Cash Strapped? Beauty on a budget!

Sometimes you get what you pay for, and who wants to buy it cheaper but to buy it twice? Yet often a more expensive price is a reflection of marketing and celebrity endorsements rather than the quality within. What then to do when you’re cash strapped?
No need to despair…. everyone can look great on a budget!

• Look for makeup items that are eye, cheek and lip safe so you can vary where it is applied, lessening the number of products to buy. If in dusty pink or neutral mid browns, one product can be your bronzer, eyeshadow and lip colour.
• One of the best face masks you can apply is the ultra nutritious avocado! Our skin directly feeds so mash a tablespoon to apply to your face, while you enjoy eating the rest!
• Many mechanical exfoliants can tear at the skin, while many chemical ones can burn and thin it, especially when over used. Used more than once a week, you’ll be in need of products to treat the damage, plus you will have wasted expensive product. Read instructions carefully to minimise waste.
• Use products that also contain natural sunscreen protection. More protection now means less expenditure on repair later.
• Rather than impulse buying based on slick packaging or sensational claims, read the ingredients and then compare products. Many products may have the same ingredients and in the same quantities but vary markedly in price.
• Clothes are great to buy when out of date and thus cheaper, but not cosmetics. Just like with your food, check ‘use by’ dates. Products can go off; ingredients lose potency and in the case of sunscreen lose their effectiveness.
• Get to know ingredients. Are you paying for many cheap synthetics or quality active natural ingredients?
   
• Consider cost per use, using testers to help establish exactly how much product is needed per application. Sometimes products that seem more expensive up front end up being much more economical per use.
• A drop or two of both rosehip oil and avocado oil mixed into your daily application of moisturiser give your skin a valuable and cheap treatment. Each will cost about $20 and last for at least 4 months.
• Totally natural skincare, preferably loaded with active ingredients will not just see you skin blossom but save you money in the long run. Many synthetic additives in most cosmetics actually irritate and dehydrate your skin, meaning you need to use more, and never really address skin issues. Why apply something containing hidden counterproductive ingredients?
• Swap Party. Not all products are suitable for swapping for hygiene reasons, but a get-together with friends to swap those nail polishes or perfumes you’ve tired of or never used is a great way to free up space in the bathroom and try something different. Great to do with clothes too!
• Enough sleep, good diet and lots of water are much cheaper than a facial!
• Remember that the ‘best buy’ tips shared between friends don’t always apply – different skin types, needs, potential allergies etc.
• And while you’re shopping, buying Aussie owned brands keeps other Aussies in jobs!

This article was written by and is the intellectual property of Musq Makeup.