The Budget Diet

Saving is hard enough without having to sacrifice what makes us look and feel beautiful. Try these tried and true, budget friendly beauty moves.

It can be challenging to find that perfect mascara. Even more so when it comes with the added price of guilt attached at the checkout counter. The key to a fantastic mascara, however, is often no further than the brush itself. Try recycling the brush by cleaning it thoroughly. When it comes time to purchase a new tube, opt for a less expensive brand and use your recycled brush instead.

You dutifully apply your moisturizer, following up with your favorite concealer to finish out that flawless look. Try combining both products into one. This not only saves you money by allowing you to use less of both products, but saves you time as well!

Shampooing daily is not just hard on your wallet, it stresses your locks out just as much! When your tresses are looking a bit greasy, try using baby powder or cornstarch as a dry shampoo first.

Stock up on products that can have multiple uses. Vaseline, for example, is a wonderful lip gloss, a clean make-up remover, and a magical body moisturizer. Now your saving money, time, and space!

There is little worse than waking up with a puffy blemish that just can’t be hidden. Avoid this all together with a simple aspirin dissolved in enough water to make a paste. Simply dab the paste anywhere you feel a blemish coming on.

Add some balance to your life, and skin, with a honey mask. Start with a clean face, apply honey, and leave on for about 15 minutes, then rinse. Honey has powerful antibacterial, as well as antioxidant properties to help acne prone skin. It also touts an oil free approach to moisture at the same time.

Craving that salon shine, but not that salon price? Apple cider vinegar used as a rinse can satisfy your lust for shine and body, as well as your penny pinching strides.

Cinnamon oil applied to your lips can be a frugal alternative to expensive collagen injections when trying to get that perfect pout.

Your outward appearance directly relates to your health. Try eating more fruits and veggies, and fill up on water to see beautiful hair, skin, nails, and even a slimmer waist line!

A compromise is not just healthy for our relationships, it can also lend a hand to your beauty well-being. If you have a product you just can’t live with out, don’t fret about it. Simply compromise with yourself by using some of these money saving beauty tips so you don’t have to feel guilty about splurging where it matters to you.

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written by: Cindi Lewis

Cindi Lewis writes for glossy.com a skin care and beauty products on line retailer.

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Image courtesy of: Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Forget costly salon pedicures, you can easily give yourself a professional-looking pedicure at home. Regular foot care not only gives you fabulous looking feet; it’s good for the health of your feet. So, whether you are getting ready for summer, heading off on holidays or just want to get your feet looking polished and well-groomed as part of your weekly beauty regime – clear your busy schedule for an hour or so and give yourself a do-it-yourself pedicure. Go a step further and create a spa atmosphere with candles and music or just catch up on your TV shows. After all, this is “me-time”!

Here’s a step by step guide on how to do a pedicure at home:

1. Gather Tools – Begin by assembling all the tools and equipment you’ll need. You’ll require nail clippers, a pumice stone or pedicure file, a nail file, orange wood sticks to push back your cuticles, a nail buffer, cotton make-up pads, cotton balls, non acetone nail polish remover and nail base coat, top coat, and your favorite colour polish.
2. Soak – Soak your feet in a foot bath or a large flat bottomed bowl, filled with warm water for fifteen to twenty minutes. You may wish to add some Epsom salts and a few drops of your favorite essential oils to your foot bath or even a quarter cup of milk, as the lactic acid in the milk will help loosen dead skin. Use a nail brush to clean your feet and nails while they are soaking.
3. Exfoliate – Exfoliate your feet while they are still damp using a pumice stone or pedicure file along with some type of exfoliating scrub. You can use a commercial product or make your own scrub by combining two parts oatmeal to one part water to produce a thick paste, or if you prefer, try three parts sugar to two parts oil. Once your feet feel smooth, rinse them off and dry them well.
4. Trim and File – Use the nail clippers to trim your toenails, cutting them straight across, then smooth the edges of the nail with a nail file. To prevent splitting and breaking, always file your nails in one direction. Use an orange wood stick to gently push back your cuticles. You can apply a little cuticle cream or olive oil to help ease the skin back.
5. Moisturize – Moisturize your feet with your favorite body lotion, cream or oil, massaging it into your skin, nails and between your toes using gentle circular motions. Continue to massage until it’s completely absorbed. You can also aid absorption by slipping on a pair of cotton socks, or wrapping you feet in plastic bags and relaxing for fifteen minutes.
6. Polish – Now you are ready to polish your toes. Use nail polish remover to wipe away any excess oils on your nails. Separate your toes using cotton balls to keep them from rubbing together. Start by applying a thin base coat, which will help your nail polish last longer. Once the base coat is completely dry, apply two coats of nail polish, allowing it to dry thoroughly in between coats. You can then set the polish by applying a final top coat. When applying polish, use the three stroke method; one stroke down the middle then a stroke on each side of the nail. And remember that nail polish, regardless of the brand you are using, takes about twenty minutes to dry.
7. Clean Your Tools – After your do-it-yourself pedicure, clean your equipment with soap and water and sterilize them by rinsing them in rubbing alcohol. Keeping your equipment clean will help avoid the risk of infection.

Save the money you might have spent on professional pedicures, and buy yourself something special. It’s also fun to invite your friends over and give each other a pedicure and a foot massage.

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written by: Muzammil Bashir
Muzammil works with the Senior Editor of pretty-small-shoes.com – specializing in small size shoes for women with small size feet.

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Image courtesy of: photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

There is nothing more exciting than shopping for your favorite beauty products. Whether you are on a beauty budget or not, you want to find amazing products at great prices. Because no one should ever feel like they have to take out a second mortgage for a tube of mascara, here are some fantastic products that are sure to please…
(prices are approximate)

Beauty Bargains

• Maybelline Great Lash: This tried and true mascara in the iconic pink and green tube gives you lush full lashes in just a few strokes of the wand. $4.24
• Wet N Wild Mega Liner in Black: This long wearing and quick drying liquid liner is amazing. Who knew?!?! $3
• Ardell Lash Strips: These lashes, which come in varying lengths and densities, add just the right amount fringe for super sexy eye lash batting action. Be sure to purchase the Ardell Lash Adhesive. Prices starting at around $4 (lashes and lash adhesive).
• Ardell Brow Shapers: These self adhesive cold wax strips are excellent for those skilled DIYers. Whether you are in between visits or have fired their brow stylist all together, these cold wax strips will help you to beautifully shape your brows right in the comfort of your own home. $4
• Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Polish Strips: With these nail polish strips, there is no wait time and they come in a variety of designs and colors. Just peel off the backing, apply to nail, file off the excess. $10
• Milani Nail Art Laquer with Precision Pen: This is a great way to add a little something extra to your nails. Apply a regular base coat then with the nail art laquer, use your imagination to bring your unique nail art designs to real life. $4.99
• Crackle Nail Polish: One of the coolest and innovative trends for the season. This formulation, when applied on top of dried nail polish, literally cracks before your eyes, creating the coolest shattered affects for your nails. Made by many brands such as Sally Hansen and OPI. Ranging in price from $6.99 to $10.
• Sonia Cashuk Brushes: These are great brushes to add to your brush collection. The essential brush set with case comes with 6 brushes in a sleek black case. $9.99

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written by: Khalilah Neals

Khalilah Neals is founder K. Neals Management, a makeup artistry, beauty, and image management company providing services for all occasions. With 12 years experience in bridal, runway and film, Khalilah has a passion for bringing out the best in her clients. Her artistic and analytical eye for detail has made her a sought after makeup artist. Khalilah has years of management experience with several beauty/clothing retailers such as bebe, Cache and Sephora and has worked as head makeup artist on several independent films and television shows. She teaches her 4 point makeup consultations to clients, provides wardrobe consultations which includes revamping and maximization and has recently participated as one of the makeup artists for DC Fashion Week. For more information, visit www.knealsmgt.com

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Image courtesy of: digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

My hairdresser describes my hair as:

healthy,

enough hair for 3 people,

and a few wicked waves!

Those are the key words, a FEW wicked waves. Not enough waves to be pretty, just a few waves that look more like bumps on a camel’s back!

HOW DO I GET STRAIGHT HAIR?

Ever since I was a teenager, I’ve tried every product that promised straight hair. Some had promise, but then I stepped outside into the Houston, Texas humidity, and my 3 wicked waves were back!

Last summer, I ran into a friend of mine with super curly hair, and it was perfectly sleek and straight on a hot, humid day. I had to know her secret! Do tell!

Her secret is the Brazillian Keratin Treatment. I ran home, called my salon, and was shocked to discover that it costs $300 and only lasts about 3 months. Did I really want straight hair at any price? NO! This was strike one on my latest hair straightening mission!

Then the headlines began appearing about the dangers of the Brazillian Keratin Treatment with formaldehyde, and I was thankful I didn’t splurge. Strike 2.

My hopes were raised again when another curly haired friend gone straight bragged about a cheaper formaldehyde free Keratin treatment, but it’s still $100 and lasts only 4 – 6 weeks. That’s right…weeks not months! Strike 3!

In the real world, it’s 3 strikes and your out, but this is the blog world, and my quest will go on!

Then what to my wandering eyes did appear?
An ad in the mail for a diy Keratin Treatment my dear!
So I rushed right over to Sally Beauty supply,
with the ad and the coupon…I was ready to buy.
The clerk took one look at my hair,
and said it will take 8 hours if you dare!
(For results that only last 4 weeks!)
That’s it, strike 4!

I left with one more glimmer of hope, the clerk suggested John Frieda 3-Day Straight. She promised perfectly straight hair for 3 days…as long as I don’t wash it! Thankfully, I have dry hair, and I only need to wash it every 3 days…perfect!

Guess what…it really works, and it’s only $10 a bottle! Yes, it’s only 3 days, and I do have to blow dry and flat iron it on the first day, but then bring on the Houston humidity!

I suppose my quest for straight hair will never end. Maybe one day I’ll find a Groupon for a Brazillian Keratin Treatment or a budget friendly version will come along. In the meantime, I’m thrilled with John Frieda 3-Day Straight!


 
 
 
 

Every Saturday morning my friend Ellen would shop garage sales, and return home to show off her treasures. I used to marvel at the treasures she would find until I wised up and joined her!

What treasures can you find at a garage sale or yard sale? Here’s a list (in no particular order) of some items I discovered when volunteering at a school garage sale:

• Terra Cotta Pots
  All sizes 50¢
• Sterling Silver Jewelry -
  All the jewelry, real & costume was in a basket marked 50¢
• DVD’s
  50¢…that’s cheaper than renting a movie, and then you can sell it back at a garage sale or half price books.
• Jean Jacket
  Name brand, $2.00! Clothes are always a bargain at garage sales, but you must be willing to dig! The clothes are usually piled in a heap on a table, and there will not be a dressing room.
• Birkenstock Sandals
  $1.00! A lady found 6 pairs!
• Locker Shelf
  Like new for just 50¢.
• Samsonite Suitcase
  Brand new with tags for only $1.00!
• Set of Dishes
  $10.00 for the entire set! Yes, this is why Ellen had a set of dishes for every season!
• Lladro Madonna
  $2.00! Somebody must not have known the true value of this! You just might find the next star of The Antiques Road Show at a yard sale.
• Stuffed Animal
  50¢ for a brand new giant Easter Bunny! If your children are always begging for new toys, and you find yourself always giving in and blowing your budget…maybe it’s time to take them to a garage sale! Toys abound at garage sales and yard sales!
• Mountain Bike
  I told my son that there was no point in spending $200+ on a brand new bike for college that was going to sit out in the rain, so he found a great $40 mountain bike at a garage sale!

 
Of course, I can’t promise what you’ll find at a garage sale, but I can promise you’ll find some bargains!

Please remember The Budget Diet’s rules for shopping at Garage Sales, Goodwill, Consignment Shops and Thrift Stores:

• Be Open Minded
• Shop Often
• Be Friendly
• A Bargain is Only a Bargain if You Can Use It
• Use Your Imagination
• Shop in Upscale Neighborhoods

 
Start your Saturday morning off with a bargain! Get in the garage sale habit!

Please click on the title of this article to let me know what treasures you have found at garage sales and yard sales.

In today’s economic climate, many find it an extreme challenge to get ahead and keep money in their pockets. With gas prices off the charts, the price of food climbing the ladder with ferocity, and the costs of housing, phones, children, etc., life can carry with it overwhelming financial stress. However, money saving options do exist in the world, providing a plethora of outlets; helping to pinch those pennies and ultimately save money for those more important things in life. While many may cut out coupons from the daily newspaper, other highly valuable options do exist. Websites such as Ebates, Mr. Rebates, iGive, and UPromise not only offer easier, more convenient shopping alternatives, but they also offer great deals in receiving coupons, rebates, and guided information regarding keeping the cash in your wallet.

Ebates

How it Works:
This company was started in 1998 by two District Attorneys with reputations of prosecuting those committing fraud and identity theft.

The website offers 21 categories for shopping, including Baby & Kids, Clothing, and Music & Movies.

In order to get any rebates or coupons, one must set up a free membership through the website. Upon doing so, a member has instant access to savings. Simply select a category and see the websites that provide a certain percentage of cash back. For example, if a person is interested in purchasing toys, and a toy store is offering 8% cash back on all purchases, a member must click on the website offered through Ebates. Ebates will take note, adding an 8% total of whatever is spent to the member’s account. It’s that simple. Four times a year or more, Ebates will send a check to the member via snail mail or directly to his or her Paypal account. If a member chooses to do so, Ebates will also donate the rebate to the member’s favorite charity.

There is also a section at the bottom of Ebates entitled “Ebates Daily Double”. Here resides a section for those companies who have doubled their rebate value. Taking a look at the Daily Double provides an excellent opportunity for saving.

Mr. Rebates

How it Works:
Mr. Rebates, launched in 2002, offers 2000+ online stores to shop from. The Better Business Bureau gives this site an A+ rating.

Similar to Ebates, Mr. Rebates encompasses the same saving concept. However, Mr. Rebates adds a number of categories to its shopping list, for instance: Automotive, Garden, and Green Shopping.
Typically, the rebate confirmation will only take 3-5 business days through this website. However, it may take up to 30 in some cases. Choosing a category through this site will not only provide what coupons are available, but the cash back percentage. Mr. Rebates also has the option of friend referral, offering more money to those friends accepting the request, and using the service.

iGive

How it Works:
Just like Ebates and Mr. Rebates, iGive allows a member to set up an account, taking advantage of many shopping opportunities. However, this site adds its own little flair. Upon setting up an account, a member will be asked which cause he or she would like money donated to. For example, if a person wants to rescue retired greyhounds, iGive will donate the rebates acquired to whichever greyhound rescue charity the member chooses. An excellent source for charities who need funds, iGive provides extra funds for those needing it most.

upromise

How it Works:
This site, like the others, transforms rebates, providing them to those seeking out a college education in the future. Here, a member may choose a budding child, be it a daughter or son, grandchild, or niece or nephew, and put the rebate money aside, saving it for that child’s college education.

Each of these sites provides a great deal of savings; the perfect way to keep cash in your pocket or the ideal way to donate to those you feel need it most.

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Jeff Acaits is a freelance writer who has previously covered personal finance matters including private student loans.

Photo courtesy of Free Web Photos

Have you ever wondered how to get that red carpet movie star look without breaking the bank?  Let’s face it, in these economic times, we are not as willing to go to Sephora, Ulta or other high end retailers to get those key products we love to make us look fabulous. And, if you are like me, you are a drug store beauty junkie who loves scoring amazing quality products that deliver the look for less. Discover the best drug store makeup and tips on applying makeup!

To begin with, one of the keys to making drug store makeup look fabulous is to first determine which brands deliver high impact intensity and quality.  This may mean you have to do some research on the internet.  It may mean that you discover these products through trial and error. I have found that some of the best drug store makeup brands include Milani, Wet n Wild, L’oreal, Black Opal and NYX.  The other key to making drug store makeup look fabulous which is just as important, if not more, is the technique or method of application and the tools you use to perfect the look you are going for.

Eyeshadows

Start off with an eyeshadow primer such as Lumene Eyeshadow Primer to even out the color of your eyelid, prevent creasing and intensify the color of your eyeshadow. You can even use your foundation powder or a concealer to prime the eyelid. Next, apply the shadows with good quality brushes such as Essence of Beauty.  Please do not use the little applicators that come in the compact.  Also, when applying eyeshadow, use a pack and blend method instead of rubbing which breaks down pigments.  Again, please blend blend blend because there is nothing worse than looking like you just slapped on some eyeshadow.

Brushes

To begin with, good makeup brushes are very important tools which will ensure you get the best application. Six basic brushes that you to have in your kit have are: powder brush for applying loose/pressed powders, blush brush, concealer brush, eyeshadow contour brush (which can also be used for blending) for creating depth, small/medium eyeshadow brush for all over application, smudge brush to create softer eyeliner. Brushes come with synthetic and natural hairs. Synthetic hairs are best used for creams such as cream eyeliners and lipsticks, whereas natural hairs are best for powder products.

Brows

Brows give shape and dimension to the face, so start off with making sure your brows are groomed.  This can mean waxing, tweezing, or shaving.  I personally have been using Ardell Cold Wax strips which are very easy to use.  They come with 21 shaping strips for above and below the brow.  If you need to fill in your brows:  lightly fill in with a powder such as Ardell Brow Defining Powder or use a pencil to fill (with light feather strokes) such as Beautique Brow Pencils which are soft and sharpen very nicely.

Foundations

For foundations, start with good skincare which should include cleansing, toning (optional), treatments, moisturizer/suncreen.  When your skin is in good condition, your foundation goes on more smoothly and will only need to be used to polish your look instead of performing a massive cover up.  After your skincare regimen, use a foundation primer such as Rimmell Fix & Perfect Primer to smooth out your skin and keep your foundation on longer.  And please make sure your foundation matches.  Test your foundation along your jawline.  It should match your neck.  If applying liquid, use a foundation brush instead of your fingers for better coverage.  If you are using a powder you can either use the latex sponge that comes in the compact for fuller coverage or use a powder brush for more sheer coverage. If you are using a cream to powder, use a stippling brush.  Next apply your concealer, if necessary, and then blend.  Set with a finishing powder.

Lips

Begin with an exfoliant to slough off dead skin.  Use a lip liner that is close to your natural lip color or that is very close to the lip color you are using.  Fill in your lip.  By doing so, you not only give shape and definition to your lips but the lip liner will also help the lip color adhere to your lips longer, providing longer lasting wear.  Next apply lip color with a lip brush for precision application.

Blush

Again, please don’t use the applicator that comes in the compact.  Use a blush brush with longer bristles so that you get more of a wash of color on the cheeks and don’t look like a clown.

With these tips and the right products, you are well on your way to looking fabulous on a budget!

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Khalilah Neals is founder K. Neals Management, a makeup artistry, beauty, and image management company providing services for all occassions. With 12 years experience in bridal, runway and film, Khalilah has a passion for bringing out the best in her clients. Her artistic and analytical eye for detail has made her a sought after makeup artist. Khalilah has years of management experience with several beauty/clothing retailers such as bebe, Cache and Sephora and has worked as head makeup artist on several independent films and television shows. She teaches her 4 point makeup consultations to clients, provides wardrobe consultations which includes revamping and maximization and has recently participated as one of the makeup artists for DC Fashion Week. For more information, visit www.knealsmgt.com

Image courtesy of: nuttakit / FreeDigitalPhotos.net