I keep meaning to do a regular weekly column on awesome drugstore buys, but I’m still thinking of a cute name. Any ideas? Until then, here are some of my current faves that I’m pretty sure you’ll love too for all intents and purposes (or at least, many of them):

Q-tips Precision Tips ($3.50)

This might seem like the strange thing to write about, but you know those things that you never knew you needed but now can’t live without? Right here. They’re not the normal rounded Q-tips, these are their pointy Precision Tips. Anyone who does any type of eye makeup – even if you limit it to just mascara or only eye liner – you need these. A regular Q-tip can’t get into tricky areas like the tear duct and creases like this one to clean up any stray mascara or shadow like these. Even smoking out your eyes (you know how you apply eye liner, then ‘smudge out’ with a cotton swab? Yes? No? Shall I do a tutorial on this?), is ten times easier with these babies.

John Frieda Style Revival ($9)

Love this spray because it protects my hair from blow drying but also gives it body and movement. It’s a styling spray with a flexible polymer technology (means it coats your hair to protect it but won’t leave it stiff and bee-hivey like so). It’s heat-activated and weightless so you won’t feel like you have a ton of product in your hair. What’s more, it uses Inca Ichi Oil that also helps penetrate damaged strands to help mend flyaways.

Dial Skin Therapy Himalayan Pink Salt & Water Lily Replenishing Body Wash ($5)

Note, I don’t even have a picture of the product in front of me to take since I went through it so fast. Whenever one of us at the apartment uses this, it leaves us (and the bathroom) smelling heavenly. Seems like the perfect transition into spring (which by the way, seems to be taking forever in making up its mind here). This new body wash has Himalayan salt, which contains 84 minerals & elements.

Since we’re on the topic of Dial anyway, their new 7 Day Moisturizing Lotions ($7) are ridiculous (meant in the most affectionate way possible). It contains shea butter and packed with a non-greasy formula.

I got the product being a tad skeptical — how can you even tell it’s working for seven days (assuming we shower/dry out our skin at least a few times in that time period). But after a couple weeks of use, my normally dry skin is smooth as ever, even in between showers. A huge feat to conquer — where was this last winter?!

Which new drugstore finds have you come across lately?

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Folks, it’s that time again where I tell you about another amazing spa find for your waxing needs: European Wax Center. At this point, I’m just amazed at how many different types of wax and methods you can come across in one city. Note, previous places I’ve raved about: Strip: Ministry of Waxing and Uni.K.Wax where I’m a regular. The purple gourmet hard wax though that you find here though is something else.

Their trademark Comfort Wax is imported from Paris (fwancy), made of 100% natural beeswax. And their method ensures a practically painless experience. First they cleanse the area, then use a pre-wax oil to ensure the wax stick to the hair – not skin. When they’re applying the wax, there’s absolutely no double-dipping…they’ll literally use a brand new sanitary wooden spatula every time they apply the wax on you. They finish up with a dose of their Ingrown Hair Serum to prevent bumps and breakouts.

The best part? There was no sting or even a trace of sticky wax afterwards. Oh, and more incentive to check it out: Women get a complimentary bikini line, underarm or eyebrow wax just for the first time. Men can get in on this too with a free eyebrow, ear or nose wax. Plus, they have 429 locations sprawled across the country, but if you happen to be in NYC and you happen to go to their salon in the UWS on Columbus Ave., ask for Meredith. She’s a dream.

Spa info:
European Wax Center
314 Columbus Ave
at 75th Street
New York, NY 10023
(212) 799-5999
Upper West Side

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I had a plan (never executed) to dye my hair a dark black onyx (that had a tinge of midnight blue). Once I grew out of my subliminal goth urges, I never quite re-visited this blue hair fantasy…well, until today.

I just found out about Sultra Beauty’s 100% 14″ Indian Remy clip-on hair extensions ($9, available at sephora.com). Let me highlight clip-on for the non-committal. Of course, I went straight for the Lapis Blue. For a bright shock of color, the extensions blend in beautifully, with just a slight peek of your chosen hue in between your own natural strands. Fair warning: it will also somehow make you wanna go to Ultra this weekend. Want something that blends even more? Check out their color hair mascara ($24) (comes in pink, red, blue, and violet).

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Anne Hathaway’s short crop was styled by Fekkai expert Adir Abergel, who has worked closely with Anne this awards season. He was inspired by the clean lines of her Prada gown and 1950s glamour. To re-create Anne’s chic look, check out Adir’s tips below:

THE LOOK: Simple, beautiful texture inspired by 1950s elegance
HOW TO:
1. Begin by applying Fekkai Coiff Bouffant Lifting & Texturizing Spray Gel from roots to ends to maximize volume in short hair
2. Blow dry hair using fingers to create additional lift and bring out hair’s natural texture
3. Once hair is completely dry create separation using a dime size amount of Fekkai Coiff Nonchalant Piecing & Forming Wax
4. Finish the look by tucking the sides behind your ears and using Fekkai Coiff Sheer Hold Hairspray for the perfect all night hold.

PRODUCTS DETAILS: Fekkai Coiff Bouffant Lifting & Texturizing Spray Gel ($25), Fekkai Coiff Nonchalant Piecing & Forming Wax ($25) and Fekkai Coiff Sheer Hold Hairspray ($39). All products available at Fekkai.com, ULTA.com, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and Saks Fifth Avenue.

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And this is why you should always use heat protectant people…wait for it…

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Actress Odette Annable (yes, the hot girl from Cloverfield, and more recently on House MD and Breaking In) always looks picture-perfect on the red carpet. Which is probably why she was plucked amongst all the Hollywood starlets to be Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy’s spokesperson. And that alsooo means I got to pick her brain on what her favorite Clear products are, her go-to everyday hairstyles, and even her favorite DIY tip from her Cuban mom .

Odette, who was in LA for the interview, was game for all my questions and the fun part is while I knew it was recorded, I didn’t know she was all dressed up on the other end for a video recording as well…JUST for you lovely BATF readers . Check it out!

Thanks to Odette for being a great interview! Check out Clear’s Facebook page for more info on their shine-inducing products!

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