My Big Secret: Big Lots

I hope I don't lose any readers after this post. You all know I shop at outlets. I'll dig through bins of accessories at NBC. I've even tried on clothes at Goodwill. But you might be surprised to know that I shop at Big Lots.

"Oh Holly, that's OK" you might be thinking. "You can get stocking stuffers for your nieces and nephews there." The thing is, I'm not buying crappy kid trinkets when I go to Big Lots. I'm buying for myself. And I'm buying MAKE-UP. Gasp.

I love make-up. I don't think of myself as wearing a whole lot of make-up and if I'm not going to be seeing anyone I know, I often don't wear it at all. (So if you see me darting in and out of Mooyah or Starbucks and I act like I didn't notice you, you'll know why.) But that doesn't mean I couldn't spend hours in Sephora trying all kinds of products on the back of my hand until it looks like I have a serious skin condition. (I know you can try the products on your face, but who does that?! Gross.)

Let me explain myself. First of all, not all Big Lots are created equal. I've been to some that are clean, bright, and well organized with loads of name brand items months to years away from their expiration dates. I've also been to a Big Lots that was dark and dirty and most of the stock was on the floor. Find a clean one and get to the make-up aisle.

Realistic expectations are crucial. It's not going to look like this.

It's going to look like you're at a dinky Walmart or Walgreens, but that's OK with me because the prices are even lower.

My last trip to Big Lots wasn't planned. I wanted to go to Tuesday Morning to look through their Christmas leftovers, but they were closed. I hate that. I never think to check before I head over there. Big Lots was nearby so I thought I'd make a quick run through to see if there was anything I couldn't live without. There was. Good thing I stopped in.

I got some new lip gloss for $2.00. This stuff is my favorite.

It's nice and shiny with a fair amount of color and it doesn't taste or smell weird. Very important. I have it in several shades. It used to sell for $8.00 at Ulta although I haven't checked recently since I have my new supplier.

I think these special value trios were my best deal of the day. So I got two.

An eyeshadow trio, eyeliner and mascara for $3.00!

I got a new lip gloss to try.

But I don't like it.

It has a funky flavor/taste and it's not a sponge applicator like I was expecting. It's like a nail polish brush which makes for an unwieldy, on-the-go application. Sorry, Ideal Lip Gloss. Back to Big Lots you go. (Note: If you make a Big Lots return, be prepared to deal with some attitude from the sales associate. I don't know why they care if you return something or not, but inevitably they'll act like the transaction is the most challenging and draining activity they've faced in a long time. And they'll make sure you know it's because of you.) Moving on.

I was excited to find this shade of nail polish amidst a sea of bubble gum pink and pale peach lacquers.

I like Revlon nail polish even better than Essie and for $2.00 it's a steal.

My total for all of this:

Only $12.00!

Now, don't go to Big Lots with your list in hand of all your favorite drugstore make-up items expecting to find them for less than a latte. Who knows what they'll have? And it will change week to week. Go with an open mind and a $10 bill and you'll be able to create a new face tomorrow morning!

Faux American Manicure

Last night at dinner, Abbey looked at my hand and asked if I'd had my nails done. When I shook my head "no" and started to explain, she half rolled her eyes and in a lovingly accusatory tone said "Don't tell me you did that." (Don't worry. She can use this tone with me. I used it with her just a couple weeks ago when I received an adorable poem as part of her son's birthday invitation and I had to challenge her with "Oh my gosh. Did you write that yourself?" It's OK. We're close like that.) Well, I guess I did do my nails myself, but it's not anything special.



I use Sally Hansen SALON Nail Lacquer in #270 Sweet Creams. The picture above is with two coats of polish. One coat is just too sheer for my taste.


I bought my last bottle at Ulta, but now I'm not seeing it on their website. I seem to remember that it was $5.79, but when I went back to buy a bottle for my mom it was on sale for $2.89. I sure hope they haven't discontinued it. My all time favorite Sally Hansen nail polish was a color called The Look Sheer that my sister-in-law told me about. It was discontinued years ago. I can't even find it by Googling it. That's when you know it's really gone. Tear.

What's great about these creamy, light shades is that they give you a manicured look, but if you don't get around to giving yourself (or having) a manicure each week, this color hides a few chips here and there. It even works as a quick pedicure. Never ever EVER leave your home with exposed, bare toenails.


Brush on a quick coat of Sweet Creams or a similar shade and you're good to go. If you get a smudge in your haste it won't even show. (By the way, this is NOT my foot).

If you want your polish to last I highly recommend NailTek Intensive Therapy II.


It keeps your nails super shiny and strong. It's $10.95 at Ulta, but you can always print off a $3.50 coupon on their website making it $7.45. I think this NailTek brand is a cheaper version of Nailtiques. I was using Nailtiques Formula 2 until a helpful sales associate at Drug Emporium (R.I.P, Texas Drug Emporium) recommended NailTek. It's almost half the price and works just as well. I've found that if you use NailTek Intensive Therapy II without color it will start to peel off once you build up several coats, but for some reason, if you use it with nail polish it doesn't do that.

You're supposed to use it as a base coat, followed by two coats of color and then use it again as a top coat. The bottle says you should add a top coat every day. You can do that if you have the time (and choose to spend it that way), but you certainly don't have to. I skip the base coat if I'm using a light color like Sweet Creams that won't stain my nails and just use it as a top coat. I might do another coat a few days later if I think of it at the beginning of an hour-long show.

Let me know if you can find #270 Sweet Creams or if there's another color that works just as well for you.

Just for fun I'm going to pose a survey question at the end of most posts. Well, I think it's fun to see your answers.

Today's question is: What do you do with your nails? Au naturale, do them yourself or have them done?