Cheap & Easy Updates to Your Beauty Routine – Special Guest Post!

I am so excited to share a post with you all today from one of my bloggy BFFs, Cari. Today, Cari is sharing some fun, affordable beauty tips with us. Enjoy!

When Kristin asked me to guest post for her, I was giddy with excitement, did a little dance, and ran to tell my husband. As soon as the excitement stopped bubbling out of me, I knew exactly what I wanted to write. I am going on 30 and have spent very few days without makeup on. It is just something I do, it is part of who I am. It is not that I feel like I am not pretty without it, I am just more “old school” with my appearances. I long for the days when ladies wore hats and gloves, tied their hair in scarfs, and everyone took pride in themselves. I know that makeup every day is not for everyone, but I still believe that taking pride in your appearance, no matter how you do it, is vital to success. If you do not take yourself seriously, then how can you expect anyone else to?

That is my soapbox, and maybe Kristin will have me back one day to talk about that, but for today, I want to share some beauty secrets I have learned over my fabulous life.

Homemade Hair Detangler

I have very thick, coarse hair that is constantly getting tangled. I condition regularly, use masques, and spray leave-in conditioner.  I now make my own because I could only find the kid versions for the longest time, and those just did not cut it.

What you’ll need:
1.       Spray bottle (repurpose from other styling product or purchase one cheaply)
2.       Conditioner (this is a great way to use those samples)
3.       Frizz Control/ Smoothing Crème
4.       Water

Add 1 teaspoon of conditioner and 1 teaspoon of frizz control cream. (I actually double this because my hair is so thick and coarse.) Fill the bottle the rest of the way with water. Shake vigorously until it mixes well. It is best to shake before each use.

I keep one of these in my beach bag, a small one in my big purse, and one at home. If I went to the gym, I would even keep one in my gym bag.

Here are a few more tips to make your beauty routine quicker and easier:

• Dry curly or coarse hair with a t-shirt (or baby towel) instead of your normal bath towel to help cut down on frizz. Be sure to not rub it around your head, this will just add to the tangles and frizz.
• If you get mascara or liquid liner on your skin (it happens to us all!)  let it completely dry, and it will flake right off.
• Rub Vaseline instead of lotion on your elbows and knees to soften cracked skin.
• Use a metal art pencil sharpener for eyeliner and lip liner. They are designed to work with all hardnesses of pencils, so they sharpen better, do not crack the wood, and give a finer point to work with.
• Use baby oil gel instead of pricey eye makeup remover. Simply squeeze some on a cotton ball and swipe slowly across your eyelid. It is amazing; it even works for heavy eye makeup. 
• Spray lemon juice on your hair (as you would Sun-In) before you go into the sun to bring out your natural highlights.
• My lovely Mother-In-Law wanted to share her best tip too - use Noxzema instead of shaving cream. Your legs will be smoother and will not get razor burn. I am so glad she shared this tip with me; I love it!

Cari George is a work at home mom who starts too many projects before she finishes the first. She blogs at NighLon.com and The Palmetto Queen, where Cari writes about life as a mom, wife, logo designer, branding consultant, and managing it all. You’ll learn about her passions,  latest and greatest discoveries, and her love story with South Carolina. 

Cari has been an advocate for personal branding since high school and encourages everyone she meets to discover their own brand and take themselves seriously while still having fun!  She is currently writing her first book; Wearing NighLons: The Art of Personal Branding.