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From the classic lemon juice highlighter to cucumber eye masks, there are a host of budget beauty products in your kitchen (not that I need another excuse to stick my snout in the fridge). Some of the less common include: |
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Mayonnaise deep conditioning. It sounds frightening but is a very clever combination of the two Every Girls Handbook glossy hair stalwarts: egg yolk and olive oil. Apply on dry hair, leave for a minimum of 30mins (wrap with an old towel or cling film to keep it out of your face), shampoo thoroughly. |
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Bio-yoghurt face mask. Slather on every fortnight to treat dry/stressed skin conditions, including excess sun exposure. Again, sounds pretty weird but if it’s good enough for Jo Malone facials… |
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Lemon skin bleach. Try this to brighten the darker patches on your elbows but remember to moisturise heavily afterwards. |
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Olive oil. From hair to cuticles to dry feet, this is the household wonder oil. Mix with sea salt for a home made body scrub. |
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For the more conventional, these tried and tested budget products come highly recommended. |
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Oil of Olay. Loved by generations and produced by Proctor and Gamble who have one of the biggest research and product development budgets in the world. |
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Hemorrhoid cream. An anti-swelling medicine that works wonders not only for puffy eyes but also as an alternative to Guerlain’s Midnight Secret (a must for new mothers). Am still too chicken to use it but it is fully tried, tested and endorsed by two of my most beauty-guru girlfriends. |
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Aqueous cream. This is a non oily, all purpose, very moisturising and fragrance free cream that is well known to eczema sufferers! Buy it over the pharmacy counter for bargain pricing. Other creams that won’t compete with your perfume include Neutrogena Comfort Balm and E45. |
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High factor sun cream. SPF50 sunblock is really the only way to delay the crème de la mer/botox/surgery expenditure |
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Dove Summer Glow moisturiser. Inexpensive, easy to apply and not as smelly as other tanning products. As always, scrub the palms of your hands afterwards. |
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Maybelline Great Lash Mascara. Remember when we used to beg friends to bring this back from US holidays? Still one of the best. Or for a money and time saving solution, try a home tinting kit. Smearing Vaseline around your eyes will ensure that any application errors may be easily wiped away. |
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Schwarzkopf & Henkel Root Retouch. A giant mascara wand for masking roots between colourings. Doesn’t seem to be stocked at Boots but try independent chemists or online. |
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Holiday foundation. As my rather eczema-prone skin can flare up without warning, I started asking for samples at beauty counters. Most brands carry mini tubes that contain about a week’s worth of base – if you’re going somewhere sunny, ask for another in the next shade up. |
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Lipstick. When I worked in the City, I met the CEO of a make-up company who gloated about the recession proof nature of his business. When women can’t afford a new pair of shoes, they cheer themselves up with a new lipstick. Ladies, ask yourselves – do you really need ANOTHER pink lip gloss? Be creative, blend your existing supply and save for the shoes! |
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