Congratulations to the winners of the Purpose giveaway!

The winners are: Scatchandmax, April, Keri, Ashley, Dao, Samantha, Katie, Lindsay, Emily, and Laura.

You’ll each receive Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash and Purpose Dual Treatment Moisture Lotion with SPF 15.  Enjoy, and more giveaways to come soon!

Giveaway alert!  10 Jolie readers will win two of my all-time favorite drugstore skincare products: Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash and Purpose Dual Treatment Moisture Lotion with SPF 15.  Why do I (and endless dermatologists) recommend them so much?  They’re gentle enough that even rosacea-prone or supersensitive skin won’t become irritated, but still provide excellent benefits: the wash removes dirt, oil and makeup, and the lotion won’t clog pores while hydrating.  Love!

The giveaway is open to all American residents. Enter by commenting below with the best beauty advice you’ve ever received.  We’ll pick a winner Friday January 22nd.  Enjoy and good luck!

 One of the most frequent questions I get is: “What should I splurge on and how can I save?”

I think only with hair do you really get what you pay for.  Splurge on a gorgeous cut and artful highlights and your hair will be easier to style, will grow out more evenly and you’ll be more likely to love what you see in the mirror every morning.Is this a hard and fast rule?  No.  You can get nice color from a box–although from-a-box highlights truly are dicey–and you can get a good cut from Susie Q at the local salon.  The more complex the style and intricate the color, however, the more you’ll benefit from a pro.  If you have the same color God blessed you with, rarely blowdry your hair because it airdries perfectly!, and haven’t the foggiest why everybody moans about frizz and damage, then Supercuts and Feria away!  For the rest of us–you know, us split-ended, monthly root-touch-up requiring, coarse-stranded, thick-haired gals with cowlicks?–you’d better believe we’ll see results from a great stylist.  (”Great” means, say, $100 - $200…not $1000.  We are not Billionaires here, people.)

Now.  As for pretty much everything else …with the exception of powders (more on that below)…more expensive does not equal better!  Cleanser, face moisturizer/serum, nail polish, intensive conditioner…you can find genuinely amazing buys for all at the drugstore!  Below, my all-time favorites (all of which are currently carving out real-estate in my bathroom).

Moisturizer/Serum/Sunscreen: Neutrogena Ultra-Sheer Dry Touch SPF 55, Olay Regenerist, Purpose Dual Treatment Moisture Lotion SPF 15 

Cleanser: Check out Cetaphil, Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash, Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash

 Nail polish: OPI will do just fine, thanks!

Intensive Conditioner: VO5 Hot Oil, Infusium Leave-In Treatment, Aussie Three Minute Miracle

 Mascara: Cover Girl Lash Blast, Max Factor Lash Perfection, Maybelline Great Lash (if that’s your thing)

The only thing besides hair I will voluntarily splurge on until the day I die is Bare Escentuals Bare Minerals foundation, because those drugstore imitations just do not compete.  Why?  More expensive powders are more finely milled; your NARS blush will produce less streaks than the Rite-Aid version; it’s not your imagination–those MAC eyeshadows really are more pigmented than the corner knock-off.So, shop at the drugstore and remain confident that–as long as you’re picking the right products–you can still equip yourself with the best…all while saving money for those expensive highlights!  Or for rent.  Toss up.