A Recessionista's Guide to...Beauty

A couple of months ago, I started doing a little series of recessionista date night ideas (here and here). But recently I've become a recessionista when it comes to beauty products as well, so I thought I'd share a few of my favorite finds of 2010.

Sonia Kashuk Radiant Tinted Moisturizer

I really didn't think it was possible to find a tinted moisturizer that could hold it's own to the one from Laura Mercier. But I must confess that I like this version from Sonia Kashuk even better (and who wouldn't love the $13 price tag compared to $42 for Laura Mercier's?!). It gives the perfect amount of coverage and doesn't make my skin shiny at all. Bonus -- it includes SPF 15 to keep your face protected from the sun's mischievous rays.

Proclaim Argan Oil Hair Treatment

I had been contemplating buying a bottle of MoroccanOil for quite some time when I discovered this version from Proclaim at Sally's for only $7. After reading multiple reviews (and discussing personal opinions with friends), the consensus seems to be that it works just as well as the $40 argan oil from MoroccanOil. Sally's even had it on sale for $5 a few weeks ago, so I stocked up! I use it on my hair wet and dry to help with frizz and shine. It also smells wonderful. Definitely one of my favorite recessionista finds of the year!

Maybelline The Falsies Mascara

Mascara has always been one of my department store spurges. I have naturally long black lashes, and

I'm always looking to take them to the limit. Unfortunately, drug store brands usually don't do the trick. I don't know what possessed me to try this mascara (I was probably just drawn to the fat purple tube), but I'm sure glad I did. It makes my lashes just as long and voluminous as my favorite department store brands. And $6 a tube certainly beats $25!

Neutrogena Brightening Eye Perfector

What girl hasn't read rave reviews for the Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat? Many make-up artists and celebs swear by it, but I just can't bring myself to pay $40 for an eye brightener. So when Neutrogena came out with their version, I just had to try it. I love the stuff so much I'm now on my 3rd tube! It's definitely a must-have for anyone with dark circles or tired eyes. I even use it on my lips (which are naturally very pink) to create a blank canvas prior to putting on lipliner. I'm really not sure how I ever lived without it.

What are your favorite recessionista finds?

lobsters are really just overweight crawfish

A few weeks ago, hubby and I drove over to Orlando to kick off my birthday weekend. Being that I'm a huge seafood/water-creature lover, we decided to grab a bite to eat at Lobster Feast. When eating crustaceans, I ALWAYS choose crawfish over anything else. But since they're not in season right now, lobster was a close substitute.

So the gist of this place is that it's all you can eat lobster and other types of seafood. After sampling a lobster, the first one I've had in years, I decided that lobsters are really just big crawfish...but not nearly as tasty. Something about the smaller size of a crawfish just produces tastier meat. Sorry Lobster...I'm sticking with your smaller cousins from now on.

We still managed to stuff ourselves on crab legs and mounds of fried goodness. Plus the people watching at buffets is always fantastic. I watched a lady at a nearby table consume at least 10 lobsters and at least 5 heaping platters of crab legs. I would have to be rolled out on a gurney if I ate like that! Although this coming from a girl who can easily pack away pounds and pounds of crawfish.

What food can you eat seemingly endless amounts of?