Category: Beauty and Fashion Tips

Did you know that the standard human hair has a diameter of about 75 microns?

A micron is the millionth part of a meter or .00004 inches. Human hairs can be long and straight or they could become curled and twist around multiple times.

This is exactly what happens with underarm hair and why you should consider underarm waxing, instead of shaving your armpits. The underarm waxing benefits are numerous and they can prevent curly hair follicles from growing into the skin and cause infections.

Keep reading to learn the underarm waxing benefits and how long does underarm waxing lasts.

1. Don’t Worry About Underarm Hair for Weeks

As you probably already know, waxing works by removing the hair follicles together with their roots. This means that the hair will take longer to grow back afterwards. You will be able to walk around and not worry about armpit hair for longer as new hair takes weeks to regrow.

The reason for this is simple. Your body will eventually have to build back the hair roots first and then spend resources to grow new hairs. This process takes time and it’s totally safe and healthy. Most people wax their legs and other parts of the body to reap the same benefit.

2. Enjoy Softer Armpits 

One of the main advantages of waxing your armpits involves having a softer skin on your armpits. It will feel more pleasant to the touch and waxing might even be able to unclog some pores, allowing your skin to breathe better.

3. Don’t Have to Deal With Cuts and Bruises

Shaving any part of the body can be slightly stressful as there’s always a risk of cutting or bruising the skin. Although today’s razors have become very safe, there’s still a chance of accidentally cutting the armpit skin while shaving. 

You don’t have to worry about such things when you’re waxing your armpits. You just apply the wax and remove it together with the hair follicles and their roots. There’s no cuts, no bruises, no bleeding, and no money spent on new razors each month.

4. Waxing Also Exfoliates the Skin

Skin exfoliation is recommended if you want to enjoy a more beautiful, shinier, and softer skin. The exfoliation process removes dead cells, dust particles, and other impurities from the skin. Waxing can automatically exfoliate your armpits, so you don’t have to do it later on. Check out this underarm wax technique to learn more about waxing your armpits.

5. Get Rid of Ingrown Hairs

As mentioned earlier, curly hairs tend to grow inside the skin and this can lead to infections and mild pain. It’s difficult to remove ingrown hairs and most people do it when the infection becomes too serious to ignore.

Waxing removes hair follicles completely and the new hairs tend to grow straight. This has been observed in people who regularly wax their armpits. If you don’t want to deal with ingrown hairs again, consider ditching your razor and start waxing the armpits.

Now You Know the Underarm Waxing Benefits

As you can see, there are plenty of underarm waxing benefits you can reap if you start doing it regularly. The first session might be difficult, but once you learn the ropes you’ll ask yourself why you haven’t tried armpit waxing earlier.

To learn how to wax your armpits and what tools and techniques to use, make sure that you check out the other articles on our website. 

If you aren’t using a face serum before moisturizing, you’re missing out on the opportunity to seriously transform your skin. 

Yet, you may be thinking: serums are expensive! You can’t possibly shell out hundreds of dollars every month when you have other beauty products to purchase, too.

Lucky for you, there are drugstore alternatives. That’s right: the best affordable face serum doesn’t have to cost you a fortune. And today, we’re talking about ten affordable serums you can pick up at a drugstore near you.

Don’t believe us? Check out this article and see the truth for yourself!

The Best Affordable Face Serum Products (Plus How to Use Them)

You want good skincare but don’t want to break the bank, and we want to help you find it! Here, we’re talking about our ten favorite serums broken down by common skin issues. As a bonus, we’ll also tell you exactly how to incorporate them in your daily beauty routine.

Sound good? Let’s dive in!

For Acne-Prone Skin

AcneFree Adapalene Gel – $11.99 

Adapalene is an ingredient that fights inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne. This ingredient addresses the inflammation responsible for cystic acne while also boosting cell turnover to prevent pore blockage. 

Use a medicated cleanser (like one with salicylic acid) to start your acne-fighting beauty routine. Follow up with this serum and a water-based or oil-free moisturizer for a clear complexion every time.

For Dark Marks

Differin Dark Spot Correcting Serum – $18.97

This serum contains 2% hydroquinone, which is a safe and powerful skin lightener. Hydroquinone decreases melanin production in the scan. That makes it uber-effective against acne scars, dark marks, and even melasma.

To further promote dark mark fading, grab a cleanser with glycolic acid, which is known to help reduce acne scars. Apply your Differin serum to cleanse, dry skin. Your last step is to use a moisturizer with high SPF to prevent worsening dark spots or getting new ones. 

For Red and Irritated Skin

Olay Cooling Pressed Serum Stick – $19.99

Do you have stressed-out skin? Calm it down with this niacinamide and cactus water-containing serum from the masters of youthful-looking skin. 

To use this product, cleanse and dry your skin. Then, glide the stick over your face for a completely hands-free experience. Finish off your skincare routine with a calming moisturizer containing aloe, lavender, or eucalyptus. 

For the Naturopaths

Burt’s Bees Intensive Renewal Firming Serum – $19.99

Containing clean ingredients, this serum provides the power of a plant-based retinoid to firm and plump as good as the expensive stuff.

When you use natural products, you do run the risk of clogging pores. Steer clear of cleansers with clay and other drying materials, too, to avoid stripping moisture from the skin. Round off your natural routine with something as simple as aloe vera gel to lock-in moisture all day the natural way.

For Wrinkles

RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Serum – $16.00

Retinol can be alarmingly expensive, so it’s nice to see a drugstore alternative. This ingredient doesn’t just reduce wrinkles, it also softens and plumps the skin, making it perfect for all ages.

A wrinkle’s worst enemy is moisture. To keep skin looking youthful and fine line-free, pick up a cleanser with hyaluronic acid and follow up with this serum. Add on a layer of a thick moisturizer to ensure the retinol doesn’t dry out your skin. 

For Dry Skin

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Serum – $19.46

Hyaluronic acid is a double-duty dream for dry skin, moisturizing and plumping all at once. That’s why this serum is one of our favorites. This serum won’t clog pores, is lightweight, and non-sticky— everything we’ve come to expect from dermatologist-recommended Neutrogena. 

Start your beauty routine with an oil-based cleanser for ultimate hydration. Dry your face before putting a few drops of this serum into thirsty skin. Finish off with the best moisturizer for dry skin to lock-in all that hydrating goodness.

For a Glow

Aveeno Positively Radiant MaxGlow Infusion Drops – $17.90

If you deal with dull skin, the soy and kiwi extracts in this serum can help you out. It’s just as hydrating as it is brightening, perfect for mornings when you need a little extra boost.

An exfoliating cleanser is your best friend when you need a glow-up. Follow with this radiant serum before applying a super-hydrating moisturizer like the one we mentioned above for dry skin. Add a spritz of rose water or aloe before applying makeup for that glass skin look.

For Sagging Skin

Physician’s Formula 24-Karat Gold Collagen Serum – $16.00 

Collagen is the secret to firm youthful-feeling skin, but collagen-containing serums are usually priced through the roof. Not this one. With collagen, niacinamide for reduced redness, and peptides for plumpness, this is one of the best affordable face serums around.

When you have sagging skin, the products you use are less important than how you use them. Always apply products with an upward motion. That way, you aren’t tugging your skin down and contributing to sagging. 

For Textured Skin

Innisfree Green Barley Daily Refining Serum – $26.00

Even if you don’t deal with acne or wrinkles, serums like this one can help fix textured skin. The alpha-hydroxy acids found in green barley vinegar smooth the skin and glycerin promotes moisture retainment. This serum exfoliates, too, making it an even better value. 

Skip the exfoliating step when you incorporate this serum into your daily routine. Instead, choose a softening cleanser and save the scrubbing for your serum. Then, use a soothing moisturizer to ensure a perfect base for applying makeup.

For Sensitive Skin

Acure Seriously Soothing Blue Tansy Serum Stick – $19.00

According to dermatologists, the blue tansy oil in this serum reduces inflammation and is anti-bacterial. Plus, Acure’s serums are 100% fragrance-free, plant-based, and free of any nasty parabens or sulfates that may irritate your complexion. 

For a soothing beauty regimen every time, try to stick with a single line of products. For example, Acure’s Seriously Soothing line includes a cleanser, exfoliator, and mask. Sub-in your favorite non-comedogenic moisturizer to keep your skin calm and happy. 

The Final Word on Serums

If you want to up your skincare game this year, you need the best affordable face serum on the market. So next time you’re shopping for beauty products, don’t forget to bring this list along!

Loved this article and want more like it? Then you better keep checking back for more!

If your teeth need straightening, braces are the only solution, right?

Most people with crooked teeth probably think that they need braces to solve this dental issue, but that’s not always the case. Braces should be viewed as a sort of last resort for tooth conditions that aren’t fixable.

Today, we’re going to tell you how to straighten teeth without braces because it is possible and you can sometimes do it without a dentist’s help. Of course, it depends on the situation you have in your mouth, so read on and see if you can course-correct your teeth by yourself.

How to Straighten Teeth Without Braces

There are a few common conditions that are fixable without the costly and time-consuming help of braces. If you’ve got limited overcrowding, other malocclusions, or an underdeveloped palate that is making your teeth crooked, you can fix them with the help of retainers and other, less-invasive devices.

Overcrowding

Limited overcrowding is when your teeth are slightly crooked because they’re crowding in too small a space within your mouth. It’s the most common condition that (often) requires braces, but that’s not always necessary. 

Many cases of limited overcrowding can be solved with a fixed or removable retainer. A fixed retainer is mounted behind your teeth with luting cement to prevent them from moving for a period of time. A removable retainer has the same function as a fixed one, but you can take it out when it becomes uncomfortable.

Malocclusion

Overcrowding is a form of malocclusion, which is any kind of misalignment of the teeth. Other forms are crossbites, over and underbites, and open bites. Depending on which class of malocclusion you’ve got, you may be forced to get braces or Invisalign to get straighter teeth.

In more minor cases, retainers will once again come into play. In class 2 or 3 malocclusions, it might be more beneficial to insert a device to adjust the jaw.

Underdeveloped Palate

Sometimes you’ll need to adjust your palate to make room for your teeth. This is most common with children whose jaws are too small for their permanent teeth. In the old days, an orthodontist would perform an extraction to accommodate the teeth, but now we have something called rapid palatal expansion.

With RPE, a device is fitted into the mouth that gradually expands the palate (roof of the mouth) so that it can fit those permanent teeth that are coming in. The process usually takes between a few weeks and a few months to complete.

Take Care of Your Teeth

While retainers and other devices are meant to help you avoid getting braces, sometimes it’s the only way. Going down the path of learning how to straighten teeth without braces should only happen with the help of a dental professional.

Most people associate having straight teeth with being more confident about their appearance, but there are practical benefits as well. The biggest is that it’s much easier to catch food and particles when you’re brushing. Crooked teeth can also put pressure on your jaw and lead to chronic headaches.

Did you find this article helpful? Come back and visit us again for more on family life and frugal living. 

You go to the dentist regularly and brush your teeth two times a day as directed but still, your teeth are a bit discolored and not as white as you want them. 

Having pearly white teeth sometimes seems like a dream and not a reality. But what if there are many options for you to get those shiny white teeth that you’ve always dreamed of?

Keep reading for our complete guide on teeth whitening options for you.

Why Do Teeth Turn Yellow?

Before diving into teeth whitening options you should know why your teeth turn yellow or look discolored. There are two reasons and both of these reasons speed up as you get older. 

Enamel is the outer layer of your teeth and this is what makes them appear to be white. Underneath your enamel is a layer of tissue called dentin and this is a yellowish-brown color. So when your enamel wears away this is what makes your teeth look discolored. 

Your teeth can also appear to look discolored from stains. Stains can come from foods and beverages such as coffee, soda, berries, curry, among other things. When trying to whiten your teeth you may want to try to actively avoid things that can stain your teeth.  

Teeth Whitening Strips

If you’re looking for a convenient way to whiten your teeth, then teeth whitening strips may be the right call for you. Teeth-whitening strips are sold in pretty much any drug store and they are fairly inexpensive so you can buy them whenever you need them.  

They’re also very easy to use as long as you follow the directions right on the box. The downside to teeth whitening strips is it may take longer to produce the result you want depending on the amount of peroxide in the strip. 

Teeth Whitening Toothpaste

Another easy and affordable option is to start using teeth whitening toothpaste daily. This is a super easy option because you don’t have to add anything new to your daily routine. 

Teeth whitening toothpaste works to remove surface stains with mild abrasives. They contain additional polishing agents and special chemicals that are more powerful at removing stains than regular toothpaste.

On the other hand, this type of toothpaste does not bleach your teeth so you may not see lasting results. If you rely on this toothpaste too much, then you may feel a bit of tooth sensitivity or damage to your enamel over time. 

Go to a Professional

If you want to change your entire look you may want to start with your teeth and the best way to do this is by hiring a cosmetic dentist. They can help you change the look of your teeth and give your entire face a healthy glow. Finding the best cosmetic dentist could be a bit difficult but there are some major things you should look for when looking to hire one. 

When you hire a cosmetic dentist you’re going to get the best service for your teeth possible. This type of dentist is all about changing the way your teeth look. They can help you get rid of that discolored look and give you the perfectly straight teeth you’ve always dreamed of. 

In-Office Bleaching

In-office bleaching is a great way to see results fast. To have this procedure done you will go to a dentist office. It usually takes a little over an hour so it’s a very quick procedure. 

You may experience a bit of pain but it is just because your teeth are sensitive to the peroxide used. This procedure can be very costly and you will want to stay committed to keeping your teeth as white as possible. The benefit is that you can see the results of the procedure immediately which is why it is very popular. 

Teeth Whitening Rinses

Another popular way to get whiter teeth is by using a whitening rinse. They work just like mouth wash by reducing bad breath and helping to fight dental plaque as well as gum disease. You will want to look for a product that contains hydrogen peroxide. 

Unfortunately, this is a lengthy process and you may not really see the results until 12 weeks of use. But it is very easy to use! All you do is swish it around your mouth for 60 seconds before brushing your teeth. 

A whitening rinse is a great thing to add into your daily routine but it may not give you the teeth whitening results that you’re craving. It only comes in contact with your teeth for about two minutes a day so it isn’t as effective as many other teeth whitening products. 

Teeth Whitening Gels and Trays

Teeth whitening gels and trays can be very effective but do not give immediate results. You can wear these gels and trays for a couple of hours a day or even while you sleep at night. It can take anywhere from 3 days to a few weeks to see results with gels and trays. 

There are two different types of teeth whitening gels and trays that you can buy. The kind that your dentist can sell you or the kind that you can buy over the counter. When you get teeth whitening gels and trays from your dentist you may see faster results because they contain a higher amount of the peroxide bleaching agent. 

Another benefit of purchasing trays from your dentist is that they can have them custom fit for your teeth. When you purchase over the counter whitening gels and trays they are just generic so they may not fit your teeth correctly. This could result in the gel coming in contact with your gums which could cause irritation. 

Many Teeth Whitening Options

There are many different teeth whitening options that you can choose from. You may have to experiment with the different methods but finding the best one for you should be easy. 

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The average family spends just shy of $2000.00 per year on clothes. That’s enough money for most Americans to take a vacation to Disney World!

We get that clothes take priority over Mickey Mouse photo ops and fun rides but understand that you don’t have to be spending anywhere near $2000.00 on clothes on an annual basis. There are a number of clever strategies that everyday people like you use to save extraordinary amounts of cash on everything from shoes to shirts.

Curious to know what these awesome savings strategies are? Well, you’re about to find out.

Below, we share our top tips on how to shop for clothes without breaking the bank!

1. Be Open to Hand Me Downs

When you were a kid, you probably dreaded getting your sibling’s or your cousin’s hand me downs. As an adult, you should be more open to digging through people’s used clothes to see if there are any good pieces in the pile.

After all, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure, right?

Let people that are roughly the same size as you know that you’re always looking for interesting pieces of clothing to experiment with and that you’d appreciate it if they’d drop their bags of used garments on your doorstep before they go to the dumpster.

You can even sweeten the deal by saying that you’ll donate anything that you don’t use!

2. Go Thrift Shopping

Every how to shop for clothes affordably guide is going to recommend that you go thrift shopping. That’s because thrift shopping rocks!

You’d be shocked by how many high-end pieces get donated and go on a $2.00 rack at your local Goodwill or Salvation Army store.

Also, most thrift shops donate proceeds to charitable causes. That means that you can upgrade your closet for pennies on the dollar while improving someone else’s quality of life. Talk about a great deal!

3. Go to Overstock Stores Before Outlets

There are overstock stores and there are outlet stores. Understanding the difference between those two places is instrumental to you saving big time on clothes.

Outlets, for the most part, aren’t a very good deal. Most outlets advertise insane markdowns but those markdowns are based on MSRP which doesn’t always turn out to be a better deal than you’d get at a standard mall. Also, many outlet malls have lower quality clothing that were produced specifically for outlet retailers which won’t last you long.

On the other hand, overstock stores are an excellent value! Overstock stores like Marshalls or Ross legitimately get name brand retailers to sell them their overstock inventory at a discounted rate. They then pass those discounts onto you.

Consequently, you can find high-quality garments at overstock stores for prices that will make your jaw drop!

4. Hit the Sales Rack

Any time that you walk into a store, go straight to the sales rack. Sure, most items on a sales rack won’t be what you’re looking for. Occasionally though, you’ll bump into an incredible deal that you would have missed out on if you hadn’t of looked.

Can’t find the sales rack at your local store? Don’t be afraid to ask a store associate where you can find it.

Floor managers sometimes tuck sales racks into the back of their stores to let their more expensive merchandise enjoy the limelight.

5. Click the Clearance/Sales Tab on Websites

Do you like shopping online? If you do, you’re not alone. About 10% of all sales are generated over the internet. As it turns out, your how to shop for clothes at discounted prices ambitions can be achieved over the web if you know where to look.

Our recommendation is to head over to the “clearance” or “sale” tab on clothing sites like Lulu & Rose which should either be at the top or bottom of a homepage.

There are usually several excellent deals in online clearance sections that you can’t find in a store’s brick-and-mortar locations.

6. Buy out of Season Fashion

Don’t buy cute coats in late November. Don’t buy sexy swimsuits in May. Instead, buy swimsuits in the winter and coats during the summer.

While that may seem counterintuitive, retailers try to clear out fashion that’s not in season to make room for more relevant inventory by offering huge discounts. Stock up on all of the cheap, out of season fashion that you can get your hands on and debut it to the public once the appropriate weather blows into town.

7. Sell Your Old Stuff to Save on New Purchases

While this isn’t a way to explicitly save money while buying new clothes, it achieves the same end. If you have clothes that are in good condition but don’t fit you anymore, you can actually sell those garments and use the money to discount the new stuff that you buy.

Popular places/platforms to sell your old fashion on include Poshmark, The Buffalo Exchange and eBay.

8. Never Shop Without Coupons

There’s a coupon for just about anything that you buy in life. Especially when you’re shopping online.

Before you check out that shopping cart on Amazon or on Nike, scour the web to see if there’s a coupon that you can apply to your purchase to bring down your price. To make things even easier, you can use applications like Honey which will source coupons on your behalf.

9. Take Care of Your Threads

If you buy a shirt for $15.00 and you ruin it in one year, that shirt cost you $15.00 per year to own. If you bought the same shirt, took care of it and it lasted you four years, it cost you $3.75 per year to own.

Most people don’t think about clothing prices that way but you definitely should. Take better care of your threads and they become cheaper to own over time.

10. Be Honest About When You Need to Go Shopping

Another way to bring down the amount of money that you spend on clothing is by being honest about when you need to shop. We get that shopping can make for a great release after a stressful workweek. But how about finding another way to take the edge off like exercising?

We’re willing to bet that if you need a new outfit to wear, you could mix and match old pieces to create a fresh look. If that’s true, get creative instead of pulling out your credit card.

11. Don’t Buy Pricey Workout Clothes

Niche clothing outfits like “yoga clothes” or “workout clothes” are some of the biggest scams of all time.

In reality, you could use any large shirt and comfy sweats/shorts to work out or do yoga. Since that mindset isn’t going to make retailers money, they’ve constructed this idea that everything you do requires a specialized outfit.

Ditch that nonsense and stop being so concerned about how you look all of the time. If you can take a more pragmatic attitude when it comes to the kinds of outfits that you wear, you’ll save a boatload of money.

12. Check the Men’s Section

Ladies, we’ve got some bad news for you… Your clothes tend to be a lot more expensive than men’s clothes.

Why is that? A number of reasons, some of which have to do with how much women are willing to pay for clothing in comparison to men. The good news is that there’s no reason why you need to buy lady’s clothing!

If you’re looking for something androgynous like sweats, a hoodie or a shirt, mosey over to the men’s section to see what they have available. We’re willing to bet that you’ll find something that looks great for at least 20% off of what you would have paid in the women’s section.

Now That You Know How to Shop for Clothes for Less Money, Start Saving!

You can read about how to shop for clothes for less money until you’re blue in the face. Until you put forward the effort that’s required to enjoy deals though, you’re going to overspend on threads and waste cash that you could have spent on a vacation or other fulfilling purchases.

Remember, there’s no shame in getting a great deal. Get out there, start shopping smart and start enjoying the extra cash that you’re going to be building up in your wallet.

Can’t get enough of our savings-related content? If you’re craving more tips and tricks on all things money, dive deeper into the newest content that we have up on our blog!