Over the years, my beauty routine has been quite simple and minimal. I’m not a fan of having to remove unused products from my bathroom vanity cupboard, nor do I want to waste money on unopened, expired products. It does take time to discover what works for your skin and within your budget. It’s taken me a few years, and the addition of three kids, to work out what is right for me. And I’m sure it’s going to change as I get older.
I thought I’d share some of my Budget Beauty Hacks for a Busy Mum. I often get told I look great, despite not investing a huge amount into my beauty routine. Here are 21 budget beauty hacks that work for me.
Hair
Embrace the age you are and the hair you’ve been blessed with. I only have a few grey hairs, so I can get away with colouring my hair every 8 weeks or more. Lately I’ve been letting it go for a few months just because of time. But if you get a lot of greys, it may be time to lighten your hair or go all natural. Talk to your hairdresser to get advice on what will work for your skin tone and budget.
Budget Hair Tips
1. Go to a hairdresser who has an at home hair salon. The hairdresser will have less overheads (ie not having to lease a shop) and therefore will generally charge less for getting your hair done. I also find this saves time at the hairdresser too, I’m in and out because I’m the only client at my booking.
2. Invest in a good hair cut if you can’t afford a colour.
3. If time and money is tight, use a store bought hair colour to top up colour in between salon visits. I’m pretty upfront with my hairdresser about this.
4. Buy quality shampoo and conditioner from hair care stores like Price Attack or Hair Warehouse. You can get larger bottles for a much better price than the smaller bottles sold in a salon.
5. Dry shampoo is a must in between washes. Baby powder can work the same at the roots if you run out of dry shampoo. Here’s a Dry Shampoo recipe you can make without the nasties.
Budget Beauty Tips
1. Find a chemist or online beauty supplier that stocks your favourite brand of cleanser, toner and moisturizer. Often they give rewards of free product or samples to try when you purchase regularly. These samples can be good to stock into your toiletry bag.
2. Sign up to a loyalty program from your chosen shop. Malouf Pharmacy gives me a $10 voucher each time I reach 200 points (around $1 per point). I purchase my makeup and beauty products from here. It’s my local.
3. If you are heading to a formal event and need your makeup done, book at your local pharmacy if they have a beauty counter. Again, I book at Malouf Pharmacy.
They do your makeup and you are reimbursed with product – or the cost of the product removes the makeup fee. This is ideal if you need new makeup. If you can get the timing right, you can just purchase what you need to keep you going till the next event.
4. Mix sugar into your shower wash or cleanser to make an instant exfoliator if you run out of exfoliant.
5. Egg whites are great for a facemask.
6. Cucumber slices or cold tea bags will reduce puffy eyes.
7. Use a facial oil to prime your face before adding makeup.
8. Get your eyebrows waxed and coloured while getting your hair done at the salon.
9. The basics of every makeup bag should contain.
• Foundation
• Concealer
• Blush
• Contouring Powder
• Eye shadow palette
• Black Eyeliner
• Mascara
• Lipgloss/Lipstick
10. An everyday makeup routine should include
• BB Cream
• Blush
• Mascara
• Lipgloss/Lipstick
11. Have a lip balm and hand cream in your handbag, by your bedside and at your desk. You will use them at each location and always have a spare if you lose one.
12. Lip balm/hand cream can be used to moisturize dry elbows and knees.
13. If you’re a nail biter and wish to grow your nails, grow them out using gel nails. After a year or so, your nails may be weak, but if you keep them short and apply a gel colour, you will transition to your own nails. (Speaking from experience here)
14. Tea tree oil and lavender with honey are great to dab onto pimples to reduce inflammation.
15. Get your eyelashes tinted. I don’t personally get eyelash extensions unless it’s for an event.
16. Ask for vouchers to get a facial or buy more makeup brands which don’t fit into your family budget.
17. Resting the head of a shaver in oil or soap will extend the life of the razor blade.
18. Invest in good quality makeup brushes and wash the bristles with shampoo and conditioner once a year or more often if you can remember.
19. A little blush mixed with your lip balm can give some colour to your lips.
20. Invest in a moisturizing spray to spritz on face when working in an air conditioned environment.
21. Make your own scented moisturizer using a scent free body oil. You can change the scent everyday to suit your mood. You can use fractioned coconut oil if you run out of your favourite body oil.
