We all want to look our best. And it would be great if we could get it done by spending the least amount of money possible; but, hey, beauty comes at a cost. Unfortunately, it’s not always at a cost to our liking. Even if you are not the trendy type, looking fly on a budget could still prove to be a challenge. In fact, the majority of beauty products and services that give us the quality and quantity we want usually cost bigger bucks. Sooo, in the long run, we may end up NOT purchasing these products or services. And this is because we feel forced to either make a responsible financial decision or -shut off the logically thinking part of our brain- and buy that ‘luxury’ item to pamper ourselves. Let’s keep it real, while resisting the urge to splurge may be a worthy sacrifice -especially if it involves getting something more urgent crossed off your list of priorities- wouldn’t you rather not sacrifice one thing for the other?
That said, here are five beauty hacks that will help you to save where you need to and cut that bit of sacrifice from your next beauty haul /makeover:
Get fuller lashes without the extensions: The last time I did my lashes, I did a classic set (lash fusion), and it was gorg!! While I loved the look, I had to find a million and one new ways to scratch my eyes and wash my face, especially during those first days when no water is supposed to touch them. Thank God for wet wipes, lol. You’re probably wondering why not the glue-on lash sets because the fusion service is a lil pricey, right?… Well, my experience with regular glue-ons is that they either don’t stick properly or they over stick, and the last thing I wanted to do was rip off my actual lashes—which I sorta did anyway because I ended up having to remove them myself and not by a lash technician—So I’d say, the quickest, hassle-free, no drama way to getting natural-looking, voluminous lashes, is to get a good mascara. Go for one that adds to volume/ length or both. When applying, allow one coat to dry before adding another. Layering coats give that extra pop. Go for as many layers as you’d like. Another option is to invest in a proven lash serum that gives a more natural pop. It may cost a bit at first, but you will save in the long run.
Teach an old product new tricks. I am big on multi-purposing my beauty products, so as long as it’s safe, I’m game. For example, yours truly, has never bought blush in her life, and what’s the point of buying blush if your lipstick or eye shadow works just as well? Though, finding the right shade can be like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Do not worry, it all comes down to finding one that complements the undertones of your skin (warm, cool, or neutral), and if you’ve already figured that out for your foundation congrats!!! You are a step ahead. If not, make-up artist Daniel Martin’s tip of comparing blush colour to your natural lip colour will come in handy. The closer the colour of the blush to your natural lip colour, the better it will work for you. For eye shadow, it is less tricky. Use any lipstick of choice to add a splash of colour to your lids. Blend away the gloss using your finger or a sponge, then add some more pizzaz, and you are ready to hit the road. Eyeliners and lip liners can also be multi-purposed; try using your eyeliners as lip liners and vice versa.
Get your fragrances to live longer: Every once in a while, we find a fragrance or two that we just can’t get enough of. If you are like me, you wear it almost every time and almost everywhere, and then you realize three-quarters of the bottle is gone, and that simply sucks. However, if you are not like me (i.e. you do not binge your fragrances), chances are some of it might have just DISAPPEARED. Before you call me crazy, let me explain. Have you ever gotten a cold feeling from spritzing a fragrance on your skin? That cold feeling is from the alcohol contained in most it. So, if you live in climates where it occasionally gets very cold or hot, you might want to keep your fragrances in a drawer or in a place where they will maintain room temperature and not evaporate. Another way to extend the life of your fragrances is to add them to lotions or other scented oils that you use to perfume yourself. That way, you use less and smell just as good.
Your face loves massages too. I am not going to bash ALL face creams because I know a few that work really well. I also know that you do not necessarily need a face cream to get firmer facial skin, get rid of fine lines or even dark circles. I have always loved the idea of achieving my beauty goals without the ‘chemicals’. So when dark circles and puffy eyes would not leave me alone, I started experimenting with facial massages, and they worked like a charm. To do your own facial massage, you may opt to use a roller (a.k.a facial massager), gua-sha stones, or your hands. Rollers and gua-sha normally come with instructions. However, if you choose to use your hands, FaceGym on YouTube is a good place to get started. Use a bit of water, facial oil, or moisturizer before beginning, massages should not be done on a dry face.
Use online marketplaces or beauty schools: There is no shame in the coupon game. Common e-commerce marketplaces that offer beauty services include Groupon, Gustazos, and Brawta Living. These top e-commerce brands, team up with beauty service providers to bring us the same quality services at a significantly discounted price. So the next time you feel like saving a few bucks on spa services like manis, pedis, facials, or even massages, check an online store to see what is available. Another less used option is getting the service done at a beauty school where it is often done, by students, at a reasonably lower cost.
Queens, we deserve the absolute best, and I hope these hacks will get you closer to your beauty goals. Let us know what other tips you would like to receive. We would be more than happy to share the sauce.
Keep slaying, walk good!
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