How to buy skin care cheaply and without panic

When you approach the bouffanted ladies of the cosmetic counters of Nordy's, do you break out:
A. in a cold sweat
B. in hives
C. of the store window just to escape the Hades that normal people call "shopping"?

If you answered A, B or C or A,B AND C, or really any combination of any of those letters, this could be the article for you. All those shiny counters with their creamy creams and expensive packaging. For some of us, this is hog heaven and for others, a matrix of confusion which leads to self-loathing and ultimately, full-fledged panic attacks which send us running back to our pathetic skincare regimen at home--which are no-doubt tired, out-dated and probably useless.
Thank GOD you found me:

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• yourself, car,

1. 

   Sometimes drug stores can be even MORE confusing than the department stores--no testers, no consultants. Tricky. I recommend RiteAid above all others--they have an almost ridiculous return policy and accept used, opened product. If something really doesn't agree with you, they will take it back with a receipt.

2. 

   There are a few lines in drugstores which allow you to test and sample their product. Not that you have any EARTHLY idea about the efficacy of the cream, but at least you can smell and feel it and see if it agrees with you.

3. 

   Go for almost any product from Oil of Olay--they were just rated the most effective skincare line by Consumer Reports.

4. 

   Dove has a lovely line as well, although my favorite of their offerings seems to be a little hard to find. Deep moisture facial cream with spf is luxurious and cheap. It smells like a spa and costs around seven bucks! Additionally, even though it has an spf (normally I like to use one separately) the consistency isn't gritty or grimy, rather creamy and gorgeous.

5. 

   Obviously there is Sephora--kind of a cross between a drugstore and a department store. The price points are all high, apart from Clinique, and the sales help are usually just as hawk-like as Nordy's. As a professional makeup artist, I enjoy browsing the aisles of Sephora for a solid 6 hours at a time. You? Unless you're a beauty hound in disguise, it might be too daunting.

Tips & Warnings

• The Dove moisturizer is great for dry-skinned gals. If you tend to be oily, try it twice a week during the day or alternatively, as a night cream.
• Some of the ingredients in Olay's repair products are serious business--which is why they have such great efficacy! This means trying a little test patch on your inner arm for one night before trying on your face.