3

Kiss My Face olive oil bar soap, $2.99; at Whole Foods

Doubling as a facial and body soap, this soap is a favorite among Kiss My Face fans.

$4

Tone sugar glow exfoliating body wash, $3.50; at drugstores

This comes in a whopping 18-ounce bottle, and is a steal for the price. It leaves your skin surprisingly soft with a subtle, pleasant melon scent.

$5

Wet N Wild ultimate minerals powder foundation, $4.99; at drugstores

Avoid pancake face with this affordable, effective powder foundation.

$6

Aveeno skin relief body wash, $5.99; at drugstores

A small dollop of this unscented body wash goes a long way.

$7

Clean & Clear morning burst detoxifying facial cleanser, $6.49; at drugstores

It’s hard to find a cheap facial cleanser that actually gets the job done, but this one leaves your face feeling refreshed and squeaky clean.

$8

TRESemme colorTHRIVE(is “colorTHRIVE” part of the name? if so, it should be bolded?) shampoo and conditioner, $3.99 each for 25-ounce bottle; at drugstores

ColorTHRIVE shampoos and conditioners cater to different hair colors.

$9

Purpose dual treatment moisture lotion with SPF 15, $8.99; at drugstores

Most facial moisturizers cost twice as much for half this amount. Plus, the lightweight formula doesn’t leave a sticky film on your face.

$10

Farmhouse shea butter lotion, $9.95; at Aphrodisia, 264 Bleecker St., 212-989-6440

The divine lavender scent makes this a luxe purchase minus the luxe price. It also makes this lotion a great alternative to daytime perfume.

$11

Tarte fRxtion, $11; at Sephora

Tarte’s fRxtion is a lip exfoliator and emollient in one: One side scrubs away dead skin, the other side moisturizes and enriches.

$12

Alba papaya enzyme facial mask, $12; at Whole Foods

Some masks need to be slathered on, but not this one. A paper-thin layer is all you need for a tingly clean face.

$13

Burt’s Bees thoroughly therapeutic honey and shea body butter, $13; at CVS

Body butters typically cost more than $20, but Burt’s Bees offers a wallet-friendly one that packs a lot of moisture in one application.

$14

Physicians Formula organic wear 100 percent natural origin bronzer, $13.95; at drugstores

If your pale face needs a touch of color during the winter months, there’s no need to pay department-store prices. A few swipes of this bronzer will give you a subtle, summer-worthy glow.

$15

Philosophy ‘Amazing Grace’ to go, $15; at Sephora

This perfume from Philosophy, popular for its subtle floral scent, comes in larger, more expensive bottles. If you’re only an occasional perfume user, though, the portable size should last for months.

$16

Jason Natural apricot shampoo and conditioner, $7.95 each; at Whole Foods

If you’re looking for an inexpensive upgrade from your average drugstore brand, try these. The apricot scent is sweet but not overpowering.

$17

Kiehl’s malleable molding paste, $16.50; at Kiehl’s, 109 Third Ave., 212-677-3171

To tame flyaways while retaining volume, run a tiny dab of the paste through your hair. A jar of this can last for months. It’s also great for creating a slightly tousled style.

$18

C.O. Bigelow tropical fruit face scrub, $18; at Bath and Body Works

You wouldn’t guess it from the extremely gentle sensation, but this scrub is capable of some serious polishing action. It also smells like a lovely basket of fresh fruit.

$19

LORAC lip stain, $19; at Sephora

A heavy-duty lip stain that actually stays put all night. The intense gloss will make heads turn.

$20

Tweezerman nail rescue kit, $20; at Sephora

If you can’t afford a spa manicure, invest in this handy nail kit. It contains three tools — cuticle pusher, cuticle snipper and nail file — to give yourself a quick and easy manicure.

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