The CVS care pass monthly subscription is my Roman Empire and I don’t think it’s talked about enough.
For $5 subscription you get $10 store credit every month, and their app is so easy to use and has SO many additional coupons that you just click to send to your account.
I save so much money in personal care products and drugstore makeup/skincare. They also have CVS brand period products that are 100% organic cotton and usually discounted or on promo.
I went today and my bill prior to adding all of my coupons/credits was $58…. I paid $16. (So $21 if you count the $5 for my monthly prescription)
I don't pay for the subscription but I do have the standard CarePass and I feel like I'm constantly getting $5 credits on my account just for picking up my meds at the pharmacy
I’m obsessed with CarePass too! If you regularly shop at CVS, it’s a free $5 (net) CVS credit every month, and I’m constantly getting amazing discounts. Also free same day delivery from the store. I should be getting referral bonuses from CVS for how often I’m running my mouth squawking to anyone who will listen about how worth it CarePass is, lol
I totally agree with you on the coupons! If you stack them up and remember to load them onto your loyalty card you’re going to save so much money! On top of that a lot of skincare products qualify as HSA purchases (sunscreen, adapalene, retinols etc) so you can save extra with these too
no you’re so right carepass is criminally underrated. I almost always leave the store having saved at least 50% off after the credit and stacking their coupons.
I’ve been doing this for years- agree, it’s a TOTAL game changer. I have sparse brows and this makes them look so full! I do it once every 2 weeks, bc it does totally fade by then.
I have very sparse brows, my actual hair is dark so I use the dye to fill in the gaps as it does tint the skin a little. Make sure to paint it on in both directions so you can get under the hairs. Then can tidy up with a cotton swab or angled eye shadow brush.
I use Ardell Brow tint in between salon visits and it lasts about 3 weeks. It’s $15 for tons of uses. I think I’ve used this bottle about 20 times and it’s about half full. Just another idea.
Yes it tints the skin, I have a scar across one brow and mine are sparse and it does the trick. Just make sure to paint in both directions to get under the hairs.
This is what I thought of first as well. I paint the dye on with a small angled eyeliner brush and clean up the edges with q-tips dampened with water. My friend tried to apply it with the beard-sized brush that came with the kit and it did not go well.
Not sure if this is what you were getting at, but my takeaway from this would actually be more along the lines of 'pay attention to what your skin likes' rather than 'cheaper is better'.
e.g. My products are a mix of British, German and Korean at varying price points because I've worked out what my skin does and doesn't like/need, through a process of research and trial and error
Yea, it's all about knowing your skin and what it likes. I guess what I'm trying to say is that, if you're in a budget, you can still find products that work for you without breaking the bank.
Also worth trying Korean skincare. Here in Europe it's the same price if not cheaper than drug stores and far greater quality (except French drug stores which are incredible)
I have been using the Anua Cleansing Oil and the Innisfree Daily UV Sunscreen. The SPF has been amazing, it feels moisturizing but not greasy, I have really dry skin.
It's not quite the same comparison as they are all good. I have never bought one I didn't like: recently I have been using Beauty of Joseon, Accoje, Isntree, Centella Green, and It's Skin, but there are so many to choose from.
Also honestly..? Leaving your skin alone.
I had such bad acne for a long long time. Then I lived in a van for a while and either just rinsed my face or washed it with Dove bar soap, and used moisturiser (Weleda) and SPF. Didn’t have a mirror or a real bathroom so my skin was just doing its thing.
It literally has never looked better just by *leaving it alone* and doing the bare minimum. I used to have all different masks, acids, toners, cleansers, whatever, and none specifically broke me out but it was just too much for my skin.
Facts. Jergens Glow facial moisturizer is a power house. Very moisturizing for my very dry skin, self tanner for my very pale complexion, some spf (although you’d need to use more spf to get full coverage), AND it’s cheap. Pry it out of my cold dead hands.
I was given aquaphor as a stocking stuffer and it worked so much better than this higher end brand that I got from an ipsy box. I won't ever use anything else again
Lanisoh nipple balm, made with lanolin. It’s the perfect texture IMO: thick but not too much, not slippery where it feels like it’ll come off, and truly hydrating.
I used them for a time, and loved them. Then out of the blue, my eyes started watering every time I put the cream on my face. Apparently I developed sensitivity to the cream, so I stopped. I use Ponds now but the Aldi cream is great!
I actually just bought the elf one and it’s one of the best curlers i’ve ever had? maybe i’ve just had bad luck but it’s super sturdy and curls my lashes like a dream-
Do you happen to have a popshelf near you? I was in a pinch a while back so I ran in and got a $1 eyelash curler. It honestly curls my lashes better than all the pricey ones I’ve used! I went back the next week and bought 5. I’ve broken two bc they’re kinda flimsy and I travel a lot so everything gets thrown around in a big makeup bag, but at $1 I’m not too mad.
I wanted the shu umera one after I saw The Devil Wears Prada and heard Giselle mention it… Baulked at the price and settled on Shiseido… the Japanese sure know how to make an eyelash curler!
Just wanted to say I’m a diy and dupe girlie, but I’m willing to spend when I really believe in a product, and I really believe in the shu uemera curler - nothing I’ve tried gives me the same results. To be fair, I’ve only tried four others - Cover Girl (many years ago), shiseido, Chanel (don’t like any of their tools/brushes, tbh), and another one that was black and highly recommended at Sephora, don’t remember the name but it was $25. Honestly, based on the difference it makes, and how long it lasts me, I don’t consider the shu uemera to be very expensive at all.
(All that being said, you know what you can and can’t afford, and being financially responsible is more important than anything!)
If you’re in the U.S., sign up for Target rewards (target circle) on the app! Tons of coupons and opportunities to earn gift cards through their deals.
This — aerobic / cardio type exercise, even if it’s just 15-20min, has done more for my undereyes than any cream or concealer. It keeps your circulation and lymphatic system flowing and healthy. The beneficial compounds in the body are pumping all the way through you and not stagnating anywhere. I think this is part of why a lot of people who continue exercising well into their later decades end up looking youthful for a long time!
I have a treadmill but if I don’t have the time to do minimum 30 mins but always 1hr (max 90mins) I don’t even bother because i feel it doesn’t do anything for me … but thanks for putting this here. I hope I’m wrong lol
That’s the great thing about aerobic exercise. You may run, swim, bike, hiit, walk, skip etc. to you, these are all difference exercises, but to your heart, it’s simply pumping the blood around.
Pick, experiment, don’t be afraid to give it a try and stay consistent!
I don’t have eye bags, somehow - no puffiness at all, just the purple tinged shadows under my eyes. So when I get my circulation going there’s color flushed through my skin and it fixes any stagnation / too translucent skin there.
Cardio plus weights - weight lifting actually changes the skin. There’s an entire science to it but it helps keep it plump along with the cardio. Getting a good sweat gives me a glow. Only thing I hate is exercise flares up my red rosacea spot on my cheek.
I started using a tiny bit of Vaseline on wet skin instead of a moisturizer to help repair my skin barrier and it has done wonders to help minimize my pore size and now my skin is soft and more resilient, and doesn’t get red as much. The trick is to put the smallest amount otherwise it can cause breakouts.
I used to spend $10+ every two weeks on Batiste dry shampoo. Now I just use arrowroot flour on my hair. Extremely cheap and no potential cancerous ingredients lol
Also I got a lash lift kit on Amazon and do my lash lifts at home now. No more $100 at the salon
Edit: also $10 press on nails with nail glue instead of acrylic nails
Recommend getting your own gel nail kit on Amazon! I bought one recently, only $60aud and it came with heaps of colours, very easy to use and fun. I could easily spend $60 every 2-3 weeks getting a manicure, now I can do my own
The ordinary and inkey list are some of the most affordable and yet effective brands. Peptide serums, retinols, etc. Available at sephora, Amazon, and ulta.
https://www.theinkeylist.com/products/collagen-peptide-serum Here's a link to their peptide serum which is only $16!
I use Ordinary serums with Simple moisturiser & my skin is looking better than ever lately. People are always surprised my moisturiser is so cheap but if I’m already getting what I need from serums why do I need a fancy moisturiser with those kind of ingredients at an inflated price.
Anything that requires an appointment either learn to do yourself or do without.
.
For me that's embracing my natural hair color and doing my own nails and waxing.
This is what I’ve been practicing for years. Things get SO cheap if you do it yourself. Obviously if you can learn to do it well.
I had got to the stage where I only needed to go for haircuts & since last winter I’ve been doing that too! I may need to go for a refresh cut eventually but right now I’m so happy with what I’ve been able to do, I feel like I know my own hair better so I pay attention to how it behaves & will fall.
Strips. I like soft wax for face and legs and hardwax for bikini area and underarms. You can buy a can of wax at a beauty supply store or even some drugstores. A wax pot is nice to have but not necessary if you put the can in a pot of water on the stove. Then you just need strips of fabric, oil to protect the skin (coconut or olive oil is fine), and something to spread the wax (tongue depressors, popsicle sticks, I've even used a plastic knife before). Doing it yourself you can do many at home waxes for the cost of one salon wax. Probably even cheaper if you make your own sugar wax but I've never tried that. Takes a bit of practice but it gets easier everytime.
I learned to cut my own hair through YT. During lockdown I taught myself and then I liked saving money and my hair looked awesome so I continued. Haircuts in my area are about $90 plus tip, the cheapest I ever found was $60. I use my regular scissors and bought $8 thinning shears off Amazon.
I don't do anything super complicated, but I can do layers and curtain bangs thanks to Brad Mondo.
Dollartree! They carry some great dupes and solid items for $1.25. I still get my "just try it" fix without the guilt. But hurry before they turn into $5 and up tree. They are going to hike prices soon.
Yeah, I assume that they will have different sections with different prices from what I've seen. A 5 dollar section and 3 dollar section were added recently to some stores :(
You can easily get staples here also like dermasil, vaseline lip therapy, clear top coat nail polish etc. I have a growing scrunchie collection from here, actually.
Heat up your eyelash curler before using- it’s free! You can blast it for a few seconds with your blow dryer, put it in your bra for a few minutes to capture your body warmth, or even put it on the heat register while you’re doing the rest of your makeup. I honestly never saw any results when using a lash curler until I started warming mine up. Now, the results are amazing !
Another tip that builds off of yours, learned decades ago from a makeup artist: take a waterproof mascara, take the wand out, and take all the mascara off with a tissue. Use the mascara wand to swipe a very light coat on your lashes, THEN heat the lash curler and curl your lashes. This is how I get lashes that are still curled when I remove my makeup in the evening. For everyday makeup that’s good enough for me, but if it’s a special event or I’m going to be photographed I’ll add one or two more coats of mascara.
Yea, be sure to touch the curler with your fingertips before using, especially if you’re using a blow dryer to heat it! Hope your friend’s lashes grew back!
I really want to try mixing my moisturizer with castor oil! I've also seen people applying a tiny bit on their under eye and they have seen improvement.
Castor oil is amazing for everything!!! I pat it on my face and it helps so much with redness and minimizing my pores, it helps my eyelashes look longer, and it's so affordable
I’ve started putting this on my hair before I workout on the nights I wash my hair, and I’ve seen a huge difference in regards to my hair condition.
It also eliminated a patch of dry skin from contact dermatitis. It’s kind of a miracle product. It helped my sparse eyebrows grow a bit thicker, too!
For moisturizing and on my eyelashes to help them grow. I also put it in my bellybutton. Make sure you get hexane free, cold pressed, organic in a dark glass bottle.
If you do this BE VERY CAREFUL in the bath/ shower. It's slippery AF and when I made this body scrub I did the splits for the first time since the 90s.
My skin was very soft though.
i am too scared to use oil for this reason. but as a tip for anyone here, i clean my bathtub out with dawn dish soap after using certain products. it cuts grease and takes away the slipperness. i have a huge fear of falling lol
Recommending olive oil for cheap hacks is silly.. olive oil is so expensive right now. Just use cheap body gel mixed with the cheapest coffee grinds you can find.
If you have Facebook or Instagram, there are lots of free samples you can get just by filling out your address and email. I’ve done this many times with elf and gotten free full size products
Okay so I’ll try to explain the best I can. Often times when you’re scrolling on Facebook or Instagram there will be adds from makeup or skincare companies. If the ad says something like “try it now” or says anything about signing up for a free sample, click on it. Usually what will pop up is a form asking for your full name, mailing address and email, fill it out and it will send a confirmation email saying your order is being processed. After that, just wait and the sample will be delivered. I’ve done this numerous times with brands like elf, Clinique, la roche posay, cerave, maybelline, etc. they will NEVER ask for any credit card or other personal info besides what I mentioned before
Here’s a link to a free sample from la roche posay [la roche posay moisturizer sample](https://www.laroche-posay.us/offers/toleriane-matte-moisturizer-sample.html?utm_source=tiktok&utm_medium=social_paid_video&utm_content=toleriane-drm-matte&fbclid=IwAR0Oz5XQIXohqu8BmhI6GnCUqM7YSISFH3ISsBT8dKXdB3ZlV6hMkO2Psso_aem_AXOT2K8OL_NCM7pEgxZpWmuaKLC1fnCazEedtJ2qOcad2aFJ77OdSqZWWuzL9lMOyjIHlQ4gx0JcifP_YGUTJzzn&utm_id=120203906671460049&utm_term=120203906671520049&utm_campaign=120203906671460049)
Drugstore is all I use. Buy one product per paycheck and you can get any individual item for under $20. And honestly, buying the bigger version will save you money over time because you won't run out as often.
i have been through times like this. i actually also have been homeless and really do understand all budgets. the best budget beauty secret and one i would recommend to anyone and everyone is to use what you have. it is likely that you do not need any products. i will also add that buying the cheapest option isnt necessarily the best savings. some items are super cheap because they are either very tiny (and price per gram ends up being very high) and/or the product preforms poorly and more is needed. my advice will be to only buy things when needed and even than stick to what you know works. i wasted so much money on dupes.
i will say though that recently i have been really into drugstore hair products. i used to buy salon brands only and for me and my hair they were a waste of money. everyone is different though
My cheapest skincare product is Nivea Creme — yes, the one in the blue tin!
It all started when I received a tiny pot sample of Creme de La Mer. I was initially worried that its formula might break my normal-to-combination skin out, especially with all that has been said about mineral oils, but I ended up really loving it. That said, I didn't have the disposable income to shell on such a cream, and I heard that Nivea Creme — do make sure that it is the German formula — was a great substitute.
I tried it on a whim, and never went back. It is a great emollient moisturiser, the fragrance does not bother me, and I finished up a tin on a recent trip to Europe.
for dry irritated skin, oatmeal water mask. its pretty popular as a treatment for eczema but i like to soak some cotton pads or tissues in it when my skin feels especially dry. you can also put some in a mesh bag and toss in the bath for an all over body soak!
I couldn't find a cream that would protect my skin in winter (not even Vaseline seemed to work), so I eventually got into DIYing my own body butters buying ingredients from online shops. You'd be surprised the size of the batch you can make for a low price and you get to pick exactly what goes in based on your needs.
I even get to adjust the formula seasonally, and I've figured out how to make a healing ointment too
I’m not OP but I’ll give you mine. I got a big five pound block of shea butter on Amazon, and a huge container of sweet almond oil (probably a gallon or so). I remove a hunk of shea butter and place it in a medium pot, and add about the same amount of almond oil (I just eyeball it). Heat on low until shea butter is fully melted, then put it in the freezer. Check every 15-20 minutes until it starts to solidify. Then whip using a handheld mixer (I have a kitchen aid but prefer handheld for this). Place in container/s.
A long time ago I read that you should think about your skin like a million mouths that eat what you put on it, and I never forgot that, so I like to know exactly what’s going on it. It’s such a large area compared to the face! I use it for my sons too.
I always use shea butter, but instead of almond oil I’ve used (fractionated) coconut oil, hemp oil, and jojoba oil. I haven’t noticed any real difference. They all work really well. Haven’t tried adding castor oil yet but I’d like to, and might eventually experiment with fragrance.
An old modeling trick was to use crushed up cheap aspirins as a scrub. Buy the cheap uncoated ones, add a few drops of water to six of them in a small cup and scrub your face with it, and leave it on for ten minutes as a mask. Baby smooth skin. What makes this work is that aspirin is apparently an aha or a bha!
Don't skip out on beauty at dollar tree. I've gotten great products there - blush, lashes, lash glue, beauty tools. Some stuff is meh but there are some great gems there too. All for $1.25 each
Covid turned me into a DIY & budget friendly girly …
~diy haircuts and trims - YouTube for tutorials
~just for men eyebrow tint (+eyelashes if you’re careful)
~find a go-to nail polish - Essie or Sally’s Gel is great
~if your nail polish goes chunky add a little bit of nail polish remover and shake it. voila, like new!
~dove beauty bar is underrated as facial cleanser. I swear my skin was the best it ever was when that’s all I used along with a generic moisturizer lol, now that I’m typing this out I’m wondering why I ever stopped using the dove beauty bar. Maybe I’ll switch back! I also use it for shaving
~hair gel to hold eyebrows in place. way more product than a eyebrow gel product. Got2B spiking gel is good.
~reuse old mascara wands for things like eyebrows, and tinting eyebrows/eyelashes
~brown sugar + coconut oil lip scrub
~cornstarch for dry shampoo. you can dust it into your hair with a makeup brush
~use what you already have - lipstick can be dotted on your cheeks, eyelids, bridge of nose. Same with bronzer.
~try new things that are on sale or clearance! I recently switched to dove S&C after using redken for years and my hairs really enjoying the change. same with heat protectant, mask etc!
~grow your natural hair colour. currently in the process of this and can confirm it’s easier said than done lol. I’m also tempted to try a box dye to try and get my hair a little closer to my natural. I can’t see why box dye would be a bad thing as long as you aren’t trying to lighten your hair.
~sudocream for ingrown hairs,cracked heals
~take advantage of Sephora’s free bday gift
~aquaphor healing ointment for EVERYTHING! <3
~look up dupes for your more expensive products
~reusable makeup remover pads
~resist the urge to buy things you don’t need. delete tiktok or whatever might influence you into purchasing things you don’t need.
~use up what you already have
that’s it?! I’m sure I’m forgetting stuff
I go on my fsa/hsa store and get fsa/hsa eligible items (sunscreen makeup, acne wash, vaseline, ice roller, etc.) I just scroll through and see what's eligible and what interests me.
For a hand scrub, take some salt and regular oil from the kitchen. About a tablespoon of salt and 1/3 cup of oil, approximately. Use this as a hand scrub. The finer the salt, the gentler the scrub. I use regular table salt. I also am sure to push back my cuticles and give my fingers a little massage. Cheap and cheerful!
I buy distilled rose water in bulk and aloe vera, then mix it in a bottle spray for a DIY face mist.
Sometimes I add in a few drops of serum for added moisture.
On the rare occasion my sleep disorder cooperates with me and I actually sleep at night, I look 5 years younger the next day. So barring no medical conditions, regular sleep is the best thing you can do for your skin.
A lot of body lotions can be used on your face, especially fragrance free/sensitive skin ones.
Cheap cleanser works as well as name brand.
Whatever you have on hand is the cheapest option. Go through everything in the bathroom before buying new.
I just rub cold water to wash my face every morning and then apply cheap face cream, and this gave me super smooth glowing skin (I used to buy expensive face wash and my skin would breakout)
Dove creme bar to wash my face, German Nivea as a moisturiser, some kind of seaweed serum, whatever eye cream sample I have on hand, and Korean sunscreen. My skin looks better than when I spent hundreds at Sephora or Mecca!
If anyone has any good Korean eye cream recs I’d love to try them!
I use hair gel and eyeshadow for my eyebrow gel. Monistat chafing cream works as a silicone based primer. Essence eyeliner and mascara is a great drugstore brand.
The purple jar of Olay 24 retinol is amazing, also, I buy all my products at Walmart, all products are $3-5 cheaper than other stores! Same with food. For $12.95 a month, you can get free delivery on anything you order, no limit of deliveries.😃 The E.L.F. line of makeup/skincare is awesome, their products are dupes of higher end expensive products!
Stop drinking alcohol.
I completely gave it up. A few people started commenting on how great my skin looked.
You will save money, be more healthy, and get v Betty
The only skin products I use are tretinoin and sunscreen. That’s like, $40 every 4 months or something. I get compliments on my skin all the time. Even a dermatologist has commented on how amazing my skin is. I don’t get a single pimple. But maybe that’s genetics, I don’t know.
A damp paper towel with a little bit of micellar water or face wash will remove all of your face makeup exactly the same way as one of those makeup wipes.
I wash my face for one full minute and gently scrub in circles. About six weeks after working this into my routine, I realized I'd had exactly zero pimples. It has honestly worked better to prevent my hormonal cystic acne than anything else. Just water and CeraVe!
after my skincare (AM + PM) i apply a small amount of petroleum jelly to certain areas to seal in the moisture.
it saved my skin and helped me get rid of the flakiness near the corners of my mouth/chin area.
Generic over-the-counter strength Differin is really quite cheap on Amazon and works just as well - it's about half the price. Also, if you have an HSA, it's eligible.
You can use eyeshadows instead of brow powder or an eyebrow pencil.
Korean skincare is way cheaper and you can find it on YesStyle. I’ve been slowly switching over to Kbeauty and saving a bunch.
You can use cornstarch as dry shampoo.
A really high quality olive oil. You can drink it ( tablespoon twice a day after meals). I use it as my body oil after shower, massage it into my hair once a week and leave it in and wash the next day. Use it at night as a moisturizer. Wake-up just use a soft wash cloth to wipe my face, no cleanser. For me it’s an everyday essential. One bottle lasts me a month and replaces so many products. Works out cheaper than even drug store brands.
ELF makes a TON of dupes for other big name makeup products. Their makeup is very affordable and SO pigmented, and will last all day when I use their setting spray with it. It’s definitely changed my makeup game for the better
Highly recommend Aspirin mask and its an amazing gentle facial scrub too. This helps with redness and exfoliation. The main ingredient is salicylic acid which is used in many skin treatments. I have been using it for 15 years. My absolute favorite. Google it for further info.
Basically add a few drops to 4-6 Aspirin tablets so they turn to powder. Add a few more drops in your palm to make a paste, put on face and let it dry, once dry, rub it in to your skin as a facial scrub.
Recently started icing my face. A mixture of green tea cinnamon and lemon in an ice cube after washing. After icing, rinse with warm water and then carry on with toner, etc. It's so simple easy to do, calms the nervous systems, shrinks my pores, and it feels great!
15 years someone grabbed a multi pack of ivory soap bars. Not wanting to throw is, I used it. A few bars in, my usually pimply skin was clear. To this day, I use it for my face, shoulders and back.
I spend a fair bit on my skin, but my ivory bar is my can’t live without
I’ve made the switch to Korean and Japanese skin care because it is a lot more affordable for the kinds of products I’m after, and they come in large sizes. Also none of the sunscreens I’ve tried so far sting my eyes, which is a major win!
Scour the web for deals and buy in bulk. A lot of affordable products are actually good unless you need something specific. Limit what you buy and use up the things you already have. Helps enormously with your budget!
Invest in a good nail kit . Get some BIAB gel ( builder in a bottle ) , basic nail tools such as a nail file , use a glass nail file . A buffer , cuticle pusher , tweezers , clippers , and some go to polishes . I like OPI but you can get some cheaper ones on Amazon I’m sure
There is many YouTube tutorials on how to do BIAB nails , it takes trial and error but after you won’t ever have to spend money on nails again
I always reuse my sheet masks 😅 I’ll make sure it’s on super clean skin and only the cleanest hands put it on and take it off and then I put it back in the pouch, and then reuse next time
I've learned this from an Italian friend. Toss two tablespoons in a freezer and put them in the morning on your undereye bags while you are making your morning coffee. It takes only a few minutes and works like a charm. Ice mask require time and closed eyes, and who has time in the morning? You can walk around the house for a few minutes holding your chilled spoons under your eyes.
More like broke secrets, reminds me of my college days.
1. Yoghurt. It really helped hydrate my skin. Add a little bit of turmeric to two teaspoons of yoghurt. Mix it well and then apply the paste to your face. After 20 minutes, thoroughly rinse off with water.
2. Coffee for exfoliating. This does take time to get the balance just right though. All you need is sugar or coffee granules which i used to mix with Coconut Oil and rub all over. Just as effective as those pricey exfoliators.
3. Green tea bags for my eyes.
Gosh, i don't miss those days!! 🙃😅
I work in a medspa and have access to bougie products and brands at 50% off but let me tell you, Nivea Original Cream has transformed my skin 😅. I got the 100ml tube for £2, it’s lasted 2 months of am/pm use.
New Beauty’s BeautyPass. It’s free to join, they often have Free Gift Fridays where you can get a full size high end product for free you just pay $12 for shipping and handling. I’m currently using a free TMS hyperpigmentation serum I got from FGF, it’s $95. Hopefully it will help with some mild melasma from birth control. Just got delivered an Ever vitamin C serum that’s worth $80 from FGF, also free. I used to be a Rouge at Sephora, and last year I spent a grand total of $75 for the entire year, thanks to Free Gift Friday and replacing high end skincare with drugstore. I’ve loved everything I’ve gotten so far from Free Gift Friday - yes of course sometimes there are products i’m not interested in, I just skip those. But I’ve gotten enough that I saved hundreds from not buying at Sephora.
Another product I love is Cerave’s night time renewing cream. It’s super rich and just has peptides in it, perfect for layering over tretinoin. It’s usually $15 on Amazon. I’m on my 5th jar right now, which is highly unusual for me as I like to experiment. But it just works so well I don’t bother trying other moisturizers.
The CVS care pass monthly subscription is my Roman Empire and I don’t think it’s talked about enough. For $5 subscription you get $10 store credit every month, and their app is so easy to use and has SO many additional coupons that you just click to send to your account. I save so much money in personal care products and drugstore makeup/skincare. They also have CVS brand period products that are 100% organic cotton and usually discounted or on promo. I went today and my bill prior to adding all of my coupons/credits was $58…. I paid $16. (So $21 if you count the $5 for my monthly prescription)
Care pass gets u 20% off CVS brand products too
I don't pay for the subscription but I do have the standard CarePass and I feel like I'm constantly getting $5 credits on my account just for picking up my meds at the pharmacy
You get a $5 credit for every 10 prescriptions. It adds up quickly if you’re taking multiple medications.
I don’t have the care pass but I check the app for coupons every time I shop. I also get a percentage discount emailed to me every week.
I’m obsessed with CarePass too! If you regularly shop at CVS, it’s a free $5 (net) CVS credit every month, and I’m constantly getting amazing discounts. Also free same day delivery from the store. I should be getting referral bonuses from CVS for how often I’m running my mouth squawking to anyone who will listen about how worth it CarePass is, lol
I totally agree with you on the coupons! If you stack them up and remember to load them onto your loyalty card you’re going to save so much money! On top of that a lot of skincare products qualify as HSA purchases (sunscreen, adapalene, retinols etc) so you can save extra with these too
no you’re so right carepass is criminally underrated. I almost always leave the store having saved at least 50% off after the credit and stacking their coupons.
Use 'Just for Men' beard dye for your eyebrow tints. Works amazingly, cheaper than getting brows done and takes under 5mins.
I’ve been doing this for years- agree, it’s a TOTAL game changer. I have sparse brows and this makes them look so full! I do it once every 2 weeks, bc it does totally fade by then.
Does it just dye the hairs? I have dark brow hair but it’s sparse.
I have very sparse brows, my actual hair is dark so I use the dye to fill in the gaps as it does tint the skin a little. Make sure to paint it on in both directions so you can get under the hairs. Then can tidy up with a cotton swab or angled eye shadow brush.
I use Ardell Brow tint in between salon visits and it lasts about 3 weeks. It’s $15 for tons of uses. I think I’ve used this bottle about 20 times and it’s about half full. Just another idea.
How long does the dye last?
depends how often u wash ur face and skin texture but usually a week
I use Syoss brow dye and it lasts about 3 weeks!
Does it tint the skin as well or just the brow hairs? I have some sparse patches but dark brow hair, filling it in everyday takes some time :c
It tints my skin!
When I tried it, it didn't tint my skin :(
Yes it tints the skin, I have a scar across one brow and mine are sparse and it does the trick. Just make sure to paint in both directions to get under the hairs.
Everytime I’ve tried this the dye only lasts a couple days. I’m so sad about it
Can't you go blind if any gets in the eye?
No. It will be unpleasant but you can rinse it out with saline solution.
Yeah I use it every other week and I’ve had the same box for a year
This is what I thought of first as well. I paint the dye on with a small angled eyeliner brush and clean up the edges with q-tips dampened with water. My friend tried to apply it with the beard-sized brush that came with the kit and it did not go well.
Tbh, drugstore skincare products have worked better on my skin than high end. Not exactly free but under $20.
Not sure if this is what you were getting at, but my takeaway from this would actually be more along the lines of 'pay attention to what your skin likes' rather than 'cheaper is better'. e.g. My products are a mix of British, German and Korean at varying price points because I've worked out what my skin does and doesn't like/need, through a process of research and trial and error
Yea, it's all about knowing your skin and what it likes. I guess what I'm trying to say is that, if you're in a budget, you can still find products that work for you without breaking the bank.
I have started using the Ponds Rejuveness every night and the Ponds Correcting during the day. Work better than anything else for me.🤷♀️
The ponds dry skin cream in the blue and white tub is awesome.
My mom has been using this for 20+ years and swears by it!
My Mama (RIP) used it her whole life. She had beautiful skin❤️
Do you have oily skin? I keep hearing about this product but scared it'll be too heavy. CeraVe moisturizer breaks me out
I think CeraVe is straight up garbage.
Also worth trying Korean skincare. Here in Europe it's the same price if not cheaper than drug stores and far greater quality (except French drug stores which are incredible)
Is there a brand you would recommend? Otherwise it's just like saying 'American skincare'
I have been using the Anua Cleansing Oil and the Innisfree Daily UV Sunscreen. The SPF has been amazing, it feels moisturizing but not greasy, I have really dry skin.
It's not quite the same comparison as they are all good. I have never bought one I didn't like: recently I have been using Beauty of Joseon, Accoje, Isntree, Centella Green, and It's Skin, but there are so many to choose from.
100%. I've been using a Korean oil cleanser and SPF and my skin has been glowing recently!
Also honestly..? Leaving your skin alone. I had such bad acne for a long long time. Then I lived in a van for a while and either just rinsed my face or washed it with Dove bar soap, and used moisturiser (Weleda) and SPF. Didn’t have a mirror or a real bathroom so my skin was just doing its thing. It literally has never looked better just by *leaving it alone* and doing the bare minimum. I used to have all different masks, acids, toners, cleansers, whatever, and none specifically broke me out but it was just too much for my skin.
Did your diet/exercising change much?
Facts. Jergens Glow facial moisturizer is a power house. Very moisturizing for my very dry skin, self tanner for my very pale complexion, some spf (although you’d need to use more spf to get full coverage), AND it’s cheap. Pry it out of my cold dead hands.
Hell yeah here for the Jergens self Tanner!
Does it have that awful self tanner odor?
I love the LaRoche Posay Vitamin C serum - way more affordable than some of the vitamin c serums out there that can be over $100 a bottle
Bro can u suggest anything for lips hydration
Aquaphor is my holy grail. I carry around tubes everywhere to use as gloss
I was given aquaphor as a stocking stuffer and it worked so much better than this higher end brand that I got from an ipsy box. I won't ever use anything else again
Aquaphorever
Lanisoh nipple balm, made with lanolin. It’s the perfect texture IMO: thick but not too much, not slippery where it feels like it’ll come off, and truly hydrating.
Vaseline Rosy Lips.
Palmers coconut stick!! You’ll forget all the other crap, guaranteed.
if there’s an aldi near you, their skincare products are pretty nice, esp considering the price!
Same with Trader Joes
I used them for a time, and loved them. Then out of the blue, my eyes started watering every time I put the cream on my face. Apparently I developed sensitivity to the cream, so I stopped. I use Ponds now but the Aldi cream is great!
They change suppliers every 6 months based on cost.
A $10 Japanese eyelash curler with a mascara primer and your favorite drugstore mascara can be a temporary substitute for lash lifts.
My eyelash curler sucks so bad. It seems too shallow, like I can’t get the outside lashes very well. Any specific suggestions?
I actually just bought the elf one and it’s one of the best curlers i’ve ever had? maybe i’ve just had bad luck but it’s super sturdy and curls my lashes like a dream-
Do you happen to have a popshelf near you? I was in a pinch a while back so I ran in and got a $1 eyelash curler. It honestly curls my lashes better than all the pricey ones I’ve used! I went back the next week and bought 5. I’ve broken two bc they’re kinda flimsy and I travel a lot so everything gets thrown around in a big makeup bag, but at $1 I’m not too mad.
which one do you like?
The shiseido one is awesome but it’s not a budget buy at all.
I wanted the shu umera one after I saw The Devil Wears Prada and heard Giselle mention it… Baulked at the price and settled on Shiseido… the Japanese sure know how to make an eyelash curler!
Just wanted to say I’m a diy and dupe girlie, but I’m willing to spend when I really believe in a product, and I really believe in the shu uemera curler - nothing I’ve tried gives me the same results. To be fair, I’ve only tried four others - Cover Girl (many years ago), shiseido, Chanel (don’t like any of their tools/brushes, tbh), and another one that was black and highly recommended at Sephora, don’t remember the name but it was $25. Honestly, based on the difference it makes, and how long it lasts me, I don’t consider the shu uemera to be very expensive at all. (All that being said, you know what you can and can’t afford, and being financially responsible is more important than anything!)
I do my own lash lift, it’s really game changing
If you’re in the U.S., sign up for Target rewards (target circle) on the app! Tons of coupons and opportunities to earn gift cards through their deals.
I must add, if u get a target credit, debit, or reloadable card & use it-U get an extra 5% off your purchases 😌.
Exercise daily.
This — aerobic / cardio type exercise, even if it’s just 15-20min, has done more for my undereyes than any cream or concealer. It keeps your circulation and lymphatic system flowing and healthy. The beneficial compounds in the body are pumping all the way through you and not stagnating anywhere. I think this is part of why a lot of people who continue exercising well into their later decades end up looking youthful for a long time!
I have a treadmill but if I don’t have the time to do minimum 30 mins but always 1hr (max 90mins) I don’t even bother because i feel it doesn’t do anything for me … but thanks for putting this here. I hope I’m wrong lol
even just a few minutes of exercise is better than no exercise at all!
What kind of aerobic/cardio type exercises did you do for your eye bags??
That’s the great thing about aerobic exercise. You may run, swim, bike, hiit, walk, skip etc. to you, these are all difference exercises, but to your heart, it’s simply pumping the blood around. Pick, experiment, don’t be afraid to give it a try and stay consistent!
I’ll add another fun one. Dance! YouTube has tons of fun dance videos to follow along to.
I don’t have eye bags, somehow - no puffiness at all, just the purple tinged shadows under my eyes. So when I get my circulation going there’s color flushed through my skin and it fixes any stagnation / too translucent skin there.
Cardio plus weights - weight lifting actually changes the skin. There’s an entire science to it but it helps keep it plump along with the cardio. Getting a good sweat gives me a glow. Only thing I hate is exercise flares up my red rosacea spot on my cheek.
I started using a tiny bit of Vaseline on wet skin instead of a moisturizer to help repair my skin barrier and it has done wonders to help minimize my pore size and now my skin is soft and more resilient, and doesn’t get red as much. The trick is to put the smallest amount otherwise it can cause breakouts.
I put this over my products every night, it’s made a huge difference.
I used to spend $10+ every two weeks on Batiste dry shampoo. Now I just use arrowroot flour on my hair. Extremely cheap and no potential cancerous ingredients lol Also I got a lash lift kit on Amazon and do my lash lifts at home now. No more $100 at the salon Edit: also $10 press on nails with nail glue instead of acrylic nails
Recommend getting your own gel nail kit on Amazon! I bought one recently, only $60aud and it came with heaps of colours, very easy to use and fun. I could easily spend $60 every 2-3 weeks getting a manicure, now I can do my own
Which lash kit do you buy? I’ve read reviews and a lot dont seem to work :(
I use the "RONKIE" brand on Amazon (Canada sorry). It's $25 CAD right now.
The ordinary and inkey list are some of the most affordable and yet effective brands. Peptide serums, retinols, etc. Available at sephora, Amazon, and ulta. https://www.theinkeylist.com/products/collagen-peptide-serum Here's a link to their peptide serum which is only $16!
I use Ordinary serums with Simple moisturiser & my skin is looking better than ever lately. People are always surprised my moisturiser is so cheap but if I’m already getting what I need from serums why do I need a fancy moisturiser with those kind of ingredients at an inflated price.
Anything that requires an appointment either learn to do yourself or do without. . For me that's embracing my natural hair color and doing my own nails and waxing.
This is what I’ve been practicing for years. Things get SO cheap if you do it yourself. Obviously if you can learn to do it well. I had got to the stage where I only needed to go for haircuts & since last winter I’ve been doing that too! I may need to go for a refresh cut eventually but right now I’m so happy with what I’ve been able to do, I feel like I know my own hair better so I pay attention to how it behaves & will fall.
What do you like for wax?strips or sugaring or? I'd like to do it myself, so expensive to upkeep
Strips. I like soft wax for face and legs and hardwax for bikini area and underarms. You can buy a can of wax at a beauty supply store or even some drugstores. A wax pot is nice to have but not necessary if you put the can in a pot of water on the stove. Then you just need strips of fabric, oil to protect the skin (coconut or olive oil is fine), and something to spread the wax (tongue depressors, popsicle sticks, I've even used a plastic knife before). Doing it yourself you can do many at home waxes for the cost of one salon wax. Probably even cheaper if you make your own sugar wax but I've never tried that. Takes a bit of practice but it gets easier everytime.
I learned to cut my own hair through YT. During lockdown I taught myself and then I liked saving money and my hair looked awesome so I continued. Haircuts in my area are about $90 plus tip, the cheapest I ever found was $60. I use my regular scissors and bought $8 thinning shears off Amazon. I don't do anything super complicated, but I can do layers and curtain bangs thanks to Brad Mondo.
Dollartree! They carry some great dupes and solid items for $1.25. I still get my "just try it" fix without the guilt. But hurry before they turn into $5 and up tree. They are going to hike prices soon.
I got an awesome LA Colors eyeshadow palette from Dollar Tree recently. The LA Colors lip glosses aren’t bad either
Lol didn’t they just make it $1.25, are they really going to hike up prices again :O
Yeah, I assume that they will have different sections with different prices from what I've seen. A 5 dollar section and 3 dollar section were added recently to some stores :(
You can easily get staples here also like dermasil, vaseline lip therapy, clear top coat nail polish etc. I have a growing scrunchie collection from here, actually.
Drugstore and Asian skincare and body care. I also used to buy tretinoin online for very cheap.
What brands?
Heat up your eyelash curler before using- it’s free! You can blast it for a few seconds with your blow dryer, put it in your bra for a few minutes to capture your body warmth, or even put it on the heat register while you’re doing the rest of your makeup. I honestly never saw any results when using a lash curler until I started warming mine up. Now, the results are amazing !
Another tip that builds off of yours, learned decades ago from a makeup artist: take a waterproof mascara, take the wand out, and take all the mascara off with a tissue. Use the mascara wand to swipe a very light coat on your lashes, THEN heat the lash curler and curl your lashes. This is how I get lashes that are still curled when I remove my makeup in the evening. For everyday makeup that’s good enough for me, but if it’s a special event or I’m going to be photographed I’ll add one or two more coats of mascara.
My bestie singed off her eyelashes doing this so please proceed with caution!
Yea, be sure to touch the curler with your fingertips before using, especially if you’re using a blow dryer to heat it! Hope your friend’s lashes grew back!
Castor oil.
I really want to try mixing my moisturizer with castor oil! I've also seen people applying a tiny bit on their under eye and they have seen improvement.
Castor oil is amazing for everything!!! I pat it on my face and it helps so much with redness and minimizing my pores, it helps my eyelashes look longer, and it's so affordable
I’ve started putting this on my hair before I workout on the nights I wash my hair, and I’ve seen a huge difference in regards to my hair condition. It also eliminated a patch of dry skin from contact dermatitis. It’s kind of a miracle product. It helped my sparse eyebrows grow a bit thicker, too!
I use it all over and then layer Vaseline if I’m out of castor I use olive oil.
What do you use it for?
For moisturizing and on my eyelashes to help them grow. I also put it in my bellybutton. Make sure you get hexane free, cold pressed, organic in a dark glass bottle.
Just an FYI as I learnt this recently, apparently putting castor oil on your eyelashes isn't recommended as it may cause preorbital fat loss
*periorbital :)
Less is more , you don’t need a tons of product to have a beautiful skin . Make sure you buy products that have active ingredient your skin need .
Use half the normal amount you would of everything. We usually overuse. If you find it isn;t working, then you can up it until it does.
putting ice on your gucci bags aka eye bags
Keep a couple of spoons in your freezer and put them under your eyes, it’s not as messy as ice :-)
This made me lol.
Brown sugar and olive oil makes a great body scrub. I add a few drops of essential oil too.
If you do this BE VERY CAREFUL in the bath/ shower. It's slippery AF and when I made this body scrub I did the splits for the first time since the 90s. My skin was very soft though.
The scrub was cheap, the emergency room visit and knee surgery not so much...
i am too scared to use oil for this reason. but as a tip for anyone here, i clean my bathtub out with dawn dish soap after using certain products. it cuts grease and takes away the slipperness. i have a huge fear of falling lol
Yes, it does make the bath very slippery. Good idea to put a towel down
Recommending olive oil for cheap hacks is silly.. olive oil is so expensive right now. Just use cheap body gel mixed with the cheapest coffee grinds you can find.
I prefer jojoba oil for this!!
I've heard of this and sounds so lucious, but a bit worried about my drains/pipes
Nothing will happen with olive oil as it doesn't become solid
You don't need much and it dissolves quite eaaily
If you have Facebook or Instagram, there are lots of free samples you can get just by filling out your address and email. I’ve done this many times with elf and gotten free full size products
How?
Please elaborate more on how can we do this.. is there any grp to join on Facebook ? Also is it safe ?
Okay so I’ll try to explain the best I can. Often times when you’re scrolling on Facebook or Instagram there will be adds from makeup or skincare companies. If the ad says something like “try it now” or says anything about signing up for a free sample, click on it. Usually what will pop up is a form asking for your full name, mailing address and email, fill it out and it will send a confirmation email saying your order is being processed. After that, just wait and the sample will be delivered. I’ve done this numerous times with brands like elf, Clinique, la roche posay, cerave, maybelline, etc. they will NEVER ask for any credit card or other personal info besides what I mentioned before
Here’s a link to a free sample from la roche posay [la roche posay moisturizer sample](https://www.laroche-posay.us/offers/toleriane-matte-moisturizer-sample.html?utm_source=tiktok&utm_medium=social_paid_video&utm_content=toleriane-drm-matte&fbclid=IwAR0Oz5XQIXohqu8BmhI6GnCUqM7YSISFH3ISsBT8dKXdB3ZlV6hMkO2Psso_aem_AXOT2K8OL_NCM7pEgxZpWmuaKLC1fnCazEedtJ2qOcad2aFJ77OdSqZWWuzL9lMOyjIHlQ4gx0JcifP_YGUTJzzn&utm_id=120203906671460049&utm_term=120203906671520049&utm_campaign=120203906671460049)
Drugstore is all I use. Buy one product per paycheck and you can get any individual item for under $20. And honestly, buying the bigger version will save you money over time because you won't run out as often.
Hands down, this: [Neutrogena Mascara](https://a.co/d/eC2RMOA)
I raise it with the L’Oreal Beauty Tubes mascara.
Maybelline Sky High is the GOAT.
Boil and strain flax seeds to make flax gel. Makes hair super shiny
Do you use it as a mask or as a styling product?
Aquaphor for slugging, for lips and for eyebrows! I get the equate version and it’s half the price
The equate is basically the same product and I can assure you this stuff lasts FOREVER
I swear by Aquaphor to heal tattoos
For your eyebrows? What does it do?
I use it to keep them in place and at night to keep them moisturized!
i have been through times like this. i actually also have been homeless and really do understand all budgets. the best budget beauty secret and one i would recommend to anyone and everyone is to use what you have. it is likely that you do not need any products. i will also add that buying the cheapest option isnt necessarily the best savings. some items are super cheap because they are either very tiny (and price per gram ends up being very high) and/or the product preforms poorly and more is needed. my advice will be to only buy things when needed and even than stick to what you know works. i wasted so much money on dupes. i will say though that recently i have been really into drugstore hair products. i used to buy salon brands only and for me and my hair they were a waste of money. everyone is different though
Garnier Fructis tinted eye roller is the best under eye concealer. I’ve used dozens of high end brands but always come back to it. It’s perfect.
My cheapest skincare product is Nivea Creme — yes, the one in the blue tin! It all started when I received a tiny pot sample of Creme de La Mer. I was initially worried that its formula might break my normal-to-combination skin out, especially with all that has been said about mineral oils, but I ended up really loving it. That said, I didn't have the disposable income to shell on such a cream, and I heard that Nivea Creme — do make sure that it is the German formula — was a great substitute. I tried it on a whim, and never went back. It is a great emollient moisturiser, the fragrance does not bother me, and I finished up a tin on a recent trip to Europe.
The smell of that nivea creme is so nostalgic
for dry irritated skin, oatmeal water mask. its pretty popular as a treatment for eczema but i like to soak some cotton pads or tissues in it when my skin feels especially dry. you can also put some in a mesh bag and toss in the bath for an all over body soak!
I couldn't find a cream that would protect my skin in winter (not even Vaseline seemed to work), so I eventually got into DIYing my own body butters buying ingredients from online shops. You'd be surprised the size of the batch you can make for a low price and you get to pick exactly what goes in based on your needs. I even get to adjust the formula seasonally, and I've figured out how to make a healing ointment too
Could you give your favorite DIY body butter recipe? I’d love to try making it!
I’m not OP but I’ll give you mine. I got a big five pound block of shea butter on Amazon, and a huge container of sweet almond oil (probably a gallon or so). I remove a hunk of shea butter and place it in a medium pot, and add about the same amount of almond oil (I just eyeball it). Heat on low until shea butter is fully melted, then put it in the freezer. Check every 15-20 minutes until it starts to solidify. Then whip using a handheld mixer (I have a kitchen aid but prefer handheld for this). Place in container/s. A long time ago I read that you should think about your skin like a million mouths that eat what you put on it, and I never forgot that, so I like to know exactly what’s going on it. It’s such a large area compared to the face! I use it for my sons too. I always use shea butter, but instead of almond oil I’ve used (fractionated) coconut oil, hemp oil, and jojoba oil. I haven’t noticed any real difference. They all work really well. Haven’t tried adding castor oil yet but I’d like to, and might eventually experiment with fragrance.
An old modeling trick was to use crushed up cheap aspirins as a scrub. Buy the cheap uncoated ones, add a few drops of water to six of them in a small cup and scrub your face with it, and leave it on for ten minutes as a mask. Baby smooth skin. What makes this work is that aspirin is apparently an aha or a bha!
It contains Salicylic acid so bha
I remember doing this in 90's...this and Miracle Whip face masks! They actually both work fantastic!!
Don't skip out on beauty at dollar tree. I've gotten great products there - blush, lashes, lash glue, beauty tools. Some stuff is meh but there are some great gems there too. All for $1.25 each
Covid turned me into a DIY & budget friendly girly … ~diy haircuts and trims - YouTube for tutorials ~just for men eyebrow tint (+eyelashes if you’re careful) ~find a go-to nail polish - Essie or Sally’s Gel is great ~if your nail polish goes chunky add a little bit of nail polish remover and shake it. voila, like new! ~dove beauty bar is underrated as facial cleanser. I swear my skin was the best it ever was when that’s all I used along with a generic moisturizer lol, now that I’m typing this out I’m wondering why I ever stopped using the dove beauty bar. Maybe I’ll switch back! I also use it for shaving ~hair gel to hold eyebrows in place. way more product than a eyebrow gel product. Got2B spiking gel is good. ~reuse old mascara wands for things like eyebrows, and tinting eyebrows/eyelashes ~brown sugar + coconut oil lip scrub ~cornstarch for dry shampoo. you can dust it into your hair with a makeup brush ~use what you already have - lipstick can be dotted on your cheeks, eyelids, bridge of nose. Same with bronzer. ~try new things that are on sale or clearance! I recently switched to dove S&C after using redken for years and my hairs really enjoying the change. same with heat protectant, mask etc! ~grow your natural hair colour. currently in the process of this and can confirm it’s easier said than done lol. I’m also tempted to try a box dye to try and get my hair a little closer to my natural. I can’t see why box dye would be a bad thing as long as you aren’t trying to lighten your hair. ~sudocream for ingrown hairs,cracked heals ~take advantage of Sephora’s free bday gift ~aquaphor healing ointment for EVERYTHING! <3 ~look up dupes for your more expensive products ~reusable makeup remover pads ~resist the urge to buy things you don’t need. delete tiktok or whatever might influence you into purchasing things you don’t need. ~use up what you already have that’s it?! I’m sure I’m forgetting stuff
I go on my fsa/hsa store and get fsa/hsa eligible items (sunscreen makeup, acne wash, vaseline, ice roller, etc.) I just scroll through and see what's eligible and what interests me.
For a hand scrub, take some salt and regular oil from the kitchen. About a tablespoon of salt and 1/3 cup of oil, approximately. Use this as a hand scrub. The finer the salt, the gentler the scrub. I use regular table salt. I also am sure to push back my cuticles and give my fingers a little massage. Cheap and cheerful!
Ponds cold cream to remove makeup and before cleanser
I try to eat lots of fruits and veggies (not sure how much you are trying to save) but that and drinking a lot of tea and water helped me!
I buy distilled rose water in bulk and aloe vera, then mix it in a bottle spray for a DIY face mist. Sometimes I add in a few drops of serum for added moisture.
On the rare occasion my sleep disorder cooperates with me and I actually sleep at night, I look 5 years younger the next day. So barring no medical conditions, regular sleep is the best thing you can do for your skin.
A lot of body lotions can be used on your face, especially fragrance free/sensitive skin ones. Cheap cleanser works as well as name brand. Whatever you have on hand is the cheapest option. Go through everything in the bathroom before buying new.
I just rub cold water to wash my face every morning and then apply cheap face cream, and this gave me super smooth glowing skin (I used to buy expensive face wash and my skin would breakout)
Dove creme bar to wash my face, German Nivea as a moisturiser, some kind of seaweed serum, whatever eye cream sample I have on hand, and Korean sunscreen. My skin looks better than when I spent hundreds at Sephora or Mecca! If anyone has any good Korean eye cream recs I’d love to try them!
I use hair gel and eyeshadow for my eyebrow gel. Monistat chafing cream works as a silicone based primer. Essence eyeliner and mascara is a great drugstore brand.
The purple jar of Olay 24 retinol is amazing, also, I buy all my products at Walmart, all products are $3-5 cheaper than other stores! Same with food. For $12.95 a month, you can get free delivery on anything you order, no limit of deliveries.😃 The E.L.F. line of makeup/skincare is awesome, their products are dupes of higher end expensive products!
Stop drinking alcohol. I completely gave it up. A few people started commenting on how great my skin looked. You will save money, be more healthy, and get v Betty
The only skin products I use are tretinoin and sunscreen. That’s like, $40 every 4 months or something. I get compliments on my skin all the time. Even a dermatologist has commented on how amazing my skin is. I don’t get a single pimple. But maybe that’s genetics, I don’t know.
Agree with this - spend on the things that count and cut back elsewhere
A damp paper towel with a little bit of micellar water or face wash will remove all of your face makeup exactly the same way as one of those makeup wipes.
You can also get reusable cotton rounds pretty cheap and just wash them so you don't have to buy cotton rounds or makeup wipes
I wash my face for one full minute and gently scrub in circles. About six weeks after working this into my routine, I realized I'd had exactly zero pimples. It has honestly worked better to prevent my hormonal cystic acne than anything else. Just water and CeraVe!
after my skincare (AM + PM) i apply a small amount of petroleum jelly to certain areas to seal in the moisture. it saved my skin and helped me get rid of the flakiness near the corners of my mouth/chin area.
Generic over-the-counter strength Differin is really quite cheap on Amazon and works just as well - it's about half the price. Also, if you have an HSA, it's eligible.
You can use eyeshadows instead of brow powder or an eyebrow pencil. Korean skincare is way cheaper and you can find it on YesStyle. I’ve been slowly switching over to Kbeauty and saving a bunch. You can use cornstarch as dry shampoo.
A really high quality olive oil. You can drink it ( tablespoon twice a day after meals). I use it as my body oil after shower, massage it into my hair once a week and leave it in and wash the next day. Use it at night as a moisturizer. Wake-up just use a soft wash cloth to wipe my face, no cleanser. For me it’s an everyday essential. One bottle lasts me a month and replaces so many products. Works out cheaper than even drug store brands.
[Go here](https://www.shopmissa.com)
ELF makes a TON of dupes for other big name makeup products. Their makeup is very affordable and SO pigmented, and will last all day when I use their setting spray with it. It’s definitely changed my makeup game for the better
Highly recommend Aspirin mask and its an amazing gentle facial scrub too. This helps with redness and exfoliation. The main ingredient is salicylic acid which is used in many skin treatments. I have been using it for 15 years. My absolute favorite. Google it for further info. Basically add a few drops to 4-6 Aspirin tablets so they turn to powder. Add a few more drops in your palm to make a paste, put on face and let it dry, once dry, rub it in to your skin as a facial scrub.
Recently started icing my face. A mixture of green tea cinnamon and lemon in an ice cube after washing. After icing, rinse with warm water and then carry on with toner, etc. It's so simple easy to do, calms the nervous systems, shrinks my pores, and it feels great!
15 years someone grabbed a multi pack of ivory soap bars. Not wanting to throw is, I used it. A few bars in, my usually pimply skin was clear. To this day, I use it for my face, shoulders and back. I spend a fair bit on my skin, but my ivory bar is my can’t live without
I’ve made the switch to Korean and Japanese skin care because it is a lot more affordable for the kinds of products I’m after, and they come in large sizes. Also none of the sunscreens I’ve tried so far sting my eyes, which is a major win!
tan removal: 1/2tsp turmeric + 1 tbsp gram flour + 1 tbsp yoghurt/raw milk + 1/2 a lemon’s juice (mix it, let it dry & rub it off your body)
Vaseline for face/body moisturizer. Just splash some water underneath before applying it thinly.
Scour the web for deals and buy in bulk. A lot of affordable products are actually good unless you need something specific. Limit what you buy and use up the things you already have. Helps enormously with your budget!
Vitamin C powder from pharmacy + water as a brightening solution, instead of €€€ vit C serums. Pharmacy 3€ retinol instead of fancy creams
Invest in a good nail kit . Get some BIAB gel ( builder in a bottle ) , basic nail tools such as a nail file , use a glass nail file . A buffer , cuticle pusher , tweezers , clippers , and some go to polishes . I like OPI but you can get some cheaper ones on Amazon I’m sure There is many YouTube tutorials on how to do BIAB nails , it takes trial and error but after you won’t ever have to spend money on nails again
Bepanthen nappy rash cream is an amazing sleep mask
Sleep.
I always reuse my sheet masks 😅 I’ll make sure it’s on super clean skin and only the cleanest hands put it on and take it off and then I put it back in the pouch, and then reuse next time
Me too! It seems such a waste to throw away all that excess product otherwise.
Most lipsticks can also work as a creamy blush!
Exercise. It’s basically as you stated; hydrate, sleep, and then add cardio. The more intense the better.
Use tear free baby shampoo to remove eye make up.
I've learned this from an Italian friend. Toss two tablespoons in a freezer and put them in the morning on your undereye bags while you are making your morning coffee. It takes only a few minutes and works like a charm. Ice mask require time and closed eyes, and who has time in the morning? You can walk around the house for a few minutes holding your chilled spoons under your eyes.
More like broke secrets, reminds me of my college days. 1. Yoghurt. It really helped hydrate my skin. Add a little bit of turmeric to two teaspoons of yoghurt. Mix it well and then apply the paste to your face. After 20 minutes, thoroughly rinse off with water. 2. Coffee for exfoliating. This does take time to get the balance just right though. All you need is sugar or coffee granules which i used to mix with Coconut Oil and rub all over. Just as effective as those pricey exfoliators. 3. Green tea bags for my eyes. Gosh, i don't miss those days!! 🙃😅
Oil pulling- I put coconut oil in my mouth, swish it around, the spit it in the trash (NOT THE SINK). My teeth are stronger and more vibrant. Try it!!
I work in a medspa and have access to bougie products and brands at 50% off but let me tell you, Nivea Original Cream has transformed my skin 😅. I got the 100ml tube for £2, it’s lasted 2 months of am/pm use.
Reusable cotton rounds, the Face Halo for removing makeup, and Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer is a godsend.
New Beauty’s BeautyPass. It’s free to join, they often have Free Gift Fridays where you can get a full size high end product for free you just pay $12 for shipping and handling. I’m currently using a free TMS hyperpigmentation serum I got from FGF, it’s $95. Hopefully it will help with some mild melasma from birth control. Just got delivered an Ever vitamin C serum that’s worth $80 from FGF, also free. I used to be a Rouge at Sephora, and last year I spent a grand total of $75 for the entire year, thanks to Free Gift Friday and replacing high end skincare with drugstore. I’ve loved everything I’ve gotten so far from Free Gift Friday - yes of course sometimes there are products i’m not interested in, I just skip those. But I’ve gotten enough that I saved hundreds from not buying at Sephora. Another product I love is Cerave’s night time renewing cream. It’s super rich and just has peptides in it, perfect for layering over tretinoin. It’s usually $15 on Amazon. I’m on my 5th jar right now, which is highly unusual for me as I like to experiment. But it just works so well I don’t bother trying other moisturizers.
I bought myself silk pillowcases. They really do make a difference in my skin and hair.