Money Saving Beauty

1 - No.1 spot treatment 

This has got to be the best thrifty, beauty tip to ever have been given. I always used to read in magazines that crushed up aspirin tablets mixed with a few drops of water would work miracles on spots, repairing broken skin and reducing redness, and to be honest I was a little sceptical. Until I tried it myself. 

I use one crushed tablet when my skin has flared up on my problem areas, mix it with water till a smoothish consistency and leave over night. It is a bit of a pain as when the water has dried away, the tablet gets flakey and will fall everywhere! Though believe me, the little mess it makes, is well worth the result, especially considering you can pick up a pack of 16 for under 30p! 

2 - Home-made smoothing exfoliator salt scrub

For an instant dose of smooth skin use this DIY salt scrub! Its cheap and cheerful and can be made up quickly of the essentials hiding in your kitchen cupboard. My mum and I swear by this and have been using this clever trick for a very long time!
Simply mix the salt and oil until a smooth paste is formed, rub onto dry or wet skin and wash off. The salt helps to remove dead skin and the oil leaves you feeling smooth and silky. For an extra indulgent treat, add a couple drops of your favourite essential oil, my personal favourites to go with this scrub are almond and jasmine oils. 

3 - Desperate fix, eye make-up remover

For desperate measures when your out of facial wipes, don't go using shower gel to take off your eye make up! Soap in your eyes is really painful and shower gels are often really drying for your delicate eye area. Instead take a cotton pad and use a really gentle moisturiser like Nivea, without putting too much on the pad and getting it stuck on your lashes or into your eyes, carefully swipe away your mascara and eye-liner. 

                                                          4 - Lash nutrition

People are always saying that putting Vaseline on your lashes makes them grow longer, now that's a beauty myth. But it does nourish them allowing them to repair from mascara wear and curling, giving them the potential to grow longer. For glossy, nourished eye lases put a little Vaseline on before bed and wipe off in the morning, after a week or twos use you should be able to notice the difference.

Also if your false eyelashes are looking a little worse for wear, but you can't make the shops to buy another pair, try putting some Vaseline on a cotton wool pad and carefully wiping off the excess glue and mascara from last times use!

5 - Eyelash and brow comb 

Need something to comb your lashes with after applying a clumpy mascara? Try washing out an old mascara brush to swipe off excess mascara or even to comb your eyebrows. Maintained eyebrows are a big beauty statement as of late with models at the recent London Fashion Week seen sporting the BIG brow look. Just be sure to clean the brush properly and often as old bacteria and colour could be left on. 

Beauty review - Elemis softly, softly daily moisturiser

(The size pictured is a trial size)

Elemis is a high end, luxury skincare brand found in spas and salons, all over the world. Moisturiser is the single most important beauty product to be be armed with - I’ve tried and tested luxury spa and skincare favourite, Elemis’ daily skin saviour.

The indulgent products are said to be a new found favourite among celebrities, particularly Anna Friel, a regular visitor at the London based, urban spa and Victoria Beckham, who famously tweeted about the £27.00, Japanese Camellia Body Oil Blend, during her pregnancy - as a tip for avoiding stretch marks.

The Softly, Softly Daily Moisturiser is a bit on the expensive side at £20.00 for 50ml but for a product this scrumptious and hydrating, I would be prepared to splash out.

Infused with essential oils rosehip, almond and lavender, the cream smells sweet yet sensuous and slightly like Turkish delight. Rosehip and almond both work to soften and hydrate the skin, providing a much needed boost. Lavender has calming properties, perfect for use before bed or to create a soothing feeling, ahead of a stressful day.

The suggested directions advise to smooth onto skin after cleansing, which leaves a light, fresh and hydrated feeling. Though this product is so versatile, I’ve even used it as a base under foundation to create a dewy skin look, which is totally on trend for spring/summer.

The only thing I would say about this product is if you’re looking for a thorough moisturiser, for dry or damaged skin, to pick a more intense cream, as the creams light consistency would not have much of an impact on skin in need of substantial hydration. 

If you’re not completely sure about the right level of moisture your skin craves, visit an Elemis counter within a department store, a spa stocking the brand, or purchase trial sizes. This way you can insure to get the right product for you, before parting with your cash!