How to Give Yourself a Makeover on a Budget

Looking gorgeous doesn't have to cost a fortune. With all the inexpensive products available these days, it's possible to give yourself a makeover on a budget. It only takes a few easy steps to look your best without breaking the bank.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Revitalize your hair:
   *Deep condition by using a mask approximately once or twice a week. Many affordable deep conditioning masks are available at supermarkets and drugstores.
   *Apply a conditioning color gloss, to add shine and boost color.
   *Make hair look fuller by using an inexpensive volumizing shampoo. When hair is almost dry, apply a root-lifting spray and style hair.
   Full, shiny, well-conditioned hair is sexy and can completely transform your look.

2. Exfoliate skin to get a glow. Consider using a microdermabrasion kit for more dramatic results, or buy a gentle scrub if you have sensitive skin. When giving yourself a makeover on a budget, you'll find that drugstores are full of great products that can rejuvenate your skin.

3. Buy a set of whitestrips to whiten your teeth. These drugstore wonders are more affordable than whitening procedures offered by your dentist, and they deliver good results. Keep your teeth white by brushing with a whitening toothpaste.

4. Buy a mineral makep with light-reflecting properties. There are some wonderful anti-aging face powders and foundations at your local supermarket and drugstores. Mineral makeup minimizes fine lines, offers a flawless finish and is good for the health of your skin.

5. Invest in a fun new lipstick, eyeshadow, or some nail polish. These are inexpensive ways to update your look. A gold-tone shimmery eyeshadow can flatter all skin tones, but watch the glitter if you have mature skin. A cool, blue-red or fuschia lipstick can make teeth look whiter. Buying a new shade of nail polish can help you follow the latest trends without spending a lot of money.

6. Moisturize your body head-to-toe with one of the new anti-aging body creams. This is one of the most effective ways to give yourself a makeover on a budget, as these moisturizers deliver maximum value for your dollars. Apply self tanner liberally to disguise flaws and give a wonderful glow to the skin. If you are fair, buy a pale shade of tanner for a natural look.

7. Purchase a fun new designer outfit at a discount store. Retailers like Target (see Resources below) feature special collections of hot new designer fashions each season. Buy your outfit in black, for a more luxe look, as black gives a sleek figure-flattering finish that will make the outfit look more expensive. A fun new accessory, like a new bag or shoes, can also be the perfect way to give yourself a makeover on a budget.

Tips & Warnings

• After you give yourself a makeover on a budget, develop a regimen of using drugstore beauty products. Keep up with your new beauty routine to ensure lasting results.
• Don't go to extremes when giving yourself a beauty makeover for less. Drugstores products can be as effective as higher-priced ones, so there's no need to go overboard on the exfoliation, or dermabrasion. Using too much of a product at one time could cause allergies or inflammation.

Resources

• Shop online for discount beauty products
• Shop for the hottest designer fashion lines at discount retailer Target

[jasminemars]

on 8/5/2009 Nicely written, and some tips I hadn't considered. 5*