In 2010, you don't have to be doomed to snatching up cheapies at the dollar store. Some of the most fancy skincare, fragrance and makeup brands offer Lilliputian versions of their most popular (and normally way pricey!) products.
They're totally worth the minimal cash output. Plus, they make precious little stocking stuffers, or spectacular splurges to help you focus on two of your top New Years resolutions -- saving cash, and looking fab!
Swanky Products, Now Affordable
MD Skincare 10 day Alpha Beta Peel, $28
The brand's star product makes skin look even-toned and glowy, and at this price, it's quite the deal. Exfoliating glycolic, malic, lactic and salicylic acids help clean out pores and smooth out fine lines, and genistein extracts from soy help boost collagen production. It's like a ten-day detox for your skin, thankfully without that whole no-eating thing.
Caudalie Beauty Elixir, $18
This refreshing spray is packed with some of the skincare world's favorite plant-based natural goodies. Of course it's got the brand's ubiquitous grape extracts to add radiance to the skin, plus astringent mint oil, and hydrating rosemary oil and orange flower water. Bring this teensy bottle everywhere and spritz on anytime-it won't mess up your makeup.
Kinerase Favorites (Sephora exclusive), $25
Okay, this is a serious steal. For the price of your weekly Starbucks habit, you get to try out Kinerase's best loved products-including a peptide treatment, eye cream and moisturizer-that actually make skin look smoother and younger.
Tocca Crema da Mano, $8
Because it's impossible to have too many tubes of hand cream, you need to check out this super-hydrating mixture of the most effective dryness busters out there (think coconut, avocado and jojoba seed oils, aloe and shea butter). Did we mention its blood orange scent is completely delish?
Bobbi Brown Mini Shimmer Brick, $45
This one's going to make a little more of a dent in your budget, but it's so insanely gorgeous that it's worth it. Even the compact, a sleek silver thing that really clicks shut so you won't worry about it breaking inside your bag, looks like a million bucks. But it's what's inside that counts: stripes of the prettiest and most wearable shades that can be used on cheeks, eyes or décolletage.
Lancome Juicy Tubes Gloss Set, $39.50
Really now, who doesn't love Juicy Tubes? And who wouldn't want this set of eight shiny but not sticky glosses? No one, that's who. There are some party-ish gold tones, plus everyday colors like rose and pink, so they won't languish in the "I never use these" section of your makeup collection.
Dior Best in Show Mini Mascara Duo (Sephora exclusive), $18
You'd be hard-pressed to find a makeup aficionado (of professional or amateur status) who doesn't swoon over DiorShow mascara. With good reason; the giant brush makes lashes look like falsies, but in the best way. This set has the original version and the super-duper kohl-enhanced Black Out, for less than twenty dollars, which is nothing short of amazing.
Philip B Botanicals Travel Kit, $30
Known for its use of botanicals and essential oils in outrageously high concentrations, this brand is all about luxury. Here's a way to get in on the deal at a completely reasonable price, and enjoy some seriously shiny and healthy hair as a result. The kit contains a variety of yummy shampoos and conditioners, one of which even comes in a paraben free formula, if you're into that kind of thing.
Bumble & Bumble Hair Powder, $19
You're either a hair powder lover or someone who just hasn't tried it yet. Cult followers love that it de-greases strands, pumps up volume and makes a blowout last longer. Sign up for all that goodness with this smaller version (in various shades to match every hair color) that you can bring everywhere.
Miss Jessie's Curly Pudding, $7
Curly hair is a tricky thing; it can be a swirly mass of shiny ringlets, or a giant ball of dried-out frizz. Curly Pudding makes kinks, curls and waves look smooth and under control, so you'll never wish you could swap with your straight-haired friend again.
