Make up artist classes

Cheap Beauty Tips

9:00 PM Written by Les

I’m sure we’ve all felt the pinch when it comes to money, especially lately. Even though we’re going through a tough economic time it’s still important for us to look nice, even if it’s just so you have great self-esteem! So I’ve complied a list of my favorite cheap beauty tips. I hope you enjoy them!

-I adore body scrubs! I love them so much that I can easily go through one a month and at $30.00 a pop…ouch! I was talking to my friend, who works at my favorite Spa in town, and she gave me this awesome substitute. Take a cup of olive oil and about 3T. of regular sugar and mix the two together. You can also use coarse salt if you want something a bit more rough. Then apply to your body in circular motions for 2 minutes and rinse off. Your skin will be so smooth! You can also use it to exfoliate your lips, I always have to do this in the winter because the cold makes them chap! Be more gentle when using on your lips. You can use either the salt or sugar for lips, the only difference being the salt will in a way irritate your lip’s surface and temporarily “puff” them up. If you’re looking for that bee stung look without the price and scary needles this is the way to go! Price: $0.00 since you probably have all 3 in your house right now.

-This one may not seem like it’s saving money but hear me out. Go to a salon and get your eyebrows waxed, threaded, sugared, etc. professionally once! Not only will the stylist be able to shape them to a way that’s flattering for your face (did you know that the right shape of eyebrows can make your face appear thinner?) but if you keep on top of it you will always have a guide of where you should be plucking. Well groomed eyebrows and lip gloss can instantly make you look put together. Even though it does take a bit of money up front it’s so well worth it in the long run because after the initial purchase you can do all the upkeep yourself! They say eyes are windows to the soul. Those windows will sure look a lot more attractive if the coverings above them are well kept right? Price: $10-15 initial and $0.00 forever more!

-Who doesn’t have an almost empty lipstick container shoved somewhere in their drawer? Grab that lipstick, a small spoon, a paper plate and some facial moisturizer. Scoop the remaining lipstick out with the spoon and put it on the plate. Next, put it in the microwave at warm it at 30 second intervals (don’t exceed 2 minutes!) until it’s slightly runny and then mix a few drops of moisturizer into the lipstick on the plate. You might want to play around with the mixture to find the consistence and shade you like. Add more moisturizer for a more sheer shade or less for a more condensed shade. Viola! Instant cream blush! The moisturizer should help break down the wax in the lipstick and keep your pores from getting clogged. Quickly pour the new blush into your small container, it sets up fast so you might need to warm it again. Don’t be afraid to mix a few old lipsticks together to get an altogether new shade! You can find little makeup containers at the dollar store to store your new cream blush in. Price: $0.00 for the blush $1.00 for the container.

-Another thing you can do with that old lipstick is reinvent it by turning it into lip gloss and all you need in a ziplock bag, Vaseline and a small container! Take your lipstick and either scrape some out of the tube or just break it into the zip lock bag. Next squeeze a small amount of Vaseline into the zip lock bag and close the bag. Mash the two together and throw it into the microwave and warm for 30 second intervals, don’t exceed 2 minutes! When it’s slightly runny snip a small hole in the corner of the zip lock bag and squeeze the new lip gloss into a small makeup container (again, get at the dollar store). Now you have your very own personalized lip gloss. Price: $0.00 for the lip gloss $1.00 for the container.

-Grab that olive oil again! I dye my hair often andmy hair can get pretty damaged if I’m not taking care of it! When I can’t afford to go in and get a hot oil treatment I turn to good old olive oil. Take cup olive oil, 5 drops essential oil (this part can be skipped, I just add it for a spa like feel) and a TIGHT shower cap or 1 plastic bag that can fit over your hair. Pour the olive oil into a jar with a lid and add essential oil. Put lid on jar and shake well to mix in the essential oil. Let sit for 24 hours in a cool, dark place. Shake again before use. Hop in the shower and rinse hair with warm water. Warm 1 tablespoon of oil treatment in the palms of your hands. Using your fingertips (not nails), gently massage the oil into the scalp in a circular motion. Repeat until the entire scalp has been massaged. Rub the ends of your hair with the remaining oil. Place that cap or plastic bag over your hair, secure the ends of it but tying or with a hair clip and allow the oil to remain for at least a half-hour. Extra points for doing this while catching up on your housework since your body will sweat a bit and heat makes the olive oil penetrate your hair easier. After 30 minutes rinse well and then shampoo as usual. Your hair will feel so silky your husband won’t be able to stop running his hands through it! Price: $5.00 for the essential oil at Wal-Mart.

-You’ve stayed up late with a sick baby or finishing a project that has a deadline looming. Normally not a problem but your alarm goes off at 6am the next morning and your eyes are so puffy you can barely open them! Grab 2 normal sized metal spoons and toss them in your freezer. Come back 10 minutes later and take them out, they should be just cold enough when it’s only slightly uncomfortable to squeeze them in your bare hand for long. If it’s painful to even hold them then run them under warm water. Lay down and place the hollow of the spoon over each eye. Let them sit there for 5-10 minutes. After 10 minutes has passed take them off and the swelling should be down noticeably. Sleeping with your head on 2 pillows will do the same. Price: $0.00

-Sometimes you have to be creative. I have really fine hair and so I’m cursed with little flyaway hairs at the crown of my head. Take a dryer sheet and lightly skim it over the top of your hair and all those pesky little hairs will bow down. It also helps calm frizzy hair. Price: $0.00

-Sometimes you have to be REALLY creative! If you’re ever caught out and about and your skin looks like an oil spill has occurred run to the nearest public bathroom. Grab one of those toilet protector sheets, yeah the ones that feel like tissue paper. Take 1 sheet and lightly press it over your face. It sounds so wacky and gross I know but you’ll be glad you did. That thin paper is going to absorb all the extra oil on your face while leaving your makeup in tact and without you having to spend $25.00 on a small pack of cosmetic blotting papers, which in my opinion do the exact same thing as the toilet seat cover! Price: Your pride if anyone happens to see you with a toilet seat cover attached to your face! Haha! $0.00 if you can do it discreetly!

Isn’t it great to know that you don’t have to break the bank to look good? I have a ton more of these tips so if you’d be interested in hearing more like these, leave a comment and let me know.

Leslie is the wife of a programmer, the mother of 2 fur babies, and an avid collector of beauty and craft products. Read all her adventures at www.scottandles.com.

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