Mixing Disappointing Hair ProductsHave you ever used a hair product like mousse, gel, cream, spray, etc. that for whatever reason was a disappointment? Maybe you didn't like the scent or its performance on your hair. Instead of tossing it in the garbage, I have a frugal solution that has worked well for me.
Mix Sunless Tanning Lotion with Regular LotionI use half and half. If you do this, you avoid streaks, it reduces the odor of the sunless tanning product, and you save money, since the sunless product is typically more expensive than the lotion you dilute it with
Getting the Most Out of Contact LensesContact lenses do not come cheap. It can be easy to mishandle them and let them go to waste. Here are some tips from my optometrist and myself on how to get the most out of your lenses.
Masking Tape for Eyebrow ShapingI needed to trim my eyebrows, and I dislike tweezers. I tried some of this extra wide masking tape from the Dollar General, because it is stickier than the thin size, and it worked really well for me.
Saving on Makeup and Skin CareFrench women are known for taking great care of their skin by drinking plenty of water, eating their vegetables, and incorporating healthy movement into their daily life, not by wearing gobs of makeup. Cultivate an inner glow by taking care of your health.
Save Thickened Nail PolishWhen your nail polish begins to thicken either just dip your nail polish brush into non-acetone nail polish remover and replace the brush back into the bottle and roll it in your hands. Never shake a bottle of nail polish or you get bubbles in it!
Take Chapstick EverywhereMost of the time, you would carry around chap-stick in your purse, pocket, etc, for your lips. But it is also good to have for other purposes.
Removing Too Tight RingsThe best thing I have found to loosen or remove rings from swollen fingers due to salt or altitude is creamy hair conditioner. It works better than soap or lotion. Just squirt a bit around the ring area and twist a bit to get underneath and around your knuckles, and it will usually slide right off.
Eyebrow Pencil for Perfect SeamsIf you are one of those style conscious girls who still enjoys wearing full fashioned hosiery, this tip is for you. The tip could be for most ladies, as older styles do have a tendency to return periodically.
Plastic French Wire Hooks for Sensitive EarsMy daughter has always had trouble with metal wires for her earrings. One day while we were in the local craft store, we found replacement French "wires" made out of plastic.
Tips for Wearing False EyelashesSoak your lashes in a bath of hot water and leave for a minute or two. Remove with tweezers and dry with a paper towel. Any sticky residue from the last outing will be visible and will be easy to peel off.
Lid Removal from DeodorantIf you are like me and have no strength in your hands and fingers, then this tip is for you. When you get a new deodorant with the little plastic cover, use fingernail clippers to grab the corner of the clear cover. That way, you won't have to struggle with pulling and pulling and get no results.
Use All the Lotion in a TubeWhen you can't squeeze any more lotion out of a plastic tube, save what is left inside by cutting the tube so you can dip it out with your finger. I trim the tube so the top will fit over the bottom and this keeps it from drying out. It works great for me.
Use Dryer Sheets to Freshen UpYou've had a long day at the office and you are about to meet a client or attend a meeting and you need to freshen up. Don't reach for perfume or cologne, use a tumble dryer scented sheet and rub over your clothing.
Relieving Denture PainHaving had dentures for over 40 years I've learned a few tricks. Such as using an emery board to file down a little nub. Be careful not to over do it. My dentist recently gave me a "slap on the head, why didn't I think of that".
Perfumed Bath Oil Outlasts PerfumeI purchased a 1/2 ounce bottle of perfumed bath oil for my mother. Today, the oil has the same strength and the same unchanged scent as it did when I gave it to her.
Getting the Last Bit Out of a TubeI love the expensive "eyelid primer" before applying my eye shadow. It only takes a dot on the eyelid to make my makeup last from morning to night. When I get to the "end" of the tiny tube and can't squeeze anymore out, there's still at least a week's worth in the tube.
Use Left-over Hair Conditioner as Bath 'Oil'If, like me, you somehow accumulate more hair conditioner than you can possibly use for your hair, don't throw it away. It makes a great bath 'oil'. Just rub a dollop between your hands then rub your hands together in the bathwater.
Getting All Foundation Makeup Out of BottleMakeup foundation is so expensive. Much of the liquid clings to the side of the bottle. I use a Q-tip to get every ounce of makeup from the container. I do this with concealer too.
Use Hand Lotion Before Putting on Sock or NylonsNo more snagging your nylons or socks. Use hand or foot lotion right before slipping on your socks and you'll feel nothing but smooth.
Eliminating Bad BreathA product called SmartMouth really works to get rid of bad breath! It can be purchased at Wal-mart and pharmacies.
Saving Money on a Clean ShaveA clean shave results in a great feeling, particularly considering the closeness allowed by multiple blade razors; however, the cost of replacement razor blade heads is steep, if not a bit galling.
Using Every Bit of DeodorantSave your empty deodorant containers that still have some deodorant in the bottom. When you have quite a few of them, heat them in the microwave for about 10 seconds or until melted. Pour into an empty container and let harden. You will have another full deodorant to use.
Wear Nickle Free EarringsI had a problem wearing any kind of earrings, no matter if they were silver, gold, etc. Then I tried what is called "nickle free" earrings. Now I can wear mine all day long without any itching or infections.
Wearing Costume Jewelry With a Nickle AllergyNickel is a common metal for costume jewelry. Due to a nickel allergy that causes me to get a rash wherever there is contact with the skin, I have a few gambits that I use to avoid the irritation.
Free Beauty SamplesFree beauty samples are yours for the taking. You just have to know where to look! You can stock up by signing up for free samples online or doing it the old fashioned way: Visit all of the beauty counters at all of your local malls and go "shopping."
Simplify Your Beauty BagThink you can't survive without your must-have pricy eye cream or moisturizer? Your skin will survive for a few months, maybe even longer, on lower priced skin care products you can find at the drugstore.
Shop at Beauty Supply StoresI no longer color my hair, which saves us some money. But, when I did color my hair, I would buy my supplies at a beauty supply store. Much cheaper than the drug store brands.
Cheap Teeth WhiteningClean your teeth by chewing on a raw potato. It works fast and better than those expensive whiting strips!
Eyebrow Grooming TipDo you want to pluck your eyebrows like a pro? Use an eyebrow pencil to shade the shape you want, then only pluck around the shaded area!
Fold Cotton Rounds To Use TwiceWhen using cotton rounds to apply facial toner/astringent, fold it in half before moistening and using it. You can use the "outer" sides of the half-moon once and depending on how dirty it gets, you can then flip it "inside out" and use it the next day
Use Bubble Wrap To Increase Tub's Water LevelI love long hot baths, but even though I have an older and roomier bathtub the valve around the faucet still drains off the water and lowers the water level. I have found that I can stop up that drain by stopping it with squares of bubble wrap.
Shaving TipsWhen shaving, first I use an electric shaver. Before I finish up with a straight razor, I use some moisturizer on my face. It eliminates razor burns and cuts. It really works quite well.
Free Beauty SamplesI love the feeling I get from wearing a perfume that smells wonderful on me, but don't appreciate the expense and disappointment when a scent doesn't compliment my body chemistry just right.
Hemorrhoid Cream for WrinklesThere are so many beauty products out there to slow up and even get rid of wrinkles. We have all seen the price of these products. I have spent hundreds of dollars to stop wrinkles on my face. I have the best, I mean the best way, to stop wrinkles, and we can all afford it.
Inexpensive Electric Toothbrush as a Facial ScrubberHere's an alternative to buying the electronic facial scrubbers like the Wave. You can use a cheap electric toothbrush.
Use Antiperspirant For More Than Under ArmsIf A person is heavy, like myself, they need to understand that deodorant is needed in more areas then underarms. Any place skin touches, it is important to keep cleansed and followed with antiperspirant to keep this area dry and odor free!
Carry Sunscreen Samples in Your PurseAlways perspiring the sunscreen off, and have to re-apply on the go? Those samples of moisturizer with sunscreen are great for carrying around in your purse during the summer for extra applications.
Use Silverware Tray to Organize Makeup DrawerI used to hate my makeup drawer! Now I use the silverware trays from the dollar store to organize my cosmetics! It works great and when it gets dirty I can just toss it in the dishwasher!
Removing Sunless Tanning StainsTo avoid orange palms after fake tanning, rub a little toothpaste into you hands then rinse it off.
Place Beauty Supplies In Mister BottlesWhen preparing for a recent weekend trip and trying to transfer all of my beauty product liquids into 3 oz. or smaller containers, I discovered a trick that will help any "true" liquid product such as facial toner, nail polish remover, etc last a lot longer!
Putting on a Bracelet By YourselfI live alone so sometimes have a difficult time putting a bracelet or watch on by myself so I tape one end on my wrist with cellophane tape so it stays put and then I can take the other end and hook it together. Works every time!
Use Pantyhose To Remove Deodorant ResidueMy mother in law gave me great tip that I use almost everyday. When I am getting dressed and accidentally get deodorant on my shirt or dress, I grab a pair of pantyhose wad them up into a ball and quickly rub the white stain out
Use An Art Sponge For ExfoliatingI have dry skin, and like most of us, don't like to use something harsh on my face. I found this little art sponge/stencil dauber at a yard sale for .25, and it's nylon "scrubbies" are perfect. They exfoliate without hurting my face, and the round shape is perfect for dipping into the container I put my face wash in.
Have Confidence To Face The WorldI guess this could be called a 'confidence in myself' tip. Like probably nearly all women, I tend to worry about appearance before I leave the house. I stand in front of the long bathroom mirror and agonize over things.
Hair Serum Has Many UsesSilicone or Dimethicone based products made for smoothing Frizzy and Curly Hair (Like Citre-Shine or Frizz-Eze anti-frizz serum), are great for smoothing rough elbows, knees and feet better than anything out there!
Keeping Track of Cosmetic SamplesI have received free samples of cosmetic and facial products and am frequently not in a position to purchase those I liked due to a surplus of products in the house. Making a mental note to buy these when needed doesn't function because I'll forget their exact names.
Marking Beauty Product For Easy UseRegarding eyeliner and eyebrow pencils: Because both sides have similar caps (one for the pencil liner, the other for a brush or eraser), taking each one off to examine is tedious.
Keep Body Sprays In FridgeFor a nice pick-me-up for upcoming summer weather, put your spray on body mists or sprays in the refrigerator to keep them cold! When you spritz yourself, it's a nice treat to have tingling cold and pretty smelling mist rather then room temperature!
Removing Tight RingsThis works every time. If you can't get your ring off your finger, spray Windex all around the ring and off it will come. You'll never forget this tip after it works for you just once.
Shaving Cream SubstituteThe tubes of after-color conditioning treatment that comes in at-home hair coloring makes a great 'shave lotion' for your legs and underarms.
Perfume or Cologne and ClothingPut perfume or cologne on your skin instead of your clothing. The perfume may stain or damage some types of fabric.
Buying High End Cosmetics for Cheap PricesI just got some color shampoo at the dollar store (which would cost $8/bottle) - and face cream (another $7/8 a tube). . .
Drugstore Beauty ProductsAfter our baby was born, I wasn't working and I went to the hair salon to buy my hair products and simply couldn't pay the $76 of product I was buying. So, I started buying better drugstore items and found there is no difference.
Saving Money on Teeth WhiteningStretching The Teeth Whitening Tip. I have been purchasing Crest Night Effects tooth whitener and using it with great success. However, anyone who has ever bought these products know just how expensive they can be even with coupons.
Visit Cosmetology Schools for PamperingIf you can't afford to go to a day spa and would like some pampering, check to see if there is a local cosmetology school near you. Not only do they perform hair cutting, styling and coloring, but they also do parafin wax.
Measure to Save on MouthwashI used to just pour mouthwash into a bathroom cup without measuring. Now I know I was wasting a lot of Listerine. The recommended amount per use is just 20 milliliters...
Cure for Cracked CuticlesI'm a pretty avid crafter and always seem to have my hands in things that are not good for them. Lately I've been applying ChapStick to my cuticles a couple times a week before going to sleep, and it's worked miracles on the condition of my hands. . .
Reusing Dove Cleansing ClothsI've just started using Dove Cleansing Cloths. But they are expensive. And I can't afford to just buy them when ever I run out. So what I do is reuse them until there is no more soap. I can get 3-4 uses before I throw them away. It's saves me money.
Opening Nail Polish BottlesI always have trouble opening nail polish bottles, especially if they have been used more than once.
Hypoallergenic Bubble BathMy son loves bubble bath but has very sensitive skin. I have found that I can use the cheap store brand baby shampoo, which is hypoallergenic, and it works great and doesn't irritate his skin. Plus you get a lot more for less because it makes so many more bubbles!
Add Almond Oil to LotionMy grandmother always bought a small bottle of almond oil and added it to all of her store bought lotions. It makes a huge difference in the moisture and can be added to almost any type of lotion.
Curling EyelashesIf you curl your lashes with an eyelash curler, try heating the curler in hot water or with a warm blow dryer before curling, it will work like a curling iron for your lashes.
By Anna
