Frugal beauty tips?

**Hoosier Momma** · 01-12-2007, 02:36 PM

I found one while I was baking cookies: baking soda as a facial exfolient! Just mix 3 parts baking soda to one part water, mix and use it to scrub your face after cleansing. I tried it last night and my face actually felt pretty clean. They also suggested putting a teaspoon in your shampoo once a week to help remove buildup. Since I use gel and hairspray every day, I might give this a shot.

I have oily skin (darn large pores), and I have a hard time finding cleansers or other skin treatments that don't strip my face and make it worse. Not to mention, they can get pricey. My hair is thick but short, and naturally wavy (not quite curly, but if I use gel and scrunch it I have some nice loose-looking 'curls') Sometimes I have an awful time with frizz, no matter the humidity!

I will admit that I use a pricier makeup (Physician's Formula) because they make a talc-free foundation and powder, and talc traps a lot of oil and stuff in and makes me break out. I use it sparingly, and it goes a long way. It's cheaper than the Bare Minerals stuff though!

So who has some good tried and true beauty treatments they would like to share?

**acidcookie** · 01-12-2007, 03:16 PM

Haven't tried this, but it seems to get good results as a facial scrub:

Mix apple cider and sugar to a frosting-like consistency, rub on face, rinse.

**kabin63** · 01-12-2007, 09:37 PM

It's an old standby, but every time I shampoo I mix vinegar in some water and rinse my hair. Then I rinse with clean water again. The smell only lasts until it's dry, but it works wonderfully. We have very hard water and believe it or not my hair gets a build up from the water alone, so this cuts through the lime and my hair feels great. I have very fine hair, so it doesn't take much to weigh it down.
I want to add that even though I rarely use hairspray or gel, I get a buildup when I do, so again I just rinse with vinegar water.

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 01-12-2007, 10:32 PM

I've done the "add 1 tsp baking soda to shampoo" trick for years. A friend told me about it. I have long, fine hair and it takes the buildup from leave-in detanglers right out! I don't do it real often (maybe once a month) because it seems to also be drying.

**PrairieRose** · 01-12-2007, 11:21 PM

A little cornmeal with a dab of olive oil is a great scrub as well. I think of it as my own 'microdermabrasion' product. I like to use it in the shower b/c it's a little messy.

**Amanda W** · 01-13-2007, 12:21 AM

I have oily skin that tends to breakout, and I love the aspirin mask. I first heard about it on makeupalley.com. You just crush 5 regular aspirin tablets and mix with a few tablespoons of water. I leave it on for 10 or 15 minutes, and it gets all the red out and puts a stop on any forming pimples.

**acidcookie** · 01-13-2007, 01:28 AM

Originally Posted by Amanda W

I have oily skin that tends to breakout, and I love the aspirin mask. I first heard about it on makeupalley.com. You just crush 5 regular aspirin tablets and mix with a few tablespoons of water. I leave it on for 10 or 15 minutes, and it gets all the red out and puts a stop on any forming pimples.

This is like what I'd have to do to my ear when I had an industrial piercing to prevent scar tissue.

**paintedsky** · 01-13-2007, 11:21 AM

Along with the aspirin mask the apple cider works too. I also found them both on makeupalley and both of those seem to work good. I also love the jojoba oil

Not frugal but a bit stretches months. It's multi purpose and doesn't clog my pores. Best in winter.

**marie_squared** · 01-13-2007, 12:22 PM

love the aspirin mask idea! thanks for sharing everyone!

**suzysaver** · 01-13-2007, 12:41 PM

I'm going to try the aspirin one too...Thanks Amanda !!

**oreo** · 01-14-2007, 10:32 AM

I have found that using a kabuki type brush to put on powder foundation gives me the "bare essentuals" look with a cheaper powder. I think the key is the brush. I have used a variety of drug store powders (bogof) with great success.

**Amanda W** · 01-14-2007, 03:49 PM

Paintedsky, I forgot about the apple cider! I do a 50/50 mixture of apple cider vinegar and water, and it works great as an astringent/toner. My face feels so fresh and clean afterwards!

MC · 01-15-2007, 02:40 PM

The best moisturizer on the planet is baby oil--put a bit on after a shower before you towel off and you'll be soft for days. Though I have found that "air-drying" works as well and no oil reidue on the towel. I just put the oil on and air-dry while I brush, floss, etc. It takes like a minute and a half.
Cornmeal also makes a good exfoliant mixed in with your soap. Olive oil rubbed into your nails and cuticles keeps them moist and helps keep them from peeling/breaking.

I've also heard that Elmer's glue works like those pore strips--though I haven't tried it.

**ewokgirl** · 01-16-2007, 06:24 PM

When hands and feet are really dry, I use petroleum jelly on them, then wear socks on hands and feet while sleeping. It's on oldie, but it still works well.

I can't wear perfume because it gives me migraines. However, I do all right with lightly scented lotions. I used to have tons of expensive ones from Bath and Body Works, but one day I realized I was wasting a lot of money there. I've come to love Johnson's Night-time Baby Lotion. It's scented with lavender and smells great. I use that at night, along with some lavender-scented baby powder after my shower before bed. Makes me, my pajamas, and our bed smell good, and it's way cheaper than B&BW lotions! (But I confess that if B&BW ever brings back their Lavender Flowers scent, I'm buying it!)