Shopping Tips Online

I ordered this mineral make-up set from Ulta a few weeks ago. I know I posted about it here, so I wanted to report back with a review. Let me just say that I LOVE this stuff! I know there’s a lot of hype over mineral make-up these days. I haven’t tried Bare Minerals, but I did try Philosophy’s version a year or so ago. I was NOT at all impressed.

Ulta’s kit is a different story! I love the way it goes on. The brush that comes with it is fantastic, too! If you want to try mineral make-up, this is definitely an affordable way to go.

Ulta, Mineral Make-Up, Bare Minerals

I am a cashmere addict. I love the baby-soft feel and the lightweight warmth. I will never forget buying my very first cashmere sweater, one I still own to this day. I parted with some cash for that sweater because I had to – years ago, the low-cost retailers had not jumped on the cashmere bandwagon. Now, you can find cashmere just about everywhere you go, including Wal-Mart.

But, are they the same? In a word, no. Experts say you can judge cashmere by its softness. A very soft yarn is a sign of high quality. If it feels coarse or fuzzy, it is a lesser quality cashmere. Ply can be an indication, but not always. Cashmere sweaters are either one- or two-ply. A two-ply yarn creates a sturdier knit, but it still may not be high quality. A manufacturer may add a ply, but if the cashmere itself is of a lesser quality, then the sweater will be, too. Low quality cashmere sweaters will pill, and will not retain their shape over time.

Here are two, similar cashmere sweaters, both cable knit V-necks, both in a range of colors. The first is from Wal-Mart. Their George brand sweater sells for $34.88 online.

The second is J.Crew with a retail price of $148. Ultra-premium cashmere sweaters can go for as much as $600, so for some people, this is still considered a “low price.” But for most of us, $150 is not pocket change.

There is definitely a difference in the quality of these sweaters. The J.Crew sweater, at over 4 times the price, is a higher quality garment, an investment piece you would be proud of for years and years. The George sweater is not an investment piece. It feels soft, but not as soft. It’s a “disposable” cashmere sweater.

So, here’s my advice. If you are shopping for your significant other, go for the quality. She or he is worth it, right? If you just want to have a cute sweater, maybe in a color you wouldn’t normally buy, go for the less expensive sweater and just have fun with it. Throw it on over a tee shirt with jeans and top it with a cute hoodie. Or wear it with pajama bottoms to lounge around the house in. You’d never do that with a $150 sweater, right?

In this battle between low and high price, it’s your call.

Cashmere, J.Crew, Wal-Mart, Sweaters, Gifts, Christmas

By the time you’re my age, you’ve tried just about every kind of makeup ever invented. Creams, liquids, powders, liquids that turn into powder, powders that are creamy and just about every other variable there is. I am still willing to try something new, so when the mineral makeups became the rage, I finally broke down and gave it a try. I do love the way the powdery stuff gives enough coverage, but don’t settle into my (eek!!) wrinkles like a normal powder does.

Bare Escentualsâ„¢ retails for $25 at Ulta.

Ulta’s mineral makeup is regularly $14.99, on sale now for $9.99.

In this high price vs. low price challenge, I tried both. I started with the “big name” brand, believing it’d be best. I liked everything about this makeup. But, when it came time to part with another $25, I was lured by the lower price. There were fewer colors offered in Ulta’s mineral makeup line, but I found one that was very close to the Bare Minerals I had been using. I notice no real difference in application, coverage or appearance. It works for me. (While it’s on sale, I may have to snag another one!)

Low price wins again! If you have tried either or both, I’d love to hear how they worked for you!

Mineral Makeup, Ulta, Makeup, Minerals, Bare Escentuals

Some things are worth the money. A good leather bag, a nice pair of boots, and diamonds – if you skimp on these, it shows. But on some things, like these layering tees, I don’t think the increase in price is worth it.
First look at the J.Crew® tee for $22.50. It is 100% cotton, and comes in plenty of colors.

Then, check out the tee from JCPenney®. It’s also 100% cotton and comes in several colors. It’s $9.99.

I personally went for the JCPenney tee. I have worn it under a short sleeve graphic tee with jeans, and under a sweater as a base layer. It is close fitting, so it doesn’t add bulk, and there is a nice sleeve detail I appreciate.

The J.Crew tee is most certainly made of a finer gauge cotton, and may last longer. But, I don’t look at any piece like this as any kind of “investment” item. It’s a tee. And with the $12.50 I saved I can buy another $9.99 tee and have enough left over for a nice brevé.

Look for more low price vs. high price ideas. The low price doesn’t always win! But in the case of these tees, it did!

Tee, T-Shirt, JCrew, JCPenney, Cotton Tees, Shopping