Low-budget beauty

A smart woman is a beautiful woman. It's not exactly news that beauty products are costly, and can really add up once you reach the check-out stand. A few weeks ago I was the local drug store (Not the mall, beauty superstore, or department store, mind you!) and found myself putting items back as the cashier rang it up!

Renewing my so-called "essentials" was going to cost me over $100.00! The good news is, there are ways around it without any great sacrifice. It's all about being creative and following a few simple tips. Remember: Being an educated, frugal-minded woman does not mean missing out on fun, feminine, and very well deserved beauty treatments.

Cosmetics

1. Go generic- The only sacrifice here is the packaging. The majority of popular beauty items are available in a generic version (usually stocked right next the name brand). So long as you compare the ingredients, this is an easy switch.
2. Double up- Many drugstore and superstore chains, particularly Target, will carry special packaging for cosmetics from time to time with two of the products in one package for the same price. Scour the aisle looking for this deal, and save the cost of that cosmetic product next time you need it
3. Compare prices online- Check out drugstore.com and compare that price with the one at your favorite drugstore. This also applies to medications, baby products, and other items stocked at Walgreens, CVS and other national drugstores.
4. Mineral make-up- These natural products are great because a little goes a long way.

Body care

1. Invest in quality tweezers- Usually around $18.00, and do your eyebrows at home. Waxing treatments are around $10.00, so this will pay for itself with just four uses.  This is one area where skimping doesn't save you.  High quality tweezers will last forever, cheap ones don't get the job done.
2. Multi-use products- Try a tinted moisturizer, and eliminate the need for base or foundation. Get products that contain SPF and you can skip buying that special facial sunscreen in the summer months.
3. Check the gentlemen's section- Women's shaving creams are often twice as much as the men's, and the razors can cost $1.00 more than the men's equivalent. Do you really want to pay the difference just to have a pink razor?

Haircare

1. Go the the schools- Students at luxury schools such as Aveda, Tony & Guy, and Paul Mitchell will give you professional, indulgent cuts and colors for a fraction of the price. Remember, the students here have to reach a certain level of knowledge before being allowed to perform at the school salons.
2. Shampoo less- Its actually good for dry and normal hair to wash it every other day to let the natural oils do their job. This will stretch the life of your shampoo 50%
3. Alternate products- If you use an expensive shampoo or conditioner, alternate it with a cheap shampoo and stretch the life of shampoo.
4. Check the end caps - They sometimes have promotional packages for new products that contain either a "buy one get one free" shampoo, or a conditioner and shampoo set.
5. Deep cleanse with baking soda- Add a small amount of baking soda to shampoo to deep clean, degrease and remove build up from hair.
6. Go back to your roots- Go back to your natural hair texture and color to eliminate the need for costly  coloring, highlights, perms, relaxation and straightening treatments
7. Bring in your own color- Get professional, beautiful color with a one-time large investment fee by picking out the shade you want at the drugstore, and bringing it into your salon. Have the hairdresser do the initial coloring, and you can do touch-ups from this point on using the same box.

Miscellaneous-

1. Shop at the dollar store- They have an ever-changing and seemingly endless line of razors, shaving creams, and scented lotions. This also applies to haircare products and cosmetics. Even if you have to have the luxury item for some products, try stocking up on things you use less often such as hairspray, hand-sanitizer and fingernail polish. Other discount chains like Big Lots, Family Dollar, and Dollar General are worth checking out.  Do try to stick to brand names that dollar stores stock, like Suave, and avoid questionable products.
2. Use coupons- Check your junk mail, Sunday paper or the online sources such as Cool savings, Wow Coupons and Smart Source that I mention so often for deals at grocery, drug, and superstores. Also check out Beauty Coupon Codes for deals on department store and luxury items and Sally Beauty Supply for reasonable priced, semi-luxurious products.

DIY treatments- These can be made super-cheap with items you already have in your kitchen and home. Try one today and have an indulgent and luxurious spa treatment for a small cost.

HAIR TREATMENTS

• Shine treatment- Mix beer or vinegar with water, and rinse through your after shampooing.
• Tropical conditioning treatment- Combine 1 overripe and pitted avocado with 1/2 cup coconut milk and 2 drops of lemon oil. Mash and apply to hair for 20-30 minutes. For added conditioning treatment, cover with plastic shopping bag and blow dry.
• Honey-Apricot deep conditioning treatment- Blend one pitted apricot, 2 tbsp... honey, and 1 tbsp..... apricot juice or oil into a blender. Apply to clean hair, and cover with plastic wrap or plastic shopping bag. Leave on for 30-45 minutes, and rinse with water.
• Build up removing rinse- Simply mix 1/4 cup vinegar and 1 cup of water. After shampooing, rinse hair twice with plain water, and use this mixture on the final rinse.
• Indian shine rinse- Rinse clean hair with 2 tbsp.... malt vinegar and gently towel dry.
• Maximum body hair treatment- In a kitchen bowl, combine 2 tbsp.... molasses, 2 tbsp.... plain (unflavored) gelatin,1 tbsp.... beer (works best if you open the can/bottle, and let it sit in the fridge until flat) 1 tbsp.... condensed milk, and 1 tsp. sugar. Apply to hair, and cover with thick towel. Let it soak in hair for at least 20 minutes. Rinse and style.

BODY & FACE TREATMENTS

• Moisturizing banana-avocado mask- Combine 1/2 each: overripe banana, and avocado (pitted) with 1 tsp.. olive or soybean oil and 2 tbsp... full fat, plain yogurt. Mash to a pulp. Leave on face & neck 25 minutes or until dry. Rinse well with warm water.
• Sunflower seed shower scrub- In a food processor, coffee grinder, or blender, combine 1/2 cup shelled and rinse sunflower seeds. Create a paste with water, and store in an airtight container. Let it cool in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours. Massage into skin.
• Exfoliating espresso facial- In a large bowl, combine 1/2 cup coffee grounds, 1/4 cup sugar, and 2 tbsp.... oil. Apply to face, rubbing in a circular motion. Rinse with lukewarm water.
• Purple grape wrinkle releaser- Turn purple grapes (the seeded variety) into a pulp using a blender or food processor. Apply to face, paying attention to areas such as crows feet. Let penetrate skin for 15-20 minutes, and rinse with water. For maximum results, do this daily.
• Moisture restoring Mediterranean paste- In a small bowl, combine 1 egg yolk, 1-2 tbsP. olive oil, and a few drops of lemon juice. Let sit on skin for 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water. Gentle enough to use daily.
• Eye brightening treatment- Wrap cooled and grated raw potato in a cheesecloth, and let sit on eyelids for 15-20 minutes. Rinse and wash face.