The Cheap Girl

When it comes to cosmetics and beauty products I have many favourite brands as opposed to just being loyal to one brand. Every company/product has their “specialty”. I just wanted to share a wonderful discovery that I made recently.  I’ve been trying to incorporate more natural products into my beauty routine and I found something that I LOVE. Organic, cold-pressed coconut oil. I am really in LOVE. I use it as a body moisturizer, lip moisturizer and hair moisturizer (plus I am learning to use it in the kitchen). It’s super moisturizing and nourishing without being greasy. A little goes a long way so use it sparingly. It is a great alternative for butter and it can stand high cooking temperatures plus it helps prevent stretch marks. It’s so useful. I know I’ve said it before but I LOVE this product! And the best part? The price. I bought mine at an organic supermarket for under $10. Why buy the super expensive, synthetic department store product when there is a natural and more affordable alternative? I’ve used organic extra virgin olive oil (also wonderful!) before but I was not too crazy about the smell on my skin. I prefer the exotic, delicious, coconut smell. It reminds me of the sun and beaches.

The current brand that I use is the Coconut Oil by Activa. I am so adding this to The Cheap Girl Beauty Picks. What are some of your  favourite natural products?

Beauty Secrets From Around the World

Beauty tips from Brazil, China, Spain, France, Norway, India and Puerto Rico.

Please see the video below.

{If you’re reading this via email please click on the title to watch the video}

Diane Irons’ Budget Beauty Tips on The View

DANDRUFF CURE + CLARIFYING SHAMPOO

Mix 30 whole asprins with 1 bottle of inexpensive shampoo

TO TEMPORARILY TIGHTEN THE FACE (THINK ARTIFICIAL FACE LIFT)

Use a dime size amount of hemmorrhoid cream

PUFFY EYES

Take a cold metal spoon or a baby’s teething ring (run it under cold water, chill in freezer etc.)

and place it over each eye

BREAST FIRMER

Mash 4 black bananas and spoon in an old bra. Wear for 3o minutes.

Crushed black bananas can also be mixed with some honey and used as a face mask. Wear for at least 15 minutes.

BODY MOISTURIZER

Shortening, Crisco. Diane states that this is used in hospitals to treat psoriasis and eczema.

Mix with a bit of vitamin A or C capsule.

TO MINIMIZE A RED PIMPLE

Use a dab of eye drop to get rid of the redness

IF YOU SWIM A LOT

Rinse hair with 1 cup of apple cider vinegar

TO DETOXIFY AND SPEED UP METABOLISM

Mix 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar with a cup of water and drink

{If you’re reading this via email, please click on the title to watch the video}

* Diane Irons is a former model and author of:

The World’s Best-Kept Beauty Secrets

Teen Beauty Secrets: Fresh, Simple & Sassy Tips for Your Perfect Look

911 Beauty Secrets: An Emergency Guide to Looking Great at Every Age, Size and Budget

Diane Irons’ 14-Day Beauty Boot Camp: The Crash Course for Looking and Feeling Great w/ one Audio CD

Budget Beauty Find: Burt’s Bees Mini Lip Gloss Collection

I am always the first to admit that I am super messy. I always misplace misplace my make up bag contents. It’s really inconvenient to have to run around looking for stuff, especially when you are pressed for time.  I’ve solved the problem by buying items in multiple quantities so that I can place them in strategic places—-the bathroom, bedroom, in my bag (sometimes bags) and the car. This way I almost never have to waste time  looking for items. Is it expensive? Yes. But this thing has turned into a monster of an ugly habit. Until I learn to how to be organized, I am a lost cause.  How I wish that companies readily sold make up in mini packs! Mini mascaras, mini lipsticks, mini powders….

Hello, health and beauty industry!!! Are you reading this?

I NEED HELP

I found this cute and affordable lip gloss set from Burt’s Bees via Well.ca. According to the review, the colours come out sheer and you can intensify the colour through more layers. This is a perfect solution to my problem of make up madness. The pack comes in  4 colours. Plus it’s free shipping anywhere in Canada. I love the perks of online shopping!

(Metntal calculation/distribution: Ok so one for the bathroom, one for the bedroom, one for my purse and one in the car..woohoo!)

Any mini make up suggestions or brands that make them?

$14.59 CAD  – Free Shipping, Anywhere in Canada

Click here to view

Drench your lips in moisture and beautiful sheer colour gloss. Burts Bees hydrating natural lip glosses are flavoured with citrus oils for a kiss of fresh-squeezed flavour.

The Burts Bees Mini Lip Gloss Collection features four different lip gloss shades: Zesty Red, Nectar Nude, Sweet Pink and Pucker Berry.

How to use: Apply Burts Bees lip gloss to your lips as often as needed for extra shine and hydration.

Ingredients: Ricinus communis (castor) seed oil,, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, acacia decurrens flower wax, phytosteryl canola glycerides, silica, flavor, prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil, tocopherol, glycine soja (soybean oil). May contain: mica, iron oxides, titanium dioxide, carmine. 100% natural.

(From Well.ca)

You might also like:

Click here to view

WHAT:

Ayesha Fresh Face Mask (Yes, it’s fresh and must be kept in the fridge. How yummy is that?)

THE PROMISE:

“Spell binding ingredients to smooth away wrinkles.
Last long enough for a magical evening. Tightening, absorbent clays, deeply effective asparagus, vitamin rich fresh kiwi fruit, bewitching elderflower and witch hazel, leave the skin radiant, relaxed and refreshed. Apply to clean skin, avoiding the eye area. Leave for five to ten minutes, then rinse away with warm water. Keep chilled.”

PRICE:

$7.95 CAD for 75g

PROS:

Pleasant natural smell with natural ingredients. I really liked the cooling feeling. My face felt clean and tight.

CONS:

The bits were a bit messy and if you’re not accustomed to “natural” scents the veggie-like scent might be a turnoff. Since the product is fresh, there is a short shelf life (about 2 weeks).

THE VERDICT:

Besides the messy feeling, my skin looked radiant and fresh. My pores looked tighter. As for the wrinkles, I am too young to tell if it did anything for me. I will buy this product again. I recommend using this product before a big event or a night out. Another perk is the affordable price. Due to the short shelf life, you have to remember to use this product within 2 weeks. So place it where it can be seen in the fridge.

4/5 ****

Visit Lush.ca or Lush.com for more details