Beauty on a budget
Tips and tricks to help you look fabulous without breaking the bank.
The truth is, looking your prettiest doesn’t have to cost a pretty penny. Making smart shopping choices and being more creative can curb your spending and boost your bank balance. From colouring your hair at home to repurposing products, these six tips and tricks will help you minimise your spending and maximise your beauty routine.
One of the simplest ways to save money and space is to invest in multipurpose products. This has become quite a trend, as more and more beauty houses launch products that can do more than one job. These include lipsticks that double up as blushers, creamy make-up sticks or palettes that can be used on your lips, cheeks and eyes, serum foundations that offer coverage and skincare benefits, or beauty balms that tame your brows, moisturise or act as a highlighter.
JBG Velvet Lipstick R39.99
Using too much product tends to cause skin irritation and oily residue. And it’s also wasteful. Knowing how much of each product to use will ensure it lasts longer and save you money.
- Cleanser: Use a hazelnut-size amount (1 pump).
- Exfoliator: Use roughly half a teaspoon.
- Moisturiser: Depending on its consistency, a pea- to almond-sized drop should do.
- Eye cream: Apply the equivalent of a grain of rice.
- Sunscreen: Use half a teaspoon for face and neck.
- Serums and oils: A pea-sized amount of these will do.
When you find a foundation that suits your skin type and skin tone, it’s worth purchasing it. However, on days when you don’t need as much coverage, use less by mixing your foundation with a drop of moisturiser or serum. In effect, you have a tinted moisturiser that gives you hydrating benefits as well as light coverage, and your bottle of foundation will last longer.
4. COLOUR YOUR HAIR AT HOME
The cost of getting your hair coloured professionally every four to six weeks can add up quickly. So, rather than heading to the salon, consider doing your hair in the comfort of your own home. With plenty of at-home hair-colouring kits on the shelves, achieving envy-worthy colour without the salon price tag is now easier (and cheaper) than ever.
5. REPURPOSE PRODUCTS YOU’RE NOT HAPPY WITH
If you bought a product that doesn’t seem to work well for you, don’t throw it away. Instead, repurpose it. A face cream that does not seem to agree with your skin type could work well as a cuticle moisturiser, while a body wash or bubble bath with a fragrance you are not fond of could be used as a hand wash in your guest bathroom. And never throw out broken bronzers. Mix a little moisturiser with them, and you’ve got yourself a custom bronzing lotion.
To mend powder make-up, gather all the pieces, place them in their original container and crush them all up. Use a make-up wipe and press down onto the broken powder. The moisture from the wipe will help press the loose powder back into its original shape. Once the powder is pressed flat, leave your compact open to dry out. For broken lipstick, take the remains and press down into an empty lip palette. For clumpy mascara, tighten the cap and place the tube in hot water for three minutes. The heat will help break up any clumps and bring your mascara back to life.
TEXT BY LEILA PETERSEN
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