Drugstore Cowgirl
Gone are those Saturday afternoons hanging around cosmetic counters searching for the perfect lipstick (maybe that’s a good thing). But we still need that lipstick—it’s just that baby Jack and little Jill don’t share the same passion for beauty products than our grade ten Best Friend Forever did.
Not fair really—it’s because of our kids we go to the drugstore so much, whether it’s for diapers, sunscreen, school supplies, band-aids (the list goes on). We know there are treasures hiding in those aisles—but like that needle in the haystack, you need time to find them. So with the collective wisdom of the SavvyMom team, we’ve come up with a drugstore beauty guide that will get you in and out of there in no time with all the treasures you need.
First For Face
For washing your face (and baby’s bum too—it’s that mild), try fragrance-free, non-irritating Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser ($8.99), a miracle liquid that gets our faces clean without drying them out. After that, to reduce fine lines and protect skin, we’re committed to the Reversa Corrective Night Cream with 4% glycolic acid for nighttime ($32) and the Reversa UV Anti-Wrinkle Fluid SPF 15 with 8% glycolic acid ($34) for daytime (love that SPF—one less thing to do in the morning), suggested by our savvy (and mom) dermatologist Dr. Sandi Skotnicki-Grant (not a fine line on her!), but available for much less than the usual dermatologist-recommended line. If you’re looking for some inside-out skin nourishment, the Perfect Skin supplement ($26.99) from Genuine Health is a savvy fave as well.
For Every Body
You can never go wrong with multi-purposing, especially if it means taking up less room in the bathroom, so for body moisturizing we’re sharing our Aveeno Baby Daily Lotion ($7.99) with our kids. Its fragrance-free natural colloidal oatmeal blended with rich emollients soothes our dry skin and leaves a protective barrier.
For Making Up
Pick up our magic makeup trio and you’re ready to face the world in just a few minutes. For lips, we can’t get enough of Annabelle LeGloss Lipgloss ($7.99), never sticky, and just the right touch for polishing off your look. To even out your complexion and provide subtle coverage, we’re loving the new L’Oreal Bare Natural Gentle Mineral Makeup ($18.49). It goes on like a powder with a big brush and then blends in like a foundation so no need to touch it with your hands and no spilling when the kids knock it over (we hate that about liquid foundations). Mineral makeup is the latest thing. Made from naturally-occurring pigment from the earth, it is a less-irritating, non-comodegenic natural choice (but usually hard to find outside the best beauty boutiques). And to finish your eyes (a little makeup can make them look more open, like you are actually getting enough sleep!), try the Rimmel Exaggerate Full Colour Automatic Eye Definer ($5.99), self-sharpening eye liner packed full of colour. Softer than most eye liners, it glides smoothly over skin, which makes it easier to use.
Handy for Hands and Feet
The Sally Hansen Maximum Growth Cuticle Pen ($7.49) treats dry cuticles with a blend of vitamins A, C and E, wheat germ oil and apricot kernel oil. What we like best? The no-mess pen applicator means you can put just the right amount on without getting fingertips greasy. We keep one in our desk/purse/diaper bag to apply whenever we have a chance (because lotions only work if you use them after all).
Vaseline Intensive Rescue Hydrating Foot Cream ($7.49) soothes dry heels with magic (as in they really work!) occlusives that stem water loss and alpha hydroxy acids that reduce roughness without being as greasy and sticky as many foot creams we’ve tried over the years in our battle against dry winter feet.
So now that you have our picks of the shelves, treat yourself to your own gift with purchase (we know you can be in and out in 15 minutes). Throw in a few household cleaners and a pack of diapers to justify the trip. We know why you really went.
Widely available at major drugstores
 |
Tested by Jen H. and Sarah M., Ottawa |  |