Recessionista Diaries: Beauty Isn’t Just Skin Deep

Hey kids!  Your favorite recessionista is back at it.  And today, we can chat about how to save money while still managing to look good. Now – I will do a whole segment on being a fashionable recessionista with tips on how to get the latest fashions for cheap (including a fabulous website called Bag, Borrow or Steal) – but today, we’re going to focus on your beauty regimen.  So, here are some tips for your face, hair and skin 

Your Skin

We know you’ve got to take care of your skin.  Here are some ways I save money with my skin care routine.

1. Samples, samples and more samples! Call me cheap, but whatever.  Scour your favorite department store and see what kind of samples they’re giving away at the beauty counters.  These days, I almost always score big time when I go.  By far the best is Estee Lauder.  Last time, I got a fantastic facial moisturizer and eye crème (not to mention lipstick and eye shadow).  The worlds best luxury items without the luxury price tag! (Cost: $0)
   
2. If you’re not particularly dry, then you can use a 2-in-1 body wash and moisturizer. In the winter, I’m too dry for all of that, but in the summer I SWEAR by them.  Bath and Body Works has a great collection.  As well as other beauty shops.  It gives you just enough moisture to go out without feeling ashy (all my sistergirlfriends know what I’m talking about) but not enough to make you feel hot and sticky. (Cost: $4-6 per 6-8 weeks)
3. Out of shaving cream?  No worries – grab your hair conditioner and smooth it on your legs while you razor up in the shower. It only takes a dab and it works the same way.  It even leaves you feeling moisturized.  Or, to save more money and time – go with a hair removal system like Veet or Nair.  I find that they keep my hair-free longer than shaving.  I swear by them in the summer.  (Hmmm, seems I swear by everything, lol). (Cost for conditioner: $0 if you have it in your shower; Cost for Veet or Nair: $6-8 per 8-12 weeks)
4. Unless you’re super oily, you don’t have to wash your face at night and first thing in the morning with your facial cleanser.  Well, unless you were getting especially hot and heavy between the sheets. Instead opt to rinse off with a wash cloth and warm water, or a facial wipe.  If you’re oily, you could go with a cleansing wipe instead of using your expensive cleanser. (Cost for washcloth: $0; Cost for facial wipes: $6 per month)
5. Breakout much?  I always tend to breakout during the seasonal changes. If you need to zap a zit fast (and cheap) do one of these two things.  If you notice it before bed, dab some toothpaste on it.  I know, totally weird, but it works.  If you are on your way out the door and notice a zit, grab your Visine and put a little on a Q-tip.  Then, dab it on the zit. It will take out the redness and help the size go down.  Just, make sure you don’t accidentally ingest any – we’ve all seen Wedding Crashers. (Cost: $0 if you have eye drops and/or toothpaste already in the bathroom).

Your Face

OK – all you MAC divas, these tips are for you!

1. If you like the bright eye color selections that MAC has to offer you should opt for the cheaper Loreal H.I.P brand at your local drugstore.  The compact will run you around $10, but it includes two eye shadow shades. There is usually an ultra-bold color (think pinks, teals, etc.) and a complimentary color (slate, gold, etc.). They are comparable to lots of MAC colors, but without the $14.50/each price tag.
2. If you do have a bunch of MAC make-up – make sure you don’t throw away the cases.  If you take in six (6) empty cases you can get free make-up (usually a lipstick). Most MAC retail stores and department stores offer the recycling program. (Cost: $0)
3. Sometimes in the summer, regular foundation is too heavy for your face.  I know it is for mine.  I live and die by my tinted moisturizer. It gives me coverage and moisture without being too heavy or caked on.  If you run out – or don’t want to invest because summer is only a few months – then you can make your own.  Simply us a nickel to quarter sized drop of your facial moisturizer and a squirt of your liquid foundation and mix them together. Apply like you normally apply your foundation and voila – your own tinted moisturizer. (Cost: $0)
4. Down to your last bit of lipstick?  Do not – I repeat – do not throw it away. Grab a pill box (you can get one from the dollar store) and scrape that last little bit into each of the squares.  Then, mix it with some Vaseline and dab it on your lips. Now you’ve got a cute lip gloss! (Cost: $2 for a pillbox and Vaseline from the dollar store)
5. OK – this isn’t for your face, it’s for your make-up brushes.  I have a friend who would throw out her brushes when they got too dirty.  Ummmm what?!?!?!?  Ladies, that is a “No No!”  Instead, run them under warm water and use a tiny bit of shampoo to clean them. Then, pat them dry with a paper towel.  You’re good to go.  On some brushes (like your concealer and foundation brush) you may want to use an oil-free make-up or eye make-up remover first.  Then run it under the water and shampoo. (Cost: $0)

Your Hair

Admittedly, I’ve got a bigger hair complex than most. Under normal, non-recession induced conditions I’d have no problem what-so-ever dropping a pretty penny to keep my locks in tip-top shape.  But even I have found some ways to take care of my hair for less.

1. Head to the pricey salons to get a new cut or style.  But, once that’s taken care of you can maintain your cut and style by heading to a chain hair salon. My spot of choice is the Hair Cuttery.  I get my bangs trimmed every four to six weeks for only $6.   Yes, $6. As a black woman, I just ask them to do a dry trim and then I take care of the washing, blow drying and flat ironing myself. A full trim will only run you $12-$16, depending on hair length.  How can you beat that?  Really.
2. Head to a place like Nordstrom Rack to get your hair care products.  I use Biolage Shampoo and Conditioner and I always score mine from The Rack. It comes straight from the Nordstrom Salon but not at the price.  Also, JC Penney almost always has their hair products on sale – often 2 for 1.  Check them out! (Cost: $15-25 per 8 – 12 weeks)
3. If you must get your tresses done – try a Dominican spot instead of the salon.  They will wash, set, blow-dry and wrap your hair for $15 – 30.  That’s cheaper than my stylist who charges around $50 for the same service.   They can even do chemical treatments and colors for less than the salon.
4. If you’re coloring your hair color, D-I-Y. It’s really not that hard.  And, even if you think the color was in too long – it’s OK.  Most over the counter colors stop activating after a certain amount of time.  So, you really aren’t able to mess-up.  If you’re going more than 2-3 shades from your natural color then go to the salon.  And here’s a tip.  If you have thick hair (like me), get two boxes of color. It’s better to buy a little extra color, than not have enough and end up in a salon to fix your botched dye job. (Cost: $7-10 per box of color every 4 – 8 weeks)
5. Surf the web and your favorite magazines for tips on home recipes for hair.  There are a plethora of blogs (like the Duckter’s natural hair blog: here) and videos that can help you save time and money by making your own hair products with the stuff that you have in the kitchen. My favorite home remedy?  Using tea to give my hair some highlights in the summer time.  I lighten my tresses come summer, and then I wash it with tea (lipton works).  It causes some of the strands to lighten when out in the sun.  I have no idea why.  I tried it and it works.  So it’s been my secret ever since. (Cost: $0 – just use what’s in your kitchen)

Well dear readers, those are some of my shameless money saving tricks! What others do you have to keep your beauty game up to par during these tough times? And do you do any of the above?  How are they working out for you?

Signed,
Recessionista Chic Barbie

P.S. We’re back to our regularly scheduled twice-weekly posting.  I’ve missed you guys!

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~ by countryclubbarbie on April 6, 2009.