My Story: Beauty Products

Home Lifestyle Beauty Other My Story: Beauty Products

I have a few beauty tips that I love. They may have been used before, but I think they are good ones. I love beauty products and can quickly succumb to impulse buys in this area, so I try to incorporate these to reduce spending.

• Don't wash your hair every day. By doing this, you aren't stripping your hair of its natural, protective oils every day. On top of that, you use less water and less electricity (don't have to blow dry it every time), and it takes less time. I always think "second day hair" looks better. Plus, you aren't using as much shampoo, conditioner, and styling products.
  
  
• Don't spend your money on special shine serums or smoothing cremes for hair. A dab of lotion can do the exact same thing.
  
  
• If you use self-tanning lotions, you can dilute it a little by mixing in regular body lotion. It reduces streaking (because you are adding extra moisture), doesn't come out looking as orange, and makes your expensive self-tanner last a lot longer. It also reduces some of the smell.
  
  
• I live by at-home manicures and pedicures. I've got a little box that I've put together that has all of my supplies (nail polish, remover, cotton balls, and cuticle and nail clippers). Nail polish has so many preservatives that it lasts a long time. I pick up polish that is on clearance at my local drug store or Target (I go straight to the clearance end-caps and look no further). When it's time for me to do my nails, I light a little candle nearby and soak my feet first in some warm water. I even sip on some hot tea while I do it and turn on the most girly guilty pleasure TV I can find. Then I get to work on my tootsies and nails. When I finish, I prop up my feet and relax on my couch until everything is dry. I don't even answer the phone. I create a pampering atmosphere for myself, so I don't feel cheated on the spa experience. (As a bonus, sometimes I talk my husband into rubbing my feet a little too!)
  
  
• Don't fall into the "gift with purchase" trap. I used to be terrible about purchasing stuff to get the free gift with purchase because it always looked like fun! However, every time I got them, I only used one or two things out of the freebies and the rest sat in a drawer until I cleaned them out.
  
  
• If you want to splurge on beauty products, splurge on skin care. Don't splurge on makeup/color. There is absolutely no reason to spend $18 on a tube of lipstick. Store brands like Cover Girl or Physician's Formula are just as good and are a fraction of the cost. Or, try a company like www.eyeslipsface.com. Most of their products are only $1 each, but they have some great products.
  
  
• Experiment with leftovers. I had a couple of random tubes of lipstick that I never used. One was too dark for me and one was too light. Instead of letting them sit there unused, I melted them a tiny bit in the microwave, mixed them together, and put them into an empty lip balm container that I had. The blend of the colors was perfect. If you use things that you wouldn't have used, even if they turn out badly, you haven't lost anything. I've done the same with nail polish and have created some of my favorite colors.

"My Story" is a regular feature of The Dollar Stretcher. If you have a story that could help save time or money, please send it to MyStory@stretcher.com.

Take the Next Step:

• Subscribe today to get your free Dollar Stretcher Tips email newsletter. Twice each week we'll share great ideas from our readers. Everything from auto insurance to weddings to help you live better for less.

Discuss "Brandy's Secrets to Beauty" in The Dollar Stretcher Community

Share your thoughts about this article with the editor: Click Here

Stay Connected with TDS

Subscribe to TDS Newsletters

Join over 250,000 other subscribers!

To subscribe, check the newsletters you wish to receive, enter your email address and then click Subscribe.

Surviving Tough Times Dollar Stretcher Parents Dollar Stretcher Tips The Dollar Stretcher (text-based)

Financial Independence TDS Special Offers The Computer Lady Computer Lady Lessons Healthy Foods

View the TDS privacy policy.

Money problems? The Dollar Stretcher can help: Afraid to lose your job? Struggling with credit card debt? Help for your mortgage? Can't pay your debts? Need some extra income? Fighting bad credit? What you need to know about bankruptcy? Become money smart? Trouble repaying student loans?

Copyright 1996 - 2013 "The Dollar Stretcher, Inc." All rights reserved unless specifically noted.

Contact the Dollar Stretcher at:
Dollar Stretcher
PO Box 14160
Bradenton FL 34280
941-761-7805

"The Dollar Stretcher, Inc." does not assume responsibility for advice given. All advice should be weighed against your own abilities and circumstances and applied accordingly. It is up to the reader to determine if advice is safe and suitable for their own situation.

Also In This Week's Issue

• How should you compare insurance companies?
• Wedding insurance: Help for bridal 'fails'
• Why are home prices back on the rise?
• Does home insurance cover leaky old plumbing?
• Why you want to avoid a long-term car loan
• Know if you should refinance your mortgage
• Creating a trust that evolves with changing needs
• Top 10 DIY mistakes by home 'handymen'
• 7 reasons to keep savings, checking accounts at 1 bank
• 5 ways to beat the payroll tax increase
• How to obliterate your student loan debt
• How a college degree helps you financially

In The Dollar Stretcher Community

• How can you check if your identity has been stolen?
• Fair wages: Do you get paid enough?

Reader Favorites

• Should you 'take over payments'?
• Selling a prom dress
• DIY backyard play structures
• Organizing kids' rooms
• The cost of commuting