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Beauty Tips for Women on a Budget
Ten simple beauty tips to save you money on a tight budget.
Includes simple recipes and tricks to make products last longer.
by Melissa Martinez - © 2002 Pagewise
Everybody wants to look their best, especially when they step out of the house. They see the magazine covers of glamorous stars and try to mimic the look. But looking great from head-to-toe like your favorite celebrity is out of your budget realm, right? Wrong! If you follow these ten simple, budget-friendly beauty tips, you will always look your best, and nobody will be able to tell that you did it on a shoestring budget!
1. Bleach your own teeth- There is now an abundance of home-whitening kits available on the market today. There is no longer any need to go to the dentist and spend anywhere from $100 to $1000 dollars on dental procedures. Whiter teeth always make you look better, and may even make you more likely to smile with confidence. And confidence is a great (free!) beauty booster!
2. Sign up for freebies- If you are reading this, you likely have internet access. There are literally thousands of sites that give you links to sign up for free samples, many of which are of the makeup, skin care and perfume variety. Not sure you want to buy that new face cream? Afraid you will be wasting your money if it’s no good? If you get a free sample and don’t like it that will prevent you from buying a full-size container that you will end up throwing away. Many of these freebies also come with coupons for future purchases, saving you even more. It’s like money in the bank. [DCBC Note: You may not want to sign up for freebies over the internet and give them your personal informaiton. Often in department stores the manufacturers will give you free samples. If you don't see any, don't be afraid to ask!]3. Learn to give yourself a manicure- You don’t have to spend your hard-earned cash at a nail salon. You can pamper yourself at home by buying a home-manicure kit. There are many available at your local drugstore, and they all come with easy instructions. For the price of one manicure plus tip, you can buy a kit that will last you several months. Plus, you can do it at any hour that is convenient, not just when the salon is open.
4. Use ice water when you shave - No, you aren’t going to be throwing frigid water over your legs! But rinsing your razor in a cup of ice water will keep your razor sharp. The longer a razor stays sharp, the more use you get out of it. In some cases, they can last up to twice as long. With the price of good razors and cartridge refills these days, that can add up to big bucks in a very short amount of time.
5. Don’t condition everyday - Though the labels on shampoo and conditioners will urge you to do differently, don’t condition your hair daily. Every other shower or twice a week will do. Conditioning everyday can weigh hair down, and make your shampoo less effective at cleansing. Halving the amount of conditioning sessions will cut down on your shopping list and save you money. [DCBC Note: Another alternative is to use less conditioner each time. A little goes a long way if you remember to leave it on for a few minutes.]
6. Buy some vinegar - Vinegar is one of the most versatile ingredients known to man. It can be used to fight dandruff and dry scalp when mixed with equal parts warm water. A rinse of this with equal parts cold water will make your hair shine without expensive shine serums. A tablespoon in 8 ounces of water makes an excellent toner for your skin. A cup in your laundry’s rinse cycle makes your whites brighter, making your favorite clothes last longer. The possibilities are endless!
7. Skip the traditional hairsprays - Making your own hair spray at home is easy! Simply add two tablespoons of sugar to a 12-ounce spray bottle filled with water. Shake until the sugar dissolves, and you have an all-natural hair spray for pennies! There is no unpleasant scent, and no alcohol to dry out your hair (which could lead to more costly treatments down the line). If you require a firmer hold, simply add another spoon of sugar.
8. Find a barber or beauty college - Students at these schools pass their tests based on work done on actual people, not mannequins or wigs. If you agree to sit for them, you can often get a haircut, coloring, perm or more absolutely free! They work under the supervision of a licensed professional, so there is no need to panic about the outcome. Simply look in your phonebook and call to enquire about signing up for the next testing session.
9. Use a lip brush - No matter what kind of container your lipsticks and glosses come in, apply them with a lip brush. You will be amazed at how much longer your tubes will last. There is no need for blotting (and therefore wasting) any lipstick, and when you are down to the last bits you can’t normally get to, a lip brush can still get four or five more applications from it! Using less and using it all makes for money saved!
10. Use your pantry to fight skin problems - Had a few pimples pop up on you? Before you reach for that costly drugstore cure, dab a bit of toothpaste on it and leave on overnight. For blackheads, mix equal parts plain, instant oatmeal with honey and make a paste. Massage into skin for seven minutes and rinse. Your skin problems will disappear, instead of your money.
About the Author:
Thank you to Melissa Martinez for this informative article.
Please note that all opinions and facts expressed in this article
are those of the author and not DeepCoveBC.com
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