(as always every product I mention in the blog will be posted at the bottom)
I've only been temporarily employed for brief stints in my adult life. Whenever I began a traditional job, I would end up very sick and end up having to leave work. I'm not talking your normal sniffles...I once was gravely ill with the flu for an entire month with fevers everyday. I stayed in my home the entire time and still ended up with bronchitis that required an inhaler. Following that I had my first optic nerve problem. I'm not proud of not being able to work at various points in my life; infact that is the bane of my self esteem quite a bit. I'm only mentioning these things because I know the importance of getting the best bang for your buck.
By always having a goal to get the most beauty for my dollar, I feel I've done the indepth research needed to be a near expert. First, I do all my own grooming and makeup application. I have splurged for the occasional mani-pedi but I also have done a significant amount of those at home. It truly saves a bundle if you just commit to doing all your own regiments. I'm realizing now that this blog could get long with all of my money saving advice; so I will keep this blog centered on grooming. Following blogs I'll discuss saving money on actual makeup.
That being said, lets talk first about nails. Going to a nail salon is like just throwing away money. Unless you really feel you owe yourself a good foot rub...I suggest doing your own nails. As I've said in previous blogs, I have my own electric file and dryer. Both items cut down on the filing and drying time of natural nails. Where it used to take me three hours to do my mani-pedi (including drying time), it now only takes about 45 minutes including the drying time! That's huge! Just plop yourself in front of the tube and watch Ophrah while you work. I prefer talk shows when I'm working because you don't really have to watch, just listen. Anyway, my mom found my electric file and dryer in a nail kit at JC Penney but I have also seen them sold at a good price at Sally's Beauty Supply.
I refuse to spend another $9.00 per polish on OPI...it's never happening again, EVER! Walgreens has a great brand called Sinful Colors and I swear to you they have better staying power than OPI. They range from $2 to $4 each and Walgreens often puts them on sale two for one. Sinful Colors even has a really great base coat that truly makes the polish last on natural nails. I've searched far and wide, high and low for a great topcoat. My personal favorite is Sally Hansen Advanced Hard as Nails Strengthening Topcoat. Yes I know it's a long name and they have many topcoats, so if you are looking to buy this, write down the name VERBATUM like I wrote it. The reason I love it so much is that it dries quickly but has a glass type perfect shine that lasts! With the combination of Sinful Colors base and color polish plus this topcoat, I have seriously had a natural nail home manicure last 7 to 10 days. Using these polishes on toes yields even better results...that polish will stay on til you decide your toes need clipping! And one more thing about natural nails...as long as you have a great basecoat, any nail polish will last longer.
Grooming your own brows can also be done at home. I personally tweeze because it gives me something to obsess about, but there are great waxing products by Sally Hansen. Walmart and Target also have brow shaping templets in their cosmetics isles. If you prefer tweezing as well, Revlon makes some good quality tweezers. Please when you buy tweezers only use them plucking hair or applying false lashes...if you use them for everything they will not last long. My pair of brow tweezers I've had for 13 years, no joke. Also those brow templates I mentioned work well for tweezing or waxing.
Since we are on the subject of hair removal, I have some great tips for shaving. First, use conditioner instead of shaving lotions. Conditioner is great for your skin while you shave and also helps save money. Second, only use razors 2-3 times before discarding and store razors outside of the shower. I say that because mold, mildew, and bacteria love to grow in the moistness of the shower...you do not want to end up with an infection or staph. I use razors only a couple of times because the older the razor is, the less clean and sharp it is. I myself do not want infested razors near my skin, and oh by the way your pores open when you shave.
Next, I'd like to discuss where you can get great makeup tools. I've found great false eyelashes (strips and singles), glue, eyelash curlers, and lip balm at the dollar store! In particular, I found them at my local 99 Cent Only store. Peruse around your local dollar store and see what you find! For makeup brushes think outside the box a little bit...Michaels Crafts stores sell an endless array of artist brushes for way cheaper than any makeup counter. If you prefer mainstream, Sonia Kashuk and E.L.F. at Target are really on their game when it comes to quality brushes. My personal favorite Kashuk brush is an eyelash comb/brow brush combo. I love it because the eyelash comb has metal teeth which is extremely hard to find. Before I found the Kashuk metal comb, I hadn't seen a metal one since 2006. A metal comb is perfect for de-clumping and giving you that feathered-eye look.
For home grooming tips, I'm going to continue with hair and coloring. Now keep in my mind I am not a professional beautician, but many principles for hair and skin are the same. Also, my older sister is licensed and has given me some of these tips I will share.
First, your conditioner is of the utmost importance. Conditioner keeps the hair manageable and healthy. Fine hair requires a light consistency conditioner so as not to weigh it down. Frizzy, curly, dry, or generally unmanageable hair needs a thicker, more emollient conditioner. Some even require hot oil or hair masks to tame or hydrate. Second, not every hair coloring requires ammonia. If you wish to darken your color, you do not need to use an ammonia based colorant. Ammonia lightens the base color and deposits colorant...if you are going darker then you only need to deposit the color. As for lightening your hair, unless you are absolutely sure you can do it properly, I actually suggest going to a stylist. The same goes for highlights, they are best done by professionals.
Finally I would like to talk about a book that I own that has helped me with this blog. It's called "The Complete Beauty Book" by Helen Foster. Check out the book and find so many more at home beauty tips. It includes everything beauty from head to toe and even how to eat for beauty.
Taking care of yourself is important no matter what stage of life you are in. Only you can take care of you. I've learned that through persuing medical help and also by being at home. The most important thing about that book and others that I read, is that it helps me stay connected to who I am despite being ill. Even if I can't work or I don't have very much money, I can still take care of myself at home.
I hope that by writing this blog other women can see how beauty, even if you are doing it at home, is about taking care of yourself. I'm not so shallow about cosmetics that I don't know there is an importance to inner beauty. I know that fully. Preparing the outside to be beautiful, helps to bring out confidence. Confidence is one of the greatest motivators I can think of. Confidence motivates us to be ourselves and share our inner beauty. Sharing my knowledge and helping out other women is what I am ultimately about. I'm giving myself a break on my flaws, and I want everyone else to do the same. We are all beautiful; every size, every shape, every color, every circumstance.
Products I mentioned:
Sinful Colors nail polish is available at walgreens and online.
Sally Hansen: Advanced hard as nails strengthening topcoat, Target or Walmart
Sally Hansen also has a wide variety of waxing and depilliatory products
JC Penney and Sally Beauty Supply carry electric files and nail dryers
Revlon for tweezers, Target or Walmart
Michaels Crafts store for cheaper artist brushes (can be used for makeup)
Sonia Kashuk is sold at Target
E.L.F is sold at Target or online
Garnier and Loreal both have great ammonia free haircolors, Target or Walmart
"The Complete Beauty Book" Helen Foster, Borders Books
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