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2015 Holiday Gift Guide – Under 15

March 21, 2026November 25, 2015 by Beauty Skeptic

I’ve thrown out some things here-and-there that could make decent gifts, but I haven’t set out to make a whole guide. But because I’m a skeptic, I have to look past the enticing glittery packaging.

Maybe you’re looking for gifts for your friends or family. Maybe it’s a gift exchange with a coworker you don’t know so well. If you need to stuff a stocking, too, there’s a lot of good ideas in the 2015 Holiday Gift Guide – Under $15.

Also, before we get into the list – if you’re in the United States, don’t go shopping tomorrow. It’s a dick move. Tomorrow is a day for a lot of things, and shopping isn’t one of them. Happy Thanksgiving!

wetbrush

The Wet Brush, $9

I’ve sung the praises of this brush, and even gave one away. If your recipient that has hair that requires brushing, this is a win.

Turbie Twist, $12.50, pack of 2

Keeping to the theme of haircare, this is something I think many people (at this point) might not buy for themselves (because of the understandable As Seen on TV stigma). That said, it is an inexpensive, practical beauty tool that I’m really satisfied with. If you wanted to make this part of a larger gift solution, maybe pair it with a leave-in treatment and a facial masque.

More after the jump…

Worth it? Freeman Avocado and Oatmeal Clay Mask

March 21, 2026November 18, 2015 by Beauty Skeptic

I’ve used Queen Helene Mint Julep mask on-and-off for over ten years – every time I would change, I’d find myself going back to it. It was reliable, refreshing, and whipped my skin into shape. Aztec Healing Clay is no doubt effective (and I still have a ton!), but it is a labor to remove, and it isn’t convenient to mix or apply – but it’s also pretty intense. It doesn’t really irritate my skin, but it isn’t something I’d do right before going out.

Freeman Avocado and Oatmeal Clay Mask

I’ve been wanting a gentler approach. I still want clay masks, but I’m longing for the long-discontinued one (got2b Pure Intent kaolin clay mask). I found this Freeman Avocado and Oatmeal Clay Mask at Ulta and gave it a shot. You might have noticed that it wound up in my October 2015 Favorites post last week.

October 2015 Favorites

March 21, 2026November 4, 2015 by Beauty Skeptic

The sky might be falling. I tried a Pumpkin Spice Latte. There are two people in the world who could get me to do such a thing: 1) my husband (but he wouldn’t; unlike me, he is not a coffee drinker, and like me, he doesn’t get the PSL-mania) 2) my best friend, who came to visit – this was her doing. I don’t know that I’d order it again, but it wasn’t as weird as I expected it to be. It certainly isn’t a favorite, but I felt compelled to share.

October 2015 Favorites
1. Alpha Hydrox 10% AHA Moisturizing Lotion, $10 / 2. Freeman Clay, Avocado, & Oatmeal Mask, $6
3. EcoTools Eye Enhancing Duo Set, $5 / 4. Naked Juice Smoothies, varies

Anyway, it’s the first week of November, which means two things: the end of 2015 is nigh, and that it’s time to share my October 2015 Favorites. You can check out my favorites this time last year here.

Ulta Artistry Eye Shadow Kit

March 21, 2026October 26, 2015 by Beauty Skeptic

While shopping for a recent Ulta.com haul, I came across one of their gifting sets, the Ulta Artistry Eye Shadow Kit.

Like the Sephora brush set I recently wrote about, doesn’t it look familiar?

Trying Something New: Kirkland Daily Facial Towelettes

March 21, 2026October 14, 2015 by Beauty Skeptic

Recently, my husband and I got a Costco membership. Generally speaking, toiletries don’t tend to be the best values there (but I’m fine with buying things there for the convenience). It’s also fairly common knowledge that the in-house Kirkland Signature brand is pretty good quality, and items under that brand are often manufactured by major labels. Although I’m satisfied with the makeup removing wipes I’ve been using, I decided to try Costco’s Kirkland Daily Facial Towelettes. So I decided to drop $11.99 for a box of 150.

Kirkland Daily Facial Towelettes, $11.99, Costco

The 150 are broken down into six smaller packages as follows:

Four 30-count plastic pouches with flip-top lids
Two 15-count plastic pouches with resealable sticker lids

When you consider that I’ve been playing roughly $5 (though I do usually have a coupon) for 25 of the Simple branded wipes, and $4-5 for thirty of the Ponds ones, 2-3x as much for 5-6x the product is a great value; a no brainer if they work and don’t break me out.

The caveat, of course, of bulk buying is that it’s a pretty big commitment. I tend to use one wipe per day I wear makeup (which is not every day); if I wear it 5 out of 7 days in a week, it will take me upwards thirty weeks to get through these. Even if I don’t love them, as long as they don’t break me out I will use them up so I’m not wasting product.

I haven’t broken into them yet, but plan to this week. After I’ve had some time to assess their quality and performance, I’ll report back with a review.

Do you have any experience with Kirkland Daily Facial Towelettes or other Kirkland Signature beauty products?

September 2015 Favorites

March 21, 2026October 7, 2015 by Beauty Skeptic

September 2015 Favorites
1. Turbie Twist, $12.50 for 2 / 2. China Glaze Gelaze Recycle, $11
3. Ponds Luminous Finish BB+ Cream, $11 / 4. L’Oreal Infalliable Shadow in Amber Rush, $6

My September 2015 Favorites are all inexpensive drugstore products! Aside from one being discontinued (jerks – but you can still find it on Amazon), they’re all accessible!