Keeping ourselves looking and feeling our very best isn’t always cheap, but until now it’s been a small price to pay to ensure we’re always on top form. However, things are changing. We’re becoming more money savvy, we’re starting to pay closer attention to our home budget, and we’re always on the lookout for cost effective solutions that save us money. Many of us are looking for ways to cut down.
Did you know that the average cost of a trip to a Mumbai salon is 10,000 R’s? Or that the average Indian woman visits a salon three times each month? This’s crazy. So what are some of the best ways to organise our beauty home budget to help us cut down on our spending while still looking and feeling great every day?
It’s time we got creative. Sure, there are a few areas where we can’t skimp – we all need a good moisturiser and sun cream to protect our skin, for example – but expensive hair rinses? Top-of-the-line lip balms? Costly facial scrubs? Believe it or not, we can make all these at home for just a fraction of the cost, and they really work, too. It’s one of the best ways to ensure you stay within your home budget.
For the Hair…
According to an article published in the International Journal of Trichology, caffeine is great at stimulating the hair follicles on your head, helping it to grow quicker and giving you a thicker, fuller looking mane. It can also slow down production of a specific hormone that can sometimes trigger hair loss. Making a DIY hair rinse out of green tea, black tea, or even coffee is quick, simple, and cheap.
Simply make up a cup of tea and coffee as you normally would but allow it to brew for a little longer than usual to make sure it’s nice and strong. Allow it to cool a bit (if it gets too cold you may be in for a shock when you pour it on), and then use it to rinse your hair after shampooing. You should notice you hair is much shinier and smoother – and all for the cost of a couple of tea bags or some coffee beans.
For the Skin…
Coconut oil is one of the hottest trends in the beauty world right now, but you don’t have to pay a fortune for a coconut oil-based skin cream – you can make one yourself. Coconut oil is high in antioxidants, and research published in the Skin Pharmacology and Physiology journal claims that topical application can encourage damaged skin to heal itself, and it may even help to boost collagen levels.
Mix together equal parts coconut oil and honey (which is great for the skin because it has antimicrobial properties) until well combined, and then apply to your face just as you would a facemask. Be careful – it will start to warm up when it touches your skin, making it a bit drippy. Leave the mask on for 15-20 minutes before rinsing (always rinse immediately if your skin feels uncomfortable, hot, or irritated).
For the Lips…
Don’t pay out for expensive lip balms, simply make them yourself. Your home budget will thank you. There are two very easy ways to make a lip balm or lip scrub. The first is the “cheat” version – simply mix together some pure petroleum jelly with some granulated sugar (the more sugar, the more intense the scrub), and rub it on your lips to remove dry, flaky skin and leave you with smooth, healthy skin.
The second way requires a little more effort, but it does provide you with an opportunity to get a little more creative. Melt a few tablespoons of coconut oil in a saucepan, and then add a few drops of whatever oils you like. Citrus oils like orange oil or grapefruit oil work well because they’re so refreshing. Pour into a clean container and allow to harden (about 1 hour). Then use as normal. It’s so easy.
For the Nails…
Is it possible to give yourself a salon-worthy mani/pedi at home? Absolutely. The trick is to soak your nails in warm water for about 10 minutes before you start so that they’re nice and soft to work with. Trim your nails first, before gently filing to even them up and remove any sharp edges. Forget the expensive cuticle creams – just massage a good quality moisturiser into your cuticles for great results.
Getting nail polish right can be tricky, but here’s the secret: begin by applying a base coat to fill in any ridges that can make your polish seem uneven. Allow it to dry and then apply your polish with three strokes: a stroke down the middle of the nail (from cuticle to tip), and then a stroke down either side. Add a second layer of polish once dried before finishing with a shiny topcoat to seal your new colour in place.
For the Feet…
There’s great news for your home budget – the cheapest foot cream you can find will have your feet feeling soft and supple in no time. The problem with inexpensive foot creams is that they tend to be quite hard and solid, which means that rubbing them into sore, cracked, tired areas of your feet can be painful. But it’s actually really quick to transform a cheap foot cream into something that’s really great.
Empty your chosen foot cream into a kitchen mixing bowl and use a hand whisk to whip it up – just like you are making a cake (remember to wash your whisk thoroughly before and afterwards). The cream should become quite light and fluffy, and very soft. Add a few drops of essential oils (peppermint is good for the feet and it masks bad smells), and store in an airtight container. There you have it – a wonderful, luxurious foot cream, without the price tag.
So, now that you know how to look after your body and face without all the expensive treatments, it’ll be easy to pamper yourself and keep your household budget in check!
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