Budget Beauty 101

Strapped for cash? That's no excuse not to look your best. Find out my best beauty tricks I have picked up and put to use over the years for belles on a budget...





I can reveal I spent 6 years as a student. Three training full time in dance and then three at university studying Fashion Merchandising. As most know, the life of a student is hardly the luxe, glam lifestyle a girly girl may crave, however I managed to pick up a few tricks over the years in order to "keep up appearances" on a budget. A lot of the below can be found in your own pantry!

Fabulous Feet
In lieu of an exy weekly pedi, keep those feet soft and pretty simply with a pair of cotton socks! After your evening shower when your pores are open from the heat slather your favorite thick moisturising cream or body butter all over your feet and then throw on a pair of 100% cotton socks. I like the Organic Moisture Socks from The Body Shop, but really any pure cotton pair will do. Wear to bed and awake in the morning to super soft feet.

Gleaming White Teeth
Skip the at home whitening treatments for your teeth and try this trick my grandmother taught me as a child. Scoop a few teaspoons of bicarb soda into a small dish. Slowly add drops of water and mix to for a soft paste. Before brushing your teeth at night with toothpaste, brush your teeth with the bicarb soda mix-I am going to warn you, this is no trip to Baskin and Robbins, but it is all worth it I promise! Rinse and follow up with your regular tooth paste. Repeat nightly until you are happy with the level of colour on your pearls, then dial it back to a once weekly treatment. Your teeth have never looked better and your bank account isn't crying. Perfect!

$3 Makeup Remover
I learnt this trick from a friend a few years ago. I was skeptical at first, but it really does work better than most make up removers on the market. I am talking about Baby Oil! I know, I know you are thinking, but wont this clog my pores?? I thought the exact same thing. Using oil to remove makeup seemed really counter productive to me but alas not only does this work and NOT clog my pores, IT REMOVES WATERPROOF MASCARA!!!! No rubbing required! Now, I wouldn't recommend this for you girls with oily skin, but for everybody else, try it, I promise you will be pleasantly surprised. I just put a few drops onto a cotton pad and swipe over my eyes, and then use a fresh cotton pad to wipe off oil. Simple! Careful to keep those eyes shut though- you do not want oil in your eyes! I like Johnsons Baby Oil widely available from supermarkets and drugstores.

Brush Cleanser
Forget pricey brush shampoos make up companies are peddling. Instead a gentle shampoo such as Johnsons Baby Shampoo will keep your brushes clean and fresh, leaving you more cash for cocktails! Widely available from supermarkets, I deep cleanse my brushes with baby shampoo once a week as you would with a high end cleanser. Leave a comment if you would like to see an in depth tutorial on how deep cleanse my brushes.

High Shine Locks
Now- I have to warn you, this one can be slightly unpleasant, however the results make it worth it! After shampoo and conditioning your locks, turn off the hot tap and turn up the cold. Flip your head upside down, take a deep breath and put your head under the cold stream! This seals the hair follicles that the heated water has opened which turns up the shine. You're welcome.

Home Cellulite Treatment
Keep cellulite at bay using your old coffee granules! At the end of the week, I like to empty my old coffee grounds from my espresso machine into a small bowl and add some olive oil to liquify the grounds. I then stand in the shower or bath tub and massage the mix into my legs and butt using circular motions. Studies show that caffeine increases your blood vessels which boosts circulation. Cellulite often caused by a lack of circulation as a result of a sedentary lifestyle among other factors. Any cellulite cream on the market will have caffeine as one of the primary ingredients and this at home treatment is practically free and 100% natural! Added bonus, olive oil is super hydrating giving your skin a big long drink. Add some raw sugar to the mix to add an exfoliating element, however this step is optional.

Lush Lips
Keep icky chapped lips at bay this winter with lip treatment you can whip up from ingredients in your kitchen! Smooth lips not only deliciously kissable but they also ensure that your lipstick applies flawlessly. Great! Mix raw sugar with a small amount of olive oil to create a paste like mix and slather all over your lips in scrubbing motion and rinse off with water. Switch up your oil with coconut oil for extra hydrating benefits. For an even more budget friendly option- Simply run your toothbrush over your lips a few times after brushing. The bristles will slough away any dead skin build up.

If you try out any of these tips let me know what you think in  the comments below. The above tips really freed up my limited cash flow in the student days for pretty clothes and socialising- the important things of course!

Jen xox