Ladies, can we talk makeup/products?

[blake201]

I tend to think most beauty and personal care products (besides sunblock) are invented necessities... and many are packed with carcinogens and nasty chemicals. Do we really need cleansers/toners/pore strips/eye creams, etc?

But I do dress in a very retro/feminine style, and I do love a bright red lipstick and eyeliner/mascara on occasion... so my strategy for both minimal financial and chemical impact is just to really minimize what products I use and how often I use it.

My daily routine is: splash face with water, no makeup at all. If my hair is looking a little greasy, I put a little dry shampoo in it (I use Acure Organics that I got on sale at Whole Body but I could probably make it myself next time).

I only wash my hair once a week (though I shower more often than that now that I bike commute) and I'm still using the same bottle of shampoo I bought at Trader Joe's three years ago, plus some Desert Essence Coconut Conditioner that will probably last me a similarly long time.

On more fancy days, I'll wear just lipstick (Hemp Organics) and maybe use some mineral makeup for concealer. I own two shades of lipstick—one everyday one and one bright red one.

On special occasions and for date nights with husband, I'll use the same mineral makeup (Bare Escentuals, I don't really endorse it but it was a gift and it works fine), plus eyeliner, plus lipstick, and maybe even eye shadow and mascara (except I need to buy more and haven't gotten around to it).

I usually get one pedicure a year in the summer but will probably switch to just buying one bottle of nail polish and doing it myself every few months.

The personal care product I use the most is sunblock. I use physical sunblocks like Vanicream or Badger Balm (same ones I buy for my kid, we share).

[Roses]

Good point on the chemicals.  Everyone should run their products through this database and just be aware of what you're putting all over your body. http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/  When I absolutely need to buy a new product I check this first and buy the least toxic one I can find.  There is also a great new book about this very subject and if I can think of the name I'll post it.  The two female authors were just interviewed on NPR the other day... Darn my foggy brain!

[Constance Noring]

One thing to keep in mind about the Skindeep database is that a product can be extremely pure and beneficial to the skin, but if it has sunscreen in it, they will mark it down severely.

I've seen several people in this thread and similar internet discussions talk about the benefits of dry shampoo in stretching time between hair washes, but I've never been able to make it work to my satisfaction. I've used Crunchy Betty's recipe for dry shampoo, with cornstarch and baking soda, and all I've ever gotten for my trouble is dusty hair, an itchy scalp, and roots that still look greasy. Is there a trick to it?

[Roses]

One thing to keep in mind about the Skindeep database is that a product can be extremely pure and beneficial to the skin, but if it has sunscreen in it, they will mark it down severely.

I think it depends on what's in the sunscreen.  But yeah, you have to read the actual components and then decide what to worry about and what you're ok with.  For those who have never seen it, it can be eye opening.  And sometimes two products that are almost identical and cost the same will have very different levels of toxicity.

[blake201]

One thing to keep in mind about the Skindeep database is that a product can be extremely pure and beneficial to the skin, but if it has sunscreen in it, they will mark it down severely.

I think it depends on what's in the sunscreen.  But yeah, you have to read the actual components and then decide what to worry about and what you're ok with.  For those who have never seen it, it can be eye opening.  And sometimes two products that are almost identical and cost the same will have very different levels of toxicity.

Agreed with "depends on what is in the sunscreen." There is data showing that chemical sunscreens can actually cause cancer... whereas physical sunblocks are considered pretty safe. More info here. www.ewg.org/2013sunscreen/9-surprising-facts-about-sunscreen/

[blake201]

A few other personal care frugality thoughts:

-- If you want to keep shaving your legs/armpits... Replace overpriced disposable razor cartridges with an old-school safety razor—the replacement razors are SOOOO cheap. (Merkur sells fancy ones but you can buy vintage or get a no-name safety razor at a beauty supply shop for $7 or so). And reduce how often you shave... I shave my legs maybe once a week in summer (not at all in winter) and my armpits twice a week in summer, much less in winter.

-- Not a "beauty product" but a pricey personal care product: use reusable washable pads or a Diva Cup instead of maxi pads or tampons. I bought a set a while back from LunaPads and love them... and love not buying yucky plastic maxi pads every month.

[KatieSSS]

Good point on the chemicals.  Everyone should run their products through this database and just be aware of what you're putting all over your body. http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/  When I absolutely need to buy a new product I check this first and buy the least toxic one I can find.  There is also a great new book about this very subject and if I can think of the name I'll post it.  The two female authors were just interviewed on NPR the other day... Darn my foggy brain!

Holy cow, that website has convinced me I need to switch my Bare Minerals products for some other, not as toxic, powders! Thanks for the link!

[blake201]

Speaking of the Skin Deep database... along similar lines, have you all seen "The Story of Cosmetics" by the creators of the Story of Stuff?

http://www.storyofstuff.org/movies-all/story-of-cosmetics/

[Dr.Vibrissae]

All this talk to toxic make-up reminds me (fondly) of my father's teasing words: "You know girls, if make-up were on the ground, it would just be dirt."

[sassy1234]

Other than a little blush, cherry chapstick, and mascara, I don't use much makeup.  I buy those on sale 2-3 times a year and use coupons.  Face lotion is a different issue.  My stuff is a bit expensive, about $20 a bottle.  And I use it a lot, but this is totally worth it to me, as it has SPF in it and will pay off over the years in terms of wrinkles. 

Not really related to makeup:  I travel a lot for work, so I am always in hotels.  My husband and I have stopped buying bar soap and get a lot of shampoo/ conditioner, cotton balls, Q-tips, and lotion for free!   

[smalllife]

I find a good bar of soap (made locally, no nasty chemicals) to be all the cleansing I need for face and body.  I use some lotion left over from pre-MMM days and some Badger balm for my hands throughout the winter as I get really dry skin from the soap at work/wind from biking.  I use organic mascara and a powder concealer for under my eyes - the two products I hold on to.   I also have chapstick - no scent, no frills - for the winter.  Very minimalist but very me.

I am still going through my bulk shampoo and conditioner options to see which one works best.  I tried no poo - both the baking soda and the bar version - with no success, my hair type tends not to be very responsive. 

Sunscreen is a Badger sunblock, expensive but worth it in my opinion. 

The Green Beauty Guide by Julie Gabriel is very good for breaking down the chemical reactions and effects from commercial make up products as well as providing a few alternatives.  I second Crunchy Betty for recipes.

[MrsPete]

I don't have much to say about personal hygiene items or cosmetics.  I use a moderate amount, and I buy mid-range brands from the drugstore or Target.  What I spend on these items doesn't add up to a whole lot, and I'm satisfied with my spending in this area.  It's not rock-bottom, but I'm satisfied with my cost-to-reward ratio.

However, I can add a valuable comment on skin care:

Around the time I turned 40, I developed some facial skin problems.  Down the middle of my face (especially on my cheeks) I had red, raw-looking skin.  Think about a movie where you've seen a stereotypical Irish drunk -- red, almost raw-looking skin as if he or she has been standing by a fire.  That's what I looked like.  Add to that large, nothing-will-cure-them pimples along my jawline.  At the same time, my super-oily skin changed to ultra-dry, but only in patches.  The dryness was actually painful, and my skin came off in small-to-medium flakes.  I was very self-conscious about this, it was unprofessional at work, and other people definitely noticed. 

I wasted about two years trying all sorts of remedies.  Cheap store brands, expensive moisturizers, home remedies.  Every single one of them worked, some to a greater degree than others, for a week at most . . . then the problems'd creep back, and the dryness was growing worse in spite of using moisturizers multiple times a day.  Plus, as I said, the dryness was actually painful. 

Finally, exasperated, I went to the dermatologist.  He immediately diagnosed Eczema and Roseacea.  With a couple prescription creams, he cured the Eczema and got the Roseacea under control.  He also clued me in to a specific type of make-up that covers the bit of redness that sometimes comes through, and he told me to use a specific type of over-the-counter moisturizer that's appropriate for my skin.  In one visit, he fixed what I couldn't fix in two years.

The cost:

I don't know what I spent in the two years that I was trying all sorts of over-the-counter products.  Typically, on a day when my skin was really flaring up and I was feeling horrible about my looks, I'd go to the store and pick out some skin care product that was new to me, and I'd buy it.  Sometimes it was cheap, sometimes it was expensive.  Since they never worked long-term, I rarely finished using the bottles, so it was very wasteful AND expensive.  I'm sure I spent several hundred dollars per year -- and for no result.

When I began going to the dermatologist, I had three visits over the course of three months ($30 copay each) and several tubes of medication.  Today I have one doctor visit per year.  I keep one tube of the $25 Eczema medicine, though I rarely use it.  I use a $25 tube of Roseacea medicine about every 2.5 months.  The foundation make-up he recommended costs $21 and lasts about 9 months.  The moisturizer is $7.50 and lasts about 2 months.  While this isn't super-cheap, it WORKS to keep my skin conditions under control.  I no longer am embarrassed by my skin, and the Eczema pain is gone.  This is MUCH LESS than I was spending when I was stabbing in the dark, trying to find a cure in the drugstore. 


The moral:  When you have a skin problem, just go to the dermatologist. 

[pachnik]

Yes, I must agree with MrsPete above. 

I have sensitive skin and am highly allergic to many colour cosmetics - especially lipstick and lip gloss. When I was younger I wasted a lot of money trying different products thinking something would work out.  Well, it didn't.  I never use lip colours anymore and only use skin care products recommended by my doctor.  Getting my skin problems 'diagnosed' at the cosmetics counter was a waste of money.  And, the products my doctor recommends are inexpensive drugstore products rather than expensive stuff from department stores. 

[TrulyStashin]

I'm in a professional environment too and feel that I look more polished with a little makeup.  Plus, I too have curly hair, which needs different care (not necessarily more expensive care, but different from straight hair-care).

I shampoo about 3 x per week, using a tiny amount.  Then I put a generous handful of virgin coconut oil in my hair while it is still wet, followed by mousse of some kind (TreSemme or Herbal Essences).  Then I spend a few minutes finger curling strands of hair to get a defined curl.  I walk out of the house with wet hair every day.  By the time I get to work, it's dry enough to fluff it.

For a wise selection of oils, butters, etc at great prices I buy from http://www.butters-n-bars.com/.  It's a small, one-woman business so I feel good supporting her and she often has email sales with 20% off.

On my face I wear Clinique foundation (leftover from pre-MMM days; may try a less expensive brand when it runs out) and use a Bert's Bees tinted lip gloss for both lips and blush.  A little eyeliner, mascara, and neutral eyeshadow plus a dark powder for my eyebrows looks nice and isn't too heavy.

I had laser hair removal a few years ago and I swear to God it was the best $300 I ever spent (Groupon).  Calves, thighs, bikini, underarms.  I no longer get the AWFUL ingrown hairs that made me miserable and have not bought razors or shaving cream in so long that i can't remember when.  About once a month I run over legs and underarms, just to catch the few stray hairs that the laser missed.

[amyable]

Wow--I feel like a lot of us have curly hair.  I have curly hair as well, and I can only shampoo about 3x a week before it gets really dry.  I use the TreSemme humidity control mousse, and then the "plop" method to dry my hair (http://www.naturallycurly.com/curlreading/curl-products/to-plop-or-not-to-plop).

I barely wear any make-up, just mascara and lip gloss.  I'm a middle school teacher and no one seems to notice or care. 

[jrhampt]

I don't have much to say about personal hygiene items or cosmetics.  I use a moderate amount, and I buy mid-range brands from the drugstore or Target.  What I spend on these items doesn't add up to a whole lot, and I'm satisfied with my spending in this area.  It's not rock-bottom, but I'm satisfied with my cost-to-reward ratio.

However, I can add a valuable comment on skin care:

Around the time I turned 40, I developed some facial skin problems.  Down the middle of my face (especially on my cheeks) I had red, raw-looking skin.  Think about a movie where you've seen a stereotypical Irish drunk -- red, almost raw-looking skin as if he or she has been standing by a fire.  That's what I looked like.  Add to that large, nothing-will-cure-them pimples along my jawline.  At the same time, my super-oily skin changed to ultra-dry, but only in patches.  The dryness was actually painful, and my skin came off in small-to-medium flakes.  I was very self-conscious about this, it was unprofessional at work, and other people definitely noticed. 

I wasted about two years trying all sorts of remedies.  Cheap store brands, expensive moisturizers, home remedies.  Every single one of them worked, some to a greater degree than others, for a week at most . . . then the problems'd creep back, and the dryness was growing worse in spite of using moisturizers multiple times a day.  Plus, as I said, the dryness was actually painful. 

Finally, exasperated, I went to the dermatologist.  He immediately diagnosed Eczema and Roseacea.  With a couple prescription creams, he cured the Eczema and got the Roseacea under control.  He also clued me in to a specific type of make-up that covers the bit of redness that sometimes comes through, and he told me to use a specific type of over-the-counter moisturizer that's appropriate for my skin.  In one visit, he fixed what I couldn't fix in two years.

The cost:

I don't know what I spent in the two years that I was trying all sorts of over-the-counter products.  Typically, on a day when my skin was really flaring up and I was feeling horrible about my looks, I'd go to the store and pick out some skin care product that was new to me, and I'd buy it.  Sometimes it was cheap, sometimes it was expensive.  Since they never worked long-term, I rarely finished using the bottles, so it was very wasteful AND expensive.  I'm sure I spent several hundred dollars per year -- and for no result.

When I began going to the dermatologist, I had three visits over the course of three months ($30 copay each) and several tubes of medication.  Today I have one doctor visit per year.  I keep one tube of the $25 Eczema medicine, though I rarely use it.  I use a $25 tube of Roseacea medicine about every 2.5 months.  The foundation make-up he recommended costs $21 and lasts about 9 months.  The moisturizer is $7.50 and lasts about 2 months.  While this isn't super-cheap, it WORKS to keep my skin conditions under control.  I no longer am embarrassed by my skin, and the Eczema pain is gone.  This is MUCH LESS than I was spending when I was stabbing in the dark, trying to find a cure in the drugstore. 


The moral:  When you have a skin problem, just go to the dermatologist.

Agree 100%.  What did you end up with prescription-wise for the rosacea?  I've been struggling with it for the past 10 months or so, and have another visit with the dermatologist tomorrow morning.  The first prescription he gave me - Metrogel - just made my skin worse.

[jrhampt]

I had laser hair removal a few years ago and I swear to God it was the best $300 I ever spent (Groupon).  Calves, thighs, bikini, underarms.  I no longer get the AWFUL ingrown hairs that made me miserable and have not bought razors or shaving cream in so long that i can't remember when.  About once a month I run over legs and underarms, just to catch the few stray hairs that the laser missed.

I also love Groupon for their health/beauty deals.  I've had laser hair removal too and loved the results, but I have to say that the underarms and bikini area hair grew back eventually.  I may get them redone soon -- the legs (calves) have been holding up really well, though.  I shave them maybe once a month in the summer also.

[brighteye]

I also have rosacea and suffered from dry/sensitive/irritable skin. Since I changed my eating habits (ditched grains and sugar, following a primal/paleo way of eating), my skin has greatly improved and now it is just behaving normal. Rosacea is almost gone. You could give it a try for 30 days and see if it helps.

[blake201]

Related, here's something for the anti-Mustachean wall of shame... This is an article about a woman who was spending about $1,300 a month on beauty products she was CONVINCED she needed ... now, she is a magazine beauty editor, so that might be part of her job, but stilll!

Anyway, she was challenged to cut back and she did cut $800+ out of her monthly routine, but is now congratulating herself for being frugal because she's spending "just" $500+. And she claims doing your own nails is so hard she will have to back to getting manicures and pedicures. Wow:

http://www.dailyworth.com/posts/2119-how-much-is-beauty-worth-to-you/

[jrhampt]

Oh, dear lord.  $500/mo?  As if doing your nails is in any way mandatory...  A pair of nail clippers is pretty cheap, and that's really all you need.

[KatieSSS]

Wow--I feel like a lot of us have curly hair.  I have curly hair as well, and I can only shampoo about 3x a week before it gets really dry.  I use the TreSemme humidity control mousse, and then the "plop" method to dry my hair (http://www.naturallycurly.com/curlreading/curl-products/to-plop-or-not-to-plop).

I barely wear any make-up, just mascara and lip gloss.  I'm a middle school teacher and no one seems to notice or care.

Tried the "plop" method this morning! The curls are more defined, for sure. I used a long-sleeved t-shirt and it worked great.

[dweebyhawkeyes]

Anyway, she was challenged to cut back and she did cut $800+ out of her monthly routine, but is now congratulating herself for being frugal because she's spending "just" $500+. And she claims doing your own nails is so hard she will have to back to getting manicures and pedicures. Wow:

Dang! I'm pretty crazy (by my own standards) about my nail upkeep. I keep 'em filed and polished myself for maybe $5 a month? It's not difficult either. I actually don't know how you could spend that much. How much does it cost to get a manicure?

Nails make up maybe 1% of your body's surface area, if even? This lady is trading years of her life for fingertips and I'm just sad for her now.

[Frankies Girl]

I don't have much to say about personal hygiene items or cosmetics.  I use a moderate amount, and I buy mid-range brands from the drugstore or Target.  What I spend on these items doesn't add up to a whole lot, and I'm satisfied with my spending in this area.  It's not rock-bottom, but I'm satisfied with my cost-to-reward ratio.

However, I can add a valuable comment on skin care:

Around the time I turned 40, I developed some facial skin problems.  Down the middle of my face (especially on my cheeks) I had red, raw-looking skin.  Think about a movie where you've seen a stereotypical Irish drunk -- red, almost raw-looking skin as if he or she has been standing by a fire.  That's what I looked like.  Add to that large, nothing-will-cure-them pimples along my jawline.  At the same time, my super-oily skin changed to ultra-dry, but only in patches.  The dryness was actually painful, and my skin came off in small-to-medium flakes.  I was very self-conscious about this, it was unprofessional at work, and other people definitely noticed. 

I wasted about two years trying all sorts of remedies.  Cheap store brands, expensive moisturizers, home remedies.  Every single one of them worked, some to a greater degree than others, for a week at most . . . then the problems'd creep back, and the dryness was growing worse in spite of using moisturizers multiple times a day.  Plus, as I said, the dryness was actually painful. 

Finally, exasperated, I went to the dermatologist.  He immediately diagnosed Eczema and Roseacea.  With a couple prescription creams, he cured the Eczema and got the Roseacea under control.  He also clued me in to a specific type of make-up that covers the bit of redness that sometimes comes through, and he told me to use a specific type of over-the-counter moisturizer that's appropriate for my skin.  In one visit, he fixed what I couldn't fix in two years.

The cost:

I don't know what I spent in the two years that I was trying all sorts of over-the-counter products.  Typically, on a day when my skin was really flaring up and I was feeling horrible about my looks, I'd go to the store and pick out some skin care product that was new to me, and I'd buy it.  Sometimes it was cheap, sometimes it was expensive.  Since they never worked long-term, I rarely finished using the bottles, so it was very wasteful AND expensive.  I'm sure I spent several hundred dollars per year -- and for no result.

When I began going to the dermatologist, I had three visits over the course of three months ($30 copay each) and several tubes of medication.  Today I have one doctor visit per year.  I keep one tube of the $25 Eczema medicine, though I rarely use it.  I use a $25 tube of Roseacea medicine about every 2.5 months.  The foundation make-up he recommended costs $21 and lasts about 9 months.  The moisturizer is $7.50 and lasts about 2 months.  While this isn't super-cheap, it WORKS to keep my skin conditions under control.  I no longer am embarrassed by my skin, and the Eczema pain is gone.  This is MUCH LESS than I was spending when I was stabbing in the dark, trying to find a cure in the drugstore. 


The moral:  When you have a skin problem, just go to the dermatologist.

Agree 100%.  What did you end up with prescription-wise for the rosacea?  I've been struggling with it for the past 10 months or so, and have another visit with the dermatologist tomorrow morning.  The first prescription he gave me - Metrogel - just made my skin worse.

I have extremely fair skin and roseacea too.... I tried the metrogel and it did diddly.

I use the CeraVe moisturizer due to it being a better sunblock than normal and the dermatologist said it was especially good for roseacea skin.

I started doing IPL treatments about 2 years ago. This definitely isn't mustaschian if you look at the straight up cost, but it stopped the red from being permanent, I will never get the uneven bumpy skin, I have a normal flushing response again (not always fire-engine red) and my skin and face look like it did in my teens. I was so depressed and sad about my appearance before, I think it was worth the cost And hey, I did it when it was "on sale" and I get a break now cause the technician is super and seems to really like me.

I go in now for a touch up ($100 a pop) to take care of any flare-ups or small vein breakage, but usually it is every 10 weeks or so if that. It does hurt, but it's sort of like a rubber band snapping on your face - a pop with some pain, but no lingering pain after. I look a bit red for a few hours, and then it's back to normal. Although in the beginning, I was bruised pretty well and the technician was so apologetic and kept the settings MUCH lower than normal for quite a while! (I bruise REALLY easily - she didn't do anything wrong, just my darned sensitive skin!) AND just my opinion, but I'd never go to a spa or other non-dermatologist to get this done... I did research on the procedures, and it's really easy to screw up if they aren't properly trained.


One of the other things I started doing was using tea tree oil. I mix a few drops into my coconut oil (don't use TT full strength and is not water soluble, so oil to dilute) as a facial moisturizer. There has been some talk on many roseacea boards that TT treatments control and reduce roseacea redness... and so far, I've seen that my length of time between IPL has grown, so in my case anyway, it appears to be beneficial.

[jrhampt]

I have extremely fair skin and roseacea too.... I tried the metrogel and it did diddly.

I use the CeraVe moisturizer due to it being a better sunblock than normal and the dermatologist said it was especially good for roseacea skin.

I started doing IPL treatments about 2 years ago. This definitely isn't mustaschian if you look at the straight up cost, but it stopped the red from being permanent, I will never get the uneven bumpy skin, I have a normal flushing response again (not always fire-engine red) and my skin and face look like it did in my teens. I was so depressed and sad about my appearance before, I think it was worth the cost And hey, I did it when it was "on sale" and I get a break now cause the technician is super and seems to really like me.

I go in now for a touch up ($100 a pop) to take care of any flare-ups or small vein breakage, but usually it is every 10 weeks or so if that. It does hurt, but it's sort of like a rubber band snapping on your face - a pop with some pain, but no lingering pain after. I look a bit red for a few hours, and then it's back to normal. Although in the beginning, I was bruised pretty well and the technician was so apologetic and kept the settings MUCH lower than normal for quite a while! (I bruise REALLY easily - she didn't do anything wrong, just my darned sensitive skin!) AND just my opinion, but I'd never go to a spa or other non-dermatologist to get this done... I did research on the procedures, and it's really easy to screw up if they aren't properly trained.


One of the other things I started doing was using tea tree oil. I mix a few drops into my coconut oil (don't use TT full strength and is not water soluble, so oil to dilute) as a facial moisturizer. There has been some talk on many roseacea boards that TT treatments control and reduce roseacea redness... and so far, I've seen that my length of time between IPL has grown, so in my case anyway, it appears to be beneficial.

Interesting post, thanks.  I've heard conflicting things about tea tree oil...I've actually been using aloe vera as a facial moisturizer, and that really seems to reduce redness and irritation.  I have considered the IPL as well, but I agree that it's kind of scary and I would have to find someone I trust.  I think once you find something that works, it is best to stay with that routine or you may well spend a lot more trying all kinds of other things in desperation to find something that works...so I don't feel it is un-Mustachian.  I've had spider veins taken care of on my legs, so I imagine it feels something like that in terms of the discomfort level.  I find that Groupon is a great place to find those deals, but I don't think I'd use it for something like IPL on my face.

[jflo]

I am admittedly low maintenance but also am a professional and in my last job I was a non-profit program director that required travel and generally representing the program.

Some things I've gleaned over the years:
1. Like many have mentioned - shampoo less.  This will lead to needing less conditioner (I almost never use it now).  It's a bumpy ride to get there but eventually your hair will adjust (it seems to overcompensate for a while though).

2. Shaving - as mentioned, old school safety razors are not only cheap, they are a way closer shave, so can skip more days.  I also shave after I get out of the shower.  I leave my legs and pits wet, put a bit of lotion on, and shave this off in the sink.  Saves water, skips the lotion after step by making it one messy step, but leaves a smooth shave

3. If you're concerned about organic/natural/no chemicals, you can learn to make almost anything.  I make soap (coconut oil, olive oil, lye, water, essential oils), deodorant (coconut oil, cornstarch, baking soda, essential oils) (plus an alcohol spritz w/ essential oils to refresh after cycling to work), hair goo (beeswax, coconut oil, cornstarch) - notice a pattern?  All are searchable on the internet.

4. Oddly once I stopped washing my face (and eating sugar), my skin cleared up. Eew, I know.  But it apparently didn't like all those fancy cleaners.

5. Hair - I've figured out cutting & dyeing my own, so plenty cheap.  (yes, besides the hippie products I make, I do dye my hair - we all have our inconsistencies :))  Messier styles work for me - See hair goo recipe above.

6. Sunblock - while not for work, you can save a ton by mixing zinc or titanium dioxide powder into whatever lotion floats your boat.  The zinc gives you a corpse-like chic, but if you really need block, it works (I do a lot of climbing/hiking/etc where full sunblock is necessary).

7. Make-up - can't help you since I just use lipgloss and occasionally throw on some old crap I got years back (I know, dangerous).  But the other posts seem reasonable and I'd look into some of the natural ideas if I were so inclined.

The main point is, almost any lady products can be hacked or tossed - and you'll probably be happier.

[happy]

 I wear full make up to work, although my look is fairly natural. Since becoming mustachian I've been wearing less and less when I'm not at work.

 My best tip: use up what you have before buying anymore. I have been working my way through  little soaps, shampoos and conditioners from hotels etc etc its taken me over a year to use it all up. I haven't bought more makeup for more than 2 years.

Makeup lasts for ages. Simplify, you really don't need 5 different eyeshadows. Also, I found I can blend 2 different lipstick colours together to get the shade I want, when the one I was wearing most of the time ran out.

[blake201]

This isn't makeup, but I have lost some weight and took a couple skirts to the tailor for get 2-3 inches taken off the waist. HOLY CRAP. They now have size 10 hips and a size 6 waist and fit PERFECTLY. I look a million times better and about ten pounds thinner. It cost $15/skirt, but it's the best fashion purchase I've made.

That's actually why celebrities and guests on makeover shows like What Not To Wear always look so good—no clothes usually fit perfectly off the rack, everything is tailored/altered to fit them individually.

Sewing can be a very Mustachian skill to learn (as long as you don't overdo buying patterns or fabric) ... I tailor my own clothes (and clothes I get from the thrift store) and have been able to wear some of the same clothes now that I wore when I was pregnant and 45 pounds heavier without anyone being the wiser.

[blake201]

This isn't makeup, but I have lost some weight and took a couple skirts to the tailor for get 2-3 inches taken off the waist. HOLY CRAP. They now have size 10 hips and a size 6 waist and fit PERFECTLY. I look a million times better and about ten pounds thinner. It cost $15/skirt, but it's the best fashion purchase I've made.

That's actually why celebrities and guests on makeover shows like What Not To Wear always look so good—no clothes usually fit perfectly off the rack, everything is tailored/altered to fit them individually.

Sewing can be a very Mustachian skill to learn (as long as you don't overdo buying patterns or fabric) ... I tailor my own clothes (and clothes I get from the thrift store) and have been able to wear some of the same clothes now that I wore when I was pregnant and 45 pounds heavier without anyone being the wiser.

I don't sew. Period. I learned to sew before I learned to read and I hatehatehate doing it. My mother and grandmother both sew for a living, and I usually bribe them with offers of handknit socks to do my tailoring for me. But in a pinch, I use my tailor.

Ha! Fair enough. :) It's not for everyone and tailoring is still certainly much cheaper than buying new clothes.

[pjm-7]

Once a week I do a quick facial "sugar scrub".  A wet wash cloth with some basic white sugar, then rinse. A little moisture afterwards is soothing.  Great way to clear off the dirt and whatever.  Rumor has it that fancy salons charge big bucks for someone to do this for you.

[mango]

I used to be a giant cosmetics junkie but now I just live vicariously through blogs and youtube gurus. An upside of being a reformed junkie is that I now have a very very discerning eye when it comes to cosmetics and its often very hard to sell me on something. If I do see something that I'd be interested in trying I just get a sample. Typically I end up not buying the product because cost+promise/performance =/= value. I am very hard to impress these days and especially because drugstore cosmetics are catching up to their asian drugstore counterparts.

Speaking of which, when I DO get an insatiable desire to try something new I go to BigLots. Small selection and every few months or so I can calm the beast with a new lipstick color/eyeshadow/mascara/etc. The last time I did this I spent $1.50 on a lipstick and $3.50 for a waterproof mascara. An acceptable compromise for someone who loves expensive and luxury cosmetics.

Have to agree with everyone here that taking care of your skin is the best return on investment. I used to use acne.org but my skin has long since stabilized but I highly recommend their products if anyone has annoying zits to eliminate. Now I just occasionally use their AHA+ cream and a no frills Japanese lotion toner. I usually date my products with a black sharpie, useful to keep track of how long something lasts in your routine. I find myself the happiest with low cost products that I only have to buy once or twice a year.  My bf bought me an aloe plant and when my skin gets unbearably dry (my own fault for using too much benzoyl peroxide to kill a tiny little zit you can't even see) I tear a leaf off and smear my face with the gel, after it dries I seal it in with coconut oil. Skin usually recovers (plump and radiant) the next day.

[ichangedmyname]

Hello ladies!
I was a BIG cosmetics junkie. I used to subscribe to those monthly "boxes", I bought stuff at Sephora, etc. Now I hardly ever use any of the stuff I got. There's makeup still in packaging, unopened. When I feel like putting makeup on, I would but that's like once or twice a month. What I use every day is lip balm because I'm in CO and it's very dry.
I love reading all the tips here though. Thanks!

[startingout]

Hi ladies. Sorry for resurrecting this old topic. I'm tempted to splurge for eyelash extensions, and I want to know just how bad of a decision that would be. My friend got them and they seem great. I don't usually wear much makeup, just foundation and eyeliner. My eyelashes are too short and stubby to be worth bothering with mascara. I'm going on vacation in a few months, and I'm thinking about getting eyelash extensions just specifically for the vacation. I don't want to fuss with eye makeup melting and smudging when I'm in the sun or water. I also hate the removal process and don't want to bother with it when on vacation. Afterwards, I hope I will have the will power to give the extensions up as they naturally fall out. Thoughts?

[Sibley]

I've heard that you can get eye irritation/infections as well. No idea if that's true, but I'm admittedly panicky about eye infections.

[Apples]

Ok, I have a question for all of you skincare people.  I work outside and need a facial moisturizer/sunblock.  In the dead of summer I do add regular sunblock on top, though I always break out.  But I figure 2 months of breaking out is worth a lifetime of better face skin.  I get mild dry skin all over my face.  I also break out about once a month, always under my hat up on my forehead and along my hairline to upper jaw line.  Not to be gross, but it's not regular whitehead pimples, it's like my skin is clogged and raises up and turns red, but either I squeeze it or deal with the pain for a few days before it goes away.  So, what might you recommend for moisturizer and sunblock?  I wash my face every day spring-fall because I'm out in the dirt and grime and usually sweaty, but in the winter I wash it 3x-4x/week.  I moisturize most of the time after washing it (I use a Neutrogena face cleanser cream) but make the decision based on how my skin feels.  Any help out there?  Thanks!

[startingout]

I use Neutrogena sunblock. It does clog my pores a bit, but less so than some other sunblocks. To avoid breaking out from it, I scrub every last bit off in the shower, sometimes exfoliating with my nails. Yeah, it sounds weird, but it's the only thing that's worked for me. You could also try gently scrubbing with a wet washcloth. But you need to get all the greasy residue off somehow.

[rubybeth]

Ok, I have a question for all of you skincare people.  I work outside and need a facial moisturizer/sunblock.  In the dead of summer I do add regular sunblock on top, though I always break out.  But I figure 2 months of breaking out is worth a lifetime of better face skin.  I get mild dry skin all over my face.  I also break out about once a month, always under my hat up on my forehead and along my hairline to upper jaw line.  Not to be gross, but it's not regular whitehead pimples, it's like my skin is clogged and raises up and turns red, but either I squeeze it or deal with the pain for a few days before it goes away.  So, what might you recommend for moisturizer and sunblock?  I wash my face every day spring-fall because I'm out in the dirt and grime and usually sweaty, but in the winter I wash it 3x-4x/week.  I moisturize most of the time after washing it (I use a Neutrogena face cleanser cream) but make the decision based on how my skin feels.  Any help out there?  Thanks!

Apples, I wonder if one of the skincare wands that vibrates would be helpful, like the Clarisonic skincare brush (expensive) or the Olay brush (available at drugstores or Target for around $30): http://www.olay.com/en-us/skin-care-products/prox-advanced-cleansing-system I have the Clarisonic and it really helps remove all the grime of sunscreen and dead skin cells. I have dry sensitive skin, so I have the super gentle brush.

Also, for the bumpy skin, I wonder if it's a specific type of acne that I've also dealt with. I've found that what causes this is mostly clogged pores from sweating, and the weird thing that actually helps is using the Extra Strength (sometimes labeled as Men's) Head & Shoulders shampoo as my face/body wash (mainly on my chest where I also get breakouts). It's got 2% pyrithione zinc, and the zinc kills the bacteria that causes these little white bumps (I try to leave it on my face as long as possible in the shower before rinsing off, to give it time to work--it's satisfying because it tingles so you can feel it working).

I use this sometimes in combination with my Clarisonic after working out, and it genuinely helps a lot, if not totally gets rid of the bumps. Look for this bottle (Wal-mart is the only place I can find this stuff locally, so you may have to do some hunting, but it's worth it, and you only need a little bit at a time, so a bottle last many months): http://www.headandshoulders.com/en-US/hair-products/shampoo-for-men

[startingout]

Thanks ShortInSeattle and Sibley!

I know it's a completely frivolous expense, but after seeing the results on my friend, I'm really curious to try them. They look dramatic yet classy on her. I have super short and thin eyelashes, so I think they'll be noticeable on me as well. I'll be satisfied if I can just replace the effect of eyeliner and mascara. I know that sounds silly, because eyeliner and mascara are so much cheaper than eyelash extensions. But I'm just feeling lazy about the whole makeup thing, and I worry that the slight rubbing required to get my eyeliner off isn't good for the skin around the eye area.

[HazelStone]

I've dialed back the makeup. My husband doesn't like lipstick kisses. He also honestly just likes my natural face rather than dolled up. (awww...)

However, I've got the Irish complexion, the Slavic bags under the eyes, and my eyes are very, very light. I was also anemic for a long while. For job interviews I do the concealer, the foundation (with sunscreen), blush, lipstick, etc. I never wear mascara; it feels icky to me and my hand isn't very steady. But, when I go without makeup people ask me if I'm feeling all right!

There are diminishing returns with amount applied/time spent on makeup. I take a "meet halfway" approach. Lipstick, at the very least. Some blush and concealer, maybe. Moisturizer at night. Full regimen only when I'm dressing up. And I do dye my hair; the aforementioned anemia left some gray. I work in IT, so looking on the younger side I consider a career asset. The clothing style here runs the gamut from ratty t-shirt to blazers; I settle on a nice blouse and slacks. A little bit of makeup is implicit to the look, even if I am just wearing some Burt's Bees lip gloss.

My hair...has a mind of its own. I find a spray bottle of leave-in conditioner lasts me much longer than regular conditioner and does a better job. Using a little bit of something that works can be cheaper than a scatter-shot strategy with something "cheaper."

[netskyblue]

I had laser hair removal a few years ago and I swear to God it was the best $300 I ever spent (Groupon).  Calves, thighs, bikini, underarms.  I no longer get the AWFUL ingrown hairs that made me miserable and have not bought razors or shaving cream in so long that i can't remember when.  About once a month I run over legs and underarms, just to catch the few stray hairs that the laser missed.

I also love Groupon for their health/beauty deals.  I've had laser hair removal too and loved the results, but I have to say that the underarms and bikini area hair grew back eventually.  I may get them redone soon -- the legs (calves) have been holding up really well, though.  I shave them maybe once a month in the summer also.

I did a groupon laser hair removal (bikini, brazilian) and it was the worst whatever $ I ever spent (can't remember exact#, it was in the low hundreds, several years ago).  Absolutley NO results whatsoever!  10 sessions, dark hair, pale skin (supposedly it doesn't work so well on light hair or dark skin).  I was thoroughly disappointed.

[PatStab]

I have used Merle Norman cosmetics since I was 16 and I'm now 68.  I am told that my skin looks good and either people are being kind or they really don't think I look 68, but who knows.

I use a liquid base, blush and translucent powder, plus eyebrow pencil from Maybelline.  My skin is sensitive and I have tried changing makeup and I can't, other kinds splotch and looks bad.  When living in Texas I tried to make a habit of wearing makeup out much as possible and a hat when working outside.

We are now in Indiana and the cold, dry air is causing me to have to us moisturizer at times.  I have been using a vaporizer to add moisture to the inside air.  I try to drink water but I do not drink enough.  Also have been taking a vitamin for hair, skin, and nails  The last month I added Dermagist to help with some wrinkles around my mouth and on my neck.  I have lots of samples of things from Merle Norman I don't need them and should pitch them but I will try some of it now and then.  I keep a supply on hand as I worry they may quit making it.  Seems like everything I like they quit making.  I use their lipstick but it doesn't stay on good.  I tried another brand that will but it doesn't keep my lips soft. 

I have a water softener and wash my face with Dove or Caress.  I will clean the makeup off with coconut oil and sometimes just use it for a moisturizer, its good stuff. 

My mom took care of her skin and I do too.  I have very few brown spots so far, don't know how long that will last and don't need to dye my hair, I did twice but the beauticians told me not to it looks like some light streaking in it and its still pretty thick.  My DD is 44 and mentally challenged and her hair has become dry, it used to be beautiful, she has more gray then me.  We think she may be aging prematurely.

[Apples]

Ok, I have a question for all of you skincare people.  I work outside and need a facial moisturizer/sunblock.  In the dead of summer I do add regular sunblock on top, though I always break out.  But I figure 2 months of breaking out is worth a lifetime of better face skin.  I get mild dry skin all over my face.  I also break out about once a month, always under my hat up on my forehead and along my hairline to upper jaw line.  Not to be gross, but it's not regular whitehead pimples, it's like my skin is clogged and raises up and turns red, but either I squeeze it or deal with the pain for a few days before it goes away.  So, what might you recommend for moisturizer and sunblock?  I wash my face every day spring-fall because I'm out in the dirt and grime and usually sweaty, but in the winter I wash it 3x-4x/week.  I moisturize most of the time after washing it (I use a Neutrogena face cleanser cream) but make the decision based on how my skin feels.  Any help out there?  Thanks!

Apples, I wonder if one of the skincare wands that vibrates would be helpful, like the Clarisonic skincare brush (expensive) or the Olay brush (available at drugstores or Target for around $30): http://www.olay.com/en-us/skin-care-products/prox-advanced-cleansing-system I have the Clarisonic and it really helps remove all the grime of sunscreen and dead skin cells. I have dry sensitive skin, so I have the super gentle brush.

Also, for the bumpy skin, I wonder if it's a specific type of acne that I've also dealt with. I've found that what causes this is mostly clogged pores from sweating, and the weird thing that actually helps is using the Extra Strength (sometimes labeled as Men's) Head & Shoulders shampoo as my face/body wash (mainly on my chest where I also get breakouts). It's got 2% pyrithione zinc, and the zinc kills the bacteria that causes these little white bumps (I try to leave it on my face as long as possible in the shower before rinsing off, to give it time to work--it's satisfying because it tingles so you can feel it working).

I use this sometimes in combination with my Clarisonic after working out, and it genuinely helps a lot, if not totally gets rid of the bumps. Look for this bottle (Wal-mart is the only place I can find this stuff locally, so you may have to do some hunting, but it's worth it, and you only need a little bit at a time, so a bottle last many months): http://www.headandshoulders.com/en-US/hair-products/shampoo-for-men

Thank you rubybeth!  It sounds like we have the same skin problems.  I have used a washcloth in the past to get grime off, but with sensitive/slightly dry skin I was always worried I might be contributing to the problem more than solving it.  I will get the inexpensive brush to try (and look for gentle options).  And I think my acne is mostly clogged pores from sweating (mixed with a bit of hormones-there is a certain time each month there's a major flare up, but they happen all the time to a lesser extent), but since they aren't "true" pimples I wasn't sure.  My husband uses regular Head and Shoulders, so I'll ask him to look for some Extra Strength stuff.

I really, really appreciate you taking the time to respond, I'm looking forward to trying out these suggestions as it gets warmer this spring!

[rubybeth]

Apples, I forgot to add, another step I combine when the breakouts are bad is using a salicylic acid astringent/toner, like Clean & Clear or a generic version: http://www.target.com/p/clean-clear-essentials-deep-cleaning-toner-for-sensitive-skin/-/A-12651766#

Maybe using something like this immediately after sweating/wearing a hat would help, too.

[mc6]

Has anyone here successfully removed milia from the delicate eye region, at home without seeing a dermatologist/aesthestician?  I've been applying coconut oil but it feels disgusting having oil so close to my eyelashes.  I would appreciate any tips! 

[Bracken_Joy]

I have very sensitive skin, and I've found a couple things: the more I screw with my skin, the worse it gets. Here's how I've gotten it to behave: wash with cool water morning and evening, and before the morning wash I'll often put raw honey on for a few minutes (Crunchy Betty style). After 'washing', I use apricot kernal oil as a moisturizer. Coconut oil was too heavy for my skin, although I use it to remove stubborn eye makeup (you know those days it just won't come off?).

Most days, I only do a little eye liner and mascara. Like another poster, I won't have eye lashes otherwise =P Irish eyes are only smiling if you have mascara to make them pop, haha. I will wear powder and bronzer for going out or interviews and funerals and the like, but I inevitably break out afterwards and get some serious discoloration of old scars.

[MBot]

Is there a reason you only wear mascara for special occasions? It's the one product that makes a look look "finished" and awake in my opinion. Even if I have time for nothing else I put on mascara.

Maybelline Great Lash is cheap, a classic, looks fairly natural and doesn't clump. Plus a tube lasts forever.

I also look "ill" with no makeup, and in the winter I'm a big fan of the Cover girl stay-on lipstick that comes in 2 tubes (undercoat and topcoat). It comes in lots of natural and bright colours, won't rub off on your teeth, and it truly stays on all day.

[Setters-r-Better]

I imagine that I'm nearly the most spendy person on this board when it comes to cosmetics. Definitely under $1,000 a year...actually under $500... Pretty much I splurge quite a bit of my birthday and Christmas money on cosmetics with maybe a few small purchases in between if I run out of something like foundation, mascara, skin care.

It's not really an area I even want to cut back in :-) I enjoy the colors and creative aspect of it. I also definitely feel a need to cover up acne blotches and undereye darkness. I have recently discovered that eating no grains/dairy/sugar improves my skin a lot....and I would be so pleased if I ever got to where I liked my skin without foundation...that part of makeup routine can be a pain in the but.  It's hard to imagine that ever happening. But I'd still be a sucker for eyeshadow, mascara, and blush!

If I could justify it, I'd probably get my nails done because I think it would look more professional/polished. But I can't justify the expense at this stage, and I'm really not good at doing it myself, so I just leave them bare. My hair routine is also very simple, just suave shampoo/conditioner. I have found that getting a $30 hair cut looks way better than a $12 haircut, so I've been doing that lately. I haven't ever colored my hair, mostly due to hassle and expense.

[Tieke]

I'm in the 'less is more' camp and have pretty much cut my daily makeup down to just a bit of mascara these days, plus lip balm or occasionally a bit of lipstick (a natural one with mostly non-toxic ingredients).  But I never wore a lot of make-up to begin with really. 

A  much bigger difference to my budget has come from switching to homemade cleanser and moisturiser.  I've got very sensitive skin so I used to buy really high-quality natural products which were really gentle.  These days I just make them, which gets the same result for far less money!  There are lots of good websites that will give you recipes to experiment with - http://wellnessmama.com  is a particularly good one.  It took a little bit of time investment to begin with, but once I'd bought a few of the most common ingredients and found a few recipes I liked,  I discovered that making a recipe takes no more time than going to the store to buy the product. Plus I never have to worry about whether I'm plastering dodgy ingredients on my skin!

[Erica/NWEdible]

One thing I didn't see mentioned (sorry if I miss it, I was skimming) for the curly girls is co-washing, or washing the hair with conditioner. It's one less step, and tends to work best for coarser or curly hair that dries easily.

I think a good mascara is key. I use a gawd-awful expensive one called Blinc because my eyes are very sensitive and every other brand is highly irritating. I keep a face powder and lip-stain thing on hand for those rare days when I need to gussy it up, but otherwise I'm au natural.

[Exhale]

I think a good mascara is key. I use a gawd-awful expensive one called Blinc because my eyes are very sensitive and every other brand is highly irritating.

I keep a face powder and lip-stain thing on hand for those rare days when I need to gussy it up, but otherwise I'm au natural.

Like you I keep it simple, but would like to wear mascara. Many thanks for the Blinc rec. My eyes have been rejecting all mascaras so I'll give this one a try.

What face powder do you use?

[Erica/NWEdible]

What face powder do you use?

So...funny story. My friend's husband manages large commercial construction and was overseeing the building of a hotel. Some uber fancy spa thing went into the hotel, then failed to pay their rent or broke their lease or something. So my friend's husband locked their doors and cleared out their inventory, which was very high end make-up. He brought it home to his wife, and she passed along the "extra pale" shade of face powder to me. So I've been using this free fancy face powder. It's called Jane Iredale. It really is lovely. Good for sensitive skin, but I don't know if I will buy more when it runs out.