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Budget Beauty Junkie

A strong trend in beauty lately is bringing salon treatments and beauty processes into the home. Chalk one up for the DIY aesthetic. Products, gadgets, and processes once the domain of the professional are now sold at Target, CVS and online.



This month, I'm testing out the tools you'll need to get runway-worthy looks at home. I tested three products in each category, priced for the starving student, young professional or independently wealthy woman. This month, I was surprised that in each category, it seems you really do get what you pay for, in that the higher priced items were generally easier to use and provided better results. Whether these better results are worth the higher price is a decision only your wallet can decide.



HAIR BRUSHES

Conair Tourmaline Ceramic Red Porcupine Cushion Brush , $10.

Tourmaline is a hot selling point in hair care appliances these days. According to Conair, the tourmaline in the bristles releases negative ions that tighten the hair's cuticle layer and seal in natural oils. However, the ions are only released during heated blow-drying, so if you have short or air-dried hair, the technology won't work for you.



Sephora "The Classic" Hair Brush , $15

Boar Bristle brushes are desirable because the bristles are similar enough to human hair that they absorb the oils from your scalp and deposit them along the hair shaft as you brush. Hair brush size is largely a personal preference, but larger brushes do get more expensive. This brush is made of good quality bristles, is a handy size (although if you have long or lots of hair, size up) and an affordable price.



Mason Pearson - Boar Bristle and Nylon Mixture Pocket Size Hair Brush BN4 , $72

Mason Pearson was the first manufacturer to make the "cushion" brush – meaning the bristles are in a rubber cushion instead of directly attached to the wooden handle. I appreciate this innovation very much. But $72 for a hair brush isn't exactly cheap. However, a hair brush is an item that's used daily or even multiple times a day, and this investment pays off nicely – with dividends of luxe locks. Generally boar bristles are best for those who have oily hair at the roots, but dry ends. The natural oil from your scalp really does make a difference. Then again, so do regular haircuts and good nutrition!



FACIAL CLEANSING/EXFOLIATING GADGETS

The Body Shop Face Brush , $6

Nothing fancy here, just a short handled brush with a circular head. Apply cleanser and the soft acrylic bristles brush away dead skin cells and dirt. It's also a good tool for men who have heavy beards and are prone to ingrown hairs. Since there are no moving parts, and no batteries required, this should last at least a year with regular use, and is dead simple technology. Facial brushes are best for those with acne prone skin that's not particularly sensitive.



Neutrogena At Home Microdermabrasion System , $35

Microdermabrasion is a skincare procedure where the outermost layer of the skin (stratum corneum) is gently removed. Generally it's almost painless and is performed in a day spa or dermatologist's office. The science behind microdermabrasion is fairly simple – gently scrubbing away this outer layer of skin without causing trauma to the layers beneath can reveal glowing, fresh skin. The instructions stipulate it's to be used nightly for 5-7 days, then every few days to maintain the effects. I could definitely see a difference in my skintone, and the microdermabrasion cream is the real deal – I rubbed off some residue with a cloth and it was quite scratchy; however using it correctly with the microdermabrasion head is comfortable and almost like getting a massage due to the vibrating (not rotating) head. Alas, the rich cream seems to have lead to a breakout on my cheek that just won't go away. I'd recommend this for mature or dry skin.



Clarisonic Facial Skincare System , $195

Indeed, the retail price is not a typographical error. However, I did manage to save 20 percent using Sephora's Friends and Family code, FF2007, which is good until Nov. 21. (I'll forgive you if you pause reading my column to make a quickie order).



Now that you're back, the good news continues. I found that this brush was worth every penny for my oily yet flake-prone skin. Clarisonic is from the creators of the Sonicare toothbrush, and it has several features – rechargeable, waterproof and effective. It also beeps periodically to remind you to move the brush. There are several programming modes, with high and low power options, and a one- or two-minute cleansing cycle. Twenty seconds each on the forehead, nose and chin, and 10 seconds on each cheek means your face is gently cleansed and exfoliated in just a minute (or two if you prefer).



The exfoliating results were not as dramatic as with the Neutrogena kit. However, the clarity and tone of my skin was just wonderful – the blackheads on my nose disappeared, and the small whiteheads perpetually near my mouth and chin also vanished. In short, I consider this a great beauty investment, especially if you have been struggling with acne. It's certainly cheaper than facials or visits to the dermatologist.



EYES

NYC Browser Kit , $3.99

Having groomed brows is a great way to look polished yet natural. NYC's kit is a great way to experiment if you've never groomed your brows before, or if you've been visiting an aesthetician for waxes, threading or other grooming. Pair this with a stencil from eyebrowz.com (the full kit is $36.50, but 4 stencils are only $14.95) if you're really in need of some shaping.



Beth Bender Beauty Get In Line eyeliner compact , $36

I was so excited to receive this kit, I ripped it open and didn't read the instructions, which was a mistake. There are two stencils – smoky or cat eye – and three powders in light, medium and dark shades. This kit is absolutely perfect for those of us who have less than stellar brush skills and end up looking a bit punch-drunk after trying to do a glam eye look. I think my eyes were a bit too small/deep set to get the cat eye stencil right, but the smoky eye stencil (complete with bottom liner guide) is a great way to get sexy eyes in no time (seriously, it takes about 30 seconds to do both eyes). The included brush is perfectly shaped and super silky. Fondle it while you're reading the instructions, and you can't fail. It's certainly much easier than getting permanent eyeliner tattoos or lash extensions. Beth Bender products are available at BettesBoutique.com.



Anastasia All About Brows Kit , $75.

The price may seem steep, but this kit contains six brow grooming essentials: tweezers, brow powder duo, four brow stencils, double ended spoolie/angle brush, grooming gel and a highlighting pencil. There are three kits available to match most brows. This is a great gift for brow-shaping divas, or opt for the 'training wheels' Brow Express kit ($38), which omits the tweezers and spoolie brush and instead provides wax for shaping and a highlighter in powder form. The All About Brows kit is prominently featured at the Regency Square Sephora.



Amy George is an urban planner by day, a graduate student by night and a full-time devotee of all things beauty and perfume related. She keeps track of her latest beauty finds at modernatelier.blogspot.com.