Each of these items run less than $10. They’re all used and loved by yours truly, and I will definitely be making repurchases when they run out. I can’t recommend these enough!
Palladio Rice Paper, $4
I’ve used blotting paper in the past — all the popular ones like the Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets, Shiseido Pureness Oil-Control Blotting Paper, and Boscia Blotting Linens — and I can’t for the life of me figure out why I’ve never tried these before.
Not only is the Palladio Rice Paper less than half the price of the ones mentioned above, they hold up better (i.e., less likely to tear) and REALLY ABSORB THE GREASE!!! Without disturbing my makeup!
These blotting papers are double-sided, with only one side having a dusting of powder, so that you have the choice of only mattifying, or mattify with a teeny bit of coverage. That being said, I personally can’t notice any difference when I use the powdered side (it comes in three shades: Translucent, Natural, and Warm Beige, and I use Natural).
Another plus is that these papers are HUGE. Most users say that they tear or cut the paper in half (as I also do), so a pack of 40 sheets are bound to last a while.
The easiest way to get these would be to stop by your local Sally Beauty Supply store. I’m actually planning on buying them in bulk when I run out of my latest pack — Amazon sells 6 for $20.95!
Milk of Magnesia, $3-$4
Did you know that milk of magnesia can be used as a beauty product?
That’s right — those suffering from oily skin and/or acne has been using the stomach aide as a skin product for decades, and for the past couple of months I have been using it as a makeup primer. 🙂
Just check out this article on Makeup and Beauty Blog. Or read the glowing reviews on MakeupAlley.
This $3 bottle, purchased from my local grocery store, has become one of my favorite beauty products. After cleansing and moisturizing, I shake the bottle, and use a cotton swab to apply a thin layer over my t-zone. The stuff dries pretty quickly and you can immediately tell that your skin has become softer, matter, and smoother. (If there is any white residue, you can go over it with your fingers and it easily blends right in.)
And that’s it! My makeup lasts just as well as any high-end primers I have tried in the past…and it controls oil better than my former primer of choice, the Hourglass Veil Mineral.
Even if it doesn’t work as well for you as a makeup primer, you can still keep it in the medicine cabinet for stomach ailments. 🙂 Just be sure to get the original formula, not flavored kinds like cherry or mint.
Connoisseurs Diamond Dazzle Stik, $8.50
I read about this portable jewelry cleaner in an issue of InStyle a few months ago, and it really lives up to the hype!
I don’t own or wear much jewelry, but being a neat freak, it bugs me to see others wearing dirty gems — especially diamond rings, because 90% of the time a good cleaning will make it look soooo much better.
The Connoisseurs Diamond Dazzle Stik amazes me every time I use it. Seriously…I never thought my engagement ring and wedding band could ever be this sparkly. I thought I had a pretty good method for cleaning my rings too (dishwashing soap with a tiny brush), but the Dazzle Stik blows this out of the water!
And because the brush is small and stiff, you can get to every nook and cranny of your jewelry. I plan on gifting this to every newly-engaged friend!
I like books, gadgets, spicy food, and art. I dislike shopping, hot weather, and the laws of entropy. Although I am a self-proclaimed computer nerd, I still have a love for handbags and makeup... and I am always teetering on high heels. To learn more about me, visit the 
Love this post. Will definitely be trying all of the above. Glad to see you back and blogging!
who knew about milk of magnesia? definitely going to try this when my face gets a breakout.
A co-worker just got engaged and I wanted to do something small for her (we’re not super close, but we’re friendly and talk a lot about “girl stuff”), and wouldn’t you know that the first thing she did after telling me was show me her ring and say, “I really want to try to keep it clean. I hope I can manage to do that; I’m not very good about it.” So I got her the Diamond Dazzle Stik as a little engagement gift! Thanks so much for the suggestion!
As an aside, I got it off Amazon and then walked right past them at Target. So if anybody’s curious, they’re not hard to find locally–right there in the jewelry section.