Compass

Makeup mavens believe in drugstore beauty bargains

By JENEE' OSTERHELDT Knight Ridder Newspapers

Sunday, November 2, 2003

Beyonce wears L'Oreal. Faith Hill and Queen Latifah love Cover Girl. Eva Mendes and Halle Berry are Revlon beauties, while Mandy Moore keeps it Neutrogena.

So, with some of Hollywood's hottest honeys endorsing stuff that can be found in the local drugstore, when are folks going to realize that Walgreens, Target and Wal-Mart is where the beauty's at?

You don't have to spend hundreds of dollars at a makeup counter to get that chic, got-it-together look.

"Just because you're paying 5 bucks for makeup doesn't mean you are skimping on the quality," says Tai Beauchamp, a beauty director for Seventeen magazine.

"Many of the mass brands are a lot more sophisticated than people think and they have more money to put into research and product development."

In addition, many cosmetic trends start in the drugstore, she says.

"In my opinion, some of the best beauty, skin-care and hair-care products are at the drugstore," says Beauchamp, who favors Nivea, Neutrogena, Eucerin and Garnier Fructis.

Plenty of people believe in beauty bargains.

Nani Meade, senior stylist at Bijin Salon and Day Spa in Prairie Village, Kan., says that everyone is going to cut corners here and there.

For her, those corners include Cetaphil cleanser, Neutrogena face wash and Jergens Soft Shimmer Skin Radiance Moisturizer ($5-$7).

But one of the corners many people don't cut or won't admit to cutting seems to be in the hair-care aisle.

"A lot of the over-the-counter products cause buildup," says Meade, who doesn't use or recommend hair-care products from the drugstore.

But for Annie and Shanna, Kansas City Chiefs cheerleaders, it's a matter of preference. (Chiefs' cheerleaders aren't allowed to disclose their last names.)

"I don't think it's absolutely necessary to buy the most expensive thing to get the best thing. But there are certain areas where you are going to get better quality by going name brand," says Annie, who likes Revlon Colorstay Mascara but swears by Mary Kay products. And Shanna uses Pantene and adores Calgon body sprays.

To help you get the looks you love at a price you won't hate, we surfed the aisles of drugstores, talked to some beauty queens and found a few products that pack plenty of pretty for petty prices.

HAIR: Garnier Fructis Shampoo and Conditioners, $4-$5; Infusium 23 Original Leave-In Treatment, $5-$6; VO5 berry-scented shampoos and conditioners, $2; Pantene Pro-V Shampoos and Conditioners, $4-$5; John Frieda Secret Weapon, $5-$6.

NAILS: Sally Hansen Nail Strengthener, $2.50-$3; Almay Shatter Proof Top Coat $6-$7; Revlon Colorstay, $4-$5; Caboodles Nail Paint, $3; Jane Nail Color, $3.

FACE: Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser, $6-$7; Dove Daily Hydrating Cleansing Cloths, $5-$6; Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Cream Cleanser, $5-$6; Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser, $6-$7; Eucerin Clear Skin Formula Purifying Foaming Wash, $6-$7.

BODY: Palmer's Cocoa Butter $4-$5; Nivea Body Extra Enriched Lotion, $4-$7; Jergens Soft Shimmer Skin Radiance Moisturizer, $5- $7; Caress, $2-$3; Calgon Cool Sunshower, $2-$4.

MAKEUP: New York Eyeliner, $1; Revlon Colorstay Mascara, $6.50- $7; Cover Girl Smoothers Aquasmooth Foundation, $8-$9; Neutrogena Moisture Shine Gloss, $5-$7; Cover Girl Smoothers Lash & Brow Mascara, $4-$5.

MISCELLANEOUS: Schick Quattro Razor, $8-$9; Satin Bonnet, $1.50- $3.50; Listerine Cool Mint Strips, $2; Gillette for Women Venus Razor, $7-$8.

WHILE DRUGSTORE SHOPPING

Don't be afraid to test the makeup samples.

Patch test skin-care products to see if your skin reacts.

Check to see if the brand you are buying is putting money into both scientific and cosmetic research.

Check shampoo to make sure it has enough hydrating qualities. If you wash your hair daily, make sure it's a daily shampoo.

Ask about the return policy.

Copyright 2003 Journal Sentinel Inc. Note: This notice does not apply to those news items already copyrighted and received through wire services or other media
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.