The beauty of wearing makeup and dressing how you please is having the ability to project your self-image to the world in whatever way you see fit. Looks, trends and fads are constantly changing and evolving, just like we as humans are. While the basics and the classics will always be essentials, the fun in the beauty process is experimenting with change.
I love a fresh mental start. They help to make you feel like you’re in control of your life and often can get you “back on track” if things have been running a little wild lately. One of the easiest, and sometimes most discreet ways, to have your own “fresh start”—without being totally dramatic and bleaching your hair or getting a tattoo—is by exploring the realm that is a new beauty product. Tweaking your normal beauty regimen in just one small way can make a dramatic effect on your overall look and feel, propelling you into a newer version of yourself. (Life is about perspective, people.) Simply upgrading your foundation or investing in a new curling iron, for example, can make serious waves in the outcome of your look.
The over-saturation of the beauty industry means there are literally hundreds of different products to choose from, allowing you to look great on any budget. The next time you need something new, consider trying out something new. Like we earlier explored the cosmetic aisles for makeup products, now let’s review which beauty items you should be saving on and which you should be splurging on.
SAVE on body lotion
There’s little to say on this subject besides to make sure you don’t buy a lotion with fragrance that you end up being allergic to. The trouble with that is you don’t really know until it’s too late. To be safe, I always go for unscented or else a fresh, natural scent like coconut. Try Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion or Jergens Natural Glow with SPF which is as close to an all-in-one as I see being possible.
SPLURGE on a facial cleanser and moisturizer
Anything that comes directly in contact with your face runs the risk of damaging it. Like foundation, cleansers and moisturizers should be a unique blend of your skin’s needs. I’m a bit of a beauty product lover, so I use this cleanser, the cleanser, tonic and moisturizer from Burt’s Bees Brightening Line and Stridex pads at night. During the day, use a facial moisturizer with SPF to not only rehydrate your skin but also protect it from the sun’s harmful rays.
SAVE on at-home hair treatment
There are so many do-it-yourself recipes you can find on Pinterest that there’s no reason to spend a lot on an at-home hair mask. These are great for people who have the patience to stir, mix and blend the ingredients, but if you’re a bit lazy like me, there are also plenty of inexpensive pre-made products available at Target and drugstores. My favorites are Burt’s Bees Avocado Butter Pre-Shampoo Hair Treatment that acts as a deep conditioner—and mini life-saver—when your locks are looking frumpy.
SAVE on facial treatments
To keep your skin looking radiant through winter, make time to do a facial mask at least once a week. Like hair masks, there are some great DIY recipes on Pinterest. But for the rest of us, there are plenty of great pre-made masks you can buy at drugstores or your local Sally’s like Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque or Bioré Self Heating One Minute Mask.
SPLURGE on hair tools
Sure you can buy a curling iron for under $20 at Walmart, and sure, your hair may fall off like that poor girl’s did in that tragic video. I think that buying nicer things is sort of like a coming of age. Do your hair a favor and invest in an above-average curling iron, like any of those made by Hot Tools and a straightener that is less damaging than most like a Chi or NuMe.
(Feature Photo via We Heart It)