Once again, there are just some things that you cannot afford to replace with cheaper products, namely skincare items like special serums and treatments. But, whenever it is possible to replace everyday items with cheaper, high quality products,  I try to keep a running list in my mind so I can stock up. 

Here are five (out of probably dozens) that are under $7 that I cannot live without. In no particular order:

1. Elf Cosmetics: Flat Top Face Brush ($3)

This versatile brush is super soft and well-made. Similar brushes from more high-end lines can cost up to $50. I have a large collection of brushes, but I reach for this one everyday to apply my liquid foundation. I also have a second one to buff on my powder. If you are looking for a brush that saves you product, this brush applies liquid foundation evenly, without wasting any product.

I wash my brushes at least once a week and wipe them down with makeup remover wipes every couple days. I’ve had these brushes for 4 months and have experienced no fall out. 

2. Maybelline Unstoppable Eyeliner in Onyx ($5-$7)

Every (Asian) girl needs black eyeliner. I use MAC Fluidline in “Black Track” for my top lid, but to line the bottom water line or for quick makeup application, this eyeliner is really great. It glides on smoothly without crumbling or pulling. In order to make it extra smudge proof, I set it with a black, matte eyeshadow (below).

3. L’Oreal Studio Secrets Professional Eye Shadow Single, Lush Raven ($5-$6)

I’ve gone back and forth about whether I should invest in a more high-end black eyeshadow since I use it everyday of my life. However, I have yet to run out of my everyday staple. This eyeshadow is smooth and highly pigmented. I use it to set black eyeliner to prevent it from making me into a raccoon. I use an eyeshadow brush to apply it. I recommend that all girls who wear black eyeliner set it with a powder like this. 

4. L’Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara, Carbon Black ($5-$6)

I have tried many, many, many mascaras - high end, low end - you name it, I’ve probably tried it. While there are some great mascaras out there that you can pay up to $30 per tube, this is a great option for those of us who use mascara everyday, and want to save those more expensive ones for special occasions. I typically pick this up from Target for $5. I get the “carbon black” color because it is highly pigmented. I love how this builds with minimal clumping. 

5. EOS Lip Balm in Summer Fruit ($3)

Cute, tastes good, and makes your lips feel cushiony and soft. This $3 wonder comes in a cute, round package and is extremely easy to apply. I love how I don’t have to use my finger to apply it. Did I mention it tastes great? I love carrying it around and when I use it, people always mention how cute it is, so it doubles as a conversation starter…

Here’s the sitch…

You have a group of 5-8 fabulous friends and you really hate having to herd everyone from bar to bar. You don’t want to stay in one place or visit places that are so similar that you feel like you’ve stayed in one place. Here is your solution. 

Start at: Cole’s French Dip 

Where: 118 E. 6th Street, Downtown, LA 90014

Parking: Lot on 6th and Main for $5-$10, depending on the night or street parking

Dinner Price Range: $10-$15

Happy Hour: 3-7pm everyday; Tuesday - all day/night!

For a quick, early get together, you can arrive around 6:00pm for happy hour dinner and call it a night. If you want to start later – around 8:00 or 9:00pm and make a night out of it, keep reading…

Who doesn’t love a great french dip sandwich? It may not be vegetarian friendly, but vegetarian’s should seriously reconsider the direction of their lives. But, have no fear - they have an excellent grilled cheese and tomato soup option. 

Now…time to go out…

Next: The Association
Where: 110 E. 6th Street, Downtown, LA 90014

Parking: No need to move the car!

Drink Price Range: $10-$15

Cover: I would never do that to you.

Less than a few feet from Cole’s, it’s The Association. There is no sign for this place. Just a black door, with a lion’s head door knocker, and probably a bouncer. If you get there early enough – say between 9:30-10:30pm, there will be no line. Waltz right in and you will see a swanky, upscale feeling lounge, sans stupid, unnecessary door drama. There is plenty of seating, the bartenders are very social, and the drinks are fabulous. They have a DJ, and while they might not play Top 40, they do play soul, funk, and of course, Michael Jackson. It’s a great place to chill, sit with your friends, and enjoy conversation.

If you have a larger group, it’s easy and free to get a table. Email mccray@theassociation-la.com. I did this for a birthday two years ago, and it was a blast.

If you feel the need to hop to another place, there are lots of options in walking distance:

The Down and Out (501 S. Spring St. Los Angeles, CA 90013)

For people who like bang for their buck. Cheap dive bar and delivers results.

The Crocker Club (453 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90013)

If you want to dance, hop on over to the Crocker Club – but be sure to get there before 10:00pm to avoid covers and upscale dress is required. 

No cover + Delicious drinks + Fun music + Good looking, non-college, diverse crowd = a fun night in Los Angeles.

Ever so often, I find myself going out to some place in Los Angeles and completely hating my experience. Actually, I found this place a few years ago after a failed attempt to get into Crown Bar back when it was the place to see and be seen - unfortunately, I’m not a blonde, wafer-thin, unnaturally orange tanned, stick-figure and sometimes, this can prevent you from getting into places. 

Well, that’s too bad for Crown Bar because when I become a fan of something, I tell all my friends and host lots of socials. And that’s exactly what I did. 

So, drumroll please….the most dependable place for a fun night out in Los Angeles is…

BAR LUBITSCH

If you need a place to go with your friends or if you just need a fun night out, this is the place to go. I’ve celebrated birthdays, hosted large socials, and had random nights out at Bar Lubitsch and I have never left disappointed. No cover, no fuss.

Where: 7702 Santa Monica Boulevard  West Hollywood, CA 90046-6208

Parking: Street or lot on the corner for $7

Average Drink Price: $10-$12 for House Specialty Drinks 

Good for Groups: YES! (very easy to reserve a table and it’s FREE! Call the bar and leave a message. They are great at getting back to you (323) 654-1234)

Tips: Arrive before 10:30pm to avoid lines.

Recommendations: Try the “Lubitsch Touch”, “Cucumber Gimlet”, and the “Moscow Mule”. ($12 each)

Just a few of my picks from Pre-Fall 2012. (Source: www.style.com)

I love products. While there are certain products you simply cannot skimp on (i.e. skincare), sometimes you find amazing beauty steals. Here are a few that I recently purchased from E.L.F. (eyes.lips.face: http://www.eyeslipsface.com/). I’ve tried and own LOTS of products, so if I find good, cost-saving substitutes for some of my favorite high-end products, I’ll try to post them.

About E.L.F.

A cosmetics line where most makeup and tools are $1 or $3…how is that even possible? ELF is carried in limited stock at most Target stores. Originally, they started with $1 bargain items and have since expanding their selections to include a wider range of more advanced cosmetics products. The $1 line is called “essentials” and feature basic items for eyes, lips and face. The $3 “studio” line have a great range of products that mimic new trends in makeup and GREAT brushes (will review very soon). The “mineral” line features some mineral powder-based products similar to some major mineral makeup lines like “Bare Escentuals”.

Products I Love:

e.l.f. matte lip color: “nearly nude” ($3) I love this. It’s a perfect nude/flesh tone and is truly “matte” - no cream or shimmer sheen whatsoever - not even a butter sheen. This is perfect for people who want to achieve a perfect, matte pout. The application is easy with a twist up, “chubby” pencil style applicator.

PROs: thick, matte, good color and pigment

CONs: thick (some people may find it almost a concealer consistency)

KIND OF LIKE: Nars Lip Lacquer- “Chelsea Girls” ($24 at Sephora) - in terms of color, but without the sheen

How To and Tips:

• Be sure to keep your lips moisturized and exfoliated when you use a matte lip color, otherwise you will be able to see all the little dead skin particles on your lips.
• If it’s too matte for your liking, put a balm over it to achieve a soft nude color.

e.l.f. Studio Conditioning Lip Blam SPF 15 ($3) I bought this after watching Hollyannaeree’s e.l.f. haul review on youtube. (Haul = review of a collection of products from the same line/store). She is one of Youtube’s most popular beauty gurus. I love these little balms. They definitely moisturize and have the perfect flush of color. I purchased “Mellow Melon” and “Nice and Natural”. Perfect to wear alone or under lipsticks or glosses - and they have SPF.

 

PROs: subtle color, good pigment, smooth consistency, moisturizing

CONs: bulky packaging; limited color selection

KIND OF LIKE: MAC Tinted Lip Balm SPF 15 ($15 at MAC)

How To and Tips:

• Use this balm under a lip gloss for extra moisture
• Buy two and keep one in your makeup bag and another in your purse - they’re only$3!

e.l.f. glossy gloss in “ballet slippers” ($3) Glosses can be too sticky or too oily. This product is great because it’s neither. The The color is a universally flattering peachy nude color that has a soft sheen. It is not shimmery or frosty, which I hate. It stays on and is extremely smooth. If you lay it over the “matte lip color” in Nearly Nude, it looks almost exactly like my all time favorite lip color, NARS Lip Lacquer in “Chelsea Girls”, which is $24 at Sephora.

PROs: good consistency, pigment, smooth.

CONs: none

KIND OF LIKE: MAC Tinted Lipglass, but a little less sticky ($14.50 at MAC)

How To and Tips:

• Use over “Matte Lip Color” in Nearly Nude for a really great nude lip look
• Use over Conditioning Lip Balm for extra moisture

Hairroin Salon