FOX 5 Money: Low-Priced Beauty Picks

Before the recession, U.S. women spent $7 billion dollars a year on cosmetics and beauty products. Now it's all about looking good for less. The good news is, you don't have to pay a high price for beauty.

TV stylist and image consultant Kim Foley tested cosmetics sold at drug stores like CVS against professional brands she keeps in her work kit.

"I wanted to try and see if I could get the same kind of performance out of a more-discounted product, a mass market product and in fact, I can, and so can you," said Foley.

Putting your best face forward starts with foundation. Foley says L'oreal's True Match line does the trick.

"It's a really super product because it comes in lots of colors and you're going to like how it makes your skin look," said Foley.

True Match foundation sells for $10.99. Prestige brands can cost anywhere from $30 to $175-- really.

Bronzing powder is a staple in many makeup bags. So, is it Bobbi Brown or Rimmel? Foley says after trying the product on her own face, she couldn't tell the difference. What sets them apart is price. Rimmel's Natural Bronzer / Poudre Bronzante is $8.49. Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder is $35.00.

False lashes are hot right now. Foley tested the tiny Ardell Duralash Naturals with the Ardell Lash Tite Adhesive. Together the two cost $8.38.

"You buy these from MAC or one of the other brands. They're great products as well, but you're going to pay, literally, double," says Foley.

If you prefer to go natural, Maybelline's new Lash Stiletto will really add a wow factor. It sells for $8.49. Foley says a comparably performing product, Trish McEvoy Lash Curling Mascara, is $28.

The right brush is a stylist's best friend.

"I'm not going to compromise on my tools," Foley laughs. She loves CVS's ' Essence of Beauty line-- especially a mini, three-brush set for just $5.00. The brushes are all natural bristle, compact for carrying, and Foley says the kit has a hard-to-find wedge brush. A comparable kit made by Smashbox is $49.00.

Foley's favorite find? A $6.00 Sally Hansen French Manicure pen. You draw in white polish along the tip of your nail. Sally Hansen also sells a companion "clean up brush" for corrections.

Then, coat the nail with Seche Vite Fast Drying Top Coat, sold for about $9.00. For salon regulars, this pair could save almost $1,000 a year.

"$960.00-- that's what it costs to have a manicure every week," says Foley.

Foley points out that prestige products do have their place, if you don't mind the price tag that goes along with them. What she really appreciates are the generous return policies that CVS and some other drug stores offer.

Even if a product is opened, customers can take them back if they've made a poor selection. That gives shoppers the ability to really try different lines out and find what works for them. If you take the time to do that, you really can look great for less.


Here are Kim Foley's top picks for beauty products that will save you money:

• Revlon ColorStay Lipliner-Rose $7.49 (compared to Estee Lauder Double Wear Lip Pencil-Rose $19.99)
   
• Revlon Lip Gloss 040 $6.48
   
• L’Oreal True Match Blendable Makeup foundation $10.99 (compared to La Prairie foundation $175.00)
   
• Ardell Duralash Naturals $3.99
   
• Ardell Lash Tite adhesive $4.39
• Sally Hansen French Manicure White Tip Pen $5.49
• Sally Hansen Manicure Clean-Up Pen $4.99 (compared to weekly manicures, $960 a year)
   
• Seche Vite Fast drying top coat $9.89 ( A must have to prolong any manicure- patented formula does not yellow)
   
• Maybelline Lash Stiletto $8.49 (compared to Trish McEvoy Lash Curling Mascara $28.00)
   
• Rimmel Natural Bronzer Poudre Bronzante $8.49 (compared to Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder $35.00)
   
• CVS Essence of Beauty Small Brush kit in soft case (3 brushes) $4.99 (compared to Smashbox brush kit $49.00)
   
• Garnier FructiStyle Brilliant Shine $4.79 (compared to Fekkai Hair Glaze $28.00)

On the web:

• CVS Pharmacy
• Kim Foley's website