College Times

Media Credit: Ryan Ruiz

Who knew everything you need for a fabulous summer can be found at your local drugstore? If you’re on a budget, like most students are, don’t worry, you don’t have to go broke at the department store. Your local drugstore actually has all you need – they carry high quality items for only a fraction of the price. Here are my favorite drugstore finds.

Also, click here for this week's Valley Fashionistas, featuring the hottest trends that'll carry you through this hotter summer.

5-hour Energy
Description: Vitamin enhanced 2-ounce drink.
What it’s for: To give you mental and physical energy for five hours.
Tastes like: Sour candy.
Best part about it: It works better for me than coffee and soda and is healthier since it contains no sugar and only a little caffeine. Also it just subtly wears off. There is no crash.
Worst thing about it: I work an eight hour day, so eight hour energy would be better!
Does it work?: Yes, I love it, and if I’m really tired they also make an extra strength version.
Worth the money?: Yes they’re usually $2.50 to $3.50 each, for five hours of more natural energy it’s a much better deal than a $3 coffee drink at Starbucks.
Where you can buy it: Drugstores and convenience stores nationwide.

Jergens Natural Glow Daily Mosturizer
Description: Moisturizer that contains self tanner.
What it’s for: An everyday lotion that is also a self-tanner to give you an all over sun-kissed look.
Smells like: Self-tanner.
Feels like: Regular body lotion, nice, not too heavy.
Best part about it: It gives you a great base tan, and is subtle so you don’t have to worry about streaks on your body.
Worst thing about it: I guess the smell. It doesn’t bother me, but it wouldn’t hurt if it smelled good! 
Does it work?: Yes, I love it. It’s simple and works great.
Worth the money?: Yes it’s $6.99, and for a good daily lotion and self tanner in one, it’s a great deal.
Where you can buy it: Drugstores nationwide.

Neutrogena Color Boosting Sun Block with SPF 30
Description: Sun block that also contains a self tanner.
What it’s for: To get you a great tan while protecting your skin from the sun.
Smells like: Regular sunblock.
Feels like: Regular sunblock.
Best part about it: Just because you’re wearing sunblock doesn’t mean you have to stay pale. I think it’s a fabulous invention.
Worst thing about it: Nothing, you just have to remember to use it.
Does it work?: Yes, it protected my skin from getting burned and also left me with a great tan.
Worth the money?: Yes, at $8.99 it’s a great deal for a fantastic sunblock, self tanner and moisturizer all in one.
Where you can buy it: Drugstores nationwide.

Color Quick Fast Dry Nail Color Pen by Sally Hansen
Description: Nail Polish that’s in a pen instead of a bottle. You just pump the polish into the brush (like some lip glosses) and paint it on your nails.
What it’s for: Quickly and easily painting your nails.
Feels like: Normal nail polish.
Best part about it: I think it’s a genius idea. It’s so easy and fast. You can carry it in your purse for touch-ups.
Worst thing about it: You know how sometimes you need to wipe the nail polish brush on the bottle to get rid of excess polish? Well there is nothing to wipe the polish off on these, although it dispenses the polish so easily that you probably won’t need to wipe any off anyway.
Does it work?: Yes, very well, I did my nails at my desk in five minutes!
Worth the money?: At $7.95, definitely.
Where you can buy it: Drugstores nationwide.

Neutrogena Healthy Defense Daily Moisturizer SPF 45
Description: Daily face lotion.            
What it’s for: To moisturize while protecting your face from harmful UV rays in the sun.
Smells like: Nothing.
Feels like: Great, really light, which I love especially in the summer.
Best part about it: It feels really good on my skin and has a high enough SPF level to protect my face from the strong Arizona sun.
Worst thing about it: It’s untinted. I would prefer it contained some self tanner as well.
Does it work?: Yes.
Worth the money?: It’s $12.99, which I think is a good deal for an effective moisturizer and sunblock in one.
Where you can buy it: Drugstores nationwide.

Mineral Power Liquid Foundation SPF 18
Description: Foundation with “the benefits of natural minerals.”
What it’s for: All over face foundation to even out skin, cover blemishes and protect your face from harmful UV rays in the sun.
Smells like: Regular foundation.
Feels like: Regular foundation.
Best part about it: It works as well as the department store foundation I used to use and is half the price.
Worst thing about it: It doesn’t come with an applicator.  
Does it work?: Yes, it’s great for all over, but also gives great coverage when used as a concealer.
Worth the money?: Yes, it’s $9.99, which is a great deal for a good foundation.
Where you can buy it: Drugstores nationwide.

Johnson’s Melt Away Stress Body Lotion
Description: Moisturizing body lotion.
What it’s for: To moisturize while using aromatherapy to de-stress you.
Smells like: Lavender.
Feels like: Good thick lotion.
Best part about it: It’s a good moisturizer. The fact that it smells good and relaxing is an added bonus.
Worst thing about it: It can feel kind of greasy if you use too much, although if you use a normal amount, it’s just fine.
Does it work?: I think so; I used it before bed and I felt really comfortable and relaxed as I dozed off smelling it.
Worth the money?: Yes, $5.99 is a great deal for this product.
Where you can buy it: Drugstores nationwide.

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