DIY Beauty Hacks: Saving Money on Makeup and Hair Has Never Been Easier
Making your hard-earned summer-job dollars stretch is no easy feat.
This gets especially tough when you're trying to restock your go-to products, like when headed back-to-school, for example. Twenty dollars for lip gloss anyone? It all adds up! Having worked with and represented some of most well-known beauty brands, I'm happy to report there is a solution to your beauty woes.
As lovers of everything DIY, we've created the easiest recipes that can replace your most loved cosmetics and treatments. A few dollars at your supermarket will have you restocking your make-up bag in no time!
(via Shutterstock)
Bronzer
Nothing perks up a face like a dab of bronzer. Apply it under your cheekbones, on the bridge of your nose and across your forehead for a look that screams "tropical vacation." Unfortunately, because bronzer is used on so much surface area of our face, it's one of the first products we find ourselves replacing. Fear not! Four ingredients from your local grocery store will make sure you are restocked forever. Start with a cocoa powder base of 1 tsp. Sprinkle a bit of nutmeg and cinnamon powders to get your desired shade. Play around with the three colors in these ingredients to get a flattering color for your skin tone. Once that color is achieved, add arrowroot powder (no more than 1/2 tsp at a time) to get to the desired color concentration. The more arrowroot powder you add, the less concentrated the color pigments will be.
(via Amazon)
Moisturizing Lip Gloss
Lip gloss is one of the few items pretty much every girl uses. It's universally flattering and easy to reapply without the need for a mirror. Nevertheless, because we always have it within reach, we tend to over-apply and this leads to using up more and more product. Two old-school supermarket finds will have you making your soon-to-be-favorite lip product in no time! Remember Kool Aid? This sugary drink from your parents' childhood is one of the main ingredients in this recipe. The cherry flavored variety is best because of its red tint (but feel free to experiment with other flavors if you are more on the adventurous side). Start with a 1 tsp base of the Kool Aid powder. Mix that with 1.5 tsp of regular Vaseline until all the powder crystals are dissolved. If you desire a less dramatic tint, continue adding Vaseline until you reach your desired shade. Similar to any other store-bought lip gloss, make sure to store your creation in cool place to avoid melting.
(via Amazon)
Dry Shampoo
How many praises are we allowed to give one product? Dry shampoo has been our lifesaver time and time again. No time for a shower before your date? Revive your hairstyle with this magical creation. Slept through your alarm? Nothing beats bedhead like this miracle item. We love dry shampoo, but not its hefty price tag. Thank goodness for this beauty hack that is a also a big money saver. Instead of spraying a chemical-laden version of this product, use arrowroot powder from your local grocery store as a substitute. Sprinkle it in to your hairline slowly and spread it with your fingertips until the white powder is no longer visible. That's it! No mixing or measuring required.
(via Amazon)
Hair Mask
Natural beauty gurus have a deep love for coconut oil, and its benefits in cooking have long been touted by experts. Coconut oil has become a staple in our kitchen and it's about time it becomes a mainstay in our medicine cabinet as well. This elixir restores your hair follicles and adds a protective layer to your mane. It can also help ward off sun damage. Opt for an unrefined organic coconut oil with no added preservatives or fragrance. To use it as a hair mask, apply it to dry hair before going to bed. Make sure you lay a towel over your pillow to avoid any stains. Wash off the oil in the morning and be instantly surprised by your softer, shinier locks.
(via Amazon)
Now that we've got your DIY juices flowing, why stop at beauty products? Try improving your tub time with THESE DIY bath bombs!