We're The Budget Babes, a lifestyle blog that discusses affordable women's fashion and beauty! Our writers Christine, Keneece, and Liann will create a post each week so follow us for our tips and advice on staying stylish on a budget.
Tis’ the season for all things pumpkin and cozy. The leaves have transitioned into yellowish orange hues, the weather feels cool and crisp, and we are here for anything and everything oversized to fit the cozy vibes of Autumn. Fall fashion is one of the most dynamic seasons to express your style as the weather is the perfect temperature to mix warm and cool weather clothing together. Here is a list of Fall 2020 Fashion Trends that are affordable for our loyal Budget Babes.
1. Shacket
Elyse Os Ll Shackett $59 by Cotton On
2. Faux Leather
Faux Leather Overshirt $49 by Zara
3. Oversized Blazer
Jersey Jacket $34.99 by H&M
4. Patchwork details
MATCHMAKER / LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT DENIM was $98.00 ON SALE NOW ***$58.80 by Revice
5. Chocolate Brown is the new Neutral for Fall 2020
LIMITLESS CONTOUR COLLECTION HALTER NECK BODYSUIT $19.90 by Zara. This fiber is made from waste reclaimed from other productions of polyamide.
An Easy, Quick and Affordable Everyday Makeup Routine
Once you have the perfect outfit planned out paired with your favorite accessories, it’s time to apply makeup. However, makeup can be quite expensive & difficult to put on. But no need to worry, I have an easy & affordable everyday makeup routine you can follow. All the products in this is from the cosmetic line, Milani. Milani offers vegan & affordable makeup at local drugstores and online. To find out how I apply my makeup every day, keep reading.
After I wash my face, apply moisturizer and sunscreen, I apply a face primer. Face primer makes your foundation last longer. Milani’s Rose Lotion Primer helps reduce the appearance of fine lines, pores, flaws, and smells amazing. You can purchase this foundation for $9.99.
After I applied my primer, I use Milani’s Conceal + Perfect Longwear Concealer. I use the concealer under my eyes and to cover any blemishes I want to hide. You can get this concealer for $8.99.
Once my concealer is blended out, I use Milani’s Mineral Compact Makeup. I like to use powder foundation because it’s not messy to apply and doesn’t include additional steps like liquid foundation does. Milani’s mineral foundation is also good for the skin because the foundation includes anti-irritating ingredients and is suitable for all skin types. The foundation usually retails for $8.99 but is currently on sale for $6.29.
Now that I applied my foundation, I apply Milani’s Silky Matte Bronzing Powder on my checks and on my eye lids. This has to be one of my favorite products from Milani. This bronzer glides on smoothly and can be purchase for $9.99.
My face is now done and it’s time to move on to the eyes. I first start with applying eyeliner and I use Milani’s Stay Put Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil. I’m using an eyeliner pencil instead of a liquid eyeliner because it’s easier to use and you don’t have to wait for it to dry down. I use the color Hooked on Expresso which is like the color brown, to give a more natural and softer look. This eyeliner retails for $7.99.
Next, I apply Milani’s Lash Trifecta Mascara. This is my favorite mascara ever. The mascara wand works really well on my small eyes while giving my eye lashes length and volume. The price for this mascara is $8.99 but is on sale for $6.74.
So now it’s time to do my eyebrows and I do so by using Milani’s The Clear Brow. The Clear Brow is a gel that hold your brows in place. My brows are pretty full, so this gel works perfect for me. If you need to fill in your brows, I suggest using Milani’s Stay Put Brow Shaping Gel. The Stay Put Brow Shaping Gel comes in 5 colors and is price at $8.99 but is on sale for $6.29. The Clear Brow can be purchase for $8.99.
We are almost done, it’s time for the lips. I use Milani’s Understatement Lipliner in the color 180-Rich Cocoa. This lipliner is highly pigmented and glides on smoothly as well. You can buy this lipliner for $7.99.
Last but not least, I apply Milani’s Amore Matte Lip Créme in the color 39-Pretty. The lip color is a nude pink color that is perfect for every day and retails for $8.99 but is on sale for $6.74.
And that’s it! This everyday makeup routine is quick and easy to do and can be worn to school or at work. If you were to purchase all the items, it will cost you way under $100 and if you shop on milani.com, you get free shipping for orders over $25. I hope you enjoyed this post.
-XoXo Keneece
*all photos provide by https://www.milanicosmetics.com/
We all love shopping, but it should be understood that the fashion industry contributes to environmental concerns, such as water, air, and land pollution, deforestation, and even unethical standards of production. So here are just some sustainable fashion brands that are helping save the planet and still offer affordable yet stylish clothing. Of course we the Budget Babes do not shame where you shop, these are merely just suggestions, and there are vastly many more options to sustainable clothing brands out there, here we name just a few.
Reformation is a sustainable, affordable, and stylish women's clothing brand whose message has always been on the promotion of sustainability, and is even incorporated into their slogan “Being naked is the #1 most sustainable option. We’re #2.” Reformation prides themselves on putting sustainability and transparency at the center of everything they do. They go as far as to publish a quarterly sustainability report and what they call a Refscale, which tracks their environmental footprint by adding the gallons of water and pounds of carbon dioxide and waste the company generates. This report also measures how their products reduce environmental impacts versus other clothing bought in the United States. At Reformation, they also have their own environmental standards called Ref Standards, which takes into account everything about their production process such as water input, energy input, land use, eco-toxicity, greenhouse gas emissions, human toxicity, availability and price, and garment care implications.
(Images: thereformation.com)
Reformation sells a variety of women’s clothing, including dresses, intimates, jeans, jumpsuits, pants, shorts, outerwear, skirts, sweaters, swim, tops, bodysuits, lounge, and even wedding & party dresses. They also offer plus size clothing and petite sized. Their clothing ranges from as low as $38 to as high $330, but these are for their more formal dresses and more luxurious coats. Overall, they do offer a wide range of affordable clothing that is both fashionable and sustainable.
Girlfriend Collective is a sustainable, inclusive, and affordable women’s activewear brand. Being eco-friendly is at the top of their priorities, as is being transparent and giving their customers as much information as possible. Their packaging is 100% recycled, and their compressive leggings and bras are made of 9% recycled polyester and 21% spandex. They also make their leggings from 25 recycled post-consumer bottles and their bras are made from 11. Their tees and tanks are 100% cupro, a delicate fiber made from waste the cotton industry leaves behind. Their yarn is made in a zero-waste, zero-emission facility in Japan, then constructed at their SA8000-certified factory in Hanoi. They use eco-friendly dyes and make sure the dye water is cleaned before entering back into the water system. Girlfriend Collective works with SA8000 factory that provides its workers workout breaks, catered meals, safe conditions, fair wages, standard working hours, and the right to unionize. The activewear brand also has a recycling program where customers can send back their old Girlfriend items to be made into new pieces that can be worn again, the customer then receives a $15 credit towards their next purchase. This is an innovative program considering how much clothing ends up in landfills every year and how long they take to decompose.
(Images: girlfriend.com)
Girlfriend Collective offers activewear ranging from bras, tanks & tees, windbreakers, track jackets, sweatshirts, leggings, shorts skorts, unitards, maternity, joggers, and sweatpants. Their price range is from $68-$88 for their leggings, $38 to $48 for their sports bras, $28 to $34 for their tanks & tees, $48 to $58 for their shorts & skorts, $58 to $88 for their maternity collection, $78 to $88 for their unitards, and $68 to $78 for their sweatshirts, hoodies, joggers, and sweatpants. Their sizes range from XXS to 6XL, making them one of the most inclusive activewear brands that also take sustainability into account.
Sabo Skirt is an Australian label that offers feminine yet affordable and sustainable fashion. They place an emphasis on increasing their use of natural fabrics, and have successfully doubled their use of natural fibers, mainly cotton and linen. Over 70% of their designs are produced from a majority blend of cotton/linen/other natural fibers, and 40% of their design are being from 100% natural fiber. Their garment packaging is made form recyclable LDPE, they even offer a minimal packaging option for their online customers, and use 100% recyclable materials in their store bags. All their employees, including at their headquarters, stores, international factory workers, contractors, etc., are paid a minimum wage or above, work in safe working conditions, and with equal opportunity. Their factories are also regularly audited with certifications of compliance. They also have a strict no discrimination, no child labor, and no bonded labor throughout their factories.
(Images: saboskirt.com)
Sabo Skirt offers various chic women’s clothing, including dresses, playsuits, tops, bodysuits, sets, skirts, shorts, pants, basics, outerwear, and knitwear. Their prices range from $24 to $108, making them both affordable and sustainable.
Fashion is not just something we wear to present ourselves and look stylish, it can also be something that is ethical and made with the health of our planet in mind. So the next time you go shopping, maybe consider shopping at a sustainable brand if you can! I hope you enjoyed learning about some fashionable and sustainable clothing brands that will not break your budget, and don’t forget to read Keneece’s post coming soon!
Hailey Bieber Street Style Icon: Get the Look for Less
Here she is, ladies and gentleman. The queen of Street Chic herself, Hailey Bieber. International worldwide model, American TV host personality, and the partner in crime to husband, singer song writer, Justin Bieber. Hailey continues to be a top influence in the fashion industry with her model-off duty street style that is minimalistic, sporty, yet girly and sophisticated all simultaneously. Below we have one of Hailey’s recent looks that will be the perfect outfit to transition into the Fall fashion season. Us budget babes don’t have a million dollar budget or a millionaire husband as a matter of fact, so we found some fashion dupes that give us this complete look head to toe for significantly less $$ You’re welcome. Happy shopping Budget Babes! <3
Plaid Trench Coat from Bloomingdale's $111
Free People Seamless Crop top $20
BDG High-Waisted Mom Jean - Light Wash from Urban Outfitters $59
Chain Collar necklace was $39 **ON SALE NOW** at Nordstrom for $20.30
The ‘Eva’ Hoop by Viviana D’ Ontanon $18
Nike Classic Cortez was $70 **ON SALE NOW** for $55.97
One way I transform my basic outfit into an outfit that LOOKS like I spent a lot of money is by accessorizing. But not just any kind of accessorizing, I look for high-end dupes to add to my wardrobe. This week we are going to show you where you can buy luxury dupes so you can look fabulous without breaking the bank.
Chanel has to be one of my favorite luxury brands that I hope and pray I can afford one day. When I saw this Chanel Coco Splash Bag, I was drooling over how girly this bag is, but the price of the bag is not in my budget. The resale price on fashionphile.com currently starts at $2,850 for this (not your everyday) bag. However I was able to find a dupe on egoshoes.com for $44.99 (currently on sale for $22.99).
I’m a huge lover of the shape bags. Chanel with their circular bags, Saint Laurent with their triangular bags but my favorite is the Louis Vuitton squared box bags. The Louis Vuitton’s Bleecker Box Bag is certainly a conversation starter, currently retail value at $3,450. I was able to find a dupe of the same bag on aliexpress.com for $18.12
The Dior So Light 1 became a big hit once Kylie Jenner and Saweetie posted a picture on their Instagram page featuring these sunglasses. They are currently sold out at Dior but is being sold on numerous of resale sites starting at $300. I was able to find a dupe on sunglassesspot.com for only $5, yes $5 and they also come in a variety of colors.
Rihanna is definitely changing the fashion industry both in fashion and in beauty. Once I seen these antisocial sunglasses, I knew this was going to be an instant game changer. The Antisocial sunglasses retail value is at $460 but you can purchase the dupe on sunglassesspot.com for $7.95.
The Valentino Garavani Women’s Rockstud Bow Flip-Flops
The Valentino Garavani Flip-Flops are what we call in fashion a classic. Ever since these shoes came on the scene, I seen them everywhere. I mean the shoe can literally be worn with any outfit. If you don’t want to spend $425 for this classic piece, then go to misslola.com for the dupe version for an affordable price of $23.99.
We all love having name brand and designer apparel and accessories, but sometimes their prices don’t match with our budget. So what I like to do, as many of us do, is shop for sales. Shopping the sales section is a great way to add designer and name brand pieces to our wardrobe at an affordable price, now we can have our cake and eat it too! Also, with the pandemic changing our shopping habits, shopping online has become more convenient and another great way to explore the sales of our favorite brands, so let’s explore what sale items we can find at some of the most popular designer and name brand websites.
(shutterstock.com)
One of my favorite designers to shop at is Kate Spade, and you can never be disappointed with their collection of fun and feminine clothes and accessories.
This black Kate Spade nylon shoulder bag is on sale for only $69.30, but was originally $259. It is a perfectly simple and versatile accessory that can go with any everyday outfit and add a touch of chic to your wardrobe. It can hold all your essentials and is also an affordable dupe for Prada’s famous nylon bags that has recently regained popularity amongst younger and fashionable consumers. Kate Spade also offers black nylon backpacks in two sizes if you’re interested in more space and functionality.
Slingback pumps are one of this fall’s trending footwear, and these Kate Spade pointed toe slingbacks are a great way to stay in style this season and add a touch of color to your outfit. These pumps are crafted from a colorful tweed and have a cute bow accent on the side, and are on sale for $87.50, originally $178. They can be worn with a cute dress or even with some mom jeans and a nice blouse to add a feminine touch.
One of my favorite online retailers to shop at is Revolve, and they have a wide selection of trending women’s clothing and accessories. They carry a variety of designers and brands, but they generally have a high price point. But don’t let that discourage you, lets look their sales and see what we can find under $100.
These black Levi’s balloon leg denim jeans are priced at just under one hundred, selling for $98. I personally love the balloon leg style and have been searching for a pair in black. These would go great with some sneakers or heeled sandals and can be paired with a cropped cardigan or even a long-sleeve turtle neck bodysuit for this fall/winter.
These brown crocodile embossed faux leather ankle boots from Steve Madden, originally $130, are on sale for $78. This color is perfect for the fall season and you can never go wrong with ankle boots for the coming cold weather. They would look great with some black skinny jeans or leggings and will add a fun textural element to your outfit.
Nordstrom is known for selling designer and higher-end merchandise, but their sales section offers more reasonably priced brand names that anyone with a smaller budget can shop at!
This black and daisy-printed floral romper from Topshop, originally $68, is on sale for $45.56. The romper features ruffles around the neckline, has subtle puff sleeves, and a waist-defining tie. This romantic and feminine romper is great for a date-night or for a night out with your friends that can be dressed up or worn more causally.
This dusty blue fleece coat from Free People is on sale for $99.99, although originally $168. The longline coat is ideal to keep warm this coming winter and features roomy pockets and front snap closures so you can wear it open to reveal your stylish outfit underneath, or wear it closed so that the coat stands out on its own. This fleece coat also comes in camel so you can buy the color that best suits you, or buy them both.
This floral print midi sundress from Reformation is effortlessly elegant and classy. It is on sale for $76.80, significantly lower than its original price of $128. This dress features a low back with ties and is perfect for a special occasion, guaranteed to make you look beautiful and chic.
Although Macy’s is not typically a shopping destination for young women looking for trending and in-style apparel or accessories, you’d be surprised what you could find, especially at an affordable price.
This tan Steve Madden soft crossbody pouch is currently on sale for $36.75, a slight drop from its original price of $49. It comes with a spaghetti strap so it can be worn on the shoulder or even used as a clutch. This is also an affordable dupe for the Bottega Venetta leather pouch that has currently been trending. This bag comes in three other different colors, mint, blue, and coral, on Macy’s website, and is perfect to be worn as an understated accessory that goes with a causal outfit or as a chic pouch that can be dressed up.
This cream straw picnic crossbody bag from INC International Concepts is on sale for $47.70, but was originally $79.50. This stylish and oh so lovely bag adds interest to any outfit and is unique, sure to make any outfit stand out. I love that this bag has a beautifully detailed handle and removable straps so you can also wear it as a handbag. This bag screams summer to me but of course can also be worn any season and with almost any outfit.
I hope you enjoyed reading about the possibilities of what you can find in the sales sections of some designer and name brand retailers. Now you can add a few of these pieces to your wardrobe or look for yourself and see what you find! Sales are a great way to have designer and brand name items without paying the designer price. Thanks for reading and hope you look forward to Keneece’s post next week.
Consignment Queen: Post Covid-19 Era Reigns Over Long Beach
“CORONA VIRUS!?” -Cardi B
The year 2020 has been a year we all will never forget as we watched our world become a very different place over the course of 6 months. Instead of writing about the tragedies and misfortunes that came from the virus (because we get plenty of negative news broadcasted on social media) I’m here to say “OKURRRRR” to the negative and HELLO to the positive light at the end of the tunnel! Because unique, ethical, and recycled fashion is on the rise baby and the budget babes are here for it.
LET'S 👏 TALK 👏RECYCLED 👏 FASHION 👏
Being a broke *classy* *hardworking* college student on a budget is hard when you want to stay up to date with the latest and greatest in fashion. It was unfortunate that Spring/Summer ‘20 fashion was cancelled due to shelter in place orders, and the best trend we saw come out of lockdown was... Tie-Dye. (Tie-Dye everything. Tie-Dye till I die. Period.) But listen, there’s good news and there’s.. even better news. What if I told you that there was a way you could recycle your old clothing, get fresh new styles to add to your wardrobe, AND get cash back for your old clothes? YES. I said MONEY HONEY. The secret? It’s in Consignment stores. If you haven’t hopped on bandwagon of thrifting or shopping vintage then stop whatever you’re doing and google your little heart out in search for one in your area ASAP. This life hack is not only better for your wallet but also the environment. **We love a sustainable moment! 🌎👏
Consignment stores are resale clothing businesses that buy, sell, and trade with customers. They buy used clothing direct from your closet and give you cash or store credit on the spot. Why buy recycled fashion? It is is a no brainer that the fashion industry is one of the biggest contributors to pollution to our planet and we can thank large, unethical, fast fashion companies for that. Anytime you choose to buy second hand clothing, it takes a positive step towards a more sustainable future because you are not contributing to more waste. Americans roughly send about 10.5 million tons of clothing to landfills each year. Fun fact, that’s 30 times heavier than the Empire State Building. Now that I have your attention, lets think about what happens when you and the rest of the world’s population disposes of clothes that end up in landfills, what happens next? Not thinking of the “bigger picture” we assume that the clothes will just “disappear” and poof the problem is gone 🧚♀️In reality, the problem arises the second those clothes arrive at the landfill. Once the garments begin their decomposing process it releases methane, the most harmful greenhouse gas known to mankind that causes Global Warming. Synthetic fabrics like polyester and lycra can take hundreds of years to biodegrade. For example, those cute $8 biker shorts from SHEIN? Those will end up in a landfill somewhere and take 20-200 years to decompose. Yikes. I hope everyone reading this understands the extremity of how wasteful the fashion industry is and how right now as individuals we can make more mindful decisions when it comes to our clothing selection. I promise if you are patient and trusting, shopping recycled fashion from thrift, vintage, and consignment stores will be worth your while.
Now what we’ve all been waiting for. The big reveal of my all time favorite consignment store in Long Beach! Drum roll please! 🥁.....
The hidden gem is called “Tattered” and is located just 6 minutes away from CSULB campus. During quarantine, I purged my entire closet of everything that doesn’t add value or bring happiness into my life anymore in order to minimize the amount of “stuff” I have. Recently I brought in my gently used clothing items to sell to Tattered and I was pleasantly surprised with the amount of clothes they actually accepted and gave me money for. I ended up being offered $207 cash or $250 store credit and the budget babe in me was absolutely thrilled. I took the cash offer and I donated the rest of the clothes they did not take to “Out of the Closet” donation center right on the PCH in Long Beach. I truly feel that it is a complete WIN for anyone out there looking to express themselves in a UNIQUE and ETHICAL way wearing trendy brand name clothes for less that no one else will be wearing + putting extra cash in the bank is always the smart way to go for any budget minded babe.
We are living in different times now where it is imperative that we look at the bigger picture. For us, our loved ones, and to our future generations. Let’s be mindful consumers and we will navigate this New World post Covid-19 together. And you know what? We are going to be looking damn cute while we are at it too! ♥️
Since we have to follow stay at home orders because of COVID-19, I’ve been wearing less makeup and been obsessing over skin care. Skin care can be really expensive, but I found a solution to healthy glowing skin. My daily skin care routine consists of products that are affordable, vegan and can be purchase at Target. I’m going to show you what products I use and how I apply these products to my face.
I first start by wetting my face with lukewarm water and then I take Urban Skin Rx 3-in-1 Clear Skin Cleansing Bar ($15.99) and a sponge and I wash my face for 60 seconds (sponges are included with the purchase of the face wash).
After, I rinse my face off with cold water and pat dry. Next, I take the Heritage Store Rosewater Facial Toner ($11.79) and a reusable cotton round (can be purchase from Amazon or Etsy) and I tone my face.
Next, I use Urban Skin Rx Vitamin C + E Glowing Moisturizer ($22.99). I only use one but no more than two pumps of the moisturizer, a little goes a long way.
Lastly, I make sure to use sunscreen even though I’m not going outside. I use the Black Girl Sunscreen Broad Spectrum with a SPF of 30 and I use about a dime size amount of the sunscreen.
My skin left feeling healthy, looking radiant, and cost me only $90.
I hope you enjoy this post and were able to take some tips for my skin care routine that you can apply to yours.
Affordable Fall/Winter ‘20 Fashion Trends & Where to Buy Them
Fall is only a few days away, so here are some fashion trends to look out for and where you can buy them at affordable prices. Now you can stay warm and chic this fall without breaking the bank!
(image: www.marieclaire.com.au)
1. Leather is one of the most prominent fall trends being featured this season. Faux leather is a staple for the fall/winter season and have been emphasized in coats, tops, pants, dresses, and skirts. These leather separates can be paired together or be used separately in other outfits, and they usually come in cooler tones, especially brown, tan, black, dark red, and burgundy.
This faux leather oversized blazer from Zara is perfect for the fall/winter season, and is priced at just $69.90. This blazer can be paired with denim jeans or trousers and a warm knit top.
This faux leather sleeveless top, priced at $35.90, and faux leather straight leg pant, priced at $49.90 can be worn together as a set or as separates. These burgundy leather pieces from Zara will help update your wardrobe this season and stay in style.
2. Sweater vests are a rising fall/winter trend that are typically layered over long-sleeve buttoned up shirts or even t-shirts. They come in solid colors or can feature fun prints such as houndstooth, argyle, and plaid.
This black and white houndstooth sweater vest is available at Boohoo for $28. This affordable layered knit is a must-have this fall/winter that can add interest to your outfit and is a fun alternative to a basic sweater.
3. The Baguette Bag
This beloved shoulder bag is making a comeback this fall after being popularized in the ‘90s and ‘00s. The baguette bag sits just below the armpit and comes in a variety of colors, but mostly pastels or neutrals like black, brown, and white. They are often times made of faux leather and can be embossed with a snake, crocodile, or lizard print. They do come in a variety of fabrics but faux leather is the most popular.
This lavender crocodile embossed vegan leather baguette bag from JW Pei is priced at $41. This bag is a perfect addition to your fall accessories and adds textural interest to any outfit. This exact bag comes in a variety of colors on the stores website and can be used for a minimal pop of color.
This black vegan leather baguette bag is priced at $44 and can be purchased on the Verge Girl website. It can be your staple accessory this fall/winter and can be worn with almost any outfit, day or night.
4. Thigh-high boots are a staple for fall/winter, and are forecasted to be bigger than ever this season. These boots often rest on the thigh or just above the knee, both of which come in various colors and fabrications. They also can be made to be skin-tight or fit loosely so that they slouch, and can either have a heel, which come in a variety of shapes and lengths, or have a flat sole.
These black faux leather thigh high boots have a block heel and fit looser on the leg. They are on sale for $55 and are ideal for these cold weather seasons. These boots will give your fall/winter outfits a chic and polished look, and could be worn over pants and stockings or paired with a warm skirt or dress.
These white faux leather boots are embossed with a crocodile print and are priced at $69 on PrettyLittleThing. They are a great way to make a statement this fall/winter and add a textural and color interest to any outfit.
With the seasons transitioning, now is a great time to get started on shopping for fall/winter. These trending items will allow you to stay in style this season all while staying within your budget. Follow us for more affordable fashion and beauty advice and stay tuned for next week’s post written by Keneece!
