OK, peeps. I know we are all aware that those final summer camp payments are coming up. RLS has your back in the form of our favorite frugal finds. We’ve got a little beauty, a little home, and of course more than a little fashion for you. Having a bad week? Go ahead, treat yourself.
Happy Shopping!
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The Ordinary
Need an update to your beauty routine but don’t want to spend too much? Look no further than The Ordinary, a brand that aims to disrupt the beauty and skincare industry with low cost, high quality, truly effective single ingredient products. I’m on my second bottle of their Vitamin C product below, which I use each morning. Despite its mystifying name of Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate Solution 20% in Vitamin F, the brightness in my skin has been very clear! I’m also a huge proponent of using Retinol each night before bed, and the price for the quality of their Retinol can’t be matched. Need a new foundation? I was so impressed with The Ordinary Coverage Foundation and Lightweight Serum Foundation, I bought bottles for Kyle and my sister. Funny enough, we are all the same color, 1.2YG. Kyle’s fave products from The Ordinary are the Retinol and the Natural Moisturizer Factors + HA.
The Ordinary Coverage Foundation, $6.90
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The Ordinary Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate Solution 20% in Vitamin F, $17.80
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The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion, $9.80
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The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA, $7.70
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Brandless
Brandless was meant to be a home entry, but I’m contaminating it with some beauty because I LOVE their Grapefruit Facial Cleanser. I’ve always loved anything with the scent of grapefruit, like the Grapefruit Shampoo (R.I.P) The Body Shop used to carry, so I added it into my cart when placing my first order. Not only does the cleanser smell fabulous, it really works without stripping your skin. I’ve written many times about how I sometimes feel all I get accomplished each night is the dishes…except when I don’t, and they wait till the morning. 🙂 The Lilac scent of Brandless’ dish washing detergent really makes the whole experience so much more pleasant. Their Extra Virgin Olive Oil Spray also makes cooking so much more pleasant. I used to cringe every time I used vegetable oil spray, only because of it’s ease of use. Now I don’t have to sacrifice convenience to go with the healthier option of olive oil.
Brandless Grapefruit Facial Cleanser, $3
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Elf
The perfect contouring/blush/bronzer palette for $4. Did I mention it is the size of a credit card so fabulous for travel or your purse? Need I tell you more before you buy your own? You can thank me later.
Elf Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder, $4
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Uniqlo
Oh how you must be sick of our talking about Uniqlo. But we have good news! A Uniqlo store will be opening up in North Bethesda, MD, meaning that the full DMV area will be covered: downtown DC, Tyson’s Corner in VA, and Maryland. And there is fashion news! Our favorite drapey tee now comes in olive. Want to laugh at me? I was so excited about the Marimekko line last time Kyle and I were at Uniqlo that I totally forgot to pick up the olive tee our client Hilary had told me about. The good thing about shopping for a living is that there is always a next time! Wear your tee with your jersey cropped culottes, as I love to do. Even better than the drapey tee is a Marimekko tee. This is the outfit (a different pattern than below) I wore last weekend when we entertained at our house. Now everyone knows my whole outfit cost $30. I am so in love with my new dress too! Which one of you will spot me in it first? Don’t you think Kyle would look so awesome in that bathing suit? And it’s $20!!!!
Uniqlo Drape Crewneck T-Shirt, $14.90
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Uniqlo Jersey Flare Pants, $19.90
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Uniqlo Marimekko Graphic Sleeveless Dress, $39.90
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Uniqlo Marimekko Short-Sleeve Graphic T-Shirt, $14.90
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Uniqlo Princesse Tam.Tam Halter One-Piece, $29.90
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Birkenstock
Our love of EVA Birkenstocks has been well documented but allow us to tell you more. Kyle and I (and all of our friends, family and clients) have the Madrid style in black, because it was the only game in town for awhile. Now you can also find the Arizona and Gizeh styles in the EVA material. There are also fabulous new colors such as the super chic copper color below. Need a white sandal that isn’t precious because they rarely last more than a season? You just found it! They are light, comfortable and waterproof. Win, win, win! At the splash-park, commuting to work, hanging out in the backyard, or at the office if you are a fashion stylist, there are many ways to wear your EVA Birkenstocks. Let us know which ones you get!
Birkenstock Arizona in Eva Foam, $39.95
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Birkenstock Gizeh in Eva Foam, $39.95
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Birkenstock Madrid in Eva Foam, $29.95
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Lord & Taylor
So this tee does come in more sophisticated prints but I have kids, so I started with the Banana tee. I am the mother of a real life Minion after all (he is wearing his Minion sweatshirt as I write this!). Kyle started with the Ice Cream Cone tee. She has no excuse since she doesn’t have kids 🙂 We have both added to our collection since! Actually, is it too embarrassing to tell you that I now own all of the tee shirts pictured below? Shh….Don’t tell Mr. Real Life Style on me! The shape of this Lord & Taylor tee is super flattering and the fabric is light and sophisticated for a cotton tee. So much more interesting than a plain cotton tee for summer activities, right? You’re welcome.
Lord & Taylor Banana Print Scoopneck Tee, $14.95
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Lord & Taylor Ice-Cream Print Scoopneck Tee, $14.95
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Lord & Taylor Sunflower Print Scoopneck Tee, $14.95
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Lord & Taylor Scoopneck Tee, $14.95
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So, which of these cheap treats are you going to treat yourself with? Let us know on our Facebook page!
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Lani Inlander is a personal stylist who has been working with clients who want to feel their best and look put-together every day for 20 years. You can find her in the Washington, D.C. and New York metropolitan areas. Are you looking for professional training to become a personal stylist? Learn how you can train with Lani at The Stylist Studio.
You can find Lani Inlander and Real Life Style on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.
