The 2009 holiday season is now a distant memory, but is your wallet still recovering from a full season of holiday shopping? Here are some of my favorite finds for $10 or less.

 beso frugal without skimping on small treats to pamper yourself from head to toe.

Origins GinZing Eye Cream

We could all use a little (or a lot!) more sleep, but we don’t have to look like it.  Dark circles, puffiness and wrinkles around our eyes age us.  We’ve found some of the best eye creams to relieve those tired eyes, including some great options for women in their twenties and thirties who don’t have wrinkles yet and would like to keep it that way.  After all, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Caudalie Lifting Eye Serum

This serum tightens the eye area alleviating droopiness and lessening puffiness.  A great product to pair with a moisturizing SPF concealer for day or a heavier eye cream at night.  The natural formula makes it a grea choice for people with allergies.

Neutrogena Ageless Essentials Eye Cream

Neutrogena Ageless Essential Eye Cream

Neutrogena’s Ageless eye cream is a steal at $15.  Your skin will drink up the moisture and you don’t have to be afraid to use it regularly morning and night since buying a replacement tube won’t break the bank. 

Olay Total Effects Eye Transforming Cream 

Olay’s Total Effects eye cream, another bargain option, has a hint of shimmer to brighten the area under eyes.  This formula is great for wrinkle prevention on young skin applied under concealer.  It will brighten the undereye area and treat dryness on wrinkle-free skin.  Be sure  to check out one of the other eye creams if you already have many fine lines.  The shimmer will settle into them making them more noticeable.

Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream

This popular product de-puffs and moisturizes in a light, whipped cream that won’t irritate the eye area.  The product has a beige color that is imperceptible on skin and no shimmer which means it is a great choice for treating fine lines.  If you’ve tried other creams and found them to be too heavy on your skin, try Origins GinZing!

Dr. Hauschka Daily Revitalizing Eye Cream

Dr. Hauschka Daily Revitalizing Eye Cream

Dr. Hauschka’s Daily Revitalizing Eye Cream is light, moisturizing, and paraben-free.  A great choice for oily skin in need of some extra pampering in the eye area.  The natural ingredients mean less irritation for even the most sensitive eyes.

Shiseido Sun Protection Eye Cream SPF 32 

If you don’t apply sunscreen all over your face, every day, you are letting the sun age you.   Considering how delicate the eye area is, I am surprised that SPF is so uncommon in eye creams.  Shiseido’s eye cream offers SPF 32 protection.  This is one cream that will prevent fine lines and wrinkles!   

Keep your skin protected from the sun whether you choose an eye cream with SPF or not.  Layer SPF concealer or foundation over your moisturizer or pick a moisturizer with SPF (Neutrogena has some great, affordable options)!

The Present is Perfect

I know there are a lot of women who are loathe to leave the house without doing some major face painting. I take my hat off to these ladies, because frankly, there are some mornings that I’m so tired I can barely brush my teeth before heading out the door.

Because of this, one of my all-time favorite products – one I have recommended to many friends who’ve felt equal adoration – is easy to apply, but provides absolutely incredible results. No matter who you are or what your beauty routine, what’s not to love about that?

Philosophy’s The Present is a clear, silicone-based foundation that produces a near-perfect finish, and leaves my skin incredibly soft. Even better, when I use The Present, I see an improvement in my complexion – redness clears, blemishes heal. Honestly, it’s like someone has airbrushed my face.

And, even though I’ve done nothing more than brush my teeth and put on The Present, that kind of instant airbrushing gives me confidence and makes me feel good about myself. Clear makeup that makes me feel pretty without color cosmetics, improves my complexion and boosts self-esteem? Yes, ma’am. And that’s why it’s one of my all-time faves.

Buy Philosophy’s The Present at beso and see for yourself!

Philosophy The MicroDelivery Multi-Use Peel Pads

Is your skin feeling dull and dry?  Join the club.  This cold winter weather wreaks havoc on our skin. 

Here are 5 of our favorite ways to get back the glow:

Peter Thomas Roth Botanical Buffing Beads

Peter Thomas Roth’s Buffing Beads are gentle and effective.  Try the Blemish Buffing Beads formula to combat bacne and other body blemishes.  The salicylic acid-infused formula will keep your skin clear and soft. 

 

St. Ives Apricot Scrub is a bargain beauty must-have.  If you have Keratosis Pilaris (”chicken-skin”) or dry, ashy knees or elbows, this scrub can be a key part of a skin saving regimen.  Since it costs less than $4 a tube, you can afford to use it on large areas (arms/legs) every few days to keep skin supple.  They also offer a salicylic acid version for extra exfoliation and blemish-fighting. 

Cosmedicine’s Medi-Morphosis Scrub is the perfect facial scrub.  It is gentle, the scrubbing beads are super fine and they dissolve as you scrub so you can’t overdo it.  The liquid in this formula is mostly witch hazel which means your skin is being pampered and calmed as you exfoliate.  A must-have for sensitive skin that you can even use on your lips!

Chemical exfoliators may not be what we expect when we think of scrubbing away old skin, but they can work even better than mechanical scrubs to maintain hydration and clear skin.

Try Philosophy’s Microdelivery Peel Pads on face and body.  The multi-use pads (100 pads, 8.5 oz. $55) are perfect for legs, arms and face or can be cut in half to get more uses at an affordable price.  The mini peel pads are smaller (60 pads, 2 oz. for $35) but easier to deal with if you only want to exfoliate your face.  Use in the evening and apply moisturizer immediately after.

Peter Thomas Roth Un-Wrinkle Peel Pads

Peter Thomas Roth’s Un-Wrinkle Peel Pads are heavy-duty clinical skin-care.  The solution contains alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy (salicylic) acid as well as Gamma (Linolenic) Hydroxy Acid (GLA) and amino acids. You apply the solution, let it sit for a few minutes (no more than three minutes), and then rinse it off.  You’ll feel tingling and you should start off slowly, once every few days to make sure your skin can tolerate it.  This peel will help to decrease the appearance of fine lines and dark spots on skin (such as acne discolation) while clearing and refining pores, making it the perfect choice for fighting both signs of aging and blemishes.  

Use a good sunscreen when using any of these exfoliators (especially the chemical ones) to protect that bright, fresh new skin you’ve uncovered!

Found yourself searching for a present at the last-minute?  Whether this is your first time in this predicament or you always procrastinate, this year we are here to help you out.  

These are our top picks for last-minute gifts under $50:

Capelli Convertible Mittens

Winter accessories with some flair.

Scarves, gloves and hats are classic Christmas gifts, but choose something trendy to make your gift a hit. A ruffled scarf, beret hat or flip-top mittens will please any fashionista.  These Capelli mittens from Boscov’s are a steal at just $8!  While these Jacob Ash mittens, suitable for gadget loving guys who need bare fingertips, are under $15 at Sierra Trading Post.

 

Jewelry.

Cute earrings or bracelets are an easy gift idea for a girl whose style you are familiar with.  Rachel Roy offers some earrings that will appeal to a girl who prefers classic style as well as more boho-chic items.  Try these simple bow earrings, for the girl who appreciates the understated or any of the hoop styles for someone with a more daring style.  Check out these ultra-affordable bracelets from Forever 21.  At less than $6, they make a great stocking stuffer. 

 

 

Minnetonka Fluffy Slippers

Cute comfy slippers.

 These Minnetonka slippers rival UGGs in their comfort and style, but they win the shopping battle hands down because they are so much more affordable.

 These adorable Minnetonka Fluffy Slippers are under $30 at DSW.  

 

 

Converse Sneakers.

Have someone on your list who lives in their sneakers?  A new pair of Converse sneakers may be the perfect gift.  Great for a boyfriend or son who loves his Converse sneakers but has totally worn them out, you can find most of the classic styles for around $40.  Shopping for a girl?  These raspberry and aqua Converse sneakers are on sale for just $30!  You’ll have to do some stealth size checking, but it’ll be worth it to see him throw out that old ratty pair.

Spa-Worthy Treats

Jack Black Lip Balms and Skin Care Sets are a great stocking stuffer for guys.  The lip balm is matte, moisturizing and just $7.  The Clean and Cool Body Basics Set is $49 and includes a hand cream, body wash, dedorant and body lotion. 

Holiday Hostess Set, $20

Philosophy is my favorite line for treating women to delicious bath and body bliss. Get an adorable pre-packaged holiday set of Cinnamon Buns products or the fruitier Health Bar Cocktail set, $20 and $40, respectively.