STYLE : LOOKS : Swap ‘Til You Drop : Vanity Fair

Bows, bangles and brushes--even a beauty queen can shop at a swap meet. With numerous dealers selling everything from custom hair bows to Mary Kay cosmetics, some booths are virtual open-air beauty-supply stores. Shampoos and conditioners cost about what you would pay at a discount outlet. Better bargains include brushes, barrettes and ponytail holders--fancy pearl clips are popular--all of which usually start at 25 cents and go to about $4. You can also find stalls loaded nail polish, blusher and cologne.

At swap meets specializing in collectibles, look for antique perfume bottles. Those from the ‘20s and ‘30s bearing the original labels from well-known French perfumeries are highly prized because the bottles were made by Lalique and Baccarat (the discreetly etched or raised name of the designer should be on the bottom). Bottles marked “R. Lalique” (the R stands for Rene) are older than those simply labeled “Lalique.” Art Deco bottles are the most valuable, and flasks from the ‘40s and ‘50s are sought-after for their fan-shaped stoppers. Expect to pay as little as $2 or as much as $250.