Beauty Care On A Budget

From Avon to Mary Kaye, and now companies like Arbonne and Rodan + Fields, it becomes easy to be convinced that we need expensive, complicated, "state of the art technology" involved in our beauty care routines.

The business models of these companies are nothing short of brilliant, as our friends are recruited by their friends and the pyramid builds as we are solicited to buy and/or join.

For the price of a starter package of products, and some brochures, you too can be an expert. But do you need any of it?

The best beauty care routine doesn't cost a penny, doesn't require you to join anything and doesn't require you to fulfill any minimum orders.

5 Cost Saving Tips for Beautiful Skin

1. Circulate that blood.
You can't work out your face like you do your body so the tissue and muscles need a little extra support. Gentle facial massage goes a long way to stimulate blood circulation and getting that blood moving is part of what gives us that beautiful glow.
Cost: FREE!

2. Brush that skin.
You can buy a soft face brush, but you can also, just as easily use a dry wash cloth. Wet your cloth and let it air dry so it hardens slightly. Brush your skin in circular motions. This will help the dead skin shed off, and stimulate the right balance of sebum production for optimally hydrated skin. It also helps get that blood flowing (see tip one above).
Cost: FREE!

3. Hydrate.
You can be a raisin, or a grape. The difference between the two us hydration. Fresh, clean water that doesn't come from plastic is the best solution to fine lines and dry/cracked skin. Drink up that water. 8-12 cups a day helps as does kicking those dehydrating habits (coffee/alcohol).
Cost: FREE!

4. Eat Fat.
The fat fearing days are way over. Fuel up on good fats (and no, salty cheese doesn't count). Eat an extra helping of avocado, olives, wild/sustainable fish, eggs with the yolk, and dose your veggies in coconut oil, olive oil, flax oil and/or ghee. Fat is the primary nourishment for your largest organ- your skin. Nourish it in this delicious way!
Cost: FREE (kinda- you're eating anyway- just eat the good stuff!)

5. Ditch Those Toxic Products
Most of the products marketed as "Age Defying" miracle creams are loaded with carcinogenic and hormone disrupting chemicals, alcohols, and preservatives that may feel good when you put them on, but after a few days, weeks or months, they will begin to dry out your skin, negatively affect the pH balance and cause you to want/need even more products- but never address the root of the problem.
Save: Avg. of $600 - $1,400 / year (depending on what research you read)

Bonus Tip: Smile!
The best beauty radiates from your own confidence, and sense of wellbeing. Happiness makes us beautiful, and glowing. Smile more and let those smile lines be your proud signature of a life being lived well.

And if your skin challenges go deeper, it might be time to look at the diet too- sugar, dairy, and gluten are all common contributors to skin conditions.