Top 10 Beauty Products Under $10.

You know I'm a big fan of drugstore beauty products. I haven't always felt that way. I used to like just a few things here and there, but over the last five years or so the mass beauty brands have really improved on the quality across the board. I use quite a few drugstore (or mass) beauty products in my daily beauty routine and I definitely have my favorites. Trying to find my favorites under $10 was a bit challenging, though, as many of the drugstore products I use are over the $10 mark (I guess with quality comes price). I did narrow it down and have picked my top 10 beauty products under $10.

1. COVERGIRL Clump Crusher Mascara - $7.99
Picking just one mascara was hard, so I actually didn't - HA! No matter how many different mascaras I use and layer on, I am almost always using Clump Crusher as one of them. See my complete review here: Clump Crusher Mascara Review. (Boy my lashes were wimpy there and I've been using lash growth conditioners since and really need to do another review with updated photos.) Buy it from your favorite drugstore like Walgreens, CVS, drugstore.com or mass retailer like Target.

2. AVEENO Daily Moisturizing Sheer Hydration Lotion - $6.99
I love this lotion for everyday when my skin isn't super dry. It sinks into my skin really quick and leaves it velvety soft. I am SO picky about my lotion and so glad that I found one that I really love. And I love that it's easy on the wallet too. Buy it from Target, Walgreens, drugstore.com, amazon.com.

3. Simple Micellar Make-Up Remover Wipes - $6.99
I've used a lot of makeup removing wipes and these are my latest fave. One wipe completely removes every trace of makeup really fast. It does it with a blend of vitamin charged micellar water so skin is left feeling really fresh with no residue. Buy it from Target or Amazon.

4. e.l.f. Smudge Brush - $1.00
I use this Smudge Brush every single day but not in the way that it was meant. I use the e.l.f. Smudge Brush to apply my shadow as an eyeliner on my lower lash line and then gently smudge it out to soften it a bit. It is stiff enough yet soft enough to get the job done. I buy five at a time and they last me most of the year. Buy it from Target, CVS or Walgreens.

5. NYC Sun 'n' Bronze Bronzing Powder - $4.99
This bronzing compact makes a fast face easy. It contains five strips of varied shades of bronze that blend together for a really pretty custom shade. I use Hamptons Radiance that is more like a bronzer/blush/highlighter all-in-one. Buy it from Target, CVS or Amazon.

6. L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Mascara - $5.99
For really dramatic lashes, I use Voluminous and I have depended on this drugstore mascara for years. It simply makes my lashes really long and thick. No matter how many variations that brand makes of it, I still think the original is the very best. Buy it from Target, Walgreens or drugstore.com.

7. Suave Luxe Style Infusion Volumizing Weightless Blow Dry Spray - $4.99
I use this volumizing spray every time I wash my hair right before blow-drying. I swear it adds a ton of volume to my hair and makes styling easier overall. It also makes my style hold and last longer. It's one of my regular styling products that I swear I came out of the salon. Buy it from Target or CVS.

8. TRESemmé Perfectly (Un)Done Ultra-Brushable Hairspray - $4.99
I love this hairspray and actually threw away my almost $20 can after I tried it and never looked back! This hairspray holds my hair in place without looking stiff yet it brushes out and lets me re-style my hair in between washing. Buy it from Target, Walgreens or drugstore.com.

9. Nivea Lip Butter - $3.79
I use this nourishing lip butter most nights before I go to bed to keeps my lips super soft and nourished. My favorite flavor is Vanilla & Macadamia Kiss. Buy it from Walgreens, Target, drugstore.com or Amazon.com.

10. Dove Dry Shampoo - $4.99
I go through a lot of Dry Shampoo and always keep this one on hand. It adds a lot of volume to my hair, gets rid of second and third hair day smell plus adds a ton of volume to my hair. Buy it from Walgreens, CVS or drugstore.com.

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How I Jump-Start My Day with Elizabeth Arden SUPERSTART.

Do you have a daily routine? My days are always different, except for my mornings — those need to stay somewhat the same in order for me to stay on track. When I am on track, I have a better outlook and a better day overall. I like to be the first one up in my busy home so I can get a jump-start on my day while there is still some peace and quiet to be had.

My early morning usually starts with a quick walk. I'm not looking for a ton of exercise first thing in the morning; it's more about getting outside for some fresh air and getting my heart pumping. I usually take this time to go over my plans for the day in my head, so when I get back home I am ready to take it on. As soon as I am home, I usually turn on the early morning news, make a cup of tea and take a look at my planner to see if I forgot anything important for the day. Once I feel that I am awake (yes, it takes time), I start waking up the rest of the house and get myself presentable for the day.

My shower time is usually short as there are lunches to be made and kids to get off to school, so this is where a smart daily routine is essential. Keeping a beauty routine to a minimum with effective products is key.

I will not sacrifice when it comes to skin care though. One product that I have added to my daily routine that has been super beneficial is Elizabeth Arden SUPERSTART Skin Renewal Booster. Not only has this skin renewal booster helped to jump-start my day, but SUPERSTART boosts the results of my entire beauty regimen.

SUPERSTART Skin Renewal Booster actually helps to boost the skin's ability to repair and renew by working with the rest of my skincare products. By optimizing skin’s surface layer, it ensures the skin is more responsive to all of the products in my regimen. It boosts natural defenses and makes products work harder so that my skincare delivers stronger results. Simply put, SUPERSTART boosts the effectiveness of other skincare products.

I use SUPERSTART every morning and apply it before my serum and moisturizer. It feels super smooth as it glides on over my skin. It feels almost like a primer as it sinks in, which it does immediately. My skin feels instantly smoother as soon as it is applied. I can honestly say that my face feels moisturized longer than when I don't use it so I know it is working.

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Elizabeth Arden through their partnership with POPSUGAR. While I was compensated by POPSUGAR to write a post about SUPERSTART Skin Renewal Booster, all opinions are my own.

Fix Damaged Skin Fast with Murad.

I've been talking a lot about skincare lately and that's with good reason — I've been spending a lot of time on my skin. I've been trying so many new products and of course I have to share. I am constantly trying to correct years of damage while I try to prevent further aging at the same time. It's a constant struggle. You know I always turn to Murad when I look for effective skincare and I've discovered a trio of products that are really helping me to fix my damaged skin fast.

All of these Murad beauties come from the brands Environmental Shield line-up. You'll notice them by their orange colored labels. All of these products were made specifically to correct environmental damage (most notably sun damage/age spots) and protect skin from further damage. A lot of the products in this line are heavy in Vitamin C, which I've talked about lately (here and here). They really are aimed at working together and the trio that I have been using, coupled with a few of my own products have been really working for me.

To lift away sun damage, I have been using Murad Intensive-C Radiance Peel once a week. This intensely brightening Vitamin C and Glycolic Acid peel really improves the texture of my skin as restores radiance and a more even skin tone in just ten minutes. It tingles just a little bit, but it is completely tolerable. In fact, I look forward to it because it is how that I know the peel is working.

To Fade spots fast, I use Murad Rapid Age Spot & Pigment Lightening Serum. I use this non-prescription Hydroquinone dark spot treatment every night before bed to rapidly fade my sun and age spots. It had totally evened out my forehead area of unevenness in just about a month and it is fading a large spot that I have on my cheek. I apply one pump and spread it out evenly all over my face.

To continue the brightening of my skin, I use Murad Essential-C Night Moisture. This deeply hydrating, overnight repair cream infuses skin with Vitamin C to restore radiance, firmness and elasticity. I love the way this feels on my skin. It offers just the right amount of hydration for my skin.

This trio of products work in tandem together, but you still need to use your own products to supplement and get them to work their best. It's important to exfoliate your skin once or twice a week with a product like this one or this one that I love to use. It's also important to use a moisturizing treatment mask. I've got a lot of my favorites in a previous post here: Top Masks. Finally, because you you are doing a lot of peeling which essentially thins the skin, it is very important to protect the skin with a broad-spectrum sunscreen everyday like this, this or this one from the Murad Environmental Shield line that I really like too.

Buy Murad products from murad.com, Sephora or ULTA Beauty.