How to get Free Makeup

Let's face it: Blogging ain't cheap! Neither is being a beauty junkie.

Like most women, we use a combination of high end products combined with a few items from the drug store. As they say over the pond, "High Street vs. Main Street" products. In London, they have stores like Boots, and Superdrug. Here in the U.S., we have Walgreens, Rite Aid, and CVS. If you are U.S. based, then we can show you how to score free (or almost free) make-up from time to time. Getting set up requires initial effort, but it's worth it to get free deals like these:



Free Maybelline Baby Lips & Free Maybelline Great Lash Mascara
 

First, join the store rewards programs. The next time you are in a store, get their card. Link it online as soon as you get home so that you don't forget - and lose out on great deals.

• Walgreens has Balance Rewards.
• Rite Aid has Plenti (which you can also use at other stores like Macy's, or at Mobile gas stations, etc.)
• CVS has Extra Care (which gives ExtraBucks Rewards to use like cash.)

Walgreens and Rite Aid have a point system that links to your cards. You can use the points you've earned on transactions to bring down the balance due. Simple.

CVS is a little more labor intensive. It's not hard, and it's worth it.

Once you have the CVS card, hang onto it. Download their app, and link it to your card right away. Often, you need to scan your card at the red CVS kiosk located in stores to print additional coupons (like this week's $3 off $15 beauty purchase.) The app will give you additional coupons which you can send electronically to your card. (Right now, it's an additional $3 off $15 beauty purchase.)


We scored FREE Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser at CVS

You can also sign up for your cards online. If you are a 'get it done while I'm thinking about it' kind of person, this is the way to go.

The beauty of these cards and rewards is that you can combine them with coupons to get (nearly) free stuff. Assuming you don't do extreme couponing or have the Sunday paper inserts, you will need to get set up to print coupons at home. It's easy. However, it does take a little time upfront.

To Print Coupons:

Go to www.Coupons.com and install their printer. (You may have to select a coupon to print in order to get the prompt.)

What you need to know:

• Coupon sites print three coupons to a page.
• They are automatically sent to your default printer.
• You do not have the option to select 'Black and White Only.' (They automatically print in color if you have a color printer, which can eat up your ink. That's why I only print coupons as I need them.)
• You can only print one version of a coupon at a time. You can then go back and print additional like coupons until your limit is reached.

Follow us:

No pressure, but from time to time, we will share how to get great deals. You have to be set up though, which is why we published this post.

Happy Shopping!

Physicians Formula Organic Wear Mascara

You've probably seen the green mascara tube with the leaf shaped tip. Physicians Formula Organic Wear is 100% free of harsh chemicals, synthetic preservatives, parabens, fibers, dyes and supposedly clumping, smudging and flaking. That's the info straight from the package. Hypoallergenic and fragrance free elements are added to the list of this eco-friendly mascara. Even the brush is recyclable. But, does it work? We Glambo Girls put Physicians Formula to the test.

We liked the green container. It's easy to find in your makeup bag, and the leaf shape doesn't negatively effect the application technique. Photographing the highly reflective packaging wasn't as easy, but you get the idea.

The brush is oblong shaped and leans toward a chunky style. It appears to be plastic, not bristly, as that is likely part of the fiber-free elements. The formula is on the thicker side, and we were able to apply it without clumps or smears. We tested it several times before relating our experiences.

If you want to 'go green,' then this is the mascara for you. If you want a long wearing 'jumbo lash' look, then Physicians Formula fails to deliver the big, thick, dramatic lashes it advertises if worn for an entire day. What we first noticed is that we looked tired around 4pm. The reason for this is that the mascara wears off in an even smudgy hue under the eye creating a dark circle effect just under the lower lash line. Any of the lengthening benefits of the mascara were gone by mid-day, and the under eye area is apparently where they reappeared. We continued to test the Organic Wear, and removed it with our regular eye make-up remover. After taking a shower, a lighter version of that smudged hue was under the eye again. We found ourselves using make-up remover twice.

While we applaud Physicians Formula for going green, Organic Wear doesn't measure up to the high standards of the competitive mascara industry. We are not going to formally dis this product though because considering everything it doesn't have, it performed better than most might expect.

How to Create a 3D Lip

This quick video comes to us from MAC backstage at fashion week. Very easy to do and can be created with any brand of lip product (although we are partial to MAC.)

Enjoy!

MakeUp for Men

 "Man's Makeup for Men Only." Mabelline for Men.

This might be taking the 'guyliner' a little too far.

Bridesmaids Movie

May is here and the summer wedding season is officially upon us. We saw the Bridesmaids movie trailer months ago, and can't wait to see it in theaters. You may recognize a lot of the actresses: Kristin Wiig from SNL (who also co-wrote the film,) the very funny Wendi McLendon-Covey of Reno 911 fame, and Melissa McCarthy who you may know from Gilmore Girls and Mike & Molly. McCarthy plays Megan in this flick, and all we can say is, "What a difference make-up makes!" For anyone that's ever had to dawn an unflattering bridesmaid dress in front of hundreds of wedding guests, this movie is for you!



Tell us what you think. Do you want to see this movie? Bridesmaids is rated R and is in theaters May 13, 2011.