Frugal Beauty Tips?

[girlfromsouth]

So, I'm trying to, simultaneously, make taking care of myself and my appearance a priority, and still not end up sending half my paycheck to Sephora each month. I can't believe how expensive some of the so-called "best" beauty products cost! So, I thought I'd ask around here and see what people buy, beauty product wise that they like the quality of and/or feel is a really good deal.

Personally, I am looking for a really great quality moisturizer that doesn't break the bank. (I have a friend that's like you shoudl get this stuff called La Mer - or something like that - and it's the most expensive thing I've EVER seen, craziness!) I've been lax about moisturizing and I can totally tell lately (I think the crazy weather lately isn't helping my skin, either, but still.) What do you all use? Is there an easy DIY option, maybe?

What other products are out there that are good quality frugal buys?

[Dani]

#1 - My hairdresser recommended deep conditioning with olive oil, and I love it!

1-2 times per week, put 1/4 to 1 cup of olive oil in your hair (depends on how much hair you have and how well-coated you want it). It feels very odd at first, as it soaks up whatever you give it (start slow and you can always add more). Wear a shirt that you can ruin, of coure, and you'll want a disposable shower cap OR I just use a ponytail and then 1-2 plastic grocery bags tied near the nape of my neck.

Leave on for at least 1/2 hour, and you'll want to do this right before washing your hair. When you shower, shampoo and then use a regular conditioner.



#2 - Vaseline (petroleum jelly) after a shower with thick socks to soften feet; also works on knees, elbows, etc.

[lucille]

I found this recipe yesterday. I need to hunt down the beeswax and possibly the coconut oil, but it is $7 a jar. http://seattle.consciouschoice.com/2...oking0702.html
I have been trying to find something that absorbed more as a lotion and that I can use on my feet. I have been using cocoa butter and it doesn't quite do the job unless you use it every night.

I started buying Boots brand products (cosmetics & face moisturizer). They are way cheaper than things at Sephora and work well. Target sells Boots.

I have been trying to get a couple of dark age spots off of my face. I had been trying lemon juice, then I stopped that and used this stuff called vitaK solution for under eye circles. But I used the vitaK stuff on the dark spot. I thought it was the second product that caused the dark spot to literally come off my face, leaving decent skin under it. But I tried just the vitaK on another dark spot and it didn't go away like the first one did. So I am thinking the lemon juice may have been what did it. During the Italian Renaissance women used lemon juice to lighten their complexion. So I have to wonder if there is something to it.

[Milehimama]

Beeswax is around $7-9 a pound at the craft stores (look by the candles).

I just use baby lotion. It's very thick, and cheap, and good for sensitive skin.

And I use generic Oil of Olay on my face, but only in winter. I guess I don't have very dry skin!

I LOVE Satin Hands by Mary Kay, though. Fabulous! Lasts a long time if you use it once a week or so.

[girlfromsouth]

I just found a coupon for Oil of Olay in the paper today so maybe it's a sign! (I think I need some kind of thing for skin types that are a mix - some of my skin is so dry, and some of it is super oily. Ugh. I thought you were supposed to grow out of that after being a teenager!)

I am also going to have to try the Vaseline and socks thing, I'm pretty sure I need some serious help before its sandal season.

[KelR1]

I used to be really bad about buying expensive beauty stuff. And, of course, I'd have to get the entire LINE of skincare and all the new shades of lipstick, etc. But now I pretty much stick with drugstore brands and I've learned to love them. I use VO5 shampoo and conditioner (around $1.00 each!), Aveeno hand cream (around $5.99 - not the cheapest - but for work I have to wash my hands frequently and have sensitive, dry skin and eczema so it's necessary), I use good ol' Dial bar soap rather than fancy body washes, ChapStick Naturals lip balm, Neutrogena cosmetics, and I've learned to cut out the items that aren't as essential (I used to buy body scrubs frequently but don't anymore). Yes, it can be trial and error to find what works for you, but I think drugstore brands have greatly improved in recent years. There's a much bigger, better selection of cheaper options out there now. I really only use department and specialty store beauty stuff when I get a free sample of it to try.

[amyschiff]

For face moisturizers I usually store brand Cetaphil. It usually comes in a huge jar or pump, so I transfer it to a smaller tube so it's more manageable to throw in my makeup bag. The "cream" version is nice for the winter while the "lotion" is nice in the summer because it's lighter (and my skin is less dry). Neither are really oily.

For lip care, I used to put plain vaseline on my lips before bed every night and also sometimes throughout the day. It helps protect/heal and you're not tempted to lick it off like tasty lip glosses. Pair it with just a small bit of lip tint and you have a nice glossy finish.

For blemishes, I've heard that vapo-rub type formulas work well... I'm assuming it would be an overnight treatment. I tried it a little, but not long enough to see results.

I have some bath and body works cream that I like a lot, but it's definitely more of an all purpose body cream than a beauty/face cream (the scent is nice but not if it's on my face). I haven't gotten anything from there recently because I've sort of sworn off getting any new lotion or cream from there until I finish what I have or at least make a huge dent in it. (that may take a while hehe)

[lucille]

I mentioned the lemon juice for dark spots. After putting lemon juice on a couple of them over about 3-4 days they are breaking up and coming off. I don't even want to think about how much money I have spent on expensive lightening and age spot creams that didn't work this well.

[boba1212]

Sometimes you can find very good Vitamin E lotion and/or baby lotion at the Dollar Store- BUT I would be picky and use your own judgement on how reliable that stuff is (some Dollar Store items have been sitting around for ages).

If you can find it, then I'd recommend Ponds Cold Cream. Another rare but worthy find is Queen Helene's Mint Julep Mask. I used to see both regularly at Walmart, CVS and the like but people must've found out about these cheap cosmetic wonders because now I nver see these.

[rainysparadigm]

In the past, I've had good results with using baking soda paste for facial cleanser. Usually I just kept baking powder in a plastic container and then dumped a little in my hand and mixed with warm water from the shower until it was a paste, and applied to face. Let dry and rinse. Or you can keep an extra container handy for mixing and try using warm green tea instead of water. If you want an exfoliant, add a small bit of salt (I prefer sea salt). However, it only takes a little salt or after a few days it will start to sting. I am sure there's dozens of ways to modify this basic recipe, using essential oils etc. It seems to work well for combination skin (some oily, some dry).

To go more commercial though, I generally use Freeman's avocado and oatmeal clay mask. I try to use it at least once a day, even if I dont have time for it to fully dry. It's very inexpensive, under $5 a bottle and even using it daily it lasts for a long time because it doesnt require much at a time. They sell it at Walmart and Fry's, but I havent seen it in any health stores or anything which is kind of annoying. I also like Pond's Fresh Start which is a mild exfoliant. Plain witch hazel, found almost everywhere, makes a great astringent, very frugal and lasts forever.

My face hates anything harsh like Neutrogena, or natural exfoliant face washes (ie, ground almond shells). I find if I don't over dry my face to begin with, I rarely need a moisturizer. Most of the time your facial skin becomes dry because you are using too harsh cleaner or too frequent, illness, wearing heavy makeup or not drinking enough water.

Water has so many benefits. Not only does it keep your skin soft and hydrated, it cleans out toxins, keeps your nails from being brittle, etc. It also keeps you from drinking less desirable things such as soda, which not only has the obvious effects but is healthier for your teeth. Outside of morning coffee, I keep a water bottle nearby and drink that until I've hit or near the 64 oz mark. Then I allow for other drinks, usually in the evening. So it may not be a "product" in normal terms, but it definitely lessens the need for some.

I only wear foundation on occasion, trying to focus more on having good enough skin that I don't have much of a need for it Easier said then done lol If I do need moisturizer, I just use facial sun block. Sunblock by its nature is a mild moisturizer, so theres not much of a need to pay for a moisturizer with sunblock.

One of the best things you can do for your facial skin - and really your whole body - is using a dry loofah. It's very quick and has great results. Be gentle on your face though, using one designed for that purpose. Not only does it remove dead skin cells, but it stimulates blood to the surface which has all sorts of great benefits like bring nutrients to your cells. A facial loofah costs about a $1 and you will probably want to change it once a year. I just sponge it out in the sink to keep it clean.

I personally like Bert's Bees lipcolor. I find that even the best deparment store lipstick will wear off too quickly for me, and I'm not one to continually reapply. And even if I do, it's a matter of days before my lips are dry and eww. Using a matching shade of pencil under BB's for definition achieves pretty good results, but most of the time I just put it on by itself and reapply if I think about it. It fades pretty uniform so no weird blotchy smile

Baby oil on the body right out of the shower, especially after shaving, is great for keeping skin soft.

Google 'homemade beauty' to find lots of recipes for everything from bubble baths to deodorants.