The price of looking good can often be very high—but it doesn’t have to be. You can cut corners in certain areas that will leave you looking just as great with a few more dollars in your wallet.

Skincare

Drugstore products, like Cetaphil or Neutrogena, are often just as effective as department store potions. As an added bonus, some drugstores have return policies that allow you to try a product and exchange it if you aren’t happy with it. Our favorites are Cetaphil lotion, Purpose soap, and Oil of Olay moisturizer.  

There are also several at home remedies for skin problems that are inexpensive, natural, and can be whipped up right in your pantry.  

Grind up oatmeal, mix it with honey, and you have yourself a wonderful rejuvenating max that will perfectly prep your skin for spring. 

If you have chapped lips, mix raw sugar with petroleum jelly in the palm of your hand and smooth over your lips. The result is instant exfoliation. 

Petroleum jelly can replace even the most expensive eyecream. Smooth a dab under your eyes at night (be sure to remove contacts first) and by morning it will be absorbed. Your under eye area will look plumper and refreshed. 

Don’t spend money on high tech exfoliators. Instead, buy baby wash clothes and use them, along with your usual cleanser, as a quick, sustainable exfoliation method. 

Cosmetics 

When it comes to cosmetics, you already have your favorites, your tried and true products. Use these suggestions to mix up your beauty routine and make it a little easier on your wallet.

To tame eyebrows, use generic brand clear mascara instead of an expensive brow gel. 

When buying eye shadow, invest in a high quality neutral base (think gold or champagne.) This makes your base stay longer and look more polished. You can augment the look with less costly colored eye shadows and save money without sacrificing your look. 

Everyone deserves to look their best. Follow these simple tips and you can step out in style for less money! 

Written by: Julie Anne Wieland

Julie in our sales and marketing department swears by this good-smelling potion from Aveda. She's sporting a new pixie cut and her hair looks great every day!

"I love this because it creates texture with great hold that isn’t sticky or stiff - you are able to play with your hair. Plus it smells awesome and a little goes a long way," says Julie.

If there is an Aveda salon near you, you can buy their full line of products there or at www.aveda.com!

Artistry, the official makeup and skincare sponsor of the Miss America Organization, has given us some great tips and hints on summer trends! 

Use these tricks of the trade for flawless summer beauty. 

1. Get Glowing:
Make the switch to tinted moisturizer for the perfect amount of summer coverage that won’t slick off in the sun.

2. Bronze Believably:
Apply darker shades of ARTISTRY® 3D Face Powder with a light touch to areas where the sun would naturally kiss: forehead, top of the nose, cheekbones, temples, tip of the chin. Add dimension with lighter shades to the bridge of the nose and tops of cheekbones.

3. Avoid Makeup Meltdown: 
The summer humidity will smudge mascara, and raccoon eyes is never a good look. Avoid them by only using waterproof mascara, especially when applying to lower lashes (try ARTISTRY Total Mascara).

4. Wear Sheer Colour:
Vibrant summer colours are most beautiful when worn as watercolour washes. To get the look, tap off excess eye colour and apply with a soft touch. Try the beautiful greens and blues from the ARTISTRY Bloom In Colour Trend Colour Collection Eye Compacts for a gorgeously sheer wash of colour. Or, apply a light washing of a shimmering white eye colour (try Starry Night), then lightly layer a darker colour on top (try Eclipse or Rain Forest).

5. Tap on Colour:
Use your finger to dab on lip colour for a natural, stained look. The hottest shades this season are fuchsia and apricot (try ARTISTRY Bloom In Colour Lip Colour).