We all have our favourite beauty products that we love and we can’t live without and you know you’re on a budget and you should try cheaper alternatives, but they’re just not the same (they also have a list of cheap and nasty chemicals as long as your arm, so they’re not good for the skin either). I think it’s about incorporating inexpensive natural products and using clever tricks, so you save money on some products so you can splurge on the products you love. I’ve done some research (and used some of my own tricks) and come up with 10 Budget Beauty Tricks – Natural and Cheap (you can’t beat that combo!)

1.    Facial toner – The emperor’s new clothes of beauty products? It’s not it seems, it helps remove any excess soap or cleanser from cleanser, leaving your skin fresh and PH balanced. The natural alternative is Rosewater, it’s great for sensitive skin. (you can get in health food stores)

2.    Bags under your eyes- dab a little Witchhazel under your eyes (it tightens the skin-magic)

3.    Foot cream – Rub Vaseline on your feet and put on cotton socks- leave overnight and in the morning your feet are nice and soft.

4.    Hand/body scrub – Olive oil and brown sugar (pick up sachets from your local coffee shop). This is great for your hands, it leaves them feeling really soft and smooth.

5.    Leave in conditioner – put some of your ordinary conditioner in a spray bottle with a little water and use that (you can pick up a travel bottle set in the €2 Store)

6.    Teeth whitening – Baking soda – dip in your toothbrush and brush as normal, then brush again with toothpaste afterwards- it works a treat.

7.    Anti-chlorine/ sun protection for hair– instead of the really expensive sprays and treatments; simply wet your hair (this seals it) and then just put conditioner in your hair and leave it in while swimming- ditto goes for sun protection.

8.    Natural detox – wet some cotton socks (clean) and put them in the microwave to heat them up- I dunno about 1 min?. Then massage in some Sesame Oil (the unrefined -one from health food stores) onto your feet and leave for 15 mins, the oil helps draw out the toxins from your body.

9.    Skin brightening face mask –rub honey on your face and leave for 10 mins, it tingles and leaves your skin glowing. I tried this and thought it will turn into a runny, sticky mess and to my surprise it didn’t. I put on a shower cap so it wouldn’t go near my hair and it was grand. My skin felt amazing afterward – thumbs up from me.

10.    A pimple- Again the magic potion that is Witchhazel, dab a little with a cotton bud and it will help clear it.

Do you have any tricks and tip you would like to share?  If so please leave a comment – thanks –Value Vera