How To Make the Most Of Your Beauty Products
Women often shell out a lot of money for quality and often expensive beauty products. Here are some tips to make the most out of every jar, tube or bottle of a beauty product.
Skin Care
* Keep the skin damp with alcohol-free toner before applying moisturizer.
According to Renée Rouleau, this trick can do two benefits to your skin: "First is that your serum or moisturizer applied after seals in all the hydrating benefits of the toner, giving your skin a drink of much-needed moisture. Second, your moisturizer lasts longer since your skin is wet, allowing it to spread easier so you'll use less."
* Avoid using cotton balls - use cotton pads instead.
Aside from being thick, cotton balls absorbs too much liquid, making you apply more than needed and wasting it and your skin can't absorb. Rouleau recommends using cotton pads instead. They are densely packed so they do not leave cotton fibers behind. "This way, you'll use less product, whether it be toner, eye makeup or nail polish removers."
Makeup
* Wet your sponge.
When using a sponge for applying cream or liquid foundation, Natalie DeStefano of Rita Hazan Salon in New York suggests wetting it a bit before dipping into the foundation. Damp sponges absorbs less product so you end up using less foundation and will last longer on your hand.
* Use a lip brush.
Applying lipstick straight from the tube is not only unsanitary, but may also cause you to overapply the product. Using a lip brush not only saves on the product, but it also ensures precise application. Ensure to clean it every so often for sanitary reasons.
Hair Care
* Shampoo every other day.
Humidity these days may tempt you to wash the heat off your hair, especially if you have oily hair. But Dennis Lanni, hairstylist for Bumble and Bumble, recommends using shampoo only every other day.
"Not only does this save on shampoo, but it also keeps your hair healthier since overwashing can dry it out. Pat baby powder (or dry shampoo) on your roots to absorb any oil in between sessions."
* Use the right products.
Ilona Shine of Shin Salon in Santa Monica, CA, suggests using the right products according to your hair type to reap its benefits. "If you have fine hair, use leave-in conditioner. If you have thicker hair, use rinse-out conditioner."