When money's tight, it may seem that beauty indulgences
should be the first things to go. But just because your budget calls for some
belt tightening, that's no reason not to look better than ever. The trick is to
bolster your beauty routine by making no- or low-cost moves that deliver
maximum impact. From hiding dark circles to boosting hair's shine, here are
experts' top tips for trimming costs—and a few years, to boot!
To Pump Up Hair's Volume...
Switch to mousse. It costs the same as other styling products,
but because it contains resins that lightly coat strands to add thickness and
lift hair at the root, mousse delivers far more oomph, says Renee Cohen, senior
stylist at Serge Normant at the John Frieda Salon in New York City.
Dry hair upside down. To build volume when you blow-dry,
work a palm full of mousse from your roots through to the ends, then flip your
head over and dry your hair away from the scalp. "Hair should be barely
damp before you flip it back up and style it," she says. (Think you know
the healthiest way to dry your hair? Don't be so sure...)
Brush in fullness. Using a round brush to style hair builds
in more volume. Pick a medium-size brush (for longer hair) or small (for
shorter)—the full circle of bristles will give roots a lift as you blow-dry,
brushing in the opposite direction the hair is going to lay. Hook the brush
under a 2-inch section of hair at the root, and lift as you roll it through to
the ends—all the while following the brush with the dryer. Keep the nozzle
above your brush and pointed down to increase shine.
To Soothe Skin...
Get milk. Soak a clean washcloth in cold milk and place it
over your face for 10 minutes. "Milk contains proteins, fat, amino acids,
and vitamin A—all of which reduce redness and calm irritated skin," says
David Bank, MD, a dermatologist in Mount Kisco, NY. Bonus: The lactic acid in
milk exfoliates, so skin looks soft and glowing.
To Banish Brown Spots..
Camouflage with care. First, dab concealer that’s one or two
shades lighter than your foundation onto the spot. Use a concealer brush—it'll
give more precise coverage than your finger. Follow with a dot of foundation
that exactly matches your skin tone. "The concealer lightens the spot, and
the foundation helps blend it seamlessly," says New York City-based makeup
artist Jessica Liebeskind.
To Boost Radiance...
Replace your makeup wisely. "Switching from powder
formulas to creamier ones gives your skin a soft reflective sheen," says
Kimara Ahnert, a makeup artist in New York City. Cheeks tend to be drier than
your T-zone, so as soon as you use up your powder blush, buy a light liquid or
cream formula that imparts a youthful glow instead of leaving skin dull and
matte.
To Plump Thin Lips...
Think pink. "Dark or bright colors call attention to
the size of your lips, emphasizing thinness and fine lines around your
mouth," says Liebeskind. Instead, choose a lipstick that mimics the color
of your lips when you were younger.
Define your lips. After applying your lipstick, line just at
the outer edge of the natural border of your mouth with a pencil in a shade
that exactly matches your lipstick. Don’t try to draw on a bigger pout—it'll
only look fake. (Check out these other quick tips to plump thin lips.)
To Brighten Your Smile...
Mix your own whitener. Brushing with a paste made of baking
soda and water a few times a month removes superficial staining and whitens
teeth by a shade or two. "The graininess neutralizes stains and polishes
teeth but isn't abrasive enough to wear down your enamel," says Jennifer
Jablow, DDS, a cosmetic dentist in New York City.
Keep teeth whiter, longer. To sidestep stains when drinking
red wine, chase your vino with a handful of crunchy raw vegetables. "They
have a brushing action that can rub away newly setting stains," says
Jablow.
Choose the right lipstick shade. "Colors with blue
undertones make teeth appear brighter," explained Liebeskind. To figure
out which of your lipsticks fit the bill, she recommends lining up three or
four shades—in comparison to each other, it will be more obvious which are
blue-based and which have yellow or gold undertones that bring out the yellow
in teeth.
To Minimize Undereye Circles...
Be generous with your concealer. "The biggest mistake
women make is using too little concealer," says Liebeskind. Start by
putting on eye cream—concealer can settle into fine lines of all skin types,
especially drier complexions. Then apply a generous layer of concealer from the
inner corner of the eye around to the outer corner with a concealer brush. Pat
and press the product into the skin to blend. If there's still any darkness
visible, apply a second layer of concealer. Set the concealer with a dusting of
face powder that matches your foundation. (Watch a pro cover demonstrate how to
cover dark circles with this quick video.)
Caffeinate your eyes. Tea bags can perk up tired-looking
eyes. "The caffeine helps shrink the underlying dark blood vessels and
forces out some of the liquid that creates puffiness," explains Ava
Shamban, MD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at UCLA. Soak tea bags
in hot water for a minute before plunging them into ice water for a few
seconds. Lie down and apply them directly to your eyes for 15 minutes.
To Smooth Wrinkles...
Keep makeup outside the lines. To be sure there's no excess
makeup to settle into—and emphasize—the fine lines around your eyes and mouth,
Ahnert suggests using a dry makeup sponge to gently smooth and blend makeup
after applying it. Don't wipe, though, or you'll rub it off.
Read some more at www.prevention.com