Reader Mail: The Drugstore Challenge

In today's Reader Mail:

Dear BS: You are always talking about super-expensive beauty products I can't afford. Tell me five things I can get from drugstore.com that are less than $8. Just the basics—shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, etc.

I still love you.
XO
N.

Now, we know, and we totally hear this. Of course most of the things we use every day are well under this budget as well. Our whole philosophy here is that no one really needs to chat about things that are not super expensive, because they're, you know, not super expensive—risk is mitigated, and everyone probably has their favorites already. What we always found was that we really wanted to chat about things that were super expensive, just because we didn't want to fuck it up. We don't want anybody thinking we're trust funders. Trust us, and our landlord, who is remarkably patient about always getting out rent a month late. We're not.

So all that aside, our picks.

We swear we have bought this conditioner on every continent on earth. We will say though that we absolutely just go through it, and we're convinced that our Kiehl's works out to be cheaper and is also a better conditioner. Pantene conditioner (24 oz.), $7.19

We feel that sometimes a product will have a crap design, and then you're like, oh! Ugly, but cheap, and possibly effective! That is how we feel about this. Green Canyon Spa exfoliator, $7.69

For the extremely dry things, like heels or elbows or whathaveyou. The whole cow thing freaks us out a bit, but okay. Bag Balm, $6.89

Again: crap packaging. So: cheaper! And this is also—well, we'll just let them say it: "Organic Essential Oils Promote a Healthy Scalp & Strengthen and Protect Each Hair Strand. Made with Oshadhi Organic Essential Oils". Fair enough. Beauty Without Cruelty Shampoo with Rosemary Mint and Tea Tree Oil, $5.59

And finally: this is our go-to deodorant whenever we can't get our hands on our Nivea. Dove deodorant, $3.13

Now: everybody else! Your favorite, under $8, bathroom must-have?

Comments

[Cheri]

Here is what I use after long nights of drunk partying when I just can't bother to painstakingly wipe off my makeup with eye-remover, wash my face with proactiv, and moisturize before bed.

It's a case made by Neutrogena filled with 25 moist towelettes that remove every trace of makeup on your face (including eyemakeup, waterproof mascara/liner, etc). I store it by my bed and only use them in emergencies when I'm too lazy to make it to the restroom. You wipe it all off, dispose of the towelette in a trash-can, and whatever residue is left behind acts as a facial cleanser! Don't forget to moisturize, ladies! :D This obviously isn't for everyday use, though. I mean, 25 towelettes just is not enough. But it's perfect for those emergency moments where you know you're about to just pass-the-hell out as soon as you get into your room.

The refills are only about $6, but the case with 25 towelettes is only $7-$8 something. :D

I forget what it's called. Neutrogena Moist Towelettes Makeup Remover? Whatever. Lol.

[KT]

I am currently obsessed with Kiss My Face Moisture Shave, in either Lavender or Mint, which is about $3.99, smells amazing, and makes me not hate shaving my legs, which I find people appreciate. I also love the Biore Ice Wash Facial Cleanser ($7.99, just making the cut). It's totally amazing, and makes my face feel cold, which I'm sure means it's shrinking my pores, even if it's just for a second. Finally, I am totally obsessed with Purpose facial moisturizer, which is $10.00, but I mean, seriously, it's the greatest thing that ever happened to me besides diet coke, so it has to be said, despite being over the $8 limit.

[blackbird]

Frizz Ease
Cetaphil
Nivea
The new L'Oreal HIP make ups - and I just got them, in the drugstore at two for the price of one!

[Andrea]

Deodorant: www.thecrystal.com
Intuition razor (sometimes you can find a special package with the razor and a generous number of refills)
John Frieda Luminous Color Glaze (often can be found on sale for $10)

[shellybean]

Aussie 3 minute miracle deep conditioner. (Their regular shampoos, conditioners and mousses are really good too!)
Aveeno Oatmeal bath for my sensitive, eczema prone skin. (Their calming body wash [with the purple cap] smells wonderful too!)
Dove unscented bath bar for the same reason. (But the white bar smells so good...)

[Beth D.]

Witch Hazel as a very cheap astringent. If you get the store brand in the first aide section it's about $3.00.

It cleans up the excess oil and dirt without drying out the skin. In fact it keeps you from chapping in dry weather even without a layer of moisturizer (keeping in mind that I don't live in a very dry place).

If you look at the label of many astringent products you will see that they contain witch hazel.

[Katherine]

St. Ives Apricot facial scrub in the tub. It costs, like $4 and come with 12 oz. I find that it's too harsh for my face, but at that price it makes the perfect body scrub.

[miso]

Eucerin - Dry Skin Therapy Plus Intensive Repair Body Creme. This is the best, most lux, rich, thick, body cream that will sooth the driest of skin. Seriously, I haven't found anything that works better. It also has alpha hydroxy, so it really deep moisturizes your skin. And it does not irritate sensitive skin.

[eskay]

Shampoo: Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Shampoo - gets my hair clean w/out drying it out.
Conditioner: Agreed w/ the Panteen - I've tried other combos of Shampoos and Conditioners, and found combo (H&S+Panteen) leaves my hair clean and soft the longest, w/out buildup.
Moisturizer: Purpose - it's seriously the best, and I've tried everything from La Mer to Neutrogena, and this has worked for the past 7 years. And I look like I'm about 7 years younger than I am (thanks, Purpose).
Soap: I think it's in local drugstores, not chains, but Dr. Bronner's Peppermint Soap goes a LONG way and is super duper tingly but has crap packaging.
Mascara: Cover Girl - it's smudgeproof and super cheap.
Body Moisturizer: When it's harsh outside, Gold Bond get's me back to soft, otherwise, Vaseline Intensive Care, but they changed their formula so it smells fruity and who wants to smell like a fruit salad.

[Ms. Fab]

The best eye makeup remover ever is from Boots' Botanicals line. You can find it at Target -- $6.

[lisacti]

Cetaphil: This is the best facial cleanser ever.
Jergens: good, basic body lotion
Dove deodorant: I think this is the best out there.
Neutrogena Norwegian Hand Cream: This stuff is saving my hands this winter.
Burt's Bees Lip balms: Pick one, any one. They all rock.

[Renee]

please go to TJ Maxx if one is available. They carry so much formerly expensive products for rock bottom prices!!!!
Bliss,Kiehls...joico shampoo. plus lots of European stuff. You can't beat it.