Category: Beauty and Fashion Tips

Today’s frugal living tip is to cut your facial wipes in half! I know I definitely do not need to use a whole facial wipe when removing makeup. I mostly use them to remove eye makeup as I find it’s gentler on my eyes and removes more than eye makeup remover. I use both sides to get the maximum benefit. My mom cuts hers into quarters extending it even further. I find I do need at least half for myself.

It’s really easy to do though I would advise washing your scissors before hand to make it more sanitary. Cutting them in half will double your savings and one pack will last twice as long. It’s also less wasteful.

You can also apply this tip to fabric sheets and even to cotton square pads. I prefer to use cotton balls and stock up when on sale with a coupon. I normally buy the store brand as I can get better deals such as CVS or Target.

Do you use this tip already?

Have you heard about the Cart Buster Sale yet? This sale is good at Kroger and their family of stores which started October 7th and ends on October 20th! Each day there is a new deal which I have been tweeting about on my Twitter page.

I wanted to discuss some hair color tips that I have found help me to get the best color possible. I get lots of compliments on my hair color and looks very natural.

Many people are very afraid of coloring their own hair at home. I can definitely understand those concerns.

I use Natural Instincts Hair Color which gives me great color at a very affordable price. I can afford to color my hair a little more often by doing it myself.

I am not going more than a shade or two darker than my natural hair color.

I like to use a nice auburn which adds in dark red highlights to my dark brown hair. It looks great in the sunlight.

• I always wear an old shirt or old towel before starting. That way it doesn’t ruin a good shirt.
• Also a good idea to use a drop cloth or towel to stand on in case of any drips.
• To prevent staining around your hairline, try using a layer of petroleum jelly which creates a barrier.
• I also like to section out my hair before mixing the dye.
• I prefer to use gloves like stylists and bought a bag at a beauty supply store for less than $3.00 for a pack. These are much stronger than the ones provided for me in the box.
• I have bought a brush made to spread on the hair color which. I just squirt out a decent amount and then spread it out more evenly.

Then I allow it to process, rinse it out and condition. I hope some of these tips help you to color your own hair.

Don’t forget to Download a digital coupon for a different product each day straight to your shopper card at the Cart Buster site for great deals on your favorite products at the Kroger Co. Family of Stores!

Disclaimer: I was selected for participation in this campaign as a member of Clever Girls Collective.

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This post brought to you by éclos Skin Care. All opinions are 100% mine.

I am not getting any younger over here with 40 knocking on my door. It’s important to me to take care of my skin now before the signs of aging begin to really show. I was thrilled when I was given this great éclos Skin Care sample kit to try for a week!

What makes Eclos unique is their skin care line features Apple Stem Cells extracted from a rare Swiss apple which have shown tremendous ability to stimulate skin stem cells, encouraging aging skin to behave like younger skin. Plant extracts, vitamins and anti-oxidants combine with the Apple Stem Cell technology to help minimize the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and tired skin.

Even better is how affordable this skin care line is and it’s available at stores like Walgreens and CVS! Plus you can save money with their coupon!  Get department store quality without the department store price tag. It does not contain harmful petro-chemicals, parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances or dyes.

I tried all the skin care products in the sample kit! I loved all of them and they smell so good. I have to say my favorite was the éclos Anti-Aging Instant Radiance Facial Scrub! It warms up as you put it on your face. It smelled so good and felt great. It doesn’t stay harsh like some scrubs. It works into your skin and is more like a gel after it begins to dissolve. I loved it and felt like a spa treatment.

Facial Cleanser Skin Prep- lathers to remove makeup and daily debris which refreshes skin and purify pores. Use once morning and again at night.

Radiance Facial Scrub- exfoliates dry, dull dead skin cells. Restores radiance plus evens out skin tone. Use once daily- every other day. It warms up as you apply. I used it at night before bedtime.

Cellular Activator Face Serum– promotes collagen production giving skin a more youthful look. Helps visibly reduce appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while protecting against environmental damage. Smooth serum over clean, dry skin in morning and evening. For optimal effects, use under éclos Moisture
Therapy Regenerative Cream.

Moisture Therapy Regenerative Cream- Revitalizes skin stem cells, helping to tighten sagging skin and postpone wrinkles. Use once daily, morning and night. For optimal results, apply over éclos Cellular Activator Face Serum.

Restorative Eye Cream– visibly reduces fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes. Gently pat under, and around, eye area morning and night.

Renewal Clay Mask– cleanses skin, absorbs impurities, and helps unclog pores. Smooth a thin layer of mask over clean face, avoiding the eye area. After mask hardens (between 5 to 10 minutes), rinse thoroughly with warm water. Use twice weekly for maximum benefits.

My skin feels so much cleaner and brighter. I have noticed my pores are smaller and even the discoloration on my cheeks has lessened. My skin just feels so much smoother. I have noticed I was having a bit more acne than normal, but I think it was because it was bringing out the impurities to the surface. My husband has even commented on how much nicer my skin looks. I do find the moisturizer is a little thick which is fine for at night, but not for daytime wear. I have combination skin and it just felt too heavy on my face in this heat and humidity. I love to use it at night.

Don’t take my word for it and try it for yourself with your éclos Skin Care sample set! You will receive:

• Facial Cleanser Skin Prep
• Cellular Activator Face Serum
• Moisture Therapy Regenerative Cream
• Restorative Eye Cream
• Instant Radiance Facial Scrub
• Skin Renewal Clay Mask
• éclos Terry Cloth Head Band

Plus a $3/1 Full size product exp 12/31/2013 Money Saving Coupon!

I am giving away this great sample kit which retails for $19.99 to one lucky fan! There is only one super easy entry!  Leave a comment on this blog post stating which product in the kit you are most excited to try. That’s it! The giveaway will end on Saturday June 9th at 11:59PM CST! Winner will be picked using Random.org and US only please 18+ or older! Good luck!

Today’s thrifty living tip is to whiten teeth with baking soda.  I know you can purchase toothpaste made with baking soda, but I don’t find they work all that well. Those whitening strips are very expensive even with coupons and sales.

I find the very best way to whiten my teeth is to use plain baking soda. I make a paste with a teaspoon of baking soda, a pinch of salt, and add a little water. Use that paste to brush your teeth. You could also just sprinkle a little on a wet toothbrush. I find the paste cleans better. I then rinse my mouth well with water. You can use a little hydrogen peroxide, but be careful to never ingest peroxide (even food grade). I would suggest if you ever want to swish with peroxide then mix it with an equal amount of water.

I only use this mixture once to twice a month. Baking soda is abrasive and will wear away the enamel if used often. My dentist reassured me it is safe to use but not daily. He recommends no more than once a week at most, but said every other week would be safer. My teeth are not overly stained so I stick to once a month.

Have you tried baking soda as a tooth whitener? If you have, then what were your results?