DEAR SHOPPING: In this economy, I am looking to save where I can. I use Clinique's All About Eyes and Repairwear moisturizer. I would love to find something similar in quality for less money. Can you help?
– Donna, Fair Oaks
DEAR DONNA: You can trim your skin-care budget considerably just by switching to mass-market brands, such as Neutrogena, Dove, L'Oréal and (one of my favorites) Olay. The Definity and Regenerist lines are comparable to Clinique. However, you can spend more than $20 on some of the products.
A lot of beauty experts say you really don't need a separate cream for eyes, that your regular moisturizer is enough. But I like Garnier's Nutritioniste Skin Renew Anti-Puff Eye Roller ($12.99). Stick it in the fridge and roll it on when your eyes feel puffy or look tired.
If you really want to keep your regimen economical – and maintain your skin's pH balance – you can't go wrong with Cetaphil products, including the Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 ($11.99).
DEAR SHOPPING: I have been using Burt's Bees Wings of Love concealer in the medium shade. It is no longer available. Can you recommend a similar product?
– Bobbie, Sacramento
DEAR BOBBIE: Check out Maybelline's Mineral Power Natural Perfecting Concealer in either Sand or Beige, both medium shades, for $7.99.
Also send questions to Shopping for Answers, P.O. Box 15779, Sacramento, CA 95852.
What You Should Know About Comments on Sacbee.com
Sacbee.com is happy to provide a forum for reader interaction, discussion, feedback and reaction to our stories. However, we reserve the right to delete inappropriate comments or ban users who can't play nice. (See our full terms of service here.)
Here are some rules of the road:
• Keep your comments civil. Don't insult one another or the subjects of our articles. If you think a comment violates our guidelines click the "report abuse" button to notify the moderators. Responding to the comment will only encourage bad behavior.
• Don't use profanities, vulgarities or hate speech. This is a general interest news site. Sometimes, there are children present. Don't say anything in a way you wouldn't want your own child to hear.
• Do not attack other users; focus your comments on issues, not individuals.
• Stay on topic. Only post comments relevant to the article at hand. If you want to discuss an issue with a specific user, click on his profile name and send him a direct message.
• Do not copy and paste outside material into the comment box.
• Don't repeat the same comment over and over. We heard you the first time.
• Do not use the commenting system for advertising. That's spam and it isn't allowed.
• Don't use all capital letters. That's akin to yelling and not appreciated by the audience.
You should also know that The Sacramento Bee does not screen comments before they are posted. You are more likely to see inappropriate comments before our staff does, so we ask that you click the "report abuse" button to submit those comments for moderator review. You also may notify us via email at feedback@sacbee.com. Note the headline on which the comment is made and tell us the profile name of the user who made the comment. Remember, comment moderation is subjective. You may find some material objectionable that we won't and vice versa.
If you submit a comment, the user name of your account will appear along with it. Users cannot remove their own comments once they have submitted them, but you may ask our staff to retract one of your comments by sending an email to feedback@sacbee.com. Again, make sure you note the headline on which the comment is made and tell us your profile name.
About Comments
Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "report abuse" button below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.